Thursday lineups: Twins/Angels
Posted on August 21st, 2008 – 6:16 PMBy Joe Christensen
ANAHEIM — Alexi Casilla is back at second base, and back in the No. 2 spot for the Twins, as expected.
Updates to come…
Update (7:55 p.m.): As La Velle reported earlier, Brian Bass has accepted his assignment to Class AAA Rochester and was expected to be there tonight.
Delmon Young told Gardy his right ankle is good to go, so he’s back in left field again.
I noticed Casilla had success from both sides of the plate for Class A Beloit. He was 2-for-4 batting righthanded and 2-for3 batting lefthanded. Going in, he had talked about his thumb hurting when he swings lefthanded, but we’ll get a good look tonight against John Lackey.
Also, a group of reporters flocked to Torii Hunter’s locker, of course. He was animated as usual. I’ll have more on that for first edition. He lives in Newport Coast now, not far from Kobe.
Twins (72-54)
1. Denard Span, RF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brendan Harris, 3B
8. Nick Punto, SS
9. Carlos Gomez, CF
Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker
Angels (77-48)
1. Chone Figgins, 3B
2. Erick Aybar, SS
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Vladimir Guerrero, RF
5. Torii Hunter, CF
6. Garrett Anderson, LF
7. Howie Kendrick 2B
8. Kendry Morales, DH
9. Mike Napoli, C
Starting pitcher: RH John Lackey
Angel Stadium. First pitch: 9:05 p.m.
719 Responses to "Thursday lineups: Twins/Angels"
Why isn’t Buscher playing against a righty? Is he hurt?
Welcome back Casilla! Twins will win this game, and win one other game in this series to split the series. The Twins will be 8-6 in this road trip. You can go ahead and write that down.
punto, punto, punto.
I like that lineup for a playoff push.
Where is Buscher?
I suspect Gardy is fed up with Buschers scatter arm at third.
Heal fast Tolbert! Maybe we can then put Punto on the bench.
Harris with a shotgun for an arm or Harris with no range. Tough choice.
Ugh… meant Buscher with a shotgun of for an arm.
Yeah! a number 2 hitter who can put down a sacrifice!
JimCrikket,
Are you implying that Buscher has range?
I think Gardy has seen enough after yesterday with the spaghetti arm of Buscher. The team still likes pitching and defense from what I’ve read. We may be more apt to see BB at DH instead of 3B against a righty and Kubes in the outfield .
I think Harris’ range is fine at 3B, especially if Baryshnikov is at short.
I like this lineup pretty much.
I really hope the white sox lose some of these games with the rays. the white sox are good at home and they know that this is their opportunity to wrap up the division
At least we have our 4X100 relay team back at 8-9-1-2.
Thought we would see Lamb in there as DH with Kubel in right. Lamb has previous success against Lackey.
Buscher, Lamb, Ruiz, and Redmond on the bench to PH for Gomez in the late innings.
Then Everett replaces the PH at SS and Punto goes to the OF.
I don’t mean to speak ill of the dead, but I think we’ve seen the last of Lamb until and unless the team sinks out of the race. Even then I imagine he’s done. There are too many in-house options and too many trade opps in the off-season to invest any at-bats in Lamb.
The FO will part ways with the detritus of BS’s first effort and move on. And I don’t blame BS one bit. I made a lot of errors in the first days of most of my advancements.
BS made one huge error…he didn’t replace Neshek when he had a lot of time to do so in late June/early July. I bet he won’t screw that one up again and I bet we’ve seen the last of the washed out vet moves.
One thing the FO can note from this year…their farm boys have acquitted themselves very well. They’ll do that before we see another Batista.
[WN knocking on wood]
“detritus” … I had to look that one up Willie!
I agree. This is a very solid lineup for us. Remember that third base isn’t a range position, so Harris can play fine there. He’s a better third baseman than Buscher — but Busch has a lot more presence at the plate.
Our top six in this lineup is about as good as it gets. We’ll need four runs tonight to win. One way we might be able to get there is if we could pinch run Willie Norwood in a clutch moment.
T-Mouse, Rock the House
[…] Originally published by Around the Majors […]
I think I will take 5 RBI’s like Buscher had over one error…..
Buscher does need to straighten out his throws but I like his bat…..against righties.
T-Mouse,
You definitely need range at any position in the infield. Harris may not have outstanding range, but I’m surprised Crikket even implied that Buscher has any range whatsoever at third. You may as well put one of those big blue mailboxes there… that’s about the extent of Buscher’s range. And at least you know the mailbox wouldn’t throw it away. 
I don’t get how Buscher has more presence at the plate than Harris either. His average is 40 points higher, but Harris has 6 HRs and 26 doubles. Buscher hits more HRs per AB, but at least Harris has a chance versus both LHP and RHP… you can just chalk up an 0′fer if Busch-man is facing a lefty.
That’s not to say I’m not a Buscher supporter or anything; he’s helped this club a lot. However, I really don’t think there’s a vast difference between them at the plate, and Harris is much more versatile in the field. If were forced to cut one of them for some reason, I’d cut Buscher in a heartbeat.
I’d still rather see both in the lineup over you-know-who…
Harris has a couple of edges over Buscher. He can play two positions adequately and (I’m extrapolating here, I know) given a reasonable chance he can probably play 2B ok. Harris also has a very strong arm and , moveover, it is accurate.
Buscher may have it in him to work like Koskie or Morneau to become notable defenders. I doubt that the FO is going to give him the chance. They will make a trade or promote from within (I’m betting Valencia will be the guy, ultimately, unless they make a trade)
I am in no way demeaning Buscher, but the key to understanding the Byzantine mind of Gardy lies in his use of Punto and Everett. The man does, indeed, like defensive skill. And I am not sure he’s wrong.
Don’t get what’s up with all the Punto hate. He is by far our best defensive SS, and has hit the ball well of late. As long as his average hovers around .270-.260 he needs to be in the line-up. With him at short, casilla at 2nd and harris at 3rd, all of our infielders have SS caliber arms.
Willie Norwood, relative to other FO’s, defense counts more for the Twins FO, don’t you think? They have a boatload of incomplete infielders stopgapping right now. I really believe the plan is an off-season trade now that they are absolutely sure they have the starting pitching situation covered.
Willie,
I do agree that there’s nothing wrong with valuing defense. However, I think that on a night like tonight, when you’re facing a guy like John Lackey, you need to go with the guys who have past success against him.
Personally, I’d put Lamb (3-10 against Lackey) out there, who’s been swinging a good bat lately anyway, and Harris or Everett at SS. Punto’s 2-15 off Lackey in his career, and had a much tougher time against RHP than LHP this season.
My only complaint with Punto, given the resources available to the field staff, was putting him in the 2 hole. For whatever reason when he is in a sacrifice or moving-a-runner-over situation he gaks.
Stick him at 8 or 9 where he can relax and just play and I suspect he’ll be fine. I don’t mind a decent defending shortstop batting 8 or 9 and I really like, as someone already mentioned, the relay team aspects of 8-9-1-2. A regular buntathon, that bunch. Can you imagine Captain Cheeseburger facing those four and having four consecutive bunts? The downside is that Mauer would die.
Kinda weird…a lot less complaining on here when you put Casilla at 2nd and in the 2 hole.
bop,
I agree. I have no doubt that there will be two moves made (trades, I hope, and not a stretch FA)for a quality 3B, or perhaps a 2b with pop, and a very good bullpen arm. They simply cannot gamble that Neshek will be 100% and I think Gardy will throw cherry concentrate at BS if that isn’t addressed.
