StarTribune.com

Twins-Tribe: Friday pre-game

Posted on April 18th, 2008 – 5:37 PM
By La Velle

Running late today. Here are the lineups. Updates to follow.

Cleveland (6-10): 1. Grady Sizemore, CF. 2. Jamey Carroll, 2B. 3. Victor Martinez, DH. 4. Ryan Garko, 1B. 5. Jhonny Peralta, SS. 6. Franklin Gutierrez, RF. 7. Jason Michaels, LF. 8. Casey Blake, 3B. 9. Kelly Shoppach, C.  Pitching: Cliff Lee.

Twins (7-9): 1. Carlos Gomez, CF. 2. Matt Tolbert, SS. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Delmon Young, LF. 6. Jason Kubel, RF. 7. Craig Monroe, DH. 8. Brendan Harris, 2B. Nick Punto, 3B. Pitching: Fransisco Liriano.

178 Responses to "Twins-Tribe: Friday pre-game"

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:41 pm

I had it just about right. Vavra switched Matty and Harris around…

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 4:31 pm

I have Varva, or whatever his name is, put the lineup together tonight. We’ll see how his lineup works out. I hope better than his hitting instruction. I am guessing it will be:
Gomez
Harris
Joe
Morny
Delmon
Kubel
Monroe (he likes him, but I try to hide him on the bench)
Matty
Nicky

Jared ZZZZZZZ says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:41 pm

First!!! LEN III, where is Pronk at?

rebeldream says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:41 pm

That’s a lineup I can get behind. Thanks, LEN3.

Jared ZZZZZZZ says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

first runner-up ;(

rebeldream says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

Minus, of course, Nicky instead of Harris.

MSLY says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:44 pm

How bout we keep Span out of the lineup for awhile now. Monroe should be used much more than is currently is.

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

Jared… 2nd place is first loser.

Rebel… ???

MSLY says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

*he currently is

Jared ZZZZZZZ says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Gardy, thanks for not playing Spanman tonight!

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

rebel… nicky instead of harris? what does that mean?

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

Jared…
Vavra and I both agree that Span deserves a rest.

Jared ZZZZZZZ says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

I know, hens the pissed frown face.

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm

So, if we keep Span down, I looked at the roster and the only one left was Monroe, so what the heck, we’ll give the guy a chance tonight.

Jared ZZZZZZZ says:

April 18th, 2008 at 5:50 pm

Thank god you had a roster to look at. We can’t hit eight.

twinsfan32 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 6:00 pm

alright Monroe is finally playing! im calling tonight Monroe is going to be the first to hit a homerun besides Morneau and Kubes.

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 6:04 pm

Jared…
Well I thought about using Nicky as the DH and keeping Lamber in there. But, Vavra has this thing about Monroe. It’s not even a lefty tonight and he wants him out there. Sheesh.

Oh wait. Cliff Lee is a lefty. Well shoot, maybe this could work.

Couplea1314 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

17th!!!!!!!

The New and Improved Craig says:

April 18th, 2008 at 6:22 pm

Kubel faced lefty Nate Robertson three times and struck out all three times. Maybe he will do better vs. Lee (doubtful). If Gardy thinks he has to play today, he should at least bat 9th.

Dan says:

April 18th, 2008 at 6:29 pm

@ Jared

Pronk has had a really slow start to the season, so they may be trying to get him started by giving him time off ala David Ortiz

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 6:35 pm

good luck to monroe…i think he needs to play alot more, hopefully tonite is the good start…..

Shaun says:

April 18th, 2008 at 6:42 pm

Hey Gardy,

How many times will Gomez bunt tonight?

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 6:54 pm

len3 has been awfully quiet lately- hope everything is ok……….

David says:

April 18th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

Gomez bunts in his 1st and 3rd at bats. He has gone 1 or 2 games with out a 1st a bat bunt…..so he is due.

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 6:57 pm

Shaun…
Got my blackie berry here in the dugout. Gogo will bunt his first and third at bats and go yard on his second at bat. That’s the strategory anyway.

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:00 pm

David must be lookin over my shoulder. spies are everywhere

Kevin says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:04 pm

Gardy,
Did Liriano gain any additional weight since his last start?

David says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:05 pm

Gardy, while I’m at it maybe you should let the boys swing away tonight instead of trying to hit singles the other way all game.

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:07 pm

Kevin,
I think franky is pretty much where he has been. the extra 25 pounds of weight is mostly in his face and neck and mid section, so shouldn’t affect his ability to throw strikes.

The New and Improved Craig says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:08 pm

Karlee,

Are you out there someplace, all smiling and happy? Nick Ninja is playing tonight.

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

David,
we don’t tell the boys not to swing away; but we want them to hit it where it is pitched; and for our guys 99% of the time that is the opposite field. if they get a nice cookie on the inside of the plate, they are free to pull it; but if they miss, they’ll be sitting by vavra for some more instruction.

David says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

Gardy, I think you would have had a tought time managing the 87 team, they seem to like the long ball and duck hunting befor game 6 of the world series.

Gardy says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

atta boy frankie

romer says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

Anderson says they changed the slider and it looks like the old slider now.

Wow!

I gotta go soon, but this looks special tonight.

Liriano has command of his FB and change. And he threw a sweeping slider to K Sizemore.

LOL Cleveland!

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

Nice start Franchise.

Kevin says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

Gardy…

Dammit, Mauer… called third strike… AGAIN!!! Is the always competent Vavra gonna have a long sit-down with the Golden Child, or what?

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:37 pm

You know if I had a team that was HR hitters, we’d be banging away. You know, guys like David Ortiz. Wait, maybe that’s not a good example.

Bill Brasky says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:38 pm

somebody put Telly Hughes out of his misery. HE IS AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

Frankie, trust your stuff. Just throw strikes.

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:42 pm

Who is the hitting coach equivalent of Rick Anderson? He got Frankie his confidence back in one between games session?!?!

Jussi says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:52 pm

Frankie could use a month at AAA.

Mark A. Salinas says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:53 pm

Lets work it Liriano!

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:53 pm

Did you guys see how victor martinez jogged to first on his DP grounder? What a bum

Shawn says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:56 pm

I caught it out the corner of my eye, thought he was just slow

Bill Brasky says:

April 18th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

YEEEEEAAAHHHH, Punto didn’t slide head first into 1B on that play. Way to go Nick.

thrylos98 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

What’s that stuff on Lee’s hat bill?

Bill Brasky says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

Why do we have Santana posters still up in the Dome. Kinda reminds me of awhile back when they had “Lawton’s Leaders” a year after he was traded.

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:04 pm

Frankie looked so smooth in the 1st and since then every delivery looks different. He still must be worrying about either his arm or he is thinking too much.

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

thrylos98… Lee got that stuff from the resin bag on his hat.

thrylos98 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:08 pm

Carlos… that looks like its been there for a while… doesn’t look like resin pownder. Just a thought

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

Mauer is like mighty casey at the plate. He keeps waiting for something better.

David says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:12 pm

well at least we got the no hitter out of the way.

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:15 pm

Gardy, suggestion… levy a fine on Mauer every time he takes a fastball down the middle for strike one. If anyone has seen enough pitches, it’s a catcher. He doesn’t need to admire every first pitch fastball.

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

atta boy vavra …your kids are really stingin the ball…take your tees and stay in wisc and find some little league to coach….this is definately over your head…

David says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

Gardy, withthe way Mauer takes pitches wouldn’t he be the perfect #2 hitter?

snepp says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

somebody put Telly Hughes out of his misery.

Correction, but Telly Hughes out of our misery.

snepp says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

“put” him out even.

Bill Brasky says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

Lamb would’ve made that play

David says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

Did Punto make another one of those steller plays and get nobody out?

