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Twins-Blue Jays: The online On Deck Show….

Posted on June 27th, 2007 – 4:58 PM
By La Velle

Chatted up Scott Baker before the game. I didn’t write much about his work on Tuesday, but he mixed his pitches extremely well and seemed to be a step ahead of the hitters all night.

We all must remember that Bake has only had 33 career games, during which he’s 10-13 with a 5.32 ERA. That’s basically a year’s worth of starting. He’s still developing, but his outings are under a bigger microscope because the Twins are trying to make the playoffs.

No news on Morneau yet. I haven’t even seen him in the clubhouse.

Lineups

Blue Jays: 1. Wells, CF. 2. Rios, RF. 3. Stairs, 1B. 4. Glaus, 3B. 5. Thomas, DH. 6. Zaun, C. 7. Lind, LF. 8. Clark, 2B. 9. Clayton, SS. Pitching: Towers.

Twins:1. Castillo, 2B. 2. Bartlett, SS. 3. Mauer, DH. 4. Cuddyer, 1B. 5. Hunter, CF. 6. Kubel, LF. 7. Redmond, C. 8. Ford, RF. 9. Punto, 3B. Pitching: Bonser.

 

89 Responses to "Twins-Blue Jays: The online On Deck Show…."

Chuck says:

June 27th, 2007 at 5:48 pm

Ford-Tyner, Tyner-Ford…Oh well

romer says:

June 27th, 2007 at 5:58 pm

If Baker was one step ahead of the hitters last night, Mauer probably had something to do with that.

Please tell me why Mauer isn’t catching tonight.

La Velle says:

June 27th, 2007 at 6:02 pm

Chuck, righties are hitting .327 against Towers.

Romer, Mauer DH’s today so he can catch tomorrow in the noon game. One of these games he was going to DH.

Klobs says:

June 27th, 2007 at 6:11 pm

The strike zone last night seemed pretty generous, that played a big part in Baker’s solid outing. His location looked pretty good though, other than a hiccup in, I think, the fifth inning.

Funkytown says:

June 27th, 2007 at 6:21 pm

Hey La Velle,

RonDL doubled first time up for the GCL Twins, then flied out to center, in his 2 plate appearances. Harvey went 0-3. Revere was 2-5/RBI in the leadoff spot for GCL, who lot 7-5. Revere is hitting .350 so far.

bigdawg says:

June 27th, 2007 at 6:23 pm

prediction: RonDL gets a hang nail and is back on the DL for 60 days.

Craig says:

June 27th, 2007 at 6:27 pm

The Twins are 3-1 and are averaging 6.25 runs per game since Morneau has been out.

fargo says:

June 27th, 2007 at 6:37 pm

With Cirillo’s knees and the uncertainty of Morneau, the Twins should have sent Heintz to AAA for Garrett Jones. Then Cuddy could stay in RF

mh says:

June 27th, 2007 at 6:48 pm

Since we like to talk about trades. Here is a simply guy. he isnt great. makes 2.7Mil this year. Not sure how long his contract is. BUT he is a right handed bat.
He isnt great. but since Matt Stairs was mentioned i just wanted to throw this one out there.
KEVIN MILLAR…

i know, i know, but yes. Kevin Millar
im not big on the guy and he isnt going to hit 20-30 hrs but what is everyones thoughts?

Patrick says:

June 27th, 2007 at 6:53 pm

Millar is a team guy. A chemistry guy. He wouldn’t be the impact bat the Twins need, but the Twins wouldn’t be getting an impact bat anyway so it’s not a bad idea. Any idea what his contract is like? He’s better than Tyner or Ford that’s for sure.

bigdawg says:

June 27th, 2007 at 6:56 pm

I’ll go to med school right now if I can have RonDL as my one patient the rest of his life. I’ll be rich.

I’m off the the betting sites to see what the odds are on RonDL returning to our lineup this year. Can’t be better then 5-1.

Tap says:

June 27th, 2007 at 6:57 pm

I live in Atlanta and the Braves’ Yunel Escobar would be a great fit at SS or 3B for the Twins. Not sure how much pitching the Twins would need to give up to get him.

Palerider says:

June 27th, 2007 at 7:02 pm

Tap, I agree, Escobar looked great when he was here at the dome. I just don’t think the Twins want to give up what it would take to get him.

david says:

June 27th, 2007 at 7:07 pm

Millar’s contract is 2.9 mil

mh says:

June 27th, 2007 at 7:27 pm

TAP - your exactly right. ive been preaching to the choir for that escobar kid. he looks like he will be a serious talent

bufftwins says:

June 27th, 2007 at 7:32 pm

Why are we holding Frank Thomas on at
first base? He hasn’t stolen a base in
5 years. Wake up Gardy!!

Craig says:

June 27th, 2007 at 7:48 pm

Punto is sensational. He makes things happen. Thank Nick for those two runs. Extend that contract.

What a play in the field. The guy wins the game for you at bat or in the field.

bufftwins says:

June 27th, 2007 at 7:53 pm

Craig: I’m starting to believe you’re
baiting us fellow bloggers with some of your comments which seem to be tainted with sarcasm but later you always defend yourself. Nick Punto has killed
a lot more rallies than he’s been a part of, but it’s a big bonus when he comes through at the plate.

romer says:

June 27th, 2007 at 7:58 pm

Let sleeping dogs lie, Craig. Punto just raised his season average this series. Reason? He’s gone 2 for 8 so far.

But maybe I should be as enthusiastic as you. He did show expert hitting on his single. And I’ve always been a good supporter of him.

If Bartlett’s and Kubel’s line drive producing (3rd and 4th best in MLB!) start turning into hits like they’re doing tonight, then the barking dogs will be more kind to Punto.

Craig says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:01 pm

bufftwins, I was certainly questioning Punto’s bat like everyone, but I think he will come out of his slump.

Erik says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:03 pm

Another GREAT base running decision by Scott Ullger.

Way to go Scotty!

romer says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:07 pm

Yup, Scotty Dullger should have been thinking of Vernon Wells doing the throwing and Redmond doing the batting with the bases loaded and one out.

Craig says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:08 pm

Romer,

Tell me about line drive producing. I’m not familiar with it, but it sounds interesting.

romer says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:20 pm

Only know what I’ve been told. Two other Strib bloggers in the past couple weeks have reported the data on Bartlett. He was 2nd in the majors a week or so ago on line drive percentage.

And come to think of it, I believe it was reported a couple days ago that he’s now 3rd and Kubel is 4th (in the majors).

I supposed it’s a relatively minor stat. But considering the facts that Kubel is supposed to have a good bat with some power and Barlett hit .300 last year, it probably does mean that each of them are swinging okay and should have better 2nd halfs this year.

Nick N. says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:27 pm

Erik: I don’t think I’d say that Ullger’s decision to wave Cuddyer home was a bad one. It was a close play and he was only out because Wells and Zaun executed perfectly. Plus, the bottom of the lineup was coming up.

Craig says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:28 pm

romer, I’ll look into it more. Thanks.

Erik says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:29 pm

Bonser’s location has been very bad tonight…and for some reason, he gets torn up the third time through the order, and in the 5th & 6th innings.

Nick N. says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:31 pm

Craig/romer,

Line drive percentage is a good statistic to look at, you can find it in a player’s statistics at TheHardballTimes.com. Basically, it is a measure of how often a player is hitting the ball hard, so if a guy has a high LD% and a low batting average, it’s a sign that that player is probably getting pretty unlucky and their BA is likely to rise. This is the case for Bartlett and Kubel.

romer says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:42 pm

Nick N, one expects Wells to execute. But I think the key is Redmond — he’s such a gamer.

And thanks for the heads-up on the LD% location.

Bonser had a lot of 3 ball counts tonight. Ump might be a little tight with him. But he still needs to prove he’s in pitching shape…

He’s getting his second chance at that with a 1-run defecit right now.

romer says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:45 pm

Didja see the dugout shot tonight in the top of the 1st? M&M sitting together on the bench.

Hope I don’t see that again.

Mike in IN says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:51 pm

Hmmm, 6-game Cubs win streak, KC sweeps LAA, Mariners sweep BoSox (with NYY remaining 11 games back after their loss). Quick, have Tyner pinch hit so he can get his home run #1!

Erik says:

June 27th, 2007 at 8:53 pm

The Twins have gotten 8 hits, and the Jays have committed 4 errors…and they’ve managed 3 runs off of a guy that’s a bad pitcher.

Think that means something?

romer says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:01 pm

It’s the Dullger curse, Erik. Plus our usual #4 & 5 hitters aren’t producing (Cuddy and MVP).

Erik says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:01 pm

It’s hard to produce when you’re on the bench.

I would like to hear why Gardy chose to run Bonser out there to start the 7th when he was clearly done.

Craig says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:05 pm

Nick N.
Thanks for the information. I couldn’t find how they defined a line drive. Is a sharp one hopper to an infielder considered a line drive?
Do you know how the statistic is defined?

dan says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:09 pm

i’m going to make a call joe home run

mh says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:11 pm

hillenbrand designated for assignment.. he makes to much. but he would help

hoof_Hearted says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:12 pm

we need a 3b and dh please ryan.

hoof_Hearted says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:13 pm

also calling thomas 500 next at bat

hoof_Hearted says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:16 pm

grand slammy

romer says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:19 pm

Thanks Erik, I’m slipping. I was ticked they brought out Baker for the 8th last night and didn’t notice they were making the same mistake with Bonser tonight.

I’m wearing down.

Erik says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:22 pm

Hillenbrand wouldn’t help.

He’s horrible.

10 singles for the offense tonight…4 runs. Think a power bat may help that?

hoof_Hearted says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:28 pm

no power bat i like double plays by punto

mh says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:30 pm

your right. hillenbrand is a worthless ballplayer.. im not going to argue..
plus he makes to much

hoof_Hearted says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:32 pm

wow redmond with an off night. or 2?

Erik says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:49 pm

So is Cirillo that banged up where he couldn’t hit for Punto in that situation?

Or did Gardy think Punto would finally “find it again?”

Craig says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:51 pm

What a passive approach to the game. We need to get some of those runners in. Gardenhire needs to read Gene Mauch’s playbook.

Erik says:

June 27th, 2007 at 9:59 pm

Great AB’s by the “middle” of the order to end the game.

You get 11 hits, 4 errors by the opponent, and you only score 4 runs? Oh, nevermind…those 11 hits were all singles.

Get a bat TR…do your stinkin’ job.

Bobb says:

June 27th, 2007 at 10:02 pm

couldn’t get a big hit again tonight. Biggest rally was helped by throwing error to first and a wild pitch. IT is a good thing O fer Ford was in the lineup.

bufftwins says:

June 27th, 2007 at 10:05 pm

I know the bullpen was a little short tonight but did Gardy really think that Boof was going to get through the 7th?
That move leaving him in may have cost us the game. Boof wasn’t sharp all night, but again he seem to run out of gas in the 5th and 6th inning. All of our hits tonight were singles and we got a gift run on the Punto pick off and the pass ball. Again Josh Towers
2-5, 5.75 ERA coming in walks out of the Dome with a victory. Thanks TR. You are ruining what could be another entertaining season.

Erik says:

June 27th, 2007 at 10:08 pm

While I don’t agree with Gardy sending Boof out to start the 7th, it should be put on Boof that he needs to get in much better shape; Or he’s going to be a 5-6 inning pitcher throughout his entire career.

bufftwins says:

June 27th, 2007 at 10:13 pm

Shea Hillenbrand is a cancer in the clubhouse. They ran him out of Toronto last year after Gibbons the manager challenged him to a fight.

Erik says:

June 27th, 2007 at 10:17 pm

Gardy blamed the offense not being in a “flow” as to why they didn’t produce more runs.

Right.

Twinkies says:

June 27th, 2007 at 10:33 pm

What is glaring in this series wit Toronto is the box scores that list Home Runs. I can tell you that the Twins number is zero. You can’t win without the long ball. Pitching and Defense are great and we do it well. But when we won the World Series we had guys who could jack it. 83 wins tops for this crew of pirahahas. Terry Ryan for gosh sakes get us some help. No hit Nick has got to find a spot on the bench.

Nora says:

June 27th, 2007 at 10:49 pm

Which team has the better record? Need more then HRs to win, ask the Yankees. Blue Jays also caught a break they are facing all of our young pitchers. I can’t believe they only scored one off Baker yesterday.

Skippy tastes better than Jiff says:

June 27th, 2007 at 10:50 pm

Concerning Punto, he has the worst WPA on the team at -.94. In other words, in situations that contribute to a team winning or losing, he is the worst person to have at the plate. Put another way, he should be pinch hit for whenever possible.

That Bonser started the 7th, although an unwise decision, was not a surprise. Gardy has always had the habit of trying to give his starters a chance to get a W–a habit I don’t agree with. This was a very costly loss that could have been a W.

Twins need a bat! (Teams are now getting itchy to dump players; the Twins need to make a deal or no playoffs period.)

Palerider says:

June 27th, 2007 at 11:23 pm

11 hits(all singles) and 4 errors turning into 4 runs pretty much tells the story, sad. I would think with 15 baserunners all that speed would generate more runs. The fact is its hard to turn infield hits and dribblers to the outfield into many runs.

Give it to the Jays though, they not only know how to move the runners up, over and in, but they have guys to bang doubles and HR’s too.

oof, depressing night.

Nora says:

June 27th, 2007 at 11:29 pm

And yet, Twins still have a better record. And yet, they only managed to win by 1 measly run. Not that impressed with them. If Twins were slightly more clutch they would have won, they had plenty of oppurtunities. They did know how to do that tonight but yesterday they didn’t do much.

Palerider says:

June 27th, 2007 at 11:46 pm

I’m not all that impressed with them overall either Nora and after tomorrow they could have a better record than the Twins. Which is about how impressed I am with the Twins right now too.

Nora says:

June 27th, 2007 at 11:46 pm

With the pitching the way it is 4 is apparently not the magic # anymore at least for our younger pitchers.

Miles says:

June 28th, 2007 at 8:54 am

Erik made the comment that Boof needs to get in shape to be able to go 6 and 7. Agree wholeheartedly. Boof gets tired as the game progresses. He is far too young to run out of gas. Get in shape. Very few pitchers out there like David Wells who can ignore fitness and still be effective. Unless Boof drops a few pounds and stregthens his legs, in a couple of years he will start having knee or other type of chronic injuries.

Fran says:

June 28th, 2007 at 9:21 am

That Bonser started the 7th, although an unwise decision, was not a surprise. Gardy has always had the habit of trying to give his starters a chance to get a W–a habit I don’t agree with. This was a very costly loss that could have been a W.

This one is on Boof. The Twins gave him a 3-0 lead. He needed to make it stand up and give the pen some rest and he failed, simple as that.

bufftwins says:

June 28th, 2007 at 10:04 am

Nora: Please quit comparing our records to the Blue Jays and Yankees.
We have several offensive flaws that are not being addressed, and in the end it will lead to us losing many games to teams like Detroit and Cleveland.
Toronto and New York may end up in the wild card race and that still makes every game just as important.

Gamer says:

June 28th, 2007 at 10:23 am

Since both Kevin Slowey and Roger Clemens came to thier teams in early June, lets look at thier comparitive stats. Each have been in 5 games.

Clemens
1-3 23IP 5.23 ERA ESPN stories 596

Slowey
2-0 27 IP 4.94 ERA ESPN stories 0

gw says:

June 28th, 2007 at 11:12 am

we need to be at 5 or 6 over .500 at the break. Big games coming up.

gw says:

June 28th, 2007 at 11:14 am

Boof got hit hard the 2 innings before he came out.

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