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Twins Video
Box Score
SP: Pablo López 4.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB 3 K (54 pitches, 39 strikes, 6 whiffs)
Home Runs: Max Kepler (6)
Top 3 WPA: Carlos Santana (.389), Willi Castro (.239), Carlos Correa (.165)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
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Pablo Pummeled Again
The Twins hoped to see Pablo López compete for a Cy Young Award for a second time, in his second year with the organization. Instead, he’s been a mess, and we're all left waiting on his advanced metrics to normalize in the results column. More of the same was afoot on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. After allowing a pair of base runners while grabbing a pair of outs, he allowed a three-run blast to Randy Arozarena. In just the first inning, Rocco Baldelli’s squad was down 3-0.
Allowing Yandy Díaz to score on a Josh Lowe single during the third inning, Lopez had the twins behind 4-0. Both Willi Castro and Carlos Correa had started threats with inning opening doubles, but the lineup couldn’t cash in during either opportunity. The Twins went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position through three innings. That's a tough level of ineptitude to achieve.
Willi Castro Says Enough!
López worked around a two-out walk in the fourth inning, and Minnesota came to the plate. Facing a four-run deficit, the lineup needed to reverse course. Correa answered with his second hit of the night, a single, before José Miranda and Byron Buxton got out, but then the Twins went to work. Ryan Jeffers singled and Austin Martin walked to load the bases. Castro ripped a double down the right field line to clear the bases, and advanced to third on the throw. Trevor Larnach dumped an opposite field double into right field, scoring Castro, and the game was tied. Kevin Cash lifted Civale and Minnesota had new life.
Turning it over to the fifth inning, Lopez surrendered another home run, this time to Brandon Lowe, and Minnesota was down again. Rain started to fall in droves at Target Field, and home plate umpire Vic Carapazza sent the teams off less than a batter later.
Jay Jackson took over and remained the same pitcher that was earlier DFA’d. Josh Lowe took him deep for his third homer of the year and put Tampa Bay ahead 6-4.
Twins Daily's winning "Make It Official!" game recaps are sponsored by Official Fried Chicken, which you can find in center field of Target Field. With a name like "Official," we know we have to be the best in the game every day, and from your first bite, you'll know that's a promise we make good on.
Minnesota Answers the Rain
After getting behind prior to, and following the rain delay, Baldelli’s squad came up with an answer. Max Kepler launched his sixth homer of the season in the fifth inning to make it a 6-5 game, and Jeffers plated Correa on a sacrifice fly to tie the game.
Still tied after the seventh inning, it was DMX time with Griffin Jax coming on for Minnesota. Sprinkles dripped onto the crowd, but Baldelli’s reliever got the Rays in order. Jhoan Duran worked a scoreless inning following his entrance and it was on the offense to walk it off.
Manuel Margot singled to start the final frame before both Lewis and Kepler went down. Correa ripped a bouncer back to pitcher Pete Fairbanks and got on board as the Tampa reliever couldn’t corral it. With his hand hurting Fairbanks exited the game a Phil Maton replaced him on the bump. Baldelli went with potential All-Star Carlos Santana in a pinch hit spot, and his single drove home Magot to walk it off.
Minnesota improved to 14-5 in one-run games this season, and Correa stayed hot with a three-hit outing. Castro grabbed two of his own and the Twins extended their winning streak to six.
Notes
Some interesting parallels for the Rays starter on Tuesday night. Aaron Civale was traded by the Cleveland Guardians to Tampa last year for prospect Kyle Manzardo. The first baseman was optioned by Cleveland on Tuesday after owning a 63 OPS+ in his first 30 major league games.
Alex Kirilloff, who you may remember was optioned to St. Paul on June 13, was in the clubhouse pre-game as he came up with a back injury. It’s a pretty ugly look for him no matter what the situation winds up playing out like.
Brooks Lee hit a grand slam for the Saints tonight. That’s more bad news for Kyle Farmer.
Willie Mays died at 93 years old on Tuesday and the Twins used their rain delay to honor his memory. With Harmon Killebrew making an appearance, a home run derby of yesteryear showed up on the jumbotron.
What’s Next?
Former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Joe Ryan, acquired in exchange for Nelson Cruz, will go against his former club on Wednesday. Taj Bradley opposes him with the series on the line.
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
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