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

like i said last nite …we are still on a pace to hit at least 45-49 more homeruns yet this season…so were not doin bad….but were going to have to hit one soon to keep up that average…lol…makes me want to effen cry

David says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

Young and Monroe are going to go yard, with a Kubel walk sandwiched in between, I hope.

Bill Brasky says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

I was joking, but yes, Punto dove for a ball and then kneed it out of his glove and threw a 15 hopper to first.

David says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

Did he know the catcher was running?

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

i bet if you were to ask vavra, he would say hell yes…we have a kick ass offense….just like that other mindless soul at winter park…they drink from the same cup…fire em both …enuf said

Bill Brasky says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

Telly…go update your resume. My god it’s like getting your teeth pulled listening to him…

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

its even worse than that bill….

twinsfan32 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:41 pm

It looks like Liriano probably should of stayed in AAA for awhile longer.

Rincon’s in the game. NOT GOOD

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:42 pm

Sad. While Liriano isn’t the old Frankie, he made significant progress tonight. And, realistically, if he had a real third baseman–one that could actually go laterally without making it look like suicide–he would’ve been three up-three down in the fifth and on his way to the sixth.

Punto sucks. I don’t care what people say about his defense, the guy is god awful laterally. Even Mike Lamb would’ve made that play without much difficulty.

Another thing. As much as like Slowey, I’m left with this thought: What in the hell has this guy done to deserve next Friday’s start? Why is he above making a few starts at AAA? Would it be that ass kicking he received in his only start this year? Or, would it be that tidy little 4.95 ERA a year ago?

Slowey looks promising, but he didn’t exactly tear it up in ST, nor did he look good in his first start. This guy needs time at Rochester. (Unless, of course, he takes Boof’s spot.)

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:42 pm

Viola interview… I saw him in 95 in Indianapolis pitching in a minor league game. He must have weighed about 280… looked out of shape and pretty sad. His career had already ended; he just didn’t know it. Loved him when he was here though.

snepp says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:42 pm

Rincon’s in the game. NOT GOOD

Down by 3 is already out of reach, perfect time to use him.

Bill Brasky says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

OMG….Dick & Bert don’t even know what WHIP is???

Does Telly know??? How do you not know that being a broadcaster????

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

why no tv tomorrow …anyone know..??

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

TwinsFan

Hey, if Liriano should’ve stayed at AAA a bit longer, then where should Boof be right now, AA???

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

twins make every left hander look like the second coming of sandy koufax…its just depressing..sorry

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

What happened to Ron Johnson? That guy was sweet. Did he go to a bigger market? I met him at The Fair last year and he was so cool.

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

MJ

There’s no TV tomorrow because the Wild have that three-hour pre-game show before their final game of the year.

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

lee feels like hes pitching in high school….

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

thx lala….its probably better not to have to watch for a day….damn i hate being this negative….

USAFChief says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

Huh, I was expecting Gutierrez (”natural center fielder” according to DnB) to have a tough time in right field tonight, what with that being so tough of a transition and all.

Turns out it ain’t that tough after all.

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

This is a sham and the Twins fans better rise up and PROTEST!! This team is a BIG BORE - BOOOOOOOOOORRRRIIINNGGGG!!!!!!!!

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

mj

It’s tough to be positive. We have a so much promise, man. That offense looks like it can become something, especially if Everett can find a way to sit out the rest of the year, Punto gets released, and Lamb begins to hit like the man he wants to be. But that bullpen…it might be more overrated than Punto’s defense. And Boof…ugh!

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

C’mon guys. Don’t give up on the boys yet. We are only a grand slam away. Or, 7 base hits in a row.

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:54 pm

it wont be long and twins fans will start cheering the oppositions homeruns …just to see one…..

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

This is a AAA MINOR LEAGUE team - period!

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

OK, question for all you real fans: Who is gone first, Adam Everett or Telly Hughes?

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

It just happened witrh Blake’s homer

Q says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

It is hard to be positive, this team is terrible.

It might aspire to be .500 by 2010 if they bring in some better players, bring in better coaches and can manage to find 5 decent starters out of the gaggle of mediocre pitching prospects they have.

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

Jesse Ventura

zwiefz says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

I have a question for all the people bashing Vavra. His first year as hitting coach for the Twins was 2006. Remember that year? An MVP and a batting champion plus career years from pretty much every hitter(people actually enjoyed watching Punto that year). At the time every player was giving him a ton of credit. Now he’s a bum? I’m not saying that he was the reason for the teams success that year, but I also don’t think its fair to put the blame on him now. A coach can only do so much, he can’t step in the batters box for these guys. Maybe the players should step up and take some responsibility. Something is definitely not right, but Morneau, Mauer, etc are professional hitters. At this point a coach should be tweaking things and working with guys like Gomez, not having to teach veterans fundamentals.

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

Mediocre is absolutely RIGHT! Boof Bonser?? Give me a break!!! Also, PLEASE SOMEBODY PUT BATTING COACH VAVRA OUT OF HIS AND OUR MISERY!!!!!!

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 8:59 pm

Yeah, but people can get more confused, not be as prepared, less motivated, etc. etc. etc. Mostly his BAD leadership and know how suckes. His 1st year, was his 1st year - pure LUCK!!!

Bill Brasky says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:00 pm

tomorrow’s game is on Fox as the national game of the week. Ouch.

Mudcat says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:00 pm

“WHO DAT DER? DEM AIN’T NO TWINS!:

O Y S A R!
C M P N the game down their leg?

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:01 pm

Just watch this poor guys tonight - they HAVE NO CLUE!!!

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:01 pm

Go Baby Jesus!

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:01 pm

they have talent, and it hurts to have cuddy out, but they just dont hit and thats got to be the coaching, the new guys always hit before they came here, theres something about the approach they want in this organization and vavra……get rid of him and get a real hitting coach and let these guys hit….to hell with just punching the ball to the opposite field…i guess i got spoiled watching the twins of the 60s and 70s…killebrew, allison , oliva….they knew how to hit…

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:02 pm

“National Game of Disgrace and Comedy!!”

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

They have the Tribe scared shitless now!!

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

Yeah - those 65,66,67, 69, 70 etc. Twins were a terror! What the HELL HAS HAPPENED - it is SO OBVIOUS! Boys, you’ve all been HAD!!!!!!!

zwiefz says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

So if his first year was pure GOOD luck, why can’t this year be pure BAD luck. And if his coaching is so horrible, who gets credit for guys like Kubel, Tolbert, and Harris hitting above expectations? Vavra did not create/destroy the hitters anymore than Anderson created/destroyed Santana/Mays.

PS-Who would you guys make the new hitting coach? Carew, Oliva, Molitor? Oh wait, those guys are always in the paper for helping the players out throughout spring training and on/off through the season. They must be to blame as well.

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Now Morneau grounds into one of his many double plays . . . tys - time to sing “Bye, bye, Vavra!”

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Come on. Don’t rip Vavra. His minor league teams used to hit like…

Oh, yeah, that’s right: He’s never been a hitting coach at any other level of baseball. Silly me.

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

It was last year and the song remains the same - they look very confused.

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

the sad part of this is, that this poor hitting is the difference in where this team is now and actually leading this division, they should be leading or right there…..with any hitting at all…..

Q says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

You couldn’t replace him, its not in the budget. Vavra is about as good as the Twins will pay for.

2006 wasn’t that great either, 2007 was terrible, 2008 doesn’t look much better.

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

It was last year and the song remains the same so far this year - they look very confused. . . SOS.

Mudcat says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

MJ1:
Easy big fella! Never compare a present Twin team to the Killer/Allison/Oliva/Carew era. It’s sacreligious. On Vikings Blog someone compare the present defensive line with Eller/Marshall/Page and almost killed the Blog.
They called him a “FBK”! ! !

zwiefz says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

In case no one has figured it out I’m getting cranky tonight so I’m going to keep on ranting.

