Twins 5, Mariners 3: Big Blasts Push Minnesota Over .500

[Matt Braun]

Image courtesy of Steven Bisig, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Box Score
Zebby Matthews:  5+ IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Home Runs: Brooks Lee (16), Royce Lewis (11), Ryan Jeffers (10)
Top 3 WPA: Luke Keaschall (.240), Royce Lewis (.150), Brooks Lee (.120)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

No preamble tonight. The author is annoyed at how late this game started.

 

Zebby Matthews barely knew what happened. At one point he was a starter anointing the beginning of the game; 30 pitches later, matters were turgid and anxious. What happened? 

Cole Young struck out on four pitches. Randy Arozarena walked following the same amount of offerings - a contradiction Matthews would have to ponder only after his night ended. Dominic Canzone then shot a double into right, but the righty with the iron jaw delivered three sliders to Julio Rodríguez to strike him out. Another four-pitch walk. Perhaps that one confounded our hero: he spent nine pitches on a weary and not particularly intimidating version of Cal Raleigh, with the final selection—a no-nothing hanger of a changeup—making its home in the right field stands after bouncing. Two runs. Finally, a strikeout to end the frame.

The inning was so extended and lethargic that the Twins literally traded for another pitcher while it happened.

Unbothered, Minnesota responded with a fruitful frame of their own. Josh Bell doinked a pitching wedge into right field and watched the two following batters get out. But just when it seemed like the Twins might waste an opportunity with a leadoff runner, Brooks Lee worked the count to 3-1, got a cement mixer, and deposited the pitch 367 feet away into the right-field stands. 

 

 

 

Gifted a tied game, Matthews pitched like a rejuvenated man, coaxing a strikeout from Colt Emerson and a groundout from Victor Robles. The latter may have been a 10-pitch excursion, but at least fortune turned towards him, radiating a golden, warm smile. This could be the start of the redemption. Cole Young vaporized a solo homer.

Though it appeared we were in for a barn-burner, the early action receded, giving way to the common ebbs and flows of a baseball game. It would be inaccurate to say that nothing happened; rather, conflict settled. Chances rose and fell. Runners occasionally reached base only to slowly trudge back to their dugouts after their teammates failed to bring them home. The innings flipped like the pages in a good book, and we were suddenly in the seventh with the same score that ended the second.

The bullpens were now in control. Never a more terrifying thing. Like giving nuclear codes to a drunk at a bar.

Jose A. Ferrer had earned the final two outs of the sixth, so he was sent out in the seventh to continue his work. His first sinker to Royce Lewis missed high. His second sinker almost cleared the Mariners bullpen.

 

 

 

A rally killer? Not so fast. Alan Roden collected an infield single and Lee flew out. By now, Mariners manager Dan Wilson had seen enough of his lefty and called in Eduard Bazardo to quell the rally. On a 1-1 count, he unleashed one of his signature boring sinkers to Luke Keaschall, and the young infielder was able to pull his hands in enough to line the pitch safely down the left field line, sending Roden gallivanting around the bases with a gait and hustle reminiscent of a middle schooler running home on the last day of school.

 

Kody Funderburk handed off to Tommy Nance who handed off to Andrew Morris. No Mariner could score. In the meantime, Ryan Jeffers gave the bullpen a little more breathing room with a 372-foot blast when Bazardo's sweeper was sweepless in Seattle. 

Yoendrys Gómez emerged to end the ninth and keep the good vibes going as re-enforcements made their way out west. The righty didn't make it easy; attitudes grew terse and muscles tensed as he walked two batters, but Gómez settled down and punched out Mitch Garver on a sweeper to notch the save.

Notes:

Zebby Matthews set a single-game MLB career-high with 10 strikeouts.

Kody Funderburk, Tommy Nance, Andrew Morris, and Yoendrys Gómez combined for four no-hit, shutout innings out of the bullpen.

Brooks Lee tied his career-high mark of 16 homers in a season set in 2025. He did so in 102 fewer plate appearances this year.

Ryan Jeffers' season wRC+ of 162 is the highest for any primary catcher post-2020 (min. 190 plate appearances).

Luke Keaschall slashed .323/.447/.462 in July. 

Post-Game Interview:

 

What’s Next?
The Twins and Mariners take mercy on those East of the Rockies, with a delightful 3:10 PM Saturday start. Connor Prielipp is set to take the mound opposite Logan Gilbert.

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	TOT
Rojas	0	0	52	0	0	52
Funderburk	0	27	0	0	19	46
Gomez	0	0	0	21	25	46
Rogers	0	0	0	27	0	27
Morris	0	0	0	12	6	18
Anderson	0	13	0	0	0	13
Adams	0	11	0	0	0	11
Nance	0	0	0	0	11	11

View full article

[Parfigliano]

4 shutout no hit bullpen innings.

[tony&rodney]

That was a fun game and the summary was a fine mirror of the game with solid humor. Thanks for the writing.

The bullpen was nails. Funderburk, Nance, Morris, and Gomez looked good. We have been witness to the pen rising from the ashes of those debacles early in the season. This new group is pretty fearless. One can only hope that their demeanors and skills holds through a tough schedule in August.

[Peter]

Didn’t stay up for it but sooo glad to wake up to a huge huge huge twins win!!! Over.500 and in wild card spot!!! Let’s get and win today and stay over .500 for rest of season!!! Go twins!!!

[alexlegge]

One of my take-home points from last night's game:

If the Twins are going to trade Ryan Jeffers, they sure as schlitz better have a plan to recoup the offensive value lost in the process. Maybe that plan is as simple as 'Walker Jenkins mid-August call-up and the kid hits the ground running, which we can be extra confident will happen based on something the fanbase doesn't know.' Maybe it's another trade. Or hell, get creative - maybe both moves are part of the same three-way trade. 

...

Same goes for a trade of any other bat that's been talked about, like Larnach or Lewis.

[JBK]

Jeffers is hot and producing at the plate.  Maybe it's time to think about resigning him and finding him new position.  First base anyone?  DH/1B?

[HarmonK03]

4 minutes ago, JBK said:

Jeffers is hot and producing at the plate.  Maybe it's time to think about resigning him and finding him new position.  First base anyone?  DH/1B?

Why would you move him from behind the plate.

[Saxophone Joe]

Bullpen: elite! 😎

No “nightmares” in Twins Territory last night. CC Bob Nightengale.

[JD-TWINS]

6 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

4 shutout no hit bullpen innings.

Gomez has to be down today…….. looks like Minter may be The Closer if Team has a lead.

[William K Johnson]

Extend Jeffers, trade Caratini.

[Bodie]

9 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

Why would you move him from behind the plate.

Cus he is bad behind the plate!!!

Unfortunately, he is the best option on this roster, so...

[JD-TWINS]

33 minutes ago, alexlegge said:

One of my take-home points from last night's game:

If the Twins are going to trade Ryan Jeffers, they sure as schlitz better have a plan to recoup the offensive value lost in the process. Maybe that plan is as simple as 'Walker Jenkins mid-August call-up and the kid hits the ground running, which we can be extra confident will happen based on something the fanbase doesn't know.' Maybe it's another trade. Or hell, get creative - maybe both moves are part of the same three-way trade. 

...

Same goes for a trade of any other bat that's been talked about, like Larnach or Lewis.

Can bring Jenkins up, and he may succeed at the plate, but doing it at Jeffers level in ‘26 is a very high bar.

[alexlegge]

16 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Can bring Jenkins up, and he may succeed at the plate, but doing it at Jeffers level in ‘26 is a very high bar.

Agreed. If that ends up happening following a Jeffers trade, I'll still accept it retroactively as a defensible Jeffers offense recoup plan (actually, he'll have to hit a little better than Jeffers, since he has to make up for any additional difference in the offense lost from his inability to play catcher). 

[JD-TWINS]

I seldom comment on articles and I check in at TD about 340 days per year, content is always fairly interesting to a Twins fan, & efforts appreciated, but about baseball …….. the writing today was excellent! Covered the action accurately and was very comical.

The “middle-school kid running” as a comparison to Roden galavanting around the bases was humorous and again very accurate. Never heard an anxious situation described as “turning over nuclear codes to the drunk at the bar” …….. overall, very well done! Thanks.

Am in East time zone & saw Team get the 4-3 lead and awoke again during the re-cap. Nice win. Zebby is exasperating to watch - I realize not every guy can be Tom Seaver but his lack of command is rough to watch - can only imagine what Jeffers & baseball people are thinking? He has SIX pitches with sporadic location with every one, just seems counterproductive. One may surprise a guy with a cutter but if it’s waste high and in middle third of the plate - it still gets hit. I guess I’m waiting for the coaching to start trimming the offerings. …… maybe have him sit next to Ober every day for a month to review the grip and proper technique for delivering a change-up?

Nice win! Who is getting cut from PEN when Minter is activated. Gotta be Anderson or Adams………. Anderson sure looks sharp in 2-3 times I’ve seen him pitch!

[JD-TWINS]

Acquiring Kremer from O’s sure tempers expectations of the possible additional moves over the next 3 days!!!! ☹️

[tarheeltwinsfan]

44 minutes ago, JBK said:

Jeffers is hot and producing at the plate.  Maybe it's time to think about resigning him and finding him new position.  First base anyone?  DH/1B?

re-signing

[alexlegge]

48 minutes ago, JBK said:

Jeffers is hot and producing at the plate.  Maybe it's time to think about resigning him and finding him new position.  First base anyone?  DH/1B?

