Rockies 6, Twins 4: Minnesota Falls Flat in Second Half Debut

[Matt Braun]

Image courtesy of Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Box Score
Chris Paddack: 5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Home Runs: Byron Buxton (22), Willi Castro (10)
Bottom 3 WPA: Chris Paddack (-.236), Brooks Lee (-.151), Harrison Bader (-.097)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

The last time the Twins were in Colorado felt different. The 2023 squad chomped on Coors Field as their victory cigar, claiming two final wins in what was window dressing for an already postseason-bound team. They had the liberty of using a position player pitcher to conclude the final game—and the season. This squad, however, is barely clinging onto life. The 2025 Twins are squabbling in an AL wild card melee, constantly oscillating their playoff chances between “unlikely” and “possible.” Minnesota entered Friday on something of a hot streak, with three straight series wins (and also three straight missed sweep opportunities). How would they fare in the first game since the All-Star break?

Early? Poorly. Very poorly. Exceedingly poorly. Through 5,116 games as a franchise, the Rockies had never started a game with four consecutive extra-base hits, yet that’s exactly what they did Friday, going double, double, triple, homer to clock Chris Paddack for four runs through as many batters. Welcome to the second half.

The Rockies struck for a fifth run in the second before entering a slumber.

Meanwhile, the Twins started lethargic and remained stalled for most of Kyle Freeland’s time on the mound. Byron Buxton cracked a solo homer in the fifth—that one was for the Home Run Derby pessimists—yet no other legitimate scoring threat came to fruition while the lefty stood on the mound. Well, there was one. Carlos Correa started the sixth with a walk, and Ty France followed with a single. Staring at a tremendous chance to score at least one run, Minnesota’s next three hitters pooped their pants as all three struck out swinging. Freeland entered the frame with zero strikeouts in the start. It’s incredible how funny this game can be.

The botched rally portended a sixth run for Colorado the next half-inning; evidently the dredges of dower baseball proved to be a launching point, though, as Freeland’s exit for the game sparked a sign of life. Buxton outran an infield hit, and Ryan Jeffers served a single into right. As unbelievable as it may be given the ugliness of what came before, the Twins were a swing away from jumping back into things—and Willi Castro provided that swing, crushing a first-pitch sinker 439 feet out to dead center. 

That proved to be the end of excitement. The Twins never scored again. Their bats petered out against the back end of the Colorado bullpen, leading to an empty and disappointing start to the season's second half. 

Notes:

Ryan Jeffers earned his first four-hit game since May 17th.

Christian Vázquez caught in his 912th career game, the fourth-most amongst active catchers. 

Byron Buxton is slashing .556/.586/.1.074 in his last seven games. 

Post-Game Interview:

What’s Next?
The Twins and Rockies match up once more for a rare Saturday evening game as the highly anticipated TBD takes on Antonio Senzatela. First pitch is at 7:10 PM. 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

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[jkcarew]

Remember back in June when we were going to sell high on Paddack?

Those were the days!

[Parfigliano]

Sell.

[IndyTwinsFan]

5 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

Remember back in June when we were going to sell high on Paddack?

Clearly not anymore. 

[Vanimal46]

2 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

Remember back in June when we were going to sell high on Paddack?

June 1 specifically. That was literally his peak here. 11 starts with an ERA barely below 4 at 3.94. We are 5-15 in games he starts. Time to let him go. 

[Blyleven2011]

Regards to interest on twins games ...

Before the allstar break  , there was very few member posting on the game thread for the Pittsburgh series  ....

Tonight after the allstar break I was very surprised that almost 400 post were made in game thread , granted not all of them were of the game ...

They sucked us back in only to spit us back out , was hoping for better results in Colorado but it just goes to show that any team on any given day can beat you , never let your guard down ...

3 games out of 500 , not going to be over 500 going into dodgertown ...

[IndyTwinsFan]

1 minute ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Regards to interest on twins games ...

Before the allstar break  , there was very few member posting on the game thread for the Pittsburgh series  ....

Tonight after the allstar break I was very surprised that almost 400 post were made in game thread , granted not all of them were of the game ...

They sucked us back in only to spit us back out , was hoping for better results in Colorado but it just goes to show that any team on any given day can beat you , never let your guard down ...

3 games out of 500 , not going to be over 500 going into dodgertown ...

And likely even further under by the time we leave L.A.

[thelanges5]

1 for 8 RISP; 8 LOB 

Paddack is who we thought he was/is

[Rhyno006]

"... as the highly anticipated TBD takes on Antonio Senzatela."

Ha!

 

[tony&rodney]

Paddack surpassed 100 innings pitched. I thought 90-120 IP this year would be best case scenario as a bright spot for the young Texan. Despite the record, statistics, and hard hits Paddack must feel decent for getting past 100 IP. That's something.

[Dman]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

June 1 specifically. That was literally his peak here. 11 starts with an ERA barely below 4 at 3.94. We are 5-15 in games he starts. Time to let him go. 

Yeah I agree.  They won't do anything until after the deadline though. 

I do think he could be a decent reliever maybe even elite in time.  I just don't think starting is his thing.  At least a thing he can excel at.

[USAFChief]

Per Provus, Colorado has not won a home series this season.

 

Way to bring THAT up, Cory.

[knothole61]

"On any given day, any given team"...and that's why only a fool bets on baseball. But, it really is awful to lose to a team with hideous uniforms and a closer with a 5.15 ERA! Did I read that right?

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, Rhyno006 said:

"... as the highly anticipated TBD takes on Antonio Senzatela."

Ha

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

Paddack surpassed 100 innings pitched. I thought 90-120 IP this year would be best case scenario as a bright spot for the young Texan. Despite the record, statistics, and hard hits Paddack must feel decent for getting past 100 IP. That's something.

?

[Parfigliano]

51 minutes ago, Dman said:

Yeah I agree.  They won't do anything until after the deadline though. 

I do think he could be a decent reliever maybe even elite in time.  I just don't think starting is his thing.  At least a thing he can excel at.

Paddack grip rip.  He's a relief pitcher.  

[David HK]

Early AM hike- about 30Ks!   So, sadly I missed this debacle.  Good grief, what a pathetic display.

Paddack pukes all over the mound, and "Cy" Freeland shuts them down.  What rot.

[David HK]

4 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

June 1 specifically. That was literally his peak here. 11 starts with an ERA barely below 4 at 3.94. We are 5-15 in games he starts. Time to let him go. 

Maybe we can flip him to the Braves and get Joey Wentz back. 🤔

[Doctor Gast]

6 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Paddack surpassed 100 innings pitched. I thought 90-120 IP this year would be best case scenario as a bright spot for the young Texan. Despite the record, statistics, and hard hits Paddack must feel decent for getting past 100 IP. That's something.

Twins' organization loves to paint itself into a corner. Earlier in the season, Twins shorted themselves in the INF, where they had to depend on Julien at 2B, who was a liability. When Lopez went down, Twins never filled that void so they could have more flexibility. IMO, it's obvious that it's time for Paddack to go to the BP, he has reached his limit being a SP. But because the Twins are short in the rotation, Paddack will become a liability instead of being an asset in the BP where he can give us some quality innings. He has given us some quality innings as a SP but now is the time for him to be a long RP,

[Doctor Gast]

Wake up, Twins! Losing to the worst team in baseball! Starting in a 5-0 hole. Top of the order was great, if Paddack wasn't so bad we could have won the game. Starting Paddack, especially at Coors, wasn't a good idea. Way to go Twins, we made the Rox look good.

[CRF]

Paddack needs to at least go to the pen, if not gone. Problem is...he has next to no value right now. You just can't send him out there and let him bury us in the 1st inning like this. 

[Fezig]

There is just no reason to continue the charade that this team can compete in the playoffs. Sell Castro, Bader, and any other asset that isn't considered a long term player. At this point I'd rather watch a team that can contend in 2027 or 2028 than a team that is nearly a .500 club.

[HarmonK03]

When Ober comes back it has to be Paddack moved out of the rotation.  The three young pitchers need to be given starts and let them work thru any growing pains.  Their results will not be worse than Paddack and there will be more potential upside for the future of this franchise.  

Also, no more starts for France, he needs to be gone.  This organization will not move on from non productive vets.  France is putting up the same numbers as last year that got him released.  Bader and Clemens need to be playing only twice a week.  It is time to see what we have for next year so they can fill holes with quality instead of quantity.

Even if they somehow make the playoffs as a wildcard, they are not a championship team as constructed.

 

[Peter]

Horrible loss last night!!! You can’t lose to Colorado!!! Pressure is on to win next 2! And yes I’m not for selling but paddock/wallner/france need to be let go!!! Unreal loss last night!!! That can’t happen against Colorado!! 

[mikelink45]

6 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Paddack grip rip.  He's a relief pitcher.  

RP throw one inning.  Based on tonight and a few other games - that first inning does not look good.

[mikelink45]

If that was the showcase game where we let all the suitors know how great he could be before we trade him, we just went down to DSL league for the prospect.

[LastOnePicked]

49 minutes ago, Fezig said:

There is just no reason to continue the charade that this team can compete in the playoffs.

Agreed. 3/5 of the rotation (Paddack, Ober and the rotating #5 starter) are massive question marks, and that's not even including Lopez, who won't be back for weeks. The offense just isn't good enough to win many games on its own. 

Sell. 

[Sjoski]

4 hours ago, David HK said:

Maybe we can flip him to the Braves and get Joey Wentz back. 🤔

Seriously...what would Boston demand to get Alcala back? I would be afraid to ask. 

[Sjoski]

9 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Paddack surpassed 100 innings pitched. I thought 90-120 IP this year would be best case scenario as a bright spot for the young Texan. Despite the record, statistics, and hard hits Paddack must feel decent for getting past 100 IP. That's something.

Paddack gave us… well, technically, he gave us innings. It wasn’t always the kind we hoped for, but they were… innings.

His era in his last 7 games is 8.55

But to support your point, he is giving us more innings. 

 

[MMMordabito]

AceWrigley came up with Byron Buxton and the Crickets in the game chat, and Gemini fixed it up for us.