Yankees 10, Twins 9: Byron Buxton's Career Year Continues in Thriller of a... Well, Loss, But Still

[Eric Blonigen]

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Box Score
Zebby Matthews: 3 IP, 11 H, 9 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Home Runs: Outman (5), Fitzgerald (3), Trevor Larnach (17)
Bottom 3 WPA: Zebby Matthews (-.492), Matt Wallner (-.069), James Outman (-.050)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

The results of Twins games, on an individual level, ceased mattering at the trade deadline. More crucial, at this point, is looking for windows into the future — portents of the shape of the 2026 team that can hopefully get back on the rails. And, of course, watching a more interesting brand of baseball, sometimes featuring fun on the basepaths and new players doing good things, and sometimes taking the form of torturous defensive gaffes and middling pitching that prolong innings and leave fans wishing for the good old days. Like June. Today’s game featured both versions of the post-fire-sale Twins. Before we get into that, though, let's look at the pitching matchup.

The Pitchers
Zebby Matthews entered the game, continuing his extended audition for the 2026 rotation. Sporting excellent control, his command is still a work in progress. This has led to struggles with finishing innings. Despite getting strikeouts at a good clip and possessing swing and miss stuff, his results have been mediocre, with flashes of brilliance punctuated by rough innings that all too often let the game slip away.

The Yankees sent 2022 seventh-rounder Cam Schlittler to the mound in Minneapolis. The rookie righty, making his 12th career start, entered the game with a sparkling 3.05 ERA and a respectable 3.74 FIP. He has struck out nearly 27% of hitters faced, averages 98 on his heater, and has a full arsenal of secondary pitches. He has walked too many, with over 10% of hitters taking a free pass. Spoiler: that actually increased tonight.

Themes of the Game
1. Mediocre Pitching
Well, this one was effectively over before the Twins took an at-bat in the second inning. I mentioned above that Zebby has had difficulty in finishing innings. Today, he struggled to get outs at all, allowing six runs in his first two innings of work. In the first, he allowed three singles, a stolen base, and a sac fly. Then, in the second, it was two more singles, two doubles, a walk, and a home run. Yeah, that’s nine baserunners in two innings. Not. Great. Luckily, it got better in the third. Assuming, of course, you turned the game off. For Matthews, it actually continued with more of the same, as he loaded the bases with nobody out, then gave up back-to-back sac flies and a double to make the score 9-1. You know what? I think the Yankees remembered that they have and likely always will own the Twins. At least it was time for the bullpen to be activated, and they gave up just one more run across the next five innings.

2. Chaos on the basepaths
Royce Lewis stole another base, his 11th of the season. For a guy who needed to slowly jog around the bases for most of last season, it’s great to see. Even if he is no longer the grand slam king, his ability to add another dimension to his game undoubtedly helps him produce more, and helps the Twins win. Byron Buxton stole his 23rd of the season, and a 30-25 season is well within reach. He did attempt to steal his 24th by swiping third immediately in the same Austin Martin at-bat, and had it dead to rights, before he had to trot back to second on a foul ball. No matter, because a batter later, he stole third again. Make it a double steal, because Trevor Larnach took off at the same time (and was helped by a Schlittler wild pitch). Austin Martin also had a bunt base hit.

3. Never Say Die
Sure, the Twins lost. You know what, though? The Twins, in most games over the past 13 months, when facing a run deficit of even a few runs would go meekly into the night. Tonight? They made a game of it. They made up eight runs while the bullpen was fairly lights out, all things considered (this was the Twins post-deadline bullpen, and they were facing the Yankees, after all). Did they win? No. But it was fun, and there aren't too many more chances for ball before the long Minnesota winter sets in. 

Game Notes

• Watching the game, the best Provus call of the night was “and the Twins pull within seven," after James Outman hit a two-run blast. What a game.
• Speaking of Outman, he quietly has three homers and an OPS north of 1.100 over the past seven games. Reclaiming his 2023 magic? Too early to tell, but it’s at least promising.
• Speaking of promising, Ryan Fitzgerald is sporting an OPS in the .800s over the past 15 games
• Buxton looked to injure his hand after stealing third, but stayed in the game and hit a double in his next plate appearance. Truly, a magical season for Buck.

