Twins

Adalberto Mejia Takes Advantage of Lance Lynn’s Absence in Scoreless Outing vs. Cleveland

Photo credit: Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports

The trade deadline has passed and the Minnesota Twins are adjusting to a new-look clubhouse and the idea that a once-promising season has gone sideways. On Wednesday, the day after the non-waiver trade deadline, the Cleveland Indians beat the Twins 2-0 to move 10 games ahead of them in the standings.

The absence of traded players, however, creates new opportunities, and Adalberto Mejia made the most of his unexpected start. He pitched five scoreless innings, giving up only one hit and striking out two, leaving after throwing 74 pitches due to a pitch count restriction.

He pitched three innings of relief against the Boston Red Sox, giving up only one hit, on July 29.

A good day for Mejia,” said manager Paul Molitor. “A nice relief stint in Boston against a good lineup and then today go through five.”

He was assisted by Miguel Sano’s effort on a double play in the third and Max Kepler’s diving catch in the fourth inning, snagging Brandon Guyer’s liner to double off Edwin Encarnacion.

Photo credit: Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports

“He’s a great outfielder, it was a great catch,” said Mejia, via translator Elvis Martinez. “It saved me that inning.”

Encarnacion continued along the basepaths after Kepler caught the ball, confusing everyone — including Guyer.

“I kind of got a late read on it, I didn’t think it was going to carry that much,” said Kepler. “But luckily I committed to it and made the play. I don’t think Encarnacion knew what going on, because he went all the way. But good for us, right?”

Mejia had some control issues which were concerning, although they may be related to starting after pitching in relief. Only 45 of his 74 pitches were strikes, and he walked three batters. Molitor says he could have thrown 80 pitches, and that he wasn’t limited to two times through the order, but the manager didn’t send him out to face Cleveland leadoff hitter Francisco Lindor in the sixth.

I just didn’t want to go out there and use those last five to eight pitches, or whatever it was, we had left,” said Molitor. “I thought I would get him off there, keep him in good shape.

“It’s a little different routine coming off of two days’ rest, and I didn’t want to push it.”

The thought is that if he continues to pitch well, or well enough, he’ll remain in the rotation. Mejia was acquired in the deal that sent Eduardo Nunez to the San Francisco Giants in 2016.

He was 4-7 with a 4.50 ERA (99 ERA+) in 21 starts last season.

Whether or not he’s a fixture in Minnesota’s rotation going forward — especially with prospects like Fernando Romero, Aaron Slegers and Stephen Gonsalves at Triple-A or in the majors — is still in question. But by holding the powerful Indians lineup scoreless on Wednesday, he began to make his case.


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