Mariners 11, Twins 2: Bailey Ober's 3rd-Inning Implosion Sends Twins to 10th Loss in 11 Games

[Matthew Taylor]

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Box Score
SP: Bailey Ober 7 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 0 BB, 7 K (102 pitches, 71 strikes (70%))
Home Runs: Trevor Larnach (11), Carlos Correa (6)
Bottom 3 WPA: Ober -.327, Byron Buxton -.087, Christian Vázquez -.083
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs):

The Twins welcomed the Mariners to town Monday night, hoping to rebound after getting swept by Milwaukee. Instead, they fell flat again, dropping their fourth straight and 10th in their last 11 games in an 11-2 loss.

Bailey Ober got the start, looking to bounce back from recent struggles with his mechanics. After two scoreless innings, things unraveled in a hurry. In the top of the third, Seattle tagged Ober for five hits and six runs, including home runs by Julio Rodríguez and Luke Raley. Ober settled in after that, retiring seven straight at one point and pitching through seven full innings, but the damage had already been done. He gave up a third home run to Dominic Canzone in the sixth and finished the night with seven earned runs on his line. He was left in to preserve the bullpen, but the early implosion left the Twins with little chance. 

Minnesota’s offense once again failed to deliver in key moments. They left seven men on base and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, squandering an early opportunity in the second inning, when they had runners on the corners with one out but got nothing after strikeouts from Christian Vázquez and Byron Buxton.

The Twins finally showed a flicker of life in the bottom of the sixth, with back-to-back solo home runs from Trevor Larnach and Carlos Correa. Those were the only two runs they managed against Mariners starter Bryan Woo, who struck out nine and didn’t walk a batter across six innings. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late, as the game had been long decided before then.

A highlight for the Twins (that will quickly be forgotten, thanks to the final score) was another spectacular play by Byron Buxton, this time in the field. Vote this man in the All-Star Game. Frankly, it's the only thing we have going for us right now.

Seattle padded their lead in the ninth off Joey Wentz, scoring four more runs. Cal Raleigh, the league’s home run leader, crushed a two-run homer to put an exclamation point on the night and continue the Twins’ freefall in run differential.

It was yet another lifeless performance from a squad that has looked lifeless ever since its 13-game winning streak ended just one month ago.

What’s Next
The Twins will try to stop the bleeding on Tuesday night, with Chris Paddack facing off against Seattle ace Luis Castillo. First pitch from Target Field is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Whether the bats or bullpen can offer any support remains to be seen.

Postgame Interview

 

Bullpen Usage Report

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[Aggies7]

We give up 10+ runs a game these days like a bad high school team 😂

[Vanimal46]

5 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

We give up 10+ runs a game these days like a bad high school team 😂

You get 10 runs! And you get 10 runs! You all get 10 runs!

[mikelink45]

What can we say?  They stunk. Wentz is another bottom feeder pickup. He was cut by the Pirates and Rocco keeps using him. DFA is the only response his performance warrants. 

Ober on the IL or we need more information because he has looked terrible.  

So much to say. What is the positive. The fact that Rocco will be back?

[Old Crow]

It's ground hog day all over again.  (sorry Yogi)

[IndyTwinsFan]

9 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

What can we say?  They stunk. Wentz is another bottom feeder pickup. He cut by the Pirates and Rocco keeps using him. DFA is the only response his performance warrants. 

Ober on the IL or we need more information because he has looked terrible.  

So much to say. What is the positive. The fact that Rocco will be back?

Regarding the last question, that is definitely not a positive, IMO.

[jkcarew]

Seattle’s starter tonight was taken in the same draft and same round as Travis Adams.

Reject the asinine (is and always has been) narrative that this organization knows anything more about identifying and developing major league pitchers than the average franchise…if that.

However much you despise this organization right now, you don’t despise them enough.

[Dantheman]

1 hour ago, jkcarew said:

Seattle’s starter tonight was taken in the same draft and same round as Travis Adams.

Reject the asinine (is and always has been) narrative that this organization knows anything more about identifying and developing major league pitchers than the average franchise…if that.

However much you despise this organization right now, you don’t despise them enough.

Hopefully we will get to see what Adams has to offer to the team at some point soon, because wentz blows. This team needs to find that guy that can eat innings in good or bad situations and not let the game get even more out of hand, just for that small bit of hope that the offense has a big inning and the game isn’t 2 touchdowns away. 

[Danchat]

I really have to wonder if continuing to throw Ober out there is the right move. I guess they did get 7 innings out of him, but he continues to give up HRs at an alarming rate. At least have him skip a start and see if that time off helps his ailments.

[knothole61]

For your Minnesota Twins: over one-third of tonight's at bats were taken by players with a .193 average, batting average...and neither Bride nor Keirsey saw action. Seattle's three lowest batting average, averages (I did that again!) tonight came out to .242. 

And Wentz is atrocious...no, he really is. I know, I know...he's a lefty. Arrrggghhhh!  