What’s Next?
The Twins finish their season series with the Yankees before an off day on Thursday. Taj Bradley will face former Twins prospect Luis Gil. First pitch is at 6:40 PM. 

Postgame Interviews

 

Bullpen Usage

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[tony&rodney]

Watched the Cedar Rapids and St. Paul games and only saw several plays here and there and then the last couple of innings of the Twins game. Have to like how the Twins are pushing to score and not playing deflated. 

Hopefully the Twins are geared up for the Yankees tomorrow and Bradley can get outs.

[Parfigliano]

Almost won.

[FlyingFinn]

Morneau basically said the Yankees knew what pitch Zebby was throwing, especially with a guy on 2nd. The Yankee runner on 2nd at the time took about a 2 foot lead so he could see Zebby's hand on the ball in his glove. He also said the batter would have taken a fastball in the ribs when that happened when he played.

[ashbury]

38 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Almost won.

Miracle Max: "Well, it just so happens that your team here only mostly lost. There's a big difference between mostly lost and all lost. Now, mostly lost is almost won. But, all lost...well, with all lost, there's usually only one thing you can do.  Go through the roster and look again for expiring contracts."

[stringer bell]

53 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Morneau basically said the Yankees knew what pitch Zebby was throwing, especially with a guy on 2nd. The Yankee runner on 2nd at the time took about a 2 foot lead so he could see Zebby's hand on the ball in his glove. He also said the batter would have taken a fastball in the ribs when that happened when he played.

I was wondering if maybe Matthews was tipping his pitches. It always looks like he has good stuff, but yet sometimes it is like batting practice. 

[glunn]

`

26 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I was wondering if maybe Matthews was tipping his pitches. It always looks like he has good stuff, but yet sometimes it is like batting practice. 

If he was tipping pitches then the Twins coaches should have detected that.

[USAFChief]

Matthews appears to struggle with the dreaded thir...sec...first-time-through-the-order.

[Patzky]

7 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Morneau basically said the Yankees knew what pitch Zebby was throwing, especially with a guy on 2nd. The Yankee runner on 2nd at the time took about a 2 foot lead so he could see Zebby's hand on the ball in his glove. He also said the batter would have taken a fastball in the ribs when that happened when he played.

Yanks have been famous for that this season.. wasn't it addressed pre series?

[Doctor Gast]

8 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Morneau basically said the Yankees knew what pitch Zebby was throwing, especially with a guy on 2nd. The Yankee runner on 2nd at the time took about a 2 foot lead so he could see Zebby's hand on the ball in his glove. He also said the batter would have taken a fastball in the ribs when that happened when he played.

The Yankees are notorious for stealing signs & I question how legal their process is. They'll do anything for an edge. Twins have to school better against it (last game I thought they had). I wouldn't mind a fastball to NYY ribs.

[Doctor Gast]

Twins did a fantastic job coming out of a 9-run hole Zebby dug. The BP have been surprisingly good against the NYY.

Against the horrid NYY's BP we are asking our SPs not to be horrid so we can win the game against our nemesis.

Hats off to Larnach on a great game & almost winning the game for us. Just coming short, dead center.

I'm not a fan of Outman yet, but I can't see the value of him being in the bottom 3 WPA for the Twins. WPA has no value, so why keep posting it?

[Bodie]

Saw something in this game that has been missing for the last 2-3 seasons...

And that is the ability to get going after a bad start.  We've been treated to a team that you could tell in about 2-3 innings if there was any reason to watch a particular game. No life shown early meant that there was about a 1% chance of the Twins getting going!  

I surely don't care to see the starter shelled (again...), but at least this bunch of "leftovers" kept the gas pedal down, and made a game of it!  Not a good (quality) game, but at least it was entertaining. 

Which beats the snot out of the pre-trade deadline Twins! (i.e. bad quality baseball played with zero heart, effort or professionalism)

[Whitey333]

Interesting game.  Nice comeback but almost a win is not a win.  I knew we would be in trouble right away when you look at the lineup Baldelli threw out there.  Both Lee and Keaschall not in lineup when they clearly could have helped.  Not even used as pinch hitters or defensive replacements.  Then to leave Matthew's in so long while he was getting hammered is disgraceful.  It signaled to a nice crowd and the players that he had little intention on winning.  The fact they came back proves all the runs Matthew's gave up mattered.  What does it do for his confidence to let him hang out there to dry?  Save the bullpen?  What for there's only a week and a half left.  Just another example of Baldelli having a huge part in the loss.  Twins also just fired their entire remaining scouting department to save money.  Baldelli may or may not survive the continued purge.  Problem is they are keeping Falvey so even if Baldelli goes we will just get a clone of him.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Early one morning at spring training this year, I remember watching Rod Carew, who was standing behind the batting cage, working with Austin Martin on bunting, over and over. After the bunting session was over, Carew walked over to the fence where I was standing. He was holding a fungo bat. He told me he did not understand why players didn't bunt more. I asked him the secret of bunting and he said: "Listen to the sound of the bat meeting the ball". I hope Carew saw Martin's beautiful bunt last night. 

[chinmusic]

For sheer entertainment, this was a great baseball game.

When the season is over, I'm confident Byron Buxton will have achieved  30/30; a first in Twins history. Cool!

 

[terrydactyls]

 

A double header  sweep by Atlanta really hurt their chances.

 

P	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	Chicago White Sox	57	95	0.375	-
2	Pittsburgh Pirates	65	87	0.428	8.0
3	Minnesota Twins	66	85	0.437	9.5
4	Atlanta Braves	69	83	0.454	12.0
5	Los Angeles Angels	69	82	0.457	12.5
6	Baltimore Orioles	71	80	0.470	14.5
7	Whatever Athletics	71	80	0.470	14.5
8	Miami Marlins	71	80	0.470	14.5
9	Tampa Bay Rays	73	78	0.483	16.5
10	St. Louis Cardinals	76	78	0.494	18.0
11	Cincinnati Reds	75	75	0.500	19.0

[terrydactyls]

"Zebby Matthews entered the game, continuing his extended audition for the 2026 rotation. Sporting excellent control, his command is still a work in progress."

I've sked this numerous times and never receive an answer.  So here I go again.  what is the difference between "command" and "control"?  To my ancient mind, if a pitcher has "excellent" control (as in the sentence above), he should beable to put away batters.  Where does this command thing come in?

[The Great Hambino]

10 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

"Zebby Matthews entered the game, continuing his extended audition for the 2026 rotation. Sporting excellent control, his command is still a work in progress."

I've sked this numerous times and never receive an answer.  So here I go again.  what is the difference between "command" and "control"?  To my ancient mind, if a pitcher has "excellent" control (as in the sentence above), he should beable to put away batters.  Where does this command thing come in?

My understanding is this:

control = throwing strikes

command = putting the pitch where you want and making it move the way you want

Say there’s two sliders thrown.  One hangs a bit or misses the spot but still hits the strike zone.  That shows control but not command.  The next one has the sharp break that puts it in the bottom corner of the strike zone just as the pitcher intended to induce a whiff.  That shows command and control

I think it’s really splitting hairs personally.  Hanging a fat pitch middle-middle shouldn’t be considered good control even if it happens to be a strike.  To me, command is what’s relevant by these definitions

[Riverbrian]

25 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

 

A double header  sweep by Atlanta really hurt their chances.

 

P	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	Chicago White Sox	57	95	0.375	-
2	Pittsburgh Pirates	65	87	0.428	8.0
3	Minnesota Twins	66	85	0.437	9.5
4	Atlanta Braves	69	83	0.454	12.0
5	Los Angeles Angels	69	82	0.457	12.5
6	Baltimore Orioles	71	80	0.470	14.5
7	Whatever Athletics	71	80	0.470	14.5
8	Miami Marlins	71	80	0.470	14.5
9	Tampa Bay Rays	73	78	0.483	16.5
10	St. Louis Cardinals	76	78	0.494	18.0
11	Cincinnati Reds	75	75	0.500	19.0

I appreciate these updates. They are fun to look at it... please continue because I look forward to them.  

