'Not going our way right now': Ryan struggles with HRs as Twins get swept in Atlanta

ATLANTA -- Prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Braves, Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan had given up six earned runs and two home runs in four starts (22 innings) this season.

Ryan gave up six runs on eight hits (including three home runs) over five innings on Sunday as the Twins lost, 6-2, and were swept by the Braves at Truist Park.

Ryan gave up a first-inning home run to Braves first baseman Matt Olson, a third-inning big fly to catcher Drake Baldwin and a fifth-inning homer to designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.

“[The ball] just wasn’t going where I wanted it to,” Ryan said. “I missed some spots and they made me pay there. I think it’s always just an adjustment there. I don’t want to make too many excuses. When the balls change, you’re trying to make some adjustments. They’re running a little bit more or they’re sinking a little bit more. I just have to make those adjustments in-game.”

Atlanta’s lineup featured six left-handed hitters, including switch-hitter Ozzie Albies. The lefties gave the right-handed Ryan fits as left-handers went 6-for-17 with two home runs and a double against him.

“I just kind of got away from the plan today and didn’t get there,” Ryan said. “They made some good adjustments and got some good hits. That’s part of it too. They did make some good splits.”

Ryan has given up eight home runs in his last two starts at Truist Park. Ryan gave up five home runs in another 6-2 loss in Atlanta on June 17, 2023.

“I don’t know about that,” Ryan said. “It was a couple years ago. I think it’s just getting used to the weather again. The Olson one, I thought, ‘Oh well, maybe it’s a double or something hard and [center fielder Byron Buxton] is going to grab it.’ It seemed really close to my head when it was leaving and it just kept going. He’s an amazing hitter and a strong guy. It got out of here quick. The [Baldwin home run], same thing. I missed my spot looking back on it. The ball is carrying a little bit more right now.”

It was the second time the Twins have been swept this season, and Minnesota is now 7-15.

“[The season getting off to a rough start] makes it even more frustrating,” Ryan said. “It’s just not going our way right now, and I want to go out there and have a good outing every fifth day. Having a bad one like this definitely sucks. There’s some good things I’m seeing, but we’ll see where that goes.”

Ryan threw 31 pitches in the first inning after retiring the first two batters he faced. He then walked Ozuna, gave up the home run to Olson and allowed a single to second baseman Albies.

“He got a couple quick outs and then the walk to Ozuna on the pitches that were just missing,” catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “He made a mistake to Olson just throwing it down the middle. Hitting a baseball is hard. You can get away with throwing a lot of balls down the middle. Sometimes you can’t though. This game is too hard to sit here and overanalyze one pitch or one swing. He obviously would like to execute a little bit better. On the flip side, their pitcher made some mistakes and we didn’t execute on any of them.”

Two of the three home runs were hit off Ryan’s fastball.

“Joe wasn’t as sharp as he normally would be,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “He’s normally an excellent strike thrower and he can put the ball -- especially his fastball -- where he wants it. I think there were a handful of at-bats today where the ball probably wouldn’t be located where he normally would.”

The Twins had two chances to give Ryan run support. Minnesota loaded the bases with one out in both the fourth and the fifth inning, but got just one run off a wild pitch by Braves starting pitcher Grant Holmes.

“That’s on me,” Ryan said. “I think guys are tired and it’s a hot day today. If I’m out there grinding and throwing a bunch of pitches, they’re going to get tired too. I think if we have some quicker, more efficient innings, I think we score some runs.”

The Twins’ offense struggled with Holmes, who allowed one earned run on four hits with four walks and seven strikeouts