Padres 6, Twins 2: Stuck in the Middle-Innings With You

[Matt Braun]

Image courtesy of David Frerker-Imagn Images

Box Score
Connor Prielipp: 6 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
Home Runs: None
Bottom 3 WPA: Connor Prielipp (-.400), Ryan Jeffers (-.090), Byron Buxton/Trevor Larnach (-.070)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

The thick of a playoff race—there’s nothing like it. When the marathon nature of the sport—the long-term philosophy that cauterizes losses and tamps wins to mild celebration—suddenly gives way to a more phrenetic, imminent reality. Each pitch matters. Every mistake, a drop in the standings. The slow season plod arches and groans day by day as the wheat is separated from the chaff in the only way baseball knows how: by testing the mettle and endurance of the men who play. 

A saunter into San Diego continues the Twins’ NL gauntlet and kick starts a curt West Coast trip. And what a poor time to fly into the fine city: the Padres offense that was once glacial and impotent has turned scintillating after the All-Star break. They’ve hit for a 116 wRC+ since play resumed, the second-best mark in the league.

That suddenly overwhelming hitting acumen struck early on Friday, as Ty France caught a Connor Prielipp fastball and launched the offering 421 feet out to left field to score two.

The Twins offense laid dormant for three frames, putting balls in play with authority against Randy Vásquez with nothing to show except a low pitch count for the Padres starter. Those three perfect innings gave way to a finally fruitful fourth, fantastically forthcoming and fulfilling after the previous futility. Luke Keaschall smacked a single. Josh Bell took a pitch that clipped his pants. Then, with two outs, Kody Clemens cracked a two-run game-tying triple to right.

The even game felt like a righting ship. The young Prielipp appeared settled after his initial gaffe, relying on a heavier dose of his slippery breaking offerings as he racked up strikeouts and double plays. Perhaps the Twins could build more. Perhaps they could continue the retaliation.

And perhaps they could blow up in fifth. San Diego might still be smacking singles. An infield hit and a walk put the lefty in trouble; a Fernando Tatis Jr. smoking worm burner into right field started to ring bells and set off air raid sirens. What continued was a flurry: Luis Rengifo and Manny Machado turned Minnesota’s infielders into flailing acrobats and a France sacrifice fly capped the melee at four runs. At 6-2, the concept of rallying seemed dead in the water.

And it was. The Twins fell in the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth innings in order. The fifth too. In fact, Clemens' triple three paragraphs ago was the final hit of the game for the team. Vásquez, while hittable, settled in; Bradgley Rodriguez cruised; Mason Miller struck out the side to end the game.

Notes:

Connor Prielipp's seven strikeouts give him 101 on the season, the 11th-most for a rookie in Twins history.

Kody Clemens' six triples ties him for the sixth-most in MLB in 2026.

Josh Bell extended his on-base streak to 23 games.

Luke Keaschall is .324/.418/.461 in his last 30 games. 

Post-Game Interview:

What’s Next?
The Twins and Padres lop an hour off the start time wait on Saturday, starting with a more merciful 7:40 PM first pitch. Dean Kremer will take on Casey Mize in the battle of trade deadline acquisitions. 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	MON	TUE	WED	THUR	FRI	TOT
Gomez	19	16	13	0	0	48
Hoffman	20	0	20	0	0	40
Adams	18	0	0	0	17	35
Rogers	11	0	0	0	11	22
Funderburk	0	4	17	0	0	21
Minter	0	6	10	0	0	16
Nance	0	0	16	0	0	16
Morris	0	13	0	0	0	13

View full article

[thelanges5]

Too many pitchers have made our offense look pathetic lately. We’ve been “tipping our cap” to a lot of pitchers since the ASG. 

[RpR]

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

What a clutch hit from Clemens to tie it up. Too bad it was wasted. 

2 hits. No walks. Lucky to score twice 

Back to winning ways with Kremer tomorrow!

[Peter]

Bad loss!!! Need to bounce back to go on long winning streak and get separation from rest teams to get wild card/division championship!!!