If I understand the lottery correctly and I'm pretty sure that I don't because I think that the odds for the 3 teams removed are redistributed as the lottery goes from 18 teams eligible to 15 and I don't know the redistribution process. 

With my current understanding... It sure seems like the Top 3 spots are the place to be.

If there were no teams removed and 18 teams eligible. The top 3 spots are supposed to have equal odds at 16.5%. When add that together... It's about 50% that one of the top 3 teams get the first pick and threfore 50% that one of the other 15 teams get the first pick get struck by lightning.    

With the three teams out and their lottery wealth redistributed. I'm not sure what that will add up to percentage wise for the top 3 teams or the other 12 teams with longer odds.

I was sleeping in Math school so... I guess I'll wait until the odds are announced and then hopefully someone can explain it to me. 

 

 

[terrydactyls]

29 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

My understanding is this:

control = throwing strikes

command = putting the pitch where you want and making it move the way you want

Say there’s two sliders thrown.  One hangs a bit or misses the spot but still hits the strike zone.  That shows control but not command.  The next one has the sharp break that puts it in the bottom corner of the strike zone just as the pitcher intended to induce a whiff.  That shows command and control

I think it’s really splitting hairs personally.  Hanging a fat pitch middle-middle shouldn’t be considered good control even if it happens to be a strike.  To me, command is what’s relevant by these definitions

Thank you.  I agree that it's more semantics than useful information.  If you have control, you don't hang a slider over the heart of the plate.

[terrydactyls]

26 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I appreciate these updates. They are fun to look at it... please continue because I look forward to them.  

If I understand the lottery correctly and I'm pretty sure that I don't because I think that the odds for the 3 teams removed are redistributed as the lottery goes from 18 teams eligible to 15 and I don't know the redistribution process. 

With my current understanding... It sure seems like the Top 3 spots are the place to be.

If there were no teams removed and 18 teams eligible. The top 3 spots are supposed to have equal odds at 16.5%. When add that together... It's about 50% that one of the top 3 teams get the first pick and threfore 50% that one of the other 15 teams get the first pick get struck by lightning.    

With the three teams out and their lottery wealth redistributed. I'm not sure what that will add up to percentage wise for the top 3 teams or the other 12 teams with longer odds.

I was sleeping in Math school so... I guess I'll wait until the odds are announced and then hopefully someone can explain it to me. 

 

 

I am really good at math but I'm still waiting until the ping pong balls are drawn.  The Twins got lucky two years ago (Jenkins), but let's hope no one is that lucky this year.

[Robert Gauthier]

Went to the game last night, was ready to pack it in after three innings, but stuck around and actually had a lot of fun. To play as well with a couple of their young studs on the bench was fun to watch. Outman and Fitzgerald really played well. It’s nice to see their game rounding up. I think that we underestimate how many at bat takes to be a real MLB player. Tom Kelly used to say it takes 1000 at bats, analytics have distorted everything because people expect good numbers right away. Are we going to win the division next year?  And given that the Pohlads intend to stripped the franchise further, I’m guessing that will be a triple AAA team next year. At least we’ll get some good draft picks.

 

I’m guessing that we will be a triple AAA team next year. At least we’ll get some good draft picks.  Despite being owned by one of the worst ownership groups in MLB, and that’s saying a lot given the state of affairs in Chicago and Pittsburgh and Oakland, baseball at its purest is still a fun game to watch. I decided to watch the game last night as a fan, not a critic of some inept rich boy who seems intent on destroying his family’s legacy in baseball. Given that this family wanted to contract the team I guess maybe he’s just continuing it.  I’ll watch the game for the players, eat before I go to the stadium and bring in a water bottle so I can’t line the pockets of these venal crooks.

[Eric Blonigen]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

"Zebby Matthews entered the game, continuing his extended audition for the 2026 rotation. Sporting excellent control, his command is still a work in progress."

I've sked this numerous times and never receive an answer.  So here I go again.  what is the difference between "command" and "control"?  To my ancient mind, if a pitcher has "excellent" control (as in the sentence above), he should beable to put away batters.  Where does this command thing come in?

