Twins Video
Box Score
SP: Chris Paddack 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (86 pitches, 55 strikes (64%)
Home Runs: Matt Wallner (4), Kody Clemens (6)
Bottom 3 WPA: Griffin Jax (-.457), Willi Castro (-.114), Clemens (-.113)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
Since his last win against the Orioles on May 15, Chris Paddack has continued to lower his ERA and to extend his innings past the fifth inning. Over that span, however, Paddack has an 0-2 record and a no-decision to show for it as the Twins run supply has been unable to match Paddack's success. With the Twins trying to break back into the win column against the streaking Blue Jays, Twins fans hoped that Paddack and the Twins bats could align together again to win the day on Saturday. Standing opposed to Paddack was Kevin Gausman who had fared better in the win department but had been unable to finish the fifth inning in his last two starts.
Paddack Struggles Out the Gate
It took 28 pitches for Paddack to complete the first inning, and a Nathan Lukes single with two outs plated Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the first run of the game. Tyler Heineman took a center-cut Paddack fastball deep in the top of the second inning to make it 2-0 Toronto. From there, however, The Sheriff settled down and began to set down Blue Jays at a more rapid rate, limiting his pitch count to 72 after five innings of work and only surrendering the two runs.
Gausman Loses Control of the Fourth
The Twins were unable to generate any offensive momentum over the first three innings against Gausman, but they began to accumulate base runners in the bottom of the fourth. Ryan Jeffers and Carlos Correa delivered one-out singles and then Gausman literally lost control. He walked Matt Wallner on a full count to load the bases, slugged Ty France in the shoulder to push home the first Twins run of the game. Royce Lewis then worked a walk as well to plate the tying run to make it 2-2. With the bases loaded still and only one out, Twins Daily Hitter of the Month Kody Clemens came up with a chance to break the game wide open. Unfortuneately, Clemens got eaten up by a Gausman splitter and ground into a 5-2-3 double play to end the threat.
Matt Wallner is a Big Bad Man
Paddack successfully defended his home turf in the top of the sixth inning, which led to yet another chance for the Twins to copy Toronto's path to victory from the previous night by catching up and taking over in the middle innings. Correa struck out swinging for out number one, but four pitches later Wallner swung and did not miss with two strikes. 3-2 Twins.
Bullpens Match
Louis Varland got the call for the top of the seventh inning against the bottom of the Toronto order, and they treated him rather rudely. Andres Gimenez and Heineman singled to put runners at first and second with only one out to turn the line-up over to Bo Bichette and Guerrero Jr. in a game-tying scenaro. Varland stepped up and struck out Bichette, and sunk Guerrero Jr. with a sinker to keep Minnesota on top.
Chad Green got the call to replace Gausman, and the bottom of the Twins lineup also treated him rudely. Willi Castro singled with one out, and Trevor Larnach singled with two out to slide Castro over to third base. Jeffers walked to bring up yet another bases loaded situation. Correa got a chance this time to break the game wide open, but once again the Twins failed to capitalize, and the game remained tied at 3-2.
Bullpens Separate
Griffin Jax entered in the top of the eighth to face the heart of the Blue Jays order, and he came in red hot having only surrendering one run over his last nine outings. Unfortunately for Jax, he got ambushed by Addison Barger for a double off of his second pitch. Five pitches later, George Springer ambushed him even more. Springer launched a fly ball that landed just past the left field wall to steal the lead back at 4-3.
Now the Twins were back in catch-up mode, and the middle run of Wallner, France, and Lewis got their chance against reliever Braydon Fisher and his 0.91 WHIP. A strikeout and two groundouts later, Fisher's WHIP and the Twins' hopes for victory had been equally lowered.
Jhoan Duran came in to try to keep the Twins within a run, and the equally red-hot Duran met an equally disappointing fate. Two singles led to one run, and suddenly the Twins found themselves two runs behind and facing the roller coaster that is Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman, who can allow two runs almost as often as he locks down a save. Clemens got the first crack at Hoffman, and after falling behind 1-2 in the count, Kody remembered his swing and launched a home run to right to make it a one-run affair again.
Unfortunately, that ninth inning Toronto insurance run proved to be more than the Twins could overcome, and Twins fans were forced to listen to the cheers of the Blue Jay faithful at Target Field as they silently sulked from the stadium.
What’s Next?
The Twins look to avenge at least one win in this home series against the Blue Jays, and Joe Ryan (6-2, 2.91 ERA) will be the one in charge of controlling the Toronto offense. He will face Blue Jays RHP Bowden Francis (2-7 5.84 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:10pm CDT.
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
| TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | TOT | |
| Alcalá | 28 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| Varland | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 39 |
| Sands | 25 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 34 |
| Durán | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 32 |
| Jax | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 31 |
| Topa | 10 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 25 |
| Stewart | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Adams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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