Sunday pregame: Perkins to have MRI exam
Posted on August 9th, 2009 – 9:51 AMBy Joe Christensen
DETROIT — Lineup now. Notes later.
Update: Glen Perkins will undergo an MRI exam on his left shoulder. He said it’s precautionary, but the Twins are moving forward without him in the rotation.
Manager Ron Gardenhire said Francisco Liriano likely will start Wednesday or Thursday. Anthony Swarzak and Brian Duensing are the candidates for the other start. So the rotation looks like this:
Tues vs. KC: Blackburn
Wed vs. KC: Liriano or Swarzak/Duensing
Thurs vs. KC: Liriano or Swarzak/Duensing
Fri vs. Cle: Pavano (facing his former team)
Sat vs. Cle: Baker
Sun vs. Cle: Blackburn
(*) Joe Crede said his right shoulder feels better again after his latest cortisone shot. With an off day Monday, sounds like the Twins will use Tuesday to have Crede go through batting practice, etc., with the hopes that he can return to the lineup Wednesday.
(*) As for today’s lineup, Gardenhire said Carlos Gomez’s left calf is fine, but he’s 0-for-5 with four career strikeouts against Jarrod Washburn. Brendan Harris is 6-for-13 against Washburn, and Gardenhire said Harris would have been the DH today if Joe Mauer wanted to catch again.
Mauer took the option to DH, moving Mike Redmond (4-for-13 off Washburn) into the lineup. Gardenhire also loved the way the infield looked in Saturday’s 11-0 victory over Justin Verlander. Gardy said he would have used the exact same lineup if it had worked out.
TWINS (54-56)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Mike Redmond, C
8. Nick Punto, 3B
9. Alexi Casilla, 2B
Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker (9-7, 4.59 ERA)
TIGERS (58-51)
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Marcus Thames, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Carlos Guillen, DH
6. Magglio Ordonez, RF
7. Brandon Inge, 3B
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Ramon Santiago, SS
Starting pitcher: LH Jarrod Washburn (8-7, 2.93 ERA)
Comerica Park. First pitch: 12:05 p.m. (Central). TV: Ch. 29, TBS.
613 Responses to "Sunday pregame: Perkins to have MRI exam"
Scored 11 runs last night….why not eh?
Let’s hope Baker learned a few things watching Pavano last night, especially when it came to pitching in tough circumstances.
Baker had a good start last time right? Hopefully he can give them another one here. Twins could use some solid starts strung together.
Oop my bad. I missed the Redmond at C change. Crede IS slated to return starting with the next series right?
Golly, I wish we had Morales up. Face it, Red isn’t much defensively and today the bottom third of the lineup is empty.
I love the guy and he brings a lot to the table but he’s a month or two past being a major league piece.
Redmond, Punto, Cassilla: 7,8,9. Argh!!!
T,
Gardy said on his show that they will “see where Crede is at” on Tuesday.
I took that to mean that it is 50-50 that he’ll be improved enough to play. Gardy mentioned that the AC joint injury is usually on that requires a DL stint (or stent as I channel Bert)
I came away with the impression that Tuesday will be decision day re: Crede in terms of if he can play. I can’t imagine them not retro DL’ing him if he can’t play.
Thanks for the update Fredo. Here’s one of my own:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/08/red-sox-put-in-claim-on-guzman.html
I’m surprised that many teams would pass on Guzy. Twins just picked up Cabrera so that would make sense, but the Tigers currently have Adam Everett if I recall correctly.
Great outing by Pavano last night. Very nice.
I don’t think Baker needed to learn anything from Pavano last night, he’s 2 - 0 with a 1.38 ERA in his last 4 starts…
did gardy mention someone else heading for an mri- i thought i heard him say that on the radio this am, but i missed the players name. anyone else hear that??
Glen Perkins…came to Gardy last night and said he was still having trouble getting loose. MRI scheduled, I assume, for tomorrow when they get back.
Need to make another waiver deal for a starter (in my dreams)
This is a quote from Gardy after the game last night.
“Pavano threw a lot of changeups out there, and (Scott Baker) said, ‘I haven’t thrown that many changeups in my whole career,’ ” Gardenhire recounted after Minnesota’s 11-0 win. “I thought, ‘Maybe he watched and learned something; using all your pitches is a pretty good thing.’ ”
I know it’s easy to take a possible throwaway comment and turn it into a mountain but this kind of bothered me.
If using all your pitches is a good thing then why doesn’t Baker or others do that? Who is responsible for that? The catcher? The manager? The pitching coach?
I’m sure that it is easy to assume that it’s the pitcher’s fault since he throws the pitch but can’t the brass lay down rules for the pitcher (throw what Mauer asks for..he’s getting the direction from us)?
I just found it odd that a manager would say something like that.
thx fredo…
How can Harris not be in the lineup today? He is hitting .462 off Washburn with 2 doubles. Punto is hitting .154. This is getting ridiculous. Does anyone ever really challenge Gardy on this? And don’t give the argument of defense from Punto, when you need offense against Washburn, and your best hitters do not hit Washburn. Morneau is at .190, Mauer at .154, Cuddyer at
.176, Kubel .000, Span .100. So Gardy keeps out the one guy that apparently can hit him. Brilliant!
yes, another veteran starter is a must for this squad…baker, blackburn, pavano, is about all we have now that can be considered legit…liraiano, perk, swarzak are all messed up…
dryburn, i agree as it doesnt make sense, with the lineup weakened already by removing kubel and inserting redmond- can only hope that the momentum from last nite carries over today
How is Grudz doing in AA?
please gardy - take note…
span lf
cabrera ss
mauer c
morneau 1b
kubel dh
cuddyer rf
valencia/harris 3b
grudz 2b
gomez cf
Is there some reason Harris is not at 3b today? As bad of a hitter Punto is as a left handed hitter, he is atrocious as a right handed hitter. Gardy, start Harris @ 3b & BRING PUNTO IN FOR DEFENSIVE PURPOSES late in the game if we have the lead. This is not rocket science. i agree with Gardy on many/most of his decisions but not starting Punto against a LH pitcher ESPECIALLY @3b.
“How can Harris not be in the lineup today? He is hitting .462 off Washburn with 2 doubles. Punto is hitting .154.”
They need Punto’s glove at 3b because Baker is a fly ball pitcher. Wait…Nevermind.
mj1….it does not make any sense at all, and it is getting tiring. I wish the sportswriters would challenge him on it. Unless Harris is hurt or something there is no reason he should not be in there today. Punto is hitting .077 in the last week! He is only hitting .194 in the last 30 days! Now, Harris is only hitting .200 and .228, not playing as much, but at least he showed some past success against Washburn. This man-love Gardy has for Punto is unhealthy, and is actually hurting the team.
there has to be some dissension on this team, you know harris and his buddies are wondering what the hell is going on, as he just cant get into this lineup for anything, and yet when he was playing ss steady he was doing a pretty damn good job and hitting a hell of alot better than either punto or casilla…heads must be spinning although silently in that clubhouse….would love to be a mouse in the corner or a fly on the wall….
This is high comedy - reading comments from Twins fans who believe one win (even the Nat’s win a game now and then) is reason for hope. Readers’ suggestions of who should play, who should be called up, etc. bring to mind a flock of vultures picking over the sun-bleached bones of a long-dead carcass. Keep the laughs coming!
For those wondering about Grudzy…this is the best I can find:
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/G/Mark-Grudzielanek.shtml
I’m sure somebody with “the hookup” can find better numbers.
I’m sure that it is easy to assume that it’s the pitcher’s fault since he throws the pitch but can’t the brass lay down rules for the pitcher (throw what Mauer asks for..he’s getting the direction from us)?
The manager can suggest an approach to the game, but I would imagine that aside from “pitch around/IBB/HBP” most of the approach in the AB is left to the catch/pitcher combo.
Grudzy at New Britain……..7 games, 27 ab, 7 H (.259). All hits were singles. 5 runs scored. 1 walk. 5 strikeouts. No stolen bases. Has 2 errors.
Still better than Punto or Casilla, Dryburn.
Ben……..ummm……..I never said anything about him…just providing the numbers someone asked about. He may be better, especially once he gets his “legs” and timing back. 7 games is not a very big sample after being out of the game for a while, I wouldn’t think. At this point, who would not be better than Punto or Casilla? Tolleson maybe? He is hitting .300 at Rochester, with a .370 on-base percentage. Seems like he would be better too.
Three words!
IT’S NEW BRITAIN!
Two words!
IT’S ROCHESTER!
where Casilla hit .340.
i cant believe they are babying crede the way they are…stick him on dl and get a player up here that can help this club..sometimes you would think this team is not in a pennant race they way they approach things…playing these games shorthanded is a pretty stupid way to go about things…dl crede, let him heal up and maybe hed be ready to go in september if the twins are in a dogfight for the pennant, but now hes useless and taking space…
Since Pavano has had at least moderate success since his TJS, any chance that he will be able to help pull Liriano out of his funk? And wtf is gardenhire thinking with the bottom third of this lineup?
Wow Gardy must really not like Brandon,,,,,oops I mean Brendan Harris. I bet Harris is a better 3b than Punto and obviously a better hitter. So why the f is Punto at 3b? Move him to 2b and bench casilla.
Harris should really be starting somewhere today.
might not be a bad idea to scan perks head also, while they are doing his shoulder—that may be where the problem lies
Possibly a season crushing game today and a day off tomorrow.
Mauer should catch today and rest tomorrow, when we are not already 5 1/2 games back.
If Gardy is afraid of Harris’ defense, then DH him, play Mauer at C, and put Red-Dog back in the kennel to be euthanized.
sy, I will take a veteran like Grudzielanek over Casilla’s production at the major league level. Like Dryburn said, at this point it really can’t get much worse than Casilla or Punto offensively.
“I will take a veteran like Grudzielanek over Casilla’s production at the major league level.”
Agreed, but Grudz has to hit AA pitching a little bit, first.
Then he has to feel that he is ready to hit MLB pitching. (at least a little bit)
If Gardy is afraid of Harris’ defense, then DH him
They have a far better DH by the name of Jason Kubel.
I can understand Casilla being in the lineup, as he has had some prior success against Washburn. Punto playing over Harris though, pretty much tells you Gardy doesn’t give a lick about stats. What utter BS, how and the hell can he actually make any case for Punto at third today? I mean the guy hasn’t been hitting at all, he’s playing a pitcher who he has had no success against and to top it off he can barely make a throw from SS to 1st let alone from 3rd to 1st. Didn’t Gardy just come out and say Harris would be the backup at 3rd? The media here is so weak, get some backbone and actually ask some tough questions… Your just like the Twins, to many friendly people and not enough grit or bite.
“The Rockies may be considering other options for (Clint) Barmes, who may no longer fit into their long-term plans.”
(STATS, Inc.)
Bats about 250, 15 HRS, 53RBI. Not bad for a 2B.
according to his play yesterday, Punto can play 3b…. I think it is all about the plays that were made (or not made) on Friday night. But if you trot out the lame excuse of better career success against a pitcher (Punto vs Verlander .253) then not follow it the next day (Harris vs Washburn .432) then there should be questions raised, but whatever, I am done trying to figure out this guy. I guess I have to hope Crede is well for the Arlington series because I do NOT want to see Punto at 3b in person.
I realize Barmes is in a slump now…may be able to get him cheap
Barmes is good….. as long as he doesn’t hurt himself hunting. But then were would Nicky play IF they could resign OC?
T, maybe somebody forgot to tell you but Washburn is a lefty and Kubel does not hit lefties well.
Barmes has a career OBP of .300 - not good enough for the 2-hole, where Gardy absolutely, positively needs to have a middle infielder.
Little Miss Sarcasm says:
August 9th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Barmes is good….. as long as he doesn’t hurt himself hunting. But then were would Nicky play IF they could resign OC?
In the dugout with his Legos until the late innings when a pinch runner or defense replacement is needed.
I really do not like the games on My29
yeah aaron, like that would happen…. did he just forget to pack his legos that is why he has to play today on the field?
Try TBS…. the annoucers are more annoying but the picture is better
Little Miss Sarcasm says:
August 9th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
yeah aaron, like that would happen…. did he just forget to pack his legos that is why he has to play today on the field?
It is all coming together now…lol
Why is the game blacked out on TBS here in Fargo? Once again, stuck with an awful, awful picture due to the 29/FSN feed.
The TBS broadcast is blacked out in the Cities. Stuck with Dickbert and the inferior picture.
I hate Sunday games. Between the lineups and the Their29 it gets annoying.
According to the team website, Gardenhire graduated from high school in 1975, and Punto was born in November of 1977 in San Diego.
We all know Gardie was’nt much of a hitter, but was he a switch hitter, and where was he in February of 1977.
I feel really bad for Harris. And, yes, Punto made a couple nice plays last night, but come on….
Friday night, he dropped a routine play @ 2nd in what turned into a 6 run inning for the Tigers. Why did that go unpunished? If anyone else pulls that, they are riding pine. Punto isn’t as incredible as Gardy would have you believe. Add that to the fact that his arm is questionable–especially from 3rd–and it points to Harris being at 3rd today….
Thanks Sarcasm, but it is blacked-out for me.
baker needs to be the ace today, that was projected for him all spring/summer…time to get it right…hope he learned a bit from pavano..
punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto punto
morneau couldnt have hit that pitch for anything…far outside….ump hurrying things along…hope that works both ways…
game is blacked out for the ump also…
Close enough to have to protect with two strikes.
Ball three and strike three were the same pitch
Ball three was lower.
At least that is what it looked like on My29
Cuddyer, that was horrible!
NICE CUDDY!
Awesome work Cuddy….
Totally agree…gotta take a swing there.
Ugh that damn Granderson with help from Cuddy.
Baker is stressing out.
That’s how ya do it!
at least Span got his wakeup call.
Nice catch by Span and bad baserunning by Granderson there.
Span helping out
I do not like when Thames plays…always he is always good for one HR against the Twins
Morneau,
ShutUp…go back to the dugout and complain about your teamates…
Regards,
Keep your pitches up Baker, then pay your outfielders $1 per mile.
Even though that base was stolen off Baker, one can’t feel confident with Redmond having to try to throw out any runners.
“Morneau,
ShutUp…go back to the dugout and complain about your teamates…”
Dragon,
Shut up… go back to your cave and complain about your blogmates…”
Damn, I didnt know the game was on TBS - So long suckers
jon says:August 9th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
“Dragon,
Shut up… go back to your cave and complain about your blogmates…”
Good idea, don’t think I’ve done that in a while.
Thanks for the idea 
Regards,
Cuddy may have made up for his error
Granderson misplayed that ball. Tough luck with it bouncing over the fence, although I don’t know that Cuddyer would have gotten three on that.
That is a HR in the dome
Redmon really wanted that double apparently.
Nice hit by Redmond, but how do you get yourself in a rundown when there is no cut off? Gave himself up for no reason.
Punto bunting for the hit with two outs, brilliant.
Glad we got the lead, let’s hope Baker can put up another zero.
As odd as it was, I like the bunt attempt from Nick. Haven’t seen his speed in a while…
little league mistake by redmond. how can he be so dumb- he knows he cant run- get to 1st and plant yourself- rally killer
Way to battle Punto…..how about trying to take a pitch or two
mj1, Punto and Casilla were up next so I don’t know that a rally was coming, but still dumb nonetheless. Would have been nice to get Casilla out of the way that inning.
Did gardenhire think that Redmond was still on first?
Nice to see the Tigers “try to get out of the way”
Baker could really use an out pitch
do any of you have someone to talk to at home?
no eric, why? do you want to come over???
no eric, my roommate is probably cat-calling plenty of Brewers right now…. I am glad I am not there with her.
if anyoned needs a rest, i think it may be morneau…he is not looking good at the plate lately - does he have a history of tailing off in the latter parts of the season…i know last year he certainly dipped alot….lets hope not, as he is needed very badly now, if they are to have any chance
It looked like Granderson hit that better than he did.
mj, it would probably have been a good time to put magic man at first and let gomez/span/young roam the outfield. we actually would have a bat on the bench as well.
Web gem by Casilla.
that’s why harris doesn’t play 2b folks.
Shades of last season from Lexi?
LEXI !!!! nice
Those have been too few and far between to use that argument Might Casey.
if anyoned needs a rest, i think it may be morneau…
There is no defensive sub for him…and with Crede not at 3B, defense is already weakened.
Casilla with another hit? Now with a great play at second base?
Anyone see McLoud or T? Where are the haters?
As I said, Casilla should be the everyday 2B…way ahead of Punto…way ahead of Harris…way ahead of anyone on the current roster.
You may commence the, “yeah, you were right” at any time
i guess gomez is tweaked a bit- so he is resting - i think he could play in an emergency…
Mike in Phoenix, I think I will wait with that until he gets his average to around the .250 mark.
Thatta boy Cuddyer!
An Ivy LEAGUER!!!!!!!!
Cuddy go boom.
maybe casilla is starting to come alive…seems like he can play when he has his head on right…maybe its the cabrera effect..makes me think the front office better do all it can to talk o.c. into becoming a twin permanently..they need some spanish leadership
Cuddyer with his hitting shoes on today.
YOUNG!!!!!!!
DELMON!
Top THAT Young guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where are all the people who are saying Cuddyer sucks now?
B2B on TWO pitches!!!
DY…wow…best hit ball of his Twins career.
Back2Back
Poor Redmond. What an act to follow.
the awakening of delmon???? please…there is going to come the day when thats routine for this kid..just a matter of time…
redmond back to back to back???
Punto great patience at the plate today. Two AB’s, two pitches, two outs.
magic man brought the magic bat to the game today
maybe casilla is starting to come alive…seems like he can play when he has his head on right…maybe its the cabrera effect.
Or the Morneau effect…Justin passing on the Team Leader ™ call-out he got from Torii a few years back to the next generation.
Where are all the people who are saying Cuddyer sucks now?
it’s cadaver.. get it right.
Eventually even gardenhire is going to have to see that LNP shouldn’t be out there on a daily basis.
stanbob — ha ha ha. if only.
Eventually even gardenhire is going to have to see that LNP shouldn’t be out there on a daily basis.
Right about when Crede can play again or Grudz is ready. No alternative in the meantime.
Baker goes and gives one back at least. C’mon Scott.
Wow. Couple of BIG homers last inning, or else this game is tied.
Ease up Baker, there’s your mistake…but you’ve still got a lead.
the absolute twin killer …thames…
Wow……101 heat index in Detroit right now.
WTF Baker…
Baker looking pathetic to start this inning.
franthewoman why are you trying to call out the best player on the team for the fact the others are sucking? Sorry that he has the right to call out guys that arn’t doing there job. Your probably the guy that comes into work late every thinking that your company owes you something for the half a*% job you do and then get mad when your boss yells at you..
Back2Back2GiveBack
No worries…roid boy Ordonez is up…hopefully he’ll give us two out instead of only one
Baker, I have an idea, mix in an offspeed pitch. Terrible.
Unbelievable
Okay…Baker…what the HECK are you doing?
Can Red still call a good game?
I’m missin’ Mauer here.
Freaking Baker!!
Is Pavano available out of the pen?
Gooter…wtf are you talking about? I called out no one.
You know people, the Tigers have major leaguers on their team as well…quit panicking every time the other team threatens to score a run or two. lol
They are allowed to play as well.
Ode to Scott Baker:
Always fun, watching to see
What today’s train wreck’s gonna be
Mike in Phoenix, you know it’s not okay to give up the lead after your team spots your three runs, correct?
anyone else read the scoring summary?
M Redmond singled to right, M Cuddyer scored, M Redmond out stretching at second.
Why did red-dog stop at second and stretch before he got to the bag?
Fran: It appears the trolls (or at least just the one schizo troll) have popped up now that the Twins appear to be a tight spot.
Ignore them. Or him….or it.
Mike in Phoenix, is it now time to panick?
Laird doin’ his Redmond imitation….
Gooter: Was that Gameday? Pretty funny.
Baker learned nothing from Pavano yesterday on how to put up a 0 after your offense scores…
Keppel warming up, really??
Why would you warm up Keppel of all people?
No!!!! Not Keppel, please God
And the defense has to sit and watch Baker give up the lead…
Why was the infield playing back?
Gardy!!????
Terrible job by Baker of giving up a three run lead. Offense is going to have to get back at it.
Why would you warm up Keppel of all people?
Because it’s too dang early in the game for Mijares, Nathan, or Guerrier.
romer, why would you play the infield in with runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. You aren’t going to give up 2 runs on a routine ground ball.
oh no…you mean the Tigers actually decided to play…you mean they won’t be shut out every game…the Twins should shut everyone out because you people just want them to. Give me a break…do you understand baseball, T?
DFA Scott Baker
Keppel and Pavanon are alike in that when they’re a little off they’re *really* off.
Give me a break…do you understand baseball, T?
JoeC, I beg you…ban this friggin’ troll please. He has nothing to add to the conversation. At all.
ugly
“Why was the infield playing back?”
To stop a big inning from becoming a catastrophe.
It may become a 12-9 game, and it’s to early to worry about giving up one run.
Ben, more or less conceding the run. I’m surprised Leyland didn’t squeeze.
T, because somebody simply disagrees with you does not mean that they should get banned. Go take your ball and go home if you don’t like it.
I think with what the Twins have done this far, Gardy has confidence that his lineup will put more runs up.
You just hope they have the same heart they played with Friday night when things looked ugly early on.
romer, you have to in that situation. You can’t let a routine grounder score two runs because you have the infield in.
Mike in Phoenix
I don’t remember anyone saying we should shutout teams every game. I think it is a reasonable expectation to want your pitcher to not give up 4 runs in an inning after having a 3 run lead.
Ben: Feel free to go back to Mike’s last two days of comments.
He has nothing to add to the conversation except flaming other commentors. It’s not about disagree, it’s the immature trolling of other posters that should warrant a ban.
Ben, when that someone is an obvious troll (or that someone is a multiple troll with diff names), action is warranted.
Okay, there’s the hitting streak. Now the heart of the order needs to put something together.
FranTheMan says:
August 9th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
maybe casilla is starting to come alive…seems like he can play when he has his head on right…maybe its the cabrera effect.
Or the Morneau effect…Justin passing on the Team Leader ™ call-out he got from Torii a few years back to the next generation.
Thats what I was refering to sounded to me like you were calling out Morneau for doing his job as a team leader why do people keep complaining about that?
T all I can say is your mom is a Troll and I know cause ive done it with her….
OC in good playing shape with a fast bat….
T, well then don’t respond to him if you don’t like it. I don’t agree with his dumb post about us expecting the Twins to shut out the Tigers because I don’t think anybody expects that every game, but I am not calling for him to be banned.
lets get back to baseball shall we?
T all I can say is your mom is a Troll and I know cause ive done it with her…
Wow. We’ve got some real intelligent discourse this afternoon.
This is where the Twins have been driving me crazy. Get up by three, then give all right back the next inning. Lets see if the Twins have an answer!
I’d like to see Mauer or Morneau get something done so that Cuddyer (already with two big hits) doesn’t have to do all the work himself today.
Agreed wipron: Tying the game right away would be a huge morale booster.
Ben, T is frustrated because I’ve been on here exactly two days calling for Lexi to be the starting 2B and yesterday he has a great game, today thusfar a great game, and T continually whines about Lexi and is being proven wrong on now a daily basis.
Morneau, time for a big hit.
…That’s odd. Why put the shift on with Mauer tends to hit DPs that way?
Mike, let’s not get it twisted here. He is still hitting .171.
I think that the point is that, when the Tigers score, it isn’t because Baker (or the Twins) GAVE IT BACK.
The Tigers TOOK IT BACK, because they have a roster of MLB players capable of doing just that.
Morneau is really struggling.
Damn the M&M boys can’t get it done all the time >.<
Mike, you couldn’t be more mistaken. My disgust with your posting quality comes from inane comments made towards other posters. Including those comments made yesterday when tornadoes were touching down yesterday in the cities.
Ben…yesterday, great game…today great game, thusfar. Didn’t claim anything more or less. Hardly twisted, perhaps its a reading comprehension issue
sane, you could use that excuse with any team. Baker GAVE IT BACK by leaving fastballs right out over the plate.
Mike, 1 for 2 with a nice play in the field. A lotta game left buddy.
“Why put the shift on with Mauer tends to hit DPs that way?”
Because they don’t want to pitch Mauer on THAT side of the plate.
I think Morneau is trying to hard! He needs to relax a bit and take some better swings.
Justin is officially pressing…
Ben…again it’s called reading and understanding for a reason…do you know what “thusfar” means? Go get a dictionary and get back to me
Baker, not again.
“sane, you could use that excuse with any team”
EXACTLY!
Ben: I think it’s time to take your own advice in regards to Troll from Phoenix.
since when is Morneau struggling? Wake up Ben!!!!!
Mike, I know you might be in Phoenix and the heat might be getting to you, but my point is wait until the game is over. They play 9 innings for a reason.
T, I will talk to him all day long. Just because he doesn’t make sense just makes everybody else sound all the more intelligent.
GooterSmith, numerous times over the last week he has had chances to drive in runners and not come through.
Baker…baker…baker.
Bake back to sucking.
Baker wants to give this game away. Thanks Scotty!
Ben, “thusfar” has a meaning…I’m waiting for the game to finish…unlike you, I’m not “panicking” when the other team actually scores some runs in the middle of the game and worrying about how it will finish.
But, that swing may just put a finishing touch on the game…OUCH
please bring in keppel
Didn’t exactly fool him there
Baker beating himself…
Ben you cant hit 1.000 with risp its not possible even .400 is pushing it….. in the last week he has went from leading the league in RBI by 2 to 10 WAKE UP!!!!
Mike, where was your boy Casilla on that one? Are you still feeling confident with the three run deficit?
Baker has no heart and no guts. Thank God Bill Smith signed him to a big four year deal. Another great move by GM of the century, Billllllllllyyyyyyyyy Smiiiiiiiiiiiiith!
comeon baker yer better than this, arent ya?? damn, we dont want to have to go the bullpen this early…duensing/crain are the only hopes there
Worst game for Baker to put up a bad pitching performance.
Only Baker’s second bad game since May.
Pretty bad timing for it though.
Gooter, that argument is flawed in so many ways. It says nothing about the number of chances he has had with RISP. Not too mention his competition just not driving anybody in either.
Morneau has had a great year so far, but it’s time for you to take off the foam finger and realize that he has been struggling lately.
Twins Rule hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Wow…you’d think Baker would’ve learned something about pitching under pressure after yesterday’s game.
My 9 year old could pummel Baker the way he’s pitching today. Stick a fork in him, again!! Nice job following Pavano’s performance yesterday. Looks like he really learned something huh?
Too bad that Gardenhire has already given up on this game.
I guess on the plus side there’s an off day tomorrow so the Pen can be on alert.
I just hope the offense doesn’t get down…they didn’t on Friday, why now?
****Ben says: Mike, where was your boy Casilla on that one? Are you still feeling confident with the three run deficit?***
lol…Ben, talk about dissecting every play…why didn’t Delmon jump 30 feet in the air and catch that homerun too?
If Perkins is hurt, get him on the DL. They should could use another pitcher in the pen today.
Ben, I’m not sure who the Twins go to in this game? Duensing? He’s potentially going to start in a few days.
Mike, it was off Casilla’s glove. I’m not asking for anything unreal like somebody jumping 30 feet.
Imagine that, a hit off Keppel.
Ben, talk about dissecting every play…why didn’t Delmon jump 30 feet in the air and catch that homerun too?
An inch to his left vs. 30 feet straight up.
Which of those is more doable?
Don’t worry folks, Redmond and Punto will come up with some big hits for us…..
T, well Gardenhire has to quick side stepping the issue and make a decision on who is going to start in Swarzak’s spot in the rotation so he actually has a long man in the bullpen.
Were only down 6-3. Why Keppel? He’s been terrible lately, and has had several chances.
See??This is why you make deals when you’re in a race…In case a starter goes down…Duensing starting?? WTF?? This guy can’t even be a reliever and he’s going to give him a start??
I really hope there is some soul searching from the FO in the off-season…New manager would be a start..gardenhire has shown he really isn’t that great of a manager…
“Only Baker’s second bad game since May.”
“Stick a fork in him, again!!”
Someone’s not paying attention.
Okay, Keppel gets out of the jam. Offense…seriously. Just get some more runs?
Kthxbi.
Maybe Bert can come down from the booth and pitch a few today? Gotta get that guy into the HOF somehow!
Nick34, because Gardenhire can’t make a timely decision as to who is going to start in Swarzak’s place. Instead he is essentially going with a bullpen that is minus two pitchers (perkins and whoever is not starting between Swarzak and Duensing).
Rob: They got Pavano, but when you get right down to it you’ve got Swarzak struggling, Perkins struggling, Liriano struggling….
Finding three starting pitchers through midseason trades is asking a LOT from a FO.
At least if you want IMPROVEMENT in your starting pitchers.
wipron: Resign Bert? He can’t be that much worse right! 
I’m reminded again of the age old wisdom — some people don’t own dogs they can kick.
So they choose the wife, the kids, or the Twins to kick.
Baker, our supposed ace. This blowing up after being given the lead happens way too much with him.
Ben your an idiot in so many ways its not even funny…heres some stats for you then last 7 games Morneau has 8 RBI my count says at that past that’s more than one per game so how is he struggling the last week?
Redmond doin’ his Laird imitation.
Justin needs some days off especially here in the end so that he can rest up and play well to help this team win … yet the brilliant FO sent our only quality 1st base backup to the minors! Great move.
Go figure it’s the bottom of the order getting the work done (well, getting on base anyway)
PUNTO.
Now it’s up to our .300 hitters.
Redmond doin’ his Laird imitation.
Recursion works!
“Don’t worry folks, Redmond and Punto will come up with some big hits for us”
How’d you know, Union?
August 9th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
“Only Baker’s second bad game since May.”
“Stick a fork in him, again!!”
Someone’s not paying attention.
Not really, he seems to suck whenever we truly need him to step up. I had high hopes for him today, He let the team down AGAIN!
Alexi first, romer
Oops, forgot about Casilla.
My bad!!
Who’s idea was this 7-9?!
Mike, now Casilla is having a really good game!
and Casilla!
HUGE BREAK!!!
Alexi gets an extra base hit. Just what we needed with Reddog at 2nd base. Excellent!
That thomas is gawd awful in the field, no one should ever bitch about DY again.
Thomas doing his Thomas imitation.
Ha-ha!!!!
Nick34, because Gardenhire can’t make a timely decision as to who is going to start in Swarzak’s place. Instead he is essentially going with a bullpen that is minus two pitchers (perkins and whoever is not starting between Swarzak and Duensing).
Ben, the unavailability of Perk is a very recent development and the sickage of Baker even moreso…you are being kinda harsh.
You can always count on Redman, Punto and Cassilla to pick us up!! LOL!!
union says:
August 9th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Don’t worry folks, Redmond and Punto will come up with some big hits for us…..
wow and I was just kidding!
Not to happy that the camera crew couldn’t get that play at 3B.
But wow…the Tigers OF being exposed big time this series. That was an RBI single at best before Thomas misplayed it.
Hello? T? Ben? LOL
I wonder how close Punto was to passing Redmond on the bases.
Span, swing the bat!
Anyone with GameDay?
That looked outside.
Why is Pavano not starting on thursday? That would be his normal day, wouldn’t it? And he only threw 90 pitches last night.
Please tell me Keppel is not coming out again
That was the same pitch that K’d Morneau. You can’t ring a guy up on that when he’s showing patience during an AB.
Yeah T…Punto wouldn’t be at third and Casilla at second with a double without Thomas in left…you truly are brilliant!!
Mike, has had a good game today but he is still hitting worse than Punto on the season. Are you aware of that?
FireGardy says:August 9th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
“Don’t worry folks, Redmond and Punto will come up with some big hits for us”
“How’d you know, Union?”
Read the 1st 10-15 posts each day, Bet the opposite. It’s a nice living.
Regards,
It was outside, on GameDay and TBS!
But wow…the Tigers OF being exposed big time this series. That was an RBI single at best before Thomas misplayed it.
It was already exposed…Leyland apparently likes Thomas’ bat, but tries to get Raburn in as defensive sub…just not early enough today.
Bah, Doug Eddings is a rally killer. This ugly crew rears its head again.
T, you can’t take that pitch with two strikes. Gotta protect.
the three mendozas come up huge. and even if thomas had played that correctly, that would still have been a double.
I think PoD consideration must go to:
.
union says:
August 9th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Don’t worry folks, Redmond and Punto will come up with some big hits for us…..
Fran, how is that harsh? They found out about Perkins’ situation yesterday.
fcmlefty, I guess they are not skipping anybody in the rotation with the off day.
fcm: As far as Pavano on Friday instead of Thursday…I think it comes down to this:
If Pavano is now the “best” pitcher in the rotation, would you rather have him go against the Cleveland lineup or the KC lineup?
the Dragon says:
August 9th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
FireGardy says:August 9th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
“Don’t worry folks, Redmond and Punto will come up with some big hits for us”
“How’d you know, Union?”
Read the 1st 10-15 posts each day, Bet the opposite. It’s a nice living.
Regards,
yes dragon, because those guys have been so clutch all year, right? You should shut your smarmy mouth, you @sshole.
Looked like Casilla held the ball a split second too much — almost like he was trying to jump to high.
There’s the old Casilla, Punto would’ve never got a glove on that ball.
Yay, more proof today that signing Baker to that extension was a mistake.
Gardy rendering several pitchers unusable cause they “might” start….Gardy waiting days and days for a game when Crede “might” be available rather than DL-ing him and having a friggin player to use…Harris being kept in the dungeon in favor of future ex-MLB player Alexi Casilla….
Yep, nothing ever changes with this team. No wonder the Tigers and Sox have no other competition.
I think the Twins prefer having Pavano go against the Cle lineup than KC.
“I guess they are not skipping anybody in the rotation with the off day.”
thats absurd based on the choices available to pitch
Dick and Bert talking about why Casilla is playing better…but Ben and T don’t even think he should be given the opportunity…they live in May
Well if Granderson takes off here, it is an easy stolen base with Redmond back there.
Fran, how is that harsh? They found out about Perkins’ situation yesterday.
Ben, they used Perk last night and before that thought he was available for BP duty.
This isn’t fantasy baseball, the real world requires a bit more reaction time.
Agree Ben, for once. They should send Granderson automatically
At least he stops the hit. I dunno if a throw in that situation would’ve been wise (winds up in the OF)
Error?
Nah…..
Cabrera get the ball out of your glove.
Yay, more proof today that signing Baker to that extension was a mistake.
And did you say that when it was announced. Unlikely. Loser!
Defense is doing this odd thing where it starts great plays but can’t quite finish them.
Tad bit frustrating given circumstances.
Fran, you are telling me one day is not enough time to get somebody else up in major league baseball? Are you serious right now?
Be careful with Cabrera, please do not let him beat you.
Keppel, it wasn’t pretty but it was effective.
Punto’s double clutch made me almost puke
Keppel puts up a 0. Who’d a thunk it?
See Baker, it IS possible to pitch under pressure.
How much longer until we can get Casilla up again? lol
By the way…that is two great games in a row Ben…note the “thusfar” has disappeared
Man…Keppel sure makes it interesting
“T, you can’t take that pitch with two strikes. Gotta protect.”
Either that or you work a BB — which it was.
Baker didn’t lose that lead. Gardy did. Bases loaded no outs. And Baker clearly in trouble. What decision would you make? and then have him start the next inning, too.
We need the Heart to step up here and tie it up.
Mike, how does a game in which he went 1 for 2 classify as a “great game”?
“Fu Te Ni” sounds like something one of those Jawas says in Star Wars.
One good thing about today’s lineup…Kubel on the bench…Punto’s spot looks like a good place for him
romer, I don’t believe it was a walk. Seems to me he was called out on strikes. Therefore it was a strikeout.
Fran, you are telling me one day is not enough time to get somebody else up in major league baseball? Are you serious right now?
Ben, they had a few hours to evaluate and make a move. Even if they had, rushing someone up from AAA is not always the best course. You are being unrealistic. Baker not sucking would have made the emergency moot…he is the rippable one in the equation.
Seay was roughed up in his last outing against Baltimore.
You got the hitting streak Cabrera, now just get on base.
Ben…sacrifice fly to make it 3-0…great turn of a double play…one walk…one for two…what, you want him to go 2 for 2…why do people think major league baseball is easy and hitting .500 in one game is not great?
Please get the payoff, OC
Cabrera don’t swing at ball four.
Too Nice,
Actually yes, I didn’t understand it then either. Why give sizable money to a very average rhp when its not like there was going to be some huge demand for him so you HAD to lock him up.
“Cabrera don’t swing at ball four.”
Gotta protect the plate.
Mike, the guy has two good games in a row and you want to crown the guy. Point is last time I checked he is still hitting .176 which is many points back from Punto.
As awesome as Mauer is, it seems like 90% of his outs are tappers to 2nd..
Need some hits if they want to turn the lineup over again….not looking to promising
“Therefore it was a strikeout.”
I believe Span showed a good eye at the plate. The ump didn’t.
romer, yeah you protect the plate if it is close, but the potential ball four he swung at with the count full was not close. Get a clue!
Wow. They are running all over this Tigers OF…
romer, yeah it is always the ump’s fault. Quit living in a fantasy world.
Ben…you are wrong if you think Punto should be starting ahead of Casilla…WAY WRONG
Morny with a double in the gap (gap between SS and LF, that is)
Mike, I never said that. I would prefer Grudzielanek ahead of either of them.
Ben…you compared Casilla to Punto…make a choice…Grudzy isn’t on the team…unless of course you want Harris, which would be even more laughable. Casilla has made two or three plays today that Harris would have no chance at
CUDDYER!
Cuddyer, nice! Where is thrylos?
Ben, when the ump is Doug Eddings,it is his fsult…can’t believe they have this crew of clowns working a big series. MLB should be ashamed.
THANK YOU Heart of the Order. THANK YOU
MVP’s hustle pays off
Cuddy is dialed in today.
Mike, so what you are saying is you’d rather have Punto starting than Harris, regardless of position?
piranha ball by the middle of the order…nice
All the crying about Baker done now? Even up…thankfully we had Casilla starting today so Cuddyer could get that hit to tie the game up
Wow. The play of Clete Thomas has cost the Tigers at least 2-3 runs today.
Ben, you’re the one telling OC not to swing at ball 4, yet that’s exactly what you wanted Span to do.
Me in fantasy? Me clueless?
Did you read FireGardy’s 1:56!?
Cuddy is so money and he doesn’t even know it
Now the BP has to hold it
Fran, yeah keep blaming the umps. You are missing a good game by the way.
All the crying about Baker done now?
What did Baker have to do with the Twins rallying back?
Nope…Harris at SS over Punto (until Cabrera arrived, of course)…Punto over Harris at 2B…Crede over both of them at 3B.
Damn! Almost, Young. Nice swing!
cuddyer just about tore his thumb off again…..
romer, what part of a close pitch don’t you understand? If you have two strikes and the pitch is close you need to protect. The pitch to Span was close, the pitch Cabrera swung at was not.
Let’s hope Young and Cuddy can conitnue their games of one-upsmanship for a while here now.
T…I just told you and your ilk to quit whining that the Tigers were actually playing, as the game wasn’t done….well, where are we now. Even…told you all not to panic…anyone’s game now
Nope…Harris at SS over Punto (until Cabrera arrived, of course)…Punto over Harris at 2B…Crede over both of them at 3B.
So your ideal infield currently does not contain your favorite Alexi Casilla.
T…I just told you and your ilk to quit whining that the Tigers were actually playing
That still doesn’t explain what Baker had to do with the Twins being able to rally off the Tigers pen (or more accurately, their OF)
T…he asked me to compare Harris and Punto….Casilla over both of them at 2B if you are confused…I hate it when I have to hold people’s hand at reading and comprehension
I hate it when I have to hold people’s hand at reading and comprehension
I’m surprised you can reah anybody’s hand from under that bridge you’re calling home, troll.
Why is Gardenhire going with Keppel for a third inning?
Really testing Keppel here….I do not like tempting fate
Keppel is still in there?
T…please point me to where I said that Baker contributed to the rally? lol…you really do need to read more carefully!!
Ben, the pitch OC struck out on was closing in on the strike zone.
I wish he hadn’t swung at it, because it was a ball.
Good hitters rely on umps to make good calls sometimes.
Apparently OC felt he had to swing at a ball because the ump burned Span.
You could see this was a mistake from the beginning. Gardenhire please do not cost us another game. The gas can is warming up.
Keppel or Gas Can….I guess it does not really matter between the two
Gardy is playing with fire leaving Keppel in another inning.
Mijares/Guerrier should be ready incase it gets dangerous. Twins offense looks like it wants to take this lead back.
romer, yeah keep blaming the umps.
Why is Keppel still in.
My heart can’t take it.
Nice!
Wow. Ordonez has an $18 mil option that could get triggered? That would SUCK for Detroit.
Speaking of suck for Detroit, that is a damned if you do damned if you don’t scenario.
keppel hanging some breaking balls….big break on that d.p…..wow
Mike, I don’t want to hear about that play, anybody playing second could have done that.
Keppel gets the DP break.
Dangerous hitter in Inge….
keppel living lucky right now…lets hope it lasts…
“romer, yeah keep blaming the umps.”
No, I’m blaming you for calling out Span.
TBS’s radar gun had that pitch at 96? Yeah right…
yeah how dare anybody call him out? He has had a great series coming into today but today he has not done anything.
They got by with another inning from Keppel. Huge. Now please don’t bring Crain out to start the 8th.
Big DP there, I think Keppel’s earned the Win. Get the lead and let’s hand this over the usual suspects to close it out.
gardy’s a genious…keppel sneaks thru the 7th….
Keppel’s thrown 96 before.
I don’t think anybody on here would have predicted 2 and 2/3 innings of shutout ball for Keppel today at the begging of the day.
Let’s get some runs offense!
i know this is like crying over spilled milk, but just think of the wins the twins would have if they had some decent pitching…the twins of old couldnt score and had great pitching, now its scoring in bundles and having a hard time…i dont have stats but were scoring damn near 6 runs a game lately and that should be enought to win most all games….we used to lose alot of 2-1 games etc…now we cant win with 6 …scary
I think the only thing that would prevent Crain from coming out would be the Twins getting the lead
Ben says:August 9th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
“You could see this was a mistake from the beginning. Gardenhire please do not cost us another game. The gas can is warming up.”
Good Call! Correct as always.
Regards,
That reverse psychosis really works.
“Clueless”, “fantasy world”.
Hmmmmmmm…….interesting choice of words.
eigth pitch (strike 3) looked outside on Gameday. On tv? a little retribution karma for the earlier K on Span?
Heart of the order up now…
Redmond…3 hits…seriously.
Bunt by Punto? And getting rid of the DH…oh, boy…
Losing the DH now… yikes.
Aaron and Paco, there should be absolutely no reason for Crain to pitch the 8th, lead or not. It should go to Guerrier, regardless.
Redmond with 3 hits, wow. He better get the DVD of this game. Punto get the bunt down.
This is cool…GoGo or Span to catch.
Regards,
Here comes the blog hellfire — or silence — depending on whether or not Punto executes.
Looks like it will be hellfire.
f’n punto
Punto can’t get the bunt down. Are you bunting for a hit or a sacrafice Punto?
Risky move, but Twins need that run BADLY.
Punto sucks.
Punto going for the HR
Punto blew it.
Mauer says, “I gotta go catch in 100 degree heat for THAT?!!”
Gardenhire, you lose the DH this inning and now your boy can’t come through with a simple bunt. Nice!
HAHA. Gardy is trolling the troll here.
theres a name for a guy like redmond..is it punch n judy or what…i am likin it today tho…keep it up….
Just got caught up with the live action. What’d I miss T?
Epic fail..
Come on Kubel!
Ben and T want Punto starting at 2B on Tuesday, however
Kubel does Punto’s job
Kubel, you need a hit there buddy. Big time.
5-5 last night and 0-fer here. Span buddy…
Mike, no I said either Harris or Grudzy.
Cabrera please come through with a hit here.
Wow. Interesting move here Leyland.
Right move by Leyland as Span has been killing him this series.
Span is due for a hit today. Of course they walk him. Orlando…Make them pay for this!
Time for the new guy to be a hero.
What’d I miss T?
Gamewise? Twins jumped out to a 3-0 lead, Baker relinquished. Twins rallied back to 6-6 off of the bottom of the order and the Tigers OF.
Postwise? Little of value.
T,
What was the crazy talk with Danny boy last night all about?
Seriously- does it make everyone on here feel better to talk SO negatively about a job that you WISH you had. Get a life. Every player on that field is trying their hardest and want to win more than anyone “watching”. Its SO sad that people say the things they do- how about support the team or shut your mouth. And all of you have nothing better to do in life then bad mouth people that you wish you were! ITS A GAME! REMEMBER ITS JUST A GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess Span/Cabrera is a pick your poison…with this at least putting the force at 3B.
youd think for 4 million a guy could lay down a bunt properly…my god they do that in legion better that they do here..unbelievable
What was the crazy talk with Danny boy last night all about?
Danny-Chan is convinced that everybody who disagrees with him is the same person. Nothing more need be said.
Choke job by Cabrera.
They bunt in softball mj1?
Question…will Gardy have the guts to call out Punto for not doing his job like he did others this week.
I saw the game, but I had to start taping it. Game started at 10 am here and I had stuff to do. Now that I’m live I didn’t like what I saw that inning.
pretty entertaining game today… hoping the bullpen hangs in there. the middle of our order up in the 9th
Guerrier instead of Crain. Good call.
T, American Legion is baseball, not softball.
Guerrier, damn it.
Wow, Casilla gets removed and we make sure Punto, who can’t bunt, stays in the game. That may be the right move, but that sucks. And now with the double down the line, I am sure Gardy is thinking Punto would have had it.
twinsfan, of course he won’t
T???? softball???
Te-Fu Ni in Chinese is Ni Fu-Te,just like “need food” XD
Guerrier, We need strike outs!
I don’t understand walking Granderson right here. He K’s a ton. Now you are going to pitch to a guy that barely ever strikes out. Stupid move Gardenhire.
lol…Gardy trying to match Leyland…why do I have a bad feeling about this? Gardy is horrible
Wonder if Guerrier likes hot weather…..
tough call here,just looking for a DP,but Polanco hit well today…
The ump looks like he has goggles on. Probably just glasses.
How do ya keep them from steaming up under a mask?
Swing at everything. The ump can’t see.
If you struck out Granderson and Planco gets a base hit, it still would have been a Tiger lead.
yuk
Go figure that Keppel goes nearly three shutout innings and then Guerrier gets knocked around.
Time to eat…….
lol…Gardy is so bad…now he turned what could have been a 1-run inning into a possible several run inning
Polanco’s on fire
Is anyone gonna say “Shoulda left in Keppel!”? Come on - someone is thinking it!
That was just a good piece of hitting by Polanco after a very good pitch.
Great job Gardenhire, now you are down 2. Manager of the millenium. Walk a guy that has struck out 93 times in order to face a guy that never K’s. Very intelligent managing!
And if Granderson gets a base hit or a HR, then Gardy is an idiot still…blah blah blah
twins need a guy like merillo who can come in an blow someone away on three pitches …..i know ..he walks people also, but id take my chances once in awhile…we need something…..
bad outing by Guerrier, that’s all I can say
Offense failed to execute last inning, and it comes back to bite them in the butt this inning.
I just hate when in cruicial situations a reliver, with good power, goes off speed allowing the guys bat to speed up. Why help a guy out. Both runs brought home on slow stuff off Matty.
***Mcloud says: If you struck out Granderson and Planco gets a base hit, it still would have been a Tiger lead.***
The problem McLoud is that Granderson didn’t need to score as well…genius understands genius I guess
At least Rodney has not been exactly automatic
Macleod, that is true but it also would not have led to a two run (at least) inning.
Once again, the Twins pitching staff gives up a crap load of runs. Somehow this is all Gardy’s and Punto’s fault. Somehow…
macleod, no if granderson gets a hit then you tip your cap. He has K’ed 93 times this year. I would take my chances.
Manager of the millenium.
Ooooh. That’s where thrylos went.
T, nope I just had to use the phrase because it fit. Gardenhire is a tool.
Ben, Polanco had 14 GIDP this season…give credit him for a nice job of hitting. The Gardy bashing there is just plain mindless.
Two out of three losses in Detroit is placed solely on our pitching. To say anything otherwise is pure folly. Unless you’re from Phoenix. Then you’re just an idiot.
well the one positive thing is that if detroit keeps playing like this when they head east, they will not win a game…they dont have the pitching, and the defense they have shown us is awful, its just that we dont have the damn pitching….we should not be losing games 8-6 etc dah……
come on bill smith, we need some real magic here the last 6 weeks…too bad you have waited til now to think about getting something done……
You don’t understand Fran, if Gardy does anything and it doesn’t work, Gardy is a fool. It’s simple math by simple minds. And, if Gardy does anything and it works, his players saved his a$$.
Look…some of us said that walking Granderson was a bad decision because we didn’t want him to score…we turned out right…others didn’t. Simple as that. Maybe if you were right once, you could say so as well.
If it gets to the pitcher’s spot, there should be two runs in. Especially with the guys coming up ahead of it.
Simple as that. Maybe if you were right once, you could say so as well
It’s easy to be right when you don’t speak up till after. The only person protesting the walk was Ben.
Screw it, I’m calling for extra innings.
Good news is that Cuddy gets at least one more PA
Fran, what are you going to take your chances with, 93 K’s or 14 GIDP? Not too tough of a choice. Also that walk gave Detroit the second run of the inning. As Mike said, I guess it takes a genius to understand a genius and you and Gardenhire must be those guys.
If you “make a call” 8 times a game, and you are right once, that does not make you a genius one time.
T, exactly I can understand somebody being upset if you waited until after the result to say it, but I knew at the time it was dumb.
How many times does Mauer ground out to second?
As Mike said, I guess it takes a genius to understand a genius and you and Gardenhire must be those guys.
Thanks, Ben. That sounded like a compliment to me. 
Justin needs to get on base for Cuddy.
Macleod, the fact that you are thinking we should have walked Granderson does not make you a genius.
If you “make a call” 8 times a game, and you are right once, that does not make you a genius one time.
Some people prefer to just predict disaster at every turn. That way if they are right they can complain, and if they are wrong they can just be “pleasently surprised”.
Fran if you take that as a compliment, you have more issues than I originall thought.
Are BenDover and PrideParade in Phoenix new posters or old jerks with new names?
Macleod, the fact that you are thinking we should have walked Granderson does not make you a genius.
Usually the true genius does not have to declare himself a genius. As it will be obvious to EVERYBODY that he is one.
Just saying.
*originally
wonder if it will be an interesting off day in minneapolis….i would only hope….it sure hurts to lose consistenly and still be scoring 5-7 runs….
How badly did we need one of M&M on base there. Ouch.
Too bad no body could get on in front of him
a real magic man would have made that a three run bomb
Cuddyer gone, imagine that. Now this game is SOLELY on Gardenhire!
Well put T. Expect nothing so as to not put too much of your heart into the game.
And nobody can predict what would have happened if Granderson hit, but they can pretend they are all knowing.
Gardenhire with the loss today, now 5.5 back. Wow, how many games has he lost this season?
Ugh that sucks.
Are BenDover and PrideParade in Phoenix new posters or old jerks with new names?
Likely a mix. However we are blessed to have such baseball genius in our pressence.
Cuddy belts out a change up….further proof.
Glad most of you folks got the Twins loss you wanted.
Regards,
Score over 25 runs in a 3-game series and you only take one out of three is awful…just awful
A third place team(clearly by this point of the season) plays AT a first place team and the home/first place team takes two of three(at this point).
A Twins series win would have been nice, but maybe its just time to accept that the Tigers(and White Sox) are better teams at this point.
I still remember how bad the Twins used to be and as much as I would love to see a World Series I also appreciate having a team that is in the thick of things every year.
Wow, how many games has he lost this season?
Well surely with your genius you should be able to run the math…
After all, you ARE a genius. Isn’t that what you just said?
Somebody tell Gardy the Twins are no longer a team that plays 3 to 2 baseball games, so having defensive specialists in the game is worthless. If the Twins are gonna win, they are gonna need to post 8 or 9 runs a game.
LOL Ben. Our pitchers gave up 8 runs, but the game is solely on Gardy. Yep, I guess he should have told Guerrier to not give up any runs.
Glad most of you folks got the Twins loss you wanted.
No kidding. Now it’s time to go do something else for the rest of the day while the geniuses all go about patting themselves on the back about how genius they are.
cuddyer’s fault.
T, I am sure you will be waiting at the airport to congratulate your buddy Ronnie.
That’s the Twins offense way, always come after 2-out or RISP with no-out, they just can’t score runS.
Damn, Baker sucks it up after given an early lead, and then Punterrible cant get a simple bunt down in the 8th, and Guerrier decides to human today all equals a very disappointing loss and road trip for our favorite team.
On the brightside though, KC and CLE coming to the dome this week…there is still a flicker of hope.
Macleod, how do you not figure walking Granderson intentionally led to the 2nd run in the 8th, which was the game’s deciding run. I know you would have rather had the Twins lose by 2 runs so your brother in law, Gardenhire, was not at fault but that was not the case.
I guess you have to look at something positive and the only thing I can find is that we are now coming home to face KC and Cleve while Detroit goes to Boston.
5 1/2 back. 6 weeks left. Going home. Detroit to East Coast. Let’s give it another 2 weeks before we cut 1/2 the squad and bring up all of our AAA players.
cuddyer’s fault.
No kidding - muttonhead can’t even hit for the cycle.
By the way, I have two thoughts about the pitching staff.
1)Can anyone really be surprised that all of the Twins young starters took a step backward this year? Doesn’t it seem like that happens to most pitchers their second or third full years in the majors due to the large increase in innings. For example, Verlander and Bonderman a couple years ago. Baker is really the only one who has no excuse. Perkins, Slowey, and Blackburn are pretty much in their second full seasons and Liriano essentially is as well.
2)Once, just once, I would like to see people criticize Anderson the same way they do Vavra and Gardy. He always gets credit for guys like Santana and Radke but never gets blamed for guys like Silva and pretty much the entire staff this year. Vavra gets slammed even though the offense as a whole has improved from last year and Anderson gets a pass when the whole pitching staff has taken a step back.
The following is dedicated to all you geniuses out there:
Ben, pointing to a single intentional walk as the deciding factor in an 8-7 game is too simple and smacks of trying to lay this loss at Gardy’s feet. This was a team loss, as most losses are. Why not blame Mauer and Morneau for not being on base when Cuddy hit his 2nd HR? Why not blame Baker for blowing up, once again? Or Guerrier for giving up those two runs? Or Punto for failing to get down that bunt? Or Young for not getting on base after Cuddy’s HR in the 9th? Or Cabrerra for not getting a key hit with RISP? The two runs in the 8th for the Tigers was the LATEST problem in the game, but by no means the only problem. Your blame is too simplistic, much like your baseball mind.
Zwiefz,
If you have noticed on the board here, there have been more and more rumblings about Andy. However they get outposted by folks claiming he can only work with what he’s got.
I.E. the regressing starting staff gets a pass because Ayala and Dickey suck. Doesnt make sense, but what the hell, it makes for a fun virtual argument.
so your brother in law, Gardenhire, was not at fault but that was not the case.
I am sure you will be waiting at the airport to congratulate your buddy Ronnie.
Strib Troller 101: If somebody disagrees with you, then they are either the same person…or related to the person you are whining about.
If you have noticed on the board here, there have been more and more rumblings about Andy. However they get outposted by folks claiming he can only work with what he’s got.
I’ve noticed that oddity too. But that’s because the common whiner is so honed in on blaming ONE person (Smith, Pohlad, Punto, Gardy) that they dare not get involved with another conversation and risk exposing the limited scope of their knowledge.
Macleod, keep thinking of ways to try and protect your boy Gardy.
T, that is the only thing imaginable. If you actually are defending Gardenhire, you must be related to him. Otherwise nobody can seriously have watched this game and defend him.
Just joined the fray here at the very end, and it looks a little chippy in here between some folks.
C’mon everybody, as well all know (and can agree on) the real reason we lost was PUNTO. Duh.
Macleod, keep thinking of ways to try and protect your boy Gardy.
And keep propping up your self-declared genius. It’s very cute.
T, should I be banned now because I don’t agree with you?
If you actually are defending Gardenhire, you must be related to him.
Thank you for further proving my point.
It’s unfortunate, at first I simply saw you as somebody with a differing viewpoint. But the fact you seriously support that point above only suggests that maybe you are just a troll afterall.
Glad I didn’t participate today. Everyone that disagreed with anyone is called names. Nice. Both sides….
If Anderson gets a pass for working with Ayala and Dickey then Vavra should get a medal for working with Punto, Casilla, Tolbert, and Buscher.
T, should I be banned now because I don’t agree with you?
Wow, for a genius your reading comprehension sure is lacking. I already said eariler that the only reason Mike deserves a ban is for his continued personal attacks on other users.
Everyone that disagreed with anyone is called names. Nice. Both sides….
I only called Mike a troll because that’s all he is. Ben is the one who called himself a genius.
I’m simply working with the titles I’ve been provided.
T, you are so smart. The rest of us can only hope to get to the point where you are at someday.
I still question the decision to go into this series with a short roster.
Just can’t put your team in that position with a series this big.
The real reason it’s Gardy’s loss is that he was STUPID enough to put Cabrera, Mauer and Morneau in the line-up. Everyone else carried their weight.
Regards,
The rest of us can only hope to get to the point where you are at someday.
No no no. It is I who am humbled. I can only dream of the day when I am in the position to declare my own genius such as you have.
I still question the decision to go into this series with a short roster.
Hopefully they’ll have figured out the “Crede Situation” by Tuesday. Frankly I think if a shot was needed they should just go with the DL trip and get Valencia up here to have the player available.
USAFChief, don’t question Gardenhire or Bill Smith. You will get attacked for things like that with all the Gardenhire lovers on this blog.
Cleveland answers White Sox run with two of its own and now leads 8-4 with 1 out in the top of the 8th…
Tribe is the best team in the division right now, hope they cool off by next weekend.
Nah Dragon, I’m sure Cuddy would’ve K’d up had Morneau or Mauer gotten on base.
T, I am not sure how good your eyes are, but how does this post point to the fact of me calling myself a genius?
Ben says:
August 9th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Fran, what are you going to take your chances with, 93 K’s or 14 GIDP? Not too tough of a choice. Also that walk gave Detroit the second run of the inning. As Mike said, I guess it takes a genius to understand a genius and you and Gardenhire must be those guys.
It sure sounds to me as though I was calling Fran a genius, not myself. Good try though.
Tribe is the best team in the division right now, hope they cool off by next weekend.
One of these days the Tribe is going to figure out how to actually do this the whole season…
And the next time someone tells me Mike Redmond “calls a good game” I’m going to hurl.
IMO Redmond’s pitch calling today was pathetic, and was a large contributing factor in Baker’s struggles.
Did anyone see more than one or two bad swings by a Detroit hitter all day? Fastball after fastball, until they’re getting pounded. Then, curveball after curveball.
And I don’t think it’s unfair to question Gardy’s managing in the 8th inning, both the top and the bottom.
Dearest Ben @ 3:35 refer to your post @ 3:05
Macleod, the fact that you are thinking we should have walked Granderson does not make you a genius.
And since this has been your focus point for the entire loss this afternoon, one can only imagine that it means you have deemed yourself the expert on the matter and are thus the genius here.
But I am just a simpleton who bows before your awesome baseball expertise.
How about those awesome All Star type starters for Detroit, Washburn and Verlander.
Wow, how could we ever hope to compete against THEM?
Starting pitching and injuries are my only concerns.
Have a nice day.
And I don’t think it’s unfair to question Gardy’s managing in the 8th inning, both the top and the bottom.
It would only be fair, however, to also then look at the performance of the 7-9 hitters in today’s lineup and give Gardy credit as they came through in a big way today.
Especially with the 2-4 hitters struggling as they did.
T, you and you alone seem to be the only one who wants to twist my words and say that I said I was a genius. Go reread what my posts again. In none of them, did I ever say such a thing. Go make sure your trailer is still on its wheels.
Go make sure your trailer is still on its wheels.
You and you alone seem to be the only one making assumptions as to my state in life.
It starts to bring your assertions as to the level of your own intelligence into question.
…Troll.
PS: I believe Fran, Macleod, and possibly romer also have voiced agreements with my assessment.
Though I will not speak for them beyond that estimate.
It sure sounds to me as though I was calling Fran a genius, not myself.
See, now you’re making sense again.
I love your sarcastic wit, Ben. You are so good at it.
T, I don’t think I said anything, anywhere, about the 7-9 hitters.
There were limited choices today, yesterday, and Friday. I’d have rather seen Harris against a lefty, but there were no good choices.
For the record though, I do not think having Redmond, Punto and Casilla as 33% of your lineup is a good idea, ever. What a player does, or doesn’t do, in a single game affects only a single game, and is pretty random.
But that problem rests on Bill Smith’s shoulders much moreso than Gardy.
T, yeah must be a troll. Nobody that would get in an argument with you could be a good guy.
IMO Redmond’s pitch calling today was pathetic, and was a large contributing factor in Baker’s struggles.
IMO that is about the stupidest post of the day. to sit and watch a game on TV and critique how a major league catcher is calling a game is absolutely absurd.
the twins score 7 runs and lose and it’s still the same old story around here…
blame gardy. blame punto. blame redmond.
how about blaming the god-awful pitching staff that completely wasted career years for Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, and Cuddy.
IMO that is about the stupidest post of the day. to sit and watch a game on TV and critique how a major league catcher is calling a game is absolutely absurd.
It’s what I saw.
I read daily here that Red’s defense and pitch calling is the reason he’s still on the team. That’s not absurd?
Kerry Woof allows a couple hits to make it interesting, but then gets Alexi Ramirez and PH Jim Thome on strikes, Cleveland wins 8-4 over Chicago.
Tribe has won 6 of 9, taking 2 of 3 from Tigers, Twins and Sox over its last three series.
I read daily here that Red’s defense and pitch calling is the reason he’s still on the team. That’s not absurd?
I think Red’s output with the bat in a big game today justifies his spot on the team.
Blaming him for Baker’s inability to locate pitches or hold a lead? Yeah, that’s absurd.
i think redmond does catch a good game. he has been playing baseball for a long time and i trust that he knows what he is doing back there. he sees what you, me, and everyone else cannot see.
and what more do you want from a back-up catcher? to play once or twice a week and knock get a hit here or there… exactly what he does.
not to mention there are zero other options for a back-up to Mauer. Morales is poor behind the plate. Butera wouldn’t cut it offensively.
Mighty Casey, what makes Morales any less qualified as a backup catcher than Redmond? He throws out more runners, pitchers have a lower ERA when he is behind the plate than Redmond, I mean really what makes him more qualified besides the fact that he is a veteran?
morales’ sample size in the big-leagues is very small.
in 147 innings morales had 4 passed balls. in 260 innings redmond has 2 passed balls.
morales has a considerable edge in SB% over redmond.
however… in AAA, morales has thrown out a whopping 3 runners out of 29. meanwhile the STARTING catcher for AAA, drew butera, has thrown out 36 of 81 baserunners.
morales has caught 29 games (not sure how many of which he actually started, but i’m sure it is a lot fewer than 29). he has DH’ed 17 games.
to put it simply - the twins as an organzation think very little of morales’ catching capabilities. isn’t that obvious?
Why are you even stating Butera’s stats? This is between Redmond and Morales. Your post shows nothing of which that Redmond is better at except passed balls.
i posted butera’s stats to show just how god-awful morales is at throwing guys out. i think the AAA stats make it apparent that morales’ major league numbers are somewhat misleading in it’s small sample size.
redmond has steadily declined over the past 2 seasons in his ability to throw guys out… but i think it’s a wash between him and morales in that regard.
what makes redmond more qualified is that he is a veteran with better defensive skills and a much higher knowledge of the game.
So you showed that Drew Butera throws out more runners than Morales. Who cares? Morales’ caught stealing percentage in the MAJORS is at 38% this season and Redmond’s is at 13%. I don’t think that equates to a wash.
Pitchers ERA when caught by Redmond is 5.34 while it is 4.52 when Morales is behind the plate.
Where are these better defensive skills by Redmond that you keep preaching about Casey?
again, i showed butera’s numbers to give an idea just how putrid morales is at throwing guys out. between morales’ AAA numbers and the organization’s blatant “eh” take on his defense, i think it is obvious why redmond is your back-up catcher.
i’ll take your 38% to 13% for what it is… not a big enough sample size, especially given morales’ history.
he is a .371 career hitter too.. maybe you should make a case for him to take mauer’s job?
So you are continuing to knock Morales’ defense, yet you don’t show anything to prove your claim that Redmond has superior D. Is that because you can’t find any evidence? It must be!
In no way did I ever say taht he should take Mauer’s job, just the fact that he should be the backup catcher on the team, that is all.
It is hilarious how you claim that Redmond is so much better defensively yet you can’t give me any stats to back it up.
Ben,
Using your logic, Mauer should be the back-up to Morales.
Morales hits better and has a better caught stealing %.
Stat’s are wonderful things.
Regards,
Dragon, do you watch any Twins games? Are you really trying to tell me that Redmond has good defense? If so, it goes to show your knowledge of the game.
As I stated before, obviously nobody should start in front of Mauer but Morales should start before Redmond.
Twins Suck, Twins Suck, Twins Suck.
That’s all I’ve got to say!
Ben,
I watch most games.
I don’t watch them for every nit-picking detail, because MOST of that crap is not particularly relevant.
Baseball happens to be a TEAM game, I think Tom Kelly (Obviously currently senile) made a comment at the game where the Dome team was announced, something to the effect…EVERY player on the team contributes in their own way, some contribute more than others, BUT ALL contributions are needed to win.
To answer your question, I haven’t seen anything in Redmond to say he is poor defensively.
Also, USAF Chief had a comment that a player having a good game doesn’t mean much, I agree. This is a 162 game season, and there are at least 100 things we fans can 2nd guess per game. That’s about 16,000 per season. On these blogs EACH and EVERY ONE of those situations have been 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th guessed. Particularly when dealing with unliked players.
I often chuckle at how Punto, Cuddyer, Young, Casilla, Crain… get a colonoscopy 10 times a game, while the favorites get a pass when they don’t measure up.
That’s why it’s amusing to argue if the walk in the 8th was somehow Armegeddon. WHY NOT focus on Morneau’s at bat with Span & Mauer on in the 3rd. IF Morneau get’s a hit, MAYBE Washburn is knocked out of the game with the 2 hommers in the 4th (of course that might not have happened), since Detroits bullpen is as bad or worse than the Twins.
One can play the what if game forever.
Today’s loss finally puts the Tigers 1 game ahead of the Twins at season end in my current calculations, BUT with 50ish games to go it doesn’t mean much.
Regards,
Dragon, not sure if you read the posts today, but I was definitely not giving Morneau a free pass (he obviously came through in the 8th). I watch the majority of the games and criticize as I see fit.
However for you to say that the 8th inning today was not pretty obvious is a downfall on your part. You want to say that the Twins are only 1 more game behind with 50ish left to play. Remind me again, how did last season finish? Was one game important? Oh yeah, that’s right!
Actually, Ben said Gardenhire’s decision to intentionally walk Granderson in the 8th was THE reason the Twins lost today. THE REASON.
Ben says:
August 9th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Cuddyer gone, imagine that. Now this game is SOLELY on Gardenhire!
In an 8-7 game Ben SOLELY blames one single move made in 8th inning by the manager as the reason a team lost. With that kind of logic everybody should be fired and cut from this team, because nobody could live up to that kind of scrutiny.
END OF STORY.
Macleod, once again do you have your Gardenhire pennant out? Are you waving it around like usual?
Ben,
A TIE.
Actually NOTHING is obvious. Baseball is a 65% failure game (2 of 3 decisions will be wrong). IF Gardy had pitched to Granderson and he hits a HR, he does have 22 this year, then MOST on here would have complained WHY DIDN’T GARDY WALK HIM!!! (I am a betting man, and that is the surest bet on the planet.) Second guessing is ALWAYS a winning proposition because you only get to criticize, not take responsibility.
One game IS important. Please tell me which of the 15-18 games that have gone either way so far (won late or lost late), which was THAT ONE GAME.
I don’t particularly like losing any game, yet I have very little to do with it.
Regards,
Dragon, again you act like I said what I said after the fact. NO, go back and look again. I said it was a stupid move right as it happened. I didn’t wait for the inning to play out as I knew it was dumb to put an additional runner who had K’ed 93 times this season on.
Ben,
Fine, I think you were also predicting that pitching Koeppel the extra inning was going to lose the game. Congrats you were 1 for 2.
Regards,
Dragon, congrats for putting words in my mouth.
and the winner is…. Dragon. good stuff guys i love it.
But Casey, according to you Redmond is better behind the plate than Morales right?
if i had one game to manage, life on the line, i would take redmond over morales to catch it without hesitation.
and you would lose without a doubt.
Ben,
I’m not trying to put words in your mouth.
Would you have posted that Gardy made a good decision IF Polonco grounds into a double play?
Most here would have continued complaining about the BAD decision, even when it worked. Many examples in these blogs.
Regards,
Dragon absolutely I would have, I have given credit where credit has been due all year.
Ben,
Then you are much better than most.
Look, I get frustrated as much as the next person. Yet, in my old age, I take a longer view. I learned from my 2nd passion AFC Wimbledon, a 5th Level soccer team in SW London. It was started in 2002 after the Football Assn allowed Wimbledon Football Club to move 70 miles north of London (1st time in UK history). The fans said FU and started our own club. Started at Level 9. 7 years and 4 promotions later the joy ride continues.
I get much joy from the Twins/Senators (50 odd yr fan) and AFCW, much shorter. Some day’s they win and some days they lose. Sometimes it’s great play, others it is a disaster, sometimes it’s one inch, other times serendipity.
Worse thing to happen to this years Twins was to play way over their heads last year.
Regards,
Did Gardy have anything to say other than it was a bad pitching performance by Baker?
This is pathetic: Brendan Harris is 6-for-13 against Washburn, and Gardenhire said Harris would have been the DH today if Joe Mauer wanted to catch again. Why then was Harris not at third base instead of that stinkin Punto? Bet Harris could have gotten that bunt down that Punto didn’t, wake up Gardy!!!
Being realistic Harris probably wouldn’t have gotten the bunt down but he might have made better contact against Lyon seeing he had been 1-3 with a double against him. But who knows his bat and timing has been off lately (probably with the sporatic play)
I do think it is crappy that you basically relagate him to b/u behind 2 guys who will not voluntarily take a day off (3rd string SS behind Punto) and this series he should have played ALL three games, maybe get some timing back and he gets in one game because Punto and Lexi have to play together. I don’t see where Gardy finds time for Red, and Delmon (or go-go, whoever is in the doghouse that week) maybe once a week but when the fragile Crede is down instead of letting Harris take his spot he uses Punto…. was he afraid Harris was going to get hot again and he would have to find a spot for him?
There’s usually a myriad of things that lead to a win or a loss and certainly there are some of those more obvious than others, but IMHO, when you score 7 runs and lose, pitching should be the primary source of discussion.
Baker’s inability to make adjustments as the game progresses and finally his implosion which accounted for most of the damage cost this team today. Again, other factors also contributed but this one is on the mound.
“We always play the line. He said no one told him to play the line, but we always play the line,” Gardenhire said. “We always play ‘a step and dive’ in a tie game in the 8th. … How long do you have to be here to know we play the line? It’s just disappointing.
“The ball shouldn’t go down the line. That’s the way we play. We’ve always played that way, but it did. I’m accountable. I should have walked up there and said get the line like we always do. Jerry [White, the first base coach] was there too, but it’s on me. Always on the manager, I’ll take it.”
Pitching was the main complaint for Gardy, but apparently he still had to get his little jab in there…..
Pitching was the main complaint for Gardy, but apparently he still had to get his little jab in there…..
He did rip his beloved Punto though too.
I have been a pretty fair proponent of Gardenhire during his tenure, but I’d really be curious as to what he has against Harris…it doesn’t seem right. Is there any doubt that Harris will be moved (or asked to be moved) before next season?
Okay, so I didn’t pay too much attention to the my29 feed, but it also looked like Morneau wasn’t a “step and a dive” off the line before Laird’s double. I know it is basically a moot point, except again Gardy is calling Harris out AGAIN but if he is going to try to chalk it up to a mental lapse then Morneau was also mispositioned…
Now before people start getting on me for saying what a MVP Morneau is, and how the team would be worse off without him, I agree he has been there (at times) but in this situation he had the same lapse, so this is another point of Gardy being unfair towards Harris and is trying to convince the fanbase Harris is a terrible 3B so he has an excuse to play LNP there when Crede can’t go….. I so need to find out who I am billing my Arlington trip to if I have to endure 3 days of seeing LNP pretending to be a major league ballplayer.
Ben doesn’t know what a sufficient statistical sample is.
I hope he learns how to relent when he paints himself into a corner.
He made a nice call though on the IBB of Granderson. But maybe Gardy didn’t want the clutch Granderson to beat the Twins. Could have gone either way for Gardy on that one. You roll the dice…
Too bad Ben can’t get some hands-on experience coaching trish’s softball team. A bleacher-bum heaven……
Harris has been traded 4 times in his 6-year MLB career. Maybe nobody likes him.
Lots of terrible players have never been traded. Lots of good players have been with more than a couple of teams. Being traded does not mean you are not a good player.
As for the series, ugh. That was really disappointing. I thought they’d win on Sunday with Baker on the mound. They just look like a team that will finish around .500. They’ve looked that way all year, nothing much has changed (other than how they got here - I can’t believe anyone thought the pitching would be this bad).
As La Velle said in his piece on Sunday, the other two contendors look a lot better next year too. I hope BS and the rectangle of decision making does some good work in the offseason, or the TWin$ won’t be far behind Cleveland and others with new stadiums that can’t compete.
but apparently he still had to get his little jab in there…
You mean the jab on himself right?
“The ball shouldn’t go down the line. That’s the way we play. We’ve always played that way, but it did. I’m accountable. I should have walked up there and said get the line like we always do. Jerry [White, the first base coach] was there too, but it’s on me. Always on the manager, I’ll take it.”
I’m sorry, I thought that’s what you guys wanted…Gardy to take accountability. There he did it TWICE.
If Harris didn’t know to guard the line in the 8th inning of a tight game, especially if that is standard protocol for the Twins, that might go a long way in explaining why he doesn’t play alot. It would lend questions to his baseball smarts.
I still think he should have started at 3B and batted 7th yesterday though. He could have been replaced on defense later.
T:, you didn’t read that as sarcastic? Most everyone (4 of 5 people) I’ve talked to this morning about it read it that way. But, it’s hard to tell from where we sit, since we couldn’t hear his voice. So, it’s certainly possible he meant it. It’s also possible he was being sarcastic, and ripping Harris. Either way, bummer they lost 2 of 3.
That comment about “we always play the line” reminded me of Gardy’s calling out of Tolbert and Gomez for swinging with a 2-0 count.
Gardy said “we’ll just have to start giving them the take signal”. The implication being that the player should have known better.
It was a rip on Harris, plain, simple, and obvious. How many games has Harris played at 3B this year, anyway? Just curious on that.
No rip on Punto for failing to get a bunt down?
Gardy has gone with Punto all year and the Twins are suffering the consequences. Harris will be just fine once he gets his new team next year.
Most everyone (4 of 5 people) I’ve talked to this morning about it read it that way.
I guess it all comes down to your take on Gardy as a manager. I’d assume most people on the Strib boards would read it sarcastically…but I don’t see it.
As we all know, Harris doesn’t play 3B that much…so is it hard to think that maybe Gardy genuinely realized that Harris didn’t recognize the “typical” play in that situation because he doesn’t play there as often as a guy like Crede (career 3B)?
It’s like when Dick/Bert talk about how Span and Gomez get crossed up at times because both are frequently playing CF and thus both play like it even if one is in LF/RF.
———
But that’s enough for that topic, here’s an interesting one (since somebody mentioned the offseason)
The Twins currently have three “aquisitions” this year that they hope to continue being major players through the playoff hunt.
Cabrera, Crede, Pavano.
Now let’s say the Twins make the playoffs, and each of these three are major contributors to that. (How do we measure that? Let’s just say they all stay healthy and post respectable numbers between now and the playoffs)
If you’re the Twins, what’s the priority for resigning them (assuming of course that they actually DO help the team as much as the Twins hope)
Or DO they try and retain them next season?
For me it would be:
1) Cabrera - He has hit in every game thus far (something we could only dream of from any of our other regular SSs) He’s also shown power and speed, and a good glove. To me this is something they’ve needed from a SS for a long time. If he continues to hit as he has (even without hitting in every game between now and the end of the season) I would say he is the #1 priority to keep.
2) Pavano - They need a veteran starter. I know a lot of people are high on the guy after one start, but if he can put together a series of those to close out the season (even if he doesn’t win them all) I think he would make a good addition to the Twins staff next year. Especially with Slowey coming back from surgery, Perkins and Liriano being Perkins and Liriano…
3) Crede - Even with what he’s done this far, I think given his recent shift to perpetually day-2-day are cause for concern for another full season. If he’s willing to sign a similar contract to this year (which is not bloody likely) I would think he would be a good fit as a bench option w/ the Twins giving Valencia the shot next season or finding a full timer in the FA market.
No rip on Punto for failing to get a bunt down?
Like I’ve always said, I’d love when we get sound bites if they’d be kind enough to give us the question that set it up. Did anybody even ASK him about Punto’s bunt?
Because it would seem awfully tacky for a manager to be asked about one play and then go “Yeah but this other guy also sucks!”
For an all-around average organization, we shouldn’t be too unhappy about the team. This is all the better they are - don’t expect more.
Additional Note:
The Twins scored 8, 11, and 9 runs…and still lost 2 of 3. I’m pretty sure offense was NOT the problem this weekend.
It was pretty funny (and classic Gardy), though…Friday night no less than 4 Twins commentators said “With Crede out for the weekend, expect to see Brendan Harris get some playing time at 3B.” Punto ends up starting the next two games. Like I said, Gardy’s banked on Punto all year and the Twins have suffered.
Oh wait…my bad…I pulled a Jason and didn’t bother reading the game summary:
“His second attempt was a running bunt, looked like he tried to drag it or something,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Just stay there and bunt the stinking ball. He knows that.”
Oops. Looks like Jason and I are both guilty of making stupid assumptions based on our biases.
i read gardy as being sarcastic. but reminding players what the situation is should be the coaches job. players remind each other after every out how many outs there are. coaches should be watching and reminding players after every pitch what is happening.
we should all know who will be called out and who won’t this is nothing new.
several weeks ago dy swung at the first pitch (surprise) with cuddy at 3b. gardy called him out and benched him. next night kubel and then crede did the same exact thing, nothing said. no surprise at all.
i read gardy as being sarcastic. but reminding players what the situation is should be the coaches job.
Right. Like he said it was. In that quote.
we should all know who will be called out and who won’t this is nothing new.
Right, Punto.
“His second attempt was a running bunt, looked like he tried to drag it or something,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Just stay there and bunt the stinking ball. He knows that.”
Jason,
You’re winning me over. IF the Twins had not resigned Punto the Twins would already have won 250 games this year.
Regards,
romer, how do you expect to get a sufficient sample size, by rotting away in triple A? You have done absolutely nothing to prove your point that somehow Redmond has more value to this team than Morales.
He did rip Punto’s bunt, didn’t he? I’m confused.
T: I don’t think I’d keep Crede at this point. He just breaks down too much. I’d roll the dice with Valencia at this point. I’d also seriously consider moving Mauer. If I’m signing him for $18-22MM per year for 5+ years, I want him healthy for that long and longer. Catchers break down too fast….I’d consider it, I’m not sure I’d do it.
Pavano - I’d wait and see. He’s not bean anything special the last couple years.
OCab- not a fan of the trade, even though it’s worked on O so far. His D is not that good. But, I’m not sure I’d keep him around. OTOH, they don’t have another good option either. Tough call - but for his age and price, I’d likely say “no” right now. But I’m willing to keep an open mind here.
Yeah, I didn’t see that and am glad Gardy acknowledged it.
Regardless, talk is cheap. We’ll know whose mistakes have a lasting impact when the manager fills out the lineup card.
Punto has been picked off on that silly third-to-first move this year, he’s been picked off on misreads of the pitcher, he throws balls into the dirt at will, and he bats .207. Yet he plays everyday. I don’t get it.
As I said last week, the Twins are in an ackward spot here. It’s becoming more and more apparent that Punto will not start on Opening Day in 2010. So the question is do you make him your utility guy now or do you wait for the offseason?
Jason -
“Yet he plays everyday. I don’t get it.”
Because he is better than the alternatives. Plain and simple.
“Because he is better than the alternatives. Plain and simple.”
LOL that’s the best joke I have read for weeks
Brendan Harris’ last 15 games:
8 for 39 (.205 avg), 1 extra base hit (2B), 2 RBI, 9 K, 1 BB.
Nick Punto’s last 15 games:
10 for 51 (.196), 2 extra base hits (1 2B, 1 3B), 8 RBI, 8 K, 4 BB.
I’m not sold on starting either one of them. Seems to me like defense has to be the determining factor with offensive stats like this. We can criticize Gardenhire all we want, but the job is there for the taking and Harris hasn’t won it any more than Punto has.
popriveter…
the job’s not there for the taking. Harris could’ve easily started all three games this weekend and the manager benched him. He could’ve easily started last Thurs. afternoon (another must-win) and the manager chose to go Casilla / Punto.
Harris isn’t even allowed to be the backup 3B (which is basically what we were told he was recently). Our 3B goes down (again) and Harris still rides the pine.
Don’t get me wrong, we lost yesterday because our best starting pitcher couldn’t make a 3-0 lead stick for even three outs. That should put everyone on notice as to where we stand.
As for the Harris thing–the competition to start (if there is one) hasn’t been honest. Like I said, Gardy can roll with Punto, Harris will resurface elsewhere soon enough, and the Twins can explain to their fans why they will trot this “gamer” out there yet again when we open Target Field in 2010…and we’ll be having this same discussion in March and April.
and we’ll be having this same discussion in March and April.
And if we aren’t, you’ll be sure we do.
“Harris will resurface elsewhere soon enough”
Yes he will, like he has, what, 4 other places. I highly doubt that many teams, in both the NL and AL, have been wrong about him.
He is what he is: an inconsisitent bat and below average defender. He’s the type of player that isn’t bad as the 24th or 25th guy on a roster, but is always somebody you’re going to look as expendable and non-essential.
That all said, he still should have started sunday at 3B instead of Punto. Obviously, the game wouldn’t have worked out the same, but it would have been the right choice given the circumstances
Pavano - I’d wait and see. He’s not bean anything special the last couple years.
Yeah, it’s tough to actually decide on guys like Pavano and Cabrera since they’ve only been around a short time. That’s why I was trying to make sure I was clear it was an “if things go the way we all hope they do” scenario.
I swear, I have to post this every week…
Harris: 91 games, 342 Plate Appearances, 318 At Bats
Punto: 82 games, 295 Plate Appearances, 242 At Bats
My conclusion is this; Harris has gotten adequate playing time all season. He has shown what he is, an okay defender with a slightly better bat. He’s already playing more than he should because Punto, Tolbert and Casilla have all failed offensively. He has been hitting poorly for a month, so it isn’t that unfair for him sit in favor of a better defensive player.
…also, I noticed this:
Mike Redmond is hitting a combined .333 in July and August. His bat hasn’t been losing games for us. Would Morales hit so much better that he’d impact our record with his bat? I doubt it.
That said, I hope his D is solid enough to win the job next season. I really like him in the batters box.
It seems to me Crede has been exactly what we knew he would be.
I expected between 110 and 130 games, a .235-.255 avg, 15-20 HR, 60-70 RBI, and excellent defense. He’s a huge upgrade at 3rd on 2 days out of 3.
His current contract is perfectly suited for this type of player. If he signs a similar deal next year, I hope it is here. If he costs any more, he’s probably not worth it. Valencia’s play in September will probably make up everyone’s mind for them.
Orlando Cabrera has been such a relief. I love seeing his name in the lineup right now. I would feel good about seeing him next year.
Pavano isn’t on my radar yet.
Checking in on the Redmond discussion:
1. I stated my opinion, and still believe, that Redmond’s pitch calling yesterday contributed to Baker’s troubles. It’s very apparent that other teams are taking liberties on the bases with Red behind the plate. He can’t throw. I believe he has attempted to compensate for that by calling a lot of fastballs. I believe that happened yesterday, and the other team was ready for it, until it became obvious that Red had adjusted by calling a ton of curveballs. You cannot tell me Cabrera wasn’t sitting on a curveball when he hit the 2 run homer, and you can’t tell me the Tigers weren’t sitting first pitch fastball the inning prior.
2. That’s just my opinion. But if it’s ‘absurd’ for me to form such an opinion by ‘just watching on TV,’ as posted above…why is it not equally absurd to say ‘Red calls a better game’ than Morales, based on just watching games on TV?
If I can’t form an opinion, why can you?
What I noticed Sunday was right after Anderson came out Baker was throwing everything low in the zone. I thought it was obvious he was told to stay down in the zone to induce groundballs. They started hammering him. They (mostly) looked like decent pitches to me. But they were gettin the barrel on the ball for sure. I don’t think Baker changes speeds well enough to live at the bottom without going up to change their eye level.
Jason,
I think you’re right bout Harris being gone ASAP. It’s obvious Gardy don’t think he’s as pretty as some of the posters round here. Also, it may be just the moment, but I seem to detect a little bit of rancor from Gardy towards the FO lately. And even to certain players. Maybe he’s just gettin crotchity in his old age.
I’m sorry, but Baker, Liriano, Blackburn, and Swarzak haven’t impressed me much over the last 20 games or so. When a pitcher has trouble making it through 2 innings as a starter, something’s gotta give. They all need to step up their game a notch or two if the Twins are to be contenders in the years ahead. Now they are just trying to stay on an even keel. You can’t do that and win ballgames. Pitch after pitch what I see is them throwing up high instead of keeping it low and in the stike zone. Bert has been talking to this all season. They need to start applying what they are learning. For me it’s time they earned their keep! Enough of the excuses. Get it together!
