Blue Jays 9, Twins 8: Welcome to Thunderdome

Box Score
Starting Pitcher: Simeon Woods Richardson: 3 2/3 IP,  5 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Home Runs: Byron Buxton 2 (27), Luke Keaschall (4), Austin Martin (I’m giving it to him even if the official scorekeeper didn’t), Brooks Lee (14)
Bottom 3 WPA: Michael Tonkin (-0.535), Simeon Woods Richardson (-0.357), Genesis Cabrera (-0.148)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

On a somber night in which a mass shooting occurred at a school in Minneapolis, the Twins still had to take the field in Toronto. Tonight’s finale against the Toronto Blue Jays featured everything: a little league home run; not one but two Buck Trucks, a Matt Wallner stolen base; scoring runs by playing small ball; and the return of a starting pitcher from an unpleasant stay on the IL. Tell me more, you say? Buckle up.

The Pitchers
Simeon Woods Richardson took the bump in his first start back from the IL, where he dealt with an unpleasant parasite that sapped strength and body weight. He only lasted 3 2/3 innings as he gave up too much hard contact including three home runs. It was great to see him back, however. On the human level, I wouldn't wish a parasite on anyone. Regarding baseball, though, this may officially mean the end of the bullpen games fans have been subjected to over the past month or so. 

The Blue Jays sent lefty Eric Lauer to the mound in Toronto. He came into the game with an 8-2 record on a 3.01 ERA while striking out about a guy an inning. He has pitched like a guy who plans to two-hit the Twins, but luckily for Twins fans, they didn’t follow his game plan.

The Game

Top-1 - Twins 1-0
The Twins began the game in portentous fashion as Byron Buxton hit a leadoff homer off a cutter to set the tone. After Ryan Jeffers grounded out, Matt Wallner took it the other way for a single to right. He then stole second but couldn’t advance as Luke Keaschall struck out looking and Brooks Lee flied out. An auspicious (and fun) start to the game.

Woods Richardson took the bottom of the inning and coaxed a popout, ground out, and flyout to end the inning on seven pitches. In the top of the second, Austin Martin singled and stole second but couldn’t come around to score.

Bottom-2 - Tied 1-1
Woods Richardson didn’t look quite as sharp in the second, as he threw a fastball up in the zone that Davis Schneider pulled and hit out at 104.2 miles an hour.

Top-3 - Twins 3-1
Byron Buxton one-upped himself in his quest to join the 30-20 club by clubbing a 404-foot leadoff homer to left center for his 27th of the year. Three batters later, with two outs an a one-run lead, Luke Keaschall decided to do Luke Keaschall stuff and hit one out of the park as well. His fifth of the year was hit almost perfectly optimally of a slider that was nearly middle-middle. Brooks Lee gave going back to back the ol’ college try. After fouling off a low change and taking a couple pitches outside the zone, he slammed a slow heater to center. Daulton Varsho needed to range back then make a leaping catch to rob the homer. Inning over.

Bottom-3 - Tied 3-3
Woods Richardson struggled mightily with his command and control. This led to the sort of nightmare inning that threatens the best of teams. Tyler Heineman walked on four pitches, although ball four appeared to clip the zone. Andres grounded out, George Springer singled, and after Addison Barger popped out weakly to Luke Keaschall at second, Vladimir Guerrero Jr walked to load the bases. Then, Bo Bichette took a seven-pitch at bat before singling in two runs. Tie game.

Top-4 - Twins 6-3
After Kody Clemens struck out and Royce Lewis popped out, more fun ensued. Austin Martin singled sharply, then Edouard Julien doubled him in. And kept running. And running. Running. As Tyler Heineman sailed the throw, and he scored to double the Jays score. Then, Byron Buxton reached after grounding the ball to short where Bichette had an easy play. Until it wasn’t, and he sailed the throw himself which allowed Buxton to reach second. Then, Ryan Jeffers singled to left and Buxton scored before Jeffers was thrown out to end the inning after he attempted to take second.

Bottom-4 - Twins 6-5
Because this game was destined to keep being fun, the Blue Jays hit two more home runs of their own to tighten the score. Davis Schneider hit his second of the game off Woods Richardson as he hit the middle of the plate with his curve. A few batters later, Giminez homered as well. Rocco made the call to the pen and Thomas Hatch took over. He allowed a single to Springer, who stole second but Hatch won a battle with Addison Barger by getting a strikeout on the seventh pitch of the at-bat, none of which were near the zone.

Top-5 - Twins 8-5
The fun continued for the Twins in the fifth. Brooks Lee decided it had been just a little too long since his last bomb, so he rectified his mistake, hitting his 14th of the year. It’s been great seeing him add a bit of power to his game as his OPS approaches .700. Kody Clemens decided he’s a base stealer now, too, as he took second after singling. Then, Royce Lewis singled to knock in Clemens, then he stole second. The inning ended on a groundout for Martin.

Bottom-5 - Twins 8-6
After Hatch walked Schneider, Kody Funderburk came in to give up a single, then a double to Giminez before recording the final two outs of the inning on strikeouts.

Bottom-8 - Jays 9-8
Genesis Cabrera was the fourth reliever out of the pen, and he decided to make it interesting after old friend Ty France hit his seventh home run of the year. It was a blast to left center that went 420 feet. After Alejandro Kirk singled, Cabrera was pulled for Michael Tonkin, who immediately walked Springer before narrowly avoiding a home run to Barger. The ball hit the very top of the wall but Springer scored from first, and the Jays took the lead. Tonkin struck out Guerrero, then got Bichette to ground out to end the inning.

Top-9 - Twins lose
Jeffers attempted to tie the game against Jeff Hoffman with his A-swing, but Myles Straw caught it at the warning track. Yesterday’s hero, Matt Wallner came up and swung for the fences on three straight pitches, but whiffed badly on a third strike. Down to the last batter, Keaschall doubled down the line to keep hope alive, but Lee chopped it to first to end the game.

Theme of the game: even bad teams are still worth watching

This game featured a bit of slop, a lot of power, and a bunch happening on the basepaths. It wasn’t always pretty, but this is baseball.

Game Notes

• Cole Sands looked filthy as he struck out the side in the 7th tonight. His velocity was up as well. If he’s approaching the dominance of his 2024 season, that’ll signal good news for next year’s bullpen.
• Every Twins hitter recorded at least one hit tonight
• Eight years ago today, Byron Buxton hit three home runs in Toronto

What’s Next?
The Twins have an off day on Thursday before beginning their next homestead when the excellent San Diego Padres come to town. Zebby Matthews will face Nestor Cortes in a down season. First pitch is at 7:10 PM. 

Postgame Interviews

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet