Athletics 4, Twins 2 (10 inn.): Twins Can't Convert Chances, Shea Langeliers is Mean

[Sherry Cerny]

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Box Score
SP: Bailey Ober - 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K (82 pitches, 53 strikes (65%))
Home Runs: no one
Bottom 3 WPA: Royce Lewis (-.254), Byron Buxton (-.210), Génesis Cabrera (-.190)
Win Probability Chart (per FanGraphs)

Bailey Ober made his fourth start since returning from the hip injury that sidelined him this summer. His velocity remains a concern—strong in his first two outings, but leveling off in his most recent. The team has also dropped his last three starts, with Ober responsible for all but one of the runs surrendered in those appearances. Tonight was one of his better appearances, despite the dearth of velocity. Ober's back was tight in pregame warmups, but he said it loosened up as the outing progressed, and he felt he had unusually good feel for each of his pitches.

The Athletics struck first in the top of the second. Tyler Soderstrom led off with a double, and Darell Hernaiz followed with a sac fly to center. Byron Buxton tracked it deep to the wall and made the catch with ease, despite facing into the sun. The run scored, but that was all Oakland managed, taking a 1–0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, James Outman collected his second hit as a Twin—a double—to open the inning. Ryan Fitzgerald, his new “twin” in the lineup, followed with a single of his own. On an airy throw into the infield by right fielder JJ Bleday, Fitzgerald alertly took second base, putting both runners in scoring position after aggressive baserunning. Buxton then hit a sharp grounder to third baseman Brett Harris, however, and Harris's sure-handed pick and peg home nailed Outman to kill the would-be tying tally. 

Once again, the Twins failed to cash in with runners aboard. Like so many innings before, the threat ended in a double play—this time off Trevor Larnach’s bat. No matter the opponent, the Twins hit into double plays, as if rehearsed.

Ober entered the fourth inning at 51 pitches. On his second batter, second pitch, he surrendered a solo shot to Soderstrom—just clearing the center-field wall and out of Buxton’s reach. Ober regrouped to strike out Hernaiz, and the Athletics finished the inning up 2-0.

Both pitchers allowed their share of hits, but the defenses held firm on both sides. The Twins stayed aggressive on the bases, yet Oakland’s defense matched their energy.

Luke Keaschall provided another spark with the team's second extra-base hit of the game—and his seventh of the year. He then stole third during Kody Clemens’s at-bat, barely beating the tag. Clemens couldn't bring him home, however. With two outs, Ryan Jeffers drew the first walk issued by Athletics pitching all night, bringing up Matt Wallner with a chance to tie it. But Wallner’s at-bat ended quickly on a routine fly to right. The crack of the bat drew a collective breath from fans, but instead of cheers, only a groan of continued frustration followed.

The fifth inning was the turning point for the Twins lineup. Instead of dying after one out, they rebounded. Outman clubbed another double to start the frame. Even after what looked like a home run (or at least another double) from Fitzgerald was snatched in center field, followed by Buxton striking out for the fateful second out, the rally wasn't quite extinguished.

Larnach came through and hit a single off a sinker. The line drive to left field gave Outman the chance to run home and get the Twins on the board, 2-1. Brooks Lee then hit a liner to right-center that center fielder Lawrence Butler (better cast in right) couldn't catch, and Larnach came all the way around as the ball went to the wall.

After a walk to Keaschall, the Athletics went to the bullpen early. In response, Rocco Baldelli pinch-hit Royce Lewis for Clemens, but before he could even swing, a misread from Lee leaving second base ended the inning; catcher Shea Langeliers threw him out at third. 

Ober started the sixth inning, but was replaced by Kody Funderburk with two outs, to face Soderstrom. Funderburk walked Soderstrom, but Keaschall and new first baseman(!) Fitzgerald combined on a putout to escape the miniature jam.

Lewis singled to lead off the bottom of the sixth, but was caught stealing during Ryan Jeffers's at-bat. The Twins were caught twice out of the four times attempting to steal bases against the Athletics tonight. The decision to be aggressive on the bases is a conscious one, Baldelli affirmed after the game, and it will continue—but it comes with some pain.

