Minnesota Twins fans witnessed the Anchorman 'well that escalated quickly' meme come to life on Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles. After grabbing a 3-2 lead late against the Dodgers, the Twins turned to Emilio Pagan to try and keep things steady.
If you didn't see what happened, you can probably guess.
Pagan loaded the bases, walked in the tying run, and then gave up a grand slam to Dodgers rookie James Outman. The Twins lost 7-3, and it was yet another outing by Pagan where he was lit up like a Christmas tree and ultimately cost Minnesota a win.
This one hurts particularly hard because the Twins were in a position to get a series victory over the Dodgers. It would have marked another incredible turn for the team after a tough opening series loss in which bad umpiring contributed to an extra innings loss.
Ironically, the Twins lost that game on a walk-off bases loaded walk, which essentially bookends a series that Minnesota let get away.
Pagan's meltdown will be the lasting frustration, though, because this isn't the first time Twins fans have ben subjected to a meltdown.
That turned.... quickly.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) May 17, 2023
All with two outs, the Dodgers loaded the bases, got a bases-loaded walk and then saw James Outman whack a go-ahead grand slam off Emilio Pagán.
The Dodgers did not miss their bases-loaded opportunity.
Aaron Gleeman put it in painful perspective, highlighting just how bad Pagan has been for the Twins this year.
This is the fourth game in which Emilio Pagán has lowered the Twins' win probability by at least 50% since the start of last season.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) May 17, 2023
All other #MNTwins relievers have combined for six such games over that time and no one else has done it more than twice.https://t.co/oUX8deuCJr
Gleeman wasn't the only one pointing out how rough Pagan has been. After giving up the grand slam to Outman and essentially doomed the Twins, fans took to Twitter to let out their rage.
Best memes and tweets from Twins fans reacting to Emilio Pagan meltdown vs. Dodgers
HOW DOES EMILIO PAGAN KEEP FINDING HIMSELF IN HIGH-LEVERAGE SITUATIONS pic.twitter.com/HddAMLtzGA
— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) May 17, 2023
Emilio Pagan...#MnTwins pic.twitter.com/Et5oVyGwH9
— 10,000 Takes (@10k_Takes) May 17, 2023
Emilio Pagan trying to protect a one run lead with 2 runners on base pic.twitter.com/8jcA1hq2Wx
— Turbo Tad (@TadDorsey1) May 17, 2023
Emilio Pagan got that dawg in him pic.twitter.com/fzLA4241fG
— Turbo Tad (@TadDorsey1) May 17, 2023
*inserts Emilio Pagan hates the city of Minnesota* pic.twitter.com/ylZS4KhRjk
— kobe bryant (@kobespreads) May 17, 2023
LOL, how many times does Emilio Pagan need to prove to this franchise that he can't be trusted in high leverage situations. How many games does he need to blow for you before you admit your mistake and DFA the scrub? #mntwins
— Austin (@MinnySportsFan) May 17, 2023
Send Emilio Pagan on the rocket to the sun with Phil Cuzzi. #mntwins
— Jake (@JSalt3028) May 17, 2023
Emilio Pagan is like that co worker you have where you wake up everyday and wonder how the hell do they still have a job here?!?!? #mntwins
— Negative Dave (@neg_dave) May 17, 2023
Emilio pagan has had 1 bad outing this entire year. pic.twitter.com/guGQOa9dsw
— #1 Jordan Addison Believer (Twins 23' R1 Exits 🔥) (@WondToWefferson) May 17, 2023
To be fair, this wasn't totally on Pagan even if he very much deserves blame for putting the Twins in a bad spot. Coming back fomr 7-3 isn't an easy thing, but this was yet another instance where the Minnesota offense went ice cold.
The Twins have been struggling to score in general, but are absolutely brutal with runners in scoring position. In the series opener they left the bases loaded with a chance to put the Dodgers away and once again left runners on in the series finale on Wednesday.
Pagan certainly deserves heat, but the Twins offense shouldn't be let off the hook simply because someone did something even worse.