Sunday lineups: Morneau out with ‘general soreness’
Posted on June 21st, 2009 – 11:05 AMBy Joe Christensen
Justin Morneau is getting his first day off this season because of general soreness, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said this morning, adding that he expects Morneau will be ready to play on Tuesday in Milwaukee.
Denard Span is going on a rehab assignment to Class AAA Rochester. The Twins want him to play Monday and Tuesday for the Red Wings, then rejoin the team in Milwaukee on Wednesday before being activated from the DL on Thursday.
Nick Punto has sore ribs but Gardenhire said he doesn’t expect him to have to go on the DL.
Kevin Slowey has been pushed back in the rotation, after cramping in his side during Friday’s start. So the rotation, starting Tuesday in Milwaukee will go: Francisco Liriano, Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, Glen Perkins and Slowey.
The Twins are playing a Father’s Day family game on the field, so those are all the pregame updates available at this time.
Updates as they come.
Update: Morneau has played in 319 consecutive games, dating to 2007. That is the second-longest streak behind Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, who is at 343.
Update: Jason Kubel left today’s game in the fourth inning. No update as to why, but will have it here when it’s announced. Michael Cuddyer moved to right field, and Brian Buscher was inserted at first base.
Update: The Twins announced that Kubel left the game because he is ill.
ASTROS (32-36)
1. Michael Bourn, CF
2. Jeff Keppinger, 3B
3. Miguel Tejada, SS
4. Carlos Lee, DH
5. Lance Berkman, 1B
6. Hunter Pence, RF
7. Ivan Rodriguez, C
8. Kazuo Matsui, 2B
9. Jason Michaels, LF
Starting pitcher: Wandy Rodriguez (5-6, 3.33 ERA)
TWINS (35-35)
1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Brendan Harris, SS
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, RF
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. Mike Redmond, C
9. Matt Tolbert, 2B
Starting pitcher: LH Glen Perkins (2-3, 5.09 ERA)
Metrodome. First pitch: 1:10 p.m.
196 Responses to "Sunday lineups: Morneau out with ‘general soreness’"
why is Morales up if he isn’t going to play? First
i’d like to see morales get a start. morneau needs a day off he has looked tired don’t want him to totally wear down like last year.
So what is the point of having Morales on the roster?
Morales is up so that Mauer can DH and if RedDog gets injured, the Twins won’t lose the DH. (which forces pitchers to hit)
Glad to see Brendan Harris cementing his place in the top of the order…it’ll be interesting to see what happens when Span gets back. Drop Harris down to 5th/6th?
“why is Morales up if he isn’t going to play?”
The better question is “why doesn’t Morales play instead of Red occasionally? (or always?)
Also, glad to see Morneau getting a day off. Lately he looks like he’s been trying to force things to happen. He’s driving in runs (albeit by getting outs mostly), but he just hasn’t looked comfortable.
“The better question is “why doesn’t Morales play instead of Red occasionally? (or always?)”
Because Red is a nice guy and we owe him something. Like Rondell White.
And who would you rather have ph, Red or Morales?
My friends, please don’t try to understand why Redmond is in the lineup instead of Morales. It is one of those phenomena that occurs in nature that we just can’t understand no matter how hard we try, like the reversal of the magnetic poles.
I’m still traumatized by Sean Henn for yesterday. It has gotten to the point where if Henn (or his partner in atrocity, Luis Ayala) comes in in a close game I get physically ill. And sad. Nothing can stop the sadness.
I’d rather have Morales get 3-4 PAs then Red. Especially after that double last night. How long had it been between PAs for Morales? A week?
If you base it on who you would rather have pinch hit, shouldn’t Mauer never start? That way he’d always be available to pinch hit.
“And who would you rather have ph, Red or Morales?”
Well, today, I’d rather see Justin Morneau pinch hit!