Cole Sands worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning. The game remained tied 2-2 through seven. Justin Topa came in to work the eighth, and immediately put himself in danger against the teeth of the Sacramento lineup. With two on and nobody out, Langeliers registered the first out. A short flyout from Brent Rooker held the runners and got the second out. Soderstrom was intentionally walked, and what happened next was the stuff baseball is made of. With the bases loaded and two outs, Topa struck out Colby Thomas on three pitches to end the inning.

Leading off the bottom half of the frame, Lee got his third hit of the night, a single to left field that fell just short of Soderstrom. Austin Martin pinch-ran for Lee. Lewis and Jeffers each flied out to center without allowing Martin to advance, though. A's manager Mark Kotsay made another pitching change, bringing in Hogan Harris to face Wallner, who struggles to hit lefties. Wallner fought through a full count, but grounded out to end the mild threat.

Brooks Kriske came out in the ninth. Edouard Julien came in play to first base and Fitzgerald moved to the shortstop spot vacated by Lee. In the shuffle, Outman had move to right field, where he immediately made what could have been a fatal mistake, falling down beneath a routine fly ball that became a gift double.

A walk ended up bringing Nick Kurtz to the plate with two outs and two on. Baldelli called upon Génesis Cabrera to face Kurtz, who also struggles against lefties. Cabrera got him out with no incident, moving the game to the bottom of the ninth and shifting the pressure to the visitors.

With the game on the line, Fitzgerald drew a one-out walk. Byron Buxton hit a long fly ball to center field that had the crowd loud and hopeful, but it died in the outfielder's glove. In another two-out situation, with the winning run at first, Larnach pulled through with a single to right field, advancing Fitzgerald to third. Martin, however, couldn't bring him the rest of the way, flying out to send the game to extra frames.

Cabrera came back out to start the 10th. Kurtz started on second for the Athletics. As he did Tuesday night, however, Langeliers made the telling difference, crushing a two-run home run to give Sacramento a two-run edge. He has the most homers in the league since the All-Star break. (grumblegrumble) Good for him. The next three outs came quickly, but the damage had been done. The Twins would have to pull something magical to pull off the win. 

Inexplicably, on a flyout by Lewis to begin the 10th, Martin tagged up and went to third. He was safe—but barely, and he should feel lucky, because his run meant relatively little in that situation. Jeffers drew a two-out walk and was replaced by pinch-runner Mickey Gasper, while Julien made his first hitting appearance of the evening. The light was snuffed out, though, with a grounder hit to the second baseman to end the game. 

The Twins battled at the plate and were aggressive on the bases, Ghost-Runner strikes again. 

What’s Next? 
The Twins finish out the series with the Athletics Thursday, before heading into the third divisional series of the month with the Kansas City Royals at home. José Ureña (0-0, 4.06 ERA) takes the ball for the Twins, opposite righty Jack Perkins (2-2, 4.28) for the A's. First pitch is at 12:10 PM CT.

Postgame Interviews

 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

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[Parfigliano]

I figured the hitting would be weak but this is pathetic.

[Wedman13]

I'm prepared for all the down thumbs from Minnesotans because he's ' one of us' but it's time to move on from Wallner.  He's been terrible.  When did we start accepting that a RF'r batting under .220 and less than 30 RBI's is ok?  Down year?  No.  The league figured out his deficiencies on 75% of the plate. He's almost 28, 

Is he the only issue, of course not.  But he's not an MLB contributor.  Winning means zero now, we're playing for picks.  So keep him there, please.  Next year it must be Gonzales or others..  Wallner apologists, flame away..... I'm sure there is some advanced stat that says he's doing amazing.

also, I feel the same about Royce

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, Wedman13 said:

I'm prepared for all the down thumbs from Minnesotans because he's ' one of us' but it's time to move on from Wallner.  He's been terrible.  When did we start accepting that a RF'r batting under .220 and less than 30 RBI's is ok?  Down year?  No.  The league figured out his deficiencies on 75% of the plate. He's almost 28, 

Is he the only issue, of course not.  But he's not an MLB contributor.  Winning means zero now, we're playing for picks.  So keep him there, please.  Next year it must be Gonzales or others..  Wallner apologists, flame away..... I'm sure there is some advanced stat that says he's doing amazing.

also, I feel the same about Royce

Both Wallner and Lewis are major disappointments and show little sign of figuring things out at the plate.

[knothole61]

43 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Both Wallner and Lewis are major disappointments and show little sign of figuring things out at the plate.

It's hard to argue with you on this. I'd feel better about Wallner if he were 23...but he's not!

10 games under .500 and counting. With all of the playoff possibilities in MLB these days it's really disappointing to have lost all hope in August--or was it in July?   

[Nshore]

One of the few positives is that Rocco apparently has figured out that they need to play more aggressively on the base paths.  But it took until August.

[CRF]

This was a severely flawed team BEFORE the ownership/Falvey fire sale. Now, it's laughable. 

[Patzky]

2 hours ago, Nshore said:

One of the few positives is that Rocco apparently has figured out that they need to play more aggressively on the base paths.  But it took until August.

When you were trotting out Julien, Plantar Correa, Vazquez Larnach Jeffers Wallner and France.. what aggressiveness could there be. 

[HarmonK03]

49 minutes ago, Patzky said:

When you were trotting out Julien, Plantar Correa, Vazquez Larnach Jeffers Wallner and France.. what aggressiveness could there be. 

And yet noted speedster Josh Naylor has 22 stolen bases this year.  Yes speed is needed but it is also about being smart baseball players knowing when to take your chances.  This team has chosen the style they want to play and now Baldelli is acting like he is inventing a new style of baseball never seen before.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

2 quotes from "Gone with the Wind" seem appropriate to this Minnesota Twins fan: "I'll think of it tomorrow, at Tara. After all, tomorrow is another day." and "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!"

[TwinsDr2021]

7 hours ago, Wedman13 said:

I'm prepared for all the down thumbs from Minnesotans because he's ' one of us' but it's time to move on from Wallner.  He's been terrible.  When did we start accepting that a RF'r batting under .220 and less than 30 RBI's is ok?  Down year?  No.  The league figured out his deficiencies on 75% of the plate. He's almost 28, 

Is he the only issue, of course not.  But he's not an MLB contributor.  Winning means zero now, we're playing for picks.  So keep him there, please.  Next year it must be Gonzales or others..  Wallner apologists, flame away..... I'm sure there is some advanced stat that says he's doing amazing.

also, I feel the same about Royce

I agree Wallner hasn't been good. Maybe he has SDF (standing DIck Face, it is like Standing B!tch face but for the he/him's of the world) but man he hasn't looked like a happy guy for a while. He looks like he is pressing, getting mad upset when he fouls off a ball. Last night they panned to him after Outman's circus act and he looked defeated. (Lewis also looks like he is pressing, he just always seems to display confidence even in the bad times)

Maybe Rocco has done this, maybe not. But he needs sit down with Lewis, Lee, Wallner, Keaschall and tell them to work hard and have fun you are main part of the future of this team, you are going to play 90% of time the rest of the season, so quit worring about things and play baseball. Then tell the Martin's, Fitzgerals, Julien's, Larnach, Clemens, Gasper and the rest, you future may or may not be with the twins but play hard when given the chance because you never know who is watching.

But instead he keeps jerking around the players like Lee (pinch running), Wallner (defensive replacement) is trying to win yesterday's game (which weird, didn't even happen) more important than building up the players that are going to be needed in the future? 

[thelanges5]

Twins are hitting .190 with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break. Rank 24th in OPS w/RISP. Mostly awful at hitting. At 7-11 they have the same record as the Astros since the fire sale. 
 

#unwatchable

[Whitey333]

Yes i agree.  Wallner looks and plays poorly.  I actually feel sorry for him.  He looks deflated and defeated.  Lewis needs to go as well.  And take Rocco with him.  Why pinch run for Lee who had 3 hits.  I don't care if he is slow.  You don't remove a guy from the game with three hits unless he is injured.  Also why is Gasper still on the Twins roster?  He seems like a great guy but he is not a major league.  Now that  lemons us in a big slump it will be interesting to see what happens to him this off season.  

[shimrod]

The Outman play at the plate was prime Rocco. Why is the contact play on with no outs and first base open? Aside, of course, from the fact we always run it with a man on third. Which negates much of the value as your opponents don't even have to think about it, they know to go home with the throw.

Squandering that potential big inning is completely on the manager for taking discretion away from the player and forcing him into an out. Just brutal. 

 

[big dog]

There's being aggressive and there's making stupid plays. The Twins were stupid by not being aggressive. Now they are being aggressively stupid.

Meanwhile, we keep finding pitchers who aren't going to help this team. Yay Falvey!

[Doctor Wu]

14 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

Yes i agree.  Wallner looks and plays poorly.  I actually feel sorry for him.  He looks deflated and defeated.  Lewis needs to go as well.  And take Rocco with him. 

I'm still not ready to give up on Lewis, but his almost total lack of production this year is a huge concern. As you said of Wallner, Lewis also looks deflated. Correa is now gone, so it's time to step up or go away. 

[mickster]

8 hours ago, Wedman13 said:

I'm prepared for all the down thumbs from Minnesotans because he's ' one of us' but it's time to move on from Wallner.  He's been terrible.  When did we start accepting that a RF'r batting under .220 and less than 30 RBI's is ok?  Down year?  No.  The league figured out his deficiencies on 75% of the plate. He's almost 28, 

Is he the only issue, of course not.  But he's not an MLB contributor.  Winning means zero now, we're playing for picks.  So keep him there, please.  Next year it must be Gonzales or others..  Wallner apologists, flame away..... I'm sure there is some advanced stat that says he's doing amazing.

also, I feel the same about Royce

I am ok with keeping or trading him........I would rather keep Larnach and trade Wallner, as Larnach does more then just hit bombs.  Neither is great defensively, but Larnach shows some hustle and spirit.  

I was on the train of hoping Royce got smoking hot and we trade him.   Still could happen, but selling low is where we are at now and not a good thing.

I am not a Gonzales fan - so he can be part of a package elsewhere.

 

[Doctor Gast]

43 minutes ago, shimrod said:

The Outman play at the plate was prime Rocco. Why is the contact play on with no outs and first base open? Aside, of course, from the fact we always run it with a man on third. Which negates much of the value as your opponents don't even have to think about it, they know to go home with the throw.

Squandering that potential big inning is completely on the manager for taking discretion away from the player and forcing him into an out. Just brutal. 

 

IMO, Rocco & Watkins have no idea what they're doing. For them, it's a guessing game. Unfortunately,  they are guessing wrong too many times with many of our players.

[mikelink45]

So many questions.  I read the comments and think about my own reactions.  Our problem is that we just are not any good.  There was an article talking about Lee as the new Miranda - way off.  Lee is looking better than most of our players so focus on those who aren't.  

Comments about Wallner and Lewis are accurate - they are not contributing - and neither is Julien - why not Eeles, why not Fedko, why not a second catcher who might get a hit?  Larnach is replacement level, Clemens shines because he is on this team, otherwise his line would have him on the bench or back in AAAA land. 

And boy am I excited to see Urenas starting again instead of one of the young arms!!!!!!!

[Doctor Gast]

It was a hard-fought game. MN has passed BAL for one of the worst teams & is breathing down the necks of ATL & OAK. Other teams CWS, Nats, PIT & CO will be more difficult to pass. CWS is getting better. Go Twins! 

[Wedman13]

15 minutes ago, mickster said:

I am ok with keeping or trading him........I would rather keep Larnach and trade Wallner, as Larnach does more then just hit bombs.  Neither is great defensively, but Larnach shows some hustle and spirit.  

I was on the train of hoping Royce got smoking hot and we trade him.   Still could happen, but selling low is where we are at now and not a good thing.

I am not a Gonzales fan - so he can be part of a package elsewhere.

 

Obviously neither of us know how Gonzalez will turn out but what don't you like about him?

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, karcherd said:

And yet noted speedster Josh Naylor has 22 stolen bases this year.  Yes speed is needed but it is also about being smart baseball players knowing when to take your chances.  This team has chosen the style they want to play and now Baldelli is acting like he is inventing a new style of baseball never seen before.

It was odd how little Willi Castro ran.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

I agree Wallner hasn't been good. Maybe he has SDF (standing DIck Face, it is like Standing B!tch face but for the he/him's of the world) but man he hasn't looked like a happy guy for a while. He looks like he is pressing, getting mad upset when he fouls off a ball. Last night they panned to him after Outman's circus act and he looked defeated. (Lewis also looks like he is pressing, he just always seems to display confidence even in the bad times)

Maybe Rocco has done this, maybe not. But he needs sit down with Lewis, Lee, Wallner, Keaschall and tell them to work hard and have fun you are main part of the future of this team, you are going to play 90% of time the rest of the season, so quit worring about things and play baseball. Then tell the Martin's, Fitzgerals, Julien's, Larnach, Clemens, Gasper and the rest, you future may or may not be with the twins but play hard when given the chance because you never know who is watching.

But instead he keeps jerking around the players like Lee (pinch running), Wallner (defensive replacement) is trying to win yesterday's game (which weird, didn't even happen) more important than building up the players that are going to be needed in the future? 

He is a horrible manager

[TwinsDr2021]

Just now, Parfigliano said:

He is a horrible manager

I have been saying that since the end of 2019, and I have said he has gotten better, but going from horrible to terrible isn't enough. 

[JD-TWINS]

9 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

I figured the hitting would be weak but this is pathetic.

11 hits & 5 walks …… two guys went 1-3 & four guys had multi-hit games …….. any team would take that daily! ……. Can’t execute in ANY clutch situation - hard to watch!!

[JD-TWINS]

31 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

So many questions.  I read the comments and think about my own reactions.  Our problem is that we just are not any good.  There was an article talking about Lee as the new Miranda - way off.  Lee is looking better than most of our players so focus on those who aren't.  

Comments about Wallner and Lewis are accurate - they are not contributing - and neither is Julien - why not Eeles, why not Fedko, why not a second catcher who might get a hit?  Larnach is replacement level, Clemens shines because he is on this team, otherwise his line would have him on the bench or back in AAAA land. 

And boy am I excited to see Urenas starting again instead of one of the young arms!!!!!!!

I’m struggling with Abel not being up for tonight or the next reliever (start) slot this weekend ………unless he’s a mental midget and not equipped for the SHOW, I don’t know what else he can do with the Saints?

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, shimrod said:

The Outman play at the plate was prime Rocco. Why is the contact play on with no outs and first base open? Aside, of course, from the fact we always run it with a man on third. Which negates much of the value as your opponents don't even have to think about it, they know to go home with the throw.

Squandering that potential big inning is completely on the manager for taking discretion away from the player and forcing him into an out. Just brutal. 

 

I get the frustration but outing pressure on the defense with 2 guys in scoring position isn’t a terrible thing.

No responsibility to the players, ever? Larnach is up with one out and guys at first and third - did Rocco direct him into hitting into the double play - again & again & again?

[terrydactyls]

Twins currently have 7th worst record in the race for the lottery.  good news is that two of the teams ahead of them are not eligible for the 2026 draft.  Standings are through yesterday.

P	Team	W	L	PCT	Eligible
1	Colorado Rockies	37	90	0.291	N0
2	Chicago White Sox	45	82	0.354
3	Washington Nationals	51	75	0.405	N0
4	Pittsburgh Pirates	54	74	0.422
5	Whatever Athletics	58	70	0.453
6	Atlanta Braves	58	69	0.457
7	Minnesota Twins	58	68	0.460
8	Baltimore Orioles	59	67	0.468
9	Miami Marlins	60	67	0.472
10	Los Angeles Angels	60	67	0.472
11	Tampa Bay Rays	61	65	0.484
12	San Francisco Giants	61	65	0.484
13	Arizona Diamondbacks	62	66	0.484
14	Texas Rangers	62	65	0.488
15	St. Louis Cardinals	63	65	0.492

[Glorybound]

36 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

I’m struggling with Abel not being up for tonight or the next reliever (start) slot this weekend ………unless he’s a mental midget and not equipped for the SHOW, I don’t know what else he can do with the Saints?

   The front office likely has their reasons. Working on some things they want cleaned up. He might as well be as ready as they possibly can make him when they bring him up as this season is lost. My guess is they want him in the rotation when the 26 season starts. Rushing the process sometimes regresses the development of the individual.

[DJL44]

5 hours ago, Nshore said:

One of the few positives is that Rocco apparently has figured out that they need to play more aggressively on the base paths.  But it took until August.

The Twins ran themselves out of the game with their aggressive baserunning. Did you want them to lose more games by making more outs on the bases in May and June?