MIN 7, LAA 5: Jake Cave Sparks a Fire

Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Current record: 28-34

Fernando Romero: 52 Game Score, 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 K, 2 BB, 64.9% strikes

Bullpen: 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 K, 3 BB

Lineup: 3-for-9 w/RISP, 7 LOB

Top three per WPA: Cave .225, Adrianza .158, Morrison .111

Cave, who was acquired via a trade with the Yankees in mid March, hit a home run in his MLB debut back on May 19. He got only a three-game cameo before being sent back to Rochester. He reacted exactly as you’d hope. Cave went on a tear, hitting .315/.377/.556 with four home runs over 15 games with the Red Wings, forcing his way back up to Target Field.

With Byron Buxton out and Ryan LaMarre hitting just .194/.265/.258 over his last 24 games, Cave has an excellent opportunity to make an impression. Some players are never afforded such a chance. If today’s game was any indication, Cave intends on making the most of his opportunity.

https://twitter.com/TwinsHighlights/status/1005923976105906177

I think it’s about time we start calling Eduardo Escobar “Double E.”

Escobar now leads all of baseball with 26 doubles. His career high is 35, which he achieved back in 2014. He’s on pace to nearly double that amount. The Twins have played 62 games, he has 26 doubles, so that’s a pace of …

Sixty-eight doubles!!!

That would break the all-time record, which is held by Earl Webb who hit 67 doubles back in 1931. The last time anybody hit even 60 doubles was 1936. Since the franchise moved to Minnesota, only seven Twins players have even reached 45 doubles, with Justin Morneau’s 47 two-baggers in 2008 representing the team high.

Logan Morrison hit a two-run homer, Mitch Garver was 2-for-4 and Ehire Adrianza was 1-for-3 with an RBI triple, a walk and a run scored. Fernando Romero gave up three runs, two earned, in five innings.

Taylor Rogers, Addison Reed and Zach Duke each delivered a scoreless inning before the ninth inning was turned into a bit too much of an experience. Fernando Rodney gave up a couple runs in the ninth.

Postgame With Cave

https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1005925736916500480

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

AL Central Standings

CLE 34-29

DET 31-36 (-5.0)

MIN 28-34 (-5.5)

CHW 22-41 (-12)

KC 22-43 (-13)

Next Three Games

Mon OFF

Tue at DET, 6:10 pm CT

Wed at DET, 6:10 pm CT

Thu at DET, 12:10 pm CT

Last Three Games

LAA 2, MIN 1: Is This a Rerun?

LAA 4, MIN 2: Bullpen, Bats Spoil Strong Start from Lynn

MIN 7, CHW 2: Berrios CG, Power from the Eds Fuel Twins Victory