Reds 2, Twins 1: Wasted Opportunities Sink Twins in Winnable Game

Box Score
Joe Ryan: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Home Runs: None
Bottom 3 WPA: Luke Keaschall (-.360), Victor Caratini (-.150), Matt Wallner (-.130)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

The lefty menace continues. Aren’t southpaws an endangered species? Well, the Twins must exist in some sort of statistical oddity; lefties aplenty have been abound, as Minnesota manager Derek Shelton could carve “Buxton, Martin, Keaschall” into rock and make up the rest of his lineup later. No matter: the lineup has feasted on those deemed devilish in a previous time. Would Friday be more of the same?

Joe Ryan took the mound for the Twins, and he was Joe Ryan-y from the get-go, perfectly dotting the outside corner to Matt McLain to highlight a 1-2-3 first frame. Then it was Brandon Williamson’s turn. He of a much less heralded nature—blame the reputation of Trimont for that—found his outs with less sex appeal; two of them were flyouts of 340+ feet. But, they were outs all the same. And our game was off and running.

The first three frames flew by at an alarming rate, totaling perhaps all of 30 minutes. Rob Manfred, somewhere—likely a corporate meeting or stuffy shindig where everyone knows how to properly spell “hors d'oeuvres”—licked his lips and rubbed his hands. The only serious action occurred in the bottom of the third when Minnesota loaded the bases just for Luke Keaschall to strike out looking on a pitch that was a strike by a gnat’s eyelash. Even the robots couldn’t help our poor friend from Watsonville. 

Did the failed run-scoring attempt spook Ryan? It’s possible. He dazzled McLain once more before Elly De La Cruz got on top of one of his signature top-shelf fastballs and slammed the offering off the right field wall. The hit alone wouldn’t have been much of a problem if Sal Stewarter’s routine grounder to Ryan Kreidler didn’t result in the third baseman dirting the throw to first, forcing Josh Bell to awkwardly scoop, and accidently reject the throw with a reverse-snowcone. Eugenio Suarez then pounced on a lethargic breaker. The gapped double plated both runners.

The fifth might exemplify Minnesota’s offensive struggles. Or maybe not. This author isn’t sure. He’s only in the seventh as of writing this sentence. In any case, the team’s first three batters walked, setting up Austin Martin to break the shutout with a sacrifice fly. Then Luke Keaschall hit into a double play. Both batters acted on the first pitch. A swift and unsatisfying ending to what appeared a promising inning, even if a run did score.

The eighth came and went. No dice. A runner reached second. Matt Wallner lined out to center. So it goes. Emilio Pagán entered in the ninth. Hmm. He pitched a scoreless frame that ended with a Byron Buxton groundout. So that apparently goes as well. The out concluded what was a meager output by a lineup that had been prone to outbursts entering the game; hopefully, Saturday goes better. 

Notes:

Austin Martin's .500 OBP leads the league (minimum 50 PA).

Byron Buxton played in his 916th game as a Twin, tying Tom Brunansky for the 21st most in team history. He's 39 away from equaling Brian Dozier.

Joe Ryan's six strikeouts give him 747 in his career, the 14th-most in team history. Scott Baker is next with 770. 

Post-Game Interview:

What’s Next?
The Twins and Reds face off again on Saturday in a mid-day sojourn, with first pitch arriving at 1:10 PM. Taj Bradley will start opposite Andrew Abbott. 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet