Padres 7, Twins 5: Twins Blow Four-Run Lead in Crushing Seventh-Inning Collapse

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

This game felt like a playoff game… against the Yankees.

I am glad that Culpepper is getting experience in a pennant race but it is clear he needs to slow down the game.

Lee called for the ball, said it was a good throw, if your are talking about that play. Took full responsibility for the play. Maybe he's being a good teammate? Maybe I'm going to take his comments as true. 

[Saxophone Joe]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

Last five games - Lewis 2/19, Trevor Larnach 1/16, Buxton 2/16, 

We need more than 6 bats in the lineup.

Since the Seattle series just before the deadline, when he had 2 homers with trade rumors swirling around, Larnach is 4-36, .111 average with 1 RBI/ 1 walk. Yikes! 

 

[HarmonK03]

8 minutes ago, mike8791 said:

Hindsight is always 20!20 but when does Shelty stop depending on Morris in late-inning situations?  This is 2 big leads he has blown in a week.  With the WC race as tight as it is, Twins cannot afford to throw him out there again.  Isn't this why they picked up Minter, Hoffman, and Nance?  Frankly, Morris, Funderburk and Adams should be used sparingly in a playoff race.  I hold my breath when Gomez is put in a save situation, but amazingly, he has yet to have a blown one.  Let's keep our fingers crossed this record continues.

In the meantime, I want some proven veterans in to hold the leads.  I realize Morris has exceeded expectations but like Prielipp, isn't it pretty obvious that he's reaching his limits?  I know you can't rely on 3 or 4 relievers consistently, but I'd rather they bring in  a veteran(albeit a flawed one) like Rogers  now when the outcome is still in doubt  rather than the rooks .

And one more thing - Shelty has stumbled badly recently.  Let's hope he has learned to treat each game from now on like a playoff one!  We fans deserve at least that!

There are going to be games like last night for Morris but I am not sure he is reaching his limits.  The defense didn't help last night,  How much different does the inning look if there is not catcher's interference and he gets Fermin out.  Lee missing the throw at third as well.  Yes the pitcher has to pick up his fielders at times, but that inning was a cluster and I am not sure how you can put it all on Morris.

[terrydactyls]

12 minutes ago, Saxophone Joe said:

Since the Seattle series just before the deadline, when he had 2 homers with trade rumors swirling around, Larnach is 4-36, .111 average with 1 RBI/ 1 walk. Yikes! 

 

The Twins held on to Larnach (see above) and Ryan who has been on the IL.  What a huge opportunity loss.  Instead the Twins are still dreaming of a wild card slot so they can send out the fearsome playoff pitching foursome of Ober, Bradley, Kremer, and Matthews.  They will strike fear in any opponent.

[LambchoP]

Buxton and Larnach are totally lost at the plate right now. I've got to believe a Jenkins, Rodriguez, Mendez or even Wallner call up could give the offense a bit of a jolt which we desperately need.

[Aggies7]

There really wasn’t a reason to throw to third though. So he’s on third with 2 outs if you throw to first. So what? He can’t score on a sacrifice fly. Yes he can score on a wild pitch/PB but I’ll take that chance. You take the out at first in that situation 10/10 times especially with the difficulty of the play at third. Not that it mattered but that’s how I saw it 

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Buxton and Larnach are totally lost at the plate right now. I've got to believe a Jenkins, Rodriguez, Mendez or even Wallner call up could give the offense a bit of a jolt which we desperately need.

Possibly. But what do you do with the guy they replace?

[Saxophone Joe]

2 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

There really wasn’t a reason to throw to third though. So he’s on third with 2 outs if you throw to first. So what? He can’t score on a sacrifice fly. You take the out at first in that situation 10/10 times especially with the difficulty of the play at third. Not that it mattered but that’s how I saw it 

Yeah. Like I've heard Morneau say many times already this year, "When in doubt, get the out," right? 

[LambchoP]

Good question. They really should have traded Larnach for pitching.... They need to find a way to clear out the OF logjam and turn it into some pitching talent.

[Saxophone Joe]

7 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Buxton and Larnach are totally lost at the plate right now. 

It's such a strange time for Larnach to have such a prolonged slump. You'd think the guy would've relaxed at the plate knowing he's not going to be moved for the final two months of the season.

Seems he's sealing his Twins fate for 2027 though. 

[Aggies7]

2 minutes ago, Saxophone Joe said:

Yeah. Like I've heard Morneau say many times already this year, "When in doubt, get the out," right? 

Yeah, especially when the out at first would have been the second out. With nobody out maybe the risk is worth it. But not there 

[mike8791]

29 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

There are going to be games like last night for Morris but I am not sure he is reaching his limits.  The defense didn't help last night,  How much different does the inning look if there is not catcher's interference and he gets Fermin out.  Lee missing the throw at third as well.  Yes the pitcher has to pick up his fielders at times, but that inning was a cluster and I am not sure how you can put it all on Morris.

Maybe the catcher's interference was just bad luck and KC's throw to 3rd should have been to 1st for the sure out, but coupled with Morris's meltdown against Philly, along  with his 3 hits in one inning last night, leads me to surmise he's either wilting under pressure - not unusual for a rookie - or he's just wearing down.  This is not the time for the mgr. to work on building up a rookie's confidence.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I will add to Saxophone Joe's comments.  Last five games - Lewis 2/19, Trevor Larnach 1/16, Buxton 2/16, 

We need more than 6 bats in the lineup.

It is the nature of baseball. Pretty much every batter every year will have a 40-50 PA stretch of bad results. 

[DJL44]

46 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Lee called for the ball, said it was a good throw, if your are talking about that play. Took full responsibility for the play. Maybe he's being a good teammate? Maybe I'm going to take his comments as true. 

I was thinking more of the rocket he threw to first to get a runner by 10 steps. His internal clock needs a calibration 

[HarmonK03]

3 minutes ago, mike8791 said:

Maybe the catcher's interference was just bad luck and KC's throw to 3rd should have been to 1st for the sure out, but coupled with Morris's meltdown against Philly, along  with his 3 hits in one inning last night, leads me to surmise he's either wilting under pressure - not unusual for a rookie - or he's just wearing down.  This is not the time for the mgr. to work on building up a rookie's confidence.

Teams rely on rookie relievers, they have actually moved him to a 7th inning role.  He had a perfect inning against Atlanta in between the two bad outings and 5 scoreless outings before that.  There is no margin of error for relievers, I think you are being a little too quick with this judgement.  Let's see how he bounces back.

[DJL44]

7 minutes ago, mike8791 said:

Maybe the catcher's interference was just bad luck and KC's throw to 3rd should have been to 1st for the sure out, but coupled with Morris's meltdown against Philly, along  with his 3 hits in one inning last night, leads me to surmise he's either wilting under pressure - not unusual for a rookie - or he's just wearing down.  This is not the time for the mgr. to work on building up a rookie's confidence.

Or the league is adjusting, which was inevitable.

[mrmpls]

3 hours ago, Saxophone Joe said:

Our inability to add on to leads in the middle-late innings has been a recurring theme all year. Bit us badly last night. Both Buck (of course) and Larnach also had two out RISP opportunities that were for naught. 

The Royce bunt attempt was totally baffling. Drive the ball!

Desperately need a Bailey Ober legacy game today. 

The Royce bunt attempt was totally baffling. Drive the ball!--  Royce sorry to say is not the brightest bulb-   Lefty pitcher with Larnach on deck who hasent done anything- then he runs in bounds to 1b , , even Morneau was confused and wanted to call him out but remembered he cant!!!!

[HarmonK03]

20 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

There really wasn’t a reason to throw to third though. So he’s on third with 2 outs if you throw to first. So what? He can’t score on a sacrifice fly. Yes he can score on a wild pitch/PB but I’ll take that chance. You take the out at first in that situation 10/10 times especially with the difficulty of the play at third. Not that it mattered but that’s how I saw it 

The reason for the throw to third was a teammate was telling him to go to third.  In the moment when that happens you are going to where a teammate tells you that you have a play.

[mrmpls]

17 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Good question. They really should have traded Larnach for pitching.... They need to find a way to clear out the OF logjam and turn it into some pitching talent.

no one wanted him -  they tried !!!!!

[mrmpls]

3 hours ago, HarmonK03 said:

Lee postgame said he was the one to call for the throw to third and that it was a good throw, he tried to make the tag too quick.  So Lee is saying the play was on him and even Shelton said it was a 50/50 call of where to go with the ball.

Thanks-  its what i saw when playing it back in slo-mo,    How about these over paid supposed leaders help out more ,  to many are doing zip when it counts -   cant have 4 veteran players all slump together in the same game,  

[Saxophone Joe]

7 minutes ago, mrmpls said:

Royce sorry to say is not the brightest bulb-  even Morneau was confused and wanted to call him out but remembered he cant!!!!

Yeah, and when Royce was sent down in the spring, Morneau cited Lewis bunting in a very similar scenario as a clear sign that he wasn't comfortable at the plate. 🤷‍♂️

[Aggies7]

10 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

The reason for the throw to third was a teammate was telling him to go to third.  In the moment when that happens you are going to where a teammate tells you that you have a play.

Lol no, Lee can yell for the ball all he wants. Doesn’t mean KC had to throw it to him. He’s not taking a cut off from the outfield where his back is turned. The play is in front of him. Most SS wouldn’t even look that way.

[mrmpls]

1 minute ago, Saxophone Joe said:

Yeah, and when Royce was sent down in the spring, Morneau cited Lewis bunting in a very similar scenario as a clear sign that he wasn't comfortable at the plate. 🤷‍♂️

ya think Lewis even thought about Larnach on deck against a Lefty -    i say no -he is un able to look past himself , needs to change

[mrmpls]

1 minute ago, Aggies7 said:

Lol no, Lee can yell for the ball all he wants. Doesn’t mean KC had to throw it to him. He’s not taking a cut off from the outfield.

 Doesn’t mean KC had to throw it to him. -  like he has time to figure that out when the play is looking towards 3b,   he has to trust his Teammates -   not the people critiquing every play--AFTER its made

[HarmonK03]

15 minutes ago, mrmpls said:

no one wanted him -  they tried !!!!!

Actually the front office for Houston wanted him, not sure if there were other offers after the Astros owner pulled the plug.

[Aggies7]

3 minutes ago, mrmpls said:

 Doesn’t mean KC had to throw it to him. -  like he has time to figure that out when the play is looking towards 3b,   he has to trust his Teammates -   not the people critiquing every play--AFTER its made

I don’t know man, the risk/reward wasn’t there. Everyone should know where they’re going if the ball is hit to them. I’m not even worrying about the runner at second. GET THE OUT. It’s a one run game and the other team is rallying. Take the out and maybe your pitcher can make a good pitch and get the third out. Instead we got runners on the corners with one out. Worst case scenario 

[mrmpls]

1 minute ago, HarmonK03 said:

Actually the front office for Houston wanted him, not sure if there were other offers after the Astros owner pulled the plug.

we almost fooled em ,  ya i know the Owner vetoed it .    wish we had a bright ownership !!!!!

[HarmonK03]

1 minute ago, mrmpls said:

we almost fooled em ,  ya i know the Owner vetoed it .    wish we had a bright ownership !!!!!

I was a little surprised after that vetoed trade became public that they didn't trade him for anything they could get.  You have to wonder if it's not having an impact on him.  It's one thing to hear your name in rumors but to actually hear a trade was agreed to, I am not sure what impact that has had on him.

[HarmonK03]

4 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

I don’t know man, the risk/reward wasn’t there. Everyone should know where they’re going if the ball is hit to them. I’m not even worrying about the runner at second. GET THE OUT. It’s a one run game and the other team is rallying. Take the out and maybe your pitcher can make a good pitch and get the third out. Instead we got runners on the corners with one out. Worst case scenario 

You are saying this from your couch after the play, during the play you have a teammate telling you to throw to third, regardless of your pre pitch prep, you are probably going to where your teammate tells there is a play.

[mrmpls]

1 minute ago, Aggies7 said:

I don’t know man, the risk/reward wasn’t there. Everyone should know where they’re going if the ball is hit to them. I’m not even worrying about the runner at second. GET THE OUT. It’s a one run game and the other team is rallying. Take the out and maybe your pitcher can make a good pitch and get the third out. Instead we got runners on the corners with one out. Worst case scenario 

I see both sides -  all im saying is -ya got a Rookie 2 weeks here and your 3b calls for the ball , i cant fault K.C. for that , its easy to after the play ,  how about Lee catches the ball b4 trying to tag the runner who was still 2-3 ft from the bag,  if caught then the kids a hero ,  This team is driving us all goofy  but   ARE YOU ENTERTAINED , ----  very much this year