StarTribune.com

Tuesday pregame: Twins/Royals

Posted on September 9th, 2008 – 3:36 PM
By Joe Christensen

Nick Blackburn will look for his first win since Aug. 6, when the Twins open a three-game series against the Royals tonight.

Blackburn is 0-2 with a 4.39 ERA in his past five starts.

Update (5:55 p.m.): Michael Cuddyer took early batting practice and regular batting practice. I watched him swing, and he’s hitting the ball with authority.

“He’s swinging,” Manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He’s not moving around very well, which he’s got a broken [left] foot, so you don’t expect it. We’re still looking a week, 10 days, two weeks, who knows? I’ve just got to talk to him and see where he’s at.”

Cuddyer has another checkup with Dr. John Steubs before the game, though we aren’t expecting big news. No new X-rays or anything. Cuddyer will likely be cleared to test the foot as much as he can tolerate it, but he’s not ready to run yet.

Best-case scenario might have Cuddyer available as a pinch hitter for the final week of the season.

Royals (61-81)

1. David DeJesus, CF
2. Mike Aviles, SS
3. Jose Guillen, RF
4. Billy Butler, DH
5. Mark Teahen, 3B
6. Miguel Olivo, C
7. Ryan Shealy, 1B
8. Ross Gload, LF
9. Alberto Callaspo, 2B

Starting pitcher: RH Brian Bannister (7-14, 5.56 ERA)

Twins (78-65)

1. Denard Span, RF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, LF
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brian Buscher, 3B
8. Nick Punto, SS
9. Carlos Gomez, CF

Starting pitcher: RH Nick Blackburn (9-8, 3.71)

Metrodome. First pitch: 7:10 p.m.

452 Responses to "Tuesday pregame: Twins/Royals"

Funkytown says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:47 pm

Is Brendan Harris even on this team any more?

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

Punto and Butcher again… glorious.

ruidoso says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

harris can pack his bags. tied with mauer for 2nd on the team with 27 doubles. 163 less at bats than joe.
hold those grudges gardy.

ES16 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

Who’s Brendan Harris?

Josh says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:51 pm

Joe-
I’m assuming Mauer is catching and not in left field

SethSpeaks says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:53 pm

ES16 knows my only thought on the lineup. :) Especially against a righty…

ES16 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:53 pm

No, Mauer is in left and Delmon Young is catching.

ES16 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

Seth,

He may suprise you tonight.

Shawn in Binghamton says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

Pridie?

Bill Brasky says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

Major announcement forthcoming? Gardy is resigning?? Punto has been released??

Punto’s streak is now at like 50 straight games.

Pathetic.

ES16 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Jays up 2-1 in the ninth. Sox have just one hit.

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

All of those doubles you attribute to harris have been reallocated to punto to boost his mvp campaign….. can’t let all those doubles go to waste on the bench…..

jimmy bee says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Can anyone tell me why with all of these bats constantly breaking lately why the catchers don’t where neck guards. Steve Yeager had a bat shatter and debrese hit him in the neck way back when. I am just waiting for one of these cheaply constructed bats to do the same.

SethSpeaks says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:57 pm

ES - We can hope so… We can hope so… It’s like the movie White Men Can’t Jump or The Program or something, when the guy says, “Even the sun shines on a …”

And Shawn - Absolutely, especially in this series against the soft-tossers.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:58 pm

AJ Burnett 1-hits the bitchsox through 7 today. Downs escapes the 8th.

In the 9th, still 2-1 Jays……

Brent says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:58 pm

Since Blackburn always put the ball in play the Twins should sell out for defense on the days he pitches. They should have Everett at short and Harris at 3rd with Gomez in CF. To me that is the best defensive alignment and would help to prevent more balls getting through.

Funkytown says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:59 pm

Major Announcement forthcoming??

What, has Punto signed an extension??

Shawn in Binghamton says:

September 9th, 2008 at 3:59 pm

Everett is still on the team?

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

Bottom of the 9th in Chi-Town.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

No no check that. Still top of 9th.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:03 pm

YES!!!!! 3-1 Jays, top 9th.

ES16 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

Let’s remember, Pridie has struck out more than Gomez… at the AAA level. That my friends is a BIG RED FLAG. I don’t think they can toss it soft enough for him.

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

Brent– if you pay attention to half the arguments here daily Everett can’t throw a ball ten feet and Harris has no range and can’t catch a beach ball if his life depended on it……

jimmy bee says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:05 pm

I have heard Everett has a noodle arm anyone else agree

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

Where’s Ruiz? His .300 AB isn’t more important as Kubel’s average D in RF?

We need Gomez in the lineup?

Sweetone says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

ruidoso,

Harris has 64 less AB than Mauer not 163.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:07 pm

Bottom 9th in Chi-Town. 3-1 Jays.

Steve from Fridley says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:07 pm

Next game I go to, I’m bringing a “We want Harris!” sign and throwing it into the Twins dugout.

Punto over his last 10 games is batting .243 with more errors (2) than RBI (1).

Buscher is batting .214 with an error, though he has 6 RBIs (still hitting with RISP).

Tolbert is 2-8 with an error since his return.

The Twins can’t buy a win to save their lives. Would it really kill us to have two of these guys on the bench? At this point, I wouldn’t mind seeing Harris AND Everett in the starting lineup. It’s better than watching Punto hit the ball straight up in the air with runners on 2nd and 3rd, and Buscher flail at the ball or throw it 10 feet over Morneau’s head.

At least Brian Bannister has been horrific as of late, so we should be able to squeeze out a win.

Though he’s dominated the Twins in the past, so who knows?

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

Konerko, Griffey & Ramirez coming up.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

So BJ Ryan walks Konerko…..

ES16 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

I smell a dirty Sox home run.

Shawn in Binghamton says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

anyone watching the game? Gamecast has 3 of the four balls in the strike zone

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

Now he walks Griffey, the frickin’ fathead.

Sweetone says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

Ryan can’t get the ball over the plate, walks 1st 2 in 9th.

JMP says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

Uh oh, two straight walks…

ES16 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

Someone start singing “Oh Canada” that might help.

jimmy bee says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

and the white sux win jk. LOL

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Not watching.

Josh says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

1 out bottom 9th in Chicago Ramirez strikes out

Shawn in Binghamton says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

1 down

JMP says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

Oh Canada
Our Mounties are the best…

Umm… Can’t think of the lyrics, I’ll have to call in the Big Canadian…

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

“Gamecast has 3 of the four balls in the strike zone”

Then Cito better get his retiring ass out there and get it tossed out!

Josh says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

Swisher K’s looking 2 down

Shawn in Binghamton says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:14 pm

2 down

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:14 pm

1 out. Next two scheduled are Swisher and Uribe.

jimmy bee says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:14 pm

major announcement All Star Game coming here in 7-10 years. Thats major news. Here I thought we picked up Tex from the Angels or something signifigant

Josh says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

Uribe grounds out Jays win 3-1 Let’s hope they can get it done again tonight!

JMP says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

Here we go:

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Hmm… I think they want someone to stand on guard? Any volunteers?

I hate the sox even more says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

GAME OVER!

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

2 outs. Uribe up.

Wow, Downs’ ERA is 1.17

Shawn in Binghamton says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

YAY

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

Game over!!!! 3-1 Jays.

jimmy bee says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

jimmy bee will now go to the top of the stadium and scream “Yes the All Star Game will be here in 10 years everyone”

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

The flighty Whiteys get 2 hits total.

EXcellent!!

Jeff says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:19 pm

What are the chances that the White Sox go two games without a home run and the Twins hit a couple? Probably slim to none?

And seriously, major announcement is the all-star game in 2015? Ridiculous.

Steve from Fridley says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:19 pm

And the Jays get to tee off on Clayton Richard in the next game! Beautiful. (I probably just jinxed that one…)

Let’s get a win tonight and bring this thing back within 1, Twins! :)

bufftwins says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:19 pm

3 times White Sox couldn’t get a sac bunt down. Twice A.J. forced the runner at second and then in the bottom of 9th Chicago had runners at 1st and 2nd and no one out and couldn’t advance them. 2 K’S by BJ Ryan and groundout. Hopefully the chubby red head Jesse Litsch can shut down the Sox tonight like he did the Twins last week. Litsch use to be a bat boy for the Devil Rays.

Heatonator says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

2 games back. Can we make it 1?

jimmy bee says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

“Hey everyone the All Star Game will be here in a decade” Whooopdee freaking doooooh

bufftwins says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:23 pm

As for the Twins, Mauer in LF. (ha ha)
Gardy, get your head out of our butt and give Harris another shot.

Me says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Joe Mauer in left?

Wouldn’t surprise me at all.

Gardy’s lost his mind.

jimmy bee says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Punto is catching and Mauer in LF

JustinCB says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:29 pm

Buscher has better numbers than Harris in half the at bats. Can’t say the same for Punto though. Buscher at 3rd and Harris at SS would be nice to see.

Me says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:31 pm

Gardenwizard + Punto =

2nd place

Steve from Fridley says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:32 pm

True Justin, but the reason for that is because Buscher is so bad against lefties that he can’t have the CHANCE to get as many ABs as Harris. If he batted against LHP regularly, he’d be hitting .230-.240.

Buscher had better be replaced in the offseason. I’m sure Harris will be sent somewhere for $40, while Punto is re-signed to a 6-year deal, after an adamant request from Gardy.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:34 pm

with a sinker ball pitcher, I’d rather see Harris at 3rd and Everett at SS

btw, Butcher is hitting .245/.295/.340 the last month and .125/.222/.125 the last week. LNP is hitting .238/.333/.286 the last week. Not exactly ground shaking numbers…

gobbledygookguy says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

the last month harris has 5 rbi in 40 ab’s and punto has 4 rbi in 101 ab’s. they make about the same number of errors per inning played so it should be obvious that punto saves runs on a regular basis maybe one a game to make up for not driving any in, it wouldn’t make any sense otherwise. unless it’s because he mows gardy’s lawn?

Steve from Fridley says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

If we don’t make the playoffs, the majority of Twins fans will blame Ron Gardenhire’s decisions (and I’d be right there with them), while the national media will instead praise Ron Gardenhire’s greatness for taking this team to second place when they were picked to be 4th or 5th… sigh. That drives me insane.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

Steve,

the Twins will make the post-season.

Regardless, Gardy (and Punto) should pack their bags the day after their last game in 2008. Smith’s gotta show some cajones.

Shawn in Binghamton says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

Pohlad said Gardy will be his manager as long as he is alive….. he isn’t going anywhere if he doesn’t want to.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

If the Twins solve their lackluster BP, they wind the Divsion by default. bitchsox are without Crede and Quentin. That’s about like us losing Kubel and Morneau.

bufftwins says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:47 pm

What happens if Tampa coughs up the A-L East lead, continue to slump, and come August 18th the Twins head into Tampa for a four game series only 3 games out in the AL Wild Card. Weird things can happen in baseball.

JustinCB says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:47 pm

didn’t think I’d find any LNP defenders on this blog…..

Heatonator says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

We’re currently 7.5 games behind the Rays. They play 8 games before the Twins travel to TB for 4. Those 8 are at Boston twice, at NY 3 games, and they host Boston 3 games.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

Punto —- .285/.342

I mean, if you’re dumb enough to attack him.

Gardy puts him in there. He goes .285. Have to hate him, right?

But one note to Gardy, Punto was having a very decent go at it in 2006 until about this time. It’s probably time for for him to have a day off.

sts105 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

Twinks should go after Smoltz this offseason, put him in the BP and we’re set next year with neshek and him taking over…give up one of our AAA starters for him, our rotation is set for a decade.

Heatonator says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

I have a feeling the series in Tampa will be interesting.

dana says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:56 pm

This may get me killed but I am actually a Punto fan…but I do not understand either why Harris is not in there. Punto has not looked as good IMO and Harris has more pop.

JustinCB says:

September 9th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

I’ll give you that one Steve, but there are a lot more at bats available out there against right handers than those against left, so he’s obviously sitting in some right handed situations as well that he could be playing in. Obviously tonight isn’t that case, so gotta like the gardy move there, but then I’m just coming back to why not Harris at SS? Harris’ numbers are slightly better against right handers and at least Harris has an inkling of power in his bat. My guess at this point is they are playing LNP over Harris only to justify the 2 million more dollars he is making this year.

The New and Improved Craig says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Punto is excellent. He can field, hit run and throw. He is a complete ballplayer. He is one of the main reasons the Twins have done as well as they have this year. Gardy has Nick start as many games as possible, because he understands the game, and wants to win.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Harris is too fixated on Palen for the next week or two. He’ll grow out of it in a couple weeks, just like the rest of the USA.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:03 pm

“This may get me killed but I am actually a Punto fan…”

Don’t worry, dana. Nothing wrong with you.

We’ll just kick the sicko-bitches off the blogs and they can join the bitchsox blogs where they and their daddy, Capt. Ozzie, belong.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:10 pm

Wow, Delmon’s in the top 30 in AL BA — ahead of Hunter, Anderson, and Figgins of LA, ahead of Upton and Crawford of TB. Even ahead of Beltre.

:)>

Bobby Randall says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:19 pm

The fraud continues…..

LNP=2nd place

0-5

grounder to 2nd
pop to 3rd
K looking
pop out to left
ground out to 1st

110% grit

or he may go 5-5 becasue we are playing a pathetic team and LNP only shines against weak competition

my night is ruined again

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:23 pm

Liriano 2nd in the AL in ERA the past 30 days for starters.

Slowey 11th.

Baker 14th.

Perkins 17th.

There basically are 70 starters in the AL.

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:24 pm

from everything i’ve heard eversince his return tolbert has been a cancer to our team

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:25 pm

from everything i’ve heard, that eversince his return - tolbert has been a cancer to our team

rayreiner says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:25 pm

Hello folks:
Check out Tom Verducci’s take on “The Secret Sauce” theory developed by BP on how to get in the playoffs. More than the Sauce, it’s a great piece criticizing the current “3-out closer” mentality that screws up so many bullpens, ours included.
Here’s the link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_verducci/09/09/verducci.bullpens/index.html?eref=T1

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:29 pm

Nobody real hot at the plate in the past 30 days for the Twins except Mauer, .368/.451.

Morneau .317/.385

Punto .312/.364

No other Twin in the top 50 AL.

Hey Punto haters, have you started your twiddly winks game back on the block with Ozzie yet?

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

twins need every win from here on out

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:31 pm

tolberts’ a cancer

larryb says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

i agree that tolbert has not helped our club none, since returning, and about the cancer part, i know in college he also played hard so i dont know about that

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:36 pm

OK, haven’t been giving totally full coverage to the Twins the past 10 days, so I’ll bite, twinsfan.

Why is Tolbert a cancer?

stpaul43 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:36 pm

i really think tolbert getting promoted back up hurt our teams chemistry, just an opinion, but before he returned we were pretty hot and hitting, since he came back we’ve been in a slump, just like he has been since gardy awarded him the final roster spot in spring training. the guy just isn’t ready

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:40 pm

1, bc he’s the manager’s pet since day1.
2, he never shows any emotion in the dugout or at games, and i really think by the way the players act during warmups he has no friends on our team.
3, with runners on base he strikes out or pops out and on defense makes way to many errors in big situations
i’m a season ticket holder and i personally think bringing him back was a bad move

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pm

make that bringing him (tolbert) back was a dumb move that will cost our team a playoff spot. goodness gardy, goodness

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pm

jb,

Catchers’ masks extend lower now to protect the throat(or are like the NHL goalie ones). This longer mask replaced the plastic “flap” that used to be attached to masks.

stpaul43 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

tolbert is a good player, just think he belongs in the minors and not the bigs

larryb says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:44 pm

i agree with twinsfan, tolbert just hurt our team at a time we needed a spark and he wasn’t it

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

its sad

Steve from Fridley says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:48 pm

How’s Punto’s average with RISP in that time Romer? 4 RBI over his last month and his average with RISP has dropped from .316 to .274… and it’s not like he hasn’t had the chances. We’ve all been watching the games. How many times has he been picked off or caught stealing? How about the errors? How about hitting .243 over his last 10 games with one RBI?

I rip Punto constantly, and I’ll be the first to say that often times (myself included), Punto haters are biased and unfair, but the same thing can be said for his defenders. The guy is tanking right now, and yet just like last year, he’s one of the only guarantees in the lineup, along with Mauer, Morneau, Span, and Casilla (Span and Casilla are tanking as well).

Gardenhire often said he wouldn’t change the lineup when we were on our big winning streak in June because it was working. Well it’s not now, and yet he’s still not changing it. Something has to give, and Punto, plain and simple, isn’t driving in runs when he’s given the chance. I don’t like Buscher, but it’s hard to complain about a .440 average with RISP (as unsustainable as it is). Punto though, has done almost nothing over the past month, except get hits when no one’s on base, and pop out/strike out when people are.

I laid off Nicky when he was keeping his average around .310 and playing solid defense, driving in runs. He’s now keeping his average at .275-.285, playing shakier defense, and doing absolutely squat with runners on base. Same thing we saw in 2006 when it got into late August/September.

He doesn’t perform in the pennant chase, just like he can’t hit with two strikes, and just like he hit .183 with RISP last year… Punto cracks like an egg when he’s faced with pressure, and let’s face it… for the Twins, the pressure’s on right now.

Punto’s not the sole cause by any means, and there are certainly others who need to step up again (Kubel, Delmon), but Nick’s not doing us any favors out there, and Gardenhire is too stubborn and plays favorites too much to change it.

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:48 pm

lets get a win tonight

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

Wow not even a week ago people were crowning Tolbert the 3b of the future, now he is cancerous to the team? wow…..

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:50 pm

i rather have punto than tolbert anyday, he’s better top to bottom, tolbert belongs in the AAA

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:52 pm

Let us hope that the WSox can lose two games today, and the Twins pick up 1.5 games!

stpaul43 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

yeah tolbert 3b of the future, hahaha we’re in trouble than…

stpaul43 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:57 pm

hope we have some arms and bats in the minors for next year, i think punto, tolbert, and kubel won’t make the cut for the 09 twins!

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 5:59 pm

yes they will, they will be in the starting 10 for the twins……

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:02 pm

harris/punto are our best options at short, third is set with bush, tolbert is a error waiting to happen, and cas plays a good second, i think kubel helps us enough.

cant wait for game tonight

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:03 pm

Steve, that must have felt good to get all that off your chest. lol

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:04 pm

I dont think Harris is even allowed around SS anymore…. I usually try to catch their BP when I can and I never see him over near second….. he is only at 3rd….. maybe he is the relief pitcher they need…..his daddy is a pitching coach…..he might know a few pitches

stpaul43 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:04 pm

oh please, kubel might make it, but tolbert and punto are as good as gone, than again both are gardy’s little boys, no wonder our team is struggling, harris should be out there, not gardy two little boys who cant hit a lick

stpaul43 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

tolbert and punto are gardy’s little boys, they cant do anything wrong except find a way for our team to lose.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:08 pm

I think I already saw this about a month ago but, Morne leads the AL in IBB with 15

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:08 pm

AMEN

twinsfan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

whats tolbert batting a pedestrian .249

666 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:17 pm

I love how st. paul 43 and twinsfan are the same person. You have the baseball insight of the White Sox announcers. You can put your lameness on the board, YES!

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:24 pm

“You can put your lameness on the board, YES!”

That is pretty good…

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:36 pm

GATTY:
You said if Twins take care of business tonight, we could be 1 1/2 games out?
Not entirely impossible with the White Sox doubleheader and Jays winning the first for their ninth in a row.
C’mon Jays!
TEN IN A ROW ! ! !

Twins Fan in SoCal says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:43 pm

Just got online - Mauer in left field? sure is better than Delmon “I am too” Young. So who catches? Delmon? Gardy? Hey, how about both those doofs?

Can’t wait to see Mauer play QB for the Vikes in 4 weeks!!

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:45 pm

Is punto the only person North can interview? I am glad I didnt have the volume up….. I might have hurt the plasma…..

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:54 pm

Actually if the WSox lose again the twins win they gain 1.5 games from 2.5 so they would be 1 game back.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

…WSox lose again AND the twins win…

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:04 pm

I finally got my Office season 4 DVDs, freakin amazon and USPS lost my package for 3 days…

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:11 pm

Man gomez is fast

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:11 pm

Looks like there might be under 20000 at the game…

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:12 pm

I hope there are not any more comments about sending Gomez to AAA after this catch…

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

Butcher made an out… amazing

and the dome looks like a tomb tonight

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

A lot of people have been saying that gomez is not very good defensively…

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:16 pm

Although this board is not nearly as toxic as the vikings board yesterday. A lot of anti-homers in that group

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

No sh!t Gatty. A guy named “Crazyoldman” told posters to quit playing “kissy face” with each other about the Vikings because it was boring for the rest of the readers!

(Hopefully Bert is joking about not knowing when the Vikes played.)

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:22 pm

Nice at bat for Denard

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

The team seems energized in the dugout. Quite the contrast from the last couple of weeks

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:24 pm

Joe Mauer actually attempted to hit a homerun. First time for everything

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

Bannister is throwing a really nice change tonight

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

Toronto takes an early lead of 1-0

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

Jays are leading 1-0. This link lets you follow the White Sox game and can be minimized so you don’t lose your browser page:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gamecast?gameId=280909304

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

possible pitchers duel?

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

but the WSox have the bases juiced with one out

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

I saw that minimized thing today, that is nice

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

You have to minimize it off ESPN.com I guess.
Sorry!

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

sox have bases loaded with one out

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

Am I the only one here gagging at a sac bunt in the bottom of the first?

And REALLY gagging at Dick going ga-ga over it?

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

Nice DP for Konerko…

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

i thought so…btw…that didnt take long

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:34 pm

And Blackburn can’t hold the lead in the next inning. Almost like a broken record…

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

Maybe if the Twins don’t play for one run IN THE FIRST INNING a solo shot doesn’t tie it.

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

Blackburn figures “why wait for the ‘pen to blow the lead?”

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

Hitting Blackie pretty hard already.

Today’s Blue Jay pitcher got out of his jam, he looked like Cy Young against us.

The Son-of-a-Litsch.

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

I think Gardy should get the BP warmed up because if our BP is good at anything it is holding small leads or ties….wait, that would be every other team in baseball

TC fan in LA says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

I agree chief, the sacrifice bunt was lame as the already had the runner in scoring position.

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:42 pm

Who would like to see Gomez and Punto switched? Thoughts?

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:43 pm

Indifferent on the Gomez & Punto order

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:44 pm

Where were those OFs? haha

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:45 pm

Nice double for Punto. Bannister throw that pitch for strike two and punto wouldn’t let him do it again.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:45 pm

Enough of the fundamentally sound crap

SethSpeaks says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:46 pm

“Enough of the fundamentally sound crap”

No doubt!

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

Span with another great at bat

SethSpeaks says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

“Who would like to see Gomez and Punto switched? Thoughts?”

Indifferent on the Gomez & Punto order.

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

Alright! We’re getting a lead, if we hold on…….wait, that would be every other team in baseball.

(LOL @ Aaron!)

TC fan in LA says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:48 pm

pile on the runs guys, keeping piling on the runs.

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

I think I read somewhere Gomez should be switched to the minors and Punto should be swithced to part-time.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

Walk mauer to get to morne!

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

Gomez and Punto are lightyears apart.

Gomez never whines and plays the game hard. Punto whines, dives head first on first and whines when he’s riding the pine (and he is 8 years older than Gomez)

Well, they both hot dog defensive plays, but do the math…

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:50 pm

Where did you see that MudCat?

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:50 pm

“swithced”?

I must have a lisp.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:50 pm

“Twinks should go after Smoltz this offseason, put him in the BP…”

Good idea, sts105. Of course they wouldn’t be the Twinks then, but rather the odds-on favorites for the Central.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

I see Lance Armstrong is going to do the tour again…

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

Mauer could suit up for the Vikes and still be 100x better than T-Jack.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

Smoltz?

how ’bout getting after Lee Smith (or Doyle Alexander - anyone remember that Detroit trade, btw?) about the same probability they all pitch at a MLB level next year

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

3-2-1 music on…

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:55 pm

gatty,

Lance Armstrong is like BS…

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:55 pm

Let’s see if Blackburn can hold the royals to zero runs this inning…

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

Give me a break. The royals are in NO WAY a dangerous team. That is a bunch of crap.

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:58 pm

Yeah. So the Rays should lay down for us because they are a playoff team. Whatever Smalley.

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:58 pm

Vince Young, got booed, got hurt, out for 2-4 weeks, and disappeared last night. Cops had to go find him.

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:59 pm

Wow. What would they do to T-Jack?

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 7:59 pm

Blackburn can’t do it. He physically can’t prevent the ROYALS from scoring the inning after.

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

Just like Dick and Bert making excuses for the Twins.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

I heard that Vince didn’t want to go back into the game because of a phantom injury before he got hurt because the crowd was hostile.

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

Soemone just made a totally asanine statement. How do you KNOW that Punto “whines” about anything? Are you in the dugout or clubhouse? That is just your perception based on the toally biased crap that is spewed forth on these blogs regularly. You no nothing about Punto as a person, temmmate, or anything else. The only thing you know is that you don’t like him beuase you and others have decided that it’s fun to bash him all the time.

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

The Cops?
I think they use Tazers on Vikings.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:01 pm

“Am I the only one here gagging at a sac bunt in the bottom of the first?”

You could be Mr. Lonely on that one, Chief.

Bannister’s been hot. Get on the board the gears get turning in the right direction.

Mauer looks a little tired tonight too. I give Gardy the benefit of the doubt on the sacrifice.

Gets them into proper formation before the long march. But you AF guys never stood in formation very good anyway.

:)>

romer, USAr, 69-71

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:01 pm

I was ticked off, so I typed too fast. Ignore my spelling errors please.

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

Yeah, apologize Thrylos!
You no nothing about Punto as a person, temmmate, or anything else.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

I wish there was a stat for the ERA in the inning after the team has scored.

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

Standing in formation wins wars?

I thought the idea was to attack.

;-)

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

2-1 Sox.

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

oops, sorry S.Dak.

I was reading too slow.

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

Diving head first into first makes NO sense, obviously….but Punto’s not the only one who does it. In fact on Saturday or Sunday…Gomez did…and he’s done it before….so saying Punto dives into first and Gomez ddoesn’t is just another example of the biased hatred of Punto. Totally unfair.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:08 pm

Buscher raked that ball

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:08 pm

“I thought the idea was to attack.”

Hey, speak softly and carry a big formation.

Whoo-hoo!

Forward march with platoon leader Buscher!!

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:08 pm

Some baserunners grasp their batting gloves while base running so they don’t jam their fingers diving.

(Nevermind. I guess that would be pretty hard to do from home to first.)

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

Nice one Buscher!

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

At least punto hit a ground ball…

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

Good. Butcher increases his trade value

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

No tolbert slides head first, how do you think he screwed up his thumb? But the temper tantrums of throwing helmets and bats when you get called out on strikes or pop up the ball? what are those called because whatever that is, that is what Nick Punto should be accused of.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

Blackburn, don’t give up a run again please…

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

Griffey .244
Konerko .244
Thome .246
Uribe .238

And people are bitching about Punto…..

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:12 pm

I so wish that I ‘no’ nothing ’bout Punto…

oh well…

Chernobyl says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:13 pm

Twins up 4-2…I just returned this movie to Netflix. Unfortunately, we all know how it ends.

How many runs do we need for it to be safe to bring in one of the gas cans sitting down the left field line?

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:13 pm

Olivo almost cracked one of his fingers on that inside fastball…

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

Those guys hit homeruns so fans give them more slack than a guy like Punto.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

Still think Buscher needs something like yoga for his shoulders and throwing. Don’t care about his range. If he could strongly make every throw, then he has a career going as the Twins 3B starter.

Otherwise he’s just a decent stopgap.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

The Bullpen X: Back to Basics

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

yo, romer,

I’d rather have Thome’s stats at DH vs Kube for the Twins this season… don’t put them all in the same bucket

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:15 pm

Well, we know that an 8 run lead worked on Friday night. That’d be a good goal.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:15 pm

Glory Hallelujah! A 1-2-3 inning.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

Blackburn did it!

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

I wonder how many times other players have “thrown little temper tantrums” after striknoing out , etc? I recall Gomez breaking his bat over his knee after strinking out earlier this season. Others have done that too. Many times players will fling their bat indiscust. What about Carlos Quentin of the W Sox? But on these blogs the only player ever called out for such things is Punto. God, it would be awful to be in his shoes….every little teeny mistake…any failure..big or small, (and baseball is a game of failure) even any little look of anger or discust…and everyone hates you for it. This garbage is so unfair that it boggles the imagination. Ridiculous.

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

Thrylos, stop being a jerk. I apologized for my spelling errors….I was in a hurry to respond. I DO know how to spell.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

Butcher and yoga…

man, you are cracking me up :)

seriously, I ‘d rather have Ruiz play 3B than Buscher. The man can’t move…

not yoga. how ’bout some Richard Simmons aerobics instead?

TC fan in LA says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

Griffey .244 and 16 hr, 64 rbi
Konerko .244 and 16 hr, 50 rbi
Thome .246 and 30 hr, 81 rbi
Uribe .238 and 7 hr, 34 rbi

Punto 2 hr and 25 rbi.

maybe that is why, just a thought

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

Wow, that was a nice pitch by Bannister…

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

Did I just see Nick Punto compared to Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, and Ken Griffey Jr!?

Hmm, I guess we should not be so hard on Punto due to his past history of Gold Gloves, All Star Game appearances, and, 500+ career home runs.

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

Again…spelling errors..again my apologies (ie. discust - disgust)

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

no problem sodak. Spelling normally doesn’t count on these blogs. Everyone is a little extra up tight this week.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

More like the last couple of weeks…

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

3-2 Jays

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

sodak,
i was not picking on your spelling… just the content. You have to value price vs. performance these days. Punto makes about 6 times what Harris and 2 times what Everett makes. Is Punto’s performance justifying that? Me thinks not.

Chernobyl says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

Jays up 3-2 now.

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

Yes, he did and he was run through the ringer….and he has been in many times since then too darling. I understand players get frustrated and throw “tantrums” I get tons of “fun” editing out explitives when they happen. It is just Punto is pretty much multiple times weekly and it is bad enough that the Cleveland broadcasters were making fun of his tantrums when they were at progressive. It is unprofessional and occasional is one thing but nightly that is ridiculous.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:24 pm

Great at bat by Casilla

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:24 pm

Shaun,
Nicky is knocking on the door of 500 HRs. Just 489 to go. And All Star and Gold Glove awards are just popularity contests, so can’t expect Nicky to win those.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

It would be a shocking if punto makes it to 50 HRs…

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

Romer with possibly the least insightful post in the history of this board, with the Griffey, Konerko, Thome BA post.

Harmon Killebrew hit .276* in 1969. That’s lower than Punto too. Wanna add him to that list?

((*before you answer, Killer’s numbers that year were .276/.427/.584))

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

Time to rip one for us Joe.

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

Homer time!

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

Mauer came into the game batting .125 against Bannister…

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

Just don’t GIDP mauer

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:28 pm

Carlos,

Yeah you’re right. But Punto for sure wins the neighborhood Slip N’ Slide contest with the kiddies.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

Booom!

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

There’s the dinger we were lookin for.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

119 RBI, wow

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

Golfing really helped yesterday with that shot

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

Nice Job MVP!!!!!!!!!!!

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

Morneau is doing EVERYTHING!
If he doesn’t win MVP something is SERIOUSLY fked up ! ! !

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

ok

methinks this is in the books…

Nora says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

WTG MVP

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

“not yoga. how ’bout some Richard Simmons aerobics instead?”

Whatever turns you on….

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

“methinks this is in the books…”

That is my thought, but after the inning against the M’s, I wait until around the eighth inning…

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:32 pm

“was not picking on your spelling… just the content. You have to value price vs. performance these days. Punto makes about 6 times what Harris and 2 times what Everett makes. Is Punto’s performance justifying that? Me thinks not.”

And this is a reason to treat him with such total disrespect? This is a reason to bash his every move…everything he does onj the field (and in your imagination’s off of it as well)? This is a reson to mock him, laugh at him, run him down, wish him injury, (which I’ve seen written more than once on here)? Come on…where’s the fairness in this?

TC fan in LA says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:32 pm

Good job, now just keep piling on the runs boys. no lead is safe with dennys reyes and company lurking.

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:33 pm

Bluebirds up 4-2

Nora says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:33 pm

Yes, no lead is safe.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

5-2 jays

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

Soda, buddy, ummm, well, ah,………
“Hookt on fonix werkt fer me.”

Chernobyl says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

Due to heavy air traffic at MSP tonight, the air traffic controllers will not let Gardy go to the gas cans, er bullpen, until the Twins have scored at least 10 runs. Keep hitting boys.

Nora says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

5-2 now for the Birds

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

Little miss sarcasm…I’ve asked you before NOT to call me darling….and it is absolutely ridiculous for you to make the statement that Punto throws a tantrum daily….just plainly a bald faced lie.

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

Orioles?
Cardinals?
Pheasants”

More specific, Nora!

Nora says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:36 pm

Blue Jays the ones playing the Sox right now, LOL

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:37 pm

So think Mirajes makes his first appearance tonight? Or, is he really here just to balance the other end of the bullpen bench that Reyes sits on?

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:37 pm

Last week, when I was reading some articles about AL MVP candidates, a lot of writers just mentioned Morneau as a courtesy, but that is to be expected.

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:37 pm

Honest question, sodak…are you like, related to Nicky or something? His agent?

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

Tank ewe!

Godd nite for Canadiens!

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

“So think Mirajes makes his first appearance tonight?”

I am surprised they haven’t used him earlier, especially with the current state of the bullpen.

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

Carlos, We have Bonser to do that job too.

Nora says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Why should that be ‘expected’? He has as much reason to be in the race then any other player.

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:39 pm

I said multiple tantums weekly….. don’t change my words….. and darling is nicer than what I could call you…. especially after trying to say I am a liar.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Young made that play a lot more interesting than I would like, but he did make a good last minute adjustment…

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:40 pm

Nice catch, DY. But, it’s always less impressive when you check your glove after you’ve made the catch to see if the ball is there.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:40 pm

Frankely, I believe most writers don’t care an ounce about Morneau and his team.

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:40 pm

That’s a typical, stupid question often asked the geniuses on these blogs whenever someone difends someone who’s being bashed. NO…I’m not even a big Punto fan, actually….I just believe strongly in the idea of fairness. What’s happened to Punto this season on these blogs is totally unfair in my opinion.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:41 pm

Two good innings in a row…

MudCat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:41 pm

Right Gatty. An awful lot of sickening man-love for Pedroia lately.

Ozzie calls him a “midget”. I think he got in trouble for it.

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:42 pm

Paul Konerko injured in the Jays-Sox game.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:42 pm

alight,

let’s forget this game for a day (and yes it’s done). The biggest glaring weakness for the Twins next year (other than the bullpen and that is repairable through free agency) is catching. The only acceptable catcher they have in the minors south of the Rookie leagues is Ramos and he is 2-3 years away…

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

Multiple tantrums weekly is also a total fabrication little miss _ _ _

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

was he the one who injured his knee in a rundown?

TC fan in LA says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

Morneau had a quite August, he needs a loud September. MVP is his for the taking, but he needs to put the twins on his back get them to the playoffs or at least close until the end. The Quentin injury changed the scenario. Dye is now a possible candidate, but Pedroia the likely choice right now.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

What was injured?

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

Well, sodak, I’m not sure why the hostility is necessary. It was just a little joke.

You do seem a bit, oh, I don’t know, STRIDENT in your take.

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

you can finish that statement….. won’t hurt my feelings

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

Do you even watch the games???

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

Dye has trailed off a bit lately…

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

a Jason Giambi single

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:45 pm

little Miss:

I would assume so since the Sox boards are talking about his knee.

Of course I just turn on the Sox game, living in Chicago and all.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:45 pm

God, he torn his ACL, that has got to hurt

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

What’s on second, gatty. I don’t think he was injured.

Who’s on first.

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

Yep, right knee. Ouch.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

sodak,

for the record, I do not hate Nick Punto. He is what he is. I do not question his performance. It is what it is. I, however, question his manager’s performace about playing him against a superior fielder (Everett) and a superior hitter (Harris). That’s all.

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

Glad FSN North showed that so I don’t have to listen to the Hawk bitch and whine about it now.

Nora says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

The old Sox are falling like flies.

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

of course, it is the one game we don’t have here

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

No, I saw the replay on FSN. His knee is toast.

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

Sox age is starting to show

Steve H. says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

Nice going LNP, way to advance that runner, why no bunt? Nice going Carlos, too bad no one was on base!

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

Four-for, another phantom call…

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

thier age

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

Friend or foe, I always feel bad when I see those knee injuries. Man, they happen in freak ways sometimes.

Nora says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

The one time Span doesn’t get a hit there is someone at 3rd.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

ok

who was injured?

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

That injury has to be really deflating for the WSox…

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

Konerko

Nora says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

Konerko, I believe.

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

Punto, of course, is the only player ever to fail to advance the runner….and, of course, every time he does fail to do that it must be pointed out with great and joyful hostlity by someone on this blog.

Whiteness says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

Man, the division is right there for the Twins…

I hope Konerko recovers, but, man, what an opportunity for the Twins.

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

No, WHO’s on first.

What’s on second.

I don’t know who’s on third.

But Konerko injured his knee.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

70 pitches for Blackburn, not bad

little Miss Sarcasm says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

Do you even watch the games???

If this is to me…… yes I do, every day since opening day Sunday through Thursday…..

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

Swisher is at first

Whiteness says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

And where are Craig and B.C. Beneke and jama?

Steve H. says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

Nora, they would have scored one if LNP could have advanced the runner. Can’t fault Span, he has 3 hits to Nicky’s 1

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

Just need Jim Thome to get some back spasms too ;)

Nora says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

Konerko and Quentin down within days of eah other. I bet it is deflating but they still have Dye and Thome.

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

Then you have a huge imagination…….or just a great deal of hatred for Nick Punto. I think, perhaps, both.

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

thrylos,
I didn’t see that one coming. “The biggest glaring weakness for the Twins next year (other than the bullpen and that is repairable through free agency) is catching.”

I personally think you fill all the other spots with all stars, before you start going 2-deep at a spot already taken by an all star.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

Nice DP for the defense, great inning for blackburn

Nora says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:54 pm

Both Punto and Span had oppurtunities for an RBI and did not get it.

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:54 pm

Good one Steve H…..keep spewing the hate…..but it’s not really all that impressive.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

My computer, along with me, just got gangbanged. Been offline for a few minutes.

Konerko scoring runs and producing RBIs for the season at the same rate as Punto.

Griffey with the Sox (in the AL) scoring runs at a slower rate than Punto.

Uribe scoring runs at the same rate as Punto.

Of course I will — and already did — grant you Thome (a lot of solo homers?). But also of course Punto is better than all four of the above defensively.

So probably not “the least insightful post in the history of this board”.

But rather, touche.

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

We forgive you.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

“My computer, along with me, just got gangbanged.”

Please, spare us the details…
:)

sodak says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

Good night everyone….have fun with you’re incessant, unfair bashing of Nick Punto……..I’ve pretty much had all I can take.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

So, at the beginning, and in the end, I was just trying to expose the AUTOMATIC bitching about Punto for the fraud that it is.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

I always have fun when the twins are winning

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

Gomez does have fun out there. Hopefully, someone teaches him how to recognize breaking balls this winter. He has so much raw talent.

I know it isn’t widely agreed after some miserable months, but I surely wouldn’t trade this kid. I expect great things consistently from this kid in 2-3 years.

TC fan in LA says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

LNP did not need to advance a runner for the Twins to score. Since Gomez tripled, the Twins would have had the run as long as Nicky did not erase the runner with the gidp.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

no time for bickering :)

hope these scores end they way they are.

That said:

I hope Konerko gets healthy by December

I hope that Gardy and LNP go to another place next year (joined at the hips -and heck I am not gonna make any Catholic Church priest references about the relationship of Gardy with LNP)

1 game. Go Twins

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:00 pm

I stand corrected, Rome’s. You just topped it.

Steve H. says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:01 pm

sodak, I don’t hate Punto, but he shouldn’t be an everyday player. I think there are better options for the Twins at short

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

6-2 jays

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Carlos G,

I am thinking organization-wide re: catcher.

The current back up catcher (who actually starts about 35-40 games a season) is a joke with the bat.

All I am saying is that the Twins (since they have no worthy catchers higher than the Rookie leagues) need to find a catcher that would take a reasonable 100-200 AB at the MLB level for them…

not discussed, but it is an issue…

Steve H. says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

TC fan, well I’m not watching the game so I don’t know about them scoring the run, I suppose, Buscher was the base runner at the time

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

For the record, I think the incessant Punto bashing is overboard as well.

Punto shouldn’t be a starter. He makes for a decent futility infielder. Currently, given the options, he probably should be the regular shortstop. I don’t know that he needs to start every friggin day, but both Everett and Harris have issues as well.

I just find it humorous to see someone come on here and come completely unglued over a little Punto bashing.

It’s like spending two hours vigorously defending Tang over regular orange juice.

Who cares?

TC fan in LA says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

Steve, I am only listening on the radio. Your point is well taken given buscher’s speed on the bases.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

“My computer, along with me, just got gangbanged” I was referring to the gangbang of certain of you posters.

I hope sodak hasn’t gone away. The righteous shouldn’t be weak just because there are ignorant, presumptive sadists afoot.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

Remond is a career .292 hitter not bad, but he does have ZERO power.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

I hope so romer, because I don’t think computers were designed for gangbangs…

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

Probably the last inning for Blackburn

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

USAFChief,

that had to be Punto’s wife or something…

but you have to consider the cost here… Harris costs the Twins a fifth of what Punto does… Everett cost them less than a half of Punto’s cost. Money for money.. duh…

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

Brace yourselves…this is probably Blackies last inning

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

I think Red Dog does alright at the plate. As gatty pointed out, he doesn’t hit for power at all, but his average this year is higher than most starting catchers.

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

I don’t think cost is a factor in the middle of a season, thrylos. The money is spent no matter who plays.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

“I think there are better options for the Twins at short”

I like Punto’s BA, offensive production (as a SS) considering he’s a very excellent fielder.

His stats project out to just under 50 Xtra base hits for a full season.

It doesn’t compare to the big bashers, etc., but it isn’t mockable either.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

Perhaps a Major League Debut next inning…

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:14 pm

Statistically, both offensively and defensively, punto is the best short stop for the twins right now. Next season on the other hand…

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:15 pm

For the record, I hate when he slides into 1st. Always will.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:17 pm

Dick the game is 7-2, I think the Jays have already broken the game open…

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:18 pm

Wow, booing Delmon Young is a little harsh

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

That kind of obliviousness always ticks me off a bit.

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

Chief,
No way I take Tang over regular orange juice, just for the record.

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

I do agree booing is probably not apropriate especially with a five run lead.

Steve H. says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

Did you see Harris slide into first and get the infield hit a few games back? Awesome, trying to be like LNP to impress Gardy

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:21 pm

Awsome or sad like a little dog trying to win over his owners affection

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:22 pm

Gardy must not read this blog. It looks like Mirajes is still not trustworthy enough in a 5 run game. At least we don’t have to worry about too many innings on one-pitch, one batter Reyes.

Gardy better not bring in Matty, Crain, or Boof if this game stays 4 runs or greater lead.

TC fan in LA says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:22 pm

8-2 bluejays with bases loaded and no outs in the top of the 8th.

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:22 pm

Papelbon has a blown save.

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:22 pm

I hate when people boo Delmon Young, I think it’s just becoming cliche at the Dome and people do it just because everyone else is doing it. I think he’s been decent for the Twins this year and hasn’t hurt us too much. His only thing, in my opinion, is when he screws up, he screws up HUGE, which draws the boos.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:23 pm

romer,

i hear you, but here goes the skinny:

the Twins have about $20some mil to spend for next year’s roster.

They need bullpen help and a third baseman.

would you sign Punto (for $3-4 of those $20 mil?)

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:23 pm

96 and out. Sheeeezss.

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:24 pm

The 7,000 fans in Tampa Bay must be going crazy over the Rays. BoSox just went up on the Rays, 4-3 in the 8th.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:24 pm

Man, a 94 mph heater from Big Sweat.

TC fan in LA says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

never mind 7-2, sportsline.com just back tracked.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

Jose Mijares in the ninth?

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

“Gardy must not read this blog”

I would hope a manager making millions to coach a baseball game wouldn’t be taking advice from disgruntled fans on the local newspaper message board.

I agree completely with what you’re saying, Carlos. Absolutely no reason to not pitch Mirajes, he can’t do any worse than the other guys. I just really don’t think Gardy is checking the Strib message lines in the clubhouse after the game. If he was, a lot of things would’ve changed by now….

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

well its time to start beating our heads against the wall…the pain is a pleasant distraction…

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:26 pm

bitchsox have 8 hits in 16 innings so far today.

I smell slump back there.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:26 pm

How did MVP miss that? Very rare.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

That would have been a nice play, morne probably should have trapped the throw…

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

Other than the fact that Gardy is a certifiable idiot, not seeing Mijares (or Korecky or Humber) here, means that he is trying to play games with Bill Smith (remember that about 2 months ago?) And it’s about time that BS grows some cajones to tell Gardy who the boss is…

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

Carlos:
“The 7,000 fans in Tampa Bay must be going crazy over the Rays”

L-O-fricking-L. The Rays could do Matt Garza Bobblehead night, given to the first 10,000 fans, and have it carry over to the next night.

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

Rays struggling to keep from drowning. 4-4 top of 9.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

I think Gardy is doing a little over-managing here…

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

5-4 Rays.

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

Reyes wants to give the game away.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

Papelbon really laid an egg in the ninth…

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

Blackburn threw well tonight…maybe we can have him take some snaps in case T-Jack sucks again?

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

Well, this is just friggin great. Use both Reyes and Crain.

Buckwheat says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

No homer Crain.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

Good Crain

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

OK, still 5 run lead. Now, how about one of the call ups for the 9th?

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

God, I hate our bullpen…they make the Royals look good by making it harder than it should be

mbrian33 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

I love how so many call for Harris in the lineup as an offensive force and talk about Punto playing yet again as pathetic. This year Punto has both a better on-base percentage than Harris .342-.319, but he is also OUT-SLUGGING Harris .397-.388. Harris has been well below average both offensively and defensively this year, and he is supposed to be the answer to the Twins problems?

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

“would you sign Punto (for $3-4 of those $20 mil?)”

Yes, over Tolbert/Harris/Everett — for the utility IF spot. And probably leave those three for Twins history.

In 2006, when utility IF Punto won the 3B position the last half, the Twins failed to replace him with an adequate utility guy. I believe it cost them in the playoffs, to my recollection.

Punto is an important player on next year’s team. You know who I want at 3B. Now wave the magic wand and get a SS.

But if Beltre does 3B, the Twins could accept a little weaker D at SS with Harris. But you know Gardy.

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

romer,

Twins didn’t get swept by the A’s in 2006 because of not replacing Punto as a utility INF. It was the whole damn team that stopped hitting that caused the Twins to be one and done.

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

Mauer would be the obvious choice for QB for Vikes. Of the less obvious guys, I like Perk. He would be sort of like Joe Kapp… maybe not as much raw QB talent, but with some fire in the belly.

Of course, he would have to be replaced in the 3rd quarter.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

Beltre does have a good ZR

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

Perkins would have a halftime meltdown…

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

Carlos, great point, I completely forgot about Mauer, who I believe still has a never-ending offer on the table to QB Florida State if he wants to.

Mauer wouldn’t be as mobile as Tavarded Jackson, but if he got good pocket protection he could throw downfield to our receiving corps and put up some good numbers.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

romer,

man you are scaring me…

here is a scenario (quite achievable I might add): Ryan Zimmerman at third, Rafael Furcal at short.

Would you still want LNP in the team if he cost you getting one of those?

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

Why doesn’t Gardinslug use one of the callups with a five run lead. I don’t want to hear a peep from him that this bullpen is overworked…

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

Yeah I know, Shaun. I vaguely remember a game when the weak utility IF spot came into play.

Anything can happen in the playoffs. Who knows? If they had gotten one win……

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

How exactly are the Twins going to get Ryan Zimmerman?

TC fan in LA says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

I would go with Span as qb for the Vikes. Denard seems to be able to do everything else, outplaying TJ would be a breeze.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

Just give the Nationals’ GM some kick backs…

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

Zimmerman and Furcal are going to eat up $17M in payroll?

Steve H. says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

Crain still in, Joe warming up I hope?

Shaun says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

And here I thought the bad defense in the 2006 ALDS involved Torii Hunter’s ill-conceived diving in CF.

coco says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

The White Sox had good health for most of the season, but that sure is changing lately. Apparently all those home run swings & trots are wearing down their stamina. They just might fall apart yet. Look at Gardy trying to build Crain’s confidence. We will probably only see the “call up” pitchers if game is a blowout the rest of the season.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

Big Pappi v. Percival in bottom 9th.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

How exactly are the Twins going to get Ryan Zimmerman?

easier done that said…

RZ value is way down this season after his injury… Cuddyer + Perkins + $ + Plouffe would do it

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

I just don’t get the not using callups at this point. Gardy better not need to use Crain tomorrow and see him come in with a tired/dead arm.

What lead does it take to get to Mirajes or Humber?

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

Is Mijares injured or what?

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

I’m going on record right now…I hope to heaven we don’t need Crain in a tight game tomorrow because of a need to use him in 2 innings of a 7-2 game tonight.

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

Mauer QB
Span, Gomez, Casilla as our speedy WR corps
Delmon Young FB
Morneau RB
Mike Redmond, Randy Ruiz, Jason Kubel, Eddie G on the O-line
Joe Nathan TE

That team right there beats last night’s Vikings team!

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

Wow a 97 from Crain.

If Morneau makes the play, the BP would have been nigh unto perfect.

Steve H. says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

Wow, Crain loking good tonight! But hey no pressure, Twins have a few runs to give

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

Gardy continues to be a conundrum…

coco says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

Only a game out again. Too bad ESPN thinks we have no chance. If only we could all be lucky enough to live on the (L)East coast. :)

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

Reyes and Boof are the DTs

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

“Cuddyer + Perkins + $ + Plouffe would do it”

I doubt it. Why would Washington take on Cuddyer? HIS value is way down right now too.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

Bostn loses. Only 6 hits tonight.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

Zimmerman and Furcal are going to eat up $17M in payroll?

not necessarily (but you have to give Furcal a $ 8+ mil a year contract) but you have to think about arbitration for next year (Kubel, Guerrier ++ ) and a couple of bullpen reliever free agent signings… (that will probably put the tab up to $25 mil, but they can afford it)

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

OK. Today was exactly the day we needed. Assuming 8-2 jays lead holds up, we gain back 1.5 games today. Boys should feel a lot better. Let’s get this thing rolling the right way again.

Steve H. says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

Whities lose two, Twins within a game now. Twins need to build on tonights win

Aaron says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:49 pm

Good morale boost tonight

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

one game back is nice

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

USAFChief,

Zimm’s value at this point is slightly more than Cuddy’s because of the injury. The Twins need to offer cash to offset that stupid contract they signed Cuddy to, plus a couple of cheap players the Nats can use…

Carlos G says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

If that $10 billion Big Bang experiment doesn’t work out so well tomorrow, it was good knowing you all. And here we were so close to first.

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

At least the Blue Jays can consistantly dominate AL central competition.

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:52 pm

MVP’s 2-run shot was the morale boost.

mbrian33 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:52 pm

After all the leads this bullpen has coughed up over the last 3 weeks, I’m surprised people are complaining about leaving Crain in for a second inning.

Gardy isn’t in a position to take anything for granted with any kind of a late lead.

Whiteness says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:52 pm

No way Washington gives up Zimmerman, unless it is for Liriano and two top prospects. He is Washington’s Mauer.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:57 pm

One of the so called reasons why the twins bullpen sucks is due to overuse…

T says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:57 pm

Gotta love a night like this. Win 1 game, gain 1.5 on the Sox.

He is Washington’s Mauer.

If you describe him like that, nobody here will want him.

Team needs power, not another singles hitter. ;)

gil says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

Why do people think that we can give away our spare parts and get a player like zimmerman or beltre???????

Zany…

ONE GAME BACK!!!
For all of our poor play of late just one game seperates us.
If we can get hot its the Post Season!!!

Go Twins!

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

No way Washington gives up Zimmerman

Please tell me the last time Zimm played?

T says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

hope to heaven we don’t need Crain in a tight game tomorrow because of a need to use him in 2 innings of a 7-2 game tonight

Maybe Gardy’s finally figured out the Bullpen’s suck rotation…so he used Crain on a scheduled “good” day as he will be sucky for the next few.

bufftwins says:

September 9th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

Good day in Twinsville. Nice win over the Royals and the White Sox lose a pair to the Red Hot Blue Jays. Great win for Blackburn. You have to love the Twins young starting pitching for the future.

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:02 pm

T-

The Twins’ suck rotation? Would you believe me if I told you I’m still laughing at that comment!

USAFChief says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

In reality, the Twins bullpen is probably due for some good luck, regression to the mean, hot streak, or whatever you want to call it.

They’ve sucked but they’re probably not as bad as the past month would suggest, either.

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:05 pm

I still don’t get why Mijares was not used tonight, but Gardy’s brain is an abyss I do not want to attempt to comprehend…

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

He must be injured, that is the only thing I think of.

Joe, is he injured?

romer says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

Well, sure…..the double header loss. But the loss of Konerko — who was recovering his season — on top of the Crede and Quentin losses.

Gotta believe the Twins take the Central with their 5-core starters.

Let’s see how Breslow/Boof/Guerrier look tomorrow.

Thursday should be a lock with Lights-Out-Liriano (LOL).

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

here is the deal:

they sweep the Royals at home

they go 6/10 at the road against Baltimore, Cleveland and Tampa…

they have the division

gil says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:09 pm

Loss of Konerko?

He is out now??

Wow!

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

Hurt his knee in a run down

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

gatty,

I don’t think that Mijares is injured…

It’s another one of those Gardy things trying to go with the ‘tried and true’ (see Juannie usage before Smith cut him and Bassie usage before Smith cut him) at these circumstances…

gil says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

yeah I just read about it.

Well, its our division to win now
If our pen can just be halfway decent…

gil says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:13 pm

According to my understanding, Mijares can’t pitch in the post season.

I think gardy would rather boost his pen’s confidence

thrylos98 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:16 pm

Well, Mijares can pitch in the post-season (reference K-Rod)

the problem is that Gardy rather have a nap…

bufftwins says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:20 pm

Tonight’s attendance at the Dome,
17,015. Pathetic.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:23 pm

Good attendance is earned by consistently good play

fcmlefty says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:24 pm

Thats really not a horrible attendance figure for a school night against a non-premeire team

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:26 pm

I’d like see better attendance numbers as well but hey I didn’t go tonight so I can’t criticize if I’m not helping the cause.

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:27 pm

I’m not an expert on other teams, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that the KC Royal fanbase doesn’t travel a lot

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:27 pm

Considering the twins are averaging in the upper 20s this season, its not like the dome has been the trop.

jack Legg says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:40 pm

Thrylos98:
Give Buscher a little credit. The name is Buscher, not Butcher. 3/4, run scored, RBI perfect in the field.
GREAT teammate. You don’t know jack about the team.

tom grue says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:49 pm

i like tolbert where is all this cancer shit coming from cuz he swings the bat good altho he did make an error in toronto is that the cancer you idiots are talking about?

tom grue says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:51 pm

plus ive read that his teamates love him no???

Jesse Crain says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:53 pm

I dominated tonight, you fairweather bitches.

gatty790 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 10:57 pm

Dick had the call of the day on top plays…

jon says:

September 9th, 2008 at 11:05 pm

“How exactly are the Twins going to get Ryan Zimmerman?
easier done that said…
RZ value is way down this season after his injury… Cuddyer + Perkins + $ + Plouffe would do it”

Where do you come up with that nonsense?
Suggest that on a Nationals website and then prepare to duck!

Dan says:

September 9th, 2008 at 11:08 pm

Fairweather bitches?

How about “we don’t like guys who have killed our team and blown tons of leads the last month” bitches?

izzy997 says:

September 9th, 2008 at 11:28 pm

Throw in Punto and you have a deal!

Brian Butcher says:

September 10th, 2008 at 12:11 am

No, it’s “Butcher.”

Been called that ever since high school.

Not real sure why. Even my mom took to calling me that.

AgateHunter'swife says:

September 10th, 2008 at 1:04 am

stpaul43 says:

“i really think tolbert getting promoted back up hurt our teams chemistry, just an opinion, but before he returned we were pretty hot and hitting, since he came back we’ve been in a slump, just like he has been since gardy awarded him the final roster spot in spring training. the guy just isn’t ready”

Tolbert didn’t rejoin the team until September 1, the day before the Toronto series, I think the Twins were already playing bad without Tolberts help since he wasn’t even there.

Tolbert has hardly played, how can you blame him for the twins losing?

AgateHunter'swife says:

September 10th, 2008 at 1:31 am

Chernobyl says: at 8:13 pm

“How many runs do we need for it to be safe to bring in one of the gas cans sitting down the left field line?”

My rule of thumb is 9 runs. Thats two grand slams on 1 kicker.

AgateHunter'swife says:

September 10th, 2008 at 1:32 am

My rule of thumb is 9 runs. Thats two grand slams and 1 kicker.