Twins 4, Yankees 0: Perkins’ payback
Posted on August 11th, 2008 – 11:22 PMBy Joe Christensen
Glen Perkins is 9-3, and two of those losses came against the Yankees.
He got one back Monday, pitching eight innings, as the Twins blanked New York for only the second time since 1996.
(The last one came May 8, 2001 — Eric Milton’s four-hitter at Yankee Stadium. Before that, it was June 24, 1996 — Rich Robertson’s eight-hitter at the Metrodome. … Rich Robertson? Yes, we had the same reaction.)
As Perkins noted, both of his previous losses to New York came with Mike Mussina pitching for the Yankees. All Mussina has done is go 15-7 with a 3.27 ERA this season.
Mussina is 22-6 with a 3.26 ERA for his career against the Twins. He faces them again Tuesday.
All-time leaders in career victories against the Twins: Roger Clemens (24), Jack Morris (23), Mike Mussina (22), Mel Stottlemyre (22), Mudcat Grant (22), Whitey Ford (22), Chuck Finley (22).
“Hopefully someone else can have a crack at [Mussina] tomorrow and try to solve that mystery,” Perkins said.
The challenge falls to fellow rookie Nick Blackburn.
46 Responses to "Twins 4, Yankees 0: Perkins’ payback"
Great game to watch on TV. Back in first to stay this time…
James Grant spent almost four complete seasons (1964-1968) playing for the Twins. If Cleveland had kept him, there is no telling how many times he would have beaten the Twins.
Correction: Make that 1964 - 1967.
Everett’s 2-run homer drove in the winning runs against the damn Yankees. Where are the Everett haters tonight?
@ Dave T
Right here. I believe the cliche goes “Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes…”
Dave,
The Everett haters are hanging out until tomorrow when Everett will make another crucial error to lose the game. You heard it here first.
As soon as Casilla is back, Everett should be shipped back to Rochester.
How about Punto getting shipped out?? He’s the worst hitter in the major leagues right now.
Is Perkins technically a rookie? Would he be eligible for the rookie of the year award?
JP says:
August 12th, 2008 at 12:01 am
“Craig
I posted this on another Twins site, if Everett and his arm his healthy, I have no problem with as our starting shortstop. When Casilla does come back Punto should go to the bench. I would say Harris has shown that he is a capable fielding 3rd baseman with a great arm. And not even you can deny that Harris is a better hitter.”
I don’t know about that, JP. Skipper’s little buddy is still holding his own against LHP:
OBP SLG AVG
.315 .389 .306 - Punto
.315 .395 .254 - Harris
Punto might become Buscher’s platoon partner. He has more experience than Harris, playing 3B. He is also the superior fielder.
I believe we blanked the Yankees in the play-offs in 2004 in game one from Santana.
I haven’t seen much of Ev, but from what I’ve see, I have to agree, there is truly something special about this guy in the field. He appears to possess superior natural ability, combined with incredible instincts. He’s kind of freakish, but in a good sense.
“He’s kind of freakish, but in a good sense.”
Wish he had a stronger arm. Maybe he could take Bass’s place.
“Is Perkins technically a rookie? Would he be eligible for the rookie of the year award?”
Dunno, but he spent a good deal of time on the DL last year which I presume counts as playing time.
Went to the SethSpeaks blog seeking more info, and found this tidbit:
Everett should be in the 2-hole instead of Punto because the former does the fundamentals more correctly at the plate compared to the latter.
I like the idea……..
If Punto must start, he should be 9th.
Expecting Mussina to dominate the Twins tonight.
Rubber game on Wednesday could very well be the pivot point of the Twins’ season.
Mussina usually pitches Great against the Twins. BUT so does Ponson and the Twins found a way last night. Twins have a special thing going at home this year!!
Punto can play just about every position. Every team should have a guy like him. Utility is what he’s best at, cause when he’s on the bench for a while he gets that itch to play hard and usually hits better. When playing every day he tapers off fairly fast.
Blackburn needs to pitch well tonight
Great job by Perkins!! I would have liked to see him try for the shutout though!
Everett can field but I think Gagne was better
Rubber game on Wednesday could very well be the pivot point of the Twins’ season.
There’s been a lot of those in the last few weeks…
As far as shipping Everett when Casilla’s back…you sure? That leaves Punto still on the Twins roster?
I know it’s basically the lesser of two evils and all, but that’s not exactly a win/loss situation with those two.
Jack Morris used to beat the hell out of the Twins….but everyone will trade those losses for that Game 7 win.
Seth,
Yes, Perkins is a rookie and is eligible for ROY. But IMHO he isn’t the top Rookie on the club. I would give that honor to Blackburn, if for no other reason that he has been with the club all year.
Perkins will barely get enough innings to qualify for the ERA title and I don’t think Span or Casilla will get enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title.
I agree with Stupid. Punto is a very good utility player that can play all positions and is valuable in that role. It seems as though the less he plays, the better he plays.
Span I think has a better chance at ROY than any Twins pitcher. Especially considering he’s gotten WAY more press time on the national side of things than any of the Twins young rot’.
I only say that because the more national press a player gets the more likely other writers will take notice.
With Longoria on the DL, now’s the chance for rookies around the league to make themselves known.
Yeah…. 2004 ALDS. Mussina got the loss too. That was a good game, boy.
Longoria may only be out 2 weeks. If he comes back, he’s still a lock for the RoY.
But, Span, Blackburn, and Perkins have all been very good, for rookies or non-rookies.
I think Longoria has ROY locked even if he is out for the season.
I don’t think Span has a chance since he will only have played about half of a season.
I have a “Mudcat Grant” signed ball, not sure how it relates. 
I am reading on how to BBQ a pizza outside. Back to baseball. Perkins was cruising yesterday. I think the Yankees look one step slower with getting older and no juice power to speed the players up.
“I think Longoria has ROY locked even if he is out for the season.
I don’t think Span has a chance since he will only have played about half of a season.”
If Longoria is out for the year he’s only played about half the year too. You’re right though, he’s pretty much a lock no matter what. Span will be in the discussion though.
Machado up, Ruiz down? That’s my preference. Nick is doing nothing since the finger injury, and Machado could help. A guy (Ruiz) sitting on the bench doesn’t help.
Barring any setbacks, Casilla could head off for a Minor League rehabilitation assignment by the start of next week. The hope is that Casilla would possibly be ready to rejoin the team for the start of its 14-game road trip that begins on Aug. 21 in Anaheim.
“When I come back now, it’s going to feel good because I’m feeling good now,” Casilla said. “I’m going to be hitting left and right.” - mlb.com August 8.
Correction: mlb.com, August 12.
I wish we would have added Dunn to the lineup but I know it would have made CP mad each week with the repair bills needed to replace broken speakers, Roof materials and wiring components each time Dunn went to the plate. This must be the reasoning behind not acquiring him.
The New and Improved Craig Nooner today
The Twins have 8 games remaining before Aug 21, and it would be a nice opportunity to look at Machado at 2B.
Hi jimmy,
She’s a sweet young thing, who works in the copy room. Very beautiful, but not too bright. I hope no one asked her what she had for lunch yesterday.
why craig? punto is a superior fielder maybe the best fielding infielder in the game right now and he got a bunt down last night and made contact each at bat so he’s ready to break out with a big series at the plate. no need for any other 2b!
The only reason I think Longoria could lose ROY with this injury is if he’s down long enough.
We know how much the press likes a horse race. So put Longoria out for a month or so and they’ll find some other horse to hitch their wagon too.
I mean, whatever happened to Hamilton after the ASG? He was the guy everybody talked about, now I hardly hear anything about him (more about Bradley until he got hurt actually)
gobble,
You might be right.
Hoorah for Punto. Keep the Twins version of Ozzie Smith out there for his defensive prowless. I still think he is the Twins best option
Well, that does it. Everyone likes Punto. I was starting to have some misgivings, but if everyone wants him to play, I’m on board.
I’m impressed by this fanbase’s ability to remain bitter even after a big win.
Could you imagine if we were all in New York right now? I bet we’d be burning down Yankee Stadium right now. All those wasted dollars and boneheaded trades.
Single handedly destroying his team that Cashman…
I am going to go out and get my own rally monkey.
I sense no bitterness maybe it’s time to look inward??
Does anyone ever wonder how far in the dome a driver would hit a golf ball from home plate.
no bitterness, we are all giddy with the big win. a sense of euphoria has come over this blog so enjoy it, it will only last until the next loss.
someone is just sad he has no material to poke at
I think Perk was going to pitch Monday no matter what. He probably knew that if he missed Monday that he would have to face Mussina again on Tuesday. Since he faced Mussina in 2 of his 3 losses, he definitely didn’t want to face him again if he could help it.
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