Royals 2, Twins 0: The Twins Fail to Take Advantage of (Many) Opportunities. – Twins

Box Score
Bailey Ober: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Home Runs: none, nada, zip, zilch
Bottom 3 WPA: Royce Lewis (-.346), Mickey Gasper (-.121), Kody Clemens (-.077)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

The Twins faced the division rival Kansas City Royals for the middle game of a three-game set. The Twins have been playing well of late, winning three straight and having a winning record since the deadline. They looked to extend their winning streak as Bailey Ober faced Noah Cameron. Mission (not) accomplished.

The Pitchers
Cameron has been a revelation for the Royals and entered Saturday’s game with a 2.68 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP across 87-1/3 innings. He hasn’t struck many out, but he also hasn’t given up many hits due to good command and an ability to limit hard contact. He’s got a plus changeup, a plus cutter, and can locate both. Combine that with a below-average walk rate, and he’s a pitcher that could cause some problems for the Twins for years to come.

Ober, looking better than he did prior to his IL stint, hit 93 several times in the first inning. However, he sat 90-91 for the rest of the game. He was hitting his spots, and limited damage. He went six strong innings and generally looked closer to the pitcher he has been for the past couple seasons prior to his injury. He did, however, have just three whiffs on 89 pitches, suggesting his stuff still isn’t fully back.

The Game
In the 1st inning, Austin Martin hit a leadoff single, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Ryan Jeffers struck out, Luke Keaschall grounded out to second, and Royce Lewis struck out to end the inning. In the 2nd, McCusker hit a leadoff single down the right field line. Mickey Gasper walked with two outs, but Alan Roden grounded out to end the inning.

Third Inning – Royals up 1-0
The Royals struck first in the top of the 3rd. After Ober retired Jonathan India and Nick Loftin on four pitches, he gave up a looping single to Kyle Isbel, then immediately followed that up by giving up a 108 MPH line drive double to Maikel Garcia. The Royals took a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Martin singled to center, then Jeffers singled to right. Keaschall grounded out, the Lewis hit into a double play to end the inning. In the 4th, Kody Clemens took a leadoff walk, but McCusker flew out to left fielder Randal Grichuk, then Brooks Lee grounded out to first, and Mickey Gasper hit an ineffectual pop-out to second. In the 5th, Roden was hit by pitch to start the inning. Two batters later, Jeffers singled, but again, the Twins failed to score a solitary run.

Battle of the bullpens
The Twins handed the game to the bullpen in the 7th inning. Michael Tonkin was the first man out, and he immediately walked Randal Grichuk thanks to a little help from home plate umpire Clint Vondrak. Pinch runner Tyler Tolbert stole second, and Jeffers airmailed the throw to Brooks Lee. Yes, this was looking like the early-season travails that led us to this point. After a Jonathan India liner to Roden advanced Tolbert to third, Loftin grounded out as the Royals ran into RISP struggles of their own.

In the bottom of the 7th, the Twins again had traffic as Jeffers and Keaschall had back-to-back two-out singles. Royce Lewis, after a brief injury scare after going to a knee on an awkward swing, struck out. In this at bat, he stranded his sixth runner of the game.

Justin Topa took the 8th inning, and despite allowing a one-out single to Maikel Garcia, he escaped the inning unscathed. In the bottom of the 8th, facing Lucas Erceg, the Twins brought in Trevor Larnach as a pinch hitter. Larnach has been suffering from side soreness, missing the past few games. He hit a 15-foot grounder to Bobby Witt. Rocco probably should have let McCrusher hit for himself.

9th Inning – Royals up 2-0
In the 9th, the Twins brought in Erasmo Ramiréz. After getting Salvador Perez to line out, he allowed three straight runners to reach, with a single, walk, and single. Royals up 2-0.

In the bottom of the 9th, the Twins sent the veritable powerhouse trio of Gasper, Roden, and Martin to the plate. It went about as you might expect: Gasper struck out swinging, Roden popped out to Witt, and Martin was called out on a low heater. Game over, as the Twins were shut out for the seventh time this season.

Theme of the game: The Twins fail to hit with runners in scoring position
The Twins had some traffic on the bases all game, with eight baserunners in the first five innings, but went 0-10 with runners in scoring position. Despite the Twins playing a much different brand of baseball since the selloff at the deadline, and generally looking energetic and hungry, today’s Twins looked more like the ones from a few weeks ago – listless and unable to hit in the clutch. Flush it. Tomorrow’s a new day.

Game Notes

• Ryan Jeffers has a 12-game hitting streak going. His career high is 14. Can he keep it going?
• Matt Wallner was out of the lineup as he and his wife welcomed a baby girl this morning. Carson McCusker got his second career callup and was hitting sixth. He singled in his first at-bat. 
• Tonight’s game featured just two players from their opening day lineup
• On the broadcast, they announced an interesting tidbit about rookie Luke Keaschall. In the past 20 years, there are two players who accomplished the following in their first 10 games in the bigs: a .500 on base percentage or better, 10 or more RBIs, and five or more stolen bases — Luke Keaschall, and…Mike Trout.
• Keaschall now also has the second longest hitting streak to start a career in Twins history, behind Glenn Williams’ 13. Hopefully Keaschall’s career goes significantly better
• Austin Martin now has a .795 OPS this season (small sample) after looking thoroughly outmatched last year.

Postgame Interviews: 
Coming Soon! 

What’s Next?
The Twins and Royals will conclude their series, with the vaunted yet always enigmatic TBD (Bullpen game) facing the Royals’ Ryan Bergert, another rookie. Bergert joined the Royals in a trade from the Padres. First pitch is at 12:05 PM. 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet