Tuesday lineups: Morneau returns, Kubel out
Posted on June 23rd, 2009 – 5:08 PMBy Joe Christensen
MILWAUKEE — The Twins waited to post their lineup, so they could check on Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel.
Morneau is back in there after missing Sunday’s game with “general soreness.” Kubel is out with “general illness.” The way the Twins are describing their ailments these days, it makes me feel like I should salute.
Anyway, Nick Punto (bruised ribs) returns to the lineup, and the report on Denard Span’s first game from Class AAA Rochester was encouraging, so if all goes well tonight, it sounds like he’ll be activated from the DL on Thursday.
Bobby Keppel is here, wearing No. 44. Manager Ron Gardenhire also revealed today that Luis Ayala had asked to be traded three weeks before the Twins designated him for assignment on Monday. I’ll have much more on that in the notebook.
The clubhouses were completely revamped after last week’s flood damage. New carpeting, furniture, the works. Pretty impressive how fast they’ve gotten the work done. There are a few feet of dry-wall missing in certain parts of the service level, but health department inspectors have been through and the Twins were assured there are no health hazards.
Update: It sounds like Kubel has cold and flu symptoms. “He threw up [Sunday], and the fateful word: a little ‘dizzy,’ so we’ll see,” Gardenhire said.
(*) Here’s Gardy on Ayala: “He wanted an eighth-inning role; that’s why he signed over here. He wasn’t pitching well enough to be an eighth-inning guy. So there you have it.
“His thoughts were if we gave him the ball in that eighth inning, he’d be able to do the job. My thoughts are if you’re not getting them out, you’re not going to pitch in the eighth inning. We’re trying to win. So there’s your difference.
“When you walk into my office and tell me you don’t like your role, and he talked about his contract for next year — you lose me right there. I don’t deal with that. We’re talking about winning now. That’s why he’s out the door and another guy’s in there to pitch. And it’s not because he’s a bad guy. His theories are a little different.”
Interesting to note the Twins still have nine days to try and trade Ayala or pass him through waivers.
Update: The Brewers placed RHP Dave Bush on the 15-day disabled list with a micro tear in his right triceps muscle. Mike Burns will be recalled from Class AAA Nashville to pitch Thursday against the Twins.
Update: Span left tonight’s game for Rochester after getting hit by a pitch in his final plate appearance. Span, who was 1-for-2, remained in the game after appearing to get hit in the hand and stole second base but was later removed for a pinch hitter. Will have the update here ASAP.
Update: Punto left the game with cramping in his ribs. Matt Tolbert replaced him at second base in the seventh.
Update: Span has a bruised left hand. Nothing serious, we’re told. He was taken out for precautionary reasons.
TWINS (35-36)
1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Brendan Harris, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. Nick Punto, 2B
9. Francisco Liriano, P
BREWERS (37-32)
1. Jason Kendall, C
2. Casey McGehee, 2B
3. Ryan Braun, LF
4. Prince Fielder, 1B
5. Corey Hart, RF
6. Mike Cameron, CF
7. J.J. Hardy, SS
8. Bill Hall, 3B
9. Jeff Suppan, P
Miller Park. First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
228 Responses to "Tuesday lineups: Morneau returns, Kubel out"
Hope Kubes gets better quick. We can use him against the RHPing
Ayala requested a trade?? That is the funniest thing I have heard in a long time!!
Well that explains Ayala. Pertinent piece of information, no? This Go-Go leading off nonsense, however, is foolish.
You can ask for a trade when you’re that bad? Apparently nobody wanted him. What a surprise.
I just wonder why we’ve randomly decided to start hitting Gomez leadoff. Harris was doing pretty good IMO
OB, I agree. What was wrong with having Harris leading off. Especially in a national league park, you’d think you would want Gomez hitting in front of the pitcher, let them pitch around Gomez to put his speed on base.
I really like Liriano in the 9-hole.
“Manager Ron Gardenhire also revealed today that Luis Ayala had asked to be traded three weeks before the Twins designated him for assignment on Monday.”
I’ll bet Ayala was fed up with all of Gardy’s mistakes as documented by the Gardy-bashers on the blogs.
If I believed them, I would want out of there, too.
Gomez as lead off. Are they just plain crazy? I think they ought to lead off Punto and he can slide head first into first base on a running bunt.
Pridie instead of Young?
Move Liriano up in the order? (Not sure he is the worst hitter in that lineup)
Gomez leading off is mainly a function of wanting to push Mauer and Morneau down further in the line-up, especially with Kubel out and not wanting Gomez, Punto and Liriano hitting 7,8,9. I’m not sure how much good it does, since they end up hitting 8, 9, 1 in every inning after the 1st. Sadly, Liriano may be the strongest hitter of the 3 and there’s likely to a pinch-hitter breaking up Punto and Gomez after the 2nd time through the order.
They should have traded Ayala as requested. Better that DFA. Roger that.
I think you were trying to be facetious, Smith, but yeah, even Punto makes more sense at leadoff (good plate discipline).
Pridie instead of Young?
Explain your logic…
JC, tough to trade somebody when there is no demand for him.
Gomez leading off also may help encourage him to take a pitch and bunt, etc. instead of flailing away like Barry Bond’s skinny cousin.
Punto does not make more sense. As bad as Gomez is, Punto is worse. At least Gomez has a better chance of bunting his way on. And in an NL park, Punto’s plate discipline is probably more valuable in front of the pitcher then it is in the lead-off spot.
I’m relieved that I’ll get to see #33 tonight at Miller Park - I would’ve been pretty upset to come all the way to Milwaukee and not see Morneau do some mashing. Here’s hoping for a big win from the Twins…
Ayala demands a trade. Hmmm.
Ayala NEEDS therapy
Punto OBP = .312, Gomez OBP = .279. I’ll take the guy who can get on more in front of M&M. Of course Harris at the 1 and Mauer at the 2 makes more sense than either Punto or Gomez.
Liriano 8th Punto 9th? lets play LaRussa style….
Pridie should get a shot to start a game. To come up and see no action is BS. A soft tossing righty should be the perfect fit.
What is this, Little League? “How come my little Jason doesn’t get to play, too? That’s BS!”
He was brought up to be the 4th outfielder. That doesn’t mean you get to start.
gomez got a bunt single on friday. it was sloppy, diving under the 1B’s glove, but he can do it sometimes.
Will never happen, but you know whose name would look great in that leadoff spot and 2B position? Felipe Lopez.
I do believe the Diamondbacks are getting closer and closer to cleaning house, and I keep hearing his name floating around.
Then that way the Twins upgrade a weakness in the order and make Punto what he should be….a utility infielder.
But, as I said. Will never happen.
Makes too much sense to happen.
OR Freddy Sanchez
Great call…From all accounts, the Bucs are very much looking to let him go as well.
And by “let go” I mean trade him for some minor league pitching depth to restock the cubby, of course. This seems like on arena the Twins can part with for a guy like that….No?
So it looks that the Ayala DFA and eventual replacement by Keppel is mostly due to differences of opinion with Gardy and not to improve the team. I can live with that as long as Keppel (and Henn) are just placeholders and not seen as part of a solution of sorts.
So you want to pitch the eighth inning, eh? How about Rochester?
beetlejuice,
Lopez had a power and speed free-fall since 2006 or so (ahem)
In ‘05 he hit 23 HRs, in ‘06 11, ‘07 9, ‘08 8. In ‘05 he stole 15, ‘06 44, ‘07 24, ‘08 8.
He is 29. Something must be going on, don’t you think?
Gomez, Punto, Delmon all starting in a NL park without a DH?
I’m wondering how many position players will have a lower batting average this series than the composite of our pitchers… my bet is 2 Punto and Gomez, possibly Delmon joining them.
lots of holes in that order - maybe they’ll pull their bats out of their ears today and hit something
Sure, I’m not saying he is an option that I would ink as a “must have,” but his near .300 average so far this year would look awfully good in comparison to what we have witnessed.
I’d rather see Tolleson with his .326/.412/.461 line in Rochester up instead of Tolbert and take it from there.
When I first skimmed the post above, I thought it said that Morneau and Kubel were suffering from “genital soreness” and “genital illness.”
They must have stopped over at Milwaukee’s famous Red Light district!
I absolutely think that Sanchez is the guy and I have been mentioning it for two months. I would love to see that guy in a Twins uniform. If the Pirates unloaded a great player like McClouth I would certainly think that Sanchez is available. I am speculating but Casilla, Mulvey, and a lower level prospect might do it.
T98, you beat me to it; also, a month ago or so, you posted the same stat on F. Lopez. Good job.
I was in MD with my son and grandson the weekend, so just got a chance to take a break from work to read some posts here on on Section 220 and make a post there. Still busy as heck with work, but will check in from time-to-time.
But does Tolleson “bust his tail” like Tolbert? Because until that happens, there is zero chance of seeing that.
If I was in a “busting tail” fantasy league, Tolbert would be the #1 pick hands down….The Adrian Peterson of the league, if you will.
Beetlejuice
Lopez I agree would be better than what we have now, but not all that much better to give up some decent prospects, Sanchez on the other hand, is pretty damn good, and the twins should be be willing to give up some prospects for him.
Maybe Mulvey/Humber/Martin
Luis Valbuena at 2B? Prolly not cause its in the division but Cleveland does have excess.
Wow. Between Kubel’s genital illness and Tolbert’s busted tail, the Twins are in pretty bad shape.
The gall of Ayala is unbelievable. You don’t get handed jobs in the majors if you are not getting the job done.
Oh, no doubt, no argument from me about Sanchez. Freddy Sanchez by all accounts seems like he would be a good influence on the team and would maybe get a kick out of being with a club in “contention” for the division.
Thrylos
I remember a month or so ago you had said that you preffered Lopez over Sanchez.. I do agree with you that if Tolbert keeps playing like this and Tolleson keeps hitting the way he has why not exchange them?? So now that Valencia is up where does Hughes play when he comes off the DL???
Jeff So cal
I wouldnt give up on Casilla yet, plus unloading middle infield talent when we are allready short in that area seems like a mistake to me, I would give up a combo of these players:
Humber/Mulvey/Pridie/Martin
Maybe the Buccos will feel generous and throw in Grabow for a deal involving Sanchez as well.
I think that it is about time that at least until the trading deadline, players like Tolleson, Delaney, Gabino, Morillo Huber, Hughes come up and get a look to see whether they might be possible solutions instead of Tolbert and Buscher (and Henn and Keppel). If they do not cut it in a couple of weeks, then there is plenty of time to go outside the organization to look for help. Just got to look at the internal options first and determine where they are.
Actually all we had to do was sign Orlando Hudson to a very modest contract and it would be case closed. That guy is having a great year and plays great defense too.
Nora: I agree 100%.
Ayala demanding to be the 8th inning guy is like Nick Punto demanding to be the cleanup hitter. Or Carlos Silva demanding to be a jockey in the Kentucky Derby.
Who is Grabow again?
So now that Valencia is up where does Hughes play when he comes off the DL???
Good question. I hope 2B 
but I suspect some OF/DH as well. One person should be out of Rochester soon and I suspect that this would be Machado. I can see a Peterson/Hughes/Huber rotation between DH/LF/1B (Peterson 1B/DH; Huber all 3, Hughes DH/LF/2B) Casilla might go to the DL, so who knows
The gall of Ayala is unbelievable. You don’t get handed jobs in the majors if you are not getting the job done.
Unless you happen to be Nick Punto 
Very good point Jeff. I was totally for Hudson before the season began.
Grabow is relatively solid relief pitcher for the Pirates. He has been a set-up option for them the last few years. He is lefty and could be an instant upgrade (i.e. Henn would thankfully be gonzo)
Who is Grabow again?
Pirates set up LHP. Had been decent in the past but this season he is walking as many as Crain and Henn… not good.
Anyone is better than Punto. Send him down and bring Tolbert back.
Speaking of gall, how about the gall of Jesse Crain in the offseason almost seeming shocked that anybody would question the bullpen. According to him, this team didn’t have to make any moves because he had the set-up role on lock down.
How’s that working out Jesse?
Ok, thanks beetle, yeah that would be a great throw in, henn is still a work in progress, i would be good to have two good lefties in the pen
What does the forum think of offering Ben Revere in a trade?
I think that the Twins are short on prospects that would be appealing to other teams, but Revere definitely would. Plus, he’s an outfielder in an organization that has plenty of them.
Personally, I’d be hesitant to part with him, but if the Twins really wanted to pull off a trade, he might be their best bait. What do you think?
depends who he would be traded for, I would not give him up for a year of Sanchez, but I would not say he is untouchable either
What does the forum think of offering Ben Revere in a trade?
Knowing the Twins this is not happening. A package built around Revere can fetch some pretty big fish and the Twins do not usually trade for those type of players.
Iconoclast
I think that the Twins would have to be overwhelmed in what they get to part with Revere. On that note I really think there is only one untouchable in the minors for the Twins right now so you never know. I would have still liked the Twins to at least try Revere back at 2nd base to see how he looked.
sanchez has a 8m vested option for next year with 600+ ab’s. it would appear he will reach that which would price him out of the low budget twins range.
and who is that one untouchable player? hicks?
“The gall of Ayala is unbelievable.”
Amen, Nora.
And thry, you invested a lot of time defending this AH. Turns out he’s full of himself.
Now that he has a lot of free time, I hope he comes to these blogs — he’ll fit right in
:)>
It would be a nice opportunity to “get to know” him. (heh-heh)
Thrylos
That “Big Fish” your talking about for Revere and Co??? The Marlins Big Fish Hanley Ramirez would look awfully nice batting between M&M for the next six or seven years!!
Yeah, it’s true that the Twins would probably not want to trade Revere. He’s just the only minor leaguer that i can think of who would be useful in a trade.
It would take a package centered around Revere (and maybe Dinkelman/Tolleson) too to get Freddy Sanchez out of Pittsburgh.
They’ve got lots of organizational depth for the rotation now.
I think a lot of other teams covet our pitchers such as swarzak and Mulvey, and we all ready have a pretty solid pitching rotation for years to come
What about Swarzak in a trade? He’s obviously a “major league ready” prospect. He should have some value.
Hicks I would think would be the only real untouchable but I think they also have high hopes for Guitierez. He could also bring a nice return I imagine.
The Pirates are not going to trade Sanchez away for Mulvey/Humber/Martin whoever that was up there that suggested that. I know its the Pirates, but they aren’t THAT stupid. They would be sure to get back fair value for Sanchez in light of the McClouth fiasco you can bet.
Gutierrez is still at low Class A, isn’t he? I think that the Twins would have to trade a higher level prospect to get a major leaguer in return.
How about this one:
We get A.J. Pierzynski back somehow, and then trade him to S.F. for Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain.
OB
The writers covering the Pirates the other day had mentioned that they need more good young pitchers. So I would think that is what they would try to get. Come to think of it what team doesn’t need more good young pitchers??
OB
you think they would really need that much? i disagree, like previous bloggers mentioned we only got Martin and Butera for Castillo, Sanchez is better but not all that much than Castillo was at that time, I think Mulvey/Martin/Humber might do the trick
Tyler: I think that Mulvey/ Swarzak would be more reasonable.
Gutierrez is at AA
Fire Bill Smith
Hire Iconoclast!!
Pulling that trade off would be a brilliant first move at your new job!!
Justin
that would be a better package than what we got for Castillo, maybe we just got really fleeced tho, maybe add Hughes or Tolleson but we dont need to give up a front end prospect to get him i dont think
Depends on how you look at that “fiasco” in Pittsburgh. Some folks are coming around on that deal.
The new leadership in Pittsburgh is very happy with what they got from the Braves and are dead set on re-stocking their pitching. That is their primary goal after years of poor management and draft picks not working out.
I don’t think it would take as much as you think to get Sanchez.
Could be. If Pittsburgh would select from that group, I don’t doubt the Twins will pull the trigger. I think they’d at least want a good middle infield prospect in return, though. That or lower level centerpiece.
I think that a package of Mulvey, Casilla and a low level pitcher might do it. I think that Gardy is getting increasingly frustrated with Casilla anyway. We do have Tolbert, Plouffe, and Dinkleman coming up the ranks. Not to mention our new Golden Gopher!
They have no one even close to as good as Punto to replace Sanchez.
Tolbert, Plouffe, Dinkleman??? they are nothing more than utility men at best
OB
then lets give em punto! or throw tolleson, or hughes in a package with mulvey or swarzak
Dinkleman has a chance to be quite good.
Opps I meant Tolleson not Tolbert..
sanchez has a big contract which makes his value a little less for the team taking on that extra money.
time to head to the trish blog, people starting to check in. c’mon aboard.
I guess i dont know much about dinkleman, but I know tolber is batting .180 in the majors with absolutely no power, and Plouffe is not reaching his potential, hitting below .270 in the minors
Tolleson or Dinkelman as a centerpiece might get it done.
Shawn in Binghampton
I agree with you on Tolleson. I am really hoping that if Tolbert continues to struggle and Tolleson continues to pound the ball we have to do an exchange!!
casilla, delmon, swarzak, ….just get hanley
Liriano will offer Nicky some protection in the lineup. No pitcher wants to walk Nicky and have to face the pitcher.
Yea to get Hanly just go full out,
Ramos/Swarzak/Mulvey/Hughes/Revere
Good One Walter!!
I don’t know if the Hanley Ramirez comments are serious, but Florida isn’t going to deal him. They’re only 3 games out right now.
beetlejuice says:June 23rd, 2009 at 5:50 pm
“Will never happen, but you know whose name would look great in that leadoff spot and 2B position? Felipe Lopez.”
You want this move to win?
Lopez will make you wish the worst thing you had in the clubhouse was cancer.
Regards,
Valencia 2 for 2 with an RBI!
If this is true, tD, then this is a prime example of how stats don’t tell the whole story.
Woohoo Crede!!!!
Nice to see them take advantage of the mistake.
Another worthless fly ball from Crede, eh dragon?
Yeah, The Dragon. What was I thinking. Good thing the Twins didn’t go out and get the guy who just hit that 3-run double too, as you were advocating in the offseason.
Frankie…switch to the other slider, quick!
Down goes big boy.
OB,
Felipe Lopez came to Washington with Austin Kearns in one of the Wrost Trades in history.
Jim Bowden brought in his Cincinnati connection. I don’t remember if any of the players sent to Cincy stuck, yet Felipe was brought in for leadership as well as skill, and he took it south quickly. Kearns has a $10/11 mil contract.
Anyway, since Bowden had the ear of Learner’s son, he was golden. Lopez undermined Manny Acta at every turn. It got so bad that he was released mid-season last year, even Bowden couldn’t save him.
Regards,
come on ump
Be careful
some of these trade thoughts are making me laugh… thank you!
USAF Chief & beetlejuice,
Crede done well.
Regards,
This is pathetic. Same song and dance every frigin start with Liriano.
Frankie demonstrating his excellent command again.
looks like anderson has things figured out.
This guy sucks.
I don’t want to hear how good a bullpen session is unless he can do well during a game it means absolutely nothing. Not impressed.
Twins have three runs because of a wild pitch. We should be down by two.
I used to get really worried whenever Anderson bragged on what a “fantastic bullpen session” Silva had.
Liri apparently only needs a 1 run lead tonight.
Anyone have the ERA of Twins starters (or Liriano specifically) in half-innings after the Twins have scored?
This really should be his last start. Swarzak please.
Dickey sighting tonight?
Wednesday on NBC:
I’m Francisco Liriano. Get Me Out of Here!
…, It is probably a double digit ERA.
On Ayala: Good riddance. If you’re going to be a prima donna about your role, you had better have an ERA under four (or under two, for that matter).
I guess we should be happy that he didn’t give the whole lead, at least not that inning. LOL
Too bad bullpen sessions don’t win games, huh?
I like how there was a story about Frankie needing to eliminate a slider and that first inning he threw a whole lot of bad sliders
Liriano needs to get cut or traded.
He may have come back and done well last year, but, toward the end of last year, he was struggling.
And Liriano’s struggles continued into this year.
Liriano swings like Gomez.
Hmm, but I heard Liriano looked really good in batting practice.
GOMEZ!!!!
Earlier it was mentioned that someone thought Frankie’s problem was mental and another thought it was mechanics. IMO it’s both. His mechanics get bad, as they often for many athletes in all sports, because of mental issues. Be it fatigue, nerves, lack of confidence what have you.
This seems to be very relevant for a guy who earlier this season admitted to “being nervous” after his team staked him to a lead at Chicago (just as it happened tonight). His one bad inning at Oakland came immediately after his team gave him a couple of runs for the lead and it has happened other times this season. Whether it’s trying to do too much, be perfect or whatever just like a golfer who’s swing gets shorter when the pressure is on, Frankie seems to “tighten up” mentally and thus his mechanics (as has been pointed out in detail by T98) are all over the place.
Wow that was awesome Gomez!!
Niiiiice Harris, way to get one back!
With Suppan on the mound, Liriano can probably give up six or seven runs and still get a win - and another start next week.
If only Mauer had Gomez’s plate discipline…
You have to love Gomez. So far, he’s (apparently) been picked off, yet still made it in safely to second and now, he takes advantage of a slight defensive lapse to create a run.
Young’s been making some good plays lately.
Okay Seth,
If you were Bill Smith what would you give up for a guy like Sanchez to the Pirates?? That is if they accept it..
Oops, should read, “so far this year”
Delmon really wanted to get dirty.
This game is going to take 4.5 hours.
I’m really starting to hate Brandon Inge and his clutch home runs….against great pitchers nonetheless.
Until we get serious about finding a long-term solution to our 7th - 8th inning bullpen problem: Swarzak in the rotation, and Liriano to the pen. I wouldn’t mind seeing that nasty slider three times a week in the late innings. His control would have to improve a bit, but it’s still better than what we’ve got.
beetlejuice,
Have no fear, Hoffbauer is here to save the day… for the Cubs anyway.
…says:
I think you are right.
Span was taken out of the game in Rochester. Anybody know why?
Anybody know why span left the game in Rochester? i see he was HBP but stayed in the game for a couple of innings but was just pinch hit for last inning.
Delmon keeps it going…
Pinch hit for Liriano and bring in Dickey.
Mark this date: Punto gets an IBB.
Ha! I never thought I’d live to see the day when LNP gets an intentional walk!
Suppan’s a real wuss for throwing Liriano that change up.
Dryburn,
Not sure the answer, but Span hit by pitch in the 5th
Regards,
in Valancia’s AAA debut he is 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI’s
GOMEZ!!!
3 for 3 and it’s only the 3rd inning.
Did Punto dive head-first into 1st base on the intentional walk?
How could anyone doubt the brilliance of putting Go-Go in the lead-off spot tonight?
Gardy is a genius!
Walter
You were right .. Liriano does provide protection to Punto in the lineup!!
What happened to Gomez tonight?? I like it alot!!
WJ,
That cracked me up!.
Gomez is on fire in this game.
Wish we could trade Cuddyer, Ayala, and Liriano for Sanchez!
Gomez looks confident tonight. Maybe he was afraid of Ayala?
God bless the National League. If the Brewers’ pitcher wasn’t at bat, Liriano might still not be out of that 3rd inning.
Finally a 0 on the board.
I hate to say it, but I think Gomez is the type of player that needs to play every day. Some days he will suck, but other days he will be very good. He just needs to get his confidence up. It might not have hurt to send him to AAA for a while, but probably too late now for this year. IMO
Looks lik Joe’s .400 BA is on the line in this AB.
No. He’s still at .400. But he needs a hit in his next AB!
Dryburn: you’re right about Gomez playing every day, but I don’t think the minors is the place for him to do it. His glove is good enough to keep him in the majors. He should be the CF no matter what. If he can hit as well, that’s great.
Man this is an ugly game.
Name the quote: “Can’t anybody here play this game?”
Iconoclast I don’t disagree with you, but I don’t think Gardy will play him every day up here, and personally, I don’t think the 4/5 outfielder thing is working all that well. Not sure about Delmon. He may need to play every day too, but he is a lot less promising right now than Gomez, I think. This is just not the same team without Casilla and Gomez creating havoc on the basepaths. Miss that.
Crede made an error and is slow as mud.
It would be nice if Liriano hit his 100 pitch count next inning while still somehow not allowing another run.
What is your problem, Liriano? This is just idiotic.
For the love of God, can you throw a strike?
Is this game really being played “outside”?
There’s a K for ya!
If there are men on base, I think you still need to pinch hit for Liriano this next AB
WJ,
Techinally yes.
With Miller Park it helps to sit closer to the field to have a more “outdoor” feel. This comes from having been there many times.
Mauer could get 3 more AB’s.
It’s like if you took the roof off the Metrodome. I’ve actually been to a game at Miller Park, but the roof was closed.
Frankie has to have set a record tonight for number of 55 foot pitches. His mechanics are off all right but it’s in his head.
Mauer needs a hit. Please don’t drop below .400
Let’s go Mauer!!!!!!!!!!
Damn Sports Illustrated!!!
we can rest easy now knowing the bullpen only has to pitch 4 good innings and game over.
Sports Illustrated jinx.
wow, francisco was ugly. must feel lucky to be given a chance for a win. that must be why they kept him in there. he needs the W to straighten up his mind.
A bunch of liars. Mauer is not batting over .400. Between Favre and this, I’m cancelling my subscription.
Brewers broadcasters saying Gardy has to be very satisfied with getting 5 innings out of Liriano.
Somehow, I don’t think that “very satisfied” would describe how he feels about that performance.
I’m not feeling good about Dickey tonight. This ump has had a very tight strike zone for both sides all night.
Everyone’s got a hit except for Mauer and Liriano. That’s baseaball.
what happened to Punto?
Dickey is a marvel.
Hey Chief, where is the bitching about Dickey???
Should let Dickey hit.
I’m pretty sure the Twins will offer Dickey another contract.
Morales needs to be in the lineup more.
Bremer berates Gomez for his lucky double caused by Cameron’s lack of attention but praises Harris for his big, two-out hit to score Gomez that same inning. How many outs were there when Gomez stretched his single into a double….. two.
Think Guerrier hit Counsel on purpose, cuase of mauer and crede getting hit series?
Yahoo sucks tonight — about an inning behind. Usually about a minute or less behind.
“Think Guerrier hit Counsel on purpose, cuase of mauer and crede getting hit series?”
No.
Punto left with cramping in the rib cage
per Kelly Theiser
Yeah the Milw broadcasters mentioned the cramping rib cage too. No explanation as to how cramps, which I believe affect muscles, would strike the bones that make up one’s rib cage, but ah well.
I was actually wondering about just how ‘accidental’ that HBP was, too, actually.
LMS, Joe C had already posted that above.
Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx. Mauer puts up an ofer.
yeah, I saw that after I had posted it.
Tolleson 3 for 5 with a dinger tonight.
FREE STEVE TOLLESON.
If the Twins hold on to the win, can the decision go to Dickey instead of Frankie? He definately did not pitch well enough for the win…. 117 pitches in 5 innings and only 67 strikes?
Swarzak was pretty good. Delaney got absolutely shelled. Valencia 3 for 5 with a double in his debut.
Lot of lineup flak early on the board showing Gomez in the lead off.
Gomez: 3 for 5, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs
Nicely done Carlos…keep it up tomorrow.
Mr.ggg (9:21), Four innings of relief sought, four delivered. Good call amongst many. That said,tonight Liriano ought to be unceremoniously booted in the butt all the way to Rochester with the NL CY Young award frontrunner, Swarzak, called up for Sunday’s start in STL. Message sent, message received. Let the Clyburns straighten out Liriano…Anderson sure the hell can’t.
Nice win for the Twins on the road…
“”"Daniel1966 says:
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:29 pm……… “”"
Daniell966, your post back there at 10:29 said absolutely nothing.
DrDon (10:41) I will go slowly for you. Swarzak is 2-0 against the NL Central. Anderson, despite his admonitions that Liriano pitched a great bullpen this past weekend, apparently has had as much of a successful influence as he had last spring (2008). Ergo, return Liriano to Rochester with the message that mediocre is not good enough and bring up Swarzak. The Clyburns, (the brothers who manage/coach the Rochester team and who straightened out FL last year), will have FL and we won’t have to suffer through another subpar, brain-dead performance for a while. I presume you understand my praise of Mr. ggg’s request for 4 innings of superb relief posted at 9:21.
Stu Cliburn isn’t the pitching coach in Rochester this year. The brothers got split up. Cuellar is the pitching coach at Rochester.
Just sayin.
But on to more important questions. Inquiring minds (well one, mine, anyway) want to know. Why was Manny playing in Albuquerque tonight?
I understand rehab assignments following injury… but when youve been suspended for 50 games, you get to play minor league games before you are eligible to play in the Bigs again? I don’t get that. If you’re suspended, you’re suspended. If you need “warm up” games before you return to your MLB team, do it AFTER your suspension is done!
If a minor leaguer gets suspended, can a team call him up to the majors instead? One would certainly assume not!
If a pitcher gets suspended for throwing at a hitter, do they let him go to the minors to make his next start so he doesnt get out of his pattern? I would hope not.
I just don’t see why a guy who gets suspended for a positive drug test should be allowed to play at any level before that suspension has expired.
Swarzak is 2-0 against the NL Central
Swarzak is also 0-3 against the AL.
Correction:
Sorry… Swarzak is 0-2 with a no decision where he gave up 3 ERs in 3.2 innings… vs. the AL.
Where’s Stu?
Mr JC, Having Bobby Cuellar in Rochester is even better, as I suggested last year. That said, having Bobby, a Spanish speaking coach in MN with the Twins, would be/should be a goal for next season. Sorry about the misspelled reference to the Cliburns. Much thanks for the polite correction.
Eddie Shore, The last time I looked, STL is in the NL Central and will be Liriano’s/Swarzak’s next start on Sunday, 6/28.
Mr. JC (11:12), I agree completely regarding Manny or any of the other cheaters. Unfortunately, I have come to accept that the Selig Era of MLB has more to do with profits at any cost, both morally and economically, than any consideration of the history and well-being of the game. If you haven’t read Joe Posnanski’s brilliant book about Buck O’Neill, please do. It is truly inspirational on all counts.
And last I checked, the Twins were in the American League… so you bring Swarzak up for the last inter-league series?
The point I was trying to make is that who cares what Swarzak’s record is against the NL and that regardless of those performances, you can’t just disregard the three less than stellar outings because it caters to your argument.
I do understand your frustration with Liriano and agree that maybe a change is in order, but I’m not going to anoint Swarzak as the slam dunk answer either.
WJ, I’m pretty sure Stu is the pitching coach for New Britain this year.
Mr Shore, The answer is yes. Sad to say that my sarcastic remark about Swarzak (the frontrunner for the NL Cy Young award) apparently doesn’t carry over in print. That said, I should have known better and, hereby, apologize for misleading anyone. Either way, Swarzak could learn from the experience in STL and Liriano needs to go back to school.
Daniel1966,
I didn’t mean any disrespect, and can appreciate the sarcasm. I just wanted to point out that although Swarzak did look solid in his wins over the NL…he also had a couple flops too.
I think Liriano should stay on a short leash and see if this “win” (I use the term loosely) can start him in the right direction. You never know. I did like the fact that Gardenhire kept him on the mound through the fifth even past the “magical” 100 pitch mark. If he falters through the next couple starts, then a decision may have to be made.
