SEA 4, MIN 3: Another Loss in Extra Innings

Box Score

Pineda: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Home Runs: Cruz (4)

Bottom 3 WPA: Polanco -.331, Colomé -.181, Garver -.177

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs):

Twins, Mariners in Lockstep All Afternoon

Today’s game seemed predestined for an extra innings crapshoot all day, as the Twins and Mariners matched blows all game long.

Seattle struck first in the top of the third with two homers off two Michael Pineda mistakes. Big Mike, who had excellent command for most of his start, gave Taylor Trammell his first big league homer in the form of a center-cut fastball, and left Mitch Haniger a hanging slider for a big fly of his own later in the inning.

The Twins answered in the bottom of the inning, though, when Nelson Cruz bopped his fourth home run of the year, scoring himself and new fan-favorite Kyle Garlick.

https://twitter.com/BallySportsNOR/status/1380961577411743747

And, though it didn’t lead to a run, Byron Buxton’s at-bat in the third reminded us of the unique weapon that he is, even when he isn’t mashing the ball:

https://twitter.com/AaronGleeman/status/1380960776807137280

Both Pineda and Seattle starter Yusei Kikuchi exited after six strong innings and the game became a bullpen battle, tied 2-2. Each pitcher allowed two earned runs and struck out six, though Pineda was more efficient with 75 pitches thrown, to Kikuchi’s 94.

The teams matched runs again in the eighth inning. A Kyle Seager RBI single off Alexander Colomé gave Seattle their second lead of the day, but a wild outing from reliever Rafael Montero (2 BB, HBP, wild pitch) allowed the Twins to tie it up again, when Jake Cave (pinch running for Cruz) scored on a wild pitch.

https://twitter.com/Twins/status/1380988724050333696

Extra Inning Heartbreak

That brings us to the 10th inning (sigh). Taylor Rogers started the inning on the bump for the Twins after pitching a hyper-efficient ninth, but mishandled a Ben Bishop bunt, allowing Bishop to reach safely and Trammell, Seattle’s free runner, to advance to third. Two batters later, Mitch Haniger hit a sacrifice fly to left and the Mariners took their decisive 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, with Polanco on second as the Twins free runner, Kenyan Middleton shut the Twins down to save the game for the Mariners. Astudillo (pinch-hitting for Garlick) and Cave popped out meekly in the infield and Buxton grounded out to shortstop. Rocco Baldelli opted not to bunt, likely operating under the assumption that a hit to the outfield would score Polanco. Unfortunately, that hit never came.

Baseball’s new extra inning rule has been a hot topic among Twins fans, and that debate will likely rage on further, as only a mishandled bunt and a sac fly cost the Twins this game

Buxton’s Speed Kills

The Twins’ toolsy center fielder has already caught some MVP buzz because of his massive slugging numbers to start the season, but today, he reminded us what being the fastest man in baseball can mean for his team. As mentioned before, Buxton beat out and infield single and forced a misthrow because of his speed, meaning he ended up at second on a play where most guys are walking back to the dugout.

Then, in the eighth inning, he got from first to second on a ground ball to the left side so fast that Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager didn’t even think about turning an inning ending double play, opting instead for the safe out at first. Buxton’s speed kept the inning alive, and Cave scored on a wild pitch the very next at-bat.

Nelson Cruz Accepts Silver Slugger Award

The Twins’ ageless designated hitter was honored before this afternoon’s game as the 2020 Silver Slugger Award winner for the DH position. Cruz slashed .303/.397/.595 with 16 homers to be crowned as the hardest-hitting DH for 2020, and is off to an even better start to his 2021 campaign. After a homer, a single, and a walk today, Cruz is hitting .458/.481/1.000 with four homers and nine runs driven in.

https://twitter.com/BallySportsNOR/status/1380960407083442182

Postgame Interview

https://twitter.com/BallySportsNOR/status/1381003483864764419

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet