Twins Video
Box Score
SP: Zebby Matthews 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (74 pitches, 52 strikes (70%))
Home Runs: Matt Wallner (13)
Both 3 WPA: Zebby Matthews (-.243); Brooks Lee (-.115); Ryan Jeffers (-.077)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
Zebby Matthews's return from the shoulder strain that sidelined him in early June has been a mixed bag, so far. He had a rough first start coming out of the All-Star break, but that was in the challenging pitching environment of Coors Field. He looked terrific against the Nationals over the weekend, so there was cause for some hope entering this start against the Red Sox. He did work a clean first inning, although Trevor Story led off the second with an absolutely scalded solo home run to put Boston ahead.
The Twins offense did attempt to keep things close and had the chance to get on tbe board first in the bottom of the first inning after a two-out walk on Kody Clemens, followed by a sharp single from Ryan Jeffers. Clemens was rounding second, and slowing down to stop at third as the ball was fielded in a relay from left fielder Roman Anthony to Ceddane Raefela—only to be waved home by third base coach Tommy Watkins. He was unable to beat the final part of the relay from the cutoff to catcher Connor Wong.
With Byron Buxton out, the offense does have to work a little harder, and one slugger who has really stepped forward is Matt Wallner, the Minnesota Moose. Wallner has had a good last five games, getting a hit in each game and two home runs that have been a great help to the team. The Twins initially tied up the game in the bottom of the second with a Wallner home run, making it 1-1. It was his 13th of the season, and his first oppo taco. We love seeing Matt Wallner back in action!
Matthews, like Pierson Ohl, has not faced the Boston lineup before, but it didn’t take Sox long to figure out either pitcher. Matthews tried to work through the order for the second time in the third inning, but immediate traffic on the bases caught up to him. Wong was able to get a double to start the third inning, on a flare Wallner couldn't catch in right field. There was no relief throughout the game from this point on; the defense was unable to make plays, and the offense was unable to create runs.
Matthews and Abraham Toro battled through 10 pitches, Toro patiently fouling off pitches. Toro finally caught up to Matthews and the 10th pitch ended in a sacrifice fly, scoring Wong to make it 2-1 Boston. A few of the Twins' defensive bobbles have been frustrating the past two days, especially with Boston’s players in scoring position, giving them the advantage.
A dropped third strike kept the fourth inning alive with two outs, Jeffers dropped the ‘dropped’ third strike, letting Wong get to first base instead of a solid out.
Matthews had thrown 66 pitches through four innings and came back out for the fifth, and Boston continued to shell him. Wong singled, followed by a double to Wallner, who threw to Willi Castro and Castro held on the relay. That held Wong at third, until the next play. It was a line drive to Harrison Bader, who bobbled two yesterday and dropped another. Two runs scored, giving Boston a 4-1 lead. The mistakes weren’t all recorded as errors, but for the team, they are simply egregious and are the things that lose games. The Twins simply needed a double play to end the inning,
Justin Topa came out to relieve Matthews, but Boston kept the pressure on. Topa walked two, loading the bases. A ground ball from Masataka Yoshida snuck through the infield and two more runs scored, widening the gap 6-1. The fifth inning finally ended with a strikeout, but the damage had absolutely been done.
The Twins offense couldn’t give any member of the pitching staff more than a five-minute break throughout the game. As quickly as they went out to hit, they came back to the dugout.
Noah Davis came out for the Twins today. Who is Noah Davis? Good question. He came from the Dodgers on July 17. The 28-year-old is a career minor-leaguer, spending most of his time in Triple-A, but made appearances in the majors starting in 2022.
The Twins had what looked like a small glimmer of hope in the 7th. Wallner and Bader got on to create a big chance, only for DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Trevor Larnach to strike out. A 1-2-3 inning ensued in the eighth.
The ninth inning got interesting, with Willi Castro coming off the field and hugging everyone in the dugout, leading Twitter to believe in a trade—just like "hug-gate" with Johan Duran Tuesday night. It was just a hamfisted attempt to get him a final ovation from the crowd, though.
The ninth inning was a complete disaster. Griffin Jax came out and threw 12 pitches, recording zero outs. It was 9-1 when Rocco Baldelli lifted Jax in favor of position player Clemens, who allowed another four runs, pushing the total for Boston to 13-1 on a home run by Romy Gonzalez.
The Twins had absolutely no life by the end of the game, and had a 1-2-3 inning to end the game and series and (for sure, this time) the season.
What’s Next?
The Twins get a day off on Thursday, much-needed, before they head into six games of divisional competition, starting with the Guardians. Joe Ryan (10-5; 2.82 ERA) will be taking the mound against Gavin Williams (6-4; 3.51 ERA) at 6:10 PM CST, Friday... unless Ryan is dealt first.
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
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