SEATTLE -- Sports at the highest level are about results, so if all you can see when you look at Zebby Matthews’ start Friday night is four runs, well, that’s your prerogative. But you should know that’s not what Matthews sees, or what the Twins see. Quite the contrary. They see efficiency, they see innings, they see confidence, and they see growth. After being reached for two no-doubt home runs in the first inning of what turned out to be a memorable comeback win, Matthews didn’t allow anything else. It was at least arguably the best start of the second-year pitcher’s career. Even if that was just about impossible to imagine after five batters. “I wouldn’t have believed you, I’ll say that,” Matthews said. “It was good to battle out there. The first inning obviously if I could take it back, I’d love to, but I battled, kept the team in the game. Went long enough in the start, didn’t abuse the bullpen.” |
Matthews lasted seven innings and gave his team every opportunity to claw back, which of course they took. There were a lot of heroes in that win, but if you leave Matthews off the list, you’re making a mistake. “I think he really started to mix his pitches really well in the middle of that outing, and he kind of found himself,” said manager Rocco Baldelli. “That’s as good as he’s thrown the ball in the big leagues with us. I thought he was sharp. It’s funny how that can happen sometimes. But he, mentally, was gaining confidence as the outing went on.” That’s progress. Indisputably, this was progress. After crooked-number innings ended Matthews’ first two starts early, to settle in and get a string of quick outs was a major step. |
It was, by a long way, the longest start of Matthews’ career. He’d never before recorded an out in the sixth, never mind finished the sixth and the seventh. It was also the longest start by any of the three pitchers who have started in the fifth spot in the Twins’ rotation this year. The Twins wanted Matthews to get ahead in counts. He did that. They wanted him to get quick outs. He did that too. And they wanted him to finish hitters off after getting ahead of them, rather than letting them stick around for pitch after pitch. Check, check, and check. Again, those two homers in the first inning? They definitely happened. They definitely counted. Cal Raleigh hammered a first-pitch cutter with two men on. Randy Arozarena followed three pitches later with a solo shot on a 1-2 fastball that was up out of the zone. That’s four runs, and you won’t always come back to win after spotting the opponent four in the first. That run total was not what Matthews would have wanted. But the path to that result, that’s another matter entirely. And it’s something for him to build on as he looks to establish himself as a key part of the Twins rotation now and going forward. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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The Twins play 13 home games in June, starting Friday when they host the Blue Jays for a weekend series. The month also features visits from the Rangers, Brewers, and Mariners and includes Pride Day on June 7, Prince Night on June 10 and Dollar-A-Dog Day on June 24. Fans who want to be there for all of it can do so for $79. Twins Pass is available now, providing a Ballpark Access ticket to every game and the ability to upgrade to a seat for a fee at any game. Click here for full details. |
From 2020-2024 with the Mariners, Ty France made an All-Star team and helped Seattle end a lengthy postseason drought. So although he struggled early in 2024 and was traded, he returned to T-Mobile Park with plenty of good memories. And the feeling is mutual. Prior to his first at-bat in Friday’s game, the Mariners played a thank-you tribute video for France, that included a reel of his hit-by-pitches over the years. The crowd gave him a healthy ovation, and he tipped his batting helmet to the assembled fans. France led the American League in hit-by-pitches twice as a member of the Mariners. “A lot of different emotions,” France said before the game. “Definitely excited to be back here. I spent parts of five seasons here so this was home for a long time. Excited to play tonight, excited to be in front of these fans again. The fanbase is great.” |
STAT OF THE DAY: DURAN DOMINANT |
When Jhoan Duran pitched a shutout, hitless ninth inning in Friday night’s comeback win, it was his 15th consecutive outing with at least one strikeout, dating back to April 29. That’s the second longest such streak by a reliever in the Majors this year, trailing only Mason Miller. The Athletics’ closer entered Wednesday with a streak of 19 straight games with at least one K. |
“Facing one of the best starters in baseball, and you’re down 4-0 in the first inning. It’s possible for things to get grim and for… I’ve seen a team or two lose focus before when you’re down like that. And you start not really just worrying about each at-bat and each inning at that point. But I love the way that we competed. Not just in the two innings where we scored all the runs. But in everything that happened between the first inning and the eighth inning to get back in the game. That’s as much a part of winning the game as those last couple innings. Although the last couple innings were amazing.” -- Baldelli on Saturday, reflecting on Friday night’s comeback win against Bryan Woo and the Mariners bullpen |
AND, FINALLY, THE PLAYLIST |
We’re in Seattle, so at the risk of being a Gen X cliché, here’s a playlist of some favorites of mine from the Pacific Northwest. Modest Mouse, “Polar Opposites” The Postal Service, “We Will Become Silhouettes” Pearl Jam, “Present Tense” Soundgarden, “Outshined” Alice In Chains, “Would” |
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