MINNESOTA TWINS NEWS

Kepler helps Twins bats get going in 4-2 win over Royals

Max Kepler went 3 for 4 with a slump-busting RBI to give Minnesota’s lagging lineup a lift, and the Twins started a vital homestand with a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Head-to-head records loom as potential tiebreaker

Drew Rasmussen’s perfect game bid was more than just a sublime individual performance

AUGUST 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Royals visit the Twins to begin 3-game series

The Minnesota Twins host the Kansas City Royals to open a three-game series

AUGUST 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Byron Buxton - Homers, swipes bag Buxton went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in a 4-2 loss to the Angels on Sunday.

Impact Buxton provided all of Minnesota's offense with a two-run shot off Los Angeles' starter Tucker Davidson in the first inning and added a single and stolen base in the sixth for his second two-hit game in his last four. During the span, he's batted 5-for-17 with two home runs and two stolen bases. Buxton started at DH after appearing in center field during the last two contests but is most likely feeling healthier after logging a theft for the second straight game.

AUGUST 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Archer - Tosses four innings in loss Archer (2-6) took the loss during Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Angels, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts in four innings.

Impact Archer was provided a two-run lead before he took the mound but gave it back after surrendering three two-out baserunners in the third and fell in line for the loss when he permitted an additional run in the fourth. The 33-year-old has lost three straight decisions, during which he's allowed 17 runs in 21 innings across five turns. Archer has pitched to a decent 4.15 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 20 starts, though he's yet to eclipse five innings in any appearance. He'll look to get back in the win column next weekend against the Rangers.

AUGUST 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Davidson earns 1st Angels win, beats slumping Twins 4-2

Tucker Davidson pitched six innings of four-hit ball for his first Angels victory, Luis Rengifo had a two-run double and Los Angeles won back-to-back series for the first time in t...

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gary Sánchez - Not starting Sunday Sanchez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Sanchez has a .304/.360/.435 slash line through seven contests in August, but he'll take a seat for the second time in the past three games. Sandy Leon will start behind the plate Sunday as the pair continues to split playing time.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gio Urshela - Out of Sunday's lineup Urshela is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Urshela went 0-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and three strikeouts Saturday and will take a seat in Sunday's series finale. Jose Miranda will move to third base while Byron Buxton rests his legs as the designated hitter.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Max Kepler - Heads to bench Sunday Kepler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Kepler has started all six games since returning from the injured list last weekend, but he'll take a seat Sunday after going 0-for-25 with a walk and a run. Jake Cave will man right field in the series finale versus the Halos.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Late meltdown, myriad missed opportunities doom Twins in loss to Angels Missed opportunities have been a theme for the Twins all season. That theme resurfaced in an 11-inning loss Saturday night in Anaheim.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Angels and Twins meet in series rubber match

Both the Los Angeles Angels and the Minnesota Twins are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nick Gordon - Produces steal off bench Gordon went 0-for-1 with a stolen base in Saturday's 5-3 extra-innings loss to the Angels.

Impact Gordon got aboard on a fielder's choice and stole second in the 10th inning, but Max Kepler struck out one at-bat later to end the Twins' threat of a rally. With Kepler and Byron Buxton over their recent injuries, Gordon has been left to compete with Jake Cave and Gilberto Celestino for no more than two spots in the lineup on a daily basis. Through 91 contests, Gordon is slashing a solid .276/.323/.424 with six steals, five home runs, 20 RBI and 30 runs scored.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Byron Buxton - Logs fourth steal Buxton went 0-for-5 with a stolen base, a hit-by-pitch and three strikeouts in Saturday's 5-3 extra-innings loss to the Angels.

Impact Buxton didn't get much going at the plate Saturday, but he was able to generate a little value in his one trip on base. The steal was his fourth of the year and his second in his last nine games, a span in which he's hit just .233 (7-for-30). Buxton has started each of the last two contests in center field, though he may be due for a rest soon as the Twins continue to manage the oft-injured outfielder's workload. He's slashing .219/.300/.537 with 27 home runs, 49 RBI and 58 runs scored through 85 games this season.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Carlos Correa - Gets aboard five times in loss Correa went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, a sacrifice fly and three walks in Saturday's 5-3 extra-innings loss to the Angels.

Impact Correa did something with every plate appearance, and even his lone out of the contest led to the Twins' second run. Through 11 games in August, he's gone 10-for-37 (.270) with an 8:7 BB:K. The shortstop is up to 14 homers, 39 RBI, 48 runs scored, 15 doubles and a .268/.346/.438 slash line through 88 games this year as a fixture in the No. 2 spot in the order.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Arraez - Racks up three more hits Arraez went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a walk in Saturday's 5-3 extra-innings loss to the Angels.

