Gomez benched for Fenway finale
Posted on July 9th, 2008 – 10:39 AMBy Joe Christensen
BOSTON — Denard Span will lead off and play center field today, with Twins manager giving the slumping Carlos Gomez a mental break.
Gomez is in an 0-for-10 skid.
“He’s pressing a little bit, fighting it a little bit,” Gardenhire said. “He’s still battling. He plays hard, all those things. That’s why we’ve just got to take a mental blow and let him sit back for a minute.”
Mike Lamb is getting the start at first base, with Justin Morneau as the designated hitter. That was expected, since Lamb is 4-for-5 in his career against Josh Beckett.
Joe Mauer is back in the lineup, even with a day game after a night game. That’s a sign how badly the Twins want this one. According to weather.com, it’s 86 degrees here and feels like 91.
Update (10:45 a.m.): Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon is unavailable today, after pitching in three straight games. … The Twins would prefer not to use Matt Guerrier, too, after he threw 22 pitches Tuesday, in his fourth appearance in five games. … I read this morning that Cleveland is ready to promote Juan Rincon to the big leagues. … Even in this heat, the Twins took batting practice on the field, though it appears they have cut that short. The players can use the indoor cage.
It’s sweltering on the field. The Twins will be wearing their dark blue uniform tops. Mauer explained it this morning, saying the mesh fabric is more breathable than the grays.
Note: The Twins will travel to Detroit after the game. Thursday’s game is at 12:05 p.m. (Central), which is strange. Apparently, the Tigers are holding Senior Day and Christmas in July promotions. All that means for the Twins’ players is a quirky sleep schedule. The four-game series will feature starting times of 12:05, 6:05, 2:55 and 12:05.
Twins (50-40)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, DH
5. Jason Kubel, RF
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Mike Lamb, 1B
8. Nick Punto, SS
9. Brian Buscher, 3B
Red Sox (54-39)
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Sean Casey, DH
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Brandon Moss, RF
9. Julio Lugo, SS
Starting pitcher: RH Josh Beckett
Fenway Park. First pitch: 12:05 p.m.
549 Responses to "Gomez benched for Fenway finale"
I think it is a good idea to give Gomez a rest. He needs a little break. He’ll come back strong afterwards.
I think it’s a good idea to play Mauer. We really need this one.
Big Gomez fan, but he needs the day off. Plus Span has really earned a start in Center.
For those on the Span bandwagon, as I am….don’t forget Gomez was hitting over .300 a month + into the season. He is likely going to come down some and has a lot to prove still.
Good idea starting Lamb.
Mike Lamb owns Josh Beckett.
nearly nailed it!
gobbledygookguy says:
July 9th, 2008 at 8:54 am
2 great starts livan hasn’t been good on the road sox 8-1 today, nathan gets 8th for some work.
1. span cf
2. casilla 2b
3. mauer c
4. morneau 1b
5. kubal rf
6. young lf
7. lamb dh
8. buscher 3b
9. nicky ss
gomez needs a day off, very good rh pitcher use all the lefties. livan gets hammered today, feel free to mock me later.
finale - FINALLY!!!!
Cuddyer can replace Monroe who might even have some trade value
I love Gomez, love him, he might however be a better #9 right now.
Glad to see Lamb get some ABs, could be a useful bench bat if he turns a corner a little… he has a decent history vs RHP.
Aaah. Erik slithers into Blogworld. One of the bad thins that can happen
“Joe Mauer is back in the lineup, even with a day game after a night game. That’s a sign how badly the Twins want this one”
I love how Joe C is completly drunk off of Gardy’s Kool-Aid. Like it takes some sort of super human to catch a day game after a night game. Of course he is going to play against a RHP.
“Thins (sic) that hopefully will happen:”
1)Eric learns to spell.
2)Eric’s computer burns out it’s motherboard.
3)Eric’s computer burns out it’s fatherboard.
Gotta love Wittle Ewik, such a sorry MF to wish injuries on players. Good luck today, Pups, you can do it. Most of us are still very, very proud to call ourselves Twins Fans. Wittle Ewik is extwemewy immature.
Burgy, one more thing….
4) Wittle Ewik’s computer burns him and causes his acne to spread.
Gonna have an early lunch so I can follow the game. I’m hungry for some Wheat Things and some Buffalo Wins.
delmon the only righty haha.
I am impressed. How many other teams in baseball have the ability to go with an almost entirely left-handed lineup? Look for a lot of pinch-hitters today when the Sox bring in a lefty reliever.
Oh homers. You guys are priceless. Gotta insult someone who tells it like it is rather than insulting your precious wittle overrated baseball team.
The lead on Kelly Thesier’s MLB.com story:
The Twins seem to have a powerful weapon in that their two hitters at the top of the order, Carlos Gomez and Alexi Casilla, are never afraid to lay down the bunt and beat out a hit, rather than swing away, at any time. Minnesota hopes that skill will help them salvage the finale at Fenway on Wednesday.
Oops.
Pinch hitters in the 8th? No, we wouldn’t want to harsh anyone’s mellow. Plus, what would happen if there was an injury!!!
I believe Gardy’s quote about mentally blowing Gomez is fodder for the City Pages blog, not the Strib. 
That being said, go Gamecast, office workers unite! Let’s hope the Twins continue to be a (somewhat) thorn in Beckett’s side.
Jonas,
“Look for a lot of pinch-hitters today when the Sox bring in a lefty reliever.”
With Beckett pitching, the Sox may not need a lefty (or any) reliever.
Jonas,
You are wrong,
Casilla and Punto are Switch hitters.
Mauer, Morneau, Span and Young generally play against both righties and lefties.
So that leaves Kubel, Lamb and Buscher to be PH for. Lamb is doubtful since Morneau would have to go play 1B and we would lose the DH.
Erik,
“someone who tells it like it is”
Is that how a worm sees himself?
Wittle Ewik = attention whore.
Can someone explain why Harris is being benched? Was his triple and double yesterday not good enough? Does Gardy really want to resort to 2007 with Punto as an everyday player? Is he trying to sabotage the Twins season? Am I asking too many questions? Will Nathan even pitch in this series? Can he pitch in crucial situations and not only what the book says and only the 9th inning?
Mitch = Wittle Ewik’s std.
SweetOne ~
I’m not saying everyone gets pinch hit for… just look for it. I know the status of the lineup… and with the way Gardy has been oh-so-successful at that managing thing these last couple days, I don’t necessarily think anyone should be considered off-limits to be pinch-hit for.
AJ - Gardy believes in the mystique of the Lefty-Lefty and Righty-Righty lineup even more than he believes in playing the hot hand. Punto is a switch-hitter, and I suspect that he is being used, while he is hot, to give everyday players a break coming up on the all-star break.
AJ:
You ask too many questions.
Play Ball ! ! !
(LOL)
Jonas, I hope you are right. I have the awful feeling that Punto is in the line-up to stay the rest of the season. Although he is having a MUCH better year than last year, I do not understand the point of messing with a good thing. Harris was getting clutch hits, not to mention a few game winning homeruns on the west coast. It is very unsettling that the line-up is being fooled with, especially when the team went 18-3 in 21 games. Since Gardy has chosen Punto to play over Harris at shortstop, the Twins are now 0-2. Hitting stats are irrelevant, I just look at wins and losses.
Erik says: “Gotta insult someone who tells it like it is”
And who would that be?
where is Harris? The guy is on fire and gets the day off? A punto is playing again….0-4 here we come.
I don’t ever want to hear we need to play him because he is swinging a hot bat, like he says to justify Punto playing.
Why does Punto bat anything but 9th? You mean to tell me that Span and Buscher are worse than them.
“He painted the outer half of the plate in his 3rd year of professional baseball AT THE MAJOR LEAGUE LEVEL! BE READY FOR THIS 45 TIMES
WHAT? Guerrier not available today? We’re cooked…
and you miss the point gardy has said several times over the last week he wants punto playing ss everyday! so get used to it and if he keeps hitting he’s probably the best option. imo gardy doesn’t like or has a lack of confidence in harris so will always pick nicky over him.
Good day folks:
Go Twins! Shrug off last night, get after Beckett today. Good move to give Gomez a day off. I like trying Span in leadoff.
Trade for the day: Lance Berkman to the Twins for cash considerations and Shooter Hunter. That would be a great deal for the Twins, give them a little more pop in the middle lineup!
Have a great day everyone. Win Twins!
Punto has started the last 7 or 8 games, so saying we are 0-2 when he starts isn’t very accurate.
I agree, Brian.
Punto over Harris is just plain wrong. I still say Matt Macri has to be the most shamed professional baseball player in the country.
Please get Delmon Young out of there! I admit he delived a hit last night, but he has Noooo defense. If he sees a ball coming his way he freezes or runs away. He is a compltete waste. Move Span into left, send Young to Rochester for a few years!
I think the part that bugs me about nicky is when he does do something good…the look on his face is along the lines “I am pretty sweet and fans should come to expect this from me”….when it should be more like “holy crap, I am not supposed to do that and should be lucky as heck that I didn’t foul another ball off the grandma in row 1 because I can’t get around on big league picthing”
“I love how Joe C is completly drunk off of Gardy’s Kool-Aid. Like it takes some sort of super human to catch a day game after a night game. Of course he is going to play against a RHP.”
I have to agree and chuckle with this comment…we’ve seen a lot of pure homerism from Joe C. this season…
Granted Punto has started 7 of the last 8 games, but he has played all over the infield, and there were left-handed pitchers going. Monday was the first time Gardy made the choice to start Punto over Harris at shortstop with a right-hander on the mound. In the past, and during our winning ways, Harris has played shortstop and batted against righties. But not anymore. Why it has stopped is a mystery.
Red Sox have gotten lucky catching the Twins on some bad days. Bad hitting the 1st day and bad bullpen the 2nd. Even so, Twins have played close games against a team that’s tough to beat at home (but not so hard to beat elsewhere). Have to say that I’m nervous with Livo vs. Beckett on the mound today but am looking forward to Span in the LO position.
If you think it’s a mystery, AJ, you haven’t been following Gardy and the Twins much the last couple years…
Bay Area…
Please point to where “close games” gets you points in the standings…this isn’t the NHL…it’s win or lose, baby.
That is, unless Gleeman can come up with a “close game index” which might explain to us the meaning of life.
Let’s go Twins! My best friends are at the game today. Just talked to them. It is hot, hot, HOT! Let’s hope the Twins are hot too!
All,
I deleted the comment about hoping for players to be injured. Obviously and correctly, there’s a lot of leeway in the blogosphere. That one crossed a line.
Enjoy the game today. Now, back to your regularly scheduled discussion.
-Howard Sinker
sports coordinator
startribune.com
span will inherit the leadoff spot as of today, hope that doesnt mess up casilla at all, but its a good move….gomez days of leading off just came to an end….
Brian,
“He painted the outer half of the plate in his 3rd year of professional baseball AT THE MAJOR LEAGUE LEVEL!”
Then the hitter just dropped the head of the bat - didn’t try to do too much!
Ah, guys, catcher is probably the hardest postion on the field, it wears on the player pretty badly, and even moreso, a tall player like Mauer. He already has had knee surgery. He has also fought injury bugs before. So far this year, he has been pretty dang stable back there, and part of it has got to be getting regular rest behind the plate. Great, get him in there to try to prevent the sweep, that I can see. But, given that he plays today, he will be sitting tommorrow, and I fully expect some “experts” on here complaining how he can’t play day games or something.
…with his upper cut swing….and when he’s hitting good he goes the other way….
Lucy,
I know what the popular opinion is, but the move that makes more sence for the Twins is to send Gomez down. Delmon Young is actually going to have a better year than Gomez this year when it is a said and done. Tell me the last time GOmez hit a ball hard. He doesn’t even steal bases anymore. I think he’ll be great someday but he is overmatched right now.
ummm did anyone see punto’s at bat last night in the 9th? clutch shouldve let span swing and we might have been able to squeeze with gogo.
…so maybe punto deserves to play he has been hitting the ball well
admin says:
July 9th, 2008 at 11:48 am
All,
I deleted the comment about hoping for players to be injured. Obviously and correctly, there’s a lot of leeway in the blogosphere. That one crossed a line.
Enjoy the game today. Now, back to your regularly scheduled discussion.
-Howard Sinker
sports coordinator
startribune.com
Howard,
That’s why you are the best!!!
Lamb auditions for trade to Phillies for “Boom, out of here” Bret Myers.
Not to vent about things we can’t control, but why aren’t all the Twins games in HD on FSN? Really frustrating.
I thought that was moderation.
ESPN’s Accuscore Projection says that the Twins only have a 29% chance of winning today. I think that’s the lowest percentage I’ve ever seen! Hope we can at least keep it close.
Good Start Fellas!!!
The Doc Goes Deep!!!
what did espn’s preseason accuscore projection say about the twins being 10 games over .500 more than a week into july?
Dear Livan,
Don’t give it back.
Thanks,
Twins Fans.
How many times have we been picked off 1st base this series? 3?
just walk manny everytime.
I’m sick of manny just being a fanny.
aw, too bad manny.
but we still should be walking him.
Punto is making me a believer. Against all of my better judgement.
He is still punto, but I have no problem playing him while he is hot
Is Harris hot?
Think bottom of the 8th, ALCS with runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs.
Can you say lights out!
Don’t forget 2007..I know most managers wouldn’t
Don’t walk Manny, ever. No free baserunners.
There is no way that I know this, but I’ve been around baseball long enough to guess that at least one of Youkilis’ nicknames is “Puke”.
beckett at 46 pitches after two.
“Don’t walk Manny, ever. No free baserunners.”
I don’t know about ever. If first base is open in the bottom of the ninth in a one run game, than I walk him. Not if it’s in the first inning though and we’re ahead by 3.
“He is still punto, but I have no problem playing him while he is hot”
Yeah but maybe he’s just this good. Maybe last year was the aberration and not 2006. Either way, I’m not going to rip on him. Not unless he starts sucking again.
Is there an emoticon, pointing one finger and touching his nose with the other?
Can I listen to this game online anywhere without having to pay? I have ESPN Gamecast open, but I’d love audio…
When will the next commenter remind us all that Span will never be more than a minor league “lifer”?
walk manny the last two games and we’re 2-0 at Fenway
My 12:45 was for sane.
Patarick: I wouldn’t IBB the winning run.
Gardy needs to seriously reevaluate Gomez’s spot in the lineup. He is just absolutely killing us from the leadoff position. It’s absurd that we are giving him the most ABs on the team (361). He shows absolutely zero plate discipline, and if I heard this correctly, he is on pace to break the Twins strikeout record. Not to mention that he as a sub-.300 OBP. Although Span has only been with the team for the past couple weeks, you can tell he has a much better approach at the plate - when’s the last time Gomez has walked?
Patrick - that would mean that every year before 06 was an aberration as well. Either way, I’m not complaining that he’s in, I just don’t expect him to OPS 800 all year.
Mudcat, we’re all geniuses after the fact.
Brandy Moss goes deep.
just a long out.
forgive me for my skepticism, but if I had to bet, I still think Boston wins this game, based on the Twins inabilities the last couple of nights, even with a 3-0 lead
i posted that about 10 times the last two days at different places
Original Kevin - With the fact that Livan is pitching and with they way our bullpen has pitching this series, you’re skepticism is pretty easy to forgive. Still hoping for the best though.
5 minutes after Cuddy is traded and Span strikes out
I agree w/ Greg, Gomez s/b hitting 9th, until he demonstrates some plate discipline. Of course batting order is over emphasized but that’s a whole other thing.
Mudcat, even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Orig Kevin, we can get into their BP too. Mauer with a long AB keeping Beckett in the sweltering heat.
Howard, thanks for deleting any comments regarding the wishing of injuries by some of these commentors in their efforts to P*** people off, it is very immature of people like Erik. Thank you again, and keep doing that with those who comment bad injury wishes to any ball player, be they Twins players or players from other teams. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
What an at bat by Mauer
When was the last time the Twins had a lineup of 6 .300+ hitters?
ok. how ’bout this. i guess you can’t say you hope a player is injured. i’m not like erik.
i hope manny gets his FEELINGS hurt!
That’s a great AB by Mauer.
3 of those guys have less than 100 ABs and another has less than 200 ABs so lets not get too excited.
“forgive me for my skepticism, but if I had to bet, I still think Boston wins this game, based on the Twins inabilities the last couple of nights, even with a 3-0 lead”
Yep, and Patrick Reusse was chanting “sweep, sweep” this morning on the radio…he predicted 8-0 Red Sox.
Two chances to cash that gift…
Of course bisonaudit, but still………..
I know romer, I’m a buzz kill.
The fact is these kids are playing great right now. Seriously, despite the two tough losses to Boston, they played very well. The last two or three weeks up to and including last night have been the best stretch of ball the Twins have played all season, and it’s not even close.
Jason, I did hear Reusse say that and that is one reason I do have faith the Twins will win - Reusse has been sayign all week that their only real chance to win was Monday, a partial chance last night, and no chance today.
So I figured they had a very good chance today. Its just that after the last couple of nights, its hard for me to have confidence. naturally I hope I am wrong, but the problem is, I never am wrong.
bisonaudit,
“3 of those guys have less than 100 ABs and another has less than 200 ABs so lets not get too excited.”
If I can’t get excited until the Twins to have six .300+ hitters with 400+ at bats, I will need larger doses of my current medication.
Hey, I’ve got something to make everyone aware of…and this might be from the stating the obvious files, but:
The Chicago White Sox are leading this division…
That fact is passed along for those of you who were mocking Ozzie Guillen and hating on the Sox earlier this year. Through all of this nice, long stretch by our Twins, the White Sox are still in control.
I offer that because I think if you’re going to bash Ozzie after an outburst, such as the Jay Mariotti’s of the world who would rather comment on than cover the team, you have to give credit where credit is due. I say this as a die hard Twins fans, but I have to admit, the Sox are another team I generally admire.
patrick said 8-0 Red Sox?
would 8-0 Twins be a big enough lead?
Is it permissable to contend that both Mariotti and Guillen are royal jerk faces or do I have to pick one?
lol someone ask Howard if it’s okay to bash Reusse for one day (he’s my favorite sportswriter, by the way) on this page…if you recall, he doesn’t put any stock in what’s written here anyway because we aren’t paying customers…
radar gun is wayyyyy off at Fenway…Livan just hit 85.
Punto has a good strong arm, but not a super-strong arm. Other SS’s could have made that throw.
But I know I’m just being picky.
does Reusse even read these posts? Why would he waste his time?
Who cares about the White Sux and their maniac manager. I don’t see how a person could like the Twins AND the White Sox. They are on two very different ends of the baseball spectrum.
JASON:
Not paying customers? I’ve dropped a lot of cash at all those businesses whose ads keep popping up when you don’t want them to.
That’s how WE pay!
BTW, I like Ozzie. I think hes a great manager, though I hate the Whities.
Jason, ????.
Livan’s been hitting 87 all year.
here comes the inevitable Twins collapse, though a bit early in the game
“Patrick - that would mean that every year before 06 was an aberration as well. Either way, I’m not complaining that he’s in, I just don’t expect him to OPS 800 all year.”
You’re probably right. It would be nice though if he could keep this up.
sane good point. funny how many people want to dump young who is hitting in the .280’s and hit over .280 last yr has an actual 1 1/2 yr track record of being a decent hitter. never mind, he doesn’t hit enough homeruns, i forgot.
imo opinion the media “experts” over hyped young after the trade was made and gave everyone a false idea of what kind of player he is. it will be very difficult for him to ever live up to it.
Not a Sox lover, either. Red or White. But he’s right, they are STILL in control and we been playing like gang busters and not gaining ground.
” okay to bash Reusse…he doesn’t put any stock in what’s written here anyway because we aren’t paying customers…
When was the last time Reusse was a paying customer?
Never mind.
No one puts any stock in what he writes either.
Its all very consistent.
Let Youk get his RBI, then shut ‘em back down Livan.
Kevin Youkilis scares the crap out of me.
I’m just “watching” this on gamecast but it seems like we’ve had some oppurtunities to turn double plays and they’re not happening. Any insight?
what’s going on with LNP?
Red Sox radio says they should’ve turned two…
think they’ll walk manny?
I wouldn’t say that sane…he’s a great writer…just a little behind the times when it comes to internet fans…
Mudcat - No.
boston radio guys said punto needed to charge the ball to get the dp and stayed back so he didn’t have time.
One of these swings, Manny is gonna guess right on one of Livan’s FB’s.
I predict Manny will strike out
I don’t know about this last one but in the first, Boston sent the runner on a 3-2 count, and the ball wasn’t hit hard so there’s no way that one could have been a DP.
should be walking manny……….
Patrick,
“I’m just “watching” this on gamecast but it seems like we’ve had some oppurtunities to turn double plays and they’re not happening. Any insight?”
IMO (from DIRECTV) several of those were the result of Livan fooling the hitter badly and the ball being hit too softly for a legit DP opportunity.
i think wwe should have walked manny
Livan better go 8 today
Should have walked Lowell, maybe?
Mudcat, everyone is aware of your thoughts on pitching to manny. Thanks.
can we trade Livan, Lamb and Everett before the end of this inning?
LIVIAN!!!!!!!!!! please trade his sorry butt!!!
I don’t think Span judged that ball very well. 4-3 R Sox.
Red Sox putting Livan on an instant diet plan…
I fear this 4-3 lead is enough for JB to get the Sweep…Livan might give up 6 or 7 runs too.
Nice defense, boys. Way to do the little things right.
Keep making those Sportscenter Top Ten plays, LNP. Brendan Harris can develop another year…
just skip over mudcat posts then tony
Trade him to who and for what?
He’s right on his pace, 2 base runners an inning. No supprises. This is what he gives you.
Ooops just looked at the score. Livan won’t go 8!! I hate to say it but the Twins are going to loose again today.
I’d rather have Livan then Boof anyday
Belt high fastballs at 84 don’t get major league hitters out. Or junior college hitters for that matter.
Is it possible Varitek enters the All-Star game below the Mendoza line?
Is Liriano ready yet?
Varitek shouldn’t be an All-Star this year. What a bunch of B.S
Funny, on ESPNs who got jipped and who didn’t deserve to go to the All-Star Game I didn’t see his name come up once.
Reboulet…
I don’t care who you play…a high school team, junior college team, college team, much less a MLB team…when you throw 84 mph…miss the corners…leave it up in the zone….you’re not going to beat anyone I just mentioned…
In my opinion that sucks.
That was a disgraceful performance…we gave them that game by doing that…we gave ‘em the friggen game…
am I right or am I right
I knew the Twinks couldnt hold htis lead, though I figureed they would wait closer till the end of the game
C’mon people. cut these guys some slack. They’re battling their tails off today. That’s all we can ask. I mean, some of these guys are playing a day game after a night game. Can you imagine that? Having a late meeting at work one night and then having to be back at the office at 7:00am the next morning? I mean C’mon….these guys are battling their tails off and trying really, really hard.
Jason,
“I wouldn’t say that sane…he’s a great writer…”
I agree about his writing skills.
His pessimistic outlook, however, makes many of his readers check their medicine cabinets for anti-depressants.
trade Livian for a bag of chips(minor league prospect noone every heard of that eventually pans out) aka see Casilla
Varitek making the All-Star game is a complete joke, especially if you look at the numbers Pierzynski is putting up. As much as I hate AJ, he deserves to be the backup catcher.
I don’t know if we’ll “loose” or not but did someone just compare a late meeting at the office to playing 9 innings in 85 degree weather. Especially the guy wearing the catching gear? Give me a break.
wanna tone it down a little, brasky?
i was out til 2:00 am last night. LOL !
“His pessimistic outlook, however, makes many of his readers check their medicine cabinets for anti-depressants.”
If I read the sports page to fell better about myself that may be relevant, but as it is…
What does that say about AJ, if he has better numbers and the players voted in Varitek anyway?
Good! He needs to sit a game or two! He provides alot of excitement, but gets awful crazy with some of his at bats! If all pitchers threw him two strike, low outside sliders, he would NEVER get a hit. I can’t believe he hasn’t had more success stealing bases also (he’s the fastest man in the league); he tries when he shouldn’t, gets picked off, forgets how many outs on the bases. I know he’s very young, but let’s learn from our mistakes, shall we!!!!
I’m waiting for Delmon Young to spin around like a six year old after he swings one of these times
didnt the Bosox have a day game after a night game too?
Livan getting rocked!!!! Twins will get swept by the Sox! Is this a surprise to anyone? The Sox have WAY more offensive talent than the Twins, especially powerwise.
meanwhile the guy wearing the tools if ignorance in a day game afer a night game is 1 for 1 w/ an RBI and a run scored and has been on base twice in two plate appearances, while the guy who plays every 5th day isn’t fielding his position.
i didn’t realize Nicky is hitting over .300 —amazing….
Livan’s been hitting 87 all year.
His average FB velocity is 83.9 this year, nearly identical to the last two seasons. If he has hit 87 it hasn’t been very often.
Kevin, bases on every post of bill’s that I have ever read, I think he is being sarcastic.
“If I read the sports page to fell better about myself that may be relevant, but as it is…”
Yeah, but when his readers turn to the obituaries for the GOOD news……
SWEEP! Tigers are licking their chops!
Livan didn’t listen to me
This rookie umpire must be doing a decent job, he’s getting the business from both teams.
how many innings will Livan last today
boston radio guys say the umpire is very inconsistent, that correct?
Is that umpire another Runge?
Pudge before Veritek this year in my opinion
what is the score??????
87 pitches after 4 for beckett, we should get to see some of the none papelbon bullpen this afternoon.
What I meant, snepp, is that I’ve seen a lot of games where he reaches 87 occasionally. He hit 87 today.
But I guess the gun is suspect today.
What’s Beckett been hitting? I’ll start watching for that now.
4-3 boston Zig. Starting the bottom of the 4th
IOWA FAN:
two hours in 85 degree heat?
go ten miles out in the country and ask some of those guys if two hours in 85 degree heat is bad. they’ll just laugh.
The gun has been suspect it said Crain hit like 98 the other day.
4-3 bad guys, bottom of 4.
Livan is at 57 pitches through 3. So probably no more than 5 unless he really smoothes things out.
This whole infield switcheroo’s and righty/lefty thing is VERY frusterating. Now Buscher can’t hit worth crap, I suppose because now he cannot get in a rhythem because he plays one day, he sits one day, etc. Harris’ bat needs to be in the line-up for another homerun threat, or at least some gap power. STOP JERKING AROUND THE LINE-UP!!!
would we see in Boof for the 6th or maybe one of the lefty guys? Then maybe Crain?
I guess on Monday the ESPN gun was 2 MPH faster than the FSN gun, so I don’t know who’s getting there numbers from where but they’re definatelly different from gun to gun.
thanks
Amen, AJPesh. Gardy had to play his scrappers, Punto and Span. Even though they haven’t been horrible we just aren’t the same. Gardy screwed up the teams Mojo because of his fear of being “weak up the middle”. Now we are weak in the batting order. Hardly a good trade off.
The Twins have been playing everybody for 20 years or more. That’s not changing.
Whether it’s 87 or 84 it can be nowhere near the middle of the plate like Livan has been
Remember a few weeks ago, right before little Nicky came back, when Gardy was quoted as saying the line-up was working well, we were winning, it was not broke so he would not try to “fix” it. Hah!
The Boston TV team has shown that the called 3rd strikes on Kubel and Punto were not even close - ie double Glavines. I guess the ump wants to let the Boston fans continue to call balls and strikes.
Kubel returning the favor (he flied out deep too).
Is it just me, or has it been a while since Mauer’s gunned a guy out on the bases?
Yes, Dick Bremer, I know…it’s the pitchers fault.
Gomez has to be moved to ninth in the order. You CANNOT have a lead off hitter with .296 on base percentage . THis is second lowest on the team next to Monroe. Move Castilla to the permanent lead off hitter. All of Gradies managerial inabilities sure come out whenever the Twins play good teams and off course when they were in the playoffs. I can go on and on with the mis management but I will leave it at that.
Tek was in his ear at least once as well. My impression from the Twins radio is that if mistakes are being made they’re not onesided. Seems like there’s a degree of frustration all around.
called 3rd on Kubel was correct…I saw that one…it crossed the plate just above the belt…Punto…didn’t see, but Boston radio guys said he had an argument…
Alex, or maybe they’re just the 4th best team in the league and that’s the way it is.
In the last two days the biggest beef I have w/ the manager is the Span but last night in the 9th, down 1, with the tieing run in scoring position.
ooooooo blogies dont think harris could have made that play in the hole good thing puntos starting today and his clutching hit in the 9th last night wasnt that bad. Its to bad punto isnt good enough for u guys(blogies).
jason, i had that same impression about gunning out base stealers
yes AJ and if he makes the plays in the 3rd inning we might still be leading…
Accurate throw by Manny. This guy is an AS for sure.
BTW, the heat index is 94.
I have to tell you. The Twins are nice people, a line-up filled with good guys and nice ballplayers but this team has no heart. No heart at all.
need to extend the inning to make it beckett’s last
AJ the only guys good enough are the ones who haven’t been here long enough to show their warts.
It was hot at the game monday night and all day in boston, must be even worse today.
hey Jason think u couldve made the play? rhetorical question didnt think so
Jason, what happened in the 3rd inning regarding Punto? Did he make an error or something?
gobble what are u trying to say?
pesh just go by pesh i own the name AJ
wrong Jason. The ball to Kubel was at least 6 inches high and inside. according to the graphic on Boston TV and their announcers
lol AJ…yes, whether or not I could’ve made those plays is truly relevant. Gotta love those remarks.
Well, the one ball was close to an error according to Boston radio, and the other one could’ve been a double play…doesn’t sound like anything too bone-headed, but for a guy who makes unbelievable, hightlight show plays regularly, you’d like to think broadcasters wouldn’t be scratching their heads saying ‘gee, wonder why Punto didn’t make that play’
Mauer is 8th in baseball in CS% and 8th in fewest steal attemps against, through Tuesday.
dont want to confuse the blogies with two AJ’s their not the brightest group of people i mean hell they probably want lamb to start in front of punto
AJ if you read this blog long you’ll find nobody is good enough to at least a few guys.
Beckett is right at 100 through 5 innings, haven’t heard on the radio if anyone is up in the Sox pen.
Hernandez 75 and counting, Twins pen has been fired up.
Blow it out your ass Robert! The sox are a team full of thugs. There best player has to go around pushing down 64 year old people. Yankees have more class than this team.
u cant be serious about the double play punto was jumping in the air when he threw it to 2nd
Sounds like Gardy is looking to get the thumb.
Shouldn’t there be an unearned run charged to Hernandez? Is it just presupposed that a runner on 2nd scores on a single?
Fan interference incorrectly not called. Twins get screwed.
I’m glad we could assist Manny out of his slump
They should’ve brought in Nathan during the third inning…
Well that’s within the rule, it is umpire judgement but I don’t remember the last time I actually saw it called that way.
please Gardy, take Livo out!
and here comes the boof.
You can’t handle the ‘oof.
no pitcher has given up 300 hits in a season in 30 years…until Livan in 2008
thank you
Livan - welcome to the club of fat guys I don’t like watching pitch. Carlos Silva and Scott Klingenbeck welcome you
I wonder if Liriano is watching this thinking is return may be coming soon.
How does Gardy leave in Livan against Casey who’s 14-28 lifetime against him, and with Manny on second? It’s time for Liriano to get his second shot this year, and the Twins need to make a trade for an 8th inning guy, cuz our guys arent cutting it, as Boof Gives up a double….
Livan might not make it…we do have a guy named Liriano who might joint the rotation soon…
However, this one will probably be shrugged off as a tough outing against a tough team…unless it’s backed up by a couple more gas-can outings…
The problem with Livian is that he has a tolerable start every other start, that and the whole “vet” thing means he will probably stick for another month.
Punto makes highlight reel plays because he runs around like a maniac flailing all over the place. I would rather have someone fundamentally sound that makes the routine plays that has a little pop to his bat. Maybe somebody like…Harris? It really wasn’t a coincidence that the offense surged when Punto was on the DL.
Livan is pitching batting practice again. This is where gardy should replace him but now its too late. Twins will be lucky if they win 2 game total on this roadtrip.
If anyone can get Varitek out of his pathetic slump its Boof.
Fan interference call is moot now that they got the hit.
Livo better not start again until July 21, use the all star break gardy and max out the pitching.
Boof’s first pitch was a cookie. Inning ends with no further damage though.
Now we’ll see if this team (including Boof) has any heart.
Jeff Reboulet says:
July 9th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Livan - welcome to the club of fat guys I don’t like watching pitch. Carlos Silva and Scott Klingenbeck welcome you
hahaahahaha
How about trading Livon before he gets another chance to start. He is not what the Twins pitching needs right now.
Ooh.. Kubel.
need more Kubel!
Speaking of maxing out the pitching around the break. Beckett is still in there.
I’ve got a fever…
have to get Young home here!
DY!!
Well, at least Morneau got to have the team hr lead to himself for a couple of innings.
Time to play for 1 run.
Livan should not be a starter for the Twins anymore. Even when he got off to a good record everyone was laughing about it because they knew it was smoke and mirrors. I cringe every time he’s scheduled to pitch. The talent is just not there anymore.
Tony,
if Morneau doean’t like it, he best hit another later!
If Boston swithes pitchers get Lamb out of there.
Maybe Francona didn’t get this year’s copy of “how to manage” a starting staff. Beckett with 100 pitches to start the inning. I thought there was a rule.
And, now he has to pay the price with HR/Dbl. Let’s win this one 10-9 in 10 innings.
Lamb vs lefty…. this is his chance to play more.
we NEED a good at-bat here, Lamb…
if you don’t give it to us, prepare to return to the witness protection program.
we better sit kubel for a couple of games or he’ll go through a 3-20 slump, right Jason? I kid.
or not
I think the Twins young pitchers have now learned all they can from Mr. Livan.
Its for them to get promoted to third grade and a new teacher.
I hope the new teacher can get the hitters out in addition to teaching his students.
Way to go Gardy and Lamb Chop.
One-a-day Men’s says sit down.
YES NICKY.
Lamb needs to be traded (no one will want him) or released. He has been one bad pick up for the Twins.
well he is 4 for his last 20, Tony…
but I would argue we should’ve expected a big game from Kubel today following some moderation…
I think I can speak for everyone when I say we all had total faith in Nick Punto
Nicky Punto you da man…
yeah, I said it….I still wouldn’t start him…but I’ll cheer!
Hernandez’ era is over 7 for the last 10 games he has pitched. Stop the madness and waive his @ss..at least to the bullpen.
Come on Harris!
i dislike LNP, but he has been hitting the ball some lately
Punto is showing form from 2006. Keep it up LNP.
sane,
i think Baker can become the new teacher.
WTF was that!!!!!!!!!!
I thought he was safe.
the good and the bad of nick punto
“Just a terrible base running play by Nick Punto”
–Red Sox play-by-play voice
Punto forgot that LF at Fenway is too short for that.
of course then he forgets to do the little things well
More bone-headed base running from LNP.
It’s 220 ft from the base of that wall to 3rd base and I don’t care how much guff he gets Manny is a pro at playing that thing. Not cool.
Wow, span walked. So punto would have been at 3rd anyway. I love wasting outs.
romer,
Sometimes, when you are safe, the umpire penalizes you for stupidity.
I think Span’s two walks should get him another start at leadoff…
That’s a least 4 outs on the bases in this series. Not acceptable.
Well, there you go.
what is the score
He wouldn’t be checking the runner at 2nd if the bases were loaded but…
Yep, as I stated before, Punto runs around like a maniac and flails all over the place. He’s an idiot and doesn’t play fundatmental baseball. He’s exactly what the Twins do NOT do, yet somehow gets to start even though he’s a utility man.
6-5 bad guys. bottom 6.
by the way…here we are…another Red Sox game…we’re 2 hours 20 minutes into this thing and we haven’t even completed six innings.
If ANY team needs to be scolded for slow play, it’s the Boston Red Sox, hands down!
That, and they are without a doubt, the ugliest group of athletes in all of pro sports.
…but I’m not bitter or anything.
i am starting to get pissed
Yes. More Kubel!
bisonaudit says
July 9th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
One-a-day Men’s says sit down.
Hahaha-HAH!
“That’s a least 4 outs on the bases in this series. Not acceptable.”
Right you are. But other than that and the BP, they’re doing good okay. 5 ER’s off Beckett.
I disagree Jason, Sam Cassell pushes whatever team he is on over the edge.
oh my word…
Yankees and Red Sox are the two slowest working staffs in all of baseball, and by a fair margin if I remember the hardball times story correctly.
Actually Tony, I think Kevin Youkalis has Cassell beat…
“…they’re doing good okay.”
Oops, now two goofs by Kubel. He hesitated on that throw to 3B.
where is all the delmon hate today?
What just happened with that Ellsbury play?
Senate just passed telecom immunity. I can’t decide which is more frustrating. That or this Red Sox series.
JASON:
gamecast shows a photo of each batter. everyone of them have goatees and deep lines in their faces. and manny has a bad haircut. i would walk him. they all look like serial killers.
very ugly.
The free kubel movement was to let the guy hit. Noone was ever pushing for him to lay out in the field.
Way to go Boof!
Thanks, Kubes…nullified your HR.
that was supposed to be play, but either works.
Should be another unearned run.
correct, that one isn’t ‘oof’s.
is boof looking ok? run wasn’t his fault was it? does he look better than livan did?
Should be, but apparently the official scorer is blind.
We got two cracks at this bully before the ugliest closer in pro sports takes the field….bring this one home, Twins!
They have the video of punto getting thrown out at 3rd on Gameday now. It looks like it was a good call.
Jason, Paps is unavailable today, so we get 3 cracks at ‘em.
that’s right…
bisonaudit, you got it wrong on the telecom immunity thing.
And I hope your frustration re the Twins changes real quick.
morneau = canadian for “stud”
For all the haters, LNP is now hitting……. .309
For all the lovers, LNP has been less-than-sharp in the field and is responsible for a bone-headed baserunning play.
Get on base Kubel….heck, go deep!
nick .309? he must have bulked up. he has more power but a LOT slower on the base paths.
Yeah Punto was out at third. Close play though.
3 fly balls to Kubel=free run
romer:
pretty confident that I’ve got it right
and I hope so too.
Good ab against a lefty by Kubes.
A good time for DY to redeem himself.
Redeem himself for what? The double earlier today or going 2-4 yesterday?
3-1 pick out your pitch…
Mike Lamb Professional Rally Killer
The Bases are Drunk.
Tony,
See game 1.
Thank you.
wow. Sawwwx return the favor…
PH for Lamb, please.
Kubel is looking a little less foolish out there in the sun field.
A beefed up LNP? I have noticed that his cheeks have puffed out and he seems to be putting on weight. Beaver cheeks.
To end the political discussion bisonaudit……I’m more on the left than on the right politically. But I just heard a thorough discussion and debate on MSNBC on the minutae (sp?) of the new legislation. And I had to conlude that it’s an improvement.
Come on, Lamb!!
what did they put a roof over fenway? i think there has only been 1 lost in the roof at the dome this yr. 2 in one gm. today.
Mike Lamb is up. Hopefully he won’t have to swing the bat and get walked.
ahhhhhhh!!!
Wow….LNP shut us all up, please.
pathetic, absolutely pathetic
Ok, what will LNP do to be loved or hated even more?
Even on Gamecast that didn’t seem like a good AB for Lamb.
Punto can…
Never mind. He still sucks. First pitch?!?
hated
Mike lamb needs to go somewhere else. He is useless and taking a spot on the roster. Bye Bye and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
watch this feeble at-bat by LNP….playoff preview
nice baserunning….little league
At least Lamb didn’t hit a DP ball. That’s all I was asking for.
Now Punto dribbles one…..
Hang in there, bullpen!!
Way to go Lamb and little nicholas. What a waste.
i wonder if souhan will hammer punto for 3-4 days over that at bat?
Punto with his best Delmon Young impersonation.
Shaun, ground back to the pitcher on the first pitch…
My intention not to rip on Punto lasted about 3 hours.
No one should be suprised by this…have the Twins gotten one big play this entire series. How many times can they leave the bases loaded. Oh well, at least this is the only appearance at Fenway…during the regular season anyway.
With Mike Lamb, LNP, and Livo on the roster = no playoffs this year.
Look, someone answer this question for me:
If you’re willing to pinch hit Harris for Buscher in the sixth inning of this game, why wouldn’t you pinch hit for Lamb in the seventh?
You have Monroe, Go-go, and Redmond on the bench…I can only imagine Gardy was dreaming of what Lamb did to Boston back in May.
JHC, Hansen has walked 17 in 25 innings and was 3-1 to the only guy who took a pitch the entire inning and we end up with 3 weak flys/nubbers. Those last two at-bats were pathetic.
Adam Everett has made the most solid contribution to this game of our free agent acquisitions by being several hundred miles away.
“With Mike Lamb, LNP, and Livo on the roster = no playoffs this year”
You forgot the other 22 players, but they will be mentioned by others, very soon.
The had a chance to do it earlier on a left/right and didn’t apparently because there’s no one on the bench who can play 1st base, and imagine the outcry here if we surrendered the DH.
“If you’re willing to pinch hit Harris for Buscher in the sixth inning of this game, why wouldn’t you pinch hit for Lamb in the seventh?”
RHP!
Jason, who would you put at first? You completely went off the deep end with Gardy pulling his DH option in the ninth to try to tie a game, but here you are basically telling him to do what you said no manager should ever do.
Which is it? Should the manager pull his DH in the 7th of a game, or is he an idiot for doing it in a last gasp situation?
Remember, you are on record as saying he was an idiot for doing it in the ninth in a last gasp effort.
Kubel is allergic to the ball today.
Off the blog.
Prediction —— 8-6 Boston.
“He’s not a very good outfielder”
That’s an exact quote from Red Sox radio color commentator re: Kubel.
sounds like boof isn’t getting much help?
That ball bounced.
MeToo,
Who was the poster who told us Span’s minor league stats would forever keep him out of the MLB?
Good Call Umps
Jason, still waiting on your reply
“Red Sox radio color commentator”
Thats my chosen TWINS expert.
He’s seen Kubel at least three games now, once in the outfield.
I agree, Me Too…
But that situation should’ve been contemplated when Gardy pinch hit for Buscher, as well.
What is this nonsense…the players should exit the field along with Gardy…let’s get to Detroit, already.
gardy just wanted to get into the ac.
The twins will limp to Detroit to play a day game tomorrow. Lucky if they win any of those games. Nice way to enter the all star break.
In other words, if by using Harris in that spot, you rid yourself the opportunity to pinch hit for Lamb later in the game, then it was a bad move to begin with…
Span has gotten some pretty terrible jumps on balls today
Don’t anybody try to convince me that Boston and the NY Yankees (and their fans) don’t influence home games through the intimidation of umpires. It never seems to cease.
I guess it’s just not terribly relevant to some of you that the ball actually hit the ground, it wasn’t a catch, and the umpires got the play correct.
whats the score/inning??? if it isn’t over already
Detroit is not nearly as good as Boston. I am not losing faith in the Twins this quickly. Pretty sad if that is the case.
8-5 bad guys bottom of 7, 1 out runners on 1st and 3rd
Mariano Riveria starting a 2nd inning pitched…. hmm
Breslow comes in gets an immediate SO…..hmm
“In other words, if by using Harris in that spot, you rid yourself the opportunity to pinch hit for Lamb later in the game, then it was a bad move to begin with…”
It was not a bad move.
Monroe batting for Lamb was not a good move regardless of the results of the Lamb AB. RHP means Lamb hits for himself. LHP means Monroe pinch hits.
sheisse
and now he’s 3-0 on the 9 hitter.
this series has been sooooo frustrating….what a bunch of garbage…the Twins are too good to have this crap happen to them…too many baserunning and fielding errors!
So Gardy got tossed arguing a trap call? Sounds like he wanted to be the first one on the bus….
Release Livan, bring up Liriano time!
He wasn’t arguing the call he was arguing the fact the ump changed his original call
Sorry Guys!
i was at the game monday, they haven’t won since
Gardy was hoping to motivate his ballclub. Hopefully it will work and we can beat Boston the same way they beat us last night.
You’ve got to find the plate there. There’s not much let up in this Boston line up but…
Monroe would play 1B before the DH would be abandoned.
sorry, we’ll agree to disagree, sane…if, by pinch hitting Harris for Buscher in the sixth inning, Gardy loses the chance to pinch hit for Lamb later in the game…then I say you let Buscher hit in that spot.
I do agree with Me Too, however…if no one else can play first base (meaning we lose the DH), then you can’t do that, either.
But but Shawn closers can’t pitch more than 1 inning!
Hey what do you know Breslow isn’t hurt after all
gardy is smart he’s in the clubhouse drinking a beer!
anybody watching how did boof look?
Twins can’t afford to put in Livon anymore unless they can give him the hook as soon as he starts throwing batting practice again. But why take a chance. Trade him if you can even for prospects.
“He wasn’t arguing the call he was arguing the fact the ump changed his original call”
Which is customary, but stupid.
To change a call from wrong to right should be applauded, but never is by the team that is ultimately hurt.
Pour some Bass on the fire!
another fielding mistake by D Young…talk about a demoralizing series.
I know Shaun, Rivera may die
Sane, I’ll quickly admitt that I didn’t think that Span was gonna turn it around this year. I am sure that I wasn’t alone with that opinion.
For that matter, I also didn’t think that Punto was going to be able to turn it around either.
I can honestly say that I am very, very happy to see that happen.
I don’t remember actually voicing my criticism of Span though? I only really remember saying that I didn’t think he was gonna stick up here, and then, well he has come on strong, and I have actually voiced my support, even talking about moving Span to left, Young to right, and hopefully getting Cuddy to work at third.
Well, so far, this game is sucking really bad. Great work bullpen.
at least i didn’t go to this game
I think I’m going to be sick… This has to be the last time we see Lamb playing in a Twins uniform.
Detroit..Here we come with no momentun or confidence. Good Luck Twins!
I was frustrated about Monday and Tuesday but not demoralized, today, well this has turned into an @$$ kicking.
jason you’re looking at this wrong. everybody is getting their chance.
we’re building character.
Juan Rincon’s spirit is alive and well in the Twins’ pen in this series.
Nick,
I am not sure Livan would even get the Twins a bag of sunflower seeds right now.
The Twins may cut all their pitchers, but someone still has to pitch.
No one has escaped the shelling except Nathan - the lucky b-st-rd!
Pedroia will have Bass on his Christmas list this year. 2 pitches=2 doubles. If this doesn’t help destroy Bass, I don’t know what will. And, if the umps got it right, why did the second base ump signal out on the Varitek/Span play. Does it have anything to do with this being the same crew (sans Runge) that the Twins had in Milwaukee?
*vomit* *vomit* *vomit*
maybe they will bring Nathan in to get some work in…. or just to make this stop
jason the 13 runs are youngs fault they are hammering the ball off the wall and he hasn’t played it like yaz?
MeToo,
You aren’t the guy.
You were on my side in that Span argument.
I was actually trying to remember who we were arguing with.
what an ugly baby!!!!!!!
As far as Bill Smith’s assessment that he really likes this team and doesn’t see an immediate need…..he maybe should rethink that. As solid as the Bullpen has been, without Neshek we struggle. A solid, veteran bullpen guy would look great right about now.
Now everyone is supposed to say “See I told you the Twins aren’t the real deal.” blah blah blah
I HATE the Red Sox.
The Twins do waaay better post all star break anyhow…
A Twins sweep by the White Sox was the catalyst to our winning streak anyway, maybe this is just what we need to go on another tear.
It’s the ALC teams that are more of a concern at this point anyway I believe, we all need to shake these last 3 games off, and break out our Manny VooDoo dolls ( and the rest of the Sox as well).
It’s a good old-fashioned Bass kicking!
Shelling? Didn’t we have like a dozen quality starts in a row coming into today?
Today has certainly turned into a shelling but I’ve been pleasently supprised by the starting pitching and not at all supprised by Senior Smoke Free’s performance.
lol bringing Nathan into this game would be the ultimate insult to all Twins fans…
let Bass and Reyes finish this ugly series and let’s get out of Dodge already.
What purpose do Bass and Bonser serve on this team? Do you think the trib is going to run anymore “Bonser is thinner so he shouldn’t be the same crappy pitcher he always was” stories in the next couple of days?
Sweet mercy… that felt like a Baseball Stars game without the mercy rule. I hate losing the Red Sox, and I hate their fans, and I hate the fact Varitek got into the All Star game because he’s a “leader”… ugh…
The 2nd base umpire made a mistake, that’s not his call to make. The 1st base umpire had the call correct from the start and set the other guy straight.
“And, if the umps got it right, why did the second base ump signal out on the Varitek/Span play”
The umps got it wrong, then corrected it before it was too late.
Our Justice System should work that well.
gobble….
The Red Sox radio guy correctly pointed out it was the second time this series that D Young made the mistake of going back on a ball that was going to clearly be off the wall, resulting in more runners scoring than should have, both times.
This game isn’t on D Young, obviously. Heck, everyone played a part in this ugly loss…but it is relevant to point this out. This is the guy who has basically taken over LF when we’ve been platooning the position ever since Shannon Stewart left town–the point is, if he’s good enough to get the position every game, then he should be good enough not to be making these mistakes….regardless of age.
The only person Hernandez is fooling this year is the Polahds. What a joke this guy is.
gardy will have all the beer drank before the game is over.
I think I would too.
Well, lets see what the Twins do against the bullpen. I want to see them at least score a couple runs here. They need to go out on a positive note. Even in blowouts, something can be gained.
No team is ever as bad as they look in a blowout, nor as good as they look in a no-no.
Nice thing for the Twins, they get to play again tommorrow, so they can get back at it, and hopefully start the winning again.
In an ironic twist, the scoring line in the boxscore is the zip code for Louisville, Kentucky.
Score??????
I am now hearing from ESPN that of all the potential teams to go to the playoffs, the Twins are near the top to “steal” the division with an acquisition / trade. I do not see Bonser nor Bass here any longer. We also should seriously consider Young and Lamb for trade. Any minor leaguers that we could use and/or trade, and who should we acquire? Today’s debacle is showing Bonser, Bass, Young, Lamb and (maybe) Hernandez as MAJOR deficits for this team. Your thoughts??
You’ve got a 9 run lead! Just throw strikes!
Back to Reality!!!!
Anyone else can’t stand Dustin Pedroia? He looks like a mixture between Teen Wolf, a Hobbit, a chihuahua, and Penelope Cruz.
Its all on Gardy.
His ejection cost us nine runs.
Dang, a pitching change?
Do the boys at the 4 letter have any Idea who we’re going to trade to whom for what?
Score????????????
If memory serves, and I’m sure you stat guys will correct me, but we’ve had very few games like this this year, let’s just get this out of the way so we can go back to winning.
I’m talking myself down from the edge…
Or are they just desperately hoping someone will challenge the White Sox so that they can run a Ozzie interview everyother day all September.
14-5 top 8.
jason most lf’s visiting fenway have trouble with the balls off the wall. this is a team effort no need to always blame young for every loss, gomez misplayed one yesterday, kubal a few in right.
guys have trouble with the same thing all the time in the dome off the baggy.
Ziggy, it’s 14 to 5 top of the 8th
bison, i didn’t like the way you gave that score! i detected a tone.
How is that not an infield fly?
what a joke…why am i still listening to this game?????
they have a triple play taken off the board and subsequently score seven runs in the inning…we hit into a 6-4-5 double play the next inning.
bite me
Because we’re in Boston.
You’re up 9! Just throw strikes!
you’re right, gobble. D Young has been fundamentally sound in the OF all season, no need to harp on him for this series at Boston.
How dumb of me.
Plus, I’m not sure, but isn’t he a fairly young player? How old is he again?
frankly i don’t see why everybody is so down. we only need two grandslams and a solo home run to tie…
You know Delmon is having problems when with every pop or fly out to him, Dick Bremmer is saying “If he sees the ball he’ll catch it”…
and this game…is TIED!
Hey h. I don’t wanna tie, I wanna WIN!!!!!
That “Young” guy should change his name to “Stiff.” BTW - He and his brother went to different high schools here in Ventura County. My take is he is no Willie Mays nor should be considered to have half the skills everyone seems to sign about.
I would bring Gomez in to pitch the eighth.
The sun will come out tomorrow,
Bet your bottom dollar there’ll be sun.
Just thinkin’ about tomorrow….
jason nice, he has had some problems but every loss isn’t his fault. but if you feel better blaming every loss on him have at it. must be a souhan guy.
Speaking of “Stiffs,” they should bring Calvin Griffith in to pitch.
I didn’t know people in Boston liked to fry up fish so much. I mean I could understand if we were in Minnesota, but honestly now.
Not that I care, really, but you know.
I hate it when Gardy “throws” games like these. Pretty soon we’ll be seeing a field goal in this game, which is now 15-5.
Why not give them another!
Bass, I am really wondering if your fish is fried.
Gotta think that if the Twins drop down to 11, they pretty much know who is gonna get sacrificed to the waiver Gods.
Just thinkin’ about tomorrow….
wipes away the sadness and the sorrow till there’s none!
When I’m stuck with a day…
Did I hear that right….did Randy Moss just hit a triple?
they should bring nathan in!
Bass is gonna pitch for the cycle this inning.
“that’s gray and lonely!! I just pick up my chin and grin and say!!!”
LOL Bass goes from being counted on in the 8th inning of a tie game on Monday, to mopping up a 15-5 loss on Wednesday…
What a painful downgrade.
I would try to pass Boof to the minors now…. he might not make it, but then, he might.
Does Houston need a 3rd baseman or shortstop. I think the Twins could accomadate them. This was the 2 worst offseason moves the Twins made. Now were stuck with them.
Detroit is next and MOTS for these kids - not a bad minor league team is what they say here.
The sun will come out tomorrow,
Bet your bottom dollar there’ll be sun.
Just thinkin’ about tomorrow….
wipes away the sadness and the sorrow till there’s none!
When I’m stuck with a day…
thats gray and lonely.
I stick out my chin…and grin..and say:
The sun will come out tomorrow…..
AW, SHUDDUP KID!!!!!
everyone!
“THE SUN WILL COME OUT TOMORROW!!”
Does anyone who is more knowledgeable about such things have any ideas what solid, 8th-inning power relievers might be inhabiting the bottom feeders out there? Colorado, Washington, Atlanta, Baltimore, Toronto, Houston, San Diego,etc might be willing to make a deal for their “next years.” Just looking for some names that might make sense.
Also, is it pretty much a given (based on Joe C.’s comment this a.m.) that 3B is the most likely position to upgrade? I have heard Beltre, Kouz, Atkins and maybe a Dodger mentioned…any others? Or is shortstop a legit place to look as well/instead? I know, I know HOF Punto is manning short, but are there serious candidates? I assume everyone agrees that a righthanded hitter is required in any upgrade, correct?
I think the twins should keep Bonser and see if they can fix whatever he is doing wrong. If they put him on waivers he will be picked up by some team and the Twins will eat 1/2 his salary.
Who remembers when this game was 3-0 Twins? Boy those were the times.
Twins don’t have to pick up salary of guys picked up on waivers
Shaun, when the game was 3-0, I boldy, but without any joy, predicted a Bosox win
Someone scrape the charred remains of that Bass off the grill. He’s cooked to a crisp.
LOL
might as well let everyone give up runs
kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuubel!!!!
Bring Nathan in already….
wouldn’t do it in the 8th on Mon.
wouldn’t do it in the 8th last night..
at least do it in the 9th tonight!!!!
guess the Sawwwx probably won’t be batting in the 9th today.
Wow. I go away for a meeting and come back to see the Twins getting whupped and kicked out of town with their tails between their legs. Looks like Reusse was not far off the mark with his prediction for today’s game. Ugly, absolutely ugly.
KAY:
Don’t jump off the bandwagon! Noon start tomorrow.
The Strib said it’s Christmas In July day in Detroit, that’s why we get a nooner.
(so………..this is christmas eve? ? ?)
Mike Lamb’s last bat as a Twin?
Doubtful. I like the optimism, though!
Wow, I have to be away for an hour and look what you left me with. Crap.
All I gotta say is deja vu whities. It seemed like the end of the world then too.
This does seem a lot like 2006. We had 3 streaks of 8 to 10 game winning streaks in June/July with an ugly 5 losses in 6 game streak.
This comes from your resident rose colored glasses commentator and stress counselor.
(P.S. I think the key error in today’s game was Gomez sitting out. Think about it… compared to the last 2 games… hmmmm…). OK. I am kidding. Don’t throw anything.
Really…Mike’s last at bat. I will be reading the paper tomorrow for the details….Good Times….
best relief pitcher is houston street a’s will want a lot.
beltre may not be real expensive because of his contract. atkins will be costly. maybe kouzmanoff would be the cheapest.
does anybody know what guys in aaa will be out of options this winter?
No heart.
I couldn’t have written a more fitting end to that disaster!
I have a song request for DJ Bill Smith: “Livan on a Jet Plane”
Kouzmanoff will not come cheap. He is still young and under team control. He would cost more than Beltre.
ES 16, I’m lovin it.
“Don’t know when I’ll pitch again”
ES…Don’t forget about Lamb and everett too. Good bye to those 3 players that can’t help the Twins but only hurt their chances.
I hope Gardy has his Milwaukee speech in his back pocket. Mr. Smith please trade Livan to any foolish team that wants him. I posted a few days ago that we need to go out and get a quality reliever to have a chance to win this division. Losing Neshek really hurt. Very obvious Monday night when we had to bring in Bass. Very obvious last night as Guerrier had a meltdown. And very obvious today when you have to use both 5.50 era guys like Bonser and Bass again. This staff needs some help. There has to be a quality 7th or 8th inning guy out there. Get to work Mr. Smith. Don’t stand pat in a la Terry Ryan. Try to improve this ballclub.
I’ll be ok Mudcat. I heard that the sun is going to come out tomorrow. I bet my bottom dollar.
Hernandez should be traded in order to make room in the starting rotation for Liriano. Blackburn, Baker, Perkins, and Slowey are all pitching good. It is only Hernandez who is a slug. Bonser, Hernandez, and Punto should be trade for bullpen help down the stretch.
Yeah, but Liriano hasn’t looked that fantastic in the minors yet… When does he stop being a Super 2?
The sun will be shinning tommorow on Detroit. Go Twins
The weather forcast is…
Sunny during the morning. Partly sunny during the afternoon. Highs 81 to 85. Variable winds 10 mph or less.
Liriano needs to keep pitch count down. Untill he does, he probably won’t be called up.
We are not going to cut or trade half the Twins roster!!!
Either pick out three players and come to a consensus in the next five minutes, or EVERYBODY IS STAYING!!!!!
All right.
Get started!
It’s time to make a move for another solid reliever like Heath Bell. I’ve seen enough of Bass and Bonser in a Twins uniform.
well that series was a reality check if I ever saw one.
Lamb, Everett, Liriano…
When’s Tolbert back?
There is no trade market for Hernandez. The only thing you can do with Hernandez is release him. Which is what will happen, I’m sure, when the Twins decide Liriano is ready, or they can stomach no more of Livan, whichever comes first.
By the way…well played ES16. You are currently in second place behind Sane for post of the month.
jama i didn’t say cheap i said cheapest. none of these guys would come cheap.
Yo Bill! I want atkins AND Bell! Lets make a deal!
Monroe, Lamb and Everett
OK.
Your five minutes are up!
No decision?
All, right.
Everyone is staying on the roster.
You f-cked up your opportunity!
Just like the players!
this is like a month ago when players were being cut, traded, shot, water boarded, sent to gitmo. will there be anyone left to field a team tomorrow?
I just blacked out from rage… lamb, everett and Livan, but since Everet isn’t really on the roster because he’s “injured” and it would be nice to make roster room for Macri or Tolbert… I don’t know
Three players, Bill:
1. “Livan on a jet plane” has a nice ring to it. Livan is DFA’d before you get on the plane at Logan Int’l. Recall the best bullpen arm you’ve got in Rochester to help over the next four days…your pen is in a bit of disarray at the moment. You’ve got Liriano starting for Rochester tomorrow, I believe. Five innings max, he joins the rotation after the ASB on whatever day makes sense to your manager. He gets a nice long break in the meantime.
2. Lamb is traded for whatever you can get, or DFA’d if you can’t get anything. Meantime, you call Seattle and agree to take on Beltre’s entire salary, meaning you get him cheap. Beltre is the everyday 3Bman, with Buscher a LH bat on the bench and getting the occasional start against a tough RHer. I know it’s gonna look bad to go to your boss and tell you not only want to take on $18M in salary, but you want him to pay Mike Lamb to play for someone else as well, but bite the bullet. You’ve got some salary space.
3. Bass is sent to Rochester. If he’s claimed, what’s the loss? Recall the second best reliever in Rochester. While he’s on the plane to join you in Detroit, you work the phones to find someone who can step into a late inning relief role and actually get people out.
Possible trade pieces: Any pitching at the AA/A level. I’d say at the AAA level as well, but nobody there is going to get you anything. Span if necessary, before he remembers he’s Denard Span.
Oh, and while your at it, remind Gardy that the team was doing just fine with Harris at short, and Punto in a reserve role.
h.,
Sorry.
Your 4:18 post suggested we cut Lamb Everett and Liriano.
I may be drunk, but we are NOT cutting Liriano so your suggestion was rejected.
We are now forced to keep everyone.
Thanks for the help!
SLAM!!! jimmy bee walks into the room. Looks at the computer, then shrugs shoulders (enough said) . Walks away vey quietly whistling “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow”.
I think Livan gets a couple more starts before they 86 him…
As for Lamb, he can be UPS’d immediately as far as I’m concerned…
We need that extra bullpen arm we’ve been talking about and we need to quit messing with the lineup…if Gardy sleeps better at night with Punto at short, then so be it…but Harris has to play third then. Personally, I wish they’d have Harris at short, Buscher at third, and Punto at utility infielder–where he is supposed to be all along.
We bounced back nicely from the White Sox sweep, but this time around, our bounce back doesn’t include the feeble NL…it includes four at Detroit and three at NY Yankees…
We have our work cut out for us.
usa sounds like a plan get it done, i’ll be waiting for the news, will it be on espn tonight?
I said yesterday that Livan should be left in the game even if his pitch count was 200 and the team is ahead by one run. Well I don’t think that he would have done worse than the blowpen did today. At least I can laugh this one off.
Agree, gatty. Laugh it off. Saw the following game recap and hi-lite video on ESPN. My take on the “Trap”:
Those are seldom catches, easily ruled a trap. The ump makes a bold call and rules it a catch. The arrogant Sox players all run home to try to “sell” the base hit and raise their arms in obvious fashions. They just can’t believe it! Then the ANNOUNCER says it’s a triple play, “For now.” The announce say’s “triple play FOR NOW” ? ? ? Announcers influence umps now? WTF ? ? Then replays started being passed around the stands and the fans went wild. So now the fans are influencing the umps. BUT WE DON’T HAVE REPLAYS IN BASEBALL ! ! ! There ARE replays, but
Agree, gatty. Laugh it off. Saw the following on ESPN. My take on the “Trap”:
Those are seldom catches, easily ruled a trap. The ump makes a bold call and rules it a catch. The arrogant Sox players all run home to try to “sell” the base hit and raise their arms in obvious surprise. They just can’t believe it! Then the ANNOUNCER says it’s a triple play, “For now.” The announce say’s “triple play FOR NOW” ? ? ? Announcers influence umps now? WTF ? ? Then replays started being passed around the stands and the fans went wild. So now the fans are influencing the umps. BUT WE DON’T HAVE REPLAYS IN BASEBALL ! ! ! There ARE replays, but WE DON’T HAVE REPLAYS IN BASEBALL ! ! ! The timid umps reverse the call. Take a look:
you can eject me off the blog now
I have a question for all those Twins fans out there who are still crying over seeing their team completely humiliated by a vastly superior team:
Exactly how embarassing is it for you all to have the manager that you have? What a pinhead! We give his team the beating of their pathetic lives and he has the audacity to blame the umps!!!!! What an ego! The Spam Boy didn’t catch the ball, it’s that simple! But he has to run his little chubby cherub body out there holding up the game in 98 degree heat just to stall and vent over the fact that he couldn’t motivate the tide to hit the seashore let alone motivate a team of spare parts to actually play what the rest of us call the game of baseball. Now maybe if this was cricket he might actually have a team that could contend with us big boys. But since its not, get your chubby little ass and Kris Kringle face back to the lockeroom we designate for losers around here, and keep your mouth shut and keep your middle finger to yourself you classless little twit! After the absolute smack-down we laid onto his slap-nuts team you’d think he would just keep his big mouth shut and sneak out of town with his head hanging like a scolded pup. BUT NO, not this idiot! Instead he calls the media into the lockeroom so they can all tape him ranting about the umps and swearing revenge on the same team that just got done wiping his fat little cherub Kris Kringle face in his own pile of crap for “running up the score.” How pathetic!!!! I’d be embarassed to admit that I was even from that miserable feminist-controlled state of pan-zies and lame-waiffies if I were you! Yeah, the Nation has really got to apologize for kickin his pathetic team’s ass (who put up about as much fight as napping sloth) all over a real park for three days in a row because they don’t know how to play the game let alone hit a ball out of the infield. And where’s this revenge gonna come from considering his team will be battling for fourth place in their crappy division when we’ll have long since locked up another post-season birth and ultimately another world championship in title town, USA. What a mutt! C’mon back any time..your boys will still have our boot soles imprinted on their little tooshies! What a loser!
Hey Beaker! You can’t come here and bad mouth our manager ! ! !
Only WE can bad mouth our manager.
Wow, this Mudcat guy up here sounds like your pathetic ass manager! He has gotta be a Twinkies fan, that’s obviously the choice team for retards everywhere going by some of these posts we’re reading on this hokie-amateur blog for losers. So you’d prefer that the umps make the wrong call then have to live with the right one? And what difference would it have made???? We beat your little bunch of pretenders by 36 runs!!!!! It’s our fault though for booing that your little Triple A outfielder DIDN’T catch the ball. Amazing! Is that the same logic that’s used in that hillbilly state of yours when you’re building bridges???
Dear Beacon Bill Buckner:
LMAO ! ! !
BTW, glad you guys didn’t want Ellsbury! You guys got the little kid with the ears like the monkey on a box of Cocoa Krispies and has to bunt all the time cause he swings the bat like a one-armed girl scout instead. Nice move!
Buckner, who’s Buckner??? Oh, is that the guy we ran out of town two decades ago much you all ran the Big Poppi out of town??? HAH!! What losers.
B H Barker, your mom wants you to come upstairs & do the dishes.
Wow, you guys do live in the past up there. I mean you still go around bragging how you won a World Series in ‘85 or ‘86 when the Cardinals had practically their entire roster hurt and yet you don’t remember the likes of David Ortiz, Randy Moss, and Kevin Garnett…HAH! Honestly, why does your hillbilly state continue to just give away all their best players??? Is it because everyone there is cheap or just the owners of your sports teams?
Remember this?
Remember this?
Hey Beacon, how about the Undefeated season your Pats screwed up? I am sure that one has you all proud and creaming your shorts.
Truth is, the Twins got spanked, but as we all know, one series does not a season make, and as far as I can tell, there is no guarantee that your beloved Beanies will get to the postseason. Last I checked, you weren’t in first, and for some reason I see the Yanks heating up and puttng a spanking on the Sox. Yeah, I am sure that will be fun for you Beacon.
Remember this, BHB?
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_gamepage.jsp?story_page=bb_78aleast_playoff_nyybos
Remember him?
Well Boston lost 3 of 4 here earlier this year so stop with the smack talk you pathetic troll. Sox didn’t ecaxxtly look stellar their last roadtrip did they? LOL
If I recall “ecaxxtly,” the juggernaut did not have Manny, Drew, or Beck for that series in that compound you call a stadium (and of which only your team knows how to play in) as much as we didn’t have the Big Popster for this one…and we still swept, didn’t we? Hah!
-The Nation
P.S. Is “ecaxxtly” anything like “You betcha”?
Doesn’t matter who you didn’t have. Dumbass. Grow up. You think you are making yourself look good and feel better by trolling? Sorry but all you look like is pathetic. How did Boston do on the road recently? Give it a rest.
Sorry but Red Sox are supposed to be so talented it should not have mattered at the dome. They lost 3 of 4 and no excuses are going to chang that.
Another thing, one of the Twins bst set up relivers is out for the year. Don’t act as if the Red Sox are the only team that has injuries.
I’m sorry Nora (were you a member of Mel’s Diner by chance?). I apologize for being a dumbass and I promise that I’ll make efforts to “chang” that. HAH! “Hello Mr. Pot, I’m Ms. Kettle. Man, do you ever look black today.”
Condolences,
-The Nation
P.S. What’s “trolling?” Is it anything like “ecaxxtly” and “You betcha?” God, those Minnesota schools must be failing the taxpayers big time.
Yes because a typos are too much for you to figure out. Bostons school systems isn’t very good it seems either. You don’t know what trolling is? It is what you are doing. People with nothing better to boost their self esteem by living through their team.
Is trolling making your life less pathetic yet? LOL
No Nora, watching ESPN highlights of your team getting beat by 17 runs is. LOL.
“You don’t know what trolling is? * * * People with nothing better to [DO THEN]boost their self esteem by living through their team.”
Isn’t that what’s called a “fan.” Oh, wait, you people there wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?
Sympathies from…
-The Nation.
Being a fan does not mean living your entire life through them like you seem too.
Otherwise you would not be trolling boards of other teams. It’s pretty pathetic practice. Sorry but not all fans do that–they have lives outside of their team. LOL
Oh, I see…I see. And how EXACTLY is Mardi Gras going over at your house tonight, Madonna?
Regards,
-The Nation.
