Twins 5, Yankees 4: Travis Adams Fields His Position, Twins Salvage a Game

[Sherry Cerny]

Image courtesy of Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Box Score
SP: Zebby Matthews - 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K (97 pitches, 63 strikes (65% strikes))
Home Runs: Ryan Kriedler (7)
Top 3 WPA: Zebby Matthews (0.35); Luke Keaschall (0.16); Kody Funderburk (0.11)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Zebby Matthews has had a lot of trouble pitching on the road this season. At Target Field, however, he entered Wednesday with a 2.84 ERA in nine starts—and it only got better. Matthews's first inning was clean, only allowing Cody Bellinger on base. In the bottom of the first, Luke Keaschalle cracked a leadoff single and would come around to score—a theme that also echoed through the rest of the afternoon.

The 1-0 score would last all the way to the bottom of the fifth inning, as Matthews sailed along. Ryan Kreidler doubled the Twins' advantage with a home run in the fifth, and Ben Ross—newly recalled to replace the injured Kaelen Culpepper and play some shortstop—got his first big-league hit, a double. Shaky baserunning denied the Twins a chance to further stretch their lead, though. (Yes, that, too, would repeat itself later.)

For most of the day, it looked like Matthews would be the headliner of a shutout Twins win. He ended up working six nearly spotless frames, showing the tantalizing potential that keeps the Twins coming back to him as a rotation option.

Jeff Hoffman came out in the seventh inning to protect the Twins’ slim lead, giving Minnesota a chance to add insurance. Hoffman struck out two in the middle of the Yankees’ order, bringing him just shy of 100 strikeouts on the season. The Twins pinch-hit Brooks Lee for Ross, and Lee delivered a single into right-center off Clarke Schmidt. Luke Keaschall worked through eight pitches before slapping an outside pitch into right, putting runners on the corners with two outs. The Yankees brought out Brent Headrick, who got the final out and stranded both runners.

A.J. Minter replaced Hoffman in the eighth. The pressure mounted quickly after Anthony Volpe stole third for the fourth time in this series. Minter walked Ramos to load the bases with two outs, but Luis Garcia Jr. went down on Minter’s four-seamer, stranding three Yankees. Headrick returned for the bottom of the eighth and quickly moved through the Twins’ lineup, setting up Tremendous Yoendrys Gómez for a relatively easy save—or so it seemed.

Gómez entered the ninth with a two-run lead. After singles by George Lombard Jr. and Paul Goldschmidt put the tying runs on base, Volpe continued his late-summer surge, crushing a double off the wall to score both Lopmbard and pinch-runner Jose Caballero. It was Gómez’s first blown save of the year, and even this one came only when Keaschall appeared to slightly misjudge the long fly ball. He jumped high enough to catch the ball, but was about four feet away from it as it came down and hit the wall. Derek Shelton pulled Gómez in favor of Kody Funderburk, who kept the game tied.

The Twins had the bottom of their order in the bottom of the ninth, but Emmanuel Rodríguez made an immediate out. After Kriedler walked, Lee bounced into a double play. Extra innings.

The Twins were down to two rested arms: Travis Adams and Tommy Nance. Adams worked the 10th, but a softly hit ground ball allowed Bellinger to score and gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead.

Minnesota answered. Starting the inning with Lee on second, Keaschall (that man again) hit a sharp line drive to left that brought him home to tie the game at 3-3. The Twins had a chance to bring Keaschall home, too, but couldn't capitalize.

Adams returned for the 11th. After New York managed to move the Manfred Man over, Caballero lifted a sacrifice fly to score Lombard, putting New York back ahead, 4-3.

The Twins answered again. Kody Clemens lined a single up the middle, moving Walker Jenkins (who entered for the slow-footed Josh Bell) to third. Royce Lewis, 0-for-3 on the day, lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring Jenkins home and tie the game at 4-4. Clemens got into scoring position in his own right, but again, the Twins couldn't cash in the game-winning run.

Adams bravely came back out for his third inning. He struggled with command as the day got long on him, loading the bases with no outs, but Heliot Ramos grounded into a 1-2-3 double play, and the Twins execute idt perfectly. The ball was hit straight to Adams, who gunned it to Jeffers at home to cut down Volpe at the plate, then sent it straight to the glove of Lewis for the twin-killing. It was the third fine play Adams had made on comebackers since coming into the game; he fields his position like a true fifth infielder. From there, he escaped the jam and set up a walkoff win.

The less said about the bottom of the 12th, alas, the better. Kreidler was picked off second base after an intentional walk to Lee. Keaschall then grounded into a double play, forcing a 13th inning.

Tommy Nance replaced Adams in the 13th, and dominated the Yankees. The bullpen had, improbably, held serve through four tough extra frames. It was time for the offense to end this thing. 

Keaschall started on second base. All he would need is a little push to get home, and he got a shove! Victor Caratini came off the bench to bat for Austin Martin and hit into a ground ball that was missed by Lombard. As it trickled into center field, Keaschall scored, and the Twins walked off the Yankees.

