Twins 6, Orioles 4: Twins Use Big Inning To Top Orioles

The Twins used a six-run inning and held on the final five innings. Down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning, FanGraphs data showed that the Twins had a 33% chance to win the game. It’s funny how quickly things can change. When Jason Castro flew out to end a six-run inning, the Twins had an 87.5% chance to win.

Bases-loaded singles by Miguel Sano and Max Kepler got the Twins a 3-2 lead. Then Eduardo Escobar hit a deep fly off of the wall in right centerf ield. The ball caromed awkwardly back toward right field and Escobar had a two-run triple. Jorge Polanco’s fielder’s choice drove in the sixth run.

https://twitter.com/BaseballByTom/status/883159655123480576

Jose Berrios was given a big, four-run lead for the second straight start. It wasn’t pretty. Berrios clearly was fighting his command of both his fastball and his curveball. However, he improved to 8-2 with a 3.53 ERA on the season. He gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits. Despite the lack of command, he didn’t walk any batters and struck out four.

The bullpen came through with three scoreless innings in relief.

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The Velocity of Kintzler

I get it. He doesn’t strike out as many as we would like to see. That’s fine. It’s really amazing to me that he doesn’t. But, we’ve also noticed that it’s rare that an opponent makes hard contact against him.

On Thursday night, his average fastball velocity was 95.5. He topped out at 96.6 and hit 96 often. He’s continued to progress and improve since joining the Twins last year.

Web Gem for Jorge Polanco

There is no question that Jorge Polanco has struggled on defense the last couple of weeks, maybe a little longer. He’s had more errors, and there have been a few plays that weren’t errors but should have been made. Like all hitters go through slumps, infielders can on defense as well, and Polanco has of late.

And then he’ll make a play like he did on Thursday night and you can’t help but be truly excited. Polanco went deep into the hole turned and threw a one-hopper to Miguel Sano who stretched to get the out.

https://twitter.com/twinsbeisbol/status/883158021693739009

Buxton's Bounce Back

Heading into the Twins game on the 4th of July, Byron Buxton was slumping and had seen his batting average drop down to .195. In his last three games, he has gone 3-4, 2-4, and 2-4, and is now back up to .214.

In his postgame interview, Buxton said being aggressive has helped him. He just wants to get on base.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfo10aI6qbM

AL Central

Cleveland was finally able to figure out how to beat the Padres on Thursday night. The Tigers also won. The Royals and White Sox had the day off.

Cleveland 45-39 .536 ---

Kansas City 44-40 .524 1.0

TWINS 44-41 .518 1.5

Detroit 38-46 .452 7.0

Chicago 37-47 .440 8.0

Bullpen Usage

Brandon Kintzler has pitched in three of the past four Twins games. However, the rest of the bullpen is pretty well rested going into the final three games before the All-Star break.

What’s Next?

It isn’t going to get any easier for the Twins. On Friday at 7:10, it will be Felix Jorge (1-0, 5.40 ERA) facing right-hander Kevin Gausman (5-7, 5.61 ERA).

I’m not afraid to admit it. In May and June of 2012, when asked who I thought the Twins should take with the #2 overall pick in the draft, my choice was consistent, Kevin Gausman. The hard-throwing junior right-hander from Louisiana State University. Trust me. I wasn’t disappointed when the Twins selected Byron Buxton, and I’m still not. While Gausman throws hard, he hasn’t been able to hit his stride in the big leagues with the Orioles, yet. There are times he can look the part of an ace, but overall, he’s not there yet. However, in his last two starts, he has been very good. He threw 5.1 shutout innings against the Blue Jays on June 27. Then on July 2nd, he threw seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts.

With Hector Santiago going on the disabled list, the Twins will give Felix Jorge another start. He put together a solid major league debut last Saturday. In five innings, he gave up three runs and was credited with the Win. Two runs came in the first inning on an Eric Hosmer opposite field home run. He settled in. The third run came after he left the game. A leadoff single in the 6tsixth ended his night, and soon after, a two-run home run scored that run.

Jorge was impressive. His fastball sat between 90 and 95, sitting mostly at 92 and 93. He showed a good changeup and a good curveball, though both were overthrown a bit at times. His reputation as being cool and calm showed as he showed little emotion on the mound. He was sent back to Chattanooga after the game. Since he was the 26th man, he was able to come up before 10 days.

Following the game, Felix Jorge was called up with Alan Busenitz getting optioned back to Rochester.