Bullpen Report: July 1, 2018
The Twins bullpen had an afternoon to forget to close out June. Addison Reed entered the game in the fifth inning with the Twins holding a three-run advantage and was unable to complete the frame. He got Javier Baez to strike out to begin the inning, but would allow four-of-the-next-five hitters to get a hit – yielding two runs in the process. Zach Duke came in with runners on first-and-third and two outs but was equally ineffective. He gave up three-straight singles, letting both of Reed’s inherited runners to score and one of his own.
Duke would allow another hit in the sixth inning, but was able to get out of the frame unscathed. Trevor Hildenberger entered the seventh inning having not allowed a run in 16-straight appearances. Unfortunately, that streak came to an end as he walked four hitters (two intentionally) and gave up four hits in route to five earned runs allowed in a third of an inning. He came into the outing with a 0.00 ERA and 0.65 WHIP in June (both top-10 among qualified relievers) with a 26% K. He’s still the top choice behind Fernando Rodney in this bullpen despite the blip on the radar.
Addison Reed had made it four-straight appearances without allowing a run after a stretch before hand in which he gave up 5 ER over 4.2 IP (five appearances). He’s only logged four strikeouts in the month of June, and posted a terrible HR/9 (2.1), Hard-hit% (49), and xFIP (6.58). Duke has now allowed a run in two-of-his-last four games, but will remain in high-leverage roles as the main LHP option late in games. On the other side of this game, Justin Wilson earned his second win of the season after notching only his second clean appearance in his last six. Pedro Strop also worked 1.2 IP, striking out two and not allowing a baserunner. It was his third consecutive clean appearance since getting blown up by the Reds a week ago.