Control is the ability to throw strikes, command is hitting your spots in the zone (or out of it, if that’s the goal). Long story short, Zebby throws too many crushable pitches that are strikes, but where hitters can do damage.

[USAFChief]

47 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

Thank you.  I agree that it's more semantics than useful information.  If you have control, you don't hang a slider over the heart of the plate.

It's been a common description of the difference for about 150 years

 

[LastOnePicked]

10 hours ago, USAFChief said:

Matthews appears to struggle with the dreaded thir...sec...first-time-through-the-order.

These are your new-look Twins, so file it under "Mediocre" Pitching.

[LastOnePicked]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

If I understand the lottery correctly and I'm pretty sure that I don't because I think that the odds for the 3 teams removed are redistributed as the lottery goes from 18 teams eligible to 15 and I don't know the redistribution process. 

It's not your fault - the draft lottery is stupid. Besides the confusion, it doesn't seem to have any impact on teams "tanking" and it has the added impact of punishing the fans who follow terrible teams and endure terrible seasons. MLB draft prospects are already a lottery ticket. Now you've got a lottery on top of a lottery.

[Blyleven2011]

5 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

The Yankees are notorious for stealing signs & I question how legal their process is. They'll do anything for an edge. Twins have to school better against it (last game I thought they had). I wouldn't mind a fastball to NYY ribs.

Last night Matthew's seemed to be just a thrower , not a pitcher ...

To many pitches in the heart of the strike zone and the Yankees hit and hit and hit again ...

Zebby needs control and last night he had no control  , he has a good fast ball and he needs to throw it at different eye levels for it to be effective  , last night he wasn't doing that , when he had 2 strikes on a batter he should have thrown a high fastball to get them to chase  , he wasn't pitching last night he was just throwing and the Yankees hit and hit and hit again ...

And Rocco sat and sat and sat again , yes we need innings but when a pitcher is getting shelled , the normal thing to do is is change pitchers regardless of whats availablein the bullpen ...

Twins did make it an interesting game by fighting back to a 1 run loss ...

[Doctor Gast]

3 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

"Zebby Matthews entered the game, continuing his extended audition for the 2026 rotation. Sporting excellent control, his command is still a work in progress."

I've sked this numerous times and never receive an answer.  So here I go again.  what is the difference between "command" and "control"?  To my ancient mind, if a pitcher has "excellent" control (as in the sentence above), he should beable to put away batters.  Where does this command thing come in?

Control is the ability to throw his stuff for strikes & not be wild. Command is not only the ability to throw strikes but also locating the pitch where you want it for a strike that's not down the middle.

[Doctor Gast]

5 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Interesting game.  Nice comeback but almost a win is not a win.  I knew we would be in trouble right away when you look at the lineup Baldelli threw out there.  Both Lee and Keaschall not in lineup when they clearly could have helped.  Not even used as pinch hitters or defensive replacements.  Then to leave Matthew's in so long while he was getting hammered is disgraceful.  It signaled to a nice crowd and the players that he had little intention on winning.  The fact they came back proves all the runs Matthew's gave up mattered.  What does it do for his confidence to let him hang out there to dry?  Save the bullpen?  What for there's only a week and a half left.  Just another example of Baldelli having a huge part in the loss.  Twins also just fired their entire remaining scouting department to save money.  Baldelli may or may not survive the continued purge.  Problem is they are keeping Falvey so even if Baldelli goes we will just get a clone of him.  

Twins fired their remaining scouting department! OMG! What a complete idiot! Trusting completely in his weird analytics! Heaven save us! Pohlads completely trusting Falvey is a terrible combination! 

[Nshore]

4 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

"Zebby Matthews entered the game, continuing his extended audition for the 2026 rotation. Sporting excellent control, his command is still a work in progress."

I've sked this numerous times and never receive an answer.  So here I go again.  what is the difference between "command" and "control"?  To my ancient mind, if a pitcher has "excellent" control (as in the sentence above), he should beable to put away batters.  Where does this command thing come in?

Must be another new statistic.