[Patzky]

2 hours ago, Peter said:

Bad loss!!! Need to bounce back to go on long winning streak and get separation from rest teams to get wild card/division championship!!!

Two hits! Two!

[Greglw3]

It’s clearly time to call up German Marquez and have him start in a demoted Connor Prielipp’s spot. Prielipp is not the slightest bit competitive at this point.

The other option would to be to call up Rojas and piggyback him with our newly effective relief core.

[Whitey333]

Great article with Gerry Rafferty tie in.  Well done.  Cant win too many games with only two hits.  Overall one of their mode boring games of the season.

[mikelink45]

I have been interested in Prielipp and how he would survive in MLB.  I know all the expectations and projections were great but now the questions are

1. Is he just worn out on a long season?
2. Did we over rate him?
3. Why do projections for next year have him in the rotation while questioning Matthews?

[90stwinskid]

Flush it and get the dub today.

Post-deadline: 7-9

Overall: 63-66

[DJL44]

Where’s Rocco’s quick hook when you need it?

[Western SD Fan]

16 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I have been interested in Prielipp and how he would survive in MLB.  I know all the expectations and projections were great but now the questions are

1. Is he just worn out on a long season?
2. Did we over rate him?
3. Why do projections for next year have him in the rotation while questioning Matthews?

The copout answer is @USAFChief's: yes

Now for my opinion:

1.  Yes, I do believe he is wearing out.  Unfortunately, there isn't anyone in St Paul to rescue him.  I believe Joe Ryan has just started throwing off the mound so he is still a week or two away. 

2.  The mystery box is always the most exciting box.  I'm sure he is a bit overrated just because he was coming through when we badly needed starting help and was effective.  Another aspect is when hitters start seeing tape of your delivery and pitches, they adjust to it.  He will need the offseason to work on his command so he can make hitters miss in the zone.

3.  Another copout answer.  He's a LHP.  Any LHP that is competent is hard to find.  The Twins haven't had a competent LH starter in a while now.  Given the injury history of our pitching staff, I'm not sure Matthews is actually converted to a reliever.  Our pipeline has run dry in St Paul.  Matthews may end up becoming the Randy Dobnak "In case of emergency" starter.  I think there should be an open competition as Matthews again has provided us with steady innings at times.

[thelanges5]

3 hours ago, Peter said:

Bad loss!!! Need to bounce back to go on long winning streak and get separation from rest teams to get wild card/division championship!!!

I agree, Peter. I just don’t know if I have any faith in them to go on this winning streak you speak of.

[Saxophone Joe]

I give credit to the Padres more than I blame Prielipp or Shelton for the 5th. They found the holes and moved runners. If Tatis’ grounder is a foot or two closer to Kody, it’s another inning-ending double play and tied at 2. 

Picking up Ty France at a million and change for this kinda production is mind blowing. Had to do a double take when I saw his numbers. 

Need the bats to work some longer counts - or at least have some more productive at-bats. Trevor Larnach, my dude, where have you gone??

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Patzky said:

Two hits! Two!

No Walks ! None!

Guy that started was a flip of the coin choice for San Diego …….. got him in trouble a couple times but just swinging at nearly every delivery…….run his pitch count up with just a bit of selectivity…..come on…☹️

I’m not sure if Larnach has walked twice in the last 3 weeks? …….he’s got 41 for the season……swinging at all kinds of pitches down & out of the zone……looks lost right now, that sucks!

They know Mize & likewise…….gotta touch him up to avoid their Big 3-4 guys out of the PEN!

Chasing a playoff spot & coming off a solid sweep of the Braves……….2 hits v.  journeyman is not cool……it’s like they were facing some dominant guy like Randy Dobnack!

Lots of emphasis on Golf Wednesday evening & Thursday………I know they need to relax and they’re human………just didn’t seem to have  the proper focus Friday.

[Patzky]

25 minutes ago, Saxophone Joe said:

I give credit to the Padres more than I blame Prielipp or Shelton for the 5th. They found the holes and moved runners. If Tatis’ grounder is a foot or two closer to Kody, it’s another inning-ending double play and tied at 2. 

Picking up Ty France at a million and change for this kinda production is mind blowing. Had to do a double take when I saw his numbers. 

Need the bats to work some longer counts - or at least have some more productive at-bats. Trevor Larnach, my dude, where have you gone??

I feel it's a warning not to ditch Josh Bell this off-season.

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, Greglw3 said:

It’s clearly time to call up German Marquez and have him start in a demoted Connor Prielipp’s spot. Prielipp is not the slightest bit competitive at this point.

The other option would to be to call up Rojas and piggyback him with our newly effective relief core.

Sadly we're a day late w Rojas, pending medical evaluation. Jack Anderson anyone?

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

I have been interested in Prielipp and how he would survive in MLB.  I know all the expectations and projections were great but now the questions are

1. Is he just worn out on a long season?
2. Did we over rate him?
3. Why do projections for next year have him in the rotation while questioning Matthews?

Never understood the extreme fan hype with Prielipp? He hardly pitched for 4+ years…..he is fatigued, to be expected ….as much mentally as his body……so Yes & Yes.

He has arm talent but way too often he only has 1 or 2 of his 5 pitch mix……that’s difficult to navigate!

Not sure either of those guys are assumed to be in the Rotation?

Matthews is a horse but very spotty in starts…..to me, he’d thrive in the occasional 5th inning+ but often appearing in the 6th-7th inning role. His 4 ram velocity could be maximized and he could trim 2 of his 6 pitches……hopefully, he’d gain command.

Prielipp would be a solid #6 to start the season ………he’d have a real opportunity at some time by mid-May to mid-June due to injury in Minneapolis or lack of performance.

I think Rojas is even money with either of these two for a starting role in ‘27.

Bradley - Kremer - Lopez - Ryan - Abel/Ober all seem to be ahead of Matthews/Prielipp/Rojas, if everyone’s healthy.

[MeleMouth]

10 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Too many pitchers have made our offense look pathetic lately. We’ve been “tipping our cap” to a lot of pitchers since the ASG. 

In case you were wondering, Randy Dobnak has 7 starts and 2 wins this year. You know who the two wins were against.

[Aggies7]

Interesting that nobody was getting loose until it was too late (again). He walked the 7 and 9 hitters and still nobody was warming up. It took so long for Adams to start getting ready, he still was not ready by the time the final batter was up in the 5th inning. And at that point, the game was basically cooked. This last week has not been great for shelton’s bullpen management 

[Matt Braun]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I have been interested in Prielipp and how he would survive in MLB.  I know all the expectations and projections were great but now the questions are

1. Is he just worn out on a long season?
2. Did we over rate him?
3. Why do projections for next year have him in the rotation while questioning Matthews?

What we have to remember with Prielipp is that he has barely pitched since high school. His innings total combined between college and the minors is 159. Joe Ryan, for example, was at 450 if you include summer ball. 

So, yes, he's probably a little worn out. But, he also hasn't had time to learn and develop as a pitcher like your typical college arm. He's trying to do that on the fly at the highest level of play, which may result in the kind of outings we've seen from him lately. 

[JD-TWINS]

C - 144

1B - 102

2B - 110

3B - 99

SS - 109

LF - 116

CF - 130

RF - 109

DH - 109

Lee dropped below 100 just last night……..can’t imagine there are too many line-ups 1 -9 that have OPS+ over 100.

Kreidler - Caratini - Jackson - Roden are pretty typical #10-#13 guys on many rosters.

The assembled group has guys performing at pretty good levels……. there are highs & lows, maybe too often, but that’s baseball.

[JD-TWINS]

5 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

C - 144

1B - 102

2B - 110

3B - 99

SS - 109

LF - 116

CF - 130

RF - 109

DH - 109

Lee dropped below 100 just last night……..can’t imagine there are too many line-ups 1 -9 that have OPS+ over 100.

Kreidler - Caratini - Jackson - Roden are pretty typical #10-#13 guys on many rosters.

The assembled group has guys performing at pretty good levels……. there are highs & lows, maybe too often, but that’s baseball.

I looked……. Dodgers have 5 guys above 100 OPS+ & White Sox have 2, both have 3 or so other guys that hover just on either side of the 100 mark.

[Hubie29]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Where’s Rocco’s quick hook when you need it?

Something Shelton doesn't have, to his detriment.

[Hubie29]

21 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

Interesting that nobody was getting loose until it was too late (again). He walked the 7 and 9 hitters and still nobody was warming up. It took so long for Adams to start getting ready, he still was not ready by the time the final batter was up in the 5th inning. And at that point, the game was basically cooked. This last week has not been great for shelton’s bullpen management 

He is Terrible managing the pitching staff. He really needs to delegate that to someone who understands pitching. 

[Hubie29]

32 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Never understood the extreme fan hype with Prielipp? He hardly pitched for 4+ years…..he is fatigued, to be expected ….as much mentally as his body……so Yes & Yes.

He has arm talent but way too often he only has 1 or 2 of his 5 pitch mix……that’s difficult to navigate!

Not sure either of those guys are assumed to be in the Rotation?

Matthews is a horse but very spotty in starts…..to me, he’d thrive in the occasional 5th inning+ but often appearing in the 6th-7th inning role. His 4 ram velocity could be maximized and he could trim 2 of his 6 pitches……hopefully, he’d gain command.

Prielipp would be a solid #6 to start the season ………he’d have a real opportunity at some time by mid-May to mid-June due to injury in Minneapolis or lack of performance.

I think Rojas is even money with either of these two for a starting role in ‘27.

Bradley - Kremer - Lopez - Ryan - Abel/Ober all seem to be ahead of Matthews/Prielipp/Rojas, if everyone’s healthy.

Prielipp is a two MAYBE 3 inning guy. Good for long relief or opener or piggy back after opener. 

[S Bart]

54 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

Interesting that nobody was getting loose until it was too late (again). He walked the 7 and 9 hitters and still nobody was warming up. It took so long for Adams to start getting ready, he still was not ready by the time the final batter was up in the 5th inning. And at that point, the game was basically cooked. This last week has not been great for shelton’s bullpen management 

I need to point out to everybody one important item. I was at the game yesterday. What I clearly witnessed was a noticeably shaken young man by the packed ballpark chanting and being noisey to upset him followed by a collapse which compounded the issue. I could not believe that Shelton left him in the game. You are correct about warming up a person in the 5th. Plenty times, a pitcher may toss and not enter the game. Yes, he came out for the next inning and it was scoreless...but that was a different time frame. Despite the lack of offense, this failure to help a rookie pitcher in obvious need of assistance should have been clear to Shelton and Mackey.

[SE23]

2 hours ago, Western SD Fan said:

The copout answer is @USAFChief's: yes

Now for my opinion:

1.  Yes, I do believe he is wearing out.  Unfortunately, there isn't anyone in St Paul to rescue him.  I believe Joe Ryan has just started throwing off the mound so he is still a week or two away. 

2.  The mystery box is always the most exciting box.  I'm sure he is a bit overrated just because he was coming through when we badly needed starting help and was effective.  Another aspect is when hitters start seeing tape of your delivery and pitches, they adjust to it.  He will need the offseason to work on his command so he can make hitters miss in the zone.

3.  Another copout answer.  He's a LHP.  Any LHP that is competent is hard to find.  The Twins haven't had a competent LH starter in a while now.  Given the injury history of our pitching staff, I'm not sure Matthews is actually converted to a reliever.  Our pipeline has run dry in St Paul.  Matthews may end up becoming the Randy Dobnak "In case of emergency" starter.  I think there should be an open competition as Matthews again has provided us with steady innings at times.

Prielipp's stuff is real good -- especially his spinny stuff. If he can gain some command, he'll start to live up to expectations. And yeah, the physical toll of a long season may also be showing.

[Linus]

People kind of overlook that Prielipp has had control issues his entire career (I think his whip was 1.5 last year in AAA).   This is who he is at this point - good stuff but will struggle to locate his pitches. Since he has relatively few innings pitched we can hope that he will improve his control going forward 

[USAFChief]

Quite possibly the worst game of the season. 

Looked bored and uninterested right from the start.