Anyone else notice that the guys who are not living up to expectations(Morneau, Mauer, Cuddyer) have all gotten big contracts recently.

Who Dat mentioned being less motivated earlier, I don’t remember Vavra giving out the money or signing guys like Everett. It’s always the assistant coaches(or in some cases the head coach) that get thrown under the bus in professional sports while the professional athletes get cut slack.

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

Anyone remember the terrible Tribe during the 1960’s and 1970’s, well our Twins are a very similar looking team right now, sorry to say. The only diff is that the Dome only houses 35,000 less than that Municiple Stadium they had in Cleveland.

Arghhhhh says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

Santana wins for the Mets, while “Franchise” packs it in early tonight. Really sucking hind teat now, aren’t we, fellas? Sigh.

zwiefz says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

Morneau shouldn’t have to be taught how to avoid hitting a double play ground ball at this point in his career. How long has he been playing baseball?

Mudcat says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

ZWIEFZ:
You can vent here. That’s why we’re here.
We need to be strong together.

ackack says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

I believe the Twins are not on FSN tomorrow because it’s the FOX Saturday game of the week for this market.

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

At least there are some cute fat chicks in the stands. Yummy!

Arghhhhh says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

I think the Twins should fire Vavra and replace him with a psychiatrist.

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

zwiefz you have a very VALID point!

Mudcat says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

ARGHHHH:
I don’t think you can say that on,
on…………………this ain’t TV I guess.

Arghhhhh says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

On the bright side, Twins players, no matter how much of suck “effort” you put in, you still get paid the same. Oh, the irony of what would happen to you if you were, as many of your fans, an hourly wage employee instead.

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

Gardy must be beside himself or his fault is “patience.” WHat the HELL is the matter with this team?? The billion dollar question.

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:14 pm

gardy should send a few to rochester for some time….shake things up…i dont care if they have big contracts or not…not putting out, send em down…bring up some hungry guys…

Arghhhhh says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:14 pm

Mudcat, can’t say what? Psychiatrist?

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:15 pm

Well, Who Dat, perhaps, just perhaps, part of the problem is Gardy himself. Who really knows?

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:15 pm

I am outta here! See you in 2010. Good luck - may the Killebrew, Oliva, Carew, Allison, Tovar, Perry and Versalles “force” be with you!!

zwiefz says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

Remember the “Get to Know Em” years? The Twins never won a World Series but at least everyone busted their butts every night. Those were fun teams to watch play.

Q says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

Look on the bright side, Detroit and the White Sox also won.

Plus, with the grand slam and another hit, it looks like Big Papi is past his slump.

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

I can’t get down on the Twins… just individual things bug me. I will be watching and cheering the team into 2010 when we have real baseball again. woohoo.

We got nothin else to watch until August olympics. So, go Twins.

Tonight, I am just bugged that mauer keeps taking good strikes. he is a big kid that could hit for power. But, part of his problem is he takes the best pitches and ends up behind in the count. Someone, maybe Vavra, needs to tell him. If we can all see it, maybe a hitting coach can too.

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:17 pm

gardy should just tape the post game stuff and replay it , so he doesnt have to verbally go thru it every nite….same shit every nite…

Who Dat Der? Dem Aint No Twins! says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:18 pm

Oh by the way. . . Arizona wins it all this year.

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:18 pm

Hey, you know, there is a bright spot in all of this: At least we shaved $30 mil off the projected payroll. Someone’s got to be happy about that, you know?

Arghhhhh says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

Everybody knows Mauer doesn’t swing at the first pitch…EVER. May as well throw a strike at him. It’s as close to an automatic a MLB pitcher will ever see.

zwiefz says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:20 pm

Ok, my ranting energy has been expended. Have a good night all. And remember-”So relax! Let’s have some fun out here! This game’s fun, OK? Fun goddamnit”-Crash Davis

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:21 pm

I think back to those days of Radke, Milton, Dougie M., AJ, Koskie, Torii, Eddy G, Guzie…

And I get downright misty-eyed.

Ah…the good old days.

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:21 pm

gardy its time to throw the names in a hat and pull out the lineup from there….what in the hell could it hurt….

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:24 pm

Christ, and now I have to listen to Nick Punto’s Continental Diamond commercial.

“Tell them Nick Punto drove you in.”

Whatever.

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

That was a legitimate pitcher against us tonight. At least so far this year. He has given up 8 hits and 1 run in 23 innings this year. Not too shabby.

I call a Morny walk off HR tonight.

Arghhhhh says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

Hey, that’s better than the Span commercial locally for the psychology center: “Tell them Denard Span drove you here.”

Mudcat says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

WHO DAT:
cantsayteats

Carlos G says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

Or, let’s just all walk off.

OK. Everybody smile. Smiles everyone. (Mr. Rourke)

Arghhhhh says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

Mudcat, we say it all the time here in farming country.

mj1 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

time for gardy to pull a leyland and let them have it good…time to get mean…enuf good guy crap…..

ML says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

New Twins tv commercial was released today. It’s been shown on the WCCO news and it’s on the station’s website right now.

Mudcat says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

ARGHHHHHHH:
I meant you, not Who Dat.
I’m not good with proper names.

Lala72 says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

I think the coolest thing about he Liriano come back is that no matter how good he pitches, the Twins are averaging 0.5 runs per game with him on the mound.

Mudcat says:

April 18th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

ML:
Oh My Gawd! ! !
My ears are bleeding!
Talk about Murderer’s row!
They just murdered the song from church!

http://wcco.com/sports

T says:

April 18th, 2008 at 10:21 pm

Just got back from the game, and boy…Cuddy needs to get healthy.

Lamb’s struggling, and the only other 3B available is Punto. Monroe just can’t get his act together either, and I’d say he should be cut lose by the end of April if he hasn’t shown signs of turning around.

He reminds me a LOT of Rondell White, and we all know how that turned out.

Toby says:

April 18th, 2008 at 10:23 pm

Haha, I like that one. Lee has been great so far so he just pitched well, that is possible you know, other teams pitchers can pitch well too it isnt always vavras fault.

The New and Improved Craig says:

April 18th, 2008 at 10:23 pm

Stop being cynical and negative. The opposing pitcher, pitched a great game. It happens. Forget about it.

Punto was interviewed on KSTP and says, you just have to tip your cap to the pitcher.

The New and Improved Craig says:

April 18th, 2008 at 10:30 pm

The Twins scored 9 runs in 2 games vs. Tampa Bay and 14 runs in 2 games vs. Detroit. How much hitting do you want?

The guy tonight pitched a great game. It happens.

BC Beneke says:

April 18th, 2008 at 10:30 pm

While a shutout is normally a sign for me to destroy Joe Vavra tonight I tip my cap to the Indians. A great pitcher shut down the Twins tonight. Kudos to the Indians.

Note to Twins… don’t ever let it happen again! I’m watching!

Q says:

April 18th, 2008 at 10:41 pm

It still adds up to one of the lowest scoring teams in the AL, as it will all year.

Carl P. says:

April 18th, 2008 at 10:49 pm

Lala72 says:
April 18th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Hey, you know, there is a bright spot in all of this: At least we shaved $30 mil off the projected payroll. Someone’s got to be happy about that, you know?

I am.

Arghhhhh says:

April 18th, 2008 at 10:59 pm

I sure hope the Twins new stadium has some kick ass food, because I’m not seeing any other reason to attend if things aren’t changing.

Look at the difference between this team’s ownership and the Vikings’ ownership. At least the Vikings are willing to spend money on players, though the only thing they really need to do is dump the coach.

Sigh, redux.

sid says:

April 18th, 2008 at 11:23 pm

“Look at the difference between this team’s ownership and the Vikings’ ownership. At least the Vikings are willing to spend money on players, though the only thing they really need to do is dump the coach.”

The other difference is the Twins won the division four times in six years.
The Vikings won the division……I forget.

sid says:

April 18th, 2008 at 11:30 pm

“Morneau shouldn’t have to be taught how to avoid hitting a double play ground ball at this point in his career.”

The correct way to avoid hitting a double play ground ball is to NEVER SWING THE BAT. If necessary bat WITHOUT A BAT.

Mudcat says:

April 18th, 2008 at 11:56 pm

ARGHHHHHHH:
You saying Walleye Tacos aren’t kickass food?

Arghhhhh says:

April 19th, 2008 at 12:03 am

sid, in the immortal words of the film Dumb and Dumber, at least the Vikings ownership is, in essence, “…saying there’s a chance” with their moves. The Twins have already cashed in on previous fame and are now willing to be a AAA farm club for the real major league teams.

Mudcat, seems like there’d be bones in a walleye taco. If I am looking at eating a taco, I don’t want to worry about some bone hiding in there.

(pauses to see if that last paragraph makes it past the censor)

Twinsfanrick says:

April 19th, 2008 at 1:40 am

This team hits like girls. Sorry girls. Just a bad, bad team. What a long year it is going to be. Go Go is really being pushed. He is not ready. There is no power on this team. And no one is a leader. In days past, Puckett, Smalley, Carew carried the Twins when necessary. Two out hits are none existent. 3 run homers? C’mon we only have two guys that have even hit a homer. Oh how I long for the days of Killebrew, Allison, Hall, Mincher, and Battey. And those guys weren’t even juiced. Folks, we just can’t hit. And the pitching is pretty suspect. Gonna be a long, long year.

twinsfan32 says:

April 19th, 2008 at 3:06 am

how many times can you tip your cap to the opposing pitcher? the hitters and the the hitting coach need to be held accountable of these days.

sane says:

April 19th, 2008 at 6:55 am

If Liriano is going to be searching for command of his pitches for a large part of the year, why keep him at MLB level while the Twins lose every five days?
Let the Rochester Red Wings sink in the standings with that albatross.
When he starts commanding his pitches several games in a row, then recall him.
Until then, lets see how Mulvey or Humber perform at the MLB level and maybe win occasionally in that rotation spot.

ackack says:

April 19th, 2008 at 7:18 am

sane
I agree. Is it me or is there really a lot of poor decisions being made by management (Gardy & braintrust)? I know there are pro and con arguements for keeping Liriano here, but the manager in Rochester I believe said that Liriano should have stayed down and worked on the very thing he’s having problems with here, right?

ackack says:

April 19th, 2008 at 7:20 am

Maybe Mulvey and Humber should be given a chance to see what they can contribute to the big club. We are not winning now, how can it hurt?

AJ says:

April 19th, 2008 at 8:39 am

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed what a puss Mauer is? How can you be that big and strong and not hit a single home run. I also question his toughness around the plate this year. It looks like he wants nothing to do with blocking the plate.

sane says:

April 19th, 2008 at 10:11 am

AJ,
I hope you are comparing Mauer’s toughness to that of other catchers, not to other players or people.
All catchers are tough, whether blocking low balls, getting 95 mph foul balls ripped of under-protected body parts or just up-downs through games, warmups and bullpens from Spring Training through October.
Mauer has proved his toughness from HS quarterback to MLB catching.
I think the difference this year may be the load of criticism he has taken for his DL time last year. Maybe he is trying to play 150 plus games this year and stay off the DL by avoiding collisions unless they are season or game deciders. If his many critics would back off on that subject, maybe he would take more chances with injury-risking aggresssiveness.

sane says:

April 19th, 2008 at 10:21 am

“ripped of under-protected body parts”

should have been

“ripped off under-protected body parts”

PROOF READ sane!!!

sane says:

April 19th, 2008 at 10:42 am

I guess Rod Carew should have, and Tony Gwynn would have been run out of town for their lack of home runs.
Mauer is what he is - a great defensive catcher who is a pretty good singles and doubles hitter.
There are 25 (or more) MLB teams out there who would rather have Mauer as their catcher that the guy they have.

sane says:

April 19th, 2008 at 10:46 am

“rather have Mauer as their catcher that the guy they have.”
should be
“rather have Mauer as their catcher THAN the guy they have.”

I am out.
Can’t write, can’t read, can’t spell, shouldn’t comment!

mj1 says:

April 19th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

i know its early but this team is fragile and needs to regroup now or this season is going to get to be a very long, and unhappy situation –i dont think its lost yet, but it wouldnt take much more to sink this ship for the remainder of the year, and damnit, i am not one to get negative very easy, as i seem to hang in there with these twins teams to the very end,but this one seems different, and i just cant really explain it, but its not good….maybe gardy has gotten too settled in his position, as well as a few other coaches, but there is a definate disconnect somewhere, as this team has too much talent to be performing as pathetic as they are…any suggestions…???

mj1 says:

April 19th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

need a new blog and some freshness for today…maybe restart some things with a win over cleveland….cant wait to hear updates on bass and everett…

Ben D says:

April 19th, 2008 at 1:26 pm

Lineups anyone?

Jimmy says:

April 19th, 2008 at 1:38 pm

Gomez, CF
Harris, 2B
Mauer, C
Morneau, 1B
Young, LF
Kubel, RF
Monroe, DH
Lamb, 3B
Punto, SS
Blackburn, P

Sizemore, CF
Carroll, 2B
Hafner, DH
Martinez, C
Garko, 1B
Dellucci, LF
Gutierrez, RF
Cabrera, SS
Blake, 3B
Westbrook, P

Ben D says:

April 19th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

Pathetic that Punto is starting in front of Tolbert. Why in the does Punto need to start back to back, Oh yea bc he beat out a dribbler last night.

Ben D says:

April 19th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

We need to trade Tolbert. He will never develope into a good MLB player with the twins. Since we wont play him, lets try and get something for him while he is batting .400

Mudcat says:

April 19th, 2008 at 1:51 pm

Gardy knew the game was on Fox today! He wants his boyfriend (Punto) to shine on the big screen!

shameless says:

April 19th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

Punto should never start in front of tolbert at any position other than emergency OF

shameless says:

April 19th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

TK wouldn’t play punto this much ask al newman

Joe@IcanPLAY3rd.com says:

April 19th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

the two prospects we’ve received from the Santana deal that have had time in the majors are really spreading the gap between the legacies of Billy Smith and Keven McHale

Joe@IcanPLAY3rd.com says:

April 19th, 2008 at 5:10 pm

**Kevin

TK(2) says:

April 20th, 2008 at 5:07 am

…wow. Everyone should chill out a little bit. Every team (in any sport) deserves to be bashed at times, but if the Twins were a body, you guys just cut off the head and put it on a pike in the center of town and danced and sang at the sight of it. What I just read was brutal and relentless. Fire Gardy! Cut Punto! Eat Boof! Kill Varva! Geez. God knows I’ve b!tched to no end about the Twins many, many times, but I guess I just didn’t expect to get SO much of it here in one sitting. ANYway, pitching is solid- YES, this includes Boof- hitting is… not fine. But if I recall correctly, most to all of you said that Twins weren’t going to contend for this year. 2010! you cried. That’s our year! Now, all of the sudden the Twins are being competitive (granted, the Tigers and Indaians kinda suck so far into this MARATHON(!!!!!) season) and just because we’re not in first place, you guys are ready to burn the dome down (yes, with the Twins in it). We’re less than 20 games into a 162 game season. We could still win the division by 10 games or be in last by 40 games. Do any of you honestly expect the White Sox (or Royals for that matter) to win the division? Don’t even try to make anyone believe you on that one. That’s my little defense rant against many of the above posters.

And, just to clarify, YES, the Twins need more bats.

TK(2) says:

April 20th, 2008 at 5:12 am

*Could be extended to many posters in the past few days.