Image courtesy of © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Box Score
SP: David Festa 6 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 7 K, 1 BB (87 pitches, 59 strikes (68%))
Home Runs: Matt Wallner (8)
Bottom 3 WPA: Festa -.201, Lee -.093, Buxton -.082
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs):
The Minnesota Twins’ post-winning-streak slide continued on Thursday afternoon in Miami. A first-inning barrage from the Marlins was enough to sink the Twins in a 4-1 defeat, handing them yet another series loss. They haven’t won a series since taking three of four in West Sacramento in early June, and this one slipped away quickly.
David Festa got the start for the Twins and immediately found himself in trouble. After two singles and an RBI fielder’s choice to open the bottom of the first, David Festa gave up a two-run home run to Marlins designated hitter AgusÃin RamÃrez to put the Marlins up 3-0 early.
To his credit, Festa settled in after the early damage. He allowed just two hits over his final five innings and issued only one walk. His control has been a work in progress this season, so stringing together back-to-back outings with one or zero walks is a sign of real growth. Still, he was tagged for one more run in the third inning when Xavier Edwards singled, stole second, and scored on a Jesús Sánchez single to extend the lead to 4-0. He was working without his best stuff, especially velocity-wise, although his heater did warm up slightly as the game progressed.
For this Twins offense, a four-run hole feels more like a bottomless pit. Minnesota has scored more than four runs just three times in its last 11 games, and this outing followed the familiar pattern. The lone bright spot came in the seventh inning, when Matt Wallner connected on a solo home run to spoil the shutout. Trevor Larnach doubled earlier in the game, but the team managed just four hits total and went a dismal 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. It marked yet another game where the Twins failed to come through in key spots.
Trailing throughout, the Twins turned to Justin Topa and Kody Funderburk out of the bullpen. Both relievers delivered clean innings, but the damage had long been done. Kudos to Festa, at least, for eating six innings on a day when he wasn’t at his best. The loss dropped Minnesota to 41-46 on the season, and once again, they were left wondering what could have been if just a couple hitters had come through in the clutch.
To make matters worse, it was former Twins right-hander Ronny Henriquez who closed out the win for Miami, locking down his second save in three days after being designated for assignment by Minnesota earlier this year.
The Twins have now dropped seven of their last eight series. The only exception was a series split against the Mariners. The team has spiraled out of control since its 13-game winning streak in May and faces another tough test this weekend.
What’s Next
Minnesota returns home to Target Field for a holiday matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Chris Paddack will take the mound for the Twins against Zack Littell, a familiar face from his time in Minnesota. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
Bullpen Usage Report
Postgame Interviews