Royals 2, Twins 1: A Duo of Decent Debuts Ends in Defeat

[Cory Moen]

Image courtesy of Peter Aiken - IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

 

Box Score 
Starting Pitcher: Dean Kremer - 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (88 pitches, 52 strikes (59.1% strikes))
Bottom 3 WPA (via Fangraphs): A.J. Minter (-0.15), Victor Caratini (-0.13), Trevor Larnach & Ryan Jeffers (-0.11)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

After dropping the first game post-trade deadline, the Twins looked to bounce back and get into the win column. Trade acquisition Dean Kremer toed the rubber for his Twins debut while the Royals sent LHP Noah Cameron to the mound to face off with the Twins after shutting them out for eight innings last week. 

The Twins got their first hit against Cameron much earlier in this game, with Ryan Jeffers getting a one-out single in the top of the first inning. The Twins weren’t able to string together any other hits, so Cameron was able to get out of the top of the first unscathed. 

Kremer’s first inning as a twin went about as well as hoped, sending the Royals down 1-2-3 over 12 pitches. 

Both starters appeared to be settling in, keeping the game scoreless through three innings, each giving up one hit and recording one strikeout. In the top of the fourth, the Twins were able to get their first three runners on base, loading the bases on a walk and two singles, one on a Royce Lewis bunt. 

The Twins took a 1-0 lead on a groundout double-play off the bat of Victor Caratini, leaving a runner on third with two outs. Cameron was able to limit that to the only damage the Twins were able to do in the inning. 

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Royals made some noise against Kremer, loading the bases with one out and Kyle Isbel finally got the Royals on the board with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at one. 

The game stayed tied at one until the bottom of the seventh when Michael Massey hit a solo home run off of A.J. Minter giving the Royals a 2-1 lead. 

The Twins offense went completely silent against Noah Cameron after scoring in the fourth inning, not getting a single baserunner against him from innings five through eight. Cameron finished eight innings with nine strikeouts, allowing just five baserunners. 

In the bottom of the eighth inning, trade deadline acquisition Jeff Hoffman made his Twins debut, striking out two over a scoreless frame. 

Former Twins prospect Steven Cruz came in for the save opportunity in the top of the ninth, finishing off the Twins, earning his third save of the year. 

Other Notes: 
Joe Ryan headed back to Minnesota to be evaluated for a lower back/glute injury. His next start which is scheduled for Sunday is now in question. 

Post Game Interview: 

What’s Next?
The Twins will play one more game in Kansas City against the Royals, with Bailey Ober (7-3, 4.45 ERA) starting for the Twins and RHP Michael Wacha (5-8, 3.51 ERA) starting for Kansas City. 

Ober face off against the Royals last week, throwing six innings giving up three runs (two earned). He struck out three and walked two in that start. 

After the series finale tomorrow, the Twins will head to Milwaukee for a three-game series over the weekend for a border battle with the first place Brewers. 

 

BULLPEN CHART

	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	TOT
Gomez	0	19	0	0	0	19
Funderburk	3	0	0	14	0	17
Adams	11	0	0	20	0	31
Rogers	14	0	0	14	0	28
Nance	16	0	0	0	7	23
Minter	1	19	0	0	12	32
Morris	12	0	0	0	0	12
Hoffman	0	0	0	0	11	11

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[thelanges5]

Gleeman:

Royals are 8-4 vs. the Twins and 40-63 vs. all other teams.

[thelanges5]

A lot has been made of Joe Ryan’s second half struggles, but don’t forget about that offense. They’ve also struggled for the third second half in a row.

If the offense doesn’t figure it out soon, it won’t matter how Joe Ryan‘s back is doing.

[Permanent Twins Fan]

Good debuts by Kremer and Hoffman. The blame in this one is entirely on the offense. They couldn't get anything done today. Even the run they did score was on a double play with the bases loaded. Good job by the pitching staff, but it is hard to win games scoring just 1 run. I think now is the time to call up Jenkins or Culpepper to give this team a spark. I understand the service time concerns, but the Twins can't let this race slip too far away from them. Cleveland and Chicago both fell so somehow the Twins are only 1.0 game out of the wild card, but they need to start winning some games if they want to make a serious push. 

[jkcarew]

I’m sure we’ll make a run when we start playing better teams.

[jkcarew]

…the Royals will head to Milwaukee for a three-game series over the weekend for a border battle…

 

Someone failed 6th grade geography.

[shimrod]

3 minutes ago, Permanent Twins Fan said:

but the Twins can't let this race slip too far away from them.

Sure they can, and should. Thinking they are in the race is the problem. 

Twins needed to sell, not buy. I've been enjoying the team playing over their heads much of the season; I like seeing them win. I do, however, realize they're playing over their heads and would never have traded away prospects in an effort to polish a turd. 

 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

It would be a shame if the acquisition of four quality pitchers is overshadowed by the failure to trade for a right-handed bat.

Let's hope we see more manufactured runs like the one they created in the fourth inning. It won't be long before all the chances are spent...
 

[Mike Sixel]

Benching Keaschell for Catatini is indefensible, without an injury. But people love this manager.

[Saxophone Joe]

OK, I’m gonna leave my negativity in the game thread and hunt the good: Kremer was solid and steady, if unspectacular. 

Best I can do.

[90stwinskid]

Post deadline record: 0-2

Overall: 56-59

 

Good thing we're done facing the Royals after tomorrow.

[Jack Pine]

12 minutes ago, Permanent Twins Fan said:

Good debuts by Kremer and Hoffman. The blame in this one is entirely on the offense. They couldn't get anything done today. Even the run they did score was on a double play with the bases loaded. Good job by the pitching staff, but it is hard to win games scoring just 1 run. I think now is the time to call up Jenkins or Culpepper to give this team a spark. I understand the service time concerns, but the Twins can't let this race slip too far away from them. Cleveland and Chicago both fell so somehow the Twins are only 1.0 game out of the wild card, but they need to start winning some games if they want to make a serious push. 

You think?  Just when you think they couldn't look any more lifeless they surprise you.  It's almost time to jettison the journeymen and bring up bring up some prospects if for no other reason than to keep the fan base interest up.

[Nashvilletwin]

17 minutes ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

It would be a shame if the acquisition of four quality pitchers is overshadowed by the failure to trade for a right-handed bat.

Let's hope we see more manufactured runs like the one they created in the fourth inning. It won't be long before all the chances are spent...
 

Luis Arraez is on fire for the Phillies since being acquired.  Just saying…..of course, he’s a lefty batter. 

[JD-TWINS]

5 games with ROYALS over the last week. The offense has been EMBARRASSING!

Last week:

2 runs in last inning for a walk off in game 1.

0 runs in game 2.

4 runs in last inning for a walk off in game 3.

SO, that’s 24 of 27 innings Team did not score.

This week:

2 runs in first game

1 run in 2nd game

SO, that’s 15 of 18 innings Team did not score.

Cameron, of the Royals, has given up THREE HITS over 16 innings v. Twins in the last week.

Twins NOT very competitive, Mr Pohlad. However, I’m a big “Players Player” guy………. players need to be accountable …… 2 hits tonight is not on the FO!

[Nashvilletwin]

4 minutes ago, 90stwinskid said:

Post deadline record: 0-2

Overall: 56-59

 

Good thing we're done facing the Royals after tomorrow.

…..good thing the schedule for the rest of August really lightens up.

Btw, 8-10 since the All Star break.

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Luis Arraez is on fire for the Phillies since being acquired.  Just saying…..

Didn't need him. Much better to have Lewis at second and caratini at first. 

[Hashim]

9 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Luis Arraez is on fire for the Phillies since being acquired.  Just saying…..

He’s a lefty. 

[mikelink45]

This is getting ridiculous call up the prospects

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Hashim said:

He’s a lefty. 

And? 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

10 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Luis Arraez is on fire for the Phillies since being acquired.  Just saying…..

Yeah, his OBP is back up, but just no pop, and no place for him on defense.

[JD-TWINS]

4 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Luis Arraez is on fire for the Phillies since being acquired.  Just saying…..

He was hitting .324 when Phils acquired him ………. pretty warm ALL year.

Luis should have been the coveted ADD at the deadline. ….. Everyone says he’s slow and doesn’t get enough RBI to pay him much.

His BA with RISP this year is .382!

His BA with RISP career is .352.

PHILLIES have figured it out & they are batting him fourth - he strikes 4.5% of his PA’s. He is great protection for whoever hits in front of him……will be a BIG RBI guy for the Phils. Good luck Luis!

[JD-TWINS]

2 minutes ago, Hashim said:

He’s a lefty. 

He’s hitting .260 plus career v. lefties ……. gotta be around .325 or more v. RH pitching. I doubt any of the Twin’s RH batters are hitting higher than .260 v. LH pitching this year!

[darwin22]

Note to Zoll/Twins Management:

How many more listless offensive nights does our fanbase need to endure before action is taken?

With Buxton out--he wasn't contributing much before he landed on IL---this lineup has performed miserably over the last 2 series.

Mentioned in other threads, but what is THE REASON to keep Culpepper, Jenkins and to a lesser extent Wallner in SP?

Not that management will ever admit it, but, if its service time manipulation--that just shows how inept and non-serious this franchise is.

Gray needs to be demoted NOW!  Roden should be on thin ice with his lackluster performance with the bat and Martin has proved (at least to me) he's not worthy of a roster spot.

Seems that several playoff contending clubs--BST and CLE-just to name 2 are NOT  scared of promoting their highly regarded prospects to energize their offense.  Why are we?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JD-TWINS]

4 minutes ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

Yeah, his OBP is back up, but just no pop, and no place for him on defense.

He’s been discussed as possible Gold Glove guy in the N.L. this year …….. he starts every day at 2B for TWINS. Clemens goes to LF - with an available Buxton, Keaschall plays RF.

He’s batting 4th for the Phillies - .382 BA with RISP this year & .352 with RISP for his career. Poor RBI guy, obviously!  He’s hit 1st or 2nd most of his career so nobody’s on when he comes to bat.

Yep, he’s worthless……. that’s why he’s squarely in the middle of the Phillies line-up.

[Mike Sixel]

11 minutes ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

Yeah, his OBP is back up, but just no pop, and no place for him on defense.

? Second base. 

[DJL44]

36 minutes ago, Jack Pine said:

You think?  Just when you think they couldn't look any more lifeless they surprise you.  It's almost time to jettison the journeymen and bring up bring up some prospects if for no other reason than to keep the fan base interest up.

You want to cut Kody Clemens?

[wesnewy]

We are cooked chat

[DJL44]

22 minutes ago, darwin22 said:

Gray needs to be demoted NOW!  Roden should be on thin ice with his lackluster performance with the bat and Martin has proved (at least to me) he's not worthy of a roster spot.

Yeah, stupid Roden and Gray losing this game tonight with their combined 0 for 0 performance.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

35 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Yep, he’s worthless……. that’s why he’s squarely in the middle of the Phillies line-up.

Nobody said he's worthless.  I love him as a pure hitter, but the reasons the team traded him away a few years ago are the same reasons they didn't trade for him now.

[Jacksson]

So put Ryan on the IL already.  Get a replacement from the Saints.  Clearly Ryan is not himself since the All Star Break.  Enough with the hope and prayers; when a player isn't right put him on the IL = that's what it is for.