Twins-Royals: A sweep and a 4-2 road trip on the line.
Posted on August 10th, 2008 – 10:51 AMBy La Velle
Twins lefthander Glen Perkins has left the team to be with his wife, Alisha, who has gone into labor. If labor takes more than a day, Perkins may be scratched from his start on Monday against the Yankees.
The Twins were unsure this morning who would start tomorrow if that happened. Boof Bonser is unavailable after pitching last night. Nick Blackburn could be moved up, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire wasn’t ready to commit to that. “We would have to ad-lib,” he said.
Carlos Gomez is getting a mental health day. Justin Morneau asked for a DH day and got it. Gardenhire likes Everett’s glovework at short, adding that Everett has, “enough,” arm to make throws. And, as evidenced by the hit and run yesterday, Everett can be functional at the plate.
Spotted a couple Twins fans here with brooms….
Update: Oh, the Royals’ Zack Greinke has dropped the appeal of his suspension for last week’s dust-up with the White Sox and began serving his five-game ban today.
Lineups
Twins (65-51): 1. Denard Span, CF. 2. Nick Punto, 2B. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, DH. 5. Jason Kubel, RF. 6. Delmon Young, LF. 7. Mike Lamb, 1B. 8. Brian Buscher, 3B. 9. Adam Everett, SS. Pitching: Scott Baker.
Royals (53-64: 1. Mike Aviles, SS. 2. Mitch Meier, CF. 3. Mark Teahen, RF. 4. Jose Guillen, LF. 5. Billy Butler, DH. 6. Alex Gordon, 3B. 7. Ross Gload, 1B. 8. John Buck, C. 9. Jason Smith, 2B. Pitching: Gil Meche.
817 Responses to "Twins-Royals: A sweep and a 4-2 road trip on the line."
Soccer. Ugh.
Looks like a decent lineup to me. Twins win today without a doubt.
Oh I see, Gomez is out. I hardly missed him! No wonder the lineup looked so good. 3 less strikeouts and failed bunt attempts.
I like the Punto but he should not be batting second. Where’s Harris?
I don’t know about the buzz on the lineup. It doesn’t look like the typical getaway Sunday lineup, which is fine.
GoGo gets a break to watch dandelions grow, play with his seashells and balloons or whatever he does to get his head clear of those nasty pitches two feet outside or two feet over his head. Lambiekins gets to show that he should get more lineup time and that his latest plate prowess isn’t a mirage ( I still think that if he’s hitting I’d rather see him at third that the Human Scattershot).
Everett, well, while I’d rather see Harris, he does seem to have more range.
My only beef is seeing the one guy in the lineup who can’t situationally bat to advance runners in the second slot. But I can’t honestly say who I’d like there in his stead with this lineup. Which I guess is why I’d prefer Harris at short, batting second and seeing the Amazing Baryshnikov batting ninth.
Doesn’t look too bad, though.
LEN3,
On Gardy’s show this a.m. they talked about Anderson and Baker discussing a breakdown in his mechanics during his last outing…something about his knee collapsing. Could you dig into this and see what they are talking about? I haven’t seen anything about it in the rags or on the blogs.
Thanks.
Last I checked that low rent crummy station 1500 doesn’t have podcasts.
Good to see Gomez getting a break. I’ve never seen a Twins player have a series of more pathetic at-bats. Its like the guy bunts because he is too afraid to swing the bat and miss, the most probable outcome. How the Twins and Joe Vavra have been so utterly and completely unable to make any headway whatsoever in getting Gomez to stop swinging at pitches he can never hit without an 8-foot long bat is beyond me. He swings at more unhittable pitches now than I recall him swinging at in the first half.
Willie,
“something about his knee collapsing.”
That means when his left leg is in the air at the “balance point”, he is bending his right knee too much, thus lowering his drive towards the plate.
That flattens out the pitch.
A pitcher wants downward projection on his pitches, so the the path of the ball and swinging bat don’t spend too much time together in the same horizonal plane.
Why has Brendan Harris been benching it lately? He was swinging a hot bat.
baseball physics 101- taught by professor sane
sane,
Thanks. I guess I’m surprised that I hadn’t heard about this particular issue until the day of Baker’s start given all of the coverage of the Twins. Of course, it is entirely likely that I missed it. Somebody probably ran it while I was sniffing glue this past week.
Glanzer,
“Why has Brendan Harris been benching it lately? He was swinging a hot bat.”
SS is a defense-first position and Harris is an offense-first infielder.
As a result, Gardy uses Everett and/or Punto at shortstop unless someone needs a day off.
Harris ends up as a platoon third baseman and an emergency shortstop.
Gomez gets an off day. No big deal.
Second time in a week Morneau hit DH. Need a good 8 innings out of Baker.
“I guess I’m surprised that I hadn’t heard about this particular issue”
Publicly, the euphemism is just “The pitcher (Baker) had a bad start”.
But, it usually is a temporary flaw in mechanics that causes “a bad start”.
It is usually addressed in the between-starts bullpen and hopefully cleared up.
Punto, looking more like the 2006 version than the ‘07 model, while slumping lately, if still hitting about .270. Getting guys on in front of Mauer and Morneau is always good, and while Punto’s OBP is still only about a .330, I’ve been noticing that he’s been taking a lot of really good at-bats the last month or two. It seems like very time he gets to the plate, he gets deep into the count. Something that I’d love to see from some of our other players Gomez.
Sane
I would characterize Harris as a slightly below average defender, slightly above average hitter. Everett, and his arm still does not look impressive, as a average to slightly above defender and a horrendous hitter.
Harris has been killing the ball lately. In my mind you find a way to work him into the lineup.
Baker’s backside was collapsing during his last start but couldn’t make the in-game adjustment. So his pitches stayed up in the strike zone. He was frustrated about it, so he spoke with Anderson.
Tweety
I giggle anytime anyone posts a positive comment on Punto and hitting.
He is batting .181 since coming off the DL with 13 SO and 5 BB. He’s having really good at bats lately? Are we watching the same player. I just don’t think he performs well as an everyday player. Hopefully Casilla comes back soon. And Punto gets back to two starts a week and where I think he actually performs pretty well.
Oh and I only rate Everett as average to slightly above average because of what I see as a very week arm still.
if we are going defense at SS, can we swap Harris for Punto? Harris has more pop and well, doesn’t run himself off the basepaths
JP,
“Harris has been killing the ball lately. In my mind you find a way to work him into the lineup.”
I find myself agreeing with that 90% of the time, until a ground ball to either side of him rolls into the outfield.
But, I am guessing that Gardy is much more defense-first than either of us.
Brock Peterson in lineup for Rochester today.
I didn’t know Brock got promoted… good for him.
I am thinking that only Casilla’s return can rid us of Everett-Punto at SS-2B (nearly) every game.
Punto’s “really good at-bats” have lately included a bunch of watching strike 3 (often after watching strikes 1 and 2). He’s almost as clueless as Gomez — just more practiced at hiding it (and looking like he’s hustlin’ out there, by golly). If you’re gonna take most every pitch, sure you’re gonna get some deep counts. But LNP has only a marginally better idea of which pitches to take than Nogo.
What are people’s opinions on the route Gomez took to that gapper double last night? I only watched the highlight on gameday and it seemed from that like he took a bad angle. It seemed like he took a very non-linear route to get where he got. Hey, whaddya know? That’s just the sort of thing that gets worked out when you play adequate innings in AA.
FREE JASON PRIDIE. 2-4 plus a walk with his 16th triple, ran down a line drive and doubled the runner off 2nd base.
July: .330/.343/.670 (OPS 1.012)
August: .486/.561/.629 (OPS 1.190)
I’d much rather see those ground balls fielded by a weaker arm than roll into the outfield. This is why we got Everett so why not play him. Harris has been a disappointment for me, and obviously for some in the org.
Rochester was shot two players after Cuddy went down. Peterson was called up after last night’s game.
I figured Lis and/or Peterson would be in AAA eventually. I like Peterson, he gave my stepkid a ball even after a loss.
Livan is pitching in Colorado today
If Gardy MUST play LNP and truly believes Harris can’t make the DP turn at 2nd, why not break a mold and play LNP at short and Harris at 2nd unless there’s a man on first with less than 2 out, then switch he and Harris? I know Gardy would never dare do anything so non-traditional, but Harris is such a defensive liability at short and such an assset in the batting order it’d be worth a shot (if you agree that Harris’s ability to turn at second is a deal-killer there). Come back soon, Mr. Casilla.
I assume Brandon Roberts should replace Lis on NB roster. Any other moves last night LaVelle?
Peterson’s been hot lately. Who else got moved up?
Gotta love the Rockies for picking up the rest of his contract. I was hoping that the Rays would give Monroe another shot and sign him as a RH power bat bench optinon and eat the rest of his contract, but it looks like that is not going to happen.
Toby,
“it seemed from that like he took a bad angle. It seemed like he took a very non-linear route to get where he got.”
IMO, his route was correct for the situation.
In the 9th inning, with the winning run NOT at the plate, you aren’t in a no-doubles situation. You should do everything possible to catch the fly ball (get outs) even at the risk of surrendering a run-scoring double. That is what Gomez did, although he was unable to get to the ball.
His job was to do his best to keep the batter off base and not worry about preventing extra-base hits.
If the batter (or runner on first base) was the tying run, its a whole different set of priorities.
Harris was not good at second earlier this year.
He has been doing well enough at the plate that I get him in the lineup. Either at SS or 3rd.
Roberts has to be going back to AA, you’d think
I’d like to see Delany and Slama moved up to AAA to see if they have a shot of helping in September
Sane: Absolute agreed he should’ve been trying to catch it, it just looked to me like he DIDN’T take the correct “catch the ball” route, inasmuch as it looked (again, this is small screen gameday highlight) like he was coming from a direction such that he’d taken a looping route and had initially broken in instead of back.
Shawn,
“I’d like to see Delany and Slama moved up to AAA to see if they have a shot of helping in September”
I agree.
If they are worried about a closer at Fort Myers for playoffs, why not send Julianel down on a “high priority special assignment”.
Do you think he would buy that crap?
Twins will have to win today to stay in first. Red Sox are prancing out Clay Buchholz…
i know they want the minor’s playoffs to be well stocked… they usually move guys up for that…. hopefully they will test at least Delany in AAA to see if he can be a bullpen option.
toby,
Fair enough.
I believe we saw his route differently.
I thought he was only slightly off-target on his “catch the ball” route.
hopefully it will be no-hitter Bucholz as opossed to lately Bucholz
i listened to the bulk of the game on radio and the royals annoucers didn’t mention anything about a bad route, but when they said the ball got by him, i was wondering
Shawn: I’m pretty sure there isn’t a single person on the intertron with even a passing interest in the farm system who wouldn’t like to see Delaney and Slama (esp. Slama, since AA is already a “real” test) given a crack at a higher level. The supposed rationale of keeping Slama at Ft. Myers for the playoffs seems insane given the state of the Twins pen. So the FO will probably keep things exactly where they are because they know best.
FREE RICKY BARRETT.
Btw, did folks see Revere back in gear 3-5 last night and Paul Kelly also smacking the ball around like he never missed 2 seasons of baseball? Beloit’s Charles Nolte is a reliever to watch. Not only does he strike out 1 in 4 hitters, he has an obscene 71% GB rate (74% last year at E-Town). That’s freaky AND tasty. Daniel Osterbrock had another great game for Elizabethton and now has 80 K against a paltry 7 BB in 59.1 IP. Delaney had a nice 2 inning save for New Britain. Steven Tolleson and David Winfree each went 3-5 with a home run. Tolleson hadn’t overly been sharp since his injury and Winfree hadn’t been sharp… well, all year until about 2 weeks ago.
sane:
I legit LOLd re: “high priority assignment”. Who cares if he buys it?
even Gutierez… he is super green but has been in high leverage spots in college….