The season has gone beyond sad now, to some nether world that I cannot name.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Looking at the Twins performance over the last 162 games (since game 79 on 24 June 2024, a 4-5 loss to AZD), it is clear that the current roster does not have what it takes to compete for a playoff spot this season. If there are no substantive changes, we can expect more of the same.

Started a discussion in the Forae to look at this from the VP Baseball Ops/GM role (with Manager level input). Do we choose to:

1. Attempt to right the ship and compete this year, or 
2. Throw in the towel and re-build for a season (or more) out 

Personally, I am in the camp that still believes the AL Central can be won, but not without some fundamental moves that improve run production, first and foremost.

[CRF]

Time to blow this thing up. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

9 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

What can we say?  They stunk. Wentz is another bottom feeder pickup. He cut by the Pirates and Rocco keeps using him. DFA is the only response his performance warrants. 

Ober on the IL or we need more information because he has looked terrible.  

So much to say. What is the positive. The fact that Rocco will be back?

Two Positives: At least Ober didn't walk anyone.  Lee made a spectacular catch the start the game, dodging the umpire and the 3rd base coach to do so. 

[Maybebaby]

Yep, light the fuse!

[Doctor Wu]

9 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

What can we say?  They stunk. Wentz is another bottom feeder pickup. He cut by the Pirates and Rocco keeps using him. DFA is the only response his performance warrants. 

Ober on the IL or we need more information because he has looked terrible.  

So much to say. What is the positive. The fact that Rocco will be back?

The only positives I can take from this game are Buxton's incredible catch (he's still a joy to watch), and the multiple hits by Correa and Lee. But even those slight positives doesn't diminish another horrific performance. Not much to look forward to, expect for the upcoming draft ... NBA or MLB?

[Blyleven2011]

9 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

What can we say?  They stunk. Wentz is another bottom feeder pickup. He cut by the Pirates and Rocco keeps using him. DFA is the only response his performance warrants. 

Ober on the IL or we need more information because he has looked terrible.  

So much to say. What is the positive. The fact that Rocco will be back?

If falvey ever gets another job in the baseball industry  , only a fool would hire him as a gm or higher position ...

Extending Rocco another year just shows how incompetent he has been for this organization  ...

Some twins fans got what they wished for ( thet wanted a change fron the Terry Ryan regime ), falvey has really done nothing , the pipeline of players has turned out to be a joke , alot of our pitching has come by acquisition not pipeline they rave about , our position players play well in minors and Rocco doesn't believe in taking that talent another step and making that talent at mlb level  better ( he throws them to the wolves ) , you have to continue to teach and coach these rookies at mlb , I hardly ever hear a player say a coach helped correct a problem I had , I never hear a player say Correa or buxton our leaders helped me correct a problem  ...

We used to hear it when Kelly,  gardenhire and molitor were managers ....

Now that the Twins have announced Rocco's  extension  we will definitely finish fourth or now maybe last in our division ...

Rocco is not a major league manager and coaches are not professionals   and the team doesn't play like a major league team ...

What is it they say , if you can't do anything right , you teach  ...

Well our professional coach's don't teach ...

Webster dictionary may have to remove the word professional from the dictionary  or just add baseball player with an asterisk next to it  ( baseball players are not  ) ...

I am about at my witts end with this team , not the players so much but the way they are run by the organization  ...

The players have talent but the organization seems to diminish that talent in the opposite direction with no consistency in every phase of playing baseball the way it should be played  ...

 

[jmlease1]

Oof. I suppose it's a positive that Ober only looked unplayable in ONE inning? Not sure this policy of letting him try and iron out his mechanics in live fire exercise is working out. I mean, great that he cut down the the walks, but if it means he's still grooving pitches to get launched into the seats then it's not going to work. He's now given up 10 HRs in his last 4 games, and that's just awful.

I think I've seen enough of the Joey Wentz Experience. DFA the guy. Would much rather see Travis Adams in this role as a long man; at least he might have a future with the Twins. I didn't mind them taking a shot on Wentz as the last man in the bullpen, see if they could find something there from a pitcher relatively recently converting to the bullpen, but he looks like he needs a lot of work.

Disappointing effort from the offense; need more than 8 baserunners. Maybe time to drop Wallner down in the order until he starts connecting again. Can't wait for Keaschall to get back, because Clemens has fallen off the cliff. He's been awful for a month now.

Good to see Brooks Lee still hitting though. 

[David Maro]

Whole team is tuning up to be in the Homerun Derby. Only problem is they hit two solo shots. The Mariners got multiple run homeruns. Now I see they are bringing back the same clown show in 26. Looks like they have a real dislike for their fan base. 

[AceWrigley]

2 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

The only positives I can take from this game are Buxton's incredible catch (he's still a joy to watch), and the multiple hits by Correa and Lee. But even those slight positives doesn't diminish another horrific performance. Not much to look forward to, expect for the upcoming draft ... NBA or MLB?

NHL!

[AceWrigley]

So the Twins announce they've extended Rocco. During an extended duration of horrid baseball. We don't know when he was extended but they pick this time to announce it. Great marketing.

[JD-TWINS]

11 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

What can we say?  They stunk. Wentz is another bottom feeder pickup. He was cut by the Pirates and Rocco keeps using him. DFA is the only response his performance warrants. 

Ober on the IL or we need more information because he has looked terrible.  

So much to say. What is the positive. The fact that Rocco will be back?

Who else is Rocco going to use when down 7 or 8? Wentz …….”….he keeps using him” seriously?

I too think Wentz should go but Baldelli didn’t roster him. The #8 guy picks up bulk innings when team is out of it (Wentz - Dobnack - “whoever”)……..0-7 with RISP is out of it ….. nearly every day.

[JD-TWINS]

7 hours ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

Looking at the Twins performance over the last 162 games (since game 79 on 24 June 2024, a 4-5 loss to AZD), it is clear that the current roster does not have what it takes to compete for a playoff spot this season. If there are no substantive changes, we can expect more of the same.

Started a discussion in the Forae to look at this from the VP Baseball Ops/GM role (with Manager level input). Do we choose to:

1. Attempt to right the ship and compete this year, or 
2. Throw in the towel and re-build for a season (or more) out 

Personally, I am in the camp that still believes the AL Central can be won, but not without some fundamental moves that improve run production, first and foremost.

I am an eternal optimist relative to the Twins - they are 2 1/2 out of a Wildcard spot and cannot play any worse……..that said they are also 12th in a 15 team League. That’s brutal!!!

All winter I, among many others, said the offense needed one SOLID addition ………France has plugged a hole - Bader has plugged a hole and then some - bullpen (w/o Wentz - Alcala - Bride’s & Funderburk’s innings, has good stats) - starters have been serviceable at the very least.

The number of games at 3 runs or less is insurmountable. Bride & Keirsey on our roster for extended periods is embarrassing, regardless of other’s health.

Keaschall & Lewis and some emergence of a reasonable output from Wallner can get things going but time is running short. If things don’t get to .500 or better in 3-4 weeks even I will have to punt. I still think, am hopeful, that “buyer” at deadline is logical with 1/3 of the season remaining at that point.

[LambchoP]

It's becoming pretty clear something is off with Ober. He's giving up 3-4 HR per start and his velo is down 1-2 mph. When he only throws 91 to begin with, he can't get away with losing 2 mph on his pitches. We should try to trade him before his value tanks anymore. I'm afraid we've seen the best of Ober already.... Wentz needs to go and I highly doubt the new waiver wire pickups from MIA will be any better. Why do they keep dumpster diving other teams cast offs instead of giving Adams a shot? He's already on the 40 man. It's time to see if these young pitchers are going to be viable major leagues or not.

[AKTwinsFan]

2 years ago we were running more, now it's a rarity to see anyone steal except for Buck, now on the other side (Mariners) Raleigh has as much stolen bases as Buck probably. They hire on a good 1st base coach, we hire on a bad one. Conger was a better 1st base coach.

[insagt1]

They are giving up 10+ runs just about every game lately. That puts way too much strain on the hitters who feel like they all must hit 6 run Homer's. Its wearing on them because the team less Buxton looks lifeless. Can't believe that this same team that won 13 straight has fallen apart so badly and thoroughly. They aren't competitive at all.  But nobody is catching Detroit this year. A WC might still be possible but it's slipping away fast.

[The Great Hambino]

1 hour ago, AceWrigley said:

So the Twins announce they've extended Rocco. During an extended duration of horrid baseball. We don't know when he was extended but they pick this time to announce it. Great marketing.

They butcher every other announcement they make, why would this one be any different? Also, this may have been more of a leak than an intentional announcement, which isn't much better

[joefish]

Another great big beautiful loss.

Pffft.

[TwinsDr2021]

Bryan Woo, isn't that the type of pitcher our organization is supposed to be turning out in this vaunted pitching pipeline?

6th round pick out of California Polytechnic State in 2021, In 22 played Rookie, A, A+ and Fall league. 23 started in AA and was up in the majors for 18 starts pretty much pitching 5+ innings with a few clunkers thrown in 24 made 22 starts in the majors with a 2.89 ERA, and pitching well again at age 25. 

The Twins drafted Petty, Miller, Hajjar, Povich, CES, Macleod, Adams before him and Festa 7 rounds later. The only guys in the majors are not on this team besides Festa and would it be an understatement to say he has struggled much more than Woo. 

Since this FO took over drafting in 2017 here are the only players with a career WAR over 2. (Verdict still out on the 2022 draft and later, Lee .2, and Keaschall .4, Matthews -.6 so far) - It's not like they are bad at drafting they just can't get one player that really steps up to be an all star type player. 

Ober - 9

Jeffers 8.1

Rooker 8 

Steer 4.3

Wallner 4.2

Larnach 3.8

Lewis 3.5

Cade Smith 3.1

Juilen 2.0

--Bryan Woo 5.0

 

 

 

 

[twinzcynic]

5 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

I am about at my witts end with this team , not the players so much but the way they are run by the organization  ...

The players have talent but the organization seems to diminish that talent in the opposite direction with no consistency in every phase of playing baseball the way it should be played  ...

 

I agree completely. I'm at the point now to where I hope my favorite players get traded to a competent franchise.