CHICAGO -- Monday brought a somewhat sleepy showing from the Twins’ offense and an end to their four-game winning streak, as Anthony Kay stifled the Minnesota bats in a 3-1 loss to the White Sox.
Here are three observations from the Twins’ first loss on their three-city road trip.
Sim sharp
Simeon Woods Richardson was effective in relief, pitching two shutout innings with one hit, one walk and one strikeout. His fastball velocity was up, 94.1 mph versus a 92.6 average on the year, though he threw very few fastballs -- only seven out of his 35 pitches. It was an interesting pitch mix for Woods Richardson, who also threw only eight splitters. Instead, he leaned heavily on his breaking balls -- 20 of his 35 pitches were either curves or sliders.
It added up to a second consecutive successful outing for the right-hander, who was removed from the rotation following an extended slump. He’s only pitched three innings in that span, thanks in part to an ill-timed rain delay in his first relief outing, but has yet to allow a run.
“It's good,” manager Derek Shelton said. “The other day against Houston, obviously we got the weather and he only got one inning. But today I thought he really mixed his pitches well. He was ahead in the count and didn't give up a lot of hard contact. That was an encouraging sign.”
It was the fifth time in the last six games that the Twins have had a reliever go at least two full innings.
Buxton battling
Byron Buxton has made only one start in the outfield since returning from right hip soreness last week, making four of his last five starts at designated hitter. He’s been effective in that span, with a walk and a double on Monday, slashing .286/.348/.571 in that span.
Buxton is clearly moving well on the bases, as evidenced by him taking second on a grounder that would’ve been a single for most players on Monday. But the Twins are still making sure not to push their best player too hard.
“I think we’ll kind of monitor it,” Shelton said. “I think the one thing we know with Buck is we have to monitor his body and we will continue to do that. And as long as he is in our lineup one way or another and we have to kind of mix and match, the one thing -- and we’ve done this purposefully -- our club has versatility to be able to protect if the fact if he’s just going to DH.”
Asked if the caution with Buxton was more preventative or if he is still dealing with an issue in his hip, Shelton said:
“It’s probably a combination of preventative and then me just making the decision of what I feel is best for our team.”
Zebby recovers
Monday’s game had the potential to be a short one for Zebby Matthews, who allowed homers in each of the first two innings. Instead he settled in to do the one thing he had sometimes struggled to do during his first two Major League seasons, even when he pitched well: provide innings.
Matthews lasted six full and probably could have at least started the seventh after just 88 pitches. He allowed only one baserunner, a single, after the second. In each of his three starts since being recalled, he’s lasted at least six innings, which is the longest such streak in his career. He’s totaled 19 innings in three starts.
Efficiency was often a challenge for Matthews previously, but he’s averaged a tidy 14.3 pitches per inning in the Majors this year.
Twins tidbits
Luke Keaschall’s ninth-inning single was the hardest-hit ball by any team in the game, at 107.2 mph off the bat. … Reliever Luis García, who was designated for assignment last week, has elected free agency after he went unclaimed on waivers. … Right-hander Riley Quick returned to the mound Sunday for High-A Cedar Rapids after missing time with a thumb issue. Quick is the organization’s No. 11 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. … Royce Lewis homered again for Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, giving him four in four games since he was optioned on Wednesday. Including a Minor League rehabilitation assignment, Lewis has six homers in six games for St. Paul this year.