Angels 4, Twins 3: Twins Outslugged in Anaheim, Despite Pair of Homers

[Sherry Cerny]

Image courtesy of © Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Box Score
SP: Taj Bradley 6.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (98 pitches, 57 strikes (58%))
Home Runs: James Outman (2); Byron Buxton (31)
Bottom 3 WPA: Kody Clemens -.230, Austin Martin -.207, Mickey Gasper -.130
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

After getting nothing going Tuesday night, the Twins tried to come out of the gate and create an early advantage Wednesday. Trevor Larnach hit a two-out single in the top of the first, and Luke Keaschall followed with a double to left. As is the Twins' new plan, Larnach pushed the envelope by trying to score from first—but he was gunned down, and it wasn't especially close.

Taj Bradley came out firing strikes, though, and the Twins would get that first lead, after all. In the third inning, against recent teammate José Ureña, James Outman tagged his second Twins homer. Ureña, seemingly flustered, then loaded the bases, but a Kody Clemens line drive found the glove of right fielder Jo Adell, forcing the Twins to settle for a lone run.

Bradley finally ran into trouble in the bottom half of the frame, though. With two outs, a Mike Trout single brought Sebastián Rivero home to tie the game. Then, a two-run home run from Zach Neto gave the Angels the lead, 3-1. It was a frustrating sequence, as the scoreboard seemed to flip in the blink of an eye.

The Angels made a pitching change heading into the fifth, and things looked like they might finally tilt the Twins’ way. Andrew Chafin came in and walked Larnach to lead off the inning, and a wild pitch to Luke Keaschall moved him to second. In the middle of it, Angels coach Ryan Goins was tossed by home plate umpire Junior Valentine, adding even more chaos to the proceedings. Keaschall then reached first when second baseman Luis Rengifo botched a play and dropped the ball. With two on and no outs, momentum was squarely in the Twins’ hands—until it wasn’t. Chafin got a pep talk from his infield, then promptly struck out the next two batters and induced a harmless fly ball from Mickey Gasper, leaving yet another rally wasted. 

After his minor derailment in the third, Bradley locked back in for the next two innings and moved the game along with no issues. He has been working on his command and gaining confidence. Bradley has been coachable and dedicated, and on Wednesday, he kept his team in the game.

The Angels made another pitching change, and the Twins' constant chance creation finally paid off. Another leadoff walk, this time for Ryan Fitzgerald, set the table for Byron Buxton, who hit a 396-foot homer to the opposite field to tie the game, 3-3.

Bradley worked into more trouble in the seventh, but getting that deep into the game was a nice change of pace for the Twins lately. With one out and two on, Rocco Baldelli went to Cole Sands, who got out of the jam and kept the score tied.

The eighth inning, however, didn't go as well. Sands gave up a triple to Bryce Teodosio, on which Outman (playing center in this game) appeared to have a play but didn't get there. A sacrifice fly from Trout scored Teodosio, giving the Angels a one-run lead, 4-3.

Kenley Jansen, the future Hall of Fame closer, pitched a 1-2-3 inning to end the game and secure the series win for the Angels.

What’s Next? 
The Twins head home to play Arizona on Friday. Pablo López (5-4; 2.84 ERA) will be back on the mound, this time against Brandon Pfaadt (13-8; 5.18 ERA) at 7:40 PM CST, after the travel day.  

Postgame Interviews

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

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[thelanges5]

Hate this offense; 0-7 w/RISP again today  

Gleeman sums it up:

Twins have hit .199 with a .594 OPS with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break.

Not only are those both dead last in MLB, no other team has an AVG below .225 or an OPS below .650.

 

[Markdumont25]

I saw on the graphic after buxton's home run, he's hit almost a fifth of his career home runs this season. We all know he's been hurt a lot but still pretty wild.

[Parfigliano]

Tear/burn it down.

[mikelink45]

As I read these Outman seems to be short of a good defensive CF - does that mean we are carrying him for his bat?

[USAFChief]

37 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Tear/burn it down.

Again?

[Blyleven2011]

Close game is right , but closeness only counts in horseshoes , hand grenades and shaving ....

6 hits and 2 were homers to produce 3 runs , , twins walked alot , bases full a few times , can't seem to bunch the hits consecutively  , they should have watched Detroit against the Yankees last night , detroit sent close to a dozen players consecutively before the first out was recorded in  the inning ...

[RpR]

5 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

As I read these Outman seems to be short of a good defensive CF - does that mean we are carrying him for his bat?

[Blyleven2011]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

As I read these Outman seems to be short of a good defensive CF - does that mean we are carrying him for his bat?

Sure hope the bat starts to be better , he had a good rookie year with the dodgers and 2023-24 he couldn't duplicate it , sound familiar,  we still have a few of those that shouldn't be here ...

He'll probably make the team out of spring training next year ...

His defense hasn't been good in CF , left field might be his calling ...

[Permanent Twins Fan]

Nice to see Outman have a good game. If he can turn into something that would be a big plus but defensively he just doesn't look comfortable. If it was up to me I would move S-W-R and maybe Festa to the bullpen, and have a rotation of Lopez, Ryan, Matthews, Ober, and Bradley for opening day 2026.

[HarmonK03]

Yes Outman had a good game at the plate, he will have a good day.  But can he have enough to be put on a major league roster, based on his history it doesn't seem like it.  And his defense has not looked especially in CF.  You can look at defensive stats all you want, but I will trust my eyes and he has not looked comfortable in the outfield especially CF.

But unfortunately Falvey will want Rocco to keep playing him so that the trade will look like it worked, just like many others before him.

[Parfigliano]

52 minutes ago, RpR said:

Outman can't hit or field.

[Parfigliano]

42 minutes ago, Permanent Twins Fan said:

Nice to see Outman have a good game. If he can turn into something that would be a big plus but defensively he just doesn't look comfortable. If it was up to me I would move S-W-R and maybe Festa to the bullpen, and have a rotation of Lopez, Ryan, Matthews, Ober, and Bradley for opening day 2026.

Rumor is Festa is going down the thoracic outlet syndrome road.

[ashbury]

This isn't just a run-of-the-mill 90-loss team.  It's a five-tool losing team.  On any given day they can lose by not hitting, by not hitting with power, by not playing defense, by not throwing, and by not running the bases.  Sometimes in combination!

And did I mention the pitching?  No, I'd better not.

They can lose to you in so many ways!

[DocBauer]

Solid start by Bradley.

Not a horrible game by Sands who has picked it up a bit since the deadline. But he's just not ready to be the #1  guy in the pen.

How does Outman having a good game, with a bad play in the OF from what I read, with a .157 AVG provide any hope?

For all his offensive flaws, Drew Butera was considered a really good catcher behind the plate and calling a good game. And he still managed to hit .196 for his career.  Gasper is BELOW that. He beats Butera by a few points in OB%, but loses in SLG% and OPS. Drew also threw out 27% of base runners for his career vs 20% for Gasper.

I have ZERO idea if Gasper is actually good calling a game and handling a ML staff at this point. So I don't want to be a jerk about this. But how much poor production do you have to see before you just understand Gasper is no answer? I don't  believe his BAT is  ready for MLB at this time, but I'd rather have Cardenas have a rude awakening at the ML level to get ready for 2026.

And IDK care if the Angels were throwing RH pitching, you brought up McCusker to play. Play him! Or get Fesko on the roster and play HIM! What the hell is going on with roster usage?

[knothole61]

Ah, Southern California, I get transfixed watching people in the stands. Today, the couple constantly fanning themselves with a foam glove (I think it was) in the "steamy" 78 degree air drove me to distraction. And why do young ladies in expensive seats so often spend the game, nearly the entire game, diddling on their phones...oh well, just cranky I guess due to this painful and protracted denouement.

I want to believe in the 24 year-old Taj Bradley...I need to believe in the 24 year-old Taj Bradley! 

[Doctor Wu]

11 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Twins have hit .199 with a .594 OPS with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break.

And I was worried about the bullpen.  Yikes! It's all depressing. 

[Chembry]

10 hours ago, Permanent Twins Fan said:

Nice to see Outman have a good game. If he can turn into something that would be a big plus but defensively he just doesn't look comfortable. If it was up to me I would move S-W-R and maybe Festa to the bullpen, and have a rotation of Lopez, Ryan, Matthews, Ober, and Bradley for opening day 2026.

 

9 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Rumor is Festa is going down the thoracic outlet syndrome road.

As Parfigliano aready mentioned, Festa recently saw a specialist and it is believed he has thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).  There are 3 types of TOS: vascular (venous), arterial, and neurogenic.  It is believed Festa has neurogenic, which seems to have a larger impact on throwing and be difficult to return back to normal form.  He will meet with a vascular surgeon for a formal diagnosis and treatment plan.  As of now, I would say this is an ominous diagnosis and questionable when he will return.   

[Bodie]

10 hours ago, ashbury said:

This isn't just a run-of-the-mill 90-loss team.  It's a five-tool losing team.  On any given day they can lose by not hitting, by not hitting with power, by not playing defense, by not throwing, and by not running the bases.  Sometimes in combination!

And did I mention the pitching?  No, I'd better not.

They can lose to you in so many ways!

Sad, but true.

Even sadder is the seeming rush to "fix" this team with one-tool potential types...

[Old Crow]

13 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Hate this offense; 0-7 w/RISP again today  

Gleeman sums it up:

Twins have hit .199 with a .594 OPS with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break.

Not only are those both dead last in MLB, no other team has an AVG below .225 or an OPS below .650.

 

It's hard to score runs when half of your starting lineup lineup has a batting average below the Mendoza line.

[Old Crow]

12 hours ago, USAFChief said:

Again?

too late.

[terrydactyls]

P	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	Chicago White Sox	56	90	0.384	-
2	Minnesota Twins	64	82	0.438	8.0
3	Pittsburgh Pirates	64	82	0.438	8.0
4	Atlanta Braves	65	81	0.445	9.0
5	Whatever Athletics	67	80	0.456	10.5
6	Miami Marlins	67	79	0.459	11.0
8	Baltimore Orioles	68	77	0.469	12.5
7	Los Angeles Angels	69	77	0.473	13.0
11	St. Louis Cardinals	72	75	0.490	15.5
10	Tampa Bay Rays	72	73	0.497	16.5
9	Arizona Diamondbacks	73	74	0.497	16.5
13	San Francisco Giants	74	72	0.507	18.0
12	Cleveland Guardians	74	71	0.510	18.5
14	Texas Rangers	77	70	0.524	20.5

[DJL44]

Not sure where else to leave this.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-national-league-has-just-one-300-hitter-and-now-hes-injured/

The last 6 seasons have been in the lowest 16 all-time for player batting average. The other 10 seasons came before the DH rule except for 2018, which was a season that prompted adding the DH to the NL full-time.

 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Old Crow said:

It's hard to score runs when half of your starting lineup lineup has a batting average below the Mendoza line.

Wait 5 more years and that will be the fate of most MLB teams.

[jmlease1]

Decent start by Bradley. He may have flopped out the gate, but he's looked ok after that. Starting to look like a guy who could chew up a lot of innings in the back of the rotation. Real utility there with Festa looking like he might be out for 2026 and other starters struggling to get deep in games.

The offense needs some real work, and while I think there's some minor league reinforcements that could make a difference next season, they real could use some quality vets to support it. Sadly, I suspect they will be dumpster diving again with my predicted payroll being under $90M.

I'm done with the Kody Clemens experiment. I appreciate that he can play several positions acceptably on defense and his willingness to do whatever, but he simply can hit enough. He's selling out for homers, and simply doesn't make enough contact or have enough plate discipline to be that kind of hitter. He's utterly helpless against LHP and expecting any real improvement from him at the plate at 29 seems nuts. Even as a bench player, I'm just not interested.

Gasper certainly doesn't look like he should be part of the team next season either, though I'm happy to see the Twins have him catch and get regular ABs to settle the issue now. Let's not have any illusions and act like he just needs more of a chance.

Games like this are why I'm still concerned that Royce hasn't found his way on a better path yet. A good week followed by a bad week isn't going to work.

I remain unconvinced with Outman, but he did have a good game.

[LA Vikes Fan]

13 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Rumor is Festa is going down the thoracic outlet syndrome road.

That would really suck. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

3 hours ago, Chembry said:

 

As Parfigliano aready mentioned, Festa recently saw a specialist and it is believed he has thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).  There are 3 types of TOS: vascular (venous), arterial, and neurogenic.  It is believed Festa has neurogenic, which seems to have a larger impact on throwing and be difficult to return back to normal form.  He will meet with a vascular surgeon for a formal diagnosis and treatment plan.  As of now, I would say this is an ominous diagnosis and questionable when he will return.   

Ouch. 

[Blyleven2011]

57 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Not sure where else to leave this.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-national-league-has-just-one-300-hitter-and-now-hes-injured/

The last 6 seasons have been in the lowest 16 all-time for player batting average. The other 10 seasons came before the DH rule except for 2018, which was a season that prompted adding the DH to the NL full-time.

 

Sat -i re 🤣... 

Get rid of the DH  , pitchers can probably hit better than the rest of the lineup ...

I haven't read the blog , I'll do it now...

[LA Vikes Fan]

53 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Decent start by Bradley. He may have flopped out the gate, but he's looked ok after that. Starting to look like a guy who could chew up a lot of innings in the back of the rotation. Real utility there with Festa looking like he might be out for 2026 and other starters struggling to get deep in games.

The offense needs some real work, and while I think there's some minor league reinforcements that could make a difference next season, they real could use some quality vets to support it. Sadly, I suspect they will be dumpster diving again with my predicted payroll being under $90M.

I'm done with the Kody Clemens experiment. I appreciate that he can play several positions acceptably on defense and his willingness to do whatever, but he simply can hit enough. He's selling out for homers, and simply doesn't make enough contact or have enough plate discipline to be that kind of hitter. He's utterly helpless against LHP and expecting any real improvement from him at the plate at 29 seems nuts. Even as a bench player, I'm just not interested.

Gasper certainly doesn't look like he should be part of the team next season either, though I'm happy to see the Twins have him catch and get regular ABs to settle the issue now. Let's not have any illusions and act like he just needs more of a chance.

Games like this are why I'm still concerned that Royce hasn't found his way on a better path yet. A good week followed by a bad week isn't going to work.

I remain unconvinced with Outman, but he did have a good game.

Good analysis, and really what we should be focused on now. Let's separate the wheat from the chaff for 2026. Bradley is looking more and more like a 4/5 starter to me and, even better, one who can chew up 150 plus innings a year.  With the news that Festa may have thoracic outlet syndrome, trading for Bradley starts to make sense. Clemens and Gaspar don't help us much at all. I guess I could see Clemens as the 26th man, but not really. Gaspar is the classic AAAA player.  I agree with you on Lewis but we're stuck with him at 3B for at least another year to see if he can recapture his form. He doesn't have much trade value at this point and we really don't have a replacement unless and until Kaelon Culpeper is ready. Lee could play 3rd but he can't hit and we don't have another SS. IF Outman can't play an average or better CF there is no place for him.  

We really need a 1B. I'm surprised Fedko isn't getting a look but that may have to do with service time or getting him 1B reps in AAA to learn the position. I really would like to see them try to move Wallner or Larnach to 1B in the offseason and Spring Training or, even better, sign Naylor. I'd like to see a Larnach/Fedko 1B platoon with Fedko also a bench bat/5th OF, Wallner as an OF/DH, and Buxton, Martin, Jenkins and Outman or Emma as the other OFs. I think we have to look internally since any FA money will be used to try to buy half a bullpen. 

[Blyleven2011]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Not sure where else to leave this.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-national-league-has-just-one-300-hitter-and-now-hes-injured/

The last 6 seasons have been in the lowest 16 all-time for player batting average. The other 10 seasons came before the DH rule except for 2018, which was a season that prompted adding the DH to the NL full-time.

 

The entertainment value of getting consecutive hits and bunching hits and runs together has become a lost art ....

The other night Detroit against Yankees  , Detroit strung hits , walks and homers in one inning  , around 10 batters consecutively got on base before an out was recorded ...

THAT WAS ENTERTAINMENT  , A CHA CHA CHA ...