Signing him would be nice. 

But you're two steps ahead of the Twins.

At this point, I'd be more than happy with them just holding onto him this week and making him the qualifying offer in the offseason.

[HarmonK03]

Can we be done with the Roden experiment and get Jenkins up here.  He just isn't getting it done and we can't keep running him out there hoping he will.

[JD-TWINS]

8 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

Can we be done with the Roden experiment and get Jenkins up here.  He just isn't getting it done and we can't keep running him out there hoping he will.

Understood. I might seriously consider displacing Gray though, as he REALLY isn’t getting it done.

Roden/Emma/AA arm for Arraez……. any bites from the Giants?

[umterp23]

I chuckle with resigning Jeffers, extension, etc… He is positioning himself for FA and as a Boras client, he will test the waters. Pile on two more wins and see what other teams do w/l wise and Monday could be very quiet or explosive. Twins being buyers with small moves will be mgmt telling us we told you we would be buyers. Quality of trades hasn’t excited me yet when roden/grays are on active 26 man. Lineup has holes that aren’t being addressed and that will bite us in the end. Tough August schedule lies ahead

[Coach Wheels]

2 hours ago, alexlegge said:

One of my take-home points from last night's game:

If the Twins are going to trade Ryan Jeffers, they sure as schlitz better have a plan to recoup the offensive value lost in the process. Maybe that plan is as simple as 'Walker Jenkins mid-August call-up and the kid hits the ground running, which we can be extra confident will happen based on something the fanbase doesn't know.' Maybe it's another trade. Or hell, get creative - maybe both moves are part of the same three-way trade. 

...

Same goes for a trade of any other bat that's been talked about, like Larnach or Lewis.

This is 100% accurate and, one has to believe they will trade Jeffers with FA around the corner. He'll most likely get 3 or 4 years at $18-20 million/year and no way this franchise pays that.

Jeffers trade needs to bring immediate 24 man roster value because this division is winnable.

[Coach Wheels]

1 hour ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

re-signing

English teacher 😀

[JD-TWINS]

Red Sox - 2.5 games up

White Sox - 3.0 games up

Caught Guardians

If all 3 Teams had 8 more wins & the spread was the same between them & the Twins, wouldn’t it make sense for Twins to add? From here on out they play who’s scheduled - a bunch with A.L. West and A.L. Central ……… that spells opportunity!

Add a couple competent guys by end of Monday.

[Coach Wheels]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Acquiring Kremer from O’s sure tempers expectations of the possible additional moves over the next 3 days!!!! ☹️

Agree. Management says they are "buyers" and then they trade for a 6.00+ ERA. We need to be better shoppers.

[JD-TWINS]

2 minutes ago, Coach Wheels said:

Agree. Management says they are "buyers" and then they trade for a 6.00+ ERA. We need to be better shoppers.

Am hoping it was just a simple, quick move to protect Ryan in the very near-term……. can’t imagine they think they can lean on Dean Kremer for any serious contribution going forward……I like the “shopper” description!

[DJL44]

56 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

Can we be done with the Roden experiment and get Jenkins up here.  He just isn't getting it done and we can't keep running him out there hoping he will.

You’re “done with” the player who was 1-2 with a walk and scored the winning run last night? 

[S Bart]

2 hours ago, William K Johnson said:

Extend Jeffers, trade Caratini.

Dodger Blue , their website, lists either Jeffers or Caratini as the catcher candidates

[chinmusic]

4 hours ago, Peter said:

Didn’t stay up for it but sooo glad to wake up to a huge huge huge twins win!!! Over.500 and in wild card spot!!! Let’s get and win today and stay over .500 for rest of season!!! Go twins!!!

I'm in the eastern time zone,  and replayed the game in its entirety this morning.

You could feel the momentum swing as the game wore on.. The team appears to be in a really good space right now. 

5 hours ago, Peter said:

Didn’t stay up for it but sooo glad to wake up to a huge huge huge twins win!!! Over.500 and in wild card spot!!! Let’s get and win today and stay over .500 for rest of season!!! Go twins!!!

Dramatic walk offs, and acquisitions with perhaps more to come can do that , I guess.. Keep it going, guys!

[tarheeltwinsfan]

21 minutes ago, Coach Wheels said:

English teacher 😀

Not an English teacher. An attorney. 

[UK Twin]

Gomez needs to cut down the number of walks he gives up. 2 free passes in the bottom of the 9th is not ideal. Having said that, he worked his way out of it. 

Matthews settled nicely after a rough start. Great to be over .500!