The score of the box
SP: Pablo Lopez 5.0+ IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 6 K (91 pitches, 62 strikes, 8 whiffs)
Circuits: José Miranda (9), Carlos Correa (11)
Last 3 WPA: Pablo Lopez (-.330), Josh Winder (-.169), Carlos Correa (-.143)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
90 feet at a time
The Minnesota Twins needed Pablo Lopez to continue to look like the starting pitcher he had in his last outings against the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners. After just eight pitches in the first inning, Lopez ran into trouble in the second. With two batters on base and no outs, Houston continued to single around the bases. Yainer Diaz, Jon Singleton and Jeremy Pena all scored to make it 3-0.
Facing Astros pinch-hitter Shawn Dubin, Jose Miranda extended his hitting streak to nine games with a single in the second inning. After going 5-for-5 on Thursday, it was also his sixth straight hit. The Twins loaded the bases off Brooks Lee, and the rookie singled to score Minnesota’s first run.
Willi Castro drew a bases-loaded walk to allow Carlos Santana to score and make it 3-2, but Carlos Correa left the bags packed when his fly ball ended the inning.
Yes, of course, José.
After Dubin struck out Trevor Larnach, Miranda stepped in with his six consecutive hits and made it seven. With a solo shot down the left-field line, the Twins suddenly tied the game at three, and Miranda’s home run made it eight consecutive plate appearances with a hit as well. That tied Joe Mauer’s streak from the 2006 season, and another hit would tie a team record.
Looking for a quick zero, Lopez started his inning by getting Pena to go to the player he replaced. Correa continues to be a defensive wizard for Minnesota, and his latest web-slinging gem was nothing short of spectacular. Sure, you may have gotten used to these plays from the Twins shortstop, but he’s not one to take for granted.
In stepping in to tie the record (held by Tony Oliva, Mickey Hatcher and Todd Walker), Miranda doubled just over third base. Manuel Margot, who came in and walked for Larnach, circled first base to score the go-ahead run. Mauer’s ninth consecutive hit streak surpassed Mauer’s streak and gives him a chance to set a new franchise record in his next appearance.
Margot was thrown out on a Max Kepler dribble that could have made it 5-3, but the Twins kept the pressure on. Buxton doubled to Yordan Alvarez in left field, and with two outs, Minnesota had runners on second and third. Unable to score on either, the Twins held their one-run lead into the sixth inning.
More singles, less Pablo
As was the case in the first inning, Houston singled off Minnesota’s starting pitcher. Three in a row to start the sixth tied things at four and sent Lopez to the showers. The Twins’ starter didn’t record an out in the sixth and left with Jorge Alcala inheriting runners on first and second. He got Jake Meyers to strike out, but Joey Loperfido bounced a double over the chalk line to give Houston a 6-4 lead. Alcala walked the bases loaded before driving in Alvarez to stop the bleeding.
Josh Winder took over in the seventh inning, his first appearance since September 2023. He immediately struck out Yainer Diaz, and his three-strikeout of Singleton was accompanied by a 96.9 mph fastball to end the game. It turned out to be the hardest pitch of his major league career. Meyers doubled after Pena reached the mound on a hit, and Houston extended the lead to 7-4. Winder hit Loperfido on the foot with a slider, and the outing took a turn after two quick outs. Cesar Salazar grounded out up the middle to end the inning.
Story of Jose
Miranda came in against Bryan Abreu in the seventh inning and his single through the hole at second gave him a hit in his tenth straight plate appearance. A new Twins record had been set and he was one hit away from tying the major league record at eleven.
Kepler took a nice swing and sent the ball up the middle. Miranda came around to score and Santana found himself just 90 feet away. Unfortunately, Buxton couldn’t collect a run, and it was up to Lee to make the play with runners on the corners and two outs. Abreu made him look to keep the lead intact and push Minnesota to 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position on the night.
After Winder sent Jose Altuve out of the game after hitting him in the wrist, Houston quickly hurt with traffic on the bases for Alvarez. He launched a one-run single into left field. Diaz drove a ball to the same spot and loaded the bases against Winder who was loading the bases, and despite working around Singleton, Pena threw a ball to Margot in left field. The ball bounced off his glove, and the Astros pushed the score to 9-5 on the error. Meyers launched a sacrifice fly to Buxton and Minnesota’s deficit was now 10-5.
Vazquez tried to revive the Twins by leading off the eighth inning with a single against Luis Contreras. Loperfido, however, made an incredible catch on a Castro fly ball and ended any rally.
9th Round Frenzy
The Twins failed to capitalize on their performance tonight. Sure, they fizzled in the eighth inning, and Kody Funderburk gave up extra runs to the Astros, making any last-minute effort even more difficult. Alex Bregman got him for a three-run strike, and it took Funderburk nearly 30 pitches to get through the inning.
Austin Martin replaced Miranda as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning, meaning his attempt to tie the MLB record for consecutive hits will continue tomorrow against Hunter Brown. Margot went down quickly, but Martin singled in his pinch hitter spot. Kyle Farmer had an at-bat and was struck out. Kepler singled through the infield before Buxton singled to left field to score a run. Lee then kept hitting and singled home to make it 13-7. Vazquez hit a run-driving double down the left field line, and suddenly the Twins made things interesting again.
Castro led off with runners on second and third. He went three-for-two before drawing a walk that forced Joe Espada to turn to slugger Josh Hader. Correa was the Minnesota pinch-hitter, looking to extend his hitting streak as he entered the game after going 0-for-5 on the night. He hit a grand slam off the Astros’ slugger, and suddenly the Twins were down by one run. Margot was in a good position, facing a lefty, but hit a wild pitch to end the game and was just short.
Minnesota finished the game with 6 hits in 16 at-bats, but nine runners in scoring position. With 17 hits in the game, they could have had a better result with a little more at-bats.
Remarks
David Festa was sent down following the Twins’ win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. His turn in the rotation won’t come until Monday against the White Sox. Josh Winder took his spot in the lineup, but a corresponding move would make sense to grab a starter. Louie Varland didn’t fare well Thursday night for the Saints, and Caleb Boushley also got banged up in his last outing. Randy Dobnak, though he needs a spot on the 40-man roster, could be a consideration. Of course, Chris Paddack could also be eligible to come off the injured list at that time. Baldelli noted that Paddack is on track, and would make the most sense.
Brock Stewart’s timeline was recently announced as August-September. He threw a live hitting practice today at Target Field and also threw at CHS Field. He did, however, hit teammate Kyle Farmer. He hit 95-96 mph on Friday, and an upcoming rehab assignment would bring him back much quicker than the pessimistic reports suggest.
A brand new ball game in Blaine
After attending several Twins games in person this season and seeing them at various Twin Cities venues, I tried out the newly opened Ball Park in Blaine on Friday night. Think Top Golf for baseball. Six HitTrax suites sit behind the food court and offer fun family games for all skill levels. Four traditional hitting alleys exist in the back, and their focus is on a more traditional development. With Xbox facilities and a candy wall, the whole family can come watch you practice.
Beyond its entertainment setting, Ball Park is also a restaurant in its own right. With 36 taps on tap adorning one wall and a full bar, there’s something for everyone. With a menu curated by an executive chef, everything from small plates to full entrees is available. A patio surrounds the building with plenty of sun and fresh air. Even if you don’t set foot in the batter’s box, the baseball atmosphere is worth the price of admission.
Owners Tim Sanders and Ryan Carlson looked to use the space on Gander Mountain, not far from the National Sports Center, which had been vacant. They initially thought of a baseball training facility, but they expanded on the idea. With a limited number of batting cages in the northern part of the metro area, The Ball Park has multiple uses. They seemingly thought of everything, and although it opened last week, it has been well-received as one of the most unique venues, few in the country.
And after?
Joe Ryan will start for Minnesota against Hunter Brown and the Astros. The Twins saw Brown play earlier this season and will look to even the series with a chance to win it on Sunday. Unfortunately, as has been the case in Minnesota for much of the summer, rain is in the forecast again.
Post-match interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet