Twins Video
Box Score
SP: Simeon Woods Richardson 6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K (97 pitches, 69 strikes, 17 whiffs)
Home Runs: N/A
Bottom 3 WPA: Jose Miranda (-.170), Trevor Larnach (-.140), Carlos Correa (-.128)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
A New Career Best for Woods Richardson
Rocco Baldelli was imploring his squad to end the current four-game losing streak with a win on Saturday, and Derek Shelton going with an opener allowed them an opportunity. Facing Carmen Mlodzinski making just his second big league start, and having allowed 11 runs (eight earned) across 10 2/3 innings this season, he was likely to provide an opening.
Unfortunately, Minnesota couldn’t get anything done during the 1 2/3 innings that the Pirates allowed him to work, and that remained the case for both sides through the first six innings. Simeon Woods Richardson was on the bump for the Twins, and he held Pittsburgh at bay by posting the best start of his career.
Working 6 1/3 innings, the Twins rookie scattered six hits and struck out six. It wasn’t until a Rowdy Tellez solo home run in the seventh inning got over a leaping Byron Buxton at the wall that a run on the board. Woods Richardson continued to sustain his increased velocity throughout his start, and throwing a 97.2 mph four-seam fastball isn’t something that could have been expected even a season ago. He has been ever big the steadying for Minnesota has needed at the back end of the rotation.
Minnesota’s Offensive Ineptitude Continues
The Twins had an opportunity to grab momentum before Tellez got them with a run. In the seventh inning facing Justin Bruihl, Max Kepler kicked off the inning with a single. Jose Miranda then erased the runner with a double play, but Minnesota battled with two outs. Willi Castro took his second hit by pitch of the game, and Buxton singled. With the go-ahead run in scoring position, Alex Kirilloff was lifted against a lefty. Knowing the Pirates would respond with a right handed pitcher, he went with Manuel Margot. The decision was rewarded with Margot popping out weekly to push his pinch hitting tally in 2024 to 0-for-17.
Remaining without a run through the eighth inning, the Twins completed their 21st consecutive inning without scoring. Having been swept by the New York Yankees, it appears that the team couldn’t turn the page for a lesser opponent in the form of Pittsburgh as well. The same lack of consistency that has been a problem all year, is again rearing its head through an ugly downswing.
Duran Can’t Get Rowdy
Coming on for the eighth inning looking to keep the game close, Jhoan Duran was called upon to give his lineup a chance. He got Connor Joe to begin the frame, but then walked Oneil Cruz and gave up a single to Ke’Bryan Hayes. The latter stole second with Nick Gonzalez up, and before recording the final out, it was Tellez doing damage again. A single to left field scored both Pirates baserunners and the Twins found themselves in a 3-0 hole.
Duran’s focus was clearly not there as he responded by immediately allowing Tellez to move up 90 feet on a balk. Baldelli had seen enough and removed his closer in favor of Diego Castillo. The new reliever immediately came on and walked Yasmani Grandal before former Twins outfielder Michael A. Taylor drove Tellez in on a single making it 4-0.
Royce Lewis kicked off the ninth inning showing life with a single, but Kepler flailed at pitches to strike out for the third time before Miranda suffered the same fate. Castro popped out to end the game, and the Twins scoreless innings streak had now been pushed to a whopping 22 innings. Striking out seven times and drawing only a single walk against a slew of bullpen arms, Minnesota put just three players in scoring position, cashing none of them in, and stranding six runners.
The ugly stretch continues.
Notes
Alex Kirilloff starting in left field Saturday marked his debut in the lineup against his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Field. He had previously appeared in four games against Pittsburgh (including a pinch hit spot on Friday night against David Bednar), but his 256th major league game was his first start at the stadium he grew up going to. Kirilloff entered the game 0-for-12 against his childhood franchise.
What’s Next?
Bailey Ober takes the ball on Sunday against impressive Pirates pitcher Jared Jones. The Twins will be looking to finish the road trip with some positive momentum as they head home to unveil their City Connect uniforms and host the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
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