What’s Next?
The Twins travel to Anaheim to play the Angels on Thursday at 8:38 CST. The Twins will send Taj Bradley (11-6, 3.81 ERA,) against a pitcher the Angels will determine later. 

Postgame Interviews 

Bullpen Availability Chart
 

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[PuckettPond]

Lets see how Ross does @ SS. Twins kept fighting & won as it was a fun game to watch.

[LastOnePicked]

So, so cruel of the Twins to toy with the Yankees that way.

[Glorybound]

Zebby Mathews needs to stay in rotation for next season. 

[Aggies7]

I will never ever ever get tired of beating the Yankees 

[LastOnePicked]

3 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

I will never ever ever get tired of beating the Yankees 

I'm glad they could give you one win.

[Whitey333]

Well they split the season series with the Yankees this year at 3 games apiece.  Not a great game but definitely entertaining especially from the 9th inning on.  10 games left.  Tgen it's wait until next year.  Where have i heard that before?

[SE23]

We've got 10 games left. How about we give Kreidler, Larnach, Lewis and Martin the rest of the year off? Maybe Bell too?

[jkcarew]

Due for a well-pitched game, and certainly got one. Guys not named Gomez: 12.1 IP, 0.810 WHIP, 0 HR, 0 ER…against a good lineup, at least by AL standards.

[terrydactyls]

9 minutes ago, SE23 said:

We've got 10 games left. How about we give Kreidler, Larnach, Lewis and Martin the rest of the year off? Maybe Bell too?

Put them all on the IL and bring up more kids!!

[Danchat]

Right when people start to give up on Zebby and wish to move him to the pen, he goes 6 scoreless on the Yanks. There's just too much upside to move him away from starting. And unlike most pitching prospects (who are borderline starter/reliever), he's been able to stay healthy and can go deep into games.

[TCanWins]

22 minutes ago, SE23 said:

We've got 10 games left. How about we give Kreidler, Larnach, Lewis and Martin the rest of the year off? Maybe Bell too?

I keep thinking the same. And then half the time they're the only guys getting RBI's 🤦‍♂️🫪

[SE23]

1 minute ago, TCanWins said:

I keep thinking the same. And then half the time they're the only guys getting RBI's 🤦‍♂️🫪

Bring up GG, Sabato, Houston and Diaw. At least the last week would be interesting to watch!

[1985Fan]

Great game by Matthews. Kreidler giveth and he taketh away. Can’t defend getting picked off 2nd base! Too many missed opportunities during the regulation nine innings. Jeffers looking at strike three with two runners in scoring position in the seventh. I can forgive ERod striking out looking with runners on, but Jeffers is a veteran. They had lots of chances to add on runs during regulation and couldn’t do it. Should have had a three or four run lead going into the ninth instead of just two. 

[1985Fan]

27 minutes ago, SE23 said:

We've got 10 games left. How about we give Kreidler, Larnach, Lewis and Martin the rest of the year off? Maybe Bell too?

Definitely give Martin the rest of the year off. He’s not big league hitter. I don’t think he plays the outfield well either. Larnach is hurt, wrist sprain it sounded like. They should put him on the IL. I say play Lewis everyday. Need to know if he is part of the plan or not. 

[Aggies7]

47 minutes ago, 1985Fan said:

Great game by Matthews. Kreidler giveth and he taketh away. Can’t defend getting picked off 2nd base! Too many missed opportunities during the regulation nine innings. Jeffers looking at strike three with two runners in scoring position in the seventh. I can forgive ERod striking out looking with runners on, but Jeffers is a veteran. They had lots of chances to add on runs during regulation and couldn’t do it. Should have had a three or four run lead going into the ninth instead of just two. 

I hated the move to bunt Luke in front of Martin in the 6th inning. It predictably failed to produce a run. You let your best hitter take a shot there. And I believe they were bunting again with him when RK was picked off.

Edit: went back and looked and it seemed he may have been bunting for a hit, or on his own. Still would have rather seen him swing away 

[SE23]

11 minutes ago, 1985Fan said:

Definitely give Martin the rest of the year off. He’s not big league hitter. I don’t think he plays the outfield well either. Larnach is hurt, wrist sprain it sounded like. They should put him on the IL. I say play Lewis everyday. Need to know if he is part of the plan or not. 

Royce has had 1,346 AB's now, so I think we can conclude he's a 1.0 WAR player. He definitely does NOT profile as a 1B offensively. We're going to have to upgrade that slot.

[Andy MacPhail]

Any time you beat NYY, it's a great game. Zebby was great. IMO, they should have moved inexperienced Morris & Gomez down the leverage pecking order after the trade deadline. Gomez blew a win for Zebby. Adams went through 3 extra innings purgatory, which I don't wish on anyone & Nance did 1, to their credit.

