The Twins once again fall flat.
Just as they started to turn a corner, the Twins’ offense once again fell flat. This time against the worst team in baseball, the Chicago White Sox. The game ended after seven innings due to heavy rain, but even against a poor Chicago bullpen, I don’t think the Twins would have scraped across any runs.
Chris Paddack looked totally passable for five innings. His stuff was looking better than usual, but he allowed nine baserunners in just five innings, surrendering five hits and four walks. Paddack needed 99 pitches just to get through his five innings. Jorge Alcala pitched the final two innings and was also fine, giving up three hits and a run on a solo homer to Miguel Vargas.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the offense had plenty of chances and couldn’t capitalize on them. Edouard Julien singled to start the game but then was immediately picked off by White Sox starter Shane Smith. Christian Vazquez doubled to start the third inning and never moved. Byron Buxton and Luke Keaschall both reached to start the sixth and were frozen there. They had the leadoff batter on in 4/7 innings this afternoon and none of them even made it to third base.
Could they have made a late comeback if the game went all nine innings? Sure. But they never should have been in this spot to begin with. The Twins did manage to win the series which should be the main focus going forward, but dropping games to the White Sox is tough for a team that needs to start racking up wins.
The Angels are in town this weekend for three more definitively winnable games. After starting the season 7-3, LA is just 4-9 since, and may get swept by the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates this evening.
STUDS
- Luke Keaschall: 1-2, BB, has a hit in all 6 games of his career
- Brooks Lee: 2-3, absolutely stinging the ball
- Christian Vazquez????: 2-3, 2 2B! Bringing his season OPS up to a robust .467
DUDS
- Trevor Larnach: 0-3, 3 K
- Carlos Correa: 0-3, 1 K, can’t stop hitting the ball 100 MPH directly into the ground
- Ty France: 0-3, 2 K
- Twins bats: 0-9 with RISP, 7 left on base
In some good news, Royce Lewis is reporting to AAA St. Paul tomorrow and should be back with the Twins sometime in the next week or two. The Twins will have an interesting roster decision to make upon his return with both Julien and Lee hitting the ball relatively hard, despite their base numbers not showing it. Unless things go sideways for him in the next week, Luke Keaschall is too important to the offense at this point to get demoted. Also, Pablo Lopez returns tomorrow!