Guardians 5, Twins 2: Another Lackluster Performance

[Cory Moen]

Image courtesy of © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Box Score
SP: Kendry Rojas - 2 ⅓  IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (47 pitches, 28 strikes (59.6% strikes))
Bottom 3 WPA (via FanGraphs): Victor Caratini (-0.14), Mike Paredes (-0.13), Luke Keaschall (-0.12)

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

After a series loss against the Cubs over the weekend, the Twins had a game they will hope to soon forget in the first game against the Guardians. They were looking to bounce back Tuesday after two games where they gave up 10 and 13 runs, respectively. The Twins sent rookie lefty Kendry Rojas to the mound to face off with Guardians’ lefty Parker Messick. The visitors got on the board early when Ryan Jeffers hit a curveball that Messick left up into the seats in left field.

Rojas got through the first two innings with only one baserunner allowed, but the Guardians were able to tie the game in the bottom of the third on a one-out Steven Kwan double, which chased Rojas from the game. 

Mike Paredes came into the game in relief of Rojas, and Brayan Rocchio greeted him with an RBI single to give Cleveland a 2-1 lead. Paredes was able to finish the inning without giving up another run despite another hit, due to an inning-ending double play off the bat of Rhys Hoskins. 

The Guardians' lead didn’t last long, as the Twins were able to score on an odd play where both Messick and second baseman Travis Bazzana were charged with errors. Messick failed to field a squibber from Royce Lewis, and then Bazzana threw away his chance to save the play. 

It looked like the Guardians may score in the bottom of the fifth, with runners on first and third with one out, but Paredes was able to tightrope out of danger with a short fly ball off the bat of Chase DeLauter and a pinch-hit flyout from Kyle Manzardo.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the first three batters reached versus Paredes, and Guardians catcher Austin Hedges was able to take a high breaking ball and hit a sacrifice fly, which gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead. Derek Shelton went to Taylor Rogers to try to escape without further damage, but on a shallow fly ball to center, Travis Bazzana took off for the plate. Byron Buxton's throw was slightly offline, pulling Ryan Jeffers to the first-base side of the plate, and Jeffers's valiant dive back toward Bazzana missed its mark until it was too late. The initial call was out, but it was changed on review. 4-2, Guardians.

The hosts added another run in the bottom of the seventh inning, on a Bazzana check-swing flare that drove in Manzardo to stretch the Twins' deficit to three runs.

The Twins offense went lifeless over the final two innings, going down 1-2-3 in both frames. Kahlil Watson made a nice play to end the game in the right-field corner off the bat of Luke Keaschall, but the outcome of the game wouldn't have been altered even if he hadn't gotten to the ball. 

The Twins have dropped four straight games and are now 1-4 since the All-Star break. 

Other Notes: 

• Jack Anderson made his Twins debut, throwing 1 ⅓ innings and recording one strikeout. The Twins hope he can bolster a bullpen that has had its fair share of struggles this year. 
• Josh Bell celebrated reaching 10 years of service time today, which is a significant milestone for any player in their major-league career. 

What’s Next?
The Twins will play two more in Cleveland, with Bailey Ober (7-3, 4.32 ERA) toeing the rubber for tomorrow’s game. Slade Cecconi (4-6, 4.55 ERA) will pitch for the Guardians. In Ober’s last two starts, he has given up three earned runs over 10 ⅓ innings pitched, with his most recent start earning a win in the first game out of break against the Cubs. 

BULLPEN CHART

	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	TOT
Nance	25	0	0	36	0	61
Gómez	22	0	0	0	0	22
Morris	14	0	0	0	0	14
Rogers	2	0	0	0	28	30
Rojas	0	18	0	0	47	65
Anderson	0	0	0	0	8	8
Adams	0	0	45	0	0	45
Funderburk	0	0	14	16	0	30
Alex Jackson	0	0	0	11	0	11
Paredes	0	40	0	0	49	89

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[DJL44]

Any impressions of Anderson? The weather was nice so I took the dog for a long walk.

[thelanges5]

Twins averaging 2.8 runs per game in the five games since the All-Star break. 
 

12-19 against LH starters 

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, thelanges5 said:

Twins averaging 2.8 runs per game in the five games since the All-Star break. 

Their success wasn't sustainable, at least many thought that. Hoping to be wrong, but it looks like they should sell. 

[wesnewy]

[Hunter4848]

Such a gutless team

[1985Fan]

Getting closer to sell mode. 1-4 since the AS break looks like last years collapse. Making it easier for FO on the buy-sell decision. 

[thelanges5]

Outscored 34 to 9 in the four game losing streak. 

Tom, if you’re out there, don’t do any crazy trades in the name of fan morale.

[HarmonK03]

4 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

Outscored 34 to 9 in the four game losing streak. 

Tom, if you’re out there, don’t do any crazy trades in the name of fan morale.

Just keep the $2 beer nights and we will be happy for this year.

[Vanimal46]

Look at that. The clock says 11:57 PM. Minutes away from this Cinderella campaign from being over and moving on to tanking again for the #1 pick. 

[JD-TWINS]

TWINS A.L. leading offense since winning Friday …… 2 - 1 - 4 - 2 runs over last 4 games. Starting pitching hasn’t kept the game close 2-3 times over that stretch. Cannot expect to win games if they don’t score at least 4 runs per game - 5 is probably more realistic.

Need Cole Sands back and in form ASAP. IMO, Rojas should be used just like Morris - 1 inning at a time, 3-4 days per week. Gotta be able to handle that 40-70 pitch regimen per week! Parades was running out of gas …. pitched well (was effective) for 2 plus innings.

As Prielipp & Sands come back over next 5-10 days, who gets demoted from current PEN?

 

[ashbury]

1 minute ago, Vanimal46 said:

Look at that. The clock says 11:57 PM. Minutes away from this Cinderella campaign from being over and moving on to tanking again for the #1 pick. 

Time flies when you're giving up runs.

[wesnewy]

Are we still "going big or going home" Mr. Pohlad?

[HarmonK03]

3 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

As Prielipp & Sands come back over next 5-10 days, who gets demoted from current PEN

It will depend who got thrown to the wolves the game before.  They will send out the one who can't pitch for a few days unless it is Rogers, Gomez or Morris.

[TCanWins]

The bats have certainly gone cold. At least it looks like Shelty is adjusting the lineup.

Nobody is hitting consistently. I would try to put the 3 hottest hitters in a row in the hope that they can get each other over the line, but who they are varies game to game. They'll warm back up in time I'm sure.

[HarmonK03]

2 minutes ago, wesnewy said:

Are we still "going big or going home" Mr. Pohlad?

There is no going big anymore this year, you will just set the franchise back.  Bold talk but I hope he waits until the offseason to back it up.

[thelanges5]

3 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

There is no going big anymore this year, you will just set the franchise back.  Bold talk but I hope he waits until the offseason to back it up.

Agree, this is not the roster that you wanna push the chips in on.

[JD-TWINS]

TWINS A.L. leading offense since winning Friday …… 2 - 1 - 4 - 2 runs over last 4 games. Starting pitching hasn’t kept the game close 2-3 times over that stretch. Cannot expect to win games if they don’t score at least 4 runs per game - 5 is probably more realistic.

Need Cole Sands back and in form ASAP. IMO, Rojas should be used just like Morris - 1 inning at a time, 3-4 days per week. Gotta be able to handle that 40-70 pitch regimen per week! Parades was running out of gas …. pitched well (was effective) for 2 plus innings.

As Prielipp & Sands come back over next 5-10 days, who gets demoted from current PEN?

Have a whole bunch of games v. Tigers - A’s - Royals - Orioles - Angels - Giants in next 9 weeks…..get to 1 or 2 under .500 by 7/30…..still have a shot.

 

[DJL44]

14 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Need Cole Sands back and in form ASAP. IMO, Rojas should be used just like Morris - 1 inning at a time, 3-4 days per week. Gotta be able to handle that 40-70 pitch regimen per week! Parades was running out of gas …. pitched well (was effective) for 2 plus innings.

As Prielipp & Sands come back over next 5-10 days, who gets demoted from current PEN?

Looks like Rojas will go on the IL. Never worry about having all your best pitchers healthy at the same time. It never happens.

[DJL44]

12 minutes ago, wesnewy said:

Are we still "going big or going home" Mr. Pohlad?

Go home is the right choice

[Saxophone Joe]

Shelty’s tribute in the clubhouse to Josh Bell’s 10 years of service was moving: “The 10 years is special. You’re special.” Good stuff. JB gave a nice speech too. Will be sad if he’s gone two weeks from now.

That is all. See ya tomorrow.

[Hunter4848]

1 minute ago, Saxophone Joe said:

 

Shelty’s tribute in the clubhouse to Josh Bell’s 10 years of service was moving: “The 10 years is special. You’re special.” Good stuff. JB gave a nice speech too. Will be sad if he’s gone two weeks from now.

That is all. See ya tomorrow.

It's not sad when you get rid of underperforming veterans...

This mentality holds the Twins back

[DJL44]

53 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Any impressions of Anderson? The weather was nice so I took the dog for a long walk.

I didn’t think I would get a thumbs down for taking advantage of nice weather and walking my dog. People are weird.

[Peter]

All star break was worse thing to happen with twins!!! Break screwed them!!! Rest=rust, need to get out of this slump asap!!! But if they sell which I hope not it’s time to end the Joe Ryan experience. With A’s royals upcoming twins will get back on track 

[TommyLasordaAteSpaghetti]

Dang It....gotta go with a Sell at the TD?

[TommyLasordaAteSpaghetti]

Comments on the Skipper,s well stocked Bar in the ClubHouse?

Hmmmmm????

[TheLeviathan]

I again wish to thank the Baseball Gods for this boon.  May their wisdom continue to shine truth into the minds of those who refuse to turn their eyes from the wickedness of the Wild Card standings and the lies they tell of our "contention".

[Maybe Next Year]

16 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I didn’t think I would get a thumbs down for taking advantage of nice weather and walking my dog. People are weird.

I did the same thing!