Wandy’s home and away splits: .219/.275/.379 at home and .311/.385/.439 away. That’s a ~170 point swing in OPS. Something to be hopeful for.
Morales is a liability as a defensive catcher. Redmond is servicable.
It would be nice to see Pridie get some at bats to.
Nice job sliding into 1st Punto: bruised ribs, about half an inch from getting cleated on his finger by the pitcher. What is it going to take to wise up? It’s getting old, run through the friggen base.
i was hoping to get online today and see that mr henn was no longer in the twins org. but no such luck…why are we hanging onto that ragarm is way beyond me…we have promising arms in the minors, swarzak for one and others that may well work much better than henn- whats it going to take? 2 or 3 more sad appearances ..come on bill smith the handwriting is all over the wall on this guy…..
our bullpen was HORRIBLE last year, and Bill Smith completely ignored this issue over the winter. As a Twins fan, I feel like I am getting ripped off watching these games.
Swarzak needs to start, not work out of the pen. We are going to need him in the rotation this season. And going by Henn’s AAA numbers, no one was better, so who do you suggest to take his place?
put swarzak back in the roatation and let liriano work out of the pen for awhile, if nothing else…
I’d go with Morillo bb.
Henn doesn’t have the stuff to justify his AAA record this year. It was an aberration.
maybe its time to bring back that 98 mph fastball of morillos…that could always be good for one inning i would hope….i think hes done pretty well at rochester-maybe someone who follows them closer would know for sure….
I enjoyed the fight we had last night to not just give up and lose, we made a run at the victory. Keep it up Twins.
mj1: Morillo’s BB rate is improved. Its certainly not great, but if he could duplicate his AAA K/BB ratio of ~2 with the big club, he would be serviceable. Granted, that’s a big if. Regardless if he were to replace Henn, though, neither should have relieved Baker last night.
I don’t feel that Henn’s 7.53 ERA in 78 innings (career MLB totals) should be considered an “aberration”……
I’d rather call it an “abortion”.
Red’s the better catcher, Morales the better hitter — flip of a coin — but Perk, who could implode on any given day, is pitching; so I’ll take Red. If it were Blackburn or Slowey going today; I’d take the heftier hitter.
My thoughts mirror your own sane. Henn’s time with the Yankees speaks loudly.
mj1-
Have you not noticed that Liriano has had 3 decent starts in a row? Swarzak had a good game against a struggling offense, big deal, he could only pitch 4 innings his 2 starts before that, giving up 9 ER’s in the process. I don’t understand why everyone thinks Swarzak is some saviour. Serviceable, ya maybe, but why mess with Liriano further by throwing him in the pen. We all saw what he could do last year after the all star break.
On the other hand, Craig Breslow has a 2.31 ERA with the A’s (2.84 career ERA), after being run out of town by the chronically impatient.
do the Twins regret jumping the gun on Breslow? the Twins are going to need another lefty for the pen, would Duensing be a better option than Henn? After Duensing there aren’t many left handed options in the minors.. i think Ryan Mullins is one.. and he hasn’t made it out of AA
Liriano’s K rate: 7.88 per 9. Swarzak’s: 5.86. If Liriano locates, he has more upside than Swarzak.
A couple of weeks ago I was among the people that would have liked Liriano to the pen and Swarzak starting. After seeing the improvement in Liriano I have revised my thinking and hopefully Liriano continues to improve. I think the logical choice barring a trade would be bringing up Keppel right now. The unfortunate thing is besides the Twins looking for a relief pitcher in a trade there are about 20 teams doing the same thing. That only drives the price up and up..
i think alot of people are waiting/wishing for the old liriano, but that is just not going to happen…he has been hurt too bad, but he still is very good and can be a top flite pitcher, but i believe it might be better off in the pen, where he could go all out for 2 or 3 innings at the most if needed and call it a day..take the pressure off of being a starter that has to go 6-7 innings to be called effective…..jmho
Liriano’s biggest problem (next to his control), is panic/choking in pressure situations such as runners on base….. not a good thing for a late inning reliever. Let’s hope he can mature into his God given abilities.
Maybe they are grooming Morales to be the next bench coach. That’s why he’s up here instead of getting playing time in Rochester.
Maybe, Gardenhire wanted another middle infielder and is letting Morales rot on the bench to show up Bill Smith.
I’ve wondered if Liriano is a bit fragile. If so, losing his spot in the rotation might crush his confidence.
more than anything i just want to see morillo back throwing nothing but 98mph darts…go out, get 3 ks and sit down for the day…lol….i just read where last time out morillo went 2 scoreless innings - maybe hes getting close to returning…- anything but crain
Why is Tolbert still on the MLB roster and now starting??
He is one of two or three players delaying other achievers in the minors from developing with the taste of MLB play.
I’ve wondered if Liriano is a bit fragile. If so, losing his spot in the rotation might crush his confidence.
A bit fragile? Understatement of the year.
He curled up into a little ball against the Royals on the final weekend last season. He has no confidence, that’s the trouble. Put him on the DL for ‘mental issues’ ala Dontrelle Willis.
Walter
That is a very interesting point.It has appeared in the past that Smith and Gardenhire have not been on the same page about things in the past concerning the roster.
After wishing for Punto to on the DL for the first 2 months. Now that his play has switched from being detrimental to beneficial and the mid infield has stabilized he insists on these silly head first slides into first. It may have got him noticed in the minors but any usefulness has long been outlived. Why Twins management doesn’t tell Punto to knock it off is beyond me.
“As a Twins fan, I feel like I am getting ripped off watching these games.”
This, to me, is funny. Have you called the police? Considered hiring a lawyer?
“Put him on the DL for ‘mental issues’ ala Dontrelle Willis.”
His ERA is 3.79 his last 3 starts.
I invite posters to do what I’m doing right now — drink more coffee.
too nice…youre in luck, theres an Andy Griffith Marathon going on today…ya can always switch over to that …..
The frickin’ Rockies, Giants, Reds, and Rangers have a better record than the Twinks at 35-33!
too nice i am sorry, i meant jj……
Anytone think Morny will pinch hit at some point today to keep his streak of consecutive games going?
I meant to write 2+ above .500… after noticing the Rockies sudden and meteoric climb. Perhaps such miracle will happen with the Twins?
i hate the my29 broadcast, so crappy
Somebody forget to tell the Twins the game starts at 1:10 today?
Perk has to bear down already.
Blah!
Good grief!
Now Kubel makes a pansie effort…
OK, he kinda lost it in the roof.
This team really misses a spark, a true motivating leader, similar to Hunter who could remind them that everything is okay and to relax, yet focus.
Did you ever notice that whenever Cuddyer plays first somehow, someway it bites the Twins in the butt!
Blame the runs on two guys not playing there regular postions. Cuddyer at first and Kubel misplaying the fly ball from Tejada.
“Why is Tolbert still on the MLB roster and now starting??”
Who else do you want up?
Who is ready now?
What has happened to Berkman, a perennial top 10 elite MLB hitter??
With this start it may be Dickey time again!
With Wandy Rodriguez (an up-and-coming top caliber pitcher) pitching today, the Twins will be hard pressed to score 3 today.
Good enough pitch, but Pence did a good job hitting.
3-0 bott 1st. What’s this Rodriguez’s ERA?
Big dickey will have to rise to the occasion, if this keeps up.
yup- count two of those runs to gardy and his lineup changes…great move- whoever told gardy that cuddy was a 1st baseman anyway…i will never understand that
I’m not opposed to giving Tolleson a shot. He certainly couldn’t do worse at 2B.
Time to get Dickey up?
3.33 era - when he is good, he is really good, superb; but when Wandy is less than good, he is pretty bad. Let’s see who shows up today.
I know this is just a wish but I would like us to trade for a 2B not only for this year but for the future. We have no infield depth. I think it is becoming obvious that Casilla is on the outs. We would be better with Punto being the utility guy. IMO
Who else besides Cuddy at 1B today against the lefty Rodriquez?
Gotta be Cuddy….
This why when the Twins had a chance to win yesterday it would have been nice to use our better relievers. Now Twins might lose this series. Ugh.
Make Wandy pitch to you
Who is Wandy?
How about that Luis Valbuena for the Indians? I’d love to see him at 2B for the Twins.
Wandy is the Astros starting pitcher.
I had the same question yesterday, sy.
Like they say, “you win World Series’ in the fall, but you do lose them in the spring” So far, Billy Boy and Gardy do not ascribe to that or they are still trying to “feel each other out.”
time to bring up huber to spell morneau now and then and be a good bat off the bench…lose morales or tolbert
Lady luck not on the Twins side so far — Mauer smacks it, Tejada’s was kinda lazy.
Dats baseball…….
Nice going Cuddy!
Thanks, romer.
Wandy is the Astros pitcher and once again, I overlook the obvious.
Let me throw this out there. Who from the major league roster or the minors would you be willing to give up in a trade?
“great move- whoever told gardy that cuddy was a 1st baseman anyway”
Cuddy hasn’t made any mistakes today. Bourn is good. No one could have stopped that bunt base hit.
Lady luck not on the Twins side so far
Lady luck has nothing to do with Cuddyer playing first, Kubel playing right, and Perkins on the hill.
whattodo
How about anyone not named……..Hicks??? 
Valbeuna? You can’t be serious.
“lose morales or tolbert”
Lose Morales and Mauer gets benched (not DH’d) every third game.
Lose Tolbert and you have NO backup middle infielders.
Any other ideas?
woot
Is there anyone worse on our roster then Kubel against lefties? Man he is just atrocious!
“Is there anyone worse on our roster then Kubel against lefties?”
Buscher and eleven pitchers.
With Morneau out, it was gonna be either Kubel or Buscher. Both are brutal batting vs lefties, but I’d argue that Buscher at 1st and Cuddy in RF is a better defensive lineup.
BTW - Italy 0 Brazil 0, 1st half may be more interesting than this game.
Rodriguez hasn’t thrown a strike to Tolbert or Gomes, but he has two out.
Good lord.
I have noticed how the Twins batters have a habit of NOT making the opponent pitchers WORK (earn), they do it for them.
“I have noticed how the Twins batters have a habit of NOT making the opponent pitchers WORK”
Buscher does work the count, but everbody hates him anyway, so what’s the point?
I have noticed how the Twins batters have a habit of NOT making the opponent pitchers WORK
This is somehow news?
Yeah GiSC, why on earth would Gardy bat the guy who sees the fewest pitches per plate appearances (3.43) at leadoff? Can the FO mandate a bench coach? Would Gardy brawl with Billy if it happened?
What happened to Kubel?
Cuddy guessing, strikes out looking.
Kubel is ill.
Kubel get hurt?
What happened to Kubel?
Adverse reaction to a breaking ball from a tough lefty.
Thx romer, Mauer was sick last weekend too, I smell swine flue
Answer to the questions or comments of why the Twins make so many average pitchers look like Cy Young winners.
Mauer headed to < .400 Any guess when he will drop below .400? Tuesday, Wednesday… I am sure this is a betting item in Vegas.
You should prolly get your nose out of that pig’s a$$ then Phx.
I can understand this line-up w/ Perkins on the mound if we had won yesterday. It’s as if Gardy wants the Twins to remain a .500 team.
“I smell swine flu”
Could be dangerous. The prob is that it lingers for like a week.
Naw - it the dreaded, “I do not want to win Flu”
Anyway - any news on Lance Berkman and why he is so way below par this year. The man is a super hitter… what has happened to him… a nagging boo-boo or two, or one of those “end of season surgeries” the pros are so notorious for?
Did Perk not get enough warm up pitches to start the game? What happened there. Seems fine now after giving up 3 runs in the 1st.
Ole father Radke must have given Perk some pointers before the game.
he has never had any success in the 5th spot GiSC and that is where he has batted for most of the year since Cooper is boneheaded (like another one we know) to put Tejada in the 2 spot where he does a lot better. Oh and probably the wife about to have a kid, he is getting distracted, he did that the last 2 kids
GiSC: Berkman has been a bit unlucky this year, but he’s still mashing. Lots of HRs and lots of BBs (OBP is .378). The low average results from an uncharacteristic .244 BABIP when he’s been at ~.300 BABIP for his career.
Can’t help explain Berkman’s off year, but he is on track for 90 RBIs and 30 HR’s.
I am really impressed with the 3rd base that Crede plays. His defense alone makes him worth his paycheck. Now if he can just keep himself in the lineup a little better and overcome all his aches and pains… Hopefully he will have a great year and want to be back here.
This game sure would be different if Kubel hadn’t been out in RF.
Struggling opposing pitchers must just lick there chops when they find out they get to play us. It appears we have completely forgotten what your supposed to do with a bat in your hand.
Perkins is giving the Twins a chance to win, but 1 hit is not going to do it. It seems to me that Gardy is just like TK. Start some bench players every Sunday when you have an off day on Monday…… & then wonder why you get so little offense.
Hi boys and girls! Do you know what day it is?
It is SURRENDER SUNDAY for the Twins fans everywhere… a day of rest!
OB - what is BABIP?
Hi, why are we batting Gomez leadoff?
Pujols - Grand Slam! Poor Royals
In the off-season, I wish Casilla and Gomez could move in with Rod Carew and they could spend the whole off-season working on bunting and hitting. Either Carew or Molitor.
Gomez’s new MO: Carlos “Out Swinging” Gomez
Pathetic
The Gomez experiment needs to end..He needs to be dropped lower than AAA to learn how to hit…He is worthless…
The Twinks needs to own up and admit they were wrong about him….
oh so have them sort of be like Sidney Crosby living with Mario….interesting thought, doubt it would happen but one can dream
Worthless? One of the best defensive centerfielders in MLB is worthless?
Time to watch the 3rd round of the US Open or watch FIFA Confederations Cup (US vs. Egypt or Brazil vs. Italy) - yawn! ! ! ! ! ! !
Rodriguez pitch count at 98, at least we skould have a shot at a releif pitcher. Maybe we will hit their pen like they did ours last night.
bj, ya gotta remember all some people see and understand about baseball is at the plate. Not a clue otherwise, right?
FIFA Confederations Cup (US vs. Egypt or Brazil vs. Italy) - yawn
Why not just watch grass grow?
Gomez needs to learn a few things from Bourn on how to hit and actually use his speed.
GiSC: Batting Average on Balls In Play. It is an imperfect way to measure poor or good luck (think line drive outs or seeing eye singles).
Some day (seems like it should have already happened) we will be able to choose TV camera shots/views/angles from our own sets during a game… would be cool - will happen some day soon!
Chief…or watch rocks harden.
I remember when Mets fans were calling Jose Reyes worthless when he first started and struggled. I’m guessing they are pretty happy the organization had patience with him.
Man, Lee tagged that one.
Gomez making the experiment work on D.
OB - thank you
USAFChief - or watch paint dry
unionsays
“Gomez needs to learn a few things from Bourn on how to hit and actually use his speed.”
I was thinking the exact same thing after seeing Gomez continue to flail away..
On another note.. Another great catch by Gomez.. Now if he could just learn how to hit just a little….
Okay folks - this is the inning! Wandy at 98 pitches and heart of the order (minus Mr. Mauer unless… they bat around)
Soccer is really so much more boring than baseball? Pot meet kettle.
Beetlejuice…Don’t think I stuttered…Yes…Worthless…..
.167 with runner in scoring position…Defense?? How many OF get charged with errors??
He has never been able to hit..I’m still not sure what the Twinks saw in him….
So yeah…Worthless…
Where’s the crowd? This is a great opportunity for runs.
Crede has looked somewhat competent all day.
The lady luck thing again…..
Twin’s 2009 Surrender Sundays family waste continues!
Tough AB. Too bad Crede always tries to pull that outside pitch.
Kubel left the game due to illness… aka, sick of playing possum on Sundays!
Casilla pulled after 1 AB today, callup for slider boy?
Hey - “Getintherear” is pitching again!
Nice to see Henn and Ayala used in this low leverage situation. Oh waitaminnit.
Bye, bye - time to nap, watch (nap) US Open golf or soccer… ciao bambinos (we could use him!)
Well…….if Tolbert can’t bunt, hit, or tag, time for him to see some more AAA.
my thinking exactly, toby.
Nice D again by Crede.
Tolleson for Tolbert. Why not take a shot in the dark? Wouldn’t lose nothing.
The Twins offense reminds me of the White Sox, we’ve become completely dependent on the HR somehow.
1 or 2 of ‘em would be bad enough. But all 3 of Casilla/Tolbert/Buscher having surprise awful years has murdered the Twins chances so far.
How bad has it become when I wish Punto was playing?
Hey the bright side is Morales, Harris and Mauer should lead off the 9th for a rally attempt.
What’s a guy gotta do to get an AB? Morales hits a double in his sole PA in a week and can’t get the sunday B lineup gig. Gardy is the definition of obstinate.
I don’t understand how anyone can be surprised by the years Casilla/Tolbert/Buscher are having.
Buscher’s a better hitter than he’s shown.
The other two never were, never will be good offensive players.
Yeah, union. This lineup misses Punto….
:)>
just got in. wow. two hits. and at home. hard to win a game with 2 hits. amazing gardentired would use the “a” reliever set today when getting beat by 3 instead of yesterday when ahead by one. nothing like giving games away. good news…….. only need 3 to tie and 4 to win in the ninth (if dickey holds them). the boys must not like being over .500.
Punto did it to himself.
should have used these relievers last night instead of Henn and Ayala, pathetic use of a bad bullpen seems like it is a guaranteed loss unless we are up by a lot of runs, what has happened to the offense?
Dickey quietly becoming the 2nd most reliable arm in the pen!
“The other two never were, never will be good offensive players.”
Sure, Chief. But I expected at least .250 from them and 270-some from Buscher. These 3 guys crashed to the bottom……which was a surprise for me.
If interleague play is supposed to be when we “catch fire” and put on a big winning streak, this team has proved it is destined to be a .500 team. The question I guess then is, is our division weak enough to win with a .500 team.
Does anyone think this team can pull it together, now the starters are pitching better but the offense has come back to earth and the bullpen is still bad except for a few pitchers.
Tolbert seems lost. Really down on himself too. AAA is required.
I think this is probably an 85 win team when it’s all said and done, so it just depends on if anyone else in the division catches fire. It’s looking like DET’s division to lose at this point.
Casilla, Tolbert, Gomez, Young, Punto, and Buscher have been huge disappointments offensively this year.. It is extremely frustrating to see this game in and game out.. They just drag the others in the lineup down.
me, ed. If they stay healthy and Gardy has a good year here on out.
Below the .500 mark again….feels vaguely familiar.
I do ed. 4 HRs and no victory cannot occur very often. I don’t have that stat but I’d wager a lot of money that I’m right. Ultimately, Gardy needs to put this team in position to win and yesterday and today he hasn’t. Cuddy at 1st and Kubel in RF shouldn’t happen. Everyone knows about the Henn debacle. Managers more often lose games then win them. Gardy isn’t doing this team any favors.
I hope so, I think they can but they need to figure out the bullpen and quit shuffling the lineup, hard for the players to get used to hitting when they are in and out all of the time. Definitely need Span back and Punto, they can cause havoc on the basepaths when they get in, hope the day off helps for another road trip
Losing two games to a random team like Houston at home = lame.
Span back should help a lot. A quality leadoff hitter matters. And as bad as Punto is, he is a clear upgrade over Tolbert. Nothing needs to be said about the pen aside from that its been poorly managed. There are some decent arms.
This team has more talent than it’s had in two decades. The problem is the coaching staff. This staff has done next-to-nothing since the last of TK’s core left after the 2005 season. It’s one stupid move after another, one stupid personnel move after another, one excuse after another. The players aren’t inspired to play for this batch anymore. Time to move everyone but Jerry White out, bring in someone new, and for God sake, hire a Latin coach or two. The idea that these guys, Gardy, Andy, and Joe V. are best for this franchise right now is absurd. Nice homestand, boys.
Sorry, meant to say after the 2004 season.
How much havoc on the basepaths can Punto cause? The guy is hitting beneath the Mendoza line as are Tolbert, Buscher and Gomez.
Congratulations Billy Smith, this team is on its way to the cellar if Cleveland ever gets it together.
When Joe Maurer starts the 2011 season in pinstripes we will be all the way back to the pre-TK Twins and Billy Smith will still be the GM and holding court at the Sizzler buffet.
The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.
This team’s primary problem is the front office.
I’d henceforth like to start the Manny Acta for bench coach bandwagon. I don’t know if its feasible but someone needs to get in Gardy’s ear.
To add insult to injury, Rodriguez was pitching hurt (not sure if the twins side mentioned it) so now they are joking on the Houston side about designating someone to drill him on the side in BP before start….
He obviously was not hurt that much if he was able to even get on the mound to pitch.
Watching the US Open instead. Better entertainment.
Its funny how one game with 2 hits means that the offense is not that great. Didn’t the Twins score 5 games each in the previous games. Offense was not the problem, it is the bullpen for the most part, except for today when Gardy decided it was a good idea to use our best relievers when the team was losing. This series would have been a win had Gardy knew how to use a bullpen at all.
What will it take to get Billy Smith fired? Does the team have to finish in last place? Do the crowds have to stop coming to the Dome? Do Gomez and Young have to continue to struggle at the plate? Do Ayala and Henn’s ERAs have to get up over 10? What is it going to take?
5 runs each I mean, lol
Aaron Hicks is one-for-one with three walks in his game at Beloit.
No one else on his team has walked.
I hope that means he is controlling the strike zone.
I agree , it was more exciting watching a couple guys i had never heard of until 2 days ago golf. yuk. tolbert is obviously overmatched. the bullpen is misused. gomez can’t lay down a bunt w/out hitting himself in the head, but at least he didn’t get it caught in the revolving door heading into the dome today!
Ugh… Perkins sucks. Bring Swarzak back.
rob-I agreed with your 2:40 post about Gomez untill you called him worthless.He has more ability in his little finger than you have in your whole body.I take that back,you have ability in your posting finger!
Casilla, Tolbert and Buscher not hitting has hardly ruined the Twins. I think of the pen first….Gomez, Young,
and Punto sliding into first repeatedly…..
Buscher has quitely hit in three straight games and hit it on the nose last night and today. So I think he is slowly coming around. Someone mentioned about Morales batting only every 5 to 6 games. That’s what has been required of Buscher.
He is just now adjusting to this new bench role…. But will improve his hitting…just wait and see.
98 hates Buscher but he needs to be objective and worry more about other major concerns on the Twins roster.
Buscher actually has played a decent first base…..
He’s certainly more durable than Crede.
He is Crede/Morneau insurance and is just now adjusting to this bench role.
Rocky Simon = The name of my last BIG BM.
