Marlins 8, Twins 6 (13 Innings): Horrible Situational Hitting Costs Twins Game, Season

Box Score
SP: David Festa - 4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (72 pitches, 53 strikes (73.6% strikes))
Home Runs: Carlos Correa (14) .
Top 3 WPA: Brooks Lee (0.566), Jorge Alcala (0.310), Jhoan Duran (0.165) 
Bottom 3 WPA: Ryan Jeffers (-0.468), Royce Lewis (-0.425), Justin Topa (-0.252)

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) 

The Twins Certainly Knew the Assignment  
The Marlins and Twins played a night game in their series finale at Target Field. Earlier in the day, they watched the Tigers come from behind to beat the Rays, and they saw the Royals score three runs in the top of the ninth to beat the Nationals. 

If the Twins won, they kept those team’s magic numbers at two with three games to play. If the Twins lost, they needed to win all three of their games against the Orioles this weekend and either Kansas City or Detroit to be swept. 

Festa, or Famine
In such a big game, the Twins again turned to one of their rookie starters. For the third time in this series, the Twins fall behind in the top of the first frame. But David Festa worked out of that first inning giving up just one run. He then settled in and was very good in the second and third innings. Then after one out in the top of the fifth inning, Xavier Edwards went with a pitch and singled to left to score a run. Then Jake Burger added an RBI single. 

Caleb Thielbar came in for three batters and then Michael Tonkin came on to get the final out. But the Marlins held a 4-0 lead. 

It's clear Festa's goal was to throw more strikes. He threw 73% strikes in this game. He gave up one walk and had five strikeouts. 

No Offense, but…
The Marlins threw soft-tossing Valente Bellozo to start the game, and he baffled Twins hitters through five innings. He may have topped out at 88 mph, but he kept hitters off balance. Until the bottom of the sixth inning when Carlos Correa was very balanced and crushed a long home run. 

All Hands on Deck 
We include the bullpen update every day in these game recaps. The purpose is to show fans and readers which pitchers might be available for the next game. Or, more important, who really should not be pitching that day. With that in mind, the Twins are in a must-win situation which means Griffin Jax in the seventh inning. It means Jhoan Duran for the eighth and the ninth innings. It means, despite a bum knee, Cole Sands is called on for the 10th inning. Unfortunately, some bad offensive baseball meant that pretty much the whole bullpen was needed again. 

Buxton’s Speed Gives Twins a Second Run 
Buxton hit a long homer run on Wednesday night. On Thursday, it was his speed that really helped the Twins. With two outs and two runners on base, Buxton hit a standard ground ball to shortstop. Xavier Edwards’ throw to first was strong, but the first baseman had to come off the base to make the catch. (though it took a review to prove it)

Biggest Hit of His Life
With Royce Lewis on third and Carlos Santana on first base and two outs, Brooks Lee came to the plate. It’s no secret Lee has struggled somewhat offensively since he rejoined the Twins after a IL stint. 

He got a pitch to his liking and went down and got it. He barreled it and crushed a line drive high off the wall in right field. It bounced hard and allowed Santana to score all the way from first to tie the game. 

The players were happy and rejoiced. 

The 10th Inning
In the top of the 10th inning, Cole Sands entered the game. Griffin Conine entered the game as the Manfred Man at second base. A leadoff single pushed Conine to third, and Jonah Bride drove him in with a deep center field fly out. Sands struck out the next two batters, but the Twins had some work to do. 

In the bottom of the inning, Royce Lewis started the inning at second base. Michael Peterson came in for the Marlins. He tried to keep the Twins season alive. Carlos Santana led off with a walk. Brooks Lee followed by showing bunt for four pitches, but all four were balls. So, the Twins had the bases loaded with nobody out. 

Ryan Jeffers popped up to the catcher. But Willi Castro came up and lined a deep fly ball to dead center. Derek Hill, playing shallow due to the situation, had to go a long ways, straight back. He was able to twist and turn and somehow catch the fly ball. Royce Lewis scored the tying run from third base, and Santana and Lee each advanced a base. With two outs, Austin Martin got jammed and grounded out to third base.   

Onto … 

The 11th Inning
Jorge Alcala came in for the Twins. Derek Hill was the Manfred Man at second base. Alcala got a fly out to right field, short enough that Hill was unable to advance. Johnny Pereda, the backup catcher, making his first at-bat of the game, grounded out to shortstop. Hill remained at second base. A two-out walk to Xavier Edwards brought Brooklyn Park-born Connor Norby to the plate. 

Austin Martin started on second. Anthony Maldonado came on for the Marlins. Byron Buxton led off with a fly out to center. For the second time in the late innings, Carlos Correa was intentionally walked. Trevor Larnach came up and lined a low single to right, just past a diving first baseman. Not wanting to be doubled up, Martin was held at third base. With the bases loaded and one out, Royce Lewis came to the plate for the second time with a chance to win it. The first time, he hit a ball 18 inches. This time, on a 1-2 pitch, he grounded right to the fifth infielder who threw home to get Martin for the second out. Carlos Santana then flew out to center… 

Frustrating!  Some bad baseball! 

12th Inning…
Scott Blewett came on to start the 12th inning with Norby on second base. 

Blewett struck out Griffin Conine to start the inning, but Jesus Sanchez lined a single to right. Inexplicably Norby froze and only got to third base. Blewett won a tough battle with Jonah Bride to strike him out, but Sanchez stole second. Willi Castro made a nice play on a slow roller to third base off the bat of Dane Myers to get the third out.

While Scott Blewett didn’t blow it, check out the Twins bottom of the 12th. With Carlos Santana on second base, the Marlins intentionally walked Brooks Lee. 

Ryan Jeffers was asked to bunt, something he has been quite successful with in the past. Unfortunately this time, he popped the bunt to first base, maybe even lined out to first base it was hit so hard. That’s not the worst part. For whatever reason (obviously wanting to get to third base successfully on a good bunt), Santana got way too far off of second base and was doubled out. Two pitches later, Castro grounded out to end the inning. 

Entertaining... or? 

That’s just bad baseball.  

13th Inning…
Blewett remained in the game. Myers was the runner at second base. 

The inning started with a strikeout, but Otto Lopez followed with a double, switching places with Myers and giving the Marlins a 6-5 lead. A ground out moved Lopez to third base with two outs. The Twins intentionally walked Xavier Edwards to bring up Norby who was 0-for-6 with five strikeouts coming into the plate appearance. He walked to load the bases. 

Rocco Baldelli turned to Justin Topa with the bases loaded and, as Cory Provus said, "the Twins season hanging in the balance." 

Griffin Conine swung early in the count and came through with a huge, two-run, bloop single to center to give the Marlins the 8-5 lead. The blooper had an exit velocity of just 73 mph, and that just makes a lot of sense for the way things have gone for the Twins of late. 

Other Notes
2-for-19 with Runners in Scoring Position. 15 runners left on base. 

The Twins finished the season with an 18-28 record against the National League in this first season under the new schedule. 

The Twins lost their fourth straight series. That is the first time that has happened all season. The Marlins won their first series in a month. 

Austin Martin wasn't in the original lineup. Jose Miranda was but was removed due to low back pain. Martin went 2-for-6 with a double. 

Carlos Correa went 3-for-5 and was twice intentionally walked. 

What’s Next?
The Twins will hope to keep hope alive on Friday night. At 7:10, Pablo Lopez will take the mound, looking for his 16th win and even more, keeping his team alive. He will face #OldFriend, rookie lefty Cade Povich and the Baltimore Orioles. The Twins don’t have to worry about seeing the top Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes since the O’s spot in the playoffs is set.

Friday (7:10 pm): RHP Pablo Lopez (15-9, 4.11 ERA) vs LHP Cade Povich (2-9, 5.59)
Saturday (6:15 pm): RHP Zebby Matthews (1-3, 5.71) vs RHP Albert Suarez (8-7, 3.74)
Sunday (1:10 pm): RHP Bailey Ober vs RHP Dean Kremer (8-10, 4.10)  

Postgame Interview 
Coming soon.

Bullpen Availability Chart