Tuesday lineups: Twins/Yankees
Posted on July 7th, 2009 – 3:47 PMBy Joe Christensen
Delmon Young is the DH tonight, and Jason Kubel is on the bench, as the Twins open a three-game series against the Yankees, facing lefthander C.C. Sabathia.
Young is 2-for-12 for his career against Sabathia, while Kubel is 0-for-2.
Twins closer Joe Nathan was named baseball’s Delivery Man of the Month for June, after going 11-for-11 in save opportunities. In 11 2/3 scoreless innings, he allowed four hits and one walk, while notching 18 strikeouts. Nathan also won this award in July 2006 and July 2008.
In my earlier post, I mentioned the Twins’ lousy career numbers against Sabathia. But Scott Baker is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two career starts against the Yankees. Both of those starts came in 2006. Some numbers against him:
Derek Jeter 1-for-5 (.200)
Alex Rodriguez 0-for-5 (.000)
Robinson Cano 1-for-4 (.250)
Mark Teixeira 2-for-5, 1 HR (.400)
Hideki Matsui 1-for-3 (.333)
Jorge Posada 1-for-2 (.500)
Nick Swisher 2-for-9, 1 HR (.222)
Johnny Damon 2-for-6 (.333)
Jose Molina 2-for-6 (.333)
Update: Justin Morneau said he officially declined an invitation to participate in this year’s All-Star Home Run Derby. That conversation took place Monday.
Morneau said he’d love it if Joe Mauer were invited. “I’d have the best seat in the house,” Morneau said.
Manager Ron Gardenhire said Mike Redmond is available to play tonight, and Redmond said his right forearm feels much better.
Kubel is batting .179 against lefties this year, and .346 against righties, so Gardenhire has opted to give him a break against one of the toughest lefthanders in the game.
YANKEES (48-34)
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Brett Gardner, CF
9. Francisco Cervelli, C
Starting pitcher: LH C.C. Sabathia (7-5, 3.85 ERA)
TWINS (43-40)
1. Denard Span, LF
2. Brendan Harris, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Delmon Young, DH
8. Carlos Gomez, CF
9. Nick Punto, 2B
Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker (6-6, 4.99 ERA)
Metrodome. First pitch: 7:10 p.m. TV: FSN
292 Responses to "Tuesday lineups: Twins/Yankees"
Familiar lineup vs. lefties. We’ll see more of this.
Bunt baby bunt. Let’s get in CC’s head again!!
Hightower
How did the Twins get in his head before by bunting?
tyler, yes that is how they got into his head. He has been on record saying that he hates the Twins. Im guessing Bremer brings that up about 43 times during the game.
I’m surprised Kubel only has faced Sabathia twice in all the years they played against each other in the division. Guess those two at-bats must have been pretty horrific.
Time to frustrate Chili Cheesburger Sabathia and get him ticked off so he loses his concentration!
I think the right handers should fake a bunt and swing a away with arod charging. Get him right in the kisser.
Gardy should now be telling his guys to not be intimidated by the Yanks. If Twins players can stay focused they can take 2 out of 3 for sure. Yanks are beatable. The last thing the Twins players need is to have the Yanks be in their heads thinking that there is no way they can win against the ‘big boys’.
Good link tripledot.
Also, Gomez should plow into Teixeira
BCTF - I like your way of thinking. Kinda what Slowey did when he batted in St. Louis. Showed bunt and quickly pulled it back and took a swing.
How funny would a hot dog shower greeting to CC be? I’d pay to see that.
Seriously, though, solid lineup for the Twins. I just don’t get Gardy’s infatuation with Harris in the 2 hole.
@OB
“Harris in the 2 hole”
That’s a personal choice for Gardy that should be discussed on a different website. Not that there is anything wrong with it.
Gardy should now be telling his guys to not be intimidated by the Yanks
Koopa, the problem is it is Gardy that is intimidated by the Yankees and he passes that intimidation onto the players.
Delmon DH-ing? Yes, he does have a hot bat right now, but does anyone else think that maybe they’re doing this to hopfully get his trade value up a little? Just a thought…
What is the over/under that Gomez attempts a bunt in his first couple AB’s against Sabathia? I say about 75%. I hope he steps on Tex foot again while he is at it.
I love Harris, but Gardy, please, for the love of Pete…put Mauer back in the 2-hole.
Harris is not a 2-hitter…he’s a 7 hitter. He doesn’t handle the bat well…you won’t ask him to bunt…and he strikes out.
“maybe they’re doing this to hopfully get his trade value up a little?”
that’s the catch 21. if he doesn’t play his value keeps going down and is worth nothing in a trade. if he plays, he is hitting .322 the last month, and does well his value goes up and only the real dy haters will still want him traded. tricky!
somebody wake up bill smith ask him what the answer is.
BCTF: Early contender for PoD.
Isaac: I’d say Delmon is DHing because there’s a lefthander on the mound.
Both Delmon Young and Carlos Gomez have made significant changes at the plate. Both are hitting the ball on the noise ever since. I am not sure I want to trade any of them if they can continue this improvement!
Jason - At least it’s not Tolbert or Punto.
noise=nose DOH
Delmon is DH ing because he is the least capable defensive player of the 4 that are in the line up.
One could argue that Cuddy and Delmon might be equal as RF’s, but you wouldn’t want to waste Cuddy’s versatility, if it was to be needed, by having him be the DH.
aaron
yea im not so sure i would want to trade either of them either, let em share time again next year, and let cuddy go next year. 2011 have young in right, gomez in center, span in left
GO TWINS!!
Take pitches. Foul off lots of pitches. Bunts and fake bunt attempts. Tire out the big guy.
I’ll second chief on that PoD; the bar’s been set high.
Thank goodness there’s no Redmond in this lineup. I like this lineup overall against the big fella. Watch for Kubel to pinch hit homerun late in the game!! Time to cool off the Yanks!!
Koopa: I don’t think the Twins ARE intimated by the Yankees. They played them hard in 4 games, and even though they didn’t come out with a win they didn’t get laughed out of the stadium as they have in previous years.
Also, I’m pretty sure the Twins home record against the Yankees has been fairly good the last few years. I do recall them taking at least one or two series 2 games to 1 and in one case came VERY close to sweeping.
imo it would be a good idea to give cuddy the day off in the field and dh him. he has played the 2nd most games and is one of the oldest players on the team. it would seem like a good idea to save his body a little on those days and let dy play the field. it’s a long season and we all saw how morneau played the last couple weeks after playing every day and he is couple years younger.
“imo it would be a good idea to give cuddy the day off in the field and dh him.”
cuddyer just had a day off and gets three days off next week.
T:
You’re right. I was at the last game, Monday night, May 18th. The Yankee fans were worried, b/c the Twinks kept coming back. They fought the good fight.
Although, Nathan doesn’t exactly shut down the Yanks. Either he’s got to get over this, or better yet, let’s blow’em out all three games.
Let me just go on record right now: I hate Matsui.
Another in a long line of stiffs who torment the Twins, for some reason.
As for the Twins, rather than bunting, I’d like to see the Twins make that Yankee outfield have to run and throw a bit.
i am so disappointed…i expected to come home today and turn on my computer-link up to the twins and see sanchez in the lineup and hitting second….come on bill smith, we cant wait forever for you to get off yer ass and pull the plug on a deal to help get us in the series….
I think the Twins should incorporate all their skills in tonight’s game if possible. Bunt on Sabathia when possible and if you get on, steal because he doesn’t hold runners well. And if you can get a hold of some pitches I agree it is to our advantage to hit the ball in the gaps because the Yankee outfield, other than Brett Gardner, is pretty slow and doesn’t have good throwing arms. It’s easier said than done vs. Captain Cheeseburger but we’ve beat him before and we can certainly do it again!
“i am so disappointed…i expected to come home today and turn on my computer-link up to the twins and see sanchez in the lineup and hitting second….come on bill smith, we cant wait forever for you to get off yer ass and pull the plug on a deal to help get us in the series…”
to “pull the plug” (do you mean “pull the trigger”?) would likely include trading span and/or slowey and/or some others of substance — and that would create different holes and possibly lead to even more disappointment.
Hey, at least we don’t have to worry about the Twins trading Mauer and Morneau to St. Louis. Those emails from the Twins asking me to vote to send those two to the Cards really caused for me a lot of angst.
mickey are you going to be a jerk all night or just until the game starts?
Interesting link on just how sophisticated is becoming the analysis of players. This link tells about how teams are using statistical analysis to predict injuries for players, b/c, the of the growing belief that injuries aren’t just a random occurrence.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/sports/baseball/08injuries.html?_r=1&hp
3G:
It seems to me he’s not being a jerk. Pull the plug is the opposite of pull the trigger. Pull the plug means give up on trades and pull the trigger means make the trade. So, it’s a fair comment.
Hey, or are we supposed to discern the true meanings behind posts?
My 5:56 pm comment was IRO of comments I’d made earlier on Howard’s column of today.
i’m not TRYING to be a jerk. sometimes it just seems like it.
but regarding sanchez, and bad semantics aside, you have to give up something to get something. be careful what you wish for.
as for cuddyer, four days off in 10 days isn’t enough?
Acquiring Sanchez would obviously take something of substance, but I don’t think it would take something of the substance of Span or Slowey.
If it WOULD take either of those, obviously you don’t make the deal.
I’m thinking more along the lines of one of Humber/Mulvey and a B prospect from high A or AA, since the Twins would be taking on approximately $11M in salary over the next year and a half.
I’ve got a great idea. The Twins should trade a different team’s players for Freddy Sanchez. How about we give them Miguel Cabrera? Won’t that make the Tigers angry?
usafchief, i hope you’re right and i hope it happens but i’m not holding my breath.
Harris and his .504 OPS in the second spot aren’t cutting it. It’s time to move Mauer back to the 2-hole and move Harris down to 7th where he should be.
It would be hilarious if every Twins batter walked up to the plate with the bat held for bunting, then switched back to regular (or not) just to bug CC Sabathia.
I tjink Sanchez is do able, but the Twins may have to give up something along these lines, Casilla,Swarzak,Gambino and 1 of Robbins or Parmelle, maybe another pitcher instead of a position player. It’s going to cost some talent, the Twins just do not have the players to move on the major league roster so it will cost us alot of prospects.
Scott - Harris is slumping, but they won’t move Mauer back to the 2 spot, especially with a southpaw on the hill. Gardy does not want to open the order with 3 straight lefties.
Jimbo - That’s a great idea.
Got to jump on Sabathia early. Knock out some hits. Plus, I want Dickey warmed up if the Yankees score even one run. We need this game.
Mauer doesn’t bunt except for a hit, trying to keep the third baseman honest. I can’t see asking Mauer to sacrifice bunt. If Carlos Gomez, however, blossoms into a better contact hitter, I could see him batting 2nd. It would help if Gomez got better at bunting. Until then, against a right-handed pitcher, Mauer in the 2-hole makes sense. It’s Sabathia tonight, however. We need Harris to do some damage.
Chief- The Padres got to 2 good prospects from the A’s and a player to be named later for Hariston, so I do not think we will be getting Sanchez for 2 scrubs like Humber and or Mulvey and a B prospect.
Iconoclast,
The fact that a lefty is pitching should not make a difference. Span, Mauer, and Morneau all hit lefties extremely well, so that’s a moot point. Harris isn’t doing anything to benefit the hitters behind him right now.
There is no cardinal law stating that M&M cannot be seperated. Mauer could hit 2nd and a decent RH bat (cough, cuddyer, cough) could bat 3rd in front of Morneau.
KC up 3-1 on DET in the bottom of the 3rd. Dejesus with the 3 run double off of Verlander.
Well that didn’t last long. Bruce Chen ladies and gentlemen.
Scott: I didn’t say that they shouldn’t have three lefties in a row… I just meant that they won’t do it.
Anyway, I’d love to see Freddy Sanchez step into that #2 spot to make this a moot point.
Love the boos for A-Roid!
Baker has looked bad–everything in the middle of the plate or missing for a ball–and been unlucky at the same time. Both Jeter’s and Tex’s hits were bloops.
Do any of these guys look the least bit uncomfortable against Baker? He’s barely 90mph, up in the zone with no dangerous out pitch. Hope Baker can find something and the Twins bats crank it up tonight.
Yeah, Dick is worried that Baker keeps leaving the ball up. If we get out of this inning with just the one run, I’m happy.
Big k
yikes — 27 pitches.
Good thing there was an off day yesterday and a CG the day before. I have a feeling the bullpen will need to pitch about 3 or 4 innings tonight.
Wonder when they are going to start bunting.
Warm up Dickey.
Bring out R.A.
Is Scott Baker under some sort of foul ball curse?
I think he is. I think it is because he is not bending his back….
He can’t finish anybody off.
Is Scott Baker under some sort of foul ball curse?
He leaves the ball up.
This isn’t going well. Can we get out of this inning just giving up one run?
That line drive should bend his back for him! Hopefully it knocked something back into place and he’ll get people out now.
I guess we finally found someone made uncomfortable by Baker’s pitching, Baker’s backside.
I have a feeling Baker’s about to get his sh*t handed to him.
Kirby - Baker’s pitching has made me uncomfortable all evening!
well, thats one
Okay…wow. Are the Yankees winning via Smallball?
Does anybody else think that Baker will be lucky to get thru the 5th?
NO, T. The Yankees are winning through the opposing pitcher being completely lost.
Does anybody else think that Baker will be lucky to get thru the 5th3rd?
Iconoclast,
You and me both. But I’ll put you down as #2 on the list after Baker tush!
Mack, I give him no more than 3
I wonder if Jeter would’ve argued had that been called a Strike like it was supposed to be.
battling his tail off?
Holy bad luck, Batman!
I think that Scott Baker must have walked under a ladder this morning. That’s the only way to explain the bloops and infield hits that the Yanks are getting.
I swear if there’s another foul ball I’m going to go nuts!
Oh for my bleedin’ heart!!! Better to be lucky than good.
WTF. Baker isn’t helping himself but some of these hits are jokes. (They’re a lot like the hits we’re used to getting)
This is terrible, he just cant seem to get it going
Will we even score 3 against Sabathia?
Oh brother, what kind of curse do these Yankees have on the Twins!
Okay seriously…stop screwing around and get some hits mmmkay?
It is getting close to RA time!
pansies
Congratulations, Baker, you have surpassed your first inning pitch total in the second inning.
I didn’t think it could ever be done.
At least it was Rodriguez
3 Ks through 2 and a bunch of garbage hits. Bake ain’t struggling too bad.
Not just because of tonight but I question the mental toughness of 2 of our starters.
As long as Gardenhire remains the manager, we will never beat the Yanks or Red Sox. He is scared to death of them and his team shows it.
Seriously you whiners it has only been 1 1/2 innings! Give it a rest for a little while at least geesh
Anderson sitting in the dugout with that “what’s happening” look on his face is the only thing more gutless and clueless than Baker’s performance to date.
Baker is a putz he looks like he is ready to cry out there. Toughen up…
There hasn’t been a ball hit hard yet, but the boys are down 3-0. Karma’s a bitch man!!
God for Morneau skipping the Derby. He was a last minute add (and they spent his entire AB commenting on how it should’ve been somebody that wasn’t white), then they got his name wrong in the trophy ceremony…then they replace him in the montage of winners with the guy he beat.
Yeah MLB, go ahead and screw yourself.
——–
Thank you Cuddyer.
ATTA BOY CUDDY!!!
The man strikes out A-Rod with runners on the corners after a bunch of bull$hit hits. What is soft? Certainly not his performance.
YEAH, baby…
Yeah Cuddy!
I don’t think we need to criticize Baker’s “mental toughness” at this point, or to call him “clueless.” It would be more accurate to question his hand-eye coordination.
Throwing the ball doesn’t take brains!
Woohooo!!!!!
Let the fun begin!
Baker is a putz he looks like he is ready to cry out there. Toughen up…
The vulture goes: “Caw caw”
T I noticed that to with the montage and Hamilton being shown for last year. A slap in the face I thought!
Good shot, Mr. Cuddyer. You are making me look smart for adding you to my fantasy team.
It only took 50 minutes for our number four hitter to lead off the bottom of the 2nd.
Well, at least the Twins are out homering the Yankees. *knock wood*
I really don’t care if the Twins get outhomered 6-1 as long as they win.
Sorry I have to disagree. Being a quality MLB pitcher does require some mental toughness. You don’t have your “A” stuff all the time and that doesn’t mean that you can’t put in a quality performance.
At least we got on the board. Now we just need a three up and three down inning.
Pitcher can’t control weak hits and shouldn’t be blamed for them. That’s just the breaks.
You have a point, Whattodo. Though right now I’d rather see Baker’s velocity improve than his brainpower.
Next inning it is time to make CC do some fielding!
Leadoff guy is out. Sweet!
I would take that as well Iconoclast:)!
For what it’s worth, whattodo, I’m with ya.
I thought I saw a wet spot running down Baker’s leg.
OB, you are correct but when you have a couple consecutive starts when you can get two strikes on a batter and fail to put him away, then that IS on the pitcher.
Here’s a decision to make: Dickey or Keppel?
Icono, it close, bring in Dickey
Need 5 innings for the pen’s sake if he don’t get shelled.
Joe Mays 2.0 is throwing a gem tonight!!
Baker breezes through an 18 pitch inning.
Baker @ 75 pitches thru 3….Who gets the call for the 5th?
No score, now we need to start laying down some bunts. Lets piss CC off!
I have to keep looking at the score to believe that it’s ONLY 3-1. Feels like 10-1. How about 1 big inning to turn this thing around Twinks!
Lets see how the offense do prior to bringing in the mop up man. His knuckler better be on vs. this lineup.
Liriano for 7 on Sat. & Blackie for 9 on Sun. means that the BP is well rested.
1 pitch, 1 out.
I wasn’t suggesting a mop-up situation. But Baker’s at 75 pitches, so we’ll need to see a long reliever pretty soon.
LOL Punto WALKS
LNP gets a lot of hate but I love all the walks he’s taking lately.
Time to give the big man a work-out with some bunts!!!!
Harris needs a rest.
So Punto and Cuddyer the only two guys to get on base thus far.
HilARious.
Fair enough Icon, I’m just hoping Baker can get a couple quick half innings. I don’t want Dickey tossing up that floater in a close game vs. this lineup.
Terrible ABs for Gomez and Harris…
Two one-pitch outs that half inning.
Nice.
The ever present and vengeful BABIP gods are smacking Baker tonight.
Harris and Young, again, spit on the BABIP gods.
What the heck is wrong with Baker?
C’mon, Triple Play!
Gardy’s body language = pissed off.
Now he can’t even throw strikes. Yikes.
Silver lining is slipping away.
Can we borrow Jim Leyland for a quick trip to the mound?
Pull him.
Gardy should slap Baker upside the head with his hat.
Harris and Young, again, spit on the BABIP gods.
Pretty sure BABIP is .000 on K’s and foul popouts to first.
That was the worst outing that I have ever seen from Scott Baker.
AFLAC = Carlos Delgado in 2003, unless you consider Big Papi a 1B in 2005 & 2006.
Thanks for playing Scott!
“Hey Brian, we need you to come into the game in the top of the fourth, bases loaded, no outs, and Teixeira at the plate. Thanks.”
Did I mention toughness:)? My hopes of keeping it close and then turning the tables and getting a walk off win against the Yanks may be slipping away.
Now Baker is just crapping his pants. Where’s Livan and his brass balls when you need a strong personality? 
Gotta give the Yankee’s credit for working the count and getting Baker’s pitch count high, even though they haven’t hit anything hard!!
This outing showed me a lot of Scott Baker. Tail between his legs when the big boys come to town. Ace? Try 4th or 5th starter. His body language is pathetic.
I’ll stand by my previous post (7:58), gutless and clueless. Earth to Twins, this isn’t the NL Central anymore, Todo!
Good call on the trivia.. For some reason I was thinking Mo Vaughn
Maybe Baker has a case of Slowey wrist.
Wish Blackburn would have been pitching tonight.
HOLY SH*T GOMEZ!!!!
Sorry I talked trash about your AB Gomez!
Who needs pitching when you have Gomez!!!?
Nice grab Go-Go!!!
Pretty sure BABIP is .000 on K’s and foul popouts to first.
When you take the Gods out of it, are you not spitting on them? You’ve gotta put the ball in play for the Gods to play a roll.
And Gomez just earned another month in CF.
That is why Gomez needs to play just about everyday. Sorry, he just does.
Throw a STRIKE!!!
Those are strikes in AAA
THROW A DAMN STRIKE, DUENSING!
Lovely, Duensing.
Yikes.
You idiot!
Why would you put the least experienced reliever in when you have the bases juiced to the Yankees? Did we not want to stay in this game?
One friggin’ ground ball single this inning.
This is unbelievably sad and pathetic. I mean, the intimidation and inferiority complex is unreal.
Tight zone. And neither Twin pitcher adjusted.
But, but, but…T tells us the Twins aren’t intimidated any more by the Yankees…after all they ALMOST won a game against them in New York.
You all still think the zone is the same for all pitchers and hitters? I don’t.
As for intimidation, I don’t know what it is, but maybe they just aren’t much better than an average team - they beat the bad teams, sometimes beat the good teams, and lose to the very good teams. Maybe it’s just that simple.
Baker looked like he was going to cry out there. It reminded me of a performance early in June where he cruised through eight shutout innings… and when he was sent out for the ninth, he just had a look that said, “what am I doing out here?”
He started throwing balls and just looked plaintively at the bullpen between every pitch. The guy just has no mental fortitude and falls apart entirely whenever he encounters adversity.
The look of disbelief on Rick Anderson’s face spoke volumes.
“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”
-Thomas Paine “The Crisis”
Baker always looks like he is about to poop his pants. This, ‘He looked scared’ BS is crap. He had a tough night against a lineup with 7 guys with 800 + OPS.
You all still think the zone is the same for all pitchers and hitters? I don’t.
Oh, for heaven’s sake. There’s nothing wrong with the ump’s strike zone so far tonight. It hasn’t been ‘tight’ and it hasn’t been unfair to the Twins or the Yankees.
Baker stunk. Deal with it.
I’ll check that one with Pitch F/X Chief. Thus far, it’s debatable.
Maybe I am to hard on Baker or maybe its the fact he looks like a cross between Opie Taylor and Conan Obrien that bugs me..
USAF -
MLB gameday says the zone is super tight.
Our hitters are just not taking enough pitchs for the tight zone to benifit them.
“maybe its the fact he looks like a cross between Opie Taylor and Conan Obrien that bugs me.”
Opie Taylor bugs you?
He IS a pretty obnoxious kid.
What the hell am I saying?
USAF -
MLB gameday says the zone is super tight.
Our hitters are just not taking enough pitchs for the tight zone to benifit them.
The Twins were unlikely to beat CC tonight. Too bad Baker could not put forward a better effort, but you know the Twins are going to lose at least 60 games this season…..this is just one of them. Hopefully this will be like the Tigers’ series & we will win the next two. (Granted we might still come back).
Sounds to me like a good lineup worked Baker over. The results speak for themselves.
Only half a game so far oh ye of little hope.
MLB gameday says the zone is super tight.
I’m not impressed by the pitch locations shown on Gameday.
Nor Pitch F/X for that matter.
YMMV.
Come on, 1 hit against CC Sabathia? The Twins know this guy very well and have beaten him before.
Sounds to me like a good lineup worked Baker over. The results speak for themselves.</i.
Are you saying Crede, Young, Gomez and Punto isn’t a good lineup?
Swinging bunt
Oops…the html gods gotcha there, KeV.
The Twins have rarely played the Yankees well….Why should any coach have to tell his players NOT to be intimidated..It’s sickening to watch them play crappy against the Yanks…
Oops…the html gods gotcha there, KeV.
Laptop keyboard is haunted! If I was Harris or Young I would just not quote others. 
Did Dick really need to mention how many ABs Texeira has gone without a HR?
det wins
white sox ahead
damn it
it’s games like this that i’m glad i didn’t pay to see. what a HORRIBLE game. BORRRRRRRRIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGG!!! the twins are playing like their honored to be on the field with them. “ah shucks, we’re just happy to be here”.
3-1 to Rodriguez. Just drill him in the back and get it over with.
I blame the Twins futility on my Dad! He was a Die Hard Yankee Fan and since his passing in late 2001 the Twins have managed a wonderful record of 16 - 45!(approx) One thing about my Dad, he ALWAYS got the last word!! Looks like he got me again! ENUFF already Dad, LET IT GO!! YOU WIN!!
Nice throw by Gomez.
Steroids, whine, whine, whine. Steroids, whine, whine, whine.
Good thing “clean” All Star quality players like Jason Marquis will be at the all star game.
We’ve walked Swisher twice tonight. It must be terrifying to the Twins’ staff to face a career .244 hitter. But he has swagger and you know what that does to the Twins’ brain trust? Talk about pathetic and clueless.
Man up you twinks. We truly are pathetic when we play the Yanks or Bosux.
This is a joke. God, it’s only the top of the sixth, too…
All Star Bret Gardner.
Gonna take a miracle now.
We’ve walked Swisher twice tonight. It must be terrifying to the Twins’ staff to face a career .244 hitter. But he has swagger and you know what that does to the Twins’ brain trust? Talk about pathetic and clueless
Swisher’s OBP = Kubelsie’s OBP.
Now it’s borderline embarassing…
All Star Francisco Cervelli.
The only miracle would be if they called the game right now on a mercy rule.
Baker set the tone for this disaster tonight. His deer in the headlights body language gave this game a bad vibe from the start.
I guess this is officially the place to whine about the Twins at all times. LOL
Twins coached by Ron Gardenhire = scared of the Yankees.
Justin,
No borderline any more. It’s beyond embarrassing and has gone to pathetic.
How can Duensing pitch in the majors with an ERA near 5.00 at Rochester?
No matter how badly we lose tonight, its just one loss, and we can still win this series. I’m hoping Dickey can finish this one off so we can save our bullpen?
Nora, it’s just disheartening to get such a poor, awestruck performance from Baker after a such a positive road trip.
Yeah, bj, cause none of these guys are professionals.
Nora, you’re one of the whiniest one-note bloggers on these blogs.
Mr Isaac (9:15), Sad to say but I have to pay to see the Twins play nightly. That said, it is encouraging to note that the Twins’ management know how to put a pitcher on a plane to Baltimore for medical assistance….perhaps the fine physicians at Johns Hopkins can install a heart and … (feel free to fill in the blank) into Mr. Baker. Hire cheap and get the results of mediocrity ( and I’m not talking about Baker’s contract).
Kirby91 - 8:17
And lo it came to pass.
The Yankees turn the Twins into Twinkies and eat them for lunch. Utter intimadation by one team over another.
I love the Twins but they are absolutely gutless. When it comes time to hang with the big boys they shrivel up like a prune. They need a few Gaetti and Gladden types to add a little fire to this group of milkshake drinkers.
This game is one to forget.
Good grief, when are the twins going to get over this slump against the yankee’s? it is really getting sickening….maybe they need to fight them to get over it.
Baker didn’t have his stuff. He went out there anyway. He tried. It just wasn’t going to happen tonight. Unfortunately, Cuddyer’s home run and Gomez’s defense can’t save the evening.
Morales is 2 for 4 so far catching the knuckler.
Now 2 for 5. Luckily Cano put the 6th pitch in play.
Ms. Nora, With all due respects, I admire your posts due to our mutual love for the MN Twins. That said, and contrary to bloviators who are constantly running interference for the Twins’ management, I beg to differ with a “legacy” group that maintains itself by going along to get along.
The Twins playing the Yankees is like the Brewers playing the Twins. Now I know how their fans feel.
Morales finished the inning having caught 3 of 6 knucklers.
The Yankees took pity on him and swung at everything after Cano’s AB.
Ya gotta find something to keep yourself entertained in a 10-1 game that felt like it was over in the first inning.
PUNTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Twins score, Twins score!
Dick seemingly was suggesting the Twins would move Punto back to SS because of Harris’ slump but luckily he shut him up with that RBI single…
Good bye mlb.tv it was nice to know you.
The Yankees schooled the Twins on how to work a pitcher, but we allowed CC to roll through the game without breaking a sweat. Too many 1st pitch hackers, no one bunting early to get fatso CC off the mound and out of his comfort zone, he absolutely hates that. We must not forget that Gardy and his coaches do not promote disciplined hitting. Just recently Denard Span said that the coaches tried to discourage him from taking pitches and working the count, they wanted him to start swinging. They told Kuble the same thing a few years ago. We have enough undisciplined hackers!
At least Dickey saved what’s left in the bullpen!
I’ callig a meaningless home run by Crede.
Duensing back to Rochester tomorrow and another reliever recalled?
Listening to Bremer’s bleating (aka whining ala Joe Lieberman, a man whom I admire) is reason enough for citizens of the North Star state ( and their neighbors in ND, SD, IA and WI) to assess their happiness by the performance against their guests, a NY team, that gives relevance to the Garrison, ESPN, and the columnists of the NY Times. Talk about pathetic!
I find it absolutely astounding that the Twins played better at Yankee Stadium than they have thus far tonight.
At least offensively. But heck, the pitching was infinitely better too.
Twins coached by Ron Gardenhire = scared of the Yankees.
Utter intimadation by one team over another./
What a load of crap.
Everyone knew with Sabathia taking the mound that it was going to be a tough go offensively and it was up to the pitching staff to hold strong. Baker was absolutely awful tonight and the reason they lost.
I realize it’s 10-2, but what is Tolbert doing swinging on a 2-0 count?
Oh well, it would have been a meaningless home run anyway. Man I can’t wait for football to start.
Chief:
I’m giving your 5:03 pm post, miscall of the day. No player can choose to hit a ball to the gap or even the outfield. If they could do that at will, well, baseball would be a totally different game; however, most players most of the time successfully can place a bunt in the general area in which they intend to place it. Certainly, this has a higher success rate than trying to hit to the OF or the gap, especially against something as good as CC.
Also, after watching CC huff and puff on Span’s infield single, it’s clear that the Twins 1, 2, 3, 8, & 9 hitters should’ve started out by making CC work off his oversized butt. Why they didn’t start out bunting and slapping fouls I don’t know.
Also, after watching CC huff and puff on Span’s infield single, it’s clear that the Twins 1, 2, 3, 8, & 9 hitters should’ve started out by making CC work off his oversized butt. Why they didn’t start out bunting and slapping fouls I don’t know.
Absolutely.
Joe,
“however, most players most of the time successfully can place a bunt in the general area in which they intend to place it. Certainly, this has a higher success rate than trying to hit to the OF or the gap”
Are you saying that bunting for a basehit repeatedly would have a higher success rate than swinging the bat?
If so, why do all teams at all levels waste so much time swinging bats in games and batting practices?
Interesting theory.
Three and a half hour game.
Three hours with the Yankees at the plate.
Ten minutes with the Twins at the plate.
And twenty minutes of commercials.
And by all means, yes…let’s bunt our way to 11 runs. That was the problem tonight, all right. Not enough bunts.
Joe 1 and Eddie S, How dare you ? the Twins’ brain trust! You are but mere mortals, after all. Don’t forget, ESPN and their minions, need replays to perpetuate the superiority of East Coast activities. Watch it Gardy and Anderson…..you may well get an ESPY!
I’ve often wondered…how is it that a wire service story on a Twins game can get put onto the STrib website before a story by a STrib beat writer?
I guess the Yankees decided to show up mainly to shop for talent. They don’t have enough as it is.
mauer power,
that’s pretty funny and i hope it isn’t true.
Because, Chief, I’d say Strib reporters are looking for more personal and indepth stuff — not just the dry facts about one game per se.
And you can watch tonight’s game again at 12:30 a.m. and noon tomorrow…….
That IS pretty funny. PoD material.
Fortunately, the Yankee brass didn’t see much of interest tonight.
Somebody would want to watch tonight’s game AGAIN?
chief,
the a.p. does a bare-bones story and files it after the seventh inning.
their guy in mpls then stays on the phone with a guy at a.p. headquarters for the final 12 outs. they make changes as necessary and off it goes when that final out is in the glove. that’s their job.
the strib guys work the locker room into their stories, and have time for a bit of reflection.
(by the way, the a.p. guys go to the locker rooms, too. then they write a second story. they used to write a third story, a feature, back when there were many afternoon papers — remember the st. paul dispatch?)
JustinCB,
That’s funny! So I guess 10-1 felt more like 20-1
let’s hope it’s just a bump in the road.
John Gordon and the Gladman mentioned after the game that they were surprised that the Twins didn’t bunt early on CC. He’s a poor fielding pitcher who does not like to move off the mound. They also said that A Rod has a tough time with bunts. But no, lets close our eyes and hack away. That’s how you play small ball isn’t it? At least that’s how the Twins play it.
But no, lets close our eyes and hack away…
While I too would have liked to see some bunting and running at the beginning of the game, I have to believe it may be a little wishful thinking in terms of strategy, otherwise why hasn’t every team that’s faced him simply bunted him off his game, similar to “hack-a-shack” in the NBA playoffs years ago.
Eventually you have to swing the bat. CC just doesn’t give up a lot of hits.
Regardless, we lost to arguably the ALs best left hand pitcher right now. I’m more concerned with Baker. He’s just looks beaten out there most of the time. It’s head-shaking watching him get a third strike or a last out. Seems like every batter puts up a 15-pitch effort against him.
Probably the worst Twins game I have ever attended.
Their last road trip was nice, and the Detroit series was solid. But we can flush every bit of progress down the toilet when they play like THIS against a Yankee team that is pretty damn average(Tex the merc is the only guy in their lineup in his prime).
Say they win the central. Great. Then they are gonna play the Yankees, and get swept, cause this team is a bunch of cowards. When will they get it through their heads that these are not the Yankees of the late 90’s,or even the fading Yankee teams of early this decade. Its clear by the way they play these guys that they are scared. What is there to be scared of? The friggin Nationals took 2 of 3 at Yankee Stadium!!!
And again one wonders why we had to sign an average pitcher like Baker to an extension.
Bunt on CC?
Third baseman is A-Rod, a two-time Gold Glove winner.
First baseman is Tex, a two-time Gold Glove winner.
CC’s pitches are difficult with which to make controlled contact, swinging OR bunting.
Not THAT easy!
ok, baker to the disabled list. next?
With Harris in this prolonged slump,it’s more of a reason to recall Casilla.That way we can try to mix and match at second and short.Buescher seems like a great guy but this is afterall the majors.He is not in the future discussion at third.
After reading all of the comments this morning, all I can say is that sane’s 12:15 a.m. comment was the ONE that made the most sense.
Before demoting Harris I’d prefer that the manager move him down in the order, somewhere 6-8 where his performance is markedly better. He simply not a second-spot-in-the-order producer. The manager wants to “extend his lineup” so he puts someone ill-suited for the position just to have Mauer bat third. Put Mauer back at the second spot, move Harris down to 6,7,or 8 and productivity might increase.
Try that, then demote Harris if you must. After you demote Punto.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=harribr01&year=Career&t=b#lineu
why do the twins always turn into a bunch of pussies when they play the yankees? no matter what, they always suck against them. pull your heads out and play some baseball! Gary Gaetti is ashamed.
since they play like this every time they face the yankees, can we just forfeit all games against them to avoid injury and keep our confidence up?
If the Yankees are so average, why is their record the 3rd best in all of baseball? Why is it more popular here to say they were intimidated than the simple fact that the Yankees are a better team?
Baker looked a lot like he did in that last start in KC. Against the lowly Royals you can get away with belt-high fastballs with no movement. Not against the Yankees.
Baker is lucky he didn’t give up more hard-hit balls and that the Yankees’ bats were so fragile.
I too would like to see Mauer back in the 2 spot for awhile. However, that is not going to solve all of our problems. How much longer can we keep trotting out four automatic outs (Tolbert .183, Punto .218, Gomez .220, Crede .230) and another who doesn’t have a .300 OBP (Delmon .270 avg, but only .296 OBP). I don’t care how good the top is, we have to have some production from the bottom of the lineup. I realize not all of the above mentioned guys play every night together, but there are always 2-4 of them in the lineup. Time to think about making a move.
“Against the lowly Royals you can get away with belt-high fastballs with no movement”
No, you can’t.
Not even against HS hitters.
You got it mike. The Yankees, as a team, score the most runs per game of any team in MLB. CC Sabathia is potent on the mound. Bunting may have thrown him off his game but its all hindsight now.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2009-standard-batting.shtml
On Harris: Fredo’s point makes a lot of sense. If Harris struggles at the plate when he’s not at SS then perhaps his poor performance while batting 2nd is a similar issue.
When did gold gloves become an adequate measure of one’s fielding prowess? That’s like asking Steve Phillips for expert advice.
Tex’s RngR thus far: -3.7
A-Rod’s RngR thus far: -3.5
http://www.fangraphs.com/winss.aspx?team=Yankees&pos=all&stats=fld&qual=0&type=0&season=2009&month=0
I’d say bunt even with CC off the mound.
I have to agree with Cheif on this one. Sure, the Twins could’ve tried to bunt on CC a few times. But that’s not going to score 11 runs…
When an All-Star calibur Cy Young Winner holds a team to a few runs, that’s to be expected from time to time (especially when that pitcher usually owns the team to begin with)
The bigger concern is that for the second time on this pass through the rotation the starter couldn’t make it past the 4th inning.
“When did gold gloves become an adequate measure of one’s fielding prowess?”
Gold Gloves are an “adequate”, not accurate measure.
Tex IS an outstanding first-basewman by ANY measure, and ARod is an ex-SS which indicates some fielding prowess for a 3B.
I have to agree with Cheif on this one. Sure, the Twins could’ve tried to bunt on CC a few times. But that’s not going to score 11 runs…
I think the initial comment to employ strategic bunting on Sabathia was to happen at the onset of the game before they were down by 11 runs. Maybe, just maybe, CC gets a little off kilter and doesn’t get locked in early and the offense manages to scrape together a couple runs.
Regardless, as I posted, Baker is a bigger concern for me. Few and far between he has shown that, when he’s “got it”, he can be effortlessly rock solid… but more often than not, he seems to be more of a head case out on the mound and can’t seem to either make adjustments or find ways to get outs.
If the Yankees are so average, why is their record the 3rd best in all of baseball? Why is it more popular here to say they were intimidated than the simple fact that the Yankees are a better team?
Best post on this thread. The intimidation banter is a load of crap.
Sane, Gold Gloves are an adequate measure of one’s fielding prowess? You are aware Derek Jeter has multiple Gold Gloves, right?
Gardenhire at Yankee Stadium:
2009: 0-4
2008: 0-3
2007: 1-3
2006: 1-2
2005: 1-2
2004: 0-3
2003: 0-3
2002: 0-3
Anyone who wants to write that off as an anomoly, or bad breaks or talent level should look at these numbers:
Tom Kelly managed to do this at Yankee Stadium in his last 7 seasons:
2001: 2-1
2000: 2-1
1999: 2-2
1998: 1-2
1997: 2-3
1996: 1-2
1995: 2-2
During that timeframe the Twins were considerably worse and the Yankees were in the middle of their championship run. If any of you don’t think INTIMIDATION or the psychological aspects of baseball aren’t a major factor here then you don’t understand baseball. Pure and simple.
ewen21, nicely stated.
All this trade speculation is great fun, but there’s really only one legitimate question here: Are the Yankees going to squeeze Halladay in between Sabatia and Burnett, or just slide him in behind Pettite? (Colon references aside)
