Make it Official! Twins 5, Tigers 3: Minnesota Figures Out Skubal Mastery

Box Score
SP: Simeon Woods Richardson 5.2 IP 4 H 3 R 3 ER 2 BB 4 K (94 pitches, 61 strikes, 9 whiffs)
Home Runs: Manuel Margot (3), Carlos Correa(10)
Top 3 WPA: Royce Lewis .201, Byron Buxton .193, Manuel Margot .161

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Slump This
Facing the Detroit Tigers best starter, Tarik Skubal, Minnesota was forced with figuring him out. Having faced him earlier this season, Skubal bested the Twins over five innings during a scoreless outing. After a pair of scoreless frames on Tuesday, which were matched by three scoreless from Simeon Woods Richardson, Minnesota was threatening.

Kyle Farmer and Manuel Margot had reached on singles, and while Carlos Correa went down looking on an 11-pitch at bat, Royce Lewis still had a chance. Having dealt with illness since the Oakland series, his performance had suffered. Healthy again tonight, he took aim at Skubal during his second at bat of the game and ripped a two-run, two-out double down the left field line.

Justyn-Henry Malloy took Woods Richardson deep to kick off the fifth inning, and it was apparent that needing extra names was the way for Detroit to score. Former Twins prospect Akil Baddoo followed with a single, and after a Jake Rogers lineout, he advanced all the way to third on an errant pickoff attempt. Ryan Kreidler deposited the second pitch of the inning into the bleachers. And the Tigers had a 3-2 lead.

Manuel MarGONE
Still facing Skubal in the fifth inning, Minnesota wasn’t interested in trailing long. After a quick pair of outs, Manuel Margot blasted a home run into the Detroit bullpen. Tying things at three, he definitely gave starter Woods Richardson new life on the bump.

Starting the sixth inning, Max Kepler took over in right field for the Twins, but it was because Lewis had to be removed from the game due to groin tightness. Of course he missed more than two months earlier this year because of a quad strain. Kyle Farmer went to third and Willi Castro took over at second. Woods Richardson couldn’t quite make it through six innings, but Jorge Alcala came on and got a punch out to end the frame.

Byron Buxton doubled to open the seventh inning, and he quickly advanced to third on a wild pitch. Ryan Jeffers grounded back up the middle and reached safely on a fielder’s choice, but first base umpire Alex MacKay made an out call suggesting he had turned incorrectly after reaching the base.

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In Case of Emergency, Blast Off
Griffin Jax shut down the Tigers during the eighth inning and gave his lineup another chance to provide some breathing room. Carlos Correa took the opportunity to do just that when he launched his tenth home run of the year to make it a 5-3 game. Minnesota loaded the bases against Beau Brieske, but kept it a two run game to give Jhoan Duran his flowers.

Entering under a solid summer sunset. The Twins closer got the Tigers in order to end the game. He still had diminished velocity, topping out at 101.9 mph, but his stuff was good enough to get the job done. Margot was the lone Twins batter to record a pair of hits while they scattered seven, but an 8/5 K/BB in a game started by Skubal is hardly a bad effort.

Notes
Brooks Lee is headed to the All-Star Futures Game as Minnesota’s representative. He will also participate in the Futures Skills Showcase. A recent update to the MLB Pipeline top 100 has Lee flying up prospect lists. He also blasted a three-run homer for the Saints tonight.

Darren Wolfson had a few notes on his latest Scoops podcast. Matt Canterino does not need surgery after his MRI came back clean, but he’s no closer to returning to the mound. Brock Stewart’s return remains a long way off, and that’s quite the unfortunate development after the injury was initially described as “shoulder fatigue.” Also, Minnesota is getting calls on Matt Wallner.

Justin Topa is scheduled to throw a couple of bullpens while Stewart has graduated to live batting practice.

Zack Weiss, who was signed as a free agent this offseason and was placed on the 60-day injured list, has had his rehab moved from the FCL to Low-A Fort Myers.

Two more big flies tonight meant that the Twins have homered in a franchise-record 20 straight games. When setting the single-season record of blasts during the Bomba Squad year, Minnesota didn't accomplish that feat.

Recent Timberwolves first round picks Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. we’re in the house to throw out ceremonial first pitches. They should stick to the hardwood.

If you were holding out hope of buying that atrocious corduroy Twins City Connect cap, your dream is dead.

What’s Next? 
Wednesday night features rookie David Festa’s second start, and Target Field debut. After Jack Flaherty was scratched by the Tigers, he will be opposed by Keider Montero.

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