[1985Fan]

 

13 minutes ago, SE23 said:

Royce has had 1,346 AB's now, so I think we can conclude he's a 1.0 WAR player. He definitely does NOT profile as a 1B offensively. We're going to have to upgrade that slot.

Is there someone on the roster or knocking on the door in the minors that is blocked by Lewis? I’d vote for Sabato getting a chance, but apparently Twins don’t have any confidence in his game. I’m done watching Caratini at 1B. I don’t think Twins are going to go out and sign a FA 1B next year, so I don’t have a problem giving AB’s to Lewis. He’s very good defensively, which should be the focus for this team. 

[MeleMouth]

And the rookie scuffles again . . .

Lombard, Jr.

[MeleMouth]

7 minutes ago, 1985Fan said:

 

Is there someone on the roster or knocking on the door in the minors that is blocked by Lewis? I’d vote for Sabato getting a chance, but apparently Twins don’t have any confidence in his game. I’m done watching Caratini at 1B. I don’t think Twins are going to go out and sign a FA 1B next year, so I don’t have a problem giving AB’s to Lewis. He’s very good defensively, which should be the focus for this team. 

There's almost no stat where Sabato's AAA stats are better than Royce's, plus Royce is a better fielder.

[S Bart]

15 minutes ago, MeleMouth said:

There's almost no stat where Sabato's AAA stat⁷s are better than Royce's, plus Royce is a better fielder.

Considering Royce's current MLB stats are horrible....no need not to bring up Sabato who is setting records in AAA for a season  .  Try him out...royce has not been able to replicate his stats from AAA 

[SE23]

2 minutes ago, S Bart said:

Considering Royce's current MLB stats are horrible....no need not to bring up Sabato who is setting records in AAA for a season  .  Try him out...

I have almost no hope that Sabato is part of the Twins' future, but he's checked all the boxes and deserves a shot of some kind. The notion that we can't try something different because Royce is a competent fielder is the philosophy that gets us to 75 wins every year.

[Jacksson]

TWO EXTRA HOURS of OF practice EVERY DAY for Keaschall !!

[SE23]

Obviously I'm not a big Royce Lewis fan. But if he could spend the winter learning to drive the low, outside pitch to RF, I believe he could turn into an offensive weapon for the Twins. He might hit .280 and actually drive in some runs with RISP. He would then also force pitchers to come back inside where he can jump on mistakes and boost his .SLG.

If he continues with this Miguel Sano act however, he'll probably be cut loose before the ASG next year.

[bean5302]

Sabato's expected numbers are dramatically lower than his actual, and his actual numbers aren't very impressive relative to his peers. I don't know how many guys we need to see before realizing hitters don't figure it out suddenly over age 25.

Aaron Sabato will get eaten alive by MLB pitching.

[D.C Twins]

Keaschall is legit. Culpepper is Legit. Taj is legit. 

I think Zebby will be legit. I think Abel will be legit. I think Rodriguez will be legit. I think Jenkins will be legit. 

I think Ross as a cheap and controllable utility infielder will be legit 

(I think the Twins crapping of the bed at the trade deadline was also legit)

Overall lots to be excited about in the future.

Having said that, it would have been nice to have finished the job of stealing a loss from the jaws of victory today in our chase for the 5th lotto slot!

[just-a-fan]

2 hours ago, Danchat said:

Right when people start to give up on Zebby and wish to move him to the pen, he goes 6 scoreless on the Yanks. There's just too much upside to move him away from starting. And unlike most pitching prospects (who are borderline starter/reliever), he's been able to stay healthy and can go deep into games.

Very good point - Matthews health and durability is seldom mentioned.  It’s not always pretty but he is a workhorse and finds a way to get the job done.  

[Blyleven2011]

It’s a good day when the Yankees lose …

it’s a great day when the twins beat the Yankees , this one they didn’t give up , it evened the season series at 3 games apiece which has some bearing , we didn’t lose to the yankees this season , the Yankees lost to the twins though , because the Yankee fans expectations are higher and the Yankees usually win the season series  …

game was eight innings in twins favor , zebby pitched a gem and bullpen for a couple of innings and Gomez blows his first save as a twins , gotta happen I guess , would have been nice to shut out Yankees , oh well twins prevailed with a fight in extra inning excitement with the walk off win …

it would have hurt bad to lose to the Yankees in today’s game …

[MeleMouth]

26 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Sabato's expected numbers are dramatically lower than his actual, and his actual numbers aren't very impressive relative to his peers. I don't know how many guys we need to see before realizing hitters don't figure it out suddenly over age 25.

Aaron Sabato will get eaten alive by MLB pitching.

Fedko's AAA stats were better this year than Sabato's. Sabato got some good results, but with unsustainable rates of pulled hits (more than 50%) and flyballs leaving the park (almost 25%). He actually had pedestrian hard hit rates and average exit velocity. People can't just look at HRs or results in general in AAA, without looking at how the results were achieved.