I never want to see Harris play shortstop again. He’s OK at 3B.
Did you see the play Everett made to end the 8th inning last night? Harris could only dream of reaching that ball.
Dave, did you see Harris last couple of doubles? Everett could only dream of htiting one of those. 
“Did you see the play Everett made to end the 8th inning last night? Harris could only dream of reaching that ball.”
“Dave, did you see Harris last couple of doubles? Everett could only dream of htiting one of those”
And that summarizes the problem.
Wow. Danny Graves is just kind of sad at this point. 4 earned runs in the top of the 1st in the spot start against Indianapolis.
toby or someone else, has Nolte been used to close games or more as a setup guy? Has anyone heard feedback about Winfree from fans or staff. He seems to be an RBI machine with passable power, but in just glancing at the stats and looking at a smattering of box scores, he seems like the kind of player that induces yawns. I can’t get excited about him. Change my mind.
Pedroia with a one-out double against the White Sox. I have a feeling that game is going to be a slugfest.
sane, Twins seem to have that problem a lot lately.
Buscher’s bat and Punto’s glove last year at 3B. Harris bat and Everett’s glove at SS…
Sane
That is the problem. And I’m okay with one black holes hitting in the lineup but two or more and we have problems. With Punto starting his slide to .235 and Everett hitting well under .200 I am against both starting at the same time.
bird,
I have been to about 4 AA games this year, Winfree hasn’t done much to inspire. Pretty slow in the field, his body language seems kind of cocky…
birdofprey,
Winfree was once a prospect.
He is now a suspect.
PUNTO YOU TOOL!
Wow, what a “great” at bat. Way to take 3 right down the pipe nicky.
3-0 bosox.
Winfree: LUCKY RISP = big RBI numbers. But until 2 weeks ago he was basically sucking. All of a sudden he’s on fire, and he IS only 23.
The Binghamton girls did like Winfree’s neck tatt however
Beloit pitchers generally have some nice K/BB ratios this year. I just noticed that. Of course the H/IP ratio reminds one of Livan a bit, but whatever.
BoSox 3 WindySox 0 end of first
Lowell 3 run homer off Floyd
Broken bullpen door in Rochester! Broken bullpen door in Rochester! Red Wings have struck out 5 times in the first two innings.
Nolte’s usage is mostly innings 6-8. Damn I can’t believe I didn’t notice this guy’s GB numbers before.
Noticed that for the past 10 + days the Twins’ batting averages have all been falling excpet fot Span… hmmm
Defense is NOT Beloit’s strong suit. I’ve listened to several games on the internet radio and there’s a lot of “Hit to the hole/gap and… HE CAN’T COME UP WITH IT. Base hit.” Meh, it’s low A ball.
Thanks, gentlemen. Shawn, who are your top 3 “sure thing” AA players Let me guess: Manship, Valencia, Delaney. ALthough you may have missed those guys if thet were promoted after your visits. That whole team has a sort of “clumsy” aura, like it lacks athleticism, and things like eye-hand coordination, speed, and non-hitting baseball skills are verboten.
bird,
“has Nolte been used to close games or more as a setup guy?”
Checked his stats - only one save.
Oh, the Royals’ Zack Greinke has dropped the appeal of his suspension for last week’s dust-up with the White Sox and began serving his five-game ban today.
Gee, I wonder what would’ve lead to that…
Yahoo MLB box score still shows Young in TB attire
After that double play he grounded into, why not deal him back - he gets into too many 02 counts and shows a “bone head” demeanor.
“Oh, the Royals’ Zack Greinke has dropped the appeal of his suspension for last week’s dust-up with the White Sox and began serving his five-game ban today.
Gee, I wonder what would’ve lead to that…”
Delmon was scheduled to be a character witness.
All the supposed bad blood between the Royals and the White Sox, did not prevent the former to trade Horacio Ramirez to the latter earlier today…
Beloit has hung in there through a boatload of injuries. Can DJ Romero and Joe Benson play defense? Obviously not now with herniated discs and broken legs.How about Revere?
The top 3 i have seen in AA this year…. in games i have attended
Hughes
Tolleson
Rainville had a good start
saw 3 of the 4 games in April/May
Ft. Myers is up 10-3 over Sarasota. Steven Singleton, who has all my man love, is 2-3 with a pair of doubles. Juan Portes 2-3 w/double. Daniel Berg and Whitney Robbins have home runs and have each been swinging a better bat of late. Oswaldo Sosa is stinking again w/8 WH through 4.
Yeah Bushcher!
Nice hit by Everett
I absolutely HATE that move.
Sacrifice bunting Span to let Punto hit?
Thanks for the free out, Gardy.
Deja Vu, LNP?
Erik, I agree 100% with you.
Wow
So Shawn, you think Tolleson is for real too. Cool. You have to chuckle at all the hand-wringing about the middle infield situation and all the bitching about Lamb, Punto, Harris, Everett, Buscher, all of whom I also more or less dislike as players but think are just fine for this season. Coming up, besides Casilla and Tolbert, are Machado, Hughes, Plouffe, Tolleson (you can have Macri and his hands of stone), Valencia, Dinkelman, Singleton, Romero…the pipeline seems to be healthy, doesn’t it?
AGGGGHHHH!!!!
The reason he’s “always behind in the count”, Mr. Bremer, is because he’s “always taking strikes”.
That is exactly why you don’t bunt with your hottest hitter to let the guy who has been struggling big time up with men in scoring position and one out.
That ump is a blind fool. That was not in the strike zone!
It was a strike punto… Ump wouldnt have none of his ‘tude.
Great to see Punto there again.
What a terrible move by the manager.
You never, EVER take the bat out of Span’s hand for Punto.
I don’t blame Punto’s ineptitude in this situation as much as I do the incompetence of Gardy.
Too bad the ump did not throw him out…
There is a difference between being patient and taking fastballs down the middle of the plate.
Infield could be GREAT by the end of next year, bird, at least offensively. Defensive SS? If LNP keeps that crap up maybe, just maybe they don’t hand him money.
Exactly Span can hit, Punto has proven that he isn’t that good esp. lately.
I really, really miss Casilla.
yea I would have liked the move if it was Everett or Gomez up, but Span has just been crushing the ball of late
C’mon Justin, pick up LNP.
Hit a Grand Salami Morneau!
Erik: it’s true. Punto can’t help that he sucks, but a guy getting paid to MANAGE oughta know better. Good thing he’s such a good “player manager”, huh?
thrylos: LOL.
That is why Gardenhire is an awful manager.
2008 OBP
Denard Span: .405
Nick Punto: .328
Im callling it right now, Grand Slam Morneau, inside fastball over the plate Justin will crush into right field.
It’s not so much about the OBP as it is the overall suckiness of a player.
Intent Walk him, that’s what I would do
especially now with a 3-0 count
It’s those little things that make me so mad at Gardenhire.
Morneau OPS 2008 w/loaded 1.323
And an unofficial IBB
Erik: highly technical and indubitably true point you make. LNP’s overall suckiness is .978.
Great patience by Morneau at the plate, although most of those balls weren’t that close. Many players would not have the discipline to make the pitcher come to them though. That is what makes Morneau such a great hitter with the bases loaded.
HA, wow, Im starting to think that Morneau intimidates the pitchers when they fall behind in the count.
Gordon has got to be the worst defensive 3B in the game… I love Charlie Scheen
Wow, that was about as lucky as you can get there with Gordon not even looking at the ball when he caught it. Then again after a weak swing like that by Kubel, he didn’t deserve to get on.
Did Kubel really think that he would throw two consecutive fastballs down the middle of the plate?
And the perfect game is broken up
Did smith just signal for Rock and Roll after he got on? Does he know the Supersuckers are playing the Twins game Wednesday?
What is with Avila’s stance? Seriously, dude. Everybody’s ALREADY lookng at you.
Have I mentioned how much I LOVE sac bunting in the third inning? Taking the bat out of the hands of a decent hitter? To bring up Punto?
What is with Avila’s stance? Seriously, dude. Everybody’s ALREADY lookng at you.
I may be wrong…
But with his stance, wouldn’t you think it’d make sense to bust him inside?
Kubel is a step or 6 slower than Span out there
EVERETT!!!! Truly beautiful!
Flashin the Glove…
Huge play by Everett although I still think his arm has to be at like 60% judging by his throws.
nice, everett.
damn, there’s that defense we’ve been hearing about. he’s looked good lately
That’s a play I don’t think Harris makes at short.
3-3 Sox & Sox…bottom 3rd
And Clay has wasted the 3-0 lead
Can everyone now see how special Everett’s glove and range is? His hands are so quick releasing the ball too.
His arm isn’t 100%, but it is good enough now to make the plays.
WOW
If that’s Harris we’re still up 2, only it’s 3-1 instead of 2-0 (Harris drives one in after the Span bunt) - so it’s a wash (you’re all right in those posts).
Harris doesn’t even try. He just looks at it.
vikel, too bad Everett drove in our other run.
Sosa totally blows up in the bottom of the 5th. It’s now 10-9 Ft. Myers.
Livan today…
3 batters faced, 3 hits
2-0 padres
Quentin with a two run shot to tie up the White Sox and Boston. I bet Arizona is wishing that they would not have traded him right about now.
5-3 White Sox–3 HRs…Thome, Dye and Quentin
4 hits, 3 runs, 0 outs for Livan so far
Bucholz sucks on the road.
It sounds like Bucholz pretty much sucks in general this year…
Cellular Field= HRs
Bucholz just sucks
PS: The trade that Bert keeps referring to was a Sox minor leaguer for LHP Horacio Rameriez of Kansas City.
You know Livan is horrible when he can’t even record an out against the Padres without giving up 3 runs first.
PS: Add that to the list of players the Twins are glad they didn’t get in the Santana deal (Hughes/Kennedy being the other two)
The way White Sox have been pitching it could very well be a high scoring game for both sides.
Nice point, Aaron, hadn’t thought of that… I was just trying to prove that the anti-Everett/pro-Harris aguement is right and wrong…
Anyway, a Harris hit in the slot that Punto struck out drives in two, so the “3-1″ score I referenced included accounting for Everett’s RBI
Buscher that was pathetic. It look like any ball to third today is going to be an adventure for either team.
Gordon sucks? He handled two of those better than Buscher just did (and I like Buscher)…
I have never understood when ball players wear glasses, but don’t have them down.
It’s like WTF?
Butcher is awful… he got to the ball like it was a freaking hand grenade
Bucholz hasn’t been dominant at home, but a 3.45 ERA there is far from sucking.
thrylos98, I am pretty sure the sun had a little something to do with that.
Sun or not, buscher is a terrible 3rd baseman. He don’t hit enough to justify how bad he is in the field. Similar to Harris @SS….Harris is ok at 3rd though.
I guess 4 errors in two games for Gordon does not qualify him to suck…
Nora-
To your point about it being a high-scoring game…the ball is really carrying in Chicago today–even more than it usually does…so you might be right…Gavin Floyd is pitching for Chicago–he’s been very good this year, but shaky today (at least so far)…hopefully, he doesn’t settle down…
But Bucholz has to pitch on the road in order to have a good career.
Not to mention Livan had a good home record going there for a while.
AaronK I agree he is not a good defensive third baseman, but who else are you going to put at third. With our current infielders, minus Morneau, you kind of have to take your pick. You will either get offense or defense, but not both.
ok… they both such 
Look on the bright side. Livan gave up 4 runs on 5 hits in his first inning.
The thing I love about Everett is he can make a play just like he did this inning and people don’t even realize how good it was.
Keep in mind they are playing double play depth and he is able to get to a ball deep in the hole between SS adn 3rd and still get the guy out at 2nd. that was a much better play then most realize.
Ben, you are right, we have no ideal candidate. Harris / Lamb platoon would be my preference. Now that Lamb is hitting agian.
Looks like the Twins offense has taken the rest of the day off.
T, I agree. I agree that you have to pitch well on the road to have a good career. Having said that, you definitely can not go by a pitcher’s record in order to determine how he is doing. By simply looking at Johan and Jake Peavy’s record, one would say they are not having good seasons. I am not trying to compare Bucholz to these two by any means because he has struggled big time on the road this season, but all I am saying is that I think it is way too early to pass judgment on how good of a pitcher Clay Buchholz is.
Buscher’s bad at 3rd, but for now I think he absolutely hits RH pitching enough to play.
10-10 in Ft. Myers now.
Uh oh. 2 strikes to LNP.
saved by the drop. he’ll K anyway.
AaronK, I agree that Everett has displayed some brief glimpses lately of why he has been considered a great defensive player in the past. The only bad thing is the fact that his arm still does not seem to be anywhere close to 100%.
At least Punto will strike out 5 times today.
LNP well on his way to the golden sombrero by the 7th inning stretch today.
Punto wants that golden sombrero!
What the hecks going on down in Ft. Myers? Are they letting the hitters pitch?
I’m thinking Trevor Plouffe sounds like a good idea… Casilla, Casilla, I love ya, Casilla, You’re only a day (or week? Please!) away.
Oswaldo Sosa started for the Miracle. ‘Nuff said there.
Singleton’s now 3-4.
Bases loaded for Rochester (Pridie singled).
4 pitch walks = bad
Nice start to the bottom of the 5th. Walk the leadoff hitter.
Is it just me or does Dick Bremer have about the worst judgment in the world of reading the ball off the bat? He seems to think everything is deep. I think it is him wanting to try and create a huge call when there is no need for one.
Baker losing it?
It was a very solid line drive, luckily right to Kubel to end the 4th. Now a 4-pitch walk, and that first out was also a hard line drive…
Luke Hughes 3 run double.
I hope Baker can go 7 because if he doesn’t, Gardy might put Bass in…
Great job by Baker.
gatty: why do you have to be right?
What inning is it down in Ft. Meyers?
Mauer gets him some calls sometimes.
bottom 8, 10-10.
Morneau smashed that ball!
why do I have to be wrong?
Kubes, that was ugly. Stop having ugly ABs with men on.
Kubel you have looked horrible today.
Butcher does have one of the two hits and a run scored…..He’s not that bad
on D.
At least he hasn’t struck out 3 times!
Geeze Delmon how many DPs are you gonna ground into today?
Kubel just has to put the bat on the ball, and they score a run. He must have been swinging for the big pay raise.
Kubel is now 3-18 with 9 Ks vs Meche in his career.
Slama on for Ft. Myers, bottom 8.
Slama: 1 IP, 1 BB, 2 Ks, 0 R.
That’s too bad. Good thing Punto’s so good with his D.
That play could not have gone worse
Absolutely pathetic by LNP. You have to get over and cover first in that situation.
PUNTO!!!!!!!!!
Dumb play by Baker as well to even try and throw that.
So how can we take the blame off of Baker and Lamb for that one?
It’s “weird”. Not bad. Per Dick. Oh, now it’s “curious”.
How is that Punto’s fault? Baker was dumb enough to throw when Punto wasn’t there.
Absolutely terrible by Baker and Lamb.
I’m just pretty sure neither of them is in MLB for their stellar glove.
punto had a long way to get to first there, guys.
So, Punto fails to get to the bag, Baker throws it wild.
Baker should not have thrown it. What a disaster!
one word: pathetic!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Plus I will pile on Punto and twist his peanuts any chance I get. Because he deserves it.
You can’t do it there, that was Bakers fault.
Yikes, why Nicole Punto is still playing is beyond me…He cant hit, field or anything. Give me some HGH and I will come back.
It almost looked like Baker could have gone to second.
Sure glad we sac bunted in the third inning with Punto due up. Glad we played small ball in a successful attempt to keep the score close.
Baker should not have thrown it, but someone should be on first base covering. So putting all the blame on Baker would be pretty silly.
I don’t think the Pro-Punto crowd can make any excuses for him. Leaving the bat on the shoulder and failing to cover 1st (even if Baker was a bonehead there) show how badly the team misses Lexi.
If someone is not covering the base you don’t throw it.
punto had a long way to get to first there, guys.
Shh. You’re not allowed to defend him. It’s ALWAYS his fault.
More magic from Punto!
Nora, again that doesn’t change teh fact nobody was covering the bag to get the out.
Remind me to put out the Punto tonight, the punto collector comes tomorrow morning. garbage
Where is Casilla when we need him. He has made that tough short hop play numerous times. And he has a bat that is 5 times better than LNP.
Get Baker out of there! He is imploding after that mistake. I’d like this still to be a tie at the end of this inning. Arg.
He’s just so smooth out there, I don’t care if he bats .180. Which he will the rest of the way.
Glad we played small ball in a successful attempt to keep the score close.
Chief once again demonstrating his amazing ability to see into the future.
I’m not defending Punto, but that’s hardly all on him. Baker made a poor throw when the better move once he realized Punto wasn’t there was to eat the ball.
First baseman covers first on a ground ball to the pitcher.
T, when you are in the game for your defense and you have already K’ed 4 times today, you are right, it is his fault.
Ben, Casilla’s down with a thumb injury. Maybe a week out?
Will the Twins snatch defeat from the jaws of victory once again?
Lamb again almost out of position on the play.
If anyone thinks that Punto is a quality player, you probably believe in Santa Claus
Craig,
Lamb is not really a 1st baseman. In fact, he isn’t much of anything.
Wow, Lamb actually covered 1st that time.
Nora, I sure am glad you are not the manager. Yeah remove him because he has pitched so poorly. The big error had nothing to do with it at all. Also, who are you going to put into the game Nora? Do you not realize the fact that our pen is worn out? Not only that, but nobody is even close to warm today.
Let’s see if the Twins offense can muster more than 3 hits…
There is a reason like guys like Lamb and Everett were dumped by the astros last year during the season….they were no good then…and the same holds true now.
I’ll take 2-2 at this point.
Chief: don’t you understand it’s important to get EXACTLY ONE run when it’s the 3rd inning. Gardy understands this.
I just hope that ESPN guy who wrote the thing about closers the day before Gardy used Nathan in the 8th writes a column about the negative run value of bunting.
Boy it would be nice to put in a defensive lineup in which would include Morneau at first but we would lose the DH. Why not just DH Lamb?
My TV says the game is tied. What channel is everyone else watching?
Being a little unfair to Everett. He is as advertised. Good glove and questionable bat.
“Chief once again demonstrating his amazing ability to see into the future.”
I don’t have to see into the future, T. That’s why you don’t sacrifice in that situation. It’s quite simple, really.
Thatta boy Buscher!
whattodo, probably because Morneau has played in every game this season and every so often he needs a day off from the field!
T: It’s not “seeing the future”. It was stupid at the time and everybody said so. There’s never been a statistical analysis of sac bunting that shows it’s a good idea save in the 9th inning in a tie game, when it’s a marginal proposition.
Justin wanted the day off in the field heard Ernie and Bert say that before the start of todays game. ….
Is a big AB up coming with Punto up again?
I agree about the mistake regarding the sac (mainly because Punto can’t even lift a sac fly), but that play was a bit of a cluster$%^&. When Baker looked to second you would have thought he would have also seen Punto nowhere near first.
Just they just have an off day on Thursday!
toby, I agree with you, we all said it was stupid at that time. Obviously T chose not to read that portion of the chat.
Livan in Coors: 2.2 IP 9 ER 2 HR
Whattodo- Morneau rarely gets a day off at first…at some point, you have to let him DH and not play in the field…who else on this roster would you have at first??
Boy, look at Everett go.
Nice, Everett with 2 hits. That is a huge hit.
Just like that we take the lead!
Why is Everett playing again?
Boy..I tell ya…I love that Adam Everett, best player we have ever had…I cant believe the Astros dumped him…ha ha ha
Everett player of the game…wow
My apologies Adam for saying your bat was questionable:)!
Everett!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohooo!
Ben- you beat me to it…
Everett is an RBI machine
A E is the man!
Everett says…TAKE THAT BLOG!
whattodo, I’d rather have Morneau in the field all three games against the Yankees than have him DH a game there with Lamb at first.
Busher and Everett 4 hits.
Twins 5 hits.
Obviously T chose not to read that portion of the chat.
Obviously T is multitasking and doesn’t really want to go back and read a day’s worth of comments.
Especially when they’re the same comments made everyday.
Law of averages with Everett’s bat, by the way. If he ends at .230 it means he will be hitting decent the rest of the year.
I would like to see a couple more runs…the bull pen is coming in…..
I know. I’m just scared watching Lamb at first:)!
Ben, you’re not allowed to question T’s analysis. Are you new around here?
BTW, the fault for Punto playing every day lies not with Punto, and not with Gardenhire.
Who else is going to play second?
The fault lies with the front office, for allowing this team to play a pennant race with Punto, Everett, and Harris the only middle infield options.
how much punto K’s? anyone…anyone?
So suddenly Punto maybe sits in favor of Harris at 2nd?
Great heads up baserunning by Everett. Boston climbs back to with 6-4.
Glad he made it but don’t do that again, Everett.
AGAIN Everett looks like a world beater compared to Gomez (or LNP).
I would be an upgrade at 2b and I am washed up.
meche at 107 pitches and still strong, so it can be done. Why the Twins reflexively remove pitchers at 100 pitches regardless of performance is beyond me.
When Casilla gets back…
I would ilke to see
Casilla 2nd
Everett SS
Lamb or Buscher / Harris 3rd
I really like having great defense up the middle and we get our 2 hole hitter back.
Are you new around here?
It seems like it, as Ben’s also been able to do something other than whine during the last 7 innings.
whoops…only ball 3
USAFChief, I understand that. I was just saying that T makes it sound like it is easier for us all to second guess now after seeing that LNP K’ed in that situation when we were all saying that before he K’ed.
how much punto K’s? anyone…anyone?
I said 5 times
That was a strike to Span?
Okay. Now it’s ball 4.
Span you saucy, cheeky devil!
pinch hit Harris for LNP please…….
Oh well. He made it anyway.
Another great AB by Span. Need any of us say anymore about that situation earlier in the game?
I hope Punto gets a hit or strikes out. No DP Punto!
Please pinch hit for him now. I don’t care about the righty vs lefty crap.
he better at least bring home AE
Why Punto continues to play is beyond me.
I like the Twins infielders. All of them.
10-10 in the 10th in Ft Myers.
Slama 2 IP, 4 Ks, 2 BBs, 0 H, 0 R.
They should advertise Friday night’s game as the return of Carlos Silva to the Dome (at least I think he’s scheduled)
That oughta get fans into the seats.
Gardy will say we need his D in the late innings. I would rather have a bigger lead.
Boy if we still had Livan imagine a Livan/Silva matchup. What is the record for hits in a game:)?
Walk him.
Give the PUNTO power hitter the green light…or at least put it on a tee….
Has Boston gotten into the Sox ‘pen yet?
whattodo: As it is now it looks like Liriano/Silva on Friday.
why does he swing at ball 4?
yes, T (Thornton). and it’s 6-5 now.
White Sox: 6-5-AJ let 3rd strike get by him–Red Sox 1st and 2nd, 1 out-Top 6
LUKE HUGHES SOLO HOME RUN in the bottom of the 9th for Rochester. Forget LNP, let Hughes play 2nd.
that was a hit and run play
Boston creeps to within one, 6-5 on a wild pitch.
yes they have…thorton is in for white sox
CRAP! I hate when he succeeds!
WTG Nicole…..
Thank you Meche.
Wow. You strike out a guy 3 times and you can’t just throw a strike? That’s gotta suck.
Meche didn’t even give Punto a choice on that ball four
Well, nice job at coaxing a walk Punto. I knew they would take Meche out after doing that. LOL
Way to draw that B on B, Nicky. Go Nick! Yeah!
sorry–2 outs tying run on 2nd…
Looks like the Sox pen is doing its job then. Oh yeah, forgot this was on TBS today.
Let’s go Mauer, at least get one run in.
It is nice to see the Twins batters finally walk a bunch in a series.
Wait, did anyone post Livan’s line yet?
2.2 IP, 9 ER, 7 H, 4 BB
6-5 chicago…bottom 6….
6-4 Indy final in Rochester.
Brock Peterson 0-4. Hughes 2-4 double, home run. Pridie 1-4 3Ks.
Well that will do the job.
Calling it…Justin will hit a double….
I hope they don’t IBB Justin
or walk….Kubel…double….
Mauer put the bat on the ball. Pay attention to that, Kubel.
I don’t think Mauer’s had the best day…Kubel coming up behind Morneau hasn’t either.
Not a good way to protect the cleanup man.
Wow, Livan… what did Colorado expect??
Kubel is going to try for the Grand Salami!
Come on Kubel…hit the ball
#$^%$####%%&^&*$
Kubes battling Punto for the Sombrero. That’s what…thrice with the bases loaded?
Wow, that looked like Gomez 
Delmon should get a shot at the number five slot for a few games
I concur!
Kubel! What is that 3 strikeouts? At least hit the ball.
Well, you can see why they intionally walked Morneau a couple of times.
intentionally, i mean
Kubel and Punto must have gone out drinking together last night. Clueless at bats. Dang it!
At least they got the two back. Its a start…
Wait, did anyone post Livan’s line yet?
2.2 IP, 9 ER, 7 H, 4 BB
Can’t say I miss seeing that line.
The worst part of Kubel’s at bat is that all three pitches were way out of the strike zone. Shades of Morneau vs the Rangers after the AS game…
Are thsoe 6:30 starts including the pre-game? Or did they get picked up by ESPN there?
Include pre-game I think. Otherwise 1130 makes no sense for SUPERSUCKERS WEDNESDAY AT THE DOME!
I like letting Baker go back out there.
You know I’m in league with Satan /
And you know there can be no debatin /
My hellbound trail /
I was born with a tail
I like letting Baker go back out there.
Why wouldn’t he be back out there?
Flipped over to check the Sox/Sox and they’re talking about Gomez for some reason. DIdn’t stick around long enough to find out why.
pitch count.
He had only thrown 90 pitches, that’s hardly a concern.
While, I have that game on muted (hate the hawk), I think it had something to do with Ellsbury. Some kind of comparison.
Other news, Angels 3-2 in the ottom of the 3rd.
1 out 2 on, Drew up to bat.
Ft. myers comes up empty in the top of the 11th.
I don’t think it’s a concern, but the Twins regularly do, especially if a guy just had a trouble inning.
back-to-back-to-back walks by Thornton. Loaded for Lowell.
Thornton walks the bases loaded
Dotel in.
damn. inning ending double play.
YES!
There’s your payoff. Good job Baker.
8 straight foul balls
Geeze Boston. DP.
A starting pitcher that gets through the 7th? Mark it on the calendar!
bases loaded and the red sox couldnt get one across….damn
Okay, for anybody who thought the Twins play was ugly, check out TBS. The pitcher and catcher collide trying to field a bunt. The pitcher throws it past 1B. Runner knocks over the 1B ump on his way to 2nd, where the throw sails past the fielder allowing the runner to go to third. (After silding headfirst into second)
Now THAT’S ugly.
Baker: 112 pitches, 84 strikes
That’s exactly a 3-1 Strikes to Balls Ratio!
you said “balls ratio”.
So Crain/Nathan? Or has Guerrier had enough time off this series?
Oh no, Guerrier! Ugh!
Looks like Big G is going to need a DP
There goes Butcher again…
Kubel left nine on base today. Ouch.
Sarasota wins 11-10 in 11.
Ah yes, a hanging curve for strike three!
Twins just need two more outs.
Ramos was 0-2 before being pinch hit. Hope there wasn’t an inury.
It’s one inning bullpen. You can do one.
Kubel left nine on base today. Ouch.
What’s even more Ouch is I think he was in for Gomez…
What’s happened to Guerrier this year?
Guerrier couldn’t get the job done. Big surprise.
What’s happened to him? Same Guerrier we have always had. he had a good year last year but he has never been a solid 8th inning guy. More of a quality long reliever/mop-up guy is his role.
The first runner wasn’t really Guerrier’s fault. I don’t blame him for this one…
Let’s go Dennys!
Good god SD is only up 11-7 on Colorado now. Livan was gone a long time ago, but if his team magically gets another win in a game he starts, I am going to puke.
The bullpen is tired you know. At least that is the excuse.
Guerrier has stepped up to fit a role that he was never intended to play. Last year I think he was nothing more than a mopup guy…
Just a nightmare with the bullpen lately.
Come on Royals, tie this game so we can untie it in the ninth.
Guerrier is been greatly overworked last year and this year. He started tanking about this time last year too.
Nice big strike zone, eh? Nice job Mauer!
Livan gave up 9 in under 3 innings to one of the worst lineups in the game!
Bring in Nathan NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Classic Twins choke!
Crain should have been brought in, Guerrier is a good reliever but hes not your 8th inning guy.
I predict a loss if we lose lead here.
I like it when the Twins and White Sox put in the bullpen. It always makes the game more exciting.
dennys GOT THERE! haha.
Totally crappy defense today will do the Twins in.
Cut Bass, bring Barrett/Korecky/Delaney the best thing they can do right now
Fortunately, LENIII has informed us the Twins front office is dilegently searching for RH bullpen help.
I agree thyrlos.
god damnit are u kidding me
Everett….damn it.
And why is Breslow left to rot while Reyes is pitching 3 games in a row?
Great throw by Everett, why isn’t Morne in there for defensive reasons?
Oh man. Lamb had plenty of time to come down with it and missed the bag.
He was out by a mile and Everett wants to show off. Whoops.
The replay show that he was so out…
gatty, if Morneau comes in then the pitcher has to hit.
Which is not what you want to have happen in a one-run (now tie) game.
Like I said, totally crappy defense will do them in. Twins do not deserve to win this game.
Bad call
Is Jason Bartlett available?
Beloit trails Peoria 7-5 bottom 6. Only 5 hits for the Snappers. No Revere.
Chief: *puke*
Thrylos: because Gardy knows best.
thry, I thought that two, but judging by Lamb’s action I think he cam down off the bag and had to reach out to step on it.
Ump had the right angle, I’d like to see if my29 goti t as well.
bartlett couldn’t throw worth crap either
It was a bad call. Good job umps. Possibly costing the Twins a win here.
I still think that Mauer should be the first baseman (after proper practics at the position) anytime Morneau is not playing first. It’s a height thing.
At this point, I don’t care if the pitcher has to hit. The Twins have Harris and Ruiz to pinch hit for the pitcher spot and I am sure that either of them would do better than Lamb on the plate today.
But the manager of the millennium thinks otherwise
Buscher says “Screw you Adam I’m going to do this.”
AE is known for his d…good thing he is in there…
Which is not what you want to have happen in a one-run (now tie) game.
Right, instead of a one run lead, you are afraid of the pitcher hitting seventh next inning. Okay, whatever you want.
At this point, I don’t care if the pitcher has to hit.
Don’t let Jason here that.
If Gardy does not pinch hit for Punto in the 9th he is a certifiable idiot.
people need to get off Buschers back on this blog, he has done fine at 3b, more reliable than the defensive gems Punto and Everett
AE has great range (he’s shown that) the issue is his arm strength.
why is Everet in the game? He and Lamb should be working at Starbucks or Target—THEY SUCK!!!!
The Royals shouldn’t have a single run on the scoreboard right now.
where was Lamb’s right foot? Has there been a reply on the Twins broadcast from the infield side of first?
Wow. Are we SERIOUSLY bitching about Gardy not giving up the DH?
SERIOUSLY?
Jason who? If Morneau goes to 1B, Lamb’s spot goes to the pitcher… It is practically a double switch. Morneau will still hit at its regular spot.
I think it was close enough to be callled an out. Again, Thanks ump.
t SAYS-
no we are upset that Gardy plays losers like Lamb, Everett and who else can we name
Shane, that’s what it looks like. Lamb came down with the ball, but he landed off the bag (thus why he steps back on the bag)
The ump was right there to get the look, and the broadcast hasn’t given us a better angle yet.
where’s Harris?????
In all honesty…Gardy has taking this team along ways…but he just is not the manager to get them far into the playoffs…
you’re welcome Nora
Good job by Span giving away an out.
Great 2 quick outs. Why can’t the Twins do this when pitching? Argh.
T,
at this point of the game, the pitcher who would have been up would have been Crain who would have been pinch hit for. In the next inning Nathan/Breslow/Bass would be in, so it is a moot point about giving up the DH spot in the 7th or 8th inning
no . . . . ! bunting for a hit?!
And there is Punto batting…
Punto, offensive player of the week.
Golden sombrero for LNP. White Sox win.
big k…nice job Nicole….
I’m guessing it won’t be a quick 1-2-3 it never is with the BP on the road.
Aside from the fielding, how about Kubes? Twice with the bases loaded he K’s up (well wait, he k’d up three times and hit a pop up once)
The last Punto’s K is on Gardy.
Kubel still has a chance to match the 4 ks. But he edges Punto with the 9 LOB.
Twins are cursed! They can’t get a win after getting 1st place. We can only hope the curse ends today.
Chisox win and will be in first in a few minutes, and rightly so as the Twins are so pathetic today and deserve to lose this game they had in hand twice. Hopefully it will teach them a lesson. They make me wanna puke today.
Certificate issued.
Don’t forget - the Twins don’t beat themselves. Great footwork by Lamb - several times
My mistake, Kubel can’t get his fourth K, as Gomez is now out there in CF.
How much money are the Pale Hose paying Gardy to pay this no-talent, piece of garbage shortstop we have. Actually, I take that back, he has one talent. He can suck a golf ball through a garden hose.
They can’t get a win after getting 1st place. We can only hope the curse ends today.
Or hope that if the curse continues that the Twins don’t take first again until the last game of the season.
I hate that Punto refuses to plant and make a good throw, especially when we have Lamb at first instead of Morneau…
Let’s go, Jesse… two more big outs!
Hopefully, Crain can get out of this and it will cement him as the 8th inning guy. Not exactly an ideal situation, but I’d much rather have him out there than Guerrier at this point.
Anyone else get a terrified feeling that with the Rays designating Al Reyes for assignment, we have another broken down veteran coming to plague our club? =\
Delmon should be moved to the fifth spot for a week or so to see how he does. He literally can’t do worse than Kubel did today.
I don’t care what everybody says. Twins defense sucked late in the game, but the offensive GOAT is 100% Kubel.
The SS has to make that routine play for the Twins. That was terrible.
Crain looks like the guy they shoulkd have brought in an inning ago. Nathan probably would be getting a save right now.
we have another broken down veteran coming to plague our club
I don’t think people would care who the Twins brought in. Since the usual view of anybody claimed off waivers around these parts is “Washed up.”
I’m still trying to figure out why Cleveland took Rincon…or why the Rox went with Livan.
CRAIN! HUGE!
Good thing Gardy made that defensive substitution on the 7th inning by replacing Kubel with G-0-mez.
Nice inning, Jesse!
Crain was good in today’s game
T,
If Kubel is a the goat for this game, Punto is the ass.
Crain looks on top of his game today.
who is the Twins offensive MVP today? Could it be Everett?
L. Hernandez in first game for Rox:
IP H R ER BB K HR Season ERA
2.2 7 9 9 4 1 2 30.38
A 1-2-3 inning. What a shock.
On top of his game, and brought in after the tie. *sigh*
The problem with the Twins 8th inning by committe is that at any given time the “guy” isn’t the same one.
Crain looks great now, but the reason they were using Guerrier before was because Crain wasn’t cutting it.
Now Guerrier isn’t cutting it and CRAIN looks like the guy to run with.
And when it comes to Harris/Everett at SS…it’s really a matter of:
Everett: Range but no arm.
Harris: Arm but no range.
The bat’s the difference, but I don’t have the numbers to figure out how they balance each other out (and people tend to not care)
Nora, it is really easy to say that now after Crain looked great, isn’t it? It wasn’t so much Guerrier’s fault. Buscher’s double clutch lead to a man on base, Reyes’ wild pitch, and Everett’s high throw didn’t help.
It doesn’t matter who’s in the bullpen. When they do make pitches, our JV lineup can’t make plays.
We need a nice HR by Morneau
livan providing veteran leadership in the NL … only time b4 Rox climb back in. maybe they’re looking toward next year??? lol
T, your last post was far and away your best one of the day. I could not agree more.
If Mauer reaches they might as well just walk Morneau with Gomez behind him. (He’s in for Kubes in defense)
If we don’t score here, things are going to get ugly.
Nice knock Mauer.
There we go. Make them pay Morneau. You’ve beaten Soria befoer.
It’s the 10th inning and morneau is freakin 1 for 1. Pitch AROUND him much???
Gomez in for defense in the 8th…too bad they didn’t hit anything in the air.
That was hardly a strike. Especially when they’ve been AVOIDING HIM all day long.
That is hardly the AB that any of us expected outta Morneau.
BUNT BUNT BUNT!!!
I don’t think that AB was even fair. They’ve been pitching around Morneau all day and suddenly that pitch is a strike?
Is ANYONE going to swing the bat?
Well, let’s go to the bottom of the 10th now. Gomez will do nothing. Strikeout maybe…
Wow, that last pitch was inside. I guess Bob Davidson really does want to get away on getaway day.
That looked a little out of the strike zone.
You know that thing you hitters are holding?
It’s called a bat.
F’n swing it!
What have I been saying about Carlos trying to LOOK patient but having no idea what actual patience entails????
Well, Gomez rightfully suspected The Hunter there 0-2, and Soria misses right down the heart of the plate.
Good thing Gomez took a bat up there.
Pathetic. Overmatched. Misplaced. Whatever you want to say.
T, that 0-2 pitch was hardly down the heart of the plate.
Delmon might as well just stand there,too
Kubel, Young, Lamb all should be up as trade bait - either now or after the season.
Not only that it was out of the strike zone,
Delmon Gomez?
Must be nice to have a closer that can pitch in a non save situation and also go multiple innings.
At least Delmon gets some wood on the ball. More than one can say for the pathetic Gomez.
Ben: It looked a LOT better than it should’ve been. Catcher was lined up with the low/away that Gomez likes to chase and it missed but actually missed up and in.
He got lucky that Gomez was actually expecting The Hunter there.
Soria is no slouch as a reliever - he’s got to be in the top ten
Kubel should’ve been part of a Jason Bay deal.
Ben, at home it is nice to have. But on the road?
LDG - little Delmon Gomez. Kubel’s lucky to be out of the game
Crain throws 13 pitches, 12 for strikes, in 1.1 innings and he gets pulled.
Great managing Ron.
T, Usually if you miss your spot that bad, you don’t get the call though.
Understand, delmon and carlos go up knowing which pitches they will swing at and which they will not swing at. Hmm, pitches 1,2,3, and 5, and every one after that. Like the 49ers scripting their first 18 plays or whatever back in the day. Someone needs to tell Gomez and Young this is not the correct approach.
what did Gomez not do that Kubel and Punto have been doing all game and what Morneau did at the bat before his?
Am I hearing/reading a drastic drop in fan love for GoGomez????
He does appear to need some much needed love and affection in AAA to clear his much thick (and chatty) head.
Again Gardy with his lefty vs lefty garbage yanks Crain for no reason.
I cannot believe people still rip on Kubel on these boards, day after day. He is their third best hitter, period. Not even close. Yup, bad day today. Mauer has them. Morneau has them. They happen.
When I look at Breslow on the mound, it is absolutely confidence inspiring!
T, Usually if you miss your spot that bad, you don’t get the call though.
Oh I know, it’s just that of all the places he missed he actually placed it pretty well.
“The light-hitting Tony Pena…”
You’re jinxing everything Bremer…
and KC is wearing those unmanly and sissy powder light bue tops = wonder if they are wearing bras under the tops??
Ben, agreed! All this talk all game about the need to save our bullpen and then we go and give each reliever 2 outs a piece.
Baseball 101 - DO NOT WALK THE LEADOFF BATTER!
This would just about seem to be the perfect ending to the Twins day, having a .148 hitter beat them.
mike: As great as he may have been, Kubel went 0-4 with 3 Ks and 9 LOB.
That’s pretty terrible.
Kubel’s good against RH pitching, and that is IT. No field. No lefties. Should’ve been dealt to the Pirates with GoGo and Duesning or Swarzak for Bay.
Every batter and every pitcher on this pathetic team should be released. They all stink!
But we’re just one player away from the World Series, so why didn’t Bill Smith trade prospects for that one guy?
Huge range from LNP there.
One reason Gardy yanked Crain is that the Twins have said they are trying to be careful with Crain b/c of his past arm troubles…so they don’t let him throw many pitches and they usually try to limit the amount games he pitches in…Now, is that right or wrong? I dunno…but that is a big reason why he gets pulled even when he is this effective.
WTF Gomez???? Did someone say “defensive purposes”???
Well of course that would happen. A .148 hitter will beat you when you don’t leave in your top bullpen guys Gardy. Not only did the Twins fielding do them in today, but also some horrendous managing.
Gomez with a poor decision loses the DP.
As far as “conserving the bullpen”, one would think that is what Gardy’s doing by not sending anybody in there for too long.
It ain’t the pen’s fault the defense can’t make a throw from SS to 1B without making it an adventure.
Great non play LNP
sr how you going to blame that on Gomez? He had no chance to get Guillen at third.
Looks like they get what they deserve today. Very well deserved!
Gardy should go to Bass here so that we can all overlook the defensive brainfarts and Kubel’s horrid day.
Yep a .148 hitter did almost beat us and here we go - THIS TEAM CANNIT HANDLE SUCCESS! Sam last Monday after taking first place - how frustrating!!!!!!!!
Twins about to lose. Glad we are using our best pitcher in this situation. Guess we are willing to let a game get away to save the BP.
Walk this guy, then bring in Nathan.
Again lefty vs. lefty garbage. Put him on. Set up the force plays. Gardy, what are you doing?
And I thought the Twins might win today. Whoops.
Pena’s first hi in over a month!!!!!
so if everyone wants to get rid of the following: Gomez, DYoung, Kubel, Everett, Lamb, Punto, etc. do we still stay in first base? do we get worse or do we go the other direction and have the best record in baseball?
seriously, why the constant angst and hatred on here? they’re in first!!! every team has their weaknesses. the Royal also occasionally beat the sox and yankees too.
wasnt it obvious when we got everett that he’d be an offensive liability. he made a couple good plays in the field today and knocked in a couple runs. he is by NO MEANS the reason they may lose today. Punto sucks but we’re stuck with him with all the injuries. deal. we’re in first (or second)!!!
Don’t worry. We have our good luck charm at first base. It worked so well in Seattleand today? Well - almost perfect
Ben…you’re right. no chance. So why throw and let the hitter get to 2nd????
This just amazing. Punto gets nowhere near the ball, Gomez takes away the DP… no, we don’t know a damn thing about a damn thing.
*first base =first place. sorry.
Well don’t let up now. You got one more to go.
StinkySox won 6-5 - guess this team does not want it bad enough
Come on Breslow - shut these women out!
danimals: I wouldn’t try to make heads or tails of it. If the FO listened to the blogs this team would be Morneau, Span, and Nathan.
Wait no…it’d just be Morneau. Every other play has been the subject of criticism at least once this season (if not more)
Well after all that bitching by everybody, including myself, we are headed to the 11th.
Whew… too stressful of an inning…
Oh crap, now I can’t complain about Breslow being in…
for the record, that K pitch was the highest velocity pitch that Breslow threw this year (92 mph)
Twins will lose…They cannot close the show…Ever….They have a chance to go up a game and a half, against one of the worst teams in baseball and they will lose…
I hope I’m wrong….
And I thought the Twins might lose in the 10th. Whoops.
You gotta hand it to KC. They want to lose this just as badly as the Twins do.
Wow, Lamb caught the ball!
Pinch hit Lamb now
We have given you your wish. A likely loss.
You have a pretty good team to support. The team doesn’t quit. Unfortunatelym Twins bloggers QUIT on their team every day. That would be bad enough, and they QUIT on the team pitch-by-pitch.
Enjoy your loss should that be the result, as that is the outcome you most desire.
damn, givin me a heart attack watchin this bullpen!
We need a Denard Span Grand Slam this inning.
Props to Gardy and Breslow. Pitching to Gordon was the right call. I wouldn’t have done it that way…but that’s why I’m a lazy rube on my couch and they’re playing the game.
acually somebody even made an analysis that Mourneau wasnt valuable and terrible fielder and should be traded for pitching (wasnt that Craig …before becoming the New and Improved Craig??)
Whoops…too bad they PH for Lamb.
thrylos98, good thing we let him hit.
He is 2 for 4, let him hit.
Gardy’s an idiot.
Good move to start the runner and stay outta the DP.
watching Butcher trying to bunt is painful
Twins better score 2 this inning or it is over in the bottom of the 11th with Bass coming in.
The Baseball Gods are false gods, they are nothing but the Wizard of Oz hiding in the digital fray and expanse of anonimity, smoke, mirrors, babble and jest (as in court jester).
Well Everett doesn’t get the chance to make up for his error. C’mon Harris!
Moved the runner over…
Damn…I wanted to see Everett hit and score Lamb to win it. Mostly cuz I wanted to see the reaction on here!!!
The royals should just walk Harris and Denard to get to Punto
I like this. Pinch hit for Everett now in the hopes that it means Punto doesn’t come up in a must hit situation.
ok, the idiot pinch hits for the guy who had 2 hits and 2 RBIs today but not for the one who has 4K today. Fantastic, manager of the millennium
harris = good PH spot at the right time.
The “idiot” is PHing for the guy who in the last few innings has made a couple of very horrid throws from SS.
and how many games has everett had 3 HITS in a game. It was the right call
It’s also official: The no-win has been declared.
Gardy can’t PH for Everett because then he’s a moron for not PHing for Punto.
He also can’t PH for Punto because then he’s an idiot for leaving Everett in the game.
Span can you come up with another clutch hit this season?
Just walk Denard to get to punto
after reading through today’s blog, i’ve gotta believe the twins are at least 20 games below .500, in last place and riding a 10-game losing streak.
it’s almost funny.
Just as I suspected
Well you could have seen this move coming. Very smart move by KC.
LNP gets a chance at redemption.
RUIZ!!!!!!!!!!!!
maybe they could PH Boof for punto
mickey mental, well you obviously have not been reading any NY or Boston blogs lately then.
If Harris does his job, this situation doesn’t come up.
It’s what Gardy was trying to avoid.
Watch, Punto will hit a double on a hanging fastball
overall, BP has done its job.
com’n Span Man!!
Punto will be the hero.
Can Punto hit after being neutered?
Harris should have had a walk but . . .
LNP to knock in Lamb. Sweet
Punto did have a walk ahead of Mauer/Morneau for the 4th run. But that was so very long ago.
Actually, if Gardy’d done HIS job this wouldn’t've come up.
AWESOME! WAY TO BE NICKY!
Well there we go. Let’s bring in Bass and get this game over with.
Imgaine that, Punto with another out. There is absolutely no reason why he should be in the starting lineup tomorrow night against the Yankees.
The royals have used the IBB to their advantage today.
Anyone believe Bert when he said he didn’t like facing a guy he’d already struck out four times? Somehow I doubt that’s true….
GREAT AB LNP!
Keep plugging him into that two-spot, Ron.
Punt Punto
Well toby if you want to get techincal if Everett gets the job done earlier in the game Lamb doesn’t fly off the bag and this game is over three innings ago.
Punto did not strike out…
Now what? Brian Bass? Ugh!
Where are all the “Punto is back to his 2006 form” idiots?
Can you believe how worthless Punto is? Take a look at his stats since the all star break…look at his stats in the two hole, look at his average with two outs and runners in scoring position. I cannot believe how much he plays. Its a shame. going to the beach
We have 9 walks and only 4 runs!?!
Well, we’ll get to see Harris in SS now. Be careful what you wish for.
why the hell is this guy on a major league team?! so he makes a couple nice plays with his glove every 15 games or so. big deal. punto is a joke and should have been cut lose a long time ago.
T,
if you want to get technical, Punto covers first base like he is supposed to in that Baker error earlier and the game is over 3 innings ago
punto showed some “pop” on that pop-up … lol… i miss Casilla….
This mlb.tv feed must be pretty slow. I get updates here before they happen on mlb.tv
I predicted that if allowed to play every day, PUnto would be hitting .250 by the end of the year. Now, I’m thinking he’ll be hitting .220 by the end of the year.
ARe there people that still think he should be playing every day? Have you seen him on the base paths? Have you seen him “cover” 1st base? This is a veteran?
Punto is batting .170 in the past 10 games - woulda, shoulda, coulda had a pinch hitter for hin but who??
Where are all the “Punto is back to his 2006 form” idiots?
There weren’t any.
Everett has to move to 2B, starting tomorrow.
Steve from Fridley, nope I don’t believe Bert for a second.
Of course we would never, NEVER criticize Morneau. Isn’t he almost up to .200 over the 12 games?
Now a bunt.
thry: Since when does the 2B cover 1B on a grounder to the pitcher?
sane,
why wouldnt DY be a bad option in 2 spot?
Nice play by Harris
Nice pick by Harris, that could have been brutal.
Shhh tim. You can’t make fun of Morneau. He’s at the cool people table with Span and Casilla.
We’re not allowed to talk bad about that table.
That play is NEVER clean!!
*good option
T, the 2B covers 1B on a ball that either that is towards first base where either the pitcher or first baseman could field it.
“Let’s go Morneau” from the KC crowd.
I love it.
“hry: Since when does the 2B cover 1B on a grounder to the pitcher?”
When the first baseman is off the bag. *Rimshot*
“Let’s go Royals” my bad.
gatty: What’s the 1B doing off the bag on a grounder to the pitcher?
Are there people that still think he should be playing every day?
unfortunately, the manager of the millennium thinks so…
2nd always covers on that tweener play. He’s supposed to be backing up, anyway.
T: May I introduce you to Mike Lamb
PS: If that’s Casilla @ 2B when the play happens, I bet that turns into Lamb’s fault.
Unless it were Boof on the mound, then it would be his.
Punto/Lamb/Baker combined for a dumb play.
toby, thank you. Clearly, T did not realize that was not a routine grounder to the pitcher. Either that or he is LNP’s brother in law.
mlb tv is way slow - just showing the leadoff hit
ask lamb what he was doing off the bag
“why wouldnt DY be a bad option in 2 spot?”
Bad idea because of low OPS.
Good idea because he would replace Punto.
Eventually, its Casilla’s job.
Either that or he is LNP’s brother in law.
I assure you I am not. But also, Baker was dumb to try and throw it when he saw Punto was out of position.
That’s all I’m trying to do.
I suppose everybody’s ignoing that I’ve been ripping on Kubel for his 9 left on…
D, he was off the base attempting to field the grounder like you are supposed to.
On a 1-2 count, just get the guy at the plate.
T, no I agree that it was stupid of Baker to throw that ball after he saw him out of position.
ALL RIGHT!
Picked him off
no, lamb was standing there doing NOTHING!
and it continues…..
Play of the game so far
Huh…or I suppose that’ll work too.
Rusty Coontz? Seriously? That’s his name?
balk? what? huh? I didn’t see anything…
Ben says:
August 10th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
“Imgaine that, Punto with another out. There is absolutely no reason why he should be in the starting lineup tomorrow night against the Yankees.”
Actually, there is absolutely no reason Punto, Everett, Kubel, Buscher, Gomez or Young should be in the starting lineup tomorrow. Except that is the team and they are in 1st place.
T, you are wishing you never typed that post about “On a 1-2 count, just get the guy at the plate.” now, aren’t you?
Kuntz.
My favorite nobody baseball card in the day.
T, no I agree that it was stupid of Baker to throw that ball after he saw him out of position.
Thank you. It just gets boring seeing people wanting to make one person responsible for everything.
And really, at the end of the day its only one man’s fault…and if you know your scriptures he usually takes today off anyway.
That was a joke. Trying to lighten things up.
I like the straw man arguments from the happy brigade.
T, you are wishing you never typed that post about “On a 1-2 count, just get the guy at the plate.” now, aren’t you?
Nah. I’m glad to be wrong. I didn’t think they’d actually get him.
Apparently the runner figured tehy’d take my words to heart.
Back-to-Back HRs?
Was Livan pitching for Colorado today?
Craig, why shouldn’t any of those other guys be in the lineup tomorrow? You might be new but you are the same old Craig. Everett had a terrible high throw to put the game into extras but also came up with a couple big hits. Kubel is the team’s 3rd best hitter. Young has been hitting the ball alright since struggling big time to start the season. Buscher also has a couple of hits.
Breslow should get the game ball for this game… or at least get Gardy to use him more often
(btw, all of his moves to 1B were balks. Someone should teach him not to lift his front leg before he throws to 1B)
Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it “pitching” SoCal.
Or Back-to-Back ground outs?
He was!!! Gave up 9 earned runs and now has an over 30 era!!!
Little Nicky P. haha.
Does anybody else get the feeling that if the Twins are going to win this game it is going to take a homer?
I agreed immediately it was a horrible play all around. Including LNP. Who doesn’t exactly redeem himself in any way.
The thing is, Punto’s decline was absolutely predicatable (and I so predicted it) as his good hitting line was relying on absurdly high and unsustainable BABIP on groundball numbers. I’m sure boosters like T parse those on a regular basis but just come to different conclusions.
Gardy is trying to ride Breslow for 3 innings. I mean I know Bass is terrible but Breslow can only do so much.
sid,
exactly - he’d be better option than punto for that spot. i dont understand what value punto has in batting second. his OPS sucks. DY, harris, or Gomez should bat second until casilla comes back…
“Does anybody else get the feeling that if the Twins are going to win this game it is going to take a homer?”
Yes
then the twins will not win this game lol
I’m sure boosters like T parse those on a regular basis but just come to different conclusions.
Actually no. I hate watching Punto in the lineup, but I hate watching Everett as well.
So really it’s just me wishing Harris would come in for ONE of them and hoping to god Casilla gets back soon.
Back-to-Back Ks?
Well when even our number 3 and 4 hitters aren’t doing anything in these extra frames, it appears to not be our day.
Again, pathetic.
My sons swings like that.
Oh, and congrats Toby. You were able to predict Punto would struggle at the plate.
Congrats. For your next trick I suppose you’ll predict tomorrow is Monday?
he sucks too.
I predict another K. Any one wanna bet?
Gomez if you are trying to figure out why you rode pine today for the first 6 and a half innings, look no further than your first 2 ABs today.
Someone should teach him not to lift his front leg before he throws to 1B
Is that a joke?
“Soft liner into left” ?….
Come on Carlos. Shut us up. Or not.
Wow, Gomez made contact.
Mike, quick question…who is it you want playing 2nd base instead of Punto?
Put the blame where it belongs. You could see this coming a mile away when Casilla went down, and the front office did nothing.
Okay, somebody is going to hit a HR soon.
Wow. So many players crappy at the plate today.
But no. It’s all Punto. Exclusively.
Gomez made contact twice. Perhaps a harbinger of good things?
You’re right Chief. Twins should’ve gone and gotten somebody to play 2nd.
…oh wait. Who?
Does Bremer have any idea how to evaluate a batted ball?
Sorry T: I’m sure you were all over it when punto was hitting .350 on grounders and hitting line drives at a rate 10% above his career numbers. Didn’t mean to step on you there, buddy.
Okay, somebody is going to hit a HR soon
In hopes of not tempting the baseball gods, I’m appending that it’s going to be a Twin.
They have to get one today yet.
T, please don’t act like you are surprised that Bremer thought that ball was going deeper than it did.
Chief: Grudz should’ve been gotten. There was no excuse not to.
I have no problem with Punto and am not a Punto basher. Just gotta understand that anything you get from him offensively is a bonus.
If Breslow gets out of this inning, this game may never end.
Didn’t mean to step on you there, buddy.
If you don’t want me to call you out when you’re wrong, it’s probably best to not address your post to me.
Just at tip.
This :samml market” crap is just that - come on and let’s innundate the front office with email and letters - you and I know that this team is in need of a few more $ and balls at the biz office. I’d be bankrupt if I ran my biz like they do.
Oh I know Ben. The post was more just a surprise that he was that off.
Is anybody else sick and tired of Bremer trying to make a big call on everything? Settle Dick, he made that play easily.
Well Ben, You must have missed Buscher not getting the ball out of his glove or Harris not making a routine throw, which blew the lead, or Lamb vacating his position, or Kubel striking out, and being the third worst hitter on the team.
Nicky isn’t the only player having troubles. Thing is, none of them, including Nick, are that bad. In fact, they are all okay players.
Grudz should’ve been gotten. There was no excuse not to.
Him and Blaylock are both on the DL.
Well there it is, LNP screws up again.
ALL RIGHT NICKY!!!!!!!!!! Damn he’s slick 24-7.
Nice play by Punto
nice drop nicky
Earlier I said I hated watching Punto and Everett.
Well, I’ve decided I can live with Everett and have Harris in for Punto.
I still miss Casilla.
Who shit on the field and put uniform #8 on it?
Um? Where was I wrong T?
Ugh, Punto!!!! Catch the freaking ball! Could have had him there.
this thing is in trouble now….punto should have handled that and it would have been 2 out….not a good day for mr punto all the way around….punto bashers will have a big day with this performance
Craig, Harris never missed a routine throw (I think you mean Everett), Buscher double clutched but at least he has hit the ball. Lamb left his position at first to field the ball like any other first baseman would have. Why don’t you try watching the whole game before you speak next time?
Breslow is definitely moving up on the depth chart, regardless of how this ends.
Please tell me that Pena can not get on again.
Um? Where was I wrong T?
This line:
I’m sure boosters like T parse those on a regular basis but just come to different conclusions.
But again, I know how people such as yourself tend to take to facts.
Huge throw from The Igniter.
finally over
Does Gomez ever make an on target throw?
Well there you go. The Twins lost. Everybody can be happy again.
GOATS:
Punto
Kubel
Everett
…Miss anything?
FREAKING LOSERS! THEY DESERVE THIS LIKE NOTHING ELSE!
It’s okay, Craig Breslow, I forgive you. It wasn’t your fault.
Well I think anybody could have seen that coming. Leave it to the Twins to have a .178 hitter coming into the game kill them. Gardy not only did you manage to once again prove your complete stupidity to all of us, but you also have a bullpen that is completely spent going into a big series at home against the Yankees.
Blame today goes to…
Punto, Everett, Gardy, Gomez, Kubel.
Lets pack our bags and go to the airport!
I don’t think an on-target throw gets him.
90% Punto
10% Kubel/Everett
Ok, my bad for lumping in your general defense of Gardy/FO idiocy with love for Punto. I was unaware that you recognized him for the pile he was, but I wasn’t making a point about you specifically but rather the booster brigade in general. And I stand by my belief that you had no idea how Punto’s batted ball numbers broke down when he was hitting .300.
First placer IS NOT were this team belongs - no way, no how, not for a couple of years unless . . .
Well, the twins allow a .150 hitter to get two hits in one game. If Breslow Blackburn’s that pitch, it might be a DP but he would need some dentures.
My nominations for goats:
Baker
Lamb
Everett
Punto
Guerrier
and last but not least
Gardy!
Any chance we can leave Mr. Punto in KC? Interesting to see if he starts again manana. What a game from hell!
sucks! we’ll “get at them” next series.
Twins’ Hopefuls —– have faith!!
Not a big deal, just another game…
Yankees tomorrow. Pay back time.
Props to Breslow nonetheless.
Punto and Kubel had a rough game, but they will bounce back tomorrow and win another game for the Twins.
In what universe does Little Nicky P START a game?
‘First place IS NOT were this team belongs - no way, no how, not for a couple of years’
Talk about overreaction. Twins are 1/2 game back not exactly the end of the worl, or the end of the season.
It seems that this team IS NOT LEARNING anything from the losses - too much repetition of mistakes, etc. Which means that it is 80% about coaching and being coached. Uff-da!!! Not good - Yankees next kiss this season adios it was nice.
everyone’s blaming everett for his bad throw but he saved a run earlier in the game with his nice diving stop. so that evens out. not to mention he was the only guy who got a big hit today, 2 of them that brought in runs. the offense had plenty of chances to get more runs, and didn’t. blame goes ALL the way around.
but to look for something good, the bullpen looked good for the most part for the last 4 games. only an error and a couple weak singles were the difference in this game. the season is not over. the white sox looked bad defensively today and ended up winning, it happens.
It was an entertaining game. Just for the wrong reasons.
Nick Punto will bounce back?
True, its not a big deal and there is another tomorrow, but it may become a big deal if we end up losing the division by a game. This game was won, but was literally given to the loser Royals, one of the worst franchises in sports. How many times are the Twins going to do this? Not the first time and predict it won’t be the last. They really did give this game away.
1/2 game back, this is far from over “fans”.
nice work out there punto. really earned that paycheck. you could have made one redeeming play to get teahen at 2nd base and you couuldn’t even get that right. catch the ball before you attempt to throw it. you are supposed to be a pro ball player. man are you pathetic. 2006 was an abberation. punto is nothing more than a triple a player at best. and i am being generous. maybe double a.
Not only did we give this game away, but we gave away two in Seattle.
“kiss this season adios it was nice.”
That made me laugh, thank you
There is seriously some sort of curse on the Twins. Wierd game.
We also get our new nemisis, Seattle 6 times, Yankees 3, and the Angels 4 times - what say you are o ur chances to lose ground badly??
The season was not decided tonight. Twins still have a series at home against the Sox. THAT is an important series.
Okay, I am already calming down. Must be the Lamaaz classes I’ve been taking as one of my probation conditions after smashing that TV at Sensers last month during another one these types of games. Thanks judge!
shut the hell up FagCal twins fan. your nothing but a troll trying to start something.
Weren’t the Twins supposed to “gain” ground during this 6 game road trip?
Well, if they lose alot of ground based on those teams, this loss would not really matter that much will it?
Erik, not with the White Sox at home.
You got it - stir it baby, stir up!!! Gotta put some fire under these Twins or at least the fans.
Mike, quick question…who is it you want playing 2nd base instead of Punto?
Not sure. Everett, Harris, someone from the minors. As bad as Harris was, Punto is no better, but at least Harris can hit.
I really, really, really do not think Punto is a MLB player on a team that wants to win. He doe not do the little things well, he is not nearly the fielder people make him out to be, and if allowed to keep playing he will be hitting .220 by the end of the year.
But, I blame Smith and Ryan and bad luck with injuries more than I blame Gardy.
The FO can say it is scouring the wire for relievers, but I don’t believe it for a minute. Plus, I love how the STrib writers shilled for them today and said there was no help in the minors, by only mentioning relievers. Some teams (Cubs) bring up starters to fill in reliever rolls at the end of the year, because you know, they actually want to win it all this year, and not baby their guys in case they need them next year.
Sorry LEN or Joe, but I don’t think you did your readers much service with that article.
Everyone needs to settle down, the Twins are probably going to lose around 20 more games this season. If a baseball team loses and you feel the world is going to end then you are paying attention to the wrong sport.
If Punto is batting over .300 as a righty and .215 as a lefty, why the hell won’t Gardy tell him to hit from the right side even with a righty pitching? Gardy needs to stick that “book” of his where the sun doesn’t shine. Punto was a real hero this weekend.
the twins have a 9 game home stretch against the suddenly struggling yankees, mariners, and A’s. things don’t look so bad going forward.
Would love to see a Twins - Angels ALCS but not sure. Angels are odds on faves to win it all. I do hope that the Twins will kick ass in 2009 and 2010 +
should’ve been a 4-2 trip, but 3-3 isn’t going to kill us. i wrote them off in Chicago earlier this year….learned my lesson. let’s put it this way: i bought MLB.com thinking it was a one month subscription to see the new players (i live out of MN). but every month i have a new excuse to buy another month of MLB.com
this team is young and with deficits… but worth watching!
As Dan Barreiro once said: “GET OVER IT!”
If Punto is batting over .300 as a righty and .215 as a lefty, why the hell won’t Gardy tell him to hit from the right side even with a righty pitching? Gardy needs to stick that “book” of his where the sun doesn’t shine. Punto was a real hero this weekend.
Punto throughout his career has hit almost identically from both sides of the plate. What you see in his numbers this year is a product of sample size.
Yeah Ben, I meant Everett not Harris on the bad throw. If Everett had thrown the ball to 1st, on that routine play, the Twins would have won. Truth is, he also made a great play, and hit well also.
Black Jack says Lamb vacated his position on that other botched play. I don’t know, hard to tell who all screwed up. Baker threw the ball to no one.
But, I blame Smith and Ryan and bad luck with injuries more than I blame Gardy.
Mike, did Smith and Ryan twisted Gardy’s arm to
a. start Punto instead of Harris tonight
b. Pinch hit Harris for Everett tonight
c. Not Pinch hit Punto
nope.
It’s all Gardy.
Marchado is hitting .375 at Rochester in 34 games. Plays 2B, bats 2nd. Nowhere to play the guy
The REAL Nick Punto of 2007 has returned! God help us all…
You know what sucks the most?
Is that the Twins could have realistically gone 6-0 on this road trip.
They gave away every game they lost.
Marchado - .472 in last 10 games
erik - you forgot . the twins don’t beat themselves
Of their current infielders (2B, 3B, SS) I would say Punto is their best all around player. Buscher is a better hitter than Punto, though.
Of their current infielders (2B, 3B, SS) I would say Punto is their best all around player. Buscher is a better hitter than Punto, though.
And that’s probably a pretty big problem, wouldn’t you say?
If you want to win, you have to find a way to get your best all-around players into the game. That’s why Gardy plays Punto.
ouch- the rockies felt the ugle side of livan today….9 runs in 2innings plus…whoa
Craig, your last two statements are why nobody ever takes you seriously.
Ooooh. Is Gardy fuming mad. You can hear it in his voice. His voice was shaking when he talked about the high throw in the eighth.
“Craig, your last two statements are why nobody ever takes you seriously.”
Ben,
I’ve never been concerned about that for a second. Genius is rarely understood.
Craig, the day you become a genius is the day when there is nobody else living on Earth.
Thanks Ben. When is school starting? Are you in junior high yet?
“Him (Grudzelanek) and Blaylock are both on the DL.”
Nice try T. Casilla was hurt 3 days before the trade deadline. At that time, Grudzelanek was just fine. He was hurt a couple days AFTER the trade deadline on a collision, so if he had been traded, that never would’ve happened.
The Twins had ample opportunity to look at their middle infield situation BEFORE the deadline, see that losing Casilla meant 2 out of 3 of Harris, Everett, and Punto every day, and decide that’s a problem.
But they didn’t.
Just like they have had months to realize their middle relief is thin, and done nothing about it.
Apologize all you want for the inaction.
It’s been a primary cause of three loses, just on this road trip alone.
Chief,
Bill Smith said there were no trades available that would help the team. He said they talked to many teams. Why don’t you believe him?
Craig, I’d say it is about time you get a life. I thought everybody hated you on this blog 2 years ago. I guess you never got the word.
i’d like to thank adam everett for this loss. and i don’t care if he got a hit or two or whatever. he can’t hit and he’s a liability everytime he throws the ball to first base. so another great signing by the rookie GM. pathetic needless loss.
its my feeling that the twins need to take carlos gomez and sit his ass on the bench and let him watch this pennant race from the pine…. he should be used only for defense in the 8-9 innings or used to pinch run in a special situation. i cant stand to watch him any longer in these crucial spots come up and be an easy out…this guy with 2 strikes is a dead man…if it was earlier in the season i would scream for them to send him down but now as it is, he should strictly be used as i said earlier and let the others make this run - gomez should play winter ball and hope that when spring training comes around he may be a bit more prepared for the bigs, but as of now he is definately not the man….thank god for span/man…. span in cf, delmon in left and kubel/pridie in rt
TNAIC, I’d believe Bill Smith more if:
1) We didn’t hear the same crap year after year after year, and
2) I didn’t see other teams find ways to patch holes as the season goes along.
3) I didn’t see the Twins pass on waiver claims on relief pitchers that are decent bets to help the team only to watch another team, behind them in the waiver claim process, pick up that reliever for a PTBNL.
Ben,
Relax, it’s just baseball. People don’t hate me and I don’t hate anyone. Baseball is just a game. it’s entertainment, and it’s fun.
bill smith is too damn busy making up phony excuses for not getting anything done that he cant get anything done–that man needs to be benched also….a definate loser….sorry to all you who like him…
The New and Improved Craig says:
August 10th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Of their current infielders (2B, 3B, SS) I would say Punto is their best all around player. Buscher is a better hitter than Punto, though.
Punto is better than Harris? Hmm.
Chief,
Okay. Fair enough. I’m not convinced, but maybe you are right.
Some of the players they have picked up, though, have been so incredibly disappointing: Boone, Nevin, etc.
i never in 100 years ever thought i would say this, but maybe after listening to the guys on baseball tonite last eve, the twins would be wise to give mr b. bonds a job for the next two months…it really could not hurt this puchless (at times) lineup and would certainly give morneau a little protection…bonds may just have enough left in the tank to give this great bunch of guys a boost……but i highly doubt mr smith would ever consider this move……it sure would be fun to watch and maybe just the answer we need
mj1 says:
August 10th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
its my feeling that the twins need to take carlos gomez and sit his ass on the bench and let him watch this pennant race from the pine…. he should be used only for defense in the 8-9 innings or used to pinch run in a special situation.
I’m not a huge Gomez fan yet either, but correct me if i’m wrong, but isn’t that exactly how he was used today?
Kidding,
Harris fails to put the ball in play, and doesn’t get on base much. His lack of range has been widely discussed. He’s okay, but I would rate him overall, below Punto. Others feel differently.
BTW, TNAIC, I am in agreement that right now, Punto has to play somewhere in the middle infield. He’s their best second baseman, and probably their best SS.
Which is, in a nutshell, why I’m so incredibly disappointed that the front office has sat on their hands all season. I mean, it wasn’t that hard to see this coming. It’s pretty amazing the team has been able to keep their heads above water as long as they have.
Rough game…they happen,
Even though today is not Thanksgiving Day, I AM Thankful that members of this blog are not in the Twins FO.
Instead of being 1/2 game out of 1st, we would be waiting in anticipation for the 30th win…hoping that maybe it would be achieved before mid-November.
Luke Hughes with a double, HR, and 4 RBI. I wonder how he’s handling 3B.
harris fails to put the ball in play? what? have you been watching the team? he’s a decent hitter.
punto at short only for his defense…harris is the utility infielder. adam everett should be summarily waived and not seen in a twins uniform ever again. i’d rather suffer with a double A prospect in september than mr weak arm.
Dragon, same to you, but I am sure you would do some much better…please.
“harris fails to put the ball in play? what? have you been watching the team?”
mullen,
Harris has a poor AB/K ratio. He has trouble putting the ball in play. I think he is a good player, but not as a middle infielder, and not as a hitter in the #2 spot.
Look at the way we all should….did anyone expect this season? Did you really think they would be fighting for first on Aug 10. I didn’t, you didn’t and I am sure Gardy and the FO didn’t. Lets just enjoy the rest of the season and see where we end up.
Harris does some things ok, some awful, but nothing great. That is why he is on the bench. He had every opportunity to be the starting 2B but that was one of those things he is awful at. He is now a platoon 3B because that is where you hide his glove. However, judging by Mr. Everett’s throws today, he may be the new everyday SS.
The combo of Harris and Buscher on the left side defensively makes me cringe.
I agree, Knoblauch. Lets all stop posting, unless its to say “Go Twins!”, or some other mindless praise. Let’s just bask in the glory of this team, whose front office has done no wrong, and get down on our knees and thank god that the Twins are “competing”.
mullen,
Harris has a poor AB/K ratio. He has trouble putting the ball in play. I think he is a good player, but not as a middle infielder, and not as a hitter in the #2 spot.
Harris has a career K rate roughly equivalent to your boy Punto, but don’t let a fact like that get in the way of your opinions.
The reason people are emotional is that we are in contention, and there are things that could be done better. Rationalizing everything and making excuses for poor performance and management is not fun to some people. Emotions are natural, as long as people don’t get carried away with it where is the harm? I, for one, enjoy the ups and downs.
If I see one more post that says “Did you really think the Twins would be in this position?”, or anything along those lines, i’m going to be sick. No, not many people expected them to be here, but now that they are, we have come to expect better play. This is not a kid’s soccer league, losing because of stupid mistakes is not acceptable, even if the team tried hard the rest of the game.
Losing because of stupid mistakes (like today) should never be acceptable, no matter where they are in the standings.
baseball is a game of failure. if you are going to cry and complain after every bad play or every loss, you’re watching the wrong sport. watch every baseball game for a week and you’ll see good teams make stupid mistakes and bad teams look good. it’s just the nature of the game.
the twins aren’t going anywhere and i wouldn’t be surprised to see them back in first in the next couple of days. this is going to be a fun week at the dome!
I wish people would stop posting “everyone said this,” or “everyone would say that.”
I felt before the season there was a decent chance the Twins could win this division, even though a lot would have to go right. There were other posters who felt that way, as well.
In any case, what difference does it make whether or not anybody felt before the season the Twins could make the playoffs or not? What matters is, we’re in August, and they absolutly have a decent chance.
So forgive me if I’m not impressed with “just be happy it’s August and we’re not in last” line of reasoning.
I will enjoy the rest of the season. But forgive me if I feel justified in pointing out what I see as a lack of effort from the front office. The players on the field are trying hard, the manager is trying hard, the fans are spending money on tickets and watching on TV. Why can’t I expect the front office/ownership give that same level of effort?
Chuck Knoblauch,
I agree I couldn’t do better than 20 games a year. That’s WHY you will NEVER find a post I have made presuming to know more than either the manager or FO.
Unlike apparently most who post here, I don’t know what goes on in either the locker room or the Front Office. I take a longer view than just about anyone else here, yet the Front Office in particular, and the Manager somewhat less so, have to try to find success in the here and now, while not compromising the future.
Bottom line, I suspect that only Ruiz, Bass & Nathan (as well as Liriano, Perkins Blackburn & Slowey) are blameless in this loss. Some more than others, yet other than “T” who tongue-in-cheek called Morneau out, He is the highest paid hitter, and he wiffed in the clutch, narry a peep from the masses castigating their favorite scapegoats.
Fans/supporters express opinions, often/usually tinged with emotion. I accept that, yet the personal invective is completely unneccessary.
Why is everyone worked up anyway. These blogs pronounced the season over last Tuesday am. Second thoughts?
Regards,
Dragon you obviously think that the Twins can overcome a .5 game defecit with just 45 games to play. That kind of optimism has no place here.
USAF Chief,
I actually agree with everything you said until your last line.
Please give me specific actions the FO took or did not take which PROVE that they did not put just as much effort as the team and manager you acknowledge.
Regards,
The Twins played like crap for 6 games against poor teams and managed to win 3. Punto and Everett need to sit down a while. Morneau needs to play every game at first base from now on. We have who we have. Let’s put our best players out there every day and try to win this thing. I’m not bashing Smith for not making a trade. Too many people want to do “something.” Our future with this team is in the next few years. But let’s put our “A” team out there this year and try to win this thing.
eaa,
I have my rose colored spectacles.
I believe they can, I like where they are, yet what I think or believe aren’t worth much.
What I do know, Is I expected a roughly .500 season. I backed that with cold hard cash on over 73.5 wins and at a sports investing site, in justifying the investment, I postulated that had the line been over 78.5 wins I would have passed because a 3/4 game margin (of my expectation) was not worth the risk.
Regards,
You got to be kidding me!
Post whatever you want.
Just remember, just you can be as critical as you want, I have just the same rights to criticize who and what I want as you.
Seems like you feel you have some individual right to be critical, combined with the right to not be criticised.
I have no illusions that the FO has been PERFECT, yet I happen to think the record shows they have done a very good job. If that offends you, so be it. Context is important, IMHO.
Regards,
snepp,
SI lists Punto’s AB/K rate at 6, and Harris’ at 4.4 for 2008.
Early in his career, Punto was almost as dreadful with the K as Harris, so you are right, their CAREER AB/K ratios are closer. The last three seasons, though, Punto has been significantly better.
Neither player is a great contact hitter, but when a player comes close to striking out in 25% of their AB (Harris), there is a problem. Unless that player offers lots of positive compensating abilities, such as speed, great fielding, great power hitting, or something else, it’s a big negative.
Harris is still a good player. He is steady and durable, and may be a better player than he has so far performed for the Twins. Like many of the players on this team, he has some holes in his game.
Most recently, Gardy is trying harder to protect Harris a little, and place him in situations where he is more likely to succeed. That should help him.
Craig doesn’t know what he is talking about. New and Improved….What a joke.
Twins just blew it. Plain and simple.
Both in the 6th and 8th. Didn’t cover the bag, bad throw; double clutch, wild pitch. But the most routine ball to Everett at SS that I have ever seen to result in a error and the game. Everett’s E was the most glaring. Of all the other mistakes the Twins would have escaped the 8th leading 4-3 and, most likely, won the game…..
If you don’t start all of those players as suggested the Twins don’t have enough players to field a team.
Look at the bottom of the order Buscher and Everett did some damage. The M & M boys certainly didn’t drive the ball.
And Gomez is going backwards. The most popular selling jersey in Minn. Go figure?
Dragon
I do have the right to be critical, and I welcome people to argue with and refute my opinions and criticisms; I wouldn’t be posting on this blog if I didn’t think it was fun. However, I do not care for people saying that all opinions critical of the Twins are invalid, because we are not part of the organization’s inner circle. You are right, not one of us here is qualified to run a major league baseball team. But that does not mean that the front office is infallible, nor does it mean we do not have the right to vent our frustrations over the questionable moves (or lack thereof) that the team has made. Please, enjoy yourself up there on that pedestal, but do not direct any more of your pretentious, know-it-all bullshit at us.
After going to the Sat. and Sun. games, I have just one thing to say: Adam Everett and Mike Lamb are TERRIBLE and need to be cut right away! Thanks for costing us first place guys! Hurry up and get healthy Alexi.
Thanks Rocky. Your criticism is a compliment. I’ll explain to you some day why that is so. Oh, never mind. You wouldn’t understand.
I don’t know why everyone is so angry. The team is doing fine, and it is a good group of players.
This is a small budget team, with small budget players.
If you want to cheer for a large budget home team, you have to move to the big city. If you want to live in a small town like Minneapolis, you get a small town team.
It’s true Carl is extremely cheap, but why should he subsidize a team, playing in a low revenue, teeny weeny town? He gives the people the team they deserve. Better than they deserve, actually.
You’ve got to be kidding!
Sorry to offend you.
I attempt to respond to posters in-kind to their posts.
I don’t know much of what the FO has done. I find it extremely funny that some posters make VERY SERIOUS charges against the FO that they are INTENTIONALLY attempting to undermine the team, and present NO verifiable FACTS to back up the charges.
I fully well understand venting. In fact, if you thought about it for 30 seconds you would see that’s exactly what I am doing.
I do not think I have ever posted that I thought the FO was PERFECT, in fact I have posted the contrary often. What I have actually posted is that considering where the team was when Bill Smith took over and where they are NOW a bit less than 1 year later, he has done quite well. Could he have done better? I suspect so. Could he have done worse? ABSULUTELY, IMHO.
I don’t post criticisms which I have regarding either the manager and FO because I DO NOT have the facts to back-up or justify the accuracy of those criticisms, the context in which decisions were made. I DO NOT know what Seattle demanded for Beltre, I KNOW that the Twins talked with Baltimore, about Roberts, IF the FO wanted to discuss Bradford, I am sure they did. Since I live in the Baltimore viewing area, IF I am not following a Twins game I am probably watching an Orioles game. Until the bruhaha here about Bradford, I would never have thought of him so glowingly as bloggers here seem to. Appearantly, other teams in the AL with bullpen issues didn’t either, I guess they are ALL stupid as well.
It’s just like Span is NOW the wonderboy. He was commonly considered being useless by most of those who posted on the issue before the season started.
As I have posted on several occasions, I think the FO and Scouts are probably very good at assessing most players possibilities, yet are just as clueless as the fans are about IF/WHEN talent will manifest itself. With Span, maybe it was as simple as a lasix proceedure.
Regards,
Span has been playing at a level similar to some of the Twin’s finest players recently. Hopefully he can keep it up and is not just a flash in the
(S)pan. I’m sure he will come down to earth, everyone does. Until then, fans can feel comfortable with him in the lineup and will overlook the occasional goofs.
