Twins update: Labor Day special
Posted on September 1st, 2008 – 3:46 PMBy Joe Christensen
A couple notes to pass along, courtesy of our good friend Jim Mandelaro, from the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle:
(*) The Twins granted Bobby Kielty his release today before Class AAA Rochester’s season finale. This allows him to sign with another team immediately, if he so desires.
Kielty batted .218 with two home runs and eight RBI in 55 at-bats for the Red Wings. But he did bat .261 with a .400 OBP against lefthanded pitching. If Randy Ruiz hadn’t come up and done so well for the Twins, they might have given Kielty another shot.
(*) Speaking of Ruiz, he won the International League batting title today with a .320 average. He had enough plate appearances to qualify even after coming to the Twins on Aug. 1. Ruiz also is batting .320 for the Twins.
This is his third minor-league batting title. He won the 2005 Class AA Eastern League title after batting .349 for Reading and the 2000 Class A Pioneer League title after batting .381 for Billings.
(*) The White Sox will put their half-game lead on the line tonight at Cleveland, facing Cliff Lee (19-2, 2.43 ERA). Lee can become Cleveland’s first 20-game winner since Gaylord Perry went 21-13 in 1974. Chicago counters with rookie Clayton Richard (2-2, 6.33 ERA).
61 Responses to "Twins update: Labor Day special"
Congratulations to Randy Ruiz and good luck to Bobby Kielty. Kielty has always been a player I liked. I hope he finds work somewhere. Maybe he can help some team beat the White Sox or the Red Sox.
Hopefully, Lee and the Indians can bounce back from their tough series against the Mariners. We need them to take care of business against the White Sox!
We sure do. Lee’s been solid all year and should run away with AL Cy Young, hopefully he can put us in first place tonight without the Twins stepping foot on the field.
We sure do. Lee’s been solid all year and should run away with AL Cy Young, hopefully he can put us in first place tonight without the Twins stepping foot on the field.
[…] Originally published by Around the Majors […]
Why did the Twins release Kielty for? Kielty has more experience than Ruiz. Ruiz is only known for his power.
I really hope Cliff Lee wins the Cy Young award, he was really nice down in Arlington when the Indians were there, he was there to sign for fans for a bulk of their batting practice, I wish him the best, and hope he wins 20 tonight, added bonus the evil sox lose as well
Seth,
“Why did the Twins release Kielty for? Kielty has more experience than Ruiz. Ruiz is only known for his power.”
Above from JoeC:
“Kielty batted .218″
“Ruiz, he won the International League batting title today with a .320 average.”
Asked and answered.
This just in… Ruiz is hitting what .330 since being called up, I cant remember Kielty hitting above .280 in his career. Its the definition of a no brainer.
This just in… Ruiz is hitting what .330 since being called up, I cant remember Kielty hitting above .280 in his career. Its the definition of a no brainer
I’ll be watching that game tonight for sure. I would still like to see Chicago nab the wild card though. From here on out, I’m rooting for the Twins and whomever is playing the Red Sox.
Seth,
“Why did the Twins release Kielty for? Kielty has more experience than Ruiz.”
Because Julio Franco is available and he has 25 years MLB experience.
Is Ruiz a free agent at the end of the season?
He should be re-signed. He makes a very good right handed bench pinch hitter/ Right handed DH
anyone else intrigued that Bass in not in the list of Sept callups?
Side show Bob would have been a nice addition to the bench. I am surprised that Bass wasn’t brought back up. Probably no need for 16 pitchers but he did throw a lot of innings out of the pen and has some experience. I hope LEN3 enjoys watching Canadian Football tonight in his Toronto hotel room.
Now if anyone made Gardy play Ruiz more, the Twins would be in better shape. He did not start him the last 3 games and the opposing starters were all lefties… that’s inane.
Mr. sid, Did I hear correctly that Rocky Colavito was making a comeback? Weren’t Rocky and Julio Franco rookies in the Cleveland organization together? Land Rocky and that big, powerful RH bat that we need would be secure.
Um, why didn’t they just release Kielty on Friday, if they were serious about allowing him to sign with another team. I mean, six hours to find another contract??? Is that BS’s idea of a favor?
This Toronto series is THE series of the year so far. If the Twins get swept by a very good pitching staff, I think it’s lights out. If they win 2 of 3, I think they’ll coast to a division title.
