The early part of the Twins’ season has been marred by poor defense — particularly from team pitchers — and a slow offensive start up and down the lineup.
Monday, in a 5-1 loss to the New York Mets at Target Field, the Twins showed off both. The Twins finished the day with just one more hit — three — then errors — two — both of which came from relievers on throws to first base.
They were unable to fully capitalize on their best opportunity — a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the fifth inning produced just one run, which scored on a Christian Vázquez sacrifice fly — and had few other chances against reliever-turned-starter Clay Holmes and the Mets’ bullpen.
Holmes, previously an all-star closer with the New York Yankees, begin his day by striking out the side in the bottom of the first. He allowed a single to Trevor Larnach and a Matt Wallner triple, but the Twins were otherwise unable to muster anything else against him in his five innings of work.
Even in the fifth when he gifted them an opportunity, walking two and hitting a batter, the Twins couldn’t take advantage.
And yet, that one run they scored took them into the middle innings of the game tied thanks to their own starter, Joe Ryan, matching his effort.
Ryan went five solid innings, surrendering just one run on three hits while striking out eight. It wasn’t until after his departure that the Mets were able to pull away, the go-ahead run scoring after Mark Vientos doubled to right, scoring Pete Alonso, who had singled off Justin Topa to lead off the sixth.
Topa, later in the inning, fielded a slow tapper and sailed a throw well over first baseman Ty France’s outstretched glove. Instead of ending the half inning down just a run, another run scored, widening their deficit.
An inning later, Jorge Alcala’s low throw on a Luisangel Acuña bunt allowed the speedy runner to get to second. He would later score on a Juan Soto home run, one that put the Twins in a four-run hole.
All told, Twins pitchers have now committed six errors through the team’s first 17 games.
And to make matters worse on a tough night at Target Field for the home team, Vázquez took a foul tip to his right hand late in the game, forcing him to exit early.
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