Twins-Yanks: Mauer ready for rubber game.
Posted on August 13th, 2008 – 11:48 AMBy La Velle
Twins catcher Joe Mauer took a few swings before the game and declared himself fit to play. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire waited until Mauer gave him the O.K. to fill out the lineup - which didn’t happen until less than an hour ago. That’s why this is so late.
Brendan Harris is starting at short and batting second. Nick Punto had two hits last night but hasn’t been very good since coming off the disabled list. Maybe this will shake things up.
Randy Ruiz in at DH - hope he runs through the first base bag :). It’s bad enough when players dive into first, but the feet-first slide yesterday was something I’ve never seen.
Derek Jeter is out for the Yanks with a sore left instep. He had X-Rays taken after last night’s game, during which he fouled a ball off the foot.
The bullpen is close to being gassed. Matt Guerrier needs a break, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. Kevin Slowey needs a long outing today. And the rest of the rotation needs to step up. It’s been obvious for weeks that the Twins need bullpen help, but if they aren’t going to get it they have to solve this problem in-house. And the best way to solve it in-house is to keep the bullpen in the bullpen.
UPDATE: The Twins did put in a waiver claim on lefthander Alan Embree - and it wasn’t to block him from another team. The A’s pulled him back, but it’s unknown as of right now if the A’s and Twins talked. Sometimes a team will pull a player off waivers without a phone conversation. Oakland might have been trying to run him through waivers so they could trade him to anyone.
And it’s not known who Embree would have replaced in the bullpen if the Twins dealt for him - it would be hard to imagine the Twins with three lefties in the bully. Embree, 38, is making $3 million this year with a 2009 club option for $3 million.
Lineups
Yankees (64-56): 1. Johnny Damon, LF. 2. Bobby Abreu, DH. 3. Alex Rodriguez, 3B. 4. Jason Giambi, 1B. 5. Xavier Nady, RF. 6. Robinson Cano, 2B. 7. Ivan Rodriguez, C. 8. Wilson Betemit, SS. 9. Melky Cabrera, CF. Pitching: Darrell Rasner.
Twins (66-53): 1. Denard Span, CF. 2. Brendan Harris, SS. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Jason Kubel, RF. 6. Delmon Young, LF. 7. Brian Buscher, 3B. 8. Randy Ruiz, DH. 9. Nick Punto. Pitching: Kevin Slowey.
425 Responses to "Twins-Yanks: Mauer ready for rubber game."
The whiners can celebrate–Harris, Ruiz in–Gomez, Everett out. I wonder if Lamb might be a better choice than Ruiz. Two factors though–Ruiz probably faced Rasner in the minors this year and they need to know what they have with Ruiz when Casilla is eligible to come off the DL.
Thanks for the Mauer update. Whats up with Smith? I was at the game last night and even the little old lady next to me knew about the bullpen. When Blackburn had 88 pitches with 1 out in the 4th, I knew it would be a bad night.D Young actually worked the count on his double. Thats progress.
Harris!!! Finally, good to see him back. Smart move resting Go-Go too
Good to see Harris in and batting second. Maybe Punto can produce something worthwhile in the 9 spot.
I also like that Span is in center.
Is Harris really that much of a downgrade at 2B considering how poorly punto has been playing? Giambi scored from first (repeat that to yourself and see how absurd it sounds - the only person slower than Giambi in MLB is Matt LeCroy to put that in perspective)because of Punto’s poor throw. Teahan on Sunday should have never reached second base but for Punto’s drop. Punto should be on the pine for awhile. And, Everett is actually contributing. Gardy takes out Everett to keep Punto in the line-up. Should be Everett at SS and Harris at 2B.
Bass, Breslow, and Nathan are probably the only three really available.
Tedd, that little old lady probably reads this blog. What up!!!! 
:)
Even if Harris struggles today, it will be because he hasn’t played (other than one PH AB) in 4 games. He was hot and then he doesn’t play for 4 games, which probably takes him out of his hot streak. I wonder if he’s in the doghouse for missing signs - not going to 3rd on a double-steal on 3-2 count (when Everett was running) and then going on the next pitch (when Everett was not running), I also think he has missed one or two hit and runs when Buscher was running.
TC fan: Harris doesn’t have Punto or Everett’s range (and has a stronger arm than Everett).
The question is if Harris lack of range is covered by his bat.
I’d actually rather see Everett in and Punto out, but lets take this one victory at at time.
there goes T again, always ripping on Punto.
I agree. With the 6 left handed batters for the Yankees in the lineup today, why not have Everett (and his weak arm) at 2B.
there goes T again, always ripping on Punto.
If you can’t beat’em, join’em. 
Should be:
Span RF
Buscher 3B
Mauer C
Morneau 1B
Young LF
Kubel DH
Harris SS
Punto 2B
Gomez CF
Unless something really strange happens, we will not see Harris play second base again. We know all we need to know that when the Twins went ahead by a run in Seattle in the eighth, they put Everett at second (he had never played second before), Punto in the outfield and left Harris at short.
Punto needs a day off period.
Bert:
“And the Twins need a lot of innings out of Slowey TONIGHT [my emphasis], like I said…”
Apparently Bert slept on a cot in the clubhouse last night.
Pretty strong and accurate throw by Kubel off the baggie.
She was keeping the box score too! Whats Smith saying? Are they thinking they have upgrades in the minors? I just think that given the state of the central division, go for it now. Short series, some good pitching and defense, Nathan at the end, take a shot! Holla:)
One mistake by Slowey, one run for the hankies.
“Pretty strong and accurate throw by Kubel off the baggie.”
My biggest problem with Kubel in the outfield is that he has a tendency to lose the ball…especially in day games on the road. Of course, Gardy continues to throw him out there during day games.
Let’s get Denarded!
Ohhhh thats why Punto is in there (hitting .327 in day games)
Good lineup. Span and Go-go should start to platoon in CF both are hitting the rookie wall. Maybe Everett at 2b instead of Punto.
Adam S: A fellow 93X listener?
Also, what the heck is meant by “assist to Wilson Betemit” on the error? Gameday come up with a new stat on us?
I’m thinking Giambi dropped the throwm from Betemit? Am i right? Anyone watching?
“Ohhhh thats why Punto is in there (hitting .327 in day games)”
So why isn’t Punto still in the 2-hole today? After getting 2 hits last night?
Gardy perplexes us too much.
Oh, I forgot. Punto missed a hit and run sign last night.
I take it back, Gardy.
Now tell the Nickster not to slide into 1st anymore and you’ll then be doing all you can as a manager to do good things for the Minnesota Twins.
That’s what I’m thinking Adam. The word “assist” just seems out of whack there.
Adam it went right through his webbing
Where was Alan Embree going to fit in to our bullpen?
Giambi’s glove broke, the ball went right thru it.
Betemeit still gets credit for making a play, an assist, even though Giambi failed to get the putout.
It’s really comical to watch Ron Coomer explain why Alex Rodriguez is such a good hitter. Good lord.
I had tickets between first base and the yanks bullpen last night and the Ruiz slide was bizarre as heck, I think maybe he was trying to distract the not so sure handed Sexson to drop the low throw by being a giant ball of a man right behind him…
Shane says:
August 13th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Bass, Breslow, and Nathan are probably the only three really available.
Reyes should be able to pitch today too, same with crain
To anyone watching. Do the strike zones appear to be a little more consistent today?
who is this harris guy? why does t always have to go after poor nicky?
“Where was Alan Embree going to fit in to our bullpen?”
Doesn’t Breslow have some good #’s against RH hitters? Don’t know about Embree.
umps didn’t lose the game last night Twins did - I saw the ground swell last night of rubes blaming the umps for Blackburn pitching like crap - let’s not revisit it again
” It’s really comical to watch Ron Coomer explain why Alex Rodriguez is such a good hitter. Good lord.”
It was funnier listening to him last night talking about how Sosa set a sinlge season IBB record with Coomer hitting behind him. lol
Maybe with all the issues in the pen we would have had 13 pitchers for awhile. Send Ruiz down. Embree has been terrible this year. Or maybe we were just blocking the Sox and assumed the A’s would back out.
“Giambi’s glove broke, the ball went right thru it.”
Scored as a straight error. Unfortunately, Morneau has one of those this year. Hope it doesn’t prevent his gold glove this year.
How could Smith put in a waiver claim Embree and not Bradford?
I think Youkilis has the gold glove locked up.
“It’s really comical to watch Ron Coomer explain…”
Hey Shane, please add anything to complete the predicate of that sentence and you’ll have said something true and inciteful.
(But I like Coom……he’s on the air for his comic relief.)
Looks like we could get a s**tload of runs this inning……
Oops, forgot it’s Ruiz on 1st, not Monroe.
would have been nice if Punto would have bunted there
bradford has a contract for next yr at 2.5m. $$$$$
Now we know why Ruiz was in the minors so long. ugh
Punto with a very good AB.
Smith with another lingering bad decision. (But wowsie, that Ruiz can hit!).
:(>
WTF happened there?
and …. there’s a run
either get Punto out of there or bunt when someone gets on first and no outs
Did Punto attempt to bunt? I’m following online.
If not, I’m at wits end with Gardy.
How does one get doubled off FIRST on a fly ball to CF? Was it a hit and run? Did he fall over? Did he forget which way first is?
no he didn’t attempt to bunt
Did Ruiz forget how many outs there were? How do you get doubled off on an F8??
I don’t think we can assume that Punto would have successfully laid down a bunt. Or that Ruiz would have advanced on the bunt. Or that Ruiz would have scored from second on the span single.
hit and run
Gameday’s borked. With two outs and Harris up (bases empty) it’s telling me there’s pick off throws to first.
it was a hit and run and Ruiz was right past second base … ANOTHER BRUTAL CALL!!
Oh there it is. It had eaten Span’s AB there.
Hit and run?? I’m assuming they were just sending Ruiz to stay out of the DP because it was a full count right? No way was it a straight hit and run with 2 strikes.
How ironic.
What is Ruiz still doing running once the ball’s in the air? On a H/R he’s gotta hold up there.
What was the deal with that call? Out of the basepaths?
It is entirely plausable that LNP could have flown out to center attempting to bunt. Some of the worst missed bunts I have ever seen.
Harris was on the infield side of the first baseline.
WTF?? Gamecast says Harris out for “batter’s interference”. Did Span try ot steal and Harris got in the way?
Harris got hit in the back as he was lunging to step on first. Giambi was set up on the foul side of the base, so there was no where for Harris to go.
WTF
“swell last night of rubes blaming the umps for Blackburn…”
6 o’ 1, half dozen of another, FIRE VAVRA. It was accurate reporting which stated Mussina’s strike zone was vastly expanded. And Mussina would have gone less than 4-2/3 if Gibson was calling a “ball” the same for him as for Blackie.
BTW, how’s the Twins RISP BA doin’ this year, FIRE VAVRA? Anything to do with their hitting coach?
What is going on? Gamecast doesn’t tell me much other than it seemed like a weird inning.
It wasn’t a hit and run with Ruiz. Punto had a full count so there’s no way Gardy put on the hit and run with 2 strikes. They were just send =ing Ruiz to stay out of the DP -which they ended up doing anyways. Yes, he needs to “look in” about half way to 2nd and find the ball.
Bert and Coomer are really ripping into the umps right now
NY is the American Mecca - no one is to mess with any of it. I miss the lat e’60s when the Yankees sucked, but the Mets and Jets ruled.
he was on the bag though. bad call.
It was a hit and run but he never looked in he just put his head down and sprinted to second.
Hey! Coomer with some good insight.
Harris was coming down to the bag when the ball hit his arm. Lousy call by the ump, especially since Giambi’s defensive position left Harris nowhere else to run.
Sorry, FIRE, for being a rube and calling out your wonderful umpires.
It was a 3-2 count on the fly out. Ruiz has got to follow the ball and get back to first. But there was no bunt play on, obviously.
And Harris ran inside the baseline. Two things that kept Mauer from batting with runners on base.
It was not a hit and run. You do not give the hit and run when the hitter has 2 strikes. They were just trying to stay out of the DP by sending Ruiz.
Not bad for a team with 10 - 12 AAA players! Go Twins!
Seriously matt? That sounds like a pretty bad call.
Well, that’s how you win the Yankee Way (TM).
Yes you give the hit and run for the runners sake to make sure they look in at the hitter. The hitter has to be smart enough to know that if its a ball to take it.
It’s now time to tee off on Rasner (who the hell is he?)
Could Harris have plowed over Giambi if he’s on the foul side of the bag and gotten fielder interference?
Yeah, Romer. Harris would be running straight into Giambi if he was on the foul side!
Dumb call either way slow Ruiz would have gotten thrown out if Punto would have struck out.
La Velle,
Does it not matter that Harris got hit as hit was basically on the base or that Giambi was on the foul side of first?
For anyboyd watching gameday, Mauer just took 4 pitches that were all strikes…
Wow. A give back? Would rather have had Span and Harris on base…
They did not put on the hit and run. For the last time - no team in MLB would force a hitter to swing a pitch with 2 strikes. Ruiz got the straight steal sign and should know by now that you look in half way to 2nd base and find the ball. Jerry White should be reminding him. Anyone who played high school baseball knows this.
Clarify…Ruiz should know to look in on a full count on a straight steal with less than 2 outs.
I believe the answer to that AFLAC question is Alvaro Espinoza.
Punto flew to center for a double play. Wow, even when Punto doesn’t suck he sux.
Holy crap, Ruiz got a straight steal sign? If that’s true, that’s scary!
My high school coach played for the Twins and he called hit and runs on 3-2 counts so that the runner doesn’t get picked off, and looks in at the batter. The batter knows that anything close to the zone he has to put in play and if its a ball to take. (My college coach also called 3-2 hit and runs for this purpose)
Thanks Cano
“Yeah, Romer. Harris would be running straight into Giambi…”
Give credit to the veteran Giambi for suckering the umpire into a bad call.
I’ve hated the Damned Yankees since 1959.
It’s important to note that a runner running and a batter swinging does not necessarily entail a hit and run.
Matt - That’s really not a hit and run, a hit and run means you swing at anything. Either way, we are arguing about semantics.
Romer just keep commenting it will continue to prove my point about “MN sports inferiority complex”
“the world is against us!!” “noone wants MN to win” blah blah blah
You’re coaches are incorrect then. He’s just confusing your players. Hopefully you guys were smart enough to figure it out.
Yankee radio announcers are still letting Cano have it.
D young u da man
Yeah I understand that its not “really” a hit and run by technicality, but its a call that you give to the runner so that they do not leave early and so that they check the runner. Holla Delmon!
Wow. I hope this continues.
DY!!!!
Obviously, Young should be in Tampa…what a garbage trade…:-)
our signs in college were confusing wnough to begin with so guys would miss stuff all the time.
Suck that Skanks!
Go Delmon! what did Cano do? DY is hitting a hot streak again.
Did Cano just drop the throw from A Rod?
Another 3 run homer? Is ESPN correct?
That is serious opposite field power.
Bill B.
With 3-2 count WHY no Hit ‘n Run? Batter has to swing at anything close to strike, otherwise strike-out. Ball doean’t matter.
Regards,
was that way out?
Cano came of 2nd early on a force play.
It is a Dumb call if Punto strikes out Ruiz is a sitting duck going back to first or teying to take second. Gardy knows there was a damn good chance Punto would K. Lets move on now
off, no of
FIRE, regarding any “MN sports inferiority complex”, the Romer Court will leave the parties lie where they lay.
I hate incompetent umpires. I believe umps should have their pay quadrupled, and then FIRE THE BAD UMPIRES.
happy for young, we need him, he is a big part of this team going forward. should make all his haters want him sent to aaa again.
right center 411 ft
411 to right center
I’ll take a nine pitch strike out.
thanks guys
i’m all out of sorts
start with Gordo
then Yes
Gordo again
now Sterling for the balance
Oh go figure I step out for a meting and miss a dinger…
Yes, Mudcat a 3-run Delmon HR.
Put him in the 5-hole NOW. Don’t wait a fucking-2-weeks this time, Gardy.
(OH-oh, did I say that? Never again…..promise.)
Rasner at 80+ pitches through 4. We’ll be into thier pen early and often.
Slowey needs to stay efficient. A few more 15 pitch ininngs.
romer,
bad bad Halta die Klappa!
“411 to right center”
Delmon with the power we all knew he had.
Umpires make crappy calls regardless of which teams are playing.
Case in point, Monday’s game against the Yankees. Span gets called out what looks like a pretty bad call. (Waist high tag as his foot hits the bag)
Later that same game, Gomez is called safe when he slides INTO the tag (looked to be on the shoulder as his hand crossed) and is called safe.
Bad umpiring is acceptable. Inconsistent bad umpiring ruins games.
T
When the Twins get to the plate, head for another meeting. Stick with what works.
Two dingers against the Yankees oughta brighten his spirits (especially when one is off of Rivera)
Well, Brian Runge has decided to make up for a couple of embarrassing calls against us earlier in the year…
“How can we help you, young Mr. Young”
“Thank you oh wise ones!”
yes, thank you very much, indeed!
Slowey in line for the win. Like I said, “One mistake by Slowey, one run for the hankies.”
Span and DY got the pressure on Gomez and Cuddyer. Looks like those two might be battling for the last outfield spot.
When the Twins get to the plate, head for another meeting. Stick with what works.
*leaves to go do actual work*
“Delmon with the power we all knew he had.”
haha, that’s funny. Delmon with the power that some of us knew he had and others questioned and ridiculed for months.
“Bad umpiring is acceptable. Inconsistent bad umpiring ruins games.”
???
I think CONSISTENT bad umpiring ruins not only games but the whole “Game Of Baseball”.
Umps are human too. They make errors once in a while. But there are plainly incompetent ones, both consistantly and otherwise.
Some of ‘em could be benched once in a while.
“Slowey in line for the win. Like I said, “One mistake by Slowey, one run for the hankies.””
I thought the umps were responsible for any mistakes that lead to Yankee runs not the perfect Twin pitchers??
“Span and DY got the pressure on Gomez and Cuddyer. Looks like those two might be battling for the last outfield spot.”
Excellent insight, Ben D. I hadn’t thought about it that way.
“Span and DY got the pressure on Gomez and Cuddyer. Looks like those two might be battling for the last outfield spot.”
True, although I think that Span and Gomez will be platooning with both spot starting for Cuddyer and Young. And maybe Cuddyer can play first when Morneau DHs.
Cuddyer just broke his foot and will be lucky to make it back by the end of the regular season. I think you guys are getting a little ahead of yourselves.
Keep up the strawmanning FIRE.
And romer, don’t think Cuddy’s gonna be fighting for much of anything until next season. This team could look a lot different again in the Spring (Everett gone, Punto probably gone, maybe even Lamb, bullpen?, Redmond?)
Twins need seven innings from Slowey. That might be getting tough with his pitch count. That 9 pitch walk to Abreau did not help the cause.
Giambi looks like he just shot up steriods in one arm and crack in the other.
“I thought the umps were responsible for any mistakes that lead to Yankee runs not the perfect Twin pitchers??”
Please dispense of the hokum, FIRE….Though I suppose some whiners deserve it.
BTW, as noted by a poster above, Slowey is enjoying an expanded K zone today.
Mere justice.
If Slowey can get Giambi out he should be able to start the next inning with the bottom of the Yanks lineup due up.
It’s interesting…you got the feeling the Twins would come up with some runs in the fourth inning with their three lefties coming up against the inept right-hander in Rasner…and it ended up being D Young who delivered the big blow…getting help from a walk and an error…
Now the Twins have the same situation in the sixth…should be more runs, you would think!
I’d let Slowey start the 7th. At least until he gets into a little trouble. The Bullpen arms need as little work as possible today.
I think it’s time to bring in Guerrier.
T remind us the next time you have fresh material instead of playing BLOG MONITOR
“And romer, don’t think Cuddy’s gonna be fighting for much of anything until next season.”
Agreed. But he could fool us and heal like a youngster.
My plea goes to the baseball gods……
“Punto probably gone”
I don’t see this happening.
Wow, Mauer’s throw. Someone give him a neck massage pronto!
And now he increases the BA.
A true All Star.
Giambi, Nady, Cano, and Pudge in the 7th for Slowey. We’ll see if the kid is up to it. He’s been great so far.
T remind us the next time you have fresh material instead of playing BLOG MONITOR
Translation: “Hi kettle, I’m pot. Your black!”
I have no statistics to prove it, but I’d venture to say that 80% (or more) of the ‘bloggers” who are singing Delmon Young’s praises today wanted him traded, sent to AAA, cut or suffer a career ending injury just a month or two ago…..and if he goes 0 for 12 in the next 3 games you guys will all be calling for his head…or calling for Gardenhire’s head for not benching him. Reactionary jackals & hyenas.
PUNTO will take over as hitting coach when VAVRA retires
t don’t be so hard on punto we all know he’s your favorite player!! 2 yr extension soon!!
I think it’s time to bring in Guerrier.
True, he hasn’t pitched in a few HOURS.
Obviously Mauer’s neck is OK today. I think Guerrier is the one with a sore neck today.
I am still so right about the Beltre thing. That 3-run HR took the pressure of the starter which took the pressure off the BP which takes the pressure off the lineup. Only 4 hits, yet 3 runs.
And how about being so right on the Alvira Espinoza call. Stand up, poster, and take a bow.
I was right about Espinoza. (pats back)
Fire - That Blog Monitor bit isn’t exactly fresh material either.
nah, dknute, I’ll own up…the worst I ever said about D Young was that his .290 was “quiet”, in that it seemed like he didn’t come up with too many clutch hits…that and his power numbers were lacking, which was a legitimate gripe that just about everyone close to this team had (including Souhan, who constantly wondered why he was hitting upper deck HRs in BP but not in a game)…
I never once called for him to be removed from the lineup, though.
Odd……..Slowey with only 1 K today in 6.
Let’s see what else Delmon can do….
I have some fresh material: Punto is hot, steamy horse manure.
I’m pretty sure the people that wanted Young traded or sent down were in the minority. They just repeated themselves alot.
Sterling is calling Kubel, Koo Bell
drives me nuts
not sure why
We better get some runs here.
That guy obviously wanted nothing to do with the 3 lefties. Can’t imagine why he’d want to face Young right now.
They got to get at least 2 runs out of this.
Bad news for GoGO and Cuddy if DY comes through here.
This Giese kid helped us out nicely in his three batters faced.
Is there an inside joke going or something? Cuddy has had plenty of bad news this year. I don’t think DY hitting is going to ruin his day.
Injury delay? Or fake injury to warm up another pitcher delay?
odds DY swings at the first pitch after the previous two batters walk?
For as much crap as Hawk gets on here, John Sterling is worse….heard him last time we played NY…couldn’t stand it…
Walking off with that Giambi-School limp………
CudDLs is not here to defend himself….
of course if he was, he’d probably get hurt
No just take his job!
Mike - If it’s a strike and he crushes it, I don’t care.
Unless its grooved right down the middle, 0%….I hope.
Jason,
Sterling is terrible!!!
when Charlie Steiner was with him it wasn’t as bad, but Suzyn is horrible also.
Are they bringing another pitcher in?
yeah, Giese is hurt i guess
I was thinking the same thing Tony. Hit, walk, walk…”OWWWIIIEEEE my arm!”
Riiight.
on gamecast they just posted the odds of scoring 2+ runs when the bases are loaded with no outs as 59.x% (can’t remember the x). Interesting. I like that kind of stuff.
Two pitches right there and then The Hunter.
OUCH. Delmon a bit overanxious following his last couple of dingers…
cmon T,
Sterling said Giese is a nice guy.
that srikeout doesn’t help much.
Did DY chase a pitch out of the zone?
What a horrible at bat.
Well he definitely had the scouting report on Young, low and away, and it worked.
The odds of the Twins doing it 1%.
Strikeout then DP.
On-field delay?
What…did THIS guy hurt his arm too?
Delay. Ump took a fout ball in the face.
foul, obviously
what a bum send young down and bring keilty up.
Gameday seems to be messed up today.
How is this long half inning affecting Slowey? I can’t see Gardy putting him back out ther now can you?
“cmon T,
Sterling said Giese is a nice guy.”
he sure was nice to us as far as I’m concerned…
Is Guerrier warming up?
I would guess that Bass would be the first guy off the bench if they pulled Slowey now.
I was at a game once when two young women ran onto the field. They were able to get from the visitor’s dugout (or thereabouts) to about halfway between Hunter in CF and (I think) Lew in RF. They probably would’ve made it all the way if they hadn’t slowed up when they got closer to Hunter.
It was hilarious to watch the overweight security (male) security guards struggling to keep up…only to release they had no legit way of wrapping them up to stop them (what, do they grab them by the chest and get a nice hefty sexual harrassment suit)
It wasn’t until one of the younger female guards finally caught up that she was able to stop them. But for the rest of the game you could tell those guys were burned out.
I probably could’ve darted out onto the field at that point and done a few laps prior to getting caught. Provided I didn’t get tackled by the bat boy or something.
Did the foul break his nose? This is quit a delay.
Sterling said Giese is a nice guy.
Oh right…sorry.
*ahem*
What are you, his brother?
Carry on.
What’s the hold up? ESPN scoreboard isn’t refreshing at all.
Anyone know what the delay is??
I think Buscher gonna come through here.
ump hit in face with foul ball
There might be a longer delay if they need to reposition umps.
MLB Gameday just says onfield delay.
Someone tell the ump to buck up and get this thing going before I get fired!
Oh sorry, that seemingly unrelated story about the women running on the field was related to “onfield delays” and the like.
Carry on.
the backup ump is coming in.
Crew chief Mike Winters leaves the game after getting his bell rung on the Brian Buscher foul ball. The ball hit him right in the jaw and you could see that he was having a tough time focusing on things. First base umpire Angel Campos coming on to take his place.
The last time the Twins had a major delay during a rally it turned out pretty well. Let’s hope we see some results here.
What’s the Yanks pitcher doing right now for anybody watching. Does he get to take warmup tosses or anything?
backup ump? There goes the K-zone.
Thanks for the update!
Great, what may it say of the back-up ump if we hate the first stringer so much.
He’s warming up and Breslow is warming in the pen
T,
Sterling/Susan were agitated because Robertson isn’t throwing and they think he should be
Shawn - I don’t think metrodome-steps will make it as an olympic sport. You?
Does this little break help the Twins here? Maybe not Buscher with two strikes but this pitcher was fired up for seven good pitches, now he’s got to get it going after again with the bases loaded.
Buscher got lucky
Cal Ripken would win!
Bremer is freaking out too much about this. Breslow threw one pitch yesterday.
If Slowey is done, the Twins really need a couple runs here. Not much trust in the bullpen at this point.
Shawn, I thought that there were certain times when pitchers are and are not allowed to throw warmups.
Similiar to how they can only throw so many between innings or when they’re brought into a game.
That will work.
i have no idea
“what a bonehead play that was”
–Dan Gladden
“Yankees playing like that, they do not deserve to be in a pennant race”
–Dan Gladden
Best Twins announcer in the biz, folks. Love the honesty.
Jason - I just wish they would keep him away from play by play.
Jason - I just wish they would keep him away from play by play.
You don’t enjoy missing entire plays while Dan is off on one of his tangents?
yeah, Tony, it’s not the greatest…but it’s grown on me….it’s actually a nice contrast from the excess yelling and screaming you get from Dick and Gordo…bottom line is I’m very glad he’s there…Twins need a voice like that to set the game straight.
No matter what happens today–and let’s hope they hang on and win–Friday is going to be a ball! Liriano vs. Silva. Oh my! What a night to feast!
there’s our new set-up man…for the next game, anyway.
Good inning of work, Breslow.
Nicely done by Breslow. Now who pitches the 8th?
Jason - I may be in the minority, but if I got to choose who I would want replaced out of the TV booth, it would be Bert. I wouldn’t even have to think about it. Dick may overemphasize obvious not-homeruns, but I don’t find his antics anywhere near as annoying as Bert’s.
BTW: If you think you miss entire plays with Danny, what do you think of missing an entire inning with Gordo??? The other day, in KC, the guy called one pitch in an inning. It was ridiculous. Next thing you knew the inning was over and you had no idea what happened.
Great work Breslow. A stress-free inning.
I would vote for Reyes…
wouldn’t be surprised at all if Gardy goes with Guerrier.
Breslow is another one we did not see for a long while - while the bullpen has struggled, he has been collecting splinters. I was wondering if something was wrong with him.
Yikes! That is one scary, ghostly face that just popped up on Gameday for the Yanks new pitcher.
Is Livan available for the 8th????
Come on mr. hustle … not on second?
think nathan can pitch today? if he does won’t he be to tired to play golf tomorrow?
Man, Span sure seems to be making mental mistakes right now.
If the Twins can get another run or two here I would bring in Bass just to eat up the inning and then bring in Nathan in the 9th to face the meat of the order.
Speaking of Livan, do the Rockies have intentions of pitching him again???
that wasn’t even close. who missed that sign?
Did Span not hit on a hit and run?
Why wouldn’t they pitch Livan again. He’s a guaranteed win.
Crain will pitch the 8th
Shouldn’t the Twins have been bunting Span in that situation?
I would agree Tony…my theory is this:
Dick and Bert need to be separated.
If Bert were paired with a less G-rated play-by-play guy, you could actually have a pretty insightful and entertaining …
Meanwhile, Dick has a very good voice, but the antics are stale…and his missed calls on routine flyballs is annoying. I think if you stuck Dick with a nationally known voice, he would be darn good.
BTW: If you think you miss entire plays with Danny, what do you think of missing an entire inning with Gordo??? The other day, in KC, the guy called one pitch in an inning. It was ridiculous. Next thing you knew the inning was over and you had no idea what happened.
Yeah, that’s pretty awful, and it happens much too often considering they’re “professionals.”
He can hold a three run lead can’t he???
Who would you rather face Jennie Finch from the baseball mound or Livan from the softball mound???
Bring in Bass
considering I’d strikeout either way, ghammer, definitely have to go with Finch there.
Give me that Jennie Finch jiggle please!
Breslow back out there. Lets go guy.
Livan pitched for both Boston and Texas last night. 19-17. Must have been called after 4 1/2 innings
They are making really good contact against Breslow here.
Um, Crain please?
I was just going to say that I like that Breslow is out there for another inning and then he goes and gives up back to back singles. I DID like that Breslow was back on the mound.
Here we go again. Christ.
Is a sharp grounder right to the bag at 3rd too much to ask???
I smell a home run.
Tim, LOL. That’s clever.
Been nice having this lead. Too bad we won’t have it much longer.
Gardy effed up by bringing in Reyes against the righty Sexson
Reyes isn’t the only one crossing herself/himself when Senor Sweat comes in the game
Gotta love how Gardy manages that bullpen. Right on. Never messy. No implosions. Just clean, precise innings.
%$^#&@*#^$%$&#*#^!!!
Anytime Richie Sexton is hitting against you, you have to like your chances.
So Sexson replaces Cabrera? I thought Sexson was a 1Ber?
Struck him out!
Wow. That was a surprise. I mean, when was the last time Sexon struck out??? Oh, yeah. In his last AB yesterday.
C’mon Reyes, get the DP ball.
Reyes:
0.98 ERA at home 1.74 ERA in day games.
He got away with it. Kewl.
If only Damon hit as well as he throws, we’d be out of this inning.
GIDP por favor.
Curious what the defensive alignment will be for the Yanks now
BTW, suprised that the move by Gardy worked there for the K. Too bad too, I was waiting to see all the cussing on here.
Let’s hope that Reyes gets out of it here. Nathan’s job would be hard enough with Rodriquez, Giambi and Nady in the 9th. Let alone having to come in here to possibly face Abreu.
Reyes also has a .33 ERA in Wednesday matinee games right after Dick says “and the Twins will need to play perfect baseball to beat the Yankees” for the third time in an inning.
Lala, I checked, he actually has a 0.00 era in that situation.
Thank you, me too. My bad.
Looked like a tie for Damon at 1st. Forgiveable ump mistake with the 3-man crew.
BTW, the first pitch to Damon was a balk.
Not sure what is better for following a Twins game: Watching Dick and Bert on TV, listening to Gladden and Gordon on the Radio, or following on this blog?????
Good God.
good block Mauer
why can’t mauer catch reyes?
This does not look good. Another one’s about to get away. I just wonder how many rows into the stands A-Rod will hit the damn thing.
nice catch
Reusse’s point in the paper today about Reyes’ wild pitches comes to fruition.
Anyone watching? Did that take a tough hop or should Mauer have gotten it?
my bad…was it Mauer’s fault?
The radio guys didn’t pin it on Mauer (I know, huge shock there).
I think that was kind of Mauer’s bad. He tried to short hop it instead of just blocking it.
But it was so bang-bang……really can’t blame him.
If you watch it on TV, you’d think every ball in play was a dinger.
If you read the blogs, you’d think every ball in play was the last out of the season.
If you litsen to the radio, you’d not even know a game was being played.
Come on, Jess!
Dang Reusse. He jinxed the Twinkies again. Okay, now, the Twins still have a 2 run lead, just get the out now, Crain.
Thanks for clearing that up T. Maybe I’ll just wait for the box score the next day.
Good work, Reyes. Come on, Crain!
Should Joe have blocked that strike 3 pitch like the one he missed in KC?
Nathan has gotten A-Rod out twice in key spots the last two nights. Why the heck can’t he come in to get 4 outs?!?
T, LOL! Now THAT was funny.
I’d rather have Nathan than Crain here. At least it’s not Bass.
MTRR that the first called strike to Rod was also the 2nd ball called to Abreu.
I’d say its Mauer’s fault, especially because he knows a slider is coming. He only went down to 1 knee instead of both knees and blocking it.
MTRAR that the next two balls have been strikes earlier. (One to Abreu)
Isn’t talking about Reyes’ ERA just a bit deceptive since he hardly ever plays long enough to get a run charged against him.
Well, doing what you can against Roddy. Pitch at him but not to him.
Go-Go looks drunk.
Whew. Gomez has to make it abit scary doesn’t he?
Hmm. Don’t know what to think of that AB. Rod swung once. The one he put in play was right between one that was a strike and one that was a ball.
May have been ball four. Good placement by Crain.
What did Gomez do?
Thank goodness.
Is it just me, or has Mauer seemed rather lazy behind the plate the last couple of weeks?
Guerrier should pitch the ninth.
Kay - It’s a long season, especially for a catcher. He may be a little worn down.
Crain picks up Reyes and Mauer (and Breslow for that matter)
Now let’s see if the offense can give Nathan some wiggle room (yes I’d still go to Nathan unless they put they increase the lead to about 6 or more.
Go-Go better sober up or Span will show him where the bench is when he is moved back to center.
GO-GO always looks abit “out-of-it”. I personally like him as a player, however, my kids just LOVE him. Must be that exuberance that he just oozes.
Go-Go stumbled around trying to catch the last out. Looked like he was waiting for a rain delay.
Lala72 - you have a good sense of humor as well as what most Twins have - a sense fo the macabre
ES16, that the funniest thing I’ve read today!
Wow, we got the noodle arm in center now.
Thank you, Tim.
does anyone know if bill smith has tickets for these games or a tv so he can watch the bullpen work?
He has looked, not lazy, but hurt. Knees.
Twins looking to put the “Hit it to Damon” strategy that got them a few runs on Monday.
Noodle arm. I like that.
*pardon…Tuesday
Wow, not much of that bat left in his hands. At least the head of the bat went to the Yanks dugout.
These bats are going to kill someone.
Today, I believe Bill Smith is on a private jet headed for Alan Embrees home, trying to court him into coming off the waiver wire and into a Twins uniform. Kind of like the Mets did with Pedro a few years ago.
damon’s been working with livan to get a little steam on his throws!
“Guerrier should pitch the 9th”
Yeah, if you’re talking about an Amateur Baseball game in Miesville, I’m with you on that.
I think Mauer is literally outgrowing the catcher spot.
When was the last time we won a home series against the Yankees???
Three outs away from a Liriano vs. Silva Friday night game. I love it!!
Lets get the Yanks to move Damon into right. Lets see how many triples they can get off the baggy
Here comes the throw!
“Is it just me, or has Mauer seemed rather lazy behind the plate the last couple of weeks?”
I agree. I also think Morneau has looked off at the plate for the last 2-3 weeks. Teams are pounding the outside part of the plate and he’s not adjusting. Morny of 06 would be hammering those pitches to LF and left center.
Of course, it’s five minutes after the last play and we still don’t know if he’s safe at second via the radio guys. What the hell?
thank you lala. much appreciated.?
kay i agree, he needs to start working at 3b this off season and next spring if only to play 1/2 time there sharing time, save on his body a little.
R
U
B
E
S
Yep, he’s missed a couple of plays the last week or two, definately time to switch him to 3rd.
For those of you who don’t get sarcasm, that was meant as sarcastic. Snarky, even.
But I wonder if they can pitch in late innings?
http://enews.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20080813/48a25c40_3421_1334520080813-484402043
Did Delmon Young find his power stroke?
That pipe organ sucks. Can’t we get rid of that this off-season, along with Punto?
Mauer with a great steal. And remember, he was bearing down on 2nd when Cano freaked and took his foot off the bag.
Like I said last night, he’d be a very good pinch runner on his days off.
nothing like over reacting tony. i guess you’ve never caught a game?
I think we should replace that organ with a harmonica.
Jason does have one thing correct. Gardy does not trust Kubel against a lefty. wow. to be pinch hit for by Gomez. who then promptly strikes out.
Tony was kidding;
would that mean getting rid of both pipe organs?
“If you watch it on TV, you’d think every ball in play was a dinger.
If you read the blogs, you’d think every ball in play was the last out of the season.
If you litsen to the radio, you’d not even know a game was being played.
”
winner, best post of the day.
We Go-totheninth!
i feel bad, somebody over reacting is so rare on here.
JP
Gomez came in as a defensive replacement at the beginning of the inning. Not as a pinch hitter.
one down two to go.
JP, Gomez was brought in for defense.
Nady swings and there’s a drive! This could reach the gap! Young to try and cut it off..
two down one to go.
These last three innings routinely remind me of being the narrator in “The Pit and the Pendulum.”
It’s like three innings of Eddie Guardado.
Ball four and Canoe is aboard. The speedster could come around to score on a well placed double.
I didn’t know Canoe’s could run. Aren’t they better in the water?
H-O-L-D-I-N-G M-Y B-R-E-A-T-H
striiiiike to Rodriguez to even the count. The windup and here’s the pitch!
It doesn’t matter if Cano scores the Twins are up by 2. They just can’t let Pudge score.
twooooo and twooo to the hard hitting catcher of Spanish descent. Here’s the delivery!
the Twins played young in the series in NY - this time they played Young
“Jason does have one thing correct. Gardy does not trust Kubel against a lefty. wow. to be pinch hit for by Gomez. who then promptly strikes out.”
That and he’s 2-for-9 in this series with 0 RBI and has left a ton of runners on base…but I won’t argue this point further today…my stance on this issue has been vigorously recorded and Gardy seems to agree with me.
Now they need to sweep Seattle like they should have a couple weeks ago.
Man, could a game have any more twists and turns!?
And the twists and turns in just this past 20 hours (2 games)!!
TREMENDOUS SERIES WIN! I didn’t think it was possible.
Oh, too bad, Pudge-Rod!
Shoulda swept but……….
Now don’t be sad,
Cause two out of three ain’t bad.
(Meatloaf)
The biggest piece of evidence of Gardy’s distrust of Kubel versus lefties was pinch hitting Randy Ruiz for him in the seventh last night when Ruiz had a grand total of 9 major league at-bats.
Big win, boys!
All our troubles are gone…if and until we lose again, I guess!
Lala73
my prediction is that silva will pitch his best game of the year friday night.
he’s going to be mad, having to leave here and take the 48m from seattle.
The bullpen did its job today! Good game and nice work taking the series. Now let’s avenge the embarrassment of the Seattle series.
i wouldn’t say i didn’t think it was possible…we trotted a great lineup out there today (in stark contrast to last night when we trotted out a weak lineup)…
I sincerely hope this lineup becomes the norm, even with Harris’ 0-for-4; let Punto and Everett platoon at short.
“Jason does have one thing correct. Gardy does not trust Kubel against a lefty. wow. to be pinch hit for by Gomez. who then promptly strikes out.”
Wasn’t a Gomez a defensive replacement?
Jason, for that to work, Gardy would have to put Harris at 2nd again. I wish he would but don’t think he will.
yes he was…Gomez was a defensive replacement in the 8th…a smart one, too.
I thought the Twins had injuries LAST year……..THIS year, injuries to umpires are nipping at their ass too.
I ask you baseball gods, when will this scourge end?
I wish he would, too. It’s the right thing to do.
problem is, you’d also be looking at an 8-9 combo of Punto-Gomez, which probably isn’t the best recipe either…but these are quibbles at this point. We flat out got the job done today because the bully finally was able to eek by!
When Silva is mad, does he pitch 84 or 85mph?
Although Everett hit just .189 over his first 25 games with the Twins, things have gone better offensively since he rejoined the Twins on July 31 after a stint on the disabled list. He entered Tuesday’s contest hitting .300 (6-for-20) in his past eight games and has a .417 on-base percentage over that span. from MLB. Jason - Harris’ 0 for 4 was so much better. However, if Punto must play, keep him 8th or 9th depending on whether Gomez plays
If I were Seattle, I would try to sneak out of town before Silva gets on the plane.
it doesn’t matter he’s laughing all the way to the bank!!!
It’s too bad the Twins didn’t get a sandwich pich out of him.
at least give Reyes a sandwich
I think the Mariners will give us a harder time then the A’s that team has given up again.
Mauer has been kind of a wimp in the past in that he is always taking time off. That is one reason his batting average has been high. If he played every day or almost every day, his average would be much lower. Also, if you notice, his batting average has been falling each year and his home run power has not increased.
Great start for slowey.
Mauer is 2nd in the league in innings caught. All catchers take days off. Most more than Mauer.
Biiiiig swing and a miss by Rodriguez AND the TWINS …. … …WIN. Twins win! Twins win! fooooh to twooo.
Why don’t the Twins bring up Hughes to play second base and send Punto off in a trade or to the minors? Hughes could not do any worse than Punto and he would probably add more punch to the lineup.
grab some bench pudge-rod
Guerrier better pitch on Friday.
Ibanez and Washburn have been claimed on waivers. Didn’t know who claimed them. If nothing else, hopefully Ibanez is off the Mariners by Friday.
“The biggest piece of evidence of Gardy’s distrust of Kubel versus lefties was pinch hitting Randy Ruiz for him in the seventh last night when Ruiz had a grand total of 9 major league at-bats.”
Keep on trollin’! Whee!
“Also, if you notice, his batting average has been falling each year and his home run power has not increased.”
Mauer hit .347 in 2006. Did you think that average would go up every year? Now he’s hitting .316/.409/.444 and has already caught 104 games this year. What current catcher can compare to Mauer?
why are people griping about Mauer now?
Mauer had a passed ball today and Morneau obviously can’t hit any more (0 for 3 again today). I say we trade ‘em to the A’s for Alan Embree.
There, does that qualify me to be a reactionary jackal?
Actually, I’ve seen worse suggestions on here by guys that were absolutely serious.
Man O Man, more tornado stuff down here in SW MN. Saved my gal’s ass as she was about to go right into the golfball stuff being out on the road about 50 miles from here. God bless cellphones.
Glad we didn’t go 12 innings today!
La Velle,
Any word on who claimed Washburn and Ibanez. Boy it would be nice to see Ibanez in a different uni by this weekend.
I think some of those calling Mauer a ‘wimp’ for taking one day off ought to catch as many games as Mauer has and see how it feels.
“Mauer has been kind of a wimp…” blah blah blah (whatever Stan and everybody else has said).
Too bad Mauer doesn’t have a small body that likes to squat like Pudge. He’s too tall to be a catcher.
Yet he’s in the top 5 AL catchers defensively (might be #1) and top 5 offensively (probably IS #1).
Stan, are you looking to land a starting MLB catcher’s spot?
Boy, are the Royals a punchless lineup.
Well let’s be honest. The White Sox should take care of business and beat the Royals at home. They’re doing that.
Now, we should take care of business and beat the Mariners at home.
**The Twins should have made a trade of some kind**
Interesting tidbit: All three scheduled Seattle starters for weekend series are ex-Twins. The Mighty Carlos; Rowland-Smith, who was a Rule 5 guy for a little while; and Dickey, who was Twins’ property earlier this year. Anything less than a sweep over these bums would be pathetic!
Just a heads up. Saw this article: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080813&content_id=3303342&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea
on the Mariners website. Looks like the Twins may not be afacing Dickey after all.
This actually matches what I heard on the radio earlier that there wasn’t a scheduled starter for Sunday.
Ssssssss, I like your info.
And I like your moniker.
I have a ssssssss going through my head because “**The Twins should have made a trade of some kind**” (Thanks, TK(2).)
You’re welcome?