I expect the FO and field staff to sift through what is in the pipeline and what they have and shift to put a better defensive infield out there. And, depending what they decide, they may not sacrifice much offense.
The linchpin decision will be if Casilla is playing 2B or SS. I think all other IF decisions stem from that, including the amount they want to pay for Punto. Remember they have Tolbert, Macri, Hughes to play or trade.
Steve, you are probably right on paper. I just have a feeling that Lamb is about as important to Gardy right now as belly button lint. I really think he’s a dead man walking and is out of the equation, especially as Sep. 1 looms.
But you’re not wrong to think that that is a move.
There’s something annoying about facing a bunting team like the Twins, don’t you think. So fun to watch, and they should be even better with a little more refinement.
“JimCrikket,
Are you implying that Buscher has range?”
Well…Mr. Crikket, are you implying that Buscher has a laser quality arm?
[And I am refusing to say anything about Beltre tonight……at least.]
I think the ss/2b decision may have been made, and the Twins will find a shortstop. If you think about it, Macri, Buscher, Lamb, and Harris fail the profile because of defensive deficencies. I can envision two of them are gone next year, the other two after that. That leaves Tolbert to fight Punto for the utility roles along with Machado. Hughes, Plouffe and Valencia get more time to develop. But who knows, maybe Bill Smith shocks us and brings in complete players for TWO positions.
Romer,
Do you realize we would have to cover at least one spot in the starting rotation if we made a move for Beltre? Who would have you liked that to be? Boof, Livan, or someone from AAA. I much rather have our platoon at 3rd than giving away a win every 5th day
Punto hits .260-.270. Not high enough? OK .260-.375
Watching the extended pre-game on FSN, I think that there are improvements that could be made in their coverage:
1)Bert is too much 140 nights x 3.5 hours. Pair Dick with Roy Smalley (plus we’d have less views of Roy’s mane)
2) Rotate Bert with Tim Laudner as replacements for LaPanta’s partner. Laudner is pretty good and that would be just enough of Bert.
3) Get rid of Coom-dog. He’s not a Twin.
4) Keep Marney. Smart lady.
5) Ditch Telly and replace him with Al Newman or, better yet, the guy from Channel 9 who got screwed (Jeff someone, I think.) I don’t care too much about this one, but anyone but Telly. Maybe Hrbek would be a good in-game guy. Telly has to go.
Your suggestions welcome.
I also agree with Willie that they need a bona fide 8th inning guy, either free agent or trade this winter. Any move made this season will likely be stopgap.
I would not have been for it, but Seattle wanted one of our 4 young starters (at the time), OR Span. So we could have had the current rotation with Beltre, but without Span. We would have had Gomez in center and Kubel would have to play RF.
Yeah, if so many hitters are limp like Gardy says, why not Lamb in there one last time (v. Lackey) instead of Gomez?
Yeah…….Gomez has a 2-game hitting streak. These are personal decisions by the manager. So who knows.
Only asking personal questions by the poster.
Heading to the Lake (no running water, looks like the BWCA). Hope Gladden encourages the Twins to go more than 2-2 this series.
Telly is over-jobbed. He needs an outplacement service that introduces him to the Jim Lupient family of dealerships.
The best moment of my life may have been last year when i walked past ex-FSN North telecaster Ron Johnson in the Metrodome concourse. Never forget that one….
I would have liked to seen Young at DH today
birdofprey,
IMO Harris will be a better 3B (offensively and defensively)than Hughes, Plouffe and Valencia.
I could see a Harris blocking Valencia at 3B. If Buscher can correct his throwing disorder, it may remain a Harris/Buscher platoon at 3B.
Casilla should be moved to SS.
I agree that Punto and Tolbert battle for 2B until Hughes or Plouffe can play defense at their level.
I agree that Lamb and Macri are both terminal.
Hey, I just realized Baker vs Lackey was the Twins opening day match-up until they went out and got Livan…..
Willie Norwood:
Who are you?
I didn’t have to look up “detritus,” but I do note that your use of language is solid.
Sorry, just an old English major who, in grade school, was made to diagram too many sentences and memorize too many vocab words by those evil nuns. My cheeks still hurt.
At least we have our 4X100 relay team back at 8-9-1-2.
Let’s hope they can bass the baton properly. 
Does anybody have a strong opinion about the way the “15 day road trip” has been so much a topic on the airwaves, blogs, papers, etc.?
It seems like the emphasis has been greater than one might imagine. It seems like it has been shoved in the players’ faces by interviewers, writers, columnists, etc.
What do you think the players think? Will this be the ten pound gorilla that it has made out to be?
I tend to think that this has been circled in the clubhouse for a long time and that the players actually will be more attuned to show everybody up.
I’m kind of sick of the “Road Trip” from hell. I hope the players are sick of hearing about it, too.
Anybody else notice that we are 5.5 games behind the best team in all of baseball? That after losing 3 games to Seattle and KC that should have been won. That after getting killed by Boston, NY, and Whities in earlier series. Go figure. Twins are a resilient bunch this year.
One thing is for sure… a loss tonight and the Twins season is written off by at least 50 posts tonight/tomorrow. That’s a guarantee.
“What do you think the players think?”
I don’t know. Do players spend much time thinking about the media or fans at all?
I wouldn’t.
Most players think media are the scum of the earth… they probably won’t admit it, but they do..
T:
I know you are going to miss Brian Bass, but was your 8:44 a Freudian slip?
” Let’s hope they can bass the baton properly.”
Brian Bassturd
At least we have our 4X100 relay team back at 8-9-1-2.
Wouldn’t they be a 4×90 relay team?
Gardy went with the gloves tonight. He’s anticipating a close, low scoring game.
Welcome back, Lexi.
Baserunning gloves, also, Craig.
Justin Manure, at lease in that AB.
Could Bert talk about himself anymore than he already does on a nightly basis?
least
Morneau and Kubel choke.
Nice ab’s kubel and morneau
Anyone else notice hunter’s and kubel’s “basic” stats are the same?
Well, it looks like Scotty B. will have to have his mechanics and be on top of his game. Maybe he has one of those two hit shutouts in him tonight. IhopeIhopeIhope.
Damnit, I knew Morneau would have issues again after being in another HR derby.
Morneau and Kubel ugly. Lackey shouldn’t be that tough. He’s 10-2 this year and 19-9 last year, but never considered dominating, IMO.
Buscher would have butchered that one.
there goes Harris…
hate not to see Ruiz in the lineup, but oh well…
Um, make that a two-hit, one run game.
Baker throws a grape fruit down the middle
over under that Baker is going to pluck Torii?
Throw the Hunter to Hunter!
didn’t have to…
wimp
No chance of a plunk of Torii tonight thrylos. Maybe Perk gets him, but not Baker.
methinks someone’s got to get him…
Actually the replay looks like it was a pretty good pitch to Tex. Sometimes the batter wins (I think I just heard that someplace)
Nice to see Torri hasn’t lost his touch. He was waiting for one a foot over his head, but he didn’t get his pitch.
Torii must’ve talked to Punto about hitting before the game.
I mean Torii. Who spells a name like that anyway?
methinks Torii would beat the crap out of Baker before any Twin could stop him.
Hope you don’t mind Joe,
At 10:00 tonight, I will be hosting a podcast (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/SethSpeaks). If you go there, there is a chat room where I will be taking questions during that time. It’s my first podcast, so hopefully it goes well and is something that could continue.
Craig,
a girl does
Gee way to make Lackey work, what did he throw like 3 pitches
“methinks Torii would beat the crap out of Baker before any Twin could stop him.”
Huh?
wow did you see that AB by punto. he’s awful. whoever said he was the “hot hand”?
Punto tried to tie it up there-not like he should be trying to hit on the ground or anything like that.
Head first dives have made it to the USA olympic track team. I won’t give the results, as maybe it comes later out west?
Bakey’s got a curve, go figure
Texiera has 8 homers lifetime against Twins. I had guessed more, seemed like he hit well against us with the Texiera Rangers.
Jim Thome has 54 homers against the Twins. Dirty rotten @#$%& so and so.
JP,
Nick’s AVG for the past 8+ games has now dropped a little under .400. Check it out.
Nick punto is like willie mays hays, he needs to do 15 pushups everytime he hits a ball in the air.
Twins,
didn’t catch that hays part and I almost puked in my mouth thinking you were comparing LNP to Willie Mays… bad bad bad
Come on, the twins need to make him work a little
Make him throw more than 10 pitches in 2 innings boys
Are you shitting me? What that like 4 pitches?
5 pitch inning, that is a joke.
What was*
5 pitch inning. Making it easy for Lackey.
5 posts. The punto defenders are a little slow on the draw. haha. I knew you’d be there though Craig to pick up the slack.
From Charley Walters column:
“Don’t be surprised if Matt Tolbert is the Twins’ 2009 Opening Day shortstop.”
“Surprised” is not the word that would describe my reaction.
JP,
I’m here for Nicky!
An on target throw from 3rd. What a novelty.
Charley Walters needs a life
foul, what a bad call. At least it was close.
Punto sucks
Nice Call Steve Liddle!
Nice job by the twins working around the call.
I love how Buscher is the one who gets punished when Casilla came back. This is becoming comical.
Teixeira did not even have a good swing on his HR.
That guy has muscles in his sh-t.
At least they’re looking sharp. Could be a little more patient at the plate but a couple nice defensive plays. Nice play by Delmon keeping the hit to a single. His arm=WOW.
The positive: We can compete in against a playoff-type team in a playoff-type series on the road.
The negative: After road series @Chi, @NYY and @BOS we don’t know if we can beat a playoff-type team in a playoff-type series on the road.
This, so far has the feel of October. Don’t know if they have enough to beat the tops, but they’re close.
We are going to be screwed if we dont make him throw pitches and he goes into the 8th
Morneau sucks, Punto was heard to mutter after that AB.
lackey is just toying with the twins now. If he threw a batting practice fastball down the middle of the plate to a Twins hitter they would convert it into an out.
“I love how Buscher is the one who gets punished when Casilla came back”
Buscher’s punishment is self-inflicted.
Big League third-basemen don’t throw like that.
If he doesn’t correct his arm angle and his resulting throwing disorder, he won’t be a Big League third-baseman next year.
Harris has a good arm.
well, someone’s got to hold Gardy accountably for keeping his hottest batter on the bench
Let’s see if the twins can turn 3
pluck him
man i thought torii got that one
DP is still in order
No harm walking Vlad.
Hunter’s an easy out…..oops!
Whew, Delmon made it look easy. (???)
Baker’s mechanics may be slipping again. He’s back up in the zone.
sane, is the key watching how far his right knee dips on his delivery? I’m still trying to pick up his flaw/flaws.
thrylos98
isn’t punto the hottest hitter? plus we can’t give a guy like punto, with his talents, a day off.
Not watching the game. How does Young catch a ball, and the runner advance to 3rd?
I think it is easy to spot baker’s mechanical flaws. They are usually hit out of the park…
JP,
you better know who I am talking about
not Punto
Young was 387 feet from home plate when he caught the ball
Excellent job scott, excellent
MIKE:
The ball accidently fell in the web of Delmon’s glove on the warning track and Delmon was so glad he didn’t jam his bad ankle he kinda forgot to throw it in IMMEDIATELY ! ! !
well done baker. way to pick punto up!
Let’s see if the lack of them scoring in the 4th proves to be a key point in this game.
Punto is going to win this game for the Twins.
Goal for the twins, make lackey throw 15 pitches in one inning.
I’m surprised that young didn’t hit the ball after it bounced off of home plate.
haha thrylos98. there’s just so much punto love going around, i gotta mess with all the punto-crushes out there.
How dare punto get a double
Punto is amazing!!!
Willie Norwood,
“is the key watching how far his right knee dips on his delivery?”
Yes.
That, and the resulting flat (horizontal) path of the pitch.
Baker (and all pitchers) have to throw downward or the path of the ball and the path of the bat will spend too much time in the same horizontal plane.
That results in BOOOOOM!!!!!
stupid punto.
Great #8
JP’s head just exploded.
punto is a baseball god. how is he not a .300 career hitter? perennial all star? if the rest of baseball embraced him like the fans and manager of the twins, he’d be well on his way to the HOF!
Come on Carlos, BIG HIT!
Nice clutch hit by gomez
Carlos Gomez HOLLAR
Nice AB go go.
good job Gogo
Alright!
Who would have thought, Two out Double by Punto and a Clutch RBI single for Gomez?
How ’bout that? Two of the fav guys to bash get us our first run.
Go go gomez
The New and Improved Craig says:
August 21st, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Punto is going to win this game for the Twins.
NEVER doubt Craig
Cancel Gogo’s Rochester exile.
Carlos G
Naw, as I’ve stated many times. I NEVER root against any player, or coach of the MN twins. I like punto, as a utility player. I don’t blame him for gardy’s overuse of him. AND I AM VERY HAPPY GOMEZ DROVE HIM IN!!!! Go Twins!!
CARLOS!!!
Wow! Gomez laying off breaking balls low and away and then getting the big hit! Impressive!
Nice steal by gomez
hahaha great call Craig.
punto is a baseball god. how is he not a .300 career hitter? perennial all star? if the rest of baseball embraced him like the fans and manager of the twins, he’d be well on his way to the HOF!
And on top of his bad year last year, he hustles out a double to get hit in tying the game. The nerve of that Punto.
perfect time to attempt a steal…
That’s just because Lackey’s tiring.
He’s gotta be getting exhausted! ! !
If the opposing pitcher wants to get gomez to swing on the curve he better throw the ball a little closer to the plate.
Alright now it’s time for span to do his best Go-Go immitation, just this once though!
Time for Casilla to hit a HR
where did span get hit?
Wow Dick really stretches for things to say sometimes.
Lackey is getting a little erratic and as i type he throws it into center field. Time for the twins to be patient.
Lackey pulling a jesse crain/Boof Bonser on that throw
Twins causing havoc on the base paths! Come on Casilla!
too much to ask for a single here…
Casilla should have buried the fastball that cut the plate in half in the stands
Lackey is losing it since he can’t believe he let Punto get on base.
Bummer! Nice getting it tied though!
gil, span took it off his back (left) foot on the toe.
craig,
“Punto is going to win this game for the Twins.”
I know you have a post-game extraction post prepared in case we lose.
I hope you never have to use it.
have Span lifted that leg, it would be Gomez on 3rd and 1 out… great job Spannie
Gil, they said it hit him in the foot, but didn’t look like it. We’d have been better off if it didn’t hit him, but they saw the shoe polish on the ball, I guess. Gomez was sent back from third.
thrylos98 says:
August 21st, 2008 at 9:58 pm
“well, someone’s got to hold Gardy accountably for keeping his hottest batter on the bench”
And someone needs to hold Buscher accountable for not being able to throw the ball to first.
What an unusual series of events…Gomez gets a clutch 2-out RBI and Vlad had a 3-0 count(first time I think Vlad has ever had a 3-0 count when not walked intentionally).
Sorry, thrylos, but I was pissed.
thrylos,
So, they would have removed one of our two outs if Span had not been hit? Wow, cool rule.
markinmn
I am not talking about Butcher…..
I’m sure this has been mentioned but isn’t Lackey holding left handed batters under .200 this year? Isn’t that why Buscher is out?
Tie game, but not for long!
Mauer, Morneau, Kubel!
Carlos G,
If Span left his foot, it would have been a wild pitch. Gomez was at 3rd . 2 outs…
It sure is good to see Carlos smiling and having a good time playing again. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him do something special before the night is over.
I’ve never seen such a fast stretch of back handed compliments on one blog in my life. Way to go Twins “fans”, way to go.
Mudcat,
The pitch definitely hit Span’s foot.
It deflected past the catcher off Span’s back foot.
Great job from Baker so far. He’s my 2nd favorite starter. I hope he keeps it up tonight.
Mudcat,
no offense we are on the same team
“I know you have a post-game extraction post prepared in case we lose.
I hope you never have to use it.”
I can’t believe anyone could be so cynical. Shame on you.
Baker is only at 70 pitches.Looks like we might have a starter actually go 7 tonight.As long as we don’t see Boof “Cheeseburger and French Fries” Bonser tonight we might have a chance
Shaun
I really think Punto has a lulling affect on pitchers. They look at him, and his numbers and think there’s no way he can hurt em. Usually he doesn’t, but when he does its gotta mess with them!!!!! I would have to see a sports psychologist if I was them!!!!
Punto the secret weapon!!!!
Thanks Mike. But, I’ve been smiling all season.
“Tie game, but not for long!
Mauer, Morneau, Kubel!”
Mudcat, how are they going to do anything?
Punto is the man.
Cheer up people. Punto can’t get a hit every at bat. Just save up those insults and keep them handy. Oh wait, you’re still hot and heavy with the insults even when he does get a hit.
Sane,
Is it the smog at night that causes the balls not to fly so far in Anaheim of Los Angeles of California of the USA of the World?
Good at bats back to back
Nice DP by Kubel erasing the walk.
you had to jinx it gatty790
Dang it Kubel. Cmon get it going!! Punto is showing you up!!
Kubel DP?
I’m not worried.
At least Lackey will pitch only eight innings instead of nine
Thrylos-
Sorry, I wasn’t actually disagreeing with you–I was just jumping aboard the holding accountable theme you brought up…someone mentioned Buscher earlier not being in the lineup…in fact, it was mentioned over and over…
twins suffering a lackey of hitting in the middle of the order.
Carlos G,
“Is it the smog at night that causes the balls not to fly so far in Anaheim of Los Angeles of California of the USA of the World?”
No.
Its the marine layer off the ocean which occurs when the offshore breeze blows damp air inland in the evening.
Baker, what are you doing?
How often do lead off walks turn into runs????
tell Baker it’s the 4th inning
Come on bake
Baker wants to walk the two hitters to get to vlad
DIVEEEEEEEEEEE!
how often do walks in front of Tex the masher turn into runs!
Punto almost beat young to the ball that should have been caught.
Any chance Dick can stop bringing up bad things that have happened in the past?
Punto shied off the ball when he heard Delmon huffing. He didn’t want to get destroyed.
Span would have caught that ball as a LF.
Mauer has hit into 18 DPs this year. He hit into 24 in 2006.
GREAT CALL ON SPAN IN LF SANE!!!!!!!!
sane,
I have fond memories of Anaheim. I spent 10 years in the Oceanside, CA area. My grandfather sold chickens to Knott’s Berry Farm in the 1950’s.
Is that still a popular attraction?
Great pitch by Baker. Right on the barrel of the bat. But it was foul.
Oh, tooooo bad Mark! Texieira is on my xieit list.
No worries… the Twins’ run producers are due up this inning.
I though Knotts made jam with their berries. What did they need the chickens for? Chicken Marmalade?
The more and more you think about it there isn’t a good reason why denard isn’t playing left and young is playing right
Carlos G,
“Knott’s Berry Farm in the 1950’s.
Is that still a popular attraction?”
Yes it is.
Disneyland and Knott’s are still both very popular in Orange County.
just pluck him
Still tied, but not for long!
Young, Harris, and Punto!
(that hurt me carlos)
Fried chicken. You could maybe get jam on it, but I liked it better without it.
big
Notice how denard ran through that ball as he caught it delmon
thrylos - Gotta ask … sorry if this has been covered … but isn’t the phrase “plunk him” not pluck? Just curious …
the more and more you think about it?
no the first time you thought about it. when cuddy first went down and span started getting regular time, it should have been the move.
just like gomez in the 9 hole.
just like livan out and liriano in.
we adjust too slow sometimes.
Did Delmon strictly play LF with Tampa? If so, that may be one reason the Twins kept him there…now, this far into the seaosn, you can’t change…
I get the same feeling I used to get when I knew Killebrew was coming up.
and what right fielder but Span would have ended the inning?
Great job Baker!I wish he would trust his stuff more instead of trying to be some damn precise all the time.With his stuff there is no reason why he shouldn’t be in the 7th or 8th inning every start but his pitch count is always so high.
Craig,
Literally, I am LOL.
Delmon played RF. We play him in left because we had Cuddy.
Cuddyer is not coming back for the playoffs.
Span in RF - Young in LF makes no @#$%@#$%@#$% sense!
I like Gardy, but he is as stubborn as a jackass!
Have we moved Gogo to the 9-hole yet?
Span to leadoff?
Livan to waivers?
Rincon to waivers?
Bass to AAA?
Sheeeesh!
Delmon played strictly RF in Tampa.
Wasn’t Delmon second in the league in outfield assists as a right fielder last year?
OK, Punto bashing can resume… he made an out again.
Delmon played RF all of last year.
sane
I hear ya… and how about my man getting every day ABs? Heck he is hitting .350someting…
Do you think Gardy reads the blog in the dugout to get these ideas on what to do, or does someone sit in the clubhouse and give him updates during the game?
Sane & Macleod- Thanks…
If baker can get out of this inning, I think the twins might actually win this game…
Carlos.
I never stopped! hahaha!
Stupid Delmon. Span would have been camped under that fly ball for 2 seconds longer!
“just pluck him”
Thrylos can’t pronounce his “f’s”.
Nice inning for Baker, maybe he can pitch eight innings
Anyone smell 3 straight bunts?
That half inning was so fast I only read one Punto bash. Wow.
sorry sane
i’m a little slow. and my internet isn’t fast either.
Wow, good work by Baker. Didn’t see that coming after the previous inning.
hey bakie went 7
Lackey doesn’t look so fast. Not to mention his throws to the bases. Bunt Away!!
Lets go boys. It’s there for the taking. Fire up!!!!!!
welcome back Scott Baker!
whats baker’s pitch count. get him a run and send him out for one more inning.
Only 9 p.m. here in CA. I smell 14 innings!
Baker- 94 pitches
Couple of nice hits for gomez tonight.
Yes!! Way to Gomez
Its the eight inning, has the game lasted only 1 hour and 50 minutes so far?
Let him run. Sac to third.
How ’bout a line drive into Figgins’ grill here?
just swing away!! giving away outs is so overrated
I would like the bunt better here if we had someone like Nicky due up next instead of the M&M boys.
Span The Man Unusual ! ! !
Yehaaaaaaa!!
That is why you bunt, force the defense to make a play.
well i guess that works…..haha
Like I was saying… I really like the bunt here.
shup Macleod 12:00 here
WHAT???
Not sure what Casilla was doing there
I’m gonna have to take credit on that throw. Re: my 10:55 post
Timeout. Hit the frikkin ball. OK
So… do y’all see the difference that Gomez makes on the base paths?
suicide squeeze??!!!!!
Looks like only he knows …
Just get it into the outfield Alexi
Go Go Go; throw, throw, throw; oops, oops, oops.
Why are they SO anti-bunt in that situation why not call the squeeze Casilla handles the bat well and gomez has good speed
Yuk.
Crap
pathetic
really bad at bat by lexi
Casilla trying to bunt for a hit actually isn’t a bad play. He gets chewed out for it.
Vote time: Baker in the bottom of 8th for me.
Yes Baker again
arrrggghhhhhhh
Bad Move!
Gutsy move to walk Mauer.
Gotta agree Craig element of surprise and a good bunt gets the run in
Morneau has hit into 14 DPs this year
Carlos- Yes, Baker in the 8th…the more the Twins can go directly from the starter to Nathan, the better…
Grad slam here…
son of a bitch
2nd and 3rd with no outs.
safe
make it 15
Great turn by the Angels and Scoscia looks like Einstein
bad call
got homered
ugh
i actually liked the squeeze play. mauer needs to be aggressive.
baker yes in the 8th. with breslow and nathan getting lose in the bullpen.
I watched it in slow motion, he beat it out!
that is officially the backbreaker to the twins season
Did someone say 14 innings? Oh wait, that was me. LOL.
We all know what is going to happen this inning now. Baker is going to allow a hit and the bullpen is going to come to face the Angel’s middle of the order. Game over.
BS!
sorry a little slow with my posts.
i have an aircard so i’m a bit of a delay.
Telly Hughes almost said matt garza instead of scott baker
That’s pretty deflating hopefully Baker pitches a quick harmless eighth and the twins do something in the ninth, you gotta score with runners on 2nd and 3rd and NOBODY OUT!
The big mistake was Ullger talking in Casilla ear. Stodgy, by the book Gardy and Ullger should let the swift guys lay some razzle dazzle on them. Catch them by surprise.
Crap. Sure could have used Nicky batting 2nd or 4th.
Wow. That is all I can say. Only this Twins team could have 2nd and 3rd, no outs, and NOT score.
Just wow.
That was their only chance to win this game, and they just gave the game back to the Angels. I predict they get one in the bottom of the 9th.
Morneau is safe but the ump decides to call him out for some reason.
I agree with whoever said Morneau should not have participated in the HR Derby, his production has fallen off a bit
If Baker holds them…who wants to bet that Gardy is dumb enough to NOT bring Nathan in for the 9th (the middle of the Angel’s order)?
Let baker go one more!
“Only this Twins team could have 2nd and 3rd, no outs, and NOT score.”
Uh, I think it has happened to other teams at other times.
Baker is just getting stronger. Unbelievable, but true.
That was just a BS inning by the Twins.
Baker really turned it up into the eighth!
That was me Twins. 2 years in a row Morneau’s bat drops off after the break when doing the Derby. In 2006 he got hot in early June, didn’t do the HR Derby, and ended up with the MVP.
Diggity not many managers bring their closer in a tie game on the road.
DIGGITY,
Are you kidding ITS NOT A SAVE SITUATION YOU CAN’T USE NATHAN!
Apparently the Twins won’t get another chance to score, but I’m going to hang out and see for myself.
camera man made that look scary
Damn ump is going to cost baker a win.
Guerrier No!!!!!!!
Very nice game Baker! Someone step up and get him a win.
Baker always pitches his best when the game is close. Staked to a five run lead, not so much…
Yes, I know other teams have done that. I was just pissed because Lackey had ust GIVEN the game to us, and we were too nice to take it.
Do the Twins still get to bat since the game is over or is it just the Angels that bat until they score a run?
Dig,
I don’t think we will see Nathan in the 9th unless the Twins score. On the road you normally don’t use your closer in the bottom of the 9th in a tie game.
ok Gardy, pinch hit my man now… he is due
Get a guy on 2nd for the big stick, and the Twins will have the lead.
Are we seriously blaming the HR derby on Morneau’s lack of production? I personally think it’s being pitched around constantly and the fact that he has the most walks in the majors since the HR derby.
good at bat
good lord, if guerrier comes in its over
K-rod took Delmon to handling school on that at-bat.
Harris, how about one of those doubles?
there he is
Buscher, how about one of those doubles?
D-Young with the most pathetic at-bat I’ve ever seen!
Ugh…..so Delmon likes to watch fastballs down the middle….but swing at high ones?
I am confused.
Macleod,
May not be 100% to do with it, but even when Morneau has gotten a bat on the ball he hasn’t done much.
Christ, gonna be a short top of the 9th.
we need to score or its Guerrier time!
That looked like a third strike to me. But I’ll take it.
Wow, over reaction much?
That call was the “backbreaker of the Twins season”? I actaully think it’s a bang-bang play that could have went either way.
HR derby talk has to stop also. Morneau had a great August.
I’d also like to see Nathan in the 9th.
I know it goes against common wisdom but this is a game the twins NEED to win IMO get the road trip started on the right foot. Thats why i think Gardy should use Nathan against the Heart of the order Tex, Vlad and Hunter all have the potential to hit one out of the park and i think Nathan is the best bet against those 3
Theres your double, please nick do something
Good call thrylos.
Really good at bat by Buscher. It is now up to punto…
The stage is set.
prophetic craig?
punto?
Boy Make Craig look like a genious Punto!
Punto will watch a third strike.
Way to go Buscher!
PUNTOBER TIME!!
damnit
Punto moved the runner up. To the dugout.
PUNTERRIBLE?
Punto gives it a ride!
Coyote,
I laugh at your effort to troll. Bye bye!
Carlos G,
wrong man to ph… and there goes Punto. Thanks manager of the millennium
If Punto was batting 2nd in the order that wouldn’t have happened. I’m going to blame Gardy.
Let Baker go one more!
i can’t believe it……….my head is hanging…….
This game feels like the boston series when Delmon saw a total of two pitches on to bases loaded situations. Close but no cigar.
goodnight everyone!
Nick at night couldn’t nick K-Rod. No “Nick the Stick” nick name now.
not your fault craig
you hang your hat on a career .250 who already had a key hit earlier in the game.
no ones perfect.
Oh boy, hold on to your seats ladies and gents!
this makes me real real nervous with guerrier pitching to the heart of the order
We are about to take it in the Guh-rear.
Let’s all just stay negative so we’ll never be disappointed.
Well one bullet dodged
thrylos98 - is Morneau still at the cool table? celebrating all of his August homer.
Two Bullets Dodged!
For a split second I thought that Vlad had hit that ball out.
Anybody but this guy, we’d never hear the end of it
I swear to god that Dick is trying to jinx us.
What was Scot Shields doing in his pants?
Good pitch
Yeah can we walk Hunter here
adjusting his throwing hand…
ALRIGHT, where does he go fastball in his eyes, breaking ball in the dirt or slider away?
fastball in the ribs
SLIDER AWAY!
everybody is on the cool table, even Punto and Everett… just someone get Hunter, please
Boy if Guerrier can get out of this DO not send him out again!
holy crap hunter laid off a bad pitch!
How did Hunter not swing at that pitch? That was a swing all the way.
Good to be playing at home and get every call I guess
Sweat to face Anderson?
Why is Reyes not facing Anderson right now!
guess not
See… not much of a difference. A walk vs a hit batter. Someone has to grow cajones in the Twins bench
“Oh boy, hold on to your seats ladies and gents!”
There is no lady here, who’s seat I can hold on to.
Dick has mentioned 3 times this inning about an Angel leading in home runs, love to hit the breaking ball, and got the game winning hit.
lol
Gerrier puts the Angels on their derriere!
Break out the Perrier!
You don’t want to run thru the bullpen on game 1 of the 14 game road trip.
Blew him away
Right on!
This has got to be a huge boost for Guerrier mowing down the heart of the angels line-up in a key situation makes me very optimistic about this road trip
Huh? No runs against Matty? This must be our night.
Thank you matt guerrier - come on guys get a run, lets win this shit
Matty is back
Dick is a dick.
Man am I tired. It’s already 9:30 here.
If this goes 14 innings, Bass will have to hop a cross-country red-eye to pitch tomorrow.
I’m surprised that Dick has only freaked out on a couple fly balls tonight.
Boof is good for 5 innings
Can Denard hit a double in a key spot?
‘mon ‘nard.
Boof is good for a hot dog eating contest
I prefer to call him Kejunta.
WE need to call more shots
Yes he can hit a double in a key spot
Damn gatty nice call again
Wooo Span!
You da man Gatty!
yes gatty
gatty, that would be a ‘yes’… nice call man.
Second hardest ball he’s hit this year
come hunter earn that paycheck
Opportunity is knocking.
I’m calling for Torii to charge a fly ball and misplay it into a home run. Oh wait, that already happened in a key game before…..
that was a glen perkins swing by casilla
C’mon Casilla Atone for the poor AB in the 8th
gatty790 is a genius
*come on
quick gatty… we need something here for Lexi
“Boof is good for 5 innings”
Boof pitched 2 innings and 21 pitches yesterday.
anyone thinks that Gomez wouldn’t have gotten at that ball?
Ouch
Can casilla hit a single in a key spot?
me thinks Gomez wouldn’t have been playing 270 feet from home
Can mauer hit a single in a key spot?
Walk Joe again???
I don’t think Gomez catches it either
Nope
another brutal at bat
Me thinks Lexi may be hurting from the left side. Maybe that’s why he bunted last time. Those weren’t very good swings.
Justin is gonna get the Clutch hit you can’t dis the man twice and get away with it!
Wow, IBB Mauer to get to Morneau is playing with fire.
This will not work twice.
payback time.
ok
Morneau needs a 3-spot here…
Morneau is mad. The call was bad at first and the adrenaline is flowing. He’s looking for revenge.
He’s gonna Crack 100 RBI
oh boy, Morneau is just Ice Cold right now
God damnit
horrible horrible at bats with men on base tonight
Really good pitch, but also a pitch that your cleanup hitter has to pull.
Wow, gotta swing the bat!
Can someone tell me why Punto isn’t batting fourth? What is wrong with Gardy?
Right now walking Mauer to get to Morneau is genius
Yeah great August for Morneau. Ugh.
The Twins need a good hitter to protect Mauer. They keep walking around him.
Will he get booed like Young does in that spot?
Almost cut the plate in half and it was belt high. That is a sign for me to go to bed.
The Twins must really want to lose this game. They are completely flat offensively.
I mean…the Angels are walking Mauer to get to Morneau…and he is not delivering….wow.
These are the games that this team just doesn’t win on the road. Simple as that
But I can’t turn away for one more inning.
Wendlestat threw out his shoulder ringing up Morneau. Frikken hot dog.
Now leaving matt in for a 2nd inning could be playing with fire, hope im wrong
Why is Guerrier in for another inning? Isn’t this the guy that had to rest the last 4 days? Yeah–tire him out again. Awesome.
SHIT fast runner on now god damnit
Plenty of opportunities for the Twins.
Just stay negative. You’ll never be disappointed.
Okay, now it is time for bed.
Gomez with a couple runs and an RBI tonite. he sucks. AAA next year …
game over
Bummer, punto has no chance even if he fields clean
*couple hits..sorry
Punto ERROR.
I’m going to bed. I’ll read about the L in the morning.
Buscher is going to come back and kick the Twins in the ass when you all get rid of him. The man can hit!!
Delmon can’t hit nothing.
Hate to say it but you’re right Ron G.
“Just stay negative. You’ll never be disappointed.”
Truer words have never been spoken.
That is how I live with the Twins. It’s how I’ve survived every playoff appearance since 2002.
Not an error
wonder how jason will react to Mauer getting intentionally walked to get to Morneau. not once but TWICE!!
how about we resign Punto and send HIM down to AAA????? why is he so anoying?
I can’t believe after all of Guerrier’s struggles, he gets a strong inning, and then Gardy and Andy send him out there for another one. Setting him up to fail.
Not going to bed yet after that horrible bunt.
Wow big break for the twins
i love bunting….thanks for the out!
Hit wins the game
Steve,
Gotta agree about Matty, not to mention he is already overworked as is, it’s like beating a dead horse, one scoreless inning was enough however as we speak he is one good pitch away from getting through TWO scoreless innings
When was the last time a Twins outfielder tossed out a runner at the plate?
If the twins can get out of this inning I hope they score 10 runs in the top of the next inning.
The guy at 2nd is too fast, with 2 outs. A hit will win it.
Nothing has been hit hard so far against him either so to me that is a pretty good sign
“When was the last time a Twins outfielder tossed out a runner at the plate?”
Probably Delmon Young before the AS Break
Awesome work by MG
holy shit i thought that was the game
whew…he hit that ball hard
Can’t…..breathe……
Span is doing everything! ! !
Phew! Two shutout innings from Matty. IT’s destiny boys. This is a Twins win for sure.
Whew!
NEED MORE KUBEL!
Span is the man. Now to work on his HR strength…
Who comes in next assuming no score here?
One more half inning then I am out.
gardy is a genius.
Dan was doing his best Dick impression; “no balls have been hit hard yet….”
“the outfielders are playing shallow” that was Dick
Well, Dan, you had that one right. I was nervous that he was one good swing by the Angels to losing another game for the team.
However, Guerrier looked like he had his stuff back tonight - here’s hoping that shutting down the Angels will build his confidence again.
Only gotta get one run, boys!
Carlos,
I’m sorry but it was 2 whews and only one phew. The whews have it.
Wow…Guerrier pitches and his ERA actually goes down…
Where’s Ruiz for the game winner?
Can someone please hit a HR?
Please delmon!
Hey, if anyone gets bored, the Predator is on. Arnold at his finest.
The longer this game goes on the worse off for the Twins. They need to score NOW!!!
I tell you what, if the pitcher throws a fastball into Delmon’s bat, the Angels are gonna pay dearly.
Is there any Twin that is worse in the field than Punto? He cannot field any position that he is put at. How many pre-hotdog attempts do we have to watch him miss or drop ? How many bad throws to any base? How many times getting in the way of an outfielder? What is he blackmailing Gardenhire about?
Kubel always hits a groundball to 2nd or 1st against lefties. He is a good player with lots of upside, but if he wants to be a good DH who plays everyday he needs to be able to hit lefties better, hitting on the better side of .250 against lefties would be a start.
The Del-Monster delivers! ! !
Ruiz in the game!
Ruiz! Ruiz! Ruiz!
Its Randy Ruiz time
Ruiz for Buscher i guess
Reweeze
Mike Lenhardt brings up a brand new, fresh topic.
Hit it out ruiz!
Mike
Puh-lease be original, and if it is not to ask, smart?
About time. Thank you Gardy…
thrylos has been calling for him all night
i’m glad F-Rod is out of the game!
*to much to ask
Long plane trip, long game, and it’s midnight. Gonna wear everybody out for the rest of the series.
If Gardy doesnt bring in Nathan now…
That is just unfair. Ruiz smashed that ball and it is a DP. I am going to get a good night sleep now.
F’ing Gardy
Quite a few hard hit balls right at guys tonight.
Beat ‘em in 18 innings tonight.
Forfeit tomorrow, and come back rested on Saturday.
okay Mac here’s Randy for you!
Um, what did Gardy do again? I mean, I know he screwed up, I just can’t figure out how.
Unbelievable
TNT — Predator. It’ll help you sleep.
Angels played at Tampa last night so they aren’t in much better shape
Sarcasm, Macleod
Mike Lenhardt says: “Is there any Twin that is worse in the field than Punto? ….. How many pre-hotdog attempts do we have to watch him miss or drop ?”
Amen, Mike. Punto the Ballerina.
Ya, me too.
Time to ride the Crain Train to a big W
Again a close, important game and the best pitcher will probably not be used. Anaheim uses their closer, KC uses Soria in tie games right away as well, no MLB team weans their closer to the point of absolute retardation than Gardy and the Twins. And Nathan just so happens to be the best bullpen pitcher in baseball!!
Holy Crap take that T-nuts!
Should have pinch hit Everett also.
Not going to bed yet I guess.
That a boy Everett, and Crain
“Mike Lenhardt brings up a brand new, fresh topic.”
Is it the one about the little green men in his back yard? He told that one already.
I gotta admit, it’s getting harder and harder on this blog to differentiate between sarcasm and stupidity.
Score 30 runs this next inning twins!
Damn I used to live right by the Skyway lounge why didn’t i ever hear about it!
Macleod
Especially for old Mr.T, may he rest in peace.
So, Tyler, what you’re saying is, the Twins were smart enough to keep it a tie game without using their best pitcher? Yes, that was very smart of us, wasn’t it?
angels don’t have a hit since the fourth. I think this is one of the most boring close games of the year.
Tyler, I think just about every manager in MLB would disagree with you
Punto pommels that pitch! ! !
Punto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NICE ONE TORII!!!!!!!!
YES!!!!!!!!!!
stupid punto
NEVER doubt Craig
Now all the angels have to do is load the bases to get out of this inning.
GET PUNTO OUT OF THE GAME RIGHT NOW!!!!
Anybody else notice that without Punto, we wouldn’t have scored the 1st run? And now, look at that triple!
Macleod
No not at all, it was a unnecesary gamblee that happened to go the twins way this time. Im glad to see Crain and Guerier get it together.
Definitely our clean up hitter tomorrow night. go Nicky! Torii still has it. LOL
GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GOMEZ!!!!
NO BASERUNNING ERRORS PUNTO!
Punto for President!!!! He’s needed back in Minny for the convention!!
Craig
Like always you were just a little before your time!!!!
The New and Improved Craig says:
August 21st, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Punto is going to win this game for the Twins.
Yucky bunt attempt by gomez
*gamble,
does anyone think my typing is bad??
Macleod,
“So, Tyler, what you’re saying is, the Twins were smart enough to keep it a tie game without using their best pitcher? Yes, that was very smart of us, wasn’t it?”
Yes, but if Nathan had pitched, we would have WON 2-1!
Maybe not.
Oh boy gomez BAD GOMEZ
VERY BAD GOMEZ
Gomez is terrible in critical situations most of the time
That was a disgusting pitch. That died ten feet away from the plate.
Bet we leave him at 3rd…hope not.
Dear Punto The Ballerina,
All past sins are forgiven. Proceed to home.
Regards,
Your Biggest Fan.
Gomez is so awful at times. Unbelievable. Haha
Span has to do it. Lexi not looking good left handed.
At least he can’t hit into a DP
Som-b*tch, Span Spanks that Sucker! ! !
Thank you Denard!
walk Span, walk Mauer, Morneau DP.
Danimals
Regards?? I thought a DRAGON entered the room
This is the biggest at bat of the game. Span comes through!
YES THANK YOU DENARD
SPAN!
THANK GOD!!
lol Tyler
Span heard me screaming; “quit screwing around and hit the damn ball!”
Now for the 29 other runs…
So who pitches the bottom of the inning?
I knew we should have pitched Nathan earlier, so Boof could play closer in real life!
Now then, get an insurance run.
sid, I’m shocked!
I want to see Mauer get another interntional.
Span was trying to bunt and Gardy was having the big one. Ha.
Man, I bet the Twins FO is wishing they asked for an IF instead of an OF for Santana and Garza, man Span has been nothing short of spectacular. It will be a crowded OF next year.
If we had pitched Nathan in the 9th we would have kept the game a tie so we could score the go ahead run in the 12th. Oh wait……
macleod you ok with 12 innings, cause you did ask for 14 as I recall?
Perfect pitch to steal on
“I knew we should have pitched Nathan earlier, so Boof could play closer in real life!”
That is priceless.
Another great play by Denard, stealing that base
God, now Gardy is going to use Nathan. What an idiot.
sid, think they should walk Lexi and Joe to get out of the inning?
Hats off to the pitching staff tonight 11 straight scoreless innings
Glad I didn’t give up on this game so quick. The game has only lasted 3 hours so far.
I’m ok with 12, it’s a little after 10 here and I’m getting real tired.
The New and Improved Craig says:
August 21st, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Punto is going to win this game for the Twins.
Craig is old and starting to repeat himself.
Will they do it again?
Walk Joe!
Is that Nathan warming up?
I thought he pitched the 8th and 9th inning because the blog demanded it!
Who does Gardy think is in charge here?
Should have walked him
Please Joe, don’t give up a HR. If you do give up a HR, please let it be a 2 run HR to end this game.
Might as well just plan to shower and go to work. Catch up on sleep at work.
1:15 AM here, Nathan better get it shut
Tyler, i had second thoughts about that.
Punto triples.
Did everyone see that Punto triple?
Although it worked tonight saving nathan, i just do not like the idea of the game being over and your best pitcher not being in. That is the biggest fuss i have with Gardy. Well… nevermind I hate that DY is in left, Punto hit second for 3 weeks…
Because that idiot Punto scored both runs this game the whole Twin Cities is going to be unproductive at work tomorrow. Punto is single handedly destroying our Economy!
maybe we should save Nathan for the 13th? anyone?
Why didn’t they call an error on Hunter the look from the new angle shows it hit off his glove before he got to the wall dont want to hurt his feelings?
I think Torii missed on purpuse and wanted us to win. The Angels don’t need this win at all.
I have a government job, I’m already unproductive.
Danimals
About??
eaa, LOL!!
Let’s face it, this whole blog is unproductive. And I have a government job also.
“i just do not like the idea of the game being over and your best pitcher not being in.”
How about “the game is on the line and Nathan (or Boof) is the closer”?
about the “regards”. it’s annoying.
I’m a law enforcement officer. If you are a criminal, tomorrow would be a good day for you to do business. I’ll be sitting in my office talking on this blog.
jhsjobergiii is 100% right.
These clowns just flew in from Tampa and they’ve got a 20 game lead, they don’t need this one. Why don’t they just pack it in.
Sane
they would have a run to spare.
Hey guys, how did Punto do tonight?
tm says:
August 21st, 2008 at 11:06 pm
that is officially the backbreaker to the twins season
mudcat will be productive.
mudcat on vacation!
But it worked tonight and im not interested in debating it, Hunter wants to kill himself.
I don’t think they call errors on jump balls at the wall
PUNTOBER!!
PUNTASTIC!!
HOOOOWAAAHHH!!!!! WAY TO GO PUPS!!!!
DIGGITY DAZ says:
August 21st, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Wow. That is all I can say. Only this Twins team could have 2nd and 3rd, no outs, and NOT score.
Just wow.
That was their only chance to win this game, and they just gave the game back to the Angels. I predict they get one in the bottom of the 9th.
Pitching outstanding!
Clutch hitting, not so much.
Punto outstanding!
Hunter, not so much.
Span excellent!
Morneau, not so much.
Gomez much better night.
Lexi hurting from left side.
The 4th inning was a key inning after all.
One down, thirteen to go.
Anybody else think Torii’s wallet was weighing him down when he leaped at the wall?
Danimals
Agreed,Agreed
Regards,
That pitch was NOT a strike. But I won’t complain.
OMG we are tied with the Red Sox in the Wild Card!!!
1 down 13 to go.
Win, and the twins are tied for the Wild Card lead with the Sawx
Well the twins win the first game of this long road trip. Even if they did extend the road trip by a third of a game…
Impressive?
Well……….
Yeah, I guess.
I heard Nick Punto hit a leadoff triple in the 12th inning and scored the winning run.
AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!
For what its worth the umps give Joe lots of third strikes.
Regards,
Lexi’s timing is a little off, but that’s to be expected. He will be fine.
With all you government employees sleeping at your desk tomorrow, the REVOLUTION STARTS TONIGHT!!!!!!
Good game everyone. Well, not everyone. Mostly just me. See ya in a few hours.
called third strikes that is.
Regards,
Ron G says:
August 21st, 2008 at 11:41 pm
These are the games that this team just doesn’t win on the road. Simple as that
Impressive that we won a 2-1 ballgame in extra innings. Good going bullpen! Keep it up!
Punto was Puntastic and Span was Spantastic and Nathan, Nathan was good too.
Now if Morneau can get it going on this road trip. No more Mauer walks to get to him!!!
Nice win over a tired Angel’s team. None the less, that one was a big one! Thank you bottom of the order and Alexi, sure hope the thumb feels better manana.
Now I have to watch the men’s volleyball team on NBC
Macleod says:”PUNTOBER!!
PUNTASTIC!!”
is PUNTILICIOUS dirty? it makes me feel dirty…
jhsjobergiii
It is now SC time!
And now, we are 4.5 games behind what WAS the best record in baseball.
Danimals
haha it makes me feel dirty baby.
Regards,
If I watch volleyball I’ll be all wired and won’t be able to get to sleep, so I’ll have to pass.
(actually men’s volleyball IS pretty good)
The New and Improved Craig says:
August 21st, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Gardy went with the gloves tonight. He’s anticipating a close, low scoring game.
danimals- I think Puntacular feels a little less dirty than Puntilicious…
Regards to Punto and his dirtines.
Regards,
Piss off, doubters.
lol.
sweet game … all the ups and downs that make bball awesome. g’nite everyone.
(regards)
Puntocalifragillisticexpealadocious.
Is that a word?
Regards everyone
Minneapolis = Puntown
MudCat says:
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:32 am
Puntocalifragillisticexpealadocious.
Is that a word?
Well, Punto is in Cali…but the rest??
Mudcat is hilarious.
Mike Lenhardt says:
August 21st, 2008 at 11:54 pm
“Is there any Twin that is worse in the field than Punto? He cannot field any position that he is put at. How many pre-hotdog attempts do we have to watch him miss or drop ? How many bad throws to any base? How many times getting in the way of an outfielder? What is he blackmailing Gardenhire about?”
Wow, Twins-Angels is the lead story on SC. They even did a SC right now about five minutes after they showed the highlights. That is a sign of a slow news day.
Great win tonight.
What a great way to start the road trip.
Game balls have to go the bullpen and punto. Both with great games.
We need a laugher tomorrow and another deep start, let the bullpen recover a bit.
“Regards everyone” - Regards
That is one of the stupidest things I have read it my life. But it is still funny.
I am Puntired. Goodnight. Fun game.
Agreed
Regards,
Anybody think we will run those crappy players, Nicky and Gomez, back out there tomorrow?
I thought it was a little boring but hey the twins won and that is always exciting. Time for bed for the third or fourth time.
Agreed. G’night. Sleeping with sweet dreams of Torii.
Who are we going to bat behind Mauer to protect him?
I dare Soscia to walk Morneau tomorow, wait id even double dare.
lol
good one sane.
Where’s Fran? He’s my witness. Ever since I demanded the bullpen stop sucking, they have.
I’m taking all the credit.
i rimember that, Chief.
i’ll back you all they way.
Just don’t jump to the double dog dare. That is considered a faux pas.
Also, it would be ok to walk Morney. He didn’t do much tonight.
punto fourth would protect mauer
Chief did say it first. Stop sucking he said.
He also said stop bunting all the time. Not sure that message has been received yet.
a super-secret double dog dare was as high as i ever went.
0.98 ERA for Joe Nathan. Enough said. Nathan now has 79 more save than Everyday Eddie had and is now 59 saves behind Rick Aguilera for the all-time twins lead. I am going to bed, I swear.
Chief- Need another letter–this time to the White Sox demanding they stop hitting 4 HRs a game.
Gatty-
Does this mean we will get a 5th promise of going to bed??
Gatty
And just remember what those runs came from.
Blow out game in texas
Blunder by Young in KC
I believe another blow out game of sorts
I mean i cant remember a game where Nathan ever game up a run where it was not a blow out unimportant game(which he should never be pitching in anyway, he should not ever waste his arm in those situations, instead use it in tied 8th and 9th inning games), or where it was someone elses fault. He is the best bullpen arm in the game, it is great the Billy locked him up, he will be very important in the playoffs.
scratch game i meant GAVE
Enough puns, punctuation, and Punto punishment for one night. I’m OUTTA HERE!
Good Call Mark.
Dear Bitch Sox:
You’re not that good.
Stop pretending you are.
Love,
Twins fans
Craig,
Dig deep!
We need three more “Punto is going to win this game for the Twins” calls this weekend.
You can do this!
Don’t let the risk of a hernia stop you!
Cowboy up!
Great to see Guerrier have a nice outing. Same goes for Crain. Anybody notice that after Baker left the game our relievers only gave up one hit? Not too shabby.
Very impressive win against a tough pitcher, too. I was happy to see Baker buckle down after the first inning. Great way to start off this long road trip.
Well it’s nice to wake up to a WIN even IF it was undeserved.
1.) Won despite the ML WORST manager.
2.) Baker again proves he is a very good pitcher without run support, and quite pedestrian with run support.
3.) Winning RBI by a player who is a failed 1st round pick.
4.) Player who should be in AAA knocked in tying run, BUT still doesn’t give the team a chance to win.
5.) Horrors of Horrors, the most hated player on this blog, starts 2 rallies and scores BOTH runs. And NEVER gives the Twins a chance to win, in fact, a GUARANTEED loss. Sad but true.
6.) 3 players who should not be allowed in a ML stadium much less on the field go 6-14, the ML’ers on the team go 4-29.
7.) Based on #6 above, I am finally joining the “Gardy must GO!!!” fan revolt.
Some might think this post is sarcastic, more so JOY!
Gosh! The sun is shining, the birds are singing…ALL is well with the world.
Regards,
I love it when a plan comes together.
Dragon,
Woke up this morning, got a cup of coffee and decided I had to read the blogs from last night’s game. Glad I did! Great humor and your summary brought it all home! I’m gonna go pour another cup, pet the dog, and go smell some flowers in the yard with visions of Punto dancing in my head. Go Twins!
