Box Score
SP: Joe Ryan 5 IP, 3 H, 3 R (2 ER), 7 K, 3 BB
HR: Luke Keaschall (1)
Top 3 WPA: Keaschall 0.27, Lawyerson 0.17, Caratini 0.16
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs):
The Minnesota Twins finally gave the home crowd at Target Field something to warm up about. Coming into the fourth series of the season, the Twins have yet to win a set, dropping each of their first three series two games to one. A frigid week in Minneapolis didn’t make things any easier, and a matchup with the AL Central-favorite Detroit Tigers wasn’t exactly a get-right opportunity, on paper.
But behind their ace, Joe Ryan, and a much-needed offensive response, the Twins flipped a familiar script and came away with a 7-3 win to open the series.
The Twins wasted no time generating offense in the third inning. Byron Buxton sparked the rally with a double, followed by a single from Trevor Larnach and a walk by Luke Keaschall to load the bases with no outs. They capitalized in methodical fashion, starting with a sacrifice fly from Victor Caratini before RBI singles from Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis gave Minnesota a 3-0 lead.
Then came the moment Twins fans have seen too often. In the top of the fourth, the Tigers answered immediately. Colt Keith roped an RBI double, and Zach McKinstry followed with a two-run single to even the score at 3-3. It had all the signs of another game where early momentum would slip away.
This time, it didn’t. In the bottom half of the inning, Keaschall delivered the swing of the game. After a slow start to his season, he turned on a pitch and launched his first home run of the year into the left-field bleachers, a two-run shot that immediately swung momentum back in Minnesota’s favor and put the Twins up 5-3.
For Ryan, the fourth inning was the lone blemish in an otherwise steady outing. He battled some control issues but limited the damage, finishing with three runs allowed over five innings while keeping the Twins in position to win.
From there, the bullpen took over and slammed the door. Anthony Banda, Eric Orze, Kody Funderburk, and Cody Laweryson combined for four scoreless innings. The Twins added breathing room in the eighth inning, and once again it was Caratini in the middle of it. With the bases loaded, he lined a two-run single to extend the lead to 7-3, giving Minnesota the cushion it had been missing in previous games. The Twins answered adversity, regained control after losing it, and got contributions up and down the roster.
What’s next
The Twins will look to build on the momentum as they continue the series against Detroit. They’ll face a tough test in Tarik Skubal, the two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner, who is set to take the mound for the Tigers. Opposing him will be Taj Bradley, as the Twins try to secure their first series win of the season at 6:40 PM CT. It will, blessedly, be warmer.
Bullpen Usage Chart
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
MON
TOT
Laweryson
0
10
9
0
14
19
Topa
13
17
0
15
0
45
Rogers
4
0
23
18
0
45
Banda
0
17
15
0
17
32
Orze
0
37
0
0
12
37
Sands
11
0
0
21
0
32
Funderburk
15
2
0
3
20
20
Acton
0
0
0
0
0
0