Impact This was Arraez's fourth three-hit effort in his last five games as he continues to excel at making good contact. He's added two of his four steals this season in that short span. The 25-year-old's surge has lifted his slash line to .337/.402/.446 with six home runs, 37 RBI and 61 runs scored through 100 contests this year.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Emilio Pagán - Takes loss Saturday Pagan (3-6) allowed two runs (one earned) on a hit and a walk in one inning, taking the loss in extra innings Saturday versus the Angels.

Impact This was Pagan's second appearance since suffering a lat cramp last Sunday. The right-hander got through the 10th inning without trouble, but he gave up a walkoff two-run home run to Taylor Ward with no outs in the 11th. Through five appearances in August, Pagan has struggled, allowing seven runs (five earned), including two homers, while striking out five in 5.1 innings. He has a 5.23 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 58:18 K:BB through 41.1 innings overall. While he's added nine saves and seven holds, his struggle with keeping the ball in the park (10 homers allowed) has taken him mostly out of the closer conversation.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jorge López - Blows another save Lopez allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in one inning, taking a blown save in Saturday's 5-3 extra-innings loss to the Angels.

Impact Lopez had a two-run lead to protect in the ninth inning, but he couldn't close it out. Magneuris Sierra hit a two-run, two-out triple to tie the game, though he was thrown out trying to turn it into an inside-the-park home run. That was enough to drop Lopez to 1-for-3 in save chances with the Twins since joining them at the trade deadline. The 29-year-old is 20-for-25 in saves overall when accounting for his time with the Orioles. He's added a 2.03 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 58:19 K:BB through 53.1 innings. There's been no indication that he's at risk of losing the closer role, but he'll need to steady things soon to avoid slipping into a committee.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dylan Bundy - Throws five scoreless innings Bundy allowed two hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out one across five scoreless inning in a no-decision versus the Angels on Saturday.

Impact Bundy again saw a limited pitch count, throwing 46 of 65 pitches for strikes. It's the second start in a row he's been limited to 65 pitches, though he was sharp in his first start since leaving the Angels as a free agent last December. The right-hander has exceeded five innings just once in his last eight outings -- that limited workload would make it tough for him to pick up many wins. He has a 4.76 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 75:21 K:BB through 98.1 innings across 20 starts this season. Bundy is projected for a home start versus the Rangers next week.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ohtani, Ward HR, Angels rally past Twins 5-3 in 11 innings

Shohei Ohtani hit an eighth-inning home run to get the Angels’ offense started and Taylor Ward hit a game-ending two-run blast to right-center in the 11th inning to complete a come...

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Minnesota Twins Star Carlos Correa Likely to Opt-out of Contract The Minnesota Twins made one of the biggest splashes of the 2021-2022 MLB offseason by signing free agent shortstop Carlos Correa to a three...

AUGUST 14, 2022 • OUTKICK.COM

Bailey Ober - Throws another bullpen session Ober (groin) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday and is expected to throw another one Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Impact He reported no issues after the session. Ober has been out since early June with an aponeurotic plate injury, which he described as a tendon pulling on his pelvic bone. The Twins have said Ober is aiming for a return in September.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kenta Maeda - Throws bullpen session Maeda (elbow) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday and will throw another bullpen Monday, MLB.com reports.

Impact It's possible Maeda could return in September to pitch out of the bullpen, but he'll need to show steady progress the next few bullpen sessions before going out on a rehab assignment. Maeda is in the penultimate season of a eight-year, $25 million contract and will likely want to finish the 2022 campaign on the field so that he can enter spring training healthy and ready to compete for a spot in the Minnesota rotation.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Trevor Larnach - Starts baseball activities Larnach (core muscle strain) hit and threw without issues Friday and also did change-of-direction drills, MLB.com reports.

Impact Larnach had core muscle surgery June 27 and the Twins have said they hope he can return in September. Before being placed on the IL, Larnach had been serving as a regular starter in left field and was slashing .231/.306/.406 with five home runs and 18 RBI in 180 plate appearances on the season.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Twins' Puerto Rican contingent thriving after Jorge Lopez acquisition With three active Puerto Rican players, plus Jovani Moran in St. Paul, camaraderie in the Twins clubhouse is a point of pride.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Los Angeles Angels vs Minnesota Twins Box Score - August 14, 2022 - The Athletic Get real-time MLB coverage and scores as the Los Angeles Angels take on the Minnesota Twins at 1:07am UTC on August 14, 2022. The Athletic brings you the latest stats, scores, and...

AUGUST 14, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM