Twins Video
SP: Chris Paddack 5.0 IP, 5H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K (99 pitches, 57 strikes (58%))
Home Runs: None
Bottom 3 WPA: Trevor Larnach -.122, Edouard Julien -.116, Carlos Correa -.101
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs):
In a game that had all the energy of a Tuesday afternoon dentist appointment, the Minnesota Twins closed out their series against the Chicago White Sox with a dismal 3-0 loss at a soggy, sparsely-attended Target Field. The seven-inning, rain-shortened contest dropped the Twins to 9-16 on the year and capped off a series win that somehow managed to feel more like a missed opportunity than a success.
Minnesota came into the game looking to sweep a White Sox team that is always ripe for sweeping. After erasing deficits in each of the first two games, the Twins were hoping for a momentum-building sweep that could begin to erase the deep 7-15 hole they dug themselves into heading into the series.
But momentum hit a wall early.
Chris Paddack’s struggles started in the second inning, when White Sox second baseman Lenyn Sosa turned on a first-pitch slider and deposited it into the left-field bleachers for a solo homer. Things didn't improve much from there. Paddack labored through five innings, needing 99 pitches to get there while issuing four walks (including one of the bases-loaded variety) and surrendering five hits. His ERA now sits at an unsightly 6.45, with a WHIP of 1.61, and while the Twins haven’t hinted at a rotation change, it's hard to ignore the growing chatter about Triple-A standout Zebby Matthews.
The bullpen didn’t offer much relief, either. Jorge Alcala allowed a solo home run in the sixth to Miguel Vargas, who entered the game with a .464 OPS. It was the final tally in what proved to be a rain-shortened affair, but the damage had long been done.
Still, pitching wasn’t the headline today—it was the offense, or the lack thereof.
In a theme that’s becoming too familiar, the Twins’ bats simply didn’t show up. The team mustered just six hits over seven innings, with the only extra-base knocks coming from Christian Vázquez, a man who’s been more known for framing pitches than hitting them lately. The 4-5-6 spots in the lineup—Trevor Larnach, Carlos Correa, and Ty France—combined to go 0-for-9 with six strikeouts.
But perhaps the most painful stat of the afternoon: 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The most glaring missed opportunity came in the sixth, when the Twins had two on with nobody out. Larnach, ahead in the count 3-0, struck out. Correa was rung up on a brutal called third strike, and Ty France lined out to end the threat. If you're keeping score at home (and, judging by attendance, you probably weren’t), the Twins struck out five times after getting ahead 3-0 in the count and seven times in full counts—a franchise record.
It was a lifeless performance, one that left fans thankful the game got "banged" early by rain. Frankly, the most merciful part of the afternoon was that it only lasted seven innings.
What’s Next
The Twins will remain at Target Field for a weekend series against the 11-12 Los Angeles Angels, as they attempt to salvage what’s left of this homestand. There’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon—Friday night marks the return of Pablo López, who is set to come off the IL and take the mound for Minnesota. He’ll be opposed by veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks for the Angels. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., and for the Twins, it’s time to start turning things around—or at the very least, start giving fans a reason to show up.
Postgame Interview
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
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