Twins' Pablo Lopez: Says healthy despite velocity drop
Rotowire
Lopez allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over four innings Tuesday in a 6-5 win over the White Sox. He struck out six in a no-decision. He said after the game he was a physically fine despite a noticeable drop in his fastball velocity during the game, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Lopez's final pitch in the fourth inning was 91.9 mph, his slowest four-seam fastball while a member of the Twins, according to Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com. Lopez didn't allow any runs in the first three innings but struggled in the fourth inning by allowing a three-run home run. It was a disappointing performance considering he was facing a struggling offense. However, it sounds like his worrisome velocity drop may not indicate a bigger problem.
Lopez didn't factor in the decision Wednesday against the Orioles after he gave up one run on two hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out seven.
The right-hander allowed nine runs (eight earned) while losing his past two outings but rebounded with a quality start Wednesday, with the only blemish against him being a solo homer by Gunnar Henderson. Lopez now has a 3.97 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB over 22.2 innings through four starts this season. He lines up for a favorable home matchup against the White Sox next week.
Lopez (1-2) was hit with the loss in Friday's game versus the Tigers after giving up five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven batters across four innings.
Lopez got behind early after giving up a solo shot to Mark Canha in the first inning, but most of the damage done against the right-hander came in the fifth when he allowed four consecutive hitters to reach base to begin the inning. He left with the Twins down 4-0 and two runners on base before recording an out in the frame, and reliever Kody Funderburk allowed an additional run to score before closing out the inning. Lopez now holds a 4.86 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through his first three starts and will look to improve upon those numbers his next time out, which projects to come in Baltimore on Wednesday.
Lopez and the Twins won't play Thursday against the Tigers after the game was postponed because of inclement weather in Detroit.
The two clubs will make up the contest as part of a straight doubleheader Saturday. Lopez and Tarik Skubal -- who had also been scheduled to start Thursday -- will both be pushed back a day in the pitching schedule to start Friday's series opener.
