5/23: Twins Try and Get the Bats Going, Escobar is Back, More Notes

The common theme in the clubhouse today was getting the bats going, especially after the team only produced three hits against the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday.

Brian Dozier is hitting below the Mendoza line (.199/.284/.318) and is sitting today. Eduardo Nunez is replacing him at second base and leading off. He has hit safely in 23 of the 32 games he’s had an at-bat in this season, and is hitting .320/.356/.475 with a team-high 11 multi-hit games.

“Had a chance to talk to him a little bit today, and I know he was out there working with Tom (Brunansky) trying to tweak his approach a little bit, not so much mechanics, and trying to get a little more out of him,” said manager Paul Molitor. “I think he’s trying to get that big hit more times than not instead of just maybe keeping the line moving — some of those types of things.

“It worked out with Esco coming back I could keep Nunez in the lineup and give Esco a shot to play short. We’ll see how tonight goes.”

Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press has a write-up on the Dozier situation in which general manager Terry Ryan said that the second baseman needs to be “fixed” and Dozier told the PiPress, “I probably feel better than I have my whole career.”

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Molitor said benching Dozier was a tough decision.

“He’s meant a lot here. He was a big part of what we did last year, and he’s earned the right to be talked to when I decide to sit him down for a day or two,” he said.

“It’s tough. You want to get these guys back on track, that’s the main goal, and sometimes taking a step back is the best way to do that.”

Dozier said he had a talk with Torii Hunter today. The retired Twins outfielder was largely credited with navigating last year’s team to an 83-79 record.

“I’m glad Torii reached out to him. I know those guys are close, they spent a lot of time last year talking about different things. Brian’s trying to take advantage of what Torii’s done in the game and how he’s gone about it,” he said.

“Brian mentioned to me that they had a long chat today. Sometimes just getting a little mentoring from a friend can kind of bring a little bit more peace and a little bit better perspective about what you’re trying to do.”

Eduardo Escobar was reinstated from the disabled list, and Jorge Polanco was sent down. Molitor says that he isn’t worried about figuring out the infield, with Trevor Plouffe, Dozier, Nunez and Escobar all competing for spots.

“Trying to keep everybody happy is something that you’re concerned about, but it’s not the priority. If I have to juggle it around a little bit to try to find ways to win games, then that’s what I’ll do,” he said.

“I know in today’s game you gotta be a little bit more transparent with your decisions to your players — sometimes on a daily basis. You can’t just throw it up there, they kinda know where they stand, and I get that, especially guys that are used to playing.

“I don’t want to get too far ahead on that, because sometimes those things work themselves out.”

Molitor says that he will not play small ball in order to get the bats going. He knows he has a team full of home run hitters, or at least extra-base guys, and he wants to play to their strengths.

“I don’t like to play small ball too often. If I think I’ve got a chance to have a big inning, depending on where we’re at in the lineup and who we’re facing,” he said.

“But, for the most part, even home run hitters, they have to be able to execute at times when those things and 90 feet become important to win the game.”

Hitting coach Tom Brunansky addressed the media before the game, echoing much of what Molitor said.

“Home runs happen more than they’re thought of prior to,” added Molitor. “The more we try to force those kind of things, the more inconsistencies you’re gonna see with your at-bats. You’re hoping the guys that can hit it over the fence also can produce in situations where the game calls for something else.”

Molitor said that he has not addressed the team about the lack of offense, noting that the players know that the team is struggling at the plate.

“I think during our practice time there’s little conversations that you don’t need to tell people that we’ve been one-hit into the eighth inning two days in a row,” said Molitor.

“We know that a couple of better offensive games here in the last week would have produced a couple more wins.”

“That goes back to having players that are pressing,” he added. “The more you struggle, the more you try too hard at times. We’re trying to get these guys more in the state of mind of going up there and just being present for that at-bat.”

Be sure to follow Brandon (@Brandon_Warne) and I (@tschreier3) for Twins coverage all season long.

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