The Minnesota Twins were locked in a battle with the Detroit Tigers all Saturday afternoon in the Motor City. Twins right-hander Joe Ryan boasted a heck of a performance that perhaps dispiritingly wound up a no-decision.
Ryan had a career day in Detroit. The Twins starter threw a career-high 12 strikeouts in the game against the American League Central Division rival Tigers.
Ryan’s prodigious performance may have resulted in a no-decision for him, but Tiger hitters were stifled all day.
“Not your average Joe,” the Twins said while proudly boasting his line. Ryan went six innings, struck out 12, allowed just six hits and only one earned run. He allowed only one free pass as well.
Not your average Joe pic.twitter.com/XRmcRV55SK
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 13, 2024
The MLB world took note of his prodigious performance.
Joe Ryan, 89mph Splitter (ball) and 93mph Fastball (backwards K), Individual Pitches + Overlay.
Good look at Ryan using a Splitter out of the zone to set up a Fastball backwards K. pic.twitter.com/WH0dplKuuS
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 13, 2024
Joe Ryan, K'ing the Side (on 10 pitches) pic.twitter.com/WV332QTd9h
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 13, 2024
Sarah Langs noted that Ryan made some more history along the way.
Ryan became the first Twins pitcher to throw 12 strikeouts through the first five innings of a game since at least the divisional era began in the 1969 MLB season!
Joe Ryan’s 12 strikeouts are the most by a Twins pitcher in the first 5 innings of a game in at least the divisional era (1969) https://t.co/taoVp0vc9h
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 13, 2024
It was a heck of a day for Ryan, to say the very least.
TWELVE strikeouts on the day through 5 IP for Joe Ryan! pic.twitter.com/kvE1mNSvZ4
— MLB (@MLB) April 13, 2024
The only thing that’s left to do for Minnesota is to win the game! They’re tied with the Tigers in the ninth inning at 3 runs apiece. It’s a shame Ryan’s career performance won’t have a tally of record, but everyone marveled at his performance on the mound anyway.
