Twins Video
Box Score
SP: Bailey Ober 9.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 10 K (89 pitches, 70 strikes, 23 whiffs)
Home Runs: Manuel Margot(2)
Top 3 WPA: Manuel Margot (.216), Ryan Jeffers (.116), Carlos Correa (.111)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
Twins Come Out Crushing
Facing J.P. Sears, who the Twins tagged for four runs on nine hits and three home runs last week, Minnesota got off to a great start. Sears had runners on the corners before recording an out, and allowed the first run of the game on a hit by pitch against Ryan Jeffers that scored Manuel Margot. While the Twins did leave the bases loaded, and Bailey Ober gave up a J.J. Bleday solo shot in the bottom half to tie it, Rocco Baldelli’s lineup went right back to work.
Willi Castro opened the second inning with his 20th double of the season, and Kyle Farmer became the third Twins batter to get plunked. Leadoff man Margot stepped in for the second time and clobbered a three-run blast, his second of the season, to make it 4-1. The Twins weren’t done against Sears as Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis both immediately singled before Jose Miranda ripped a two-run double to make it 6-1
Carlos Santana finally flew out to give Sears an out, but Jeffers singled and Byron Buxton doubled to drive in another run and knock Sears out of the game. He allowed seven runs on nine hits while getting just four outs. Farmer blooped in a single to score Jeffers and the Twins had put up a seven-spot in the second inning. Across two outings in the last week, Minnesota had bludgeoned Sears for 12 runs on 18 hits in just 6 ⅔ innings.
Double Up for Runs
Sears being out of the game didn’t slow the Twins roll. Answering a Tyler Soderstrom home run in the second inning, Lewis and Miranda traded doubles and made it a 9-2 game in the third inning.
Ober got the Athletics quickly in the third inning, and the fourth inning saw Minnesota go down in order for the first time during the ballgame. A fifth inning single gave Miranda his third hit of the ballgame and pushed his OPS to .819 on the year, but Minnesota couldn’t cash in. Ober answered by sending Oakland back to the dugout in order and the sides had completed five innings.
Plunked Again
Margot stepped in to start the seventh inning against Osvaldo Bido and got plunked. He was the fourth Twins hitter to get hit on the day, and Minnesota made it hurt with Correa rapping his 14th double and driving Margot in. A 10-2 ballgame, the Twins certainly were widening the run differential on Saturday. Threatening to really blow things open, Santana walked to load the bases with one out for Jeffers, but the Minnesota catcher grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Ober was back out for the seventh inning, and struck out Brent Rooker who made it 15 straight games with that stat. Again getting Oakland in order, Ober was at just 68 pitches. A quick eighth inning for Minnesota brought Ober back on and he struck out the side to push his tally to nine on the day. The Twins put up an impressive 10 runs on the day, but it could have been even worse for Oakland with Minnesota leaving 13 runners on base and going 7-for-21 with runners in scoring position.
After picking up his career-high-tying strikeout, Ober faced Athletics Armanda Alvarez in his first big league at bat following 700 career minor league games. He tapped a check swing back to the mound and will be hoping for another chance. Daz Cameron grounded out, and Ober completed the game on just 89 pitches. He becomes only the third pitcher, joining Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez, to pitch a complete game in the Rocco Baldelli era.
Notes
Manuel Margot’s game-opening single was the 700th hit of his career. He has started heating up and is faring well against left-handed pitchers this year. Going 3-for-5 on the day, he had himself a nice start.
It’s been quite a while since Joe Mauer has done an autograph event outside of Twins Fest. Fan HQ has lined up a private signing, and while the date has yet to be set, the details are available.
Willi Castro became just the fourth player in Major League history to accomplish this incredibly versatile feat.
Potential Twins trade target Jesus Luzardo almost certainly won’t be moved at the deadline. The Marlins hurler hit the injured list, and Miami’s most valuable trade chip has all but been taken off the table.
Max Kepler was unlikely to start Saturday against a lefty, and he could get another day of rest for his neck spasms with the Athletics having another southpaw going on Sunday as well.
What’s Next?
The Twins look to win their last game ever at the Oakland Coliseum. Pablo Lopez starts for Minnesota against the Athletics Hogan Harris. A win would give them a series victory, and end the year against Oakland with a 5-1 record.
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
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