I expect a 1 of 3 in the Toronto series, but you never know. Isn’t Toronto the series that Tolbert got injured in, kind of weird he will be making his return against them. Other musings: Cleveland is leading 4-0 top 6 with Lee dominating. Time for the Twins to assert their might over the White Sox and the rest of the division…
yes, if the twins don’t do well against toronto the season will be over. just like it was over after boston and new york and seattle and seattle again and blah blah blah blah blah.
after today, the twins will either be a game out or tied for first place in SEPTEMBER. jeez, people, just enjoy the race instead of trying to outsmart it.
Mickey said it best.
It ain’t over til it’s over.
Indians lead Whitey Tighties 4-zip, top of 8.
thrylos98,
“Now if anyone made Gardy play Ruiz more, the Twins would be in better shape. He did not start him the last 3 games and the opposing starters were all lefties… that’s inane.”
In those three games the Twins went 2-1, scored 26 runs (8.67 rund per game) and Jason Kubel went 4 for 8 with 3 BB (.636 OBP) and 2 RBI.
Let’s hear it for inane.
We realize that you have adopted Ruiz and he has done very well. However your unjustified criticism of Gardy is actually inane in this case.
I am sure if you are patient, Gardy will give you reasons for justified criticism, but this doesn’t qualify.
Mauer and Morneau will be the DH more frequently down the stretch to play them EVERY DAY yet rest them occasionally. That means fewer AB for Ruiz (a shame) and Gomez. (a blessing)
Indian’s Kelly Shopbitch still killing me. Struck out on three straight pitches with bases loaded no outs in the bottom of the eighth. Still 4-0.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Cleveland!! I hate you 9 times out of 10 but I need you tonight and the next two days!!
Cliff Lee you are the man (this year)!!
The Indians suck. Yep you read that right. Bases loaded no outs and only get one run on a stinking sac fly. What kind of rinky dink team would only score one run with bases loaded no outs…………………never mind.
This just in:
I am extremely glad the Indians do not still have C.C. Sabathia to go with Cliff Lee.
This should be pointed out.
Agreed. No one ran away after 5 months; no one is going to have it wrapped up after the next 3 games either.
If either of us is up by more than 3 games by the time we face each other on 9/23, then you might start to feel good about staying in 1st with 6 games to go… but best bet at this time is that it is going down to the last week.
Interesting that Ozzie didn’t start Danks tonight. Appears he may have decided he had no chance to win this one with hopes of winning tomorrow.
Mudcat says “I am extremely glad the Indians do not still have C.C. Sabathia to go with Cliff Lee.”
Then the Indians would have a one- and/or no-hitter in their record books this year.
Indians won!
And the Twins are leading the Royals 3-0 on FSN Classics, so that means the Twinks are in first place!
Sabathia, Lee, Carmona, Byrd and Westbrook.
Not bad.
BYRD IS WITH THE RED SOX………….
SABATHIA IS WITH THE BREWERS………..
NO WORRIES…………….
White Sox and Twins are tied with 25 games (each) to the finish.
Saddle up!
Mudcat is funny.
wtf,
Thank heaven.
How would you like to play a 3-game series in Cleveland, if CC, Cliff Lee and Carmona were pitching for the Indians at the top of their games?
Twins picked up 1/2 game tonight, and we did it without our bullpen blowing it or our offense stalling.
I know we had the night off, but still, those two deficiencies have been killing us lately, I was worried they could even hurt us on our night off.
THE TWINS NEED TO HOPE THAT TAMPA CLINCHES BY THE TIME WE GO THERE FOR FOUR GAMES. AFTER THAT SERIES IT IS THE SOX COMING HERE.
THE YANKEES ARE PRETTY MUCH OUT OF IT AND WHEN THE SOX PLAY THEM THE 16-19TH THE YANKEES COULD PLAY THEIR CALL UPS TO SEE WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE NEXT SEASON…
THIS IS GONNA BE INTERESTING. EVERYONE JUST NEEDS TO ENJOY IT BECAUSE WHO EXPECTED THE TWINS TO BE IN IT THIS LONG? THE TWINS WILL BE THE TEAM TO BEAT FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS HANDS DOWN
Any chance you could take the caps lock off?
By playing .500 baseball we are in first!
Not bad.
ya please take caps off.. rather annoying
“By playing .500 baseball we are in first!”
um, 17 games over .500 is not exactly .500 baseball.
Happy birthday Cliff Lee (a couple days ago). Anyone know who gave Lee his only AL loss this year? …
Yup, that would be the Twins. Cincy was his other loss.
Ozzie’s biggest fan, Jason, what do you think of Ozzie taking a knee in this game by holding Danks until Tuesday? Can’t remember the last time I saw a pennant race where the manager gave up a game. Wonder what message that sends to the team? Sure… you can rationalize it like Ozzie did and say he is young and needed the extra day’s rest. Danks seemed upset with the decision. Interesting call.
Carlos G.,
I agree with Ozzie.
Throw Richard under the Cliff Lee bus and preserve the favorable pitching matchups you gain for the remainder of the series.
If the White Sox needed a sweep, they would play it differently.
But they DON’T need a sweep.
Carlos G,
I can’t give you a specific example, but I know that has been done before.
A team which needs to win ONLY ONE out of two games will juggle pitchers to matc up their best pitcher against their opponents worst pitcher, no matter how bad the other matchup becomes. That strategy gives them their best chance to win ONE of the two games.
I’ve used that strategy many times at the end of a double elimination tournament, when my team has gone into the final two games as the last undefeated team.
First place to stay for the Twins. Okay, maybe not, but I hope the next time I say that, it will be true…
Thank you, Cliff Lee…now, I believe you will start against the Twins later this month. Could you please pull a Carlos Silva and ask out of that game with a stomach ache?? Much appreciated…
More good news…Yes, Toronto has the best ERA in MLB, but their two best starters in terms of ERA will NOT pitch in this series. Hopefully, the Twins can take 2 out of 3…
Every loss the Twins have had on this road trip has been self-inflicted, usually by one random player who gets infected by the fuddlies.
If the pattern holds, there’ll be someone on the Jays (Vernon Wells maybe?) that the Twins will not be able to get out, parts previously played by Mark Tiexiera, Adrian Beltre, and Jack Cust.
If the Twins can stay away from the foot-shooting, and keep the bases clear for whomever that Jays player is that gets Sudden Babe Ruth Syndrome, they can win ‘em all.
Is anybody else wish that FSN would stop playing the same three classics over and over again?
The Johan 17 Ks, Near-Perfect Baker, and Kube’s Walk-Off slam were great games….but there have been others.
I want to see the two year old Johan/Garcia game with Jones’ perfect game wrecking Homer.
I want to see game Radke pitched to stop the A’s 20 game winning streak.
I want to see the game that clinched the Division for the Twins in 2006.
There’s more, but those are three off the top of my head.
LaLa72, it is possible that Kielty’s agent asked the Twins to release him. Maybe he had another team lined up to sign him. Seems that wasn’t the case, but to make a statement like that without knowing the facts seems rather unfair.
I also think that holding Danks back to make a favorable start is a good idea, especially, like stated, they don’t need a sweep. Usually, a team would pitch their best against the best, but if you are looking for a series win instead of a series sweep, it would be wiser to put your better pitchers against the other teams lower level pitchers. Glad to hear that Danks was upset. It shows that he is a competitor.
It’s pretty impressive for a guy to win a league batting title even after being out of the league for a month.
Just out of curiosity…who was 2nd and what was their average?
T,
Oscar Salazar, 1B, Norfolk Tides, .316
See minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats
This photo is good:
Next time someone says Rob Neyer HATES the Twins (as I read here so often):
Rob Neyer: (12:04 PM ET ) Pedroia is not a worthy candidate, though he’s of course having an excellent season. I’m surprised to be saying this, but I think Morneau might actually be the most worthy candidate.
MudCat: It was Yogi Berra who said “It ain’t over ’til it’s over” not Mickey. Or did Hatcher use that line a lot in 1982 when the Twins went 60-102.
Man, the ESPN hate just continues:
Buster Olney: (1:54 PM ET ) Keith: No, I’d take Longoria. But I am going to be curious to see how many votes Span gets for the Gold Glove, because I haven’t seen a better outfielder in baseball this year than him.
Why did the Twins release Kielty - it appears he ASKED for the release.
