Twins 11, A's 3: Ober Dominates and Wallner Slams in a Rout

Box Score:
Starting Pitcher: Bailey Ober - 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K (86 pitches, 60 Strikes, 70%)
Home Runs: Matt Wallner (13, GS), Alex Kirilloff (11)
Top 3 WPA: Wallner (.228), Ober (.143), Kyle Farmer (.106)
Win Probability Chart (Via Fangraphs):

The Twins looked to continue to build momentum toward next week's playoff games. An essential part of that story involved eating innings and allowing a couple of needed bullpen arms to make their returns to the mound. All of that happened, and then some!

Cashing in Early Gifts
A's starter Paul Blackburn quickly retired the first two batters. The following five did not go away quietly. Four straight walks plated the first Twins run. Then Matt Wallner plated four more all by himself.

The Twins' offense didn't need much more, thanks to Bailey Ober's five innings of two-hit ball. But in the bottom of the fifth, Alex Kirilloff decided to go oppo-taco to steal that pretty vest back from his fellow lefty slugger. 7-0 Twins.

Welcome Back Gunslinger
Chris Paddack's tenure with the Twins has been a struggle. Tommy John surgery left the righty starter without a chance to help his team in either season until today. When Paddack took the mound in the bottom of the sixth, he was on fire and throwing fire.

The Game Tightens and Then Loosens
Paddack returned to pitch his second inning of work to much less success. The A's struck for three runs before he could escape the inning. Griffin Jax and the return of Brock Stewart handled the rest. Granted, their load was lighter thanks to Christian Vazquez and his angry response to having the bases intentionally loaded to face him.

What’s Next: Operation Playoff Push continues Wednesday evening as Pablo Lopez (11-8, 3.61 ERA) works his final tune-up before the Playoffs. The A's counter with RHP Joey Estes (0-1, 9.64 ERA), with first pitch going at 6:40pm CDT.

Postgame Interviews:

Bullpen Usage Chart: