Twins-Tigers: Saturday pregame
Posted on September 6th, 2008 – 1:36 PMBy La Velle
There was a new Twins player taking batting practice today. A righthanded hitter with a little pop. Looked like he knew what he was doing. But I didn’t recognize the guy.
The club didn’t announce any roster moves today, so this has caught me off guard. I’m on my way to the clubhouse to get to the bottom of this.
All I have to go on is that the player is wearing No. 5……
Update: I wasn’t trying to suggest that Cuddyer has been activated. He did take bp with the boys and felt really good. “It was just good to be doing something again,” he said. He’ll be re-evaluated on Tuesday and could be cleared to so some light running on Wednesday. He’s determined to take the next road trip with the team but it’s unclear when he’ll be cleared to play.
Then there’s the question of how does he get his timing down without a minor league rehab assignment. The Twins’ instructional league begins around the 16th, but would you want Cuddyer to dig in against some 23rd round pick whose either quivering in his cleats or trying to throw 100 m.p.h.?
Lineups
Tigers (67-74)
- Curtis Granderson, CF
- Placido Polanco, 2B
- Magglio Ordonez, RF
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Gary Sheffield, DH
- Marcus Thames, LF
- Jeff Larish, 3B
- Brandon Inge, C
- Ramon Santiago, SS
Pitching: Justin Verlander
Twins (78-63)
- Denard Span, RF
- Alexi Casilla, 2B
- Joe Mauer, C
- Justin Morneau, 1B
- Jason Kubel, DH
- Delmon Young, LF
- Brian Buscher, 3B
- Nick Punto, SS
- Carlos Gomez, CF
Pitching: Scott Baker
287 Responses to "Twins-Tigers: Saturday pregame"
A productive Cuddy back in right and Span in center would be a big plus.
Too bad he wouldn’t be on the postseason roster…
Too bad he wouldn’t be on the postseason roster…
Is that accurate?
Is that accurate?
No he’s on the DL thus he can replace a position player. Or a position player can be swapped because Cuddyer’s on the DL. Same with Neshek, they can swap a pitcher out. It’s how Rodriguez got on the roster for the Angels way back when. Paging Jose Mijares…
I am pretty sure there are ways they can get him on.
A day game after a night game and Gardy isn’t going with a B lineup. Thank you! I am still unsure about Gomez in the lineup, however.
if he can hit and a roster move is not needed, maybe he can PH late in games…. especially when a HR or fly ball is needed and he doesn’t really need to run
Keep us filled in LaVelle, it is now crunch time for the MadDog JunkYard Mutts to bypass and dominate the WhiteSux, with whomever, whatever, and however…Trust me….Gardy, Favra, and the whole staff knows what the heck they are doing….WIN MUTTS, WIN MADDOGS, WIN TWINS!!!
It think once they get to September, the entire 40-man is pretty much eligible to come up isn’t it?
Gomez vs. Verlander today? Sounds like a mismatch to me…
Wow look at that! That’s what I like to see, a consistent starting lineup, even if it’s Punto playing at short (yikes!)
By the way, shouldn’t he get a few days off so he’s nice and fresh for the stretch run?
GoGo will get on base once for sure when Verlander plunks him for “bunting quotes” from last time they faced each other. GoGo claimed Twins rattled Verlander with bunts last time & Verlander was not happy about the quotes at all! Of course if he only gets buzzed, he can always bunt. 
Go line up for the righty today. One game at a time…..
Go Twins!
You got it, coco, GoGo will pester the bejesus out of Verlander. Verlander will not dare hit him with a pitch, cause the AL Umps are watching, and if he does, GoGo will steal 2nd, GoGo will steal 3rd, and GoGo will steal home. Just watch. tahee tahee tahee.
p.s. I haven’t seen a Twins’ runner steal home since Rod Carew at the Old Met Stadium. It is TIME. GO GoGo, GO MADDOG MUTTS, WIN TWINS!!!!
Sure would have been nice to get more than one run with the bases loaded. Damn. It is so much better with FOX using the old CF camera. The new overhead angle that FSN uses sucks. I can’t even see the players faces. ESPN used it before and canned it. I wish FSN would do the same. They have ruined watching games on TV from the Dome.
bufftwins: I don’t see what’s so bad about being able to accurately see if a pitch is a ball or a strike while watching on TV…
Great DP MadDog Mutts….
bufftwins…watch the Plate Ump…Right arm is a strike!!!!!
This inning I want to see what Verlander does with GoGo. High and Tight maybe????
[…] Originally published by Twins Insider […]
Told you.
what did I say…and hit him besides.
Hi DrDon. Busy today myself. Mush-mush the boys. Don’t let up……
Cabrera doesn’t have a very long left arm, does he? I thought GoGo was picked off.
Gotta run.
Here goes GoGo, just watch, Verlander does not like this pup on base…. Steal, GoGo, shucks…
Hey romer, good to hear from you. These young MadDog Mutts bother the heck out of Mr. Verlander. Gotta love it!!!!
Here’s betting that his next time up GoGo WILL bunt off Verlander.
I agree with you, coco, but then I will also bet that Verlander will throw at him AGAIN, and then ejection. What say on that?
Good inning Scott Baker, you young MadDog Mutt!
The closer the game stays, at 1-0 Pups, the better Pup Baker will pitch. Yes??
Let’s hear it for the MVP Justin and the Kubes!!!!
Oops, guess GoGo decided to try to hit a homer or else was afraid if he bunted foul, he would get plunked again.
looks like the double play is in full effect today for the Twins
Morneau has sure killed this team’s chances at scoring runs today.
trend: 3 straight close loses blown in late innings, then blow a team out and win, then 3 more straight close games
Jimmy. We are ahead.
Great DP DENARD
Jimmy, also we have turned a couple ourselves, what game are you watching?
Span is our best defensive player.
who’s with Gordo today?
Here we go, MadDog Mutts…4 run inning coming up!!!!
Verlander is totally dogmeat now!!!!
there he is!
GoGo is in Verlander’s head…YESSSSS
way to Go Gomez
Way to go GoGo!!!! And Verlander is GONE!!!!!!!!
Haha Buscher. What was Ullger thinking?
2 of the 4 so far, that I called, and we aren’t done yet.
I was half right…..oh well.
gotta admit, I am a half and half dimwit…half dim and half wit…duhhh
Gomez won’t bunt on Verlander any more THIS year.
Heatonator: oh no Span! have to just stop that though, not mad.
Ullger, what are you doing? That is bad, bad, base coaching. It’s one thing to be agressive but being stupid is a whole other thing. And Span just tried to do too much on that liner.
Haha Buscher. What was Ullger thinking
Sometimes teams execute a perfect relay, many times they don’t.
There is lesson for Denard….ahead 4 to 1, give the single, and keep the ball in front. This run means nothing anyway. Now Denard will learn, that it would be better to have runner on 1st and 2nd, instead of 1st and a run in. We all make mistakes, Denard will never do that again.
Does Span cover as much real estate as Gomez and Hunter?
that was one good move by Detroit pitcher.
Span, Gomez, and Young cover an outfield as well as any threesome outfielders in the majors, IMO.
I’ll agree with that.
Nice pickoff move
But I’d like to to throw Hunter into the mix and compare with him.
Span in left, Gomez in center and Hunter in right.
I was glad to see FOX show my Buscher stat:
RBI every 4.7 plate appearances, or
RBI every 4.23 at bat.
Now just hope that Detroit doesn’t decide to hit a HR.
Dennys WP Reyes
I’m not even a little surprised.
Damnnit
I bet some of you are amazed that happened, that is seriously hysterical
I actually feel like puking right now.
Maybe now Ron “the genious” Gardenhire will realize that he’s not the smartest guy in the world just because he always likes to bring in a lefty to face another lefty. If Reyes was effective it would be one thing. And of course, he faces his one batter, and Gardy takes him out. What a waste of a move.
5th law of thermodynamics: Twins reliever enters a game, Twins blow lead and lose.
Reyes doesn’t give up that pitch, this game isn’t tied.
Of course, Span doesn’t misplay that ball it’s potentially not tied either.
And there goes Guerrier. Not a guy in this pen…
And of course, he faces his one batter, and Gardy takes him out.
Yeah. Gardy pulling Reyes would have nothing to do with Reyes giving up a dinger on the second pitch or anything.
Reyes might want to take out a restraining order against Scott Baker, considering he just erased 2 1/2 hours of hard work by “Big Spot Scott.”
I think each Twins start would have another 2-3 wins for sure on their record without all these blown games lately.
I remember playing gradeschool baseball as a pitcher, the first thing we were taught was, if you have an 0-2 count you do not throw a fastball down the middle, maybe Gurrier thinks he’s playing shuffleboard? who know’s?
Comical, just comical
Oh hey look. Guerrier sucks too.
T-
When was the last time Reyes pitched to more than one batter??
The other night he came in just to walk a guy.
Nice to hear the boos in the metrodome again. They are well deserved.
Well obviously, Gardy’s a moron for pulling Baker.
Obviously.
When was the last time Reyes pitched to more than one batter??
When’s the last time Reyes came in and didn’t screw up his first batter?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, how can you not be amused, you could make soooo much money betting on them blowing leads in late games, hahahahaha
Reyes came into the game to face only one batter.
It would have been nice if he could have handed Gardy back the same ball Gardy originally handed to him.
Is this really happening?
Boy, it’s a good thing the Twins picked up Eddie like everybody here wanted. He sure has made a difference in the bullpen.
Way to leave Bake in Gardy
Boo em people. BOOOOO EM!
It is fascinating to see how the bullpen can blow leads in so many different ways
I’m not arguing that T, what I’m saying is that Gardy goes through the whole relief process just to bring in Reyes just to throw to one hitter. If he were lights-out, that’d be one thing, but why go through all that process to bring in a guy who’s not even that effective? Why not leave
Backer in or bring Nathan in right now?
Why not Breslow?
I wouldn’t be upset about wasting Scott Baker’s time, he’s still getting paid, they waste all the fans time everyday….look at my comment above, lose 3 close games, blow a team out, lose 3 close games, the pattern continues!
Gardy let Baker stay in just a little bit longer, and the moment he let the runner on Gardy did the right thing and went to the pen.
Jimmy,
“I remember playing gradeschool baseball as a pitcher”
How long have you been in that league?
Another meltdown…if your bullpen stinks, it doesn’t matter whether you are at home or on the road.
We can’t make the playoffs like this. Wow. Sox bullpen is bad but it is not as bad as the Twins. That would be impossible.
You could bring in Mariano Rivera in the prime of his career and he would blow games for the Twins, hysterical
Twins have to avg. 10 runs to win games right now.
Well it took four runs to get 1 out
lose 3 close games, the pattern continues!
This would only be the first game after a blowout.
Unless you want them to lose tomorrow so you can be right.
But then if you thought that…what are you doing here? This is for fans of the Twins.
ummmmm … Mr. Smith, do you still think Bradford would not be an upgrade in this bullpen?
I’m guessing another 2 run shot, who would bet against me?
In before: “Should’ve brought Crain in to start the 8th.”
their is the sweet bullpen again!!
I don’t think this crowd is stunned after seeing the road trip…
Does Fox superimposing their own ads over the ads at the dome bother anyone else? Don’t know why, but it bugs the hell out of me.
Perfect example of what’s wrong with this pen.
Crain, who couldn’t get an out to save his life in a pinch, comes in here and shuts them down.
Last time the Twins were in a tight spot, Crain was the one that put them in it and Reyes was one of the guys that ended it.
There isn’t a single pitcher in the pen who can CONSISTENTLY be brought in.
Beacuse now tomorrow when they’re in a tight spot, Crain will be first in and he’ll get his butt kicked, and then Reyes or Guerrier will breeze through to end the inning.
It’s absurd.
Hey T, wait and see, just wait and see…I’m guessing you wouldn’t bet against me on that happening, so you’re in the same boat
Does Fox superimposing their own ads over the ads at the dome bother anyone else?
There’s a green screen behind the plate for national games. Are you saying they’re doing it for the ads along the OF wall too?
Weird.
Hey, how about some prescription Flomax
I’m guessing you wouldn’t bet against me on that happening, so you’re in the same boat
I don’t root against the team I cheer for. I find it to defeat the purpose of…you know…rooting for the team.
Go back to the Tigers board troll.
The white sox are going to be 2.5 games up after today. Somehow, the twins will be back 3.5 games when they meet the white sox so even if the twins sweep it won’t mean a thing.
bert’s constant ranting against 100 pitch limits gets less irritating every day.
I say bring the call up pitchers in, they can’t possibly be worse.
Nathan will get today off and close it down tomorrow.
It’s all good!
I used to get mad like some of you, but it’s inevitable like the sun rising in the east that the Twins will blow late leads of less than 3 runs
season over.
Let’s hope that the Tigers bullpen lives up to its recent troubles.
(And that the offense isn’t completely deflated by watching balls fly over their heads)
A homerun is the worst thing to do to your offense, because they can’t do ANYTHING to stop it.
White Sox play the Angels and are going against Lackey. Not to sure of that. But if our BP can’t get it together it won’t matter.
T
No, not the outfield. I didn’t know it was a green screen. I just thought they were blocking the strib ad. that green back there makes the dome look even more sterile, if that makes any sense.
T says “Beacuse now tomorrow when they’re in a tight spot, Crain will be first in and he’ll get his butt kicked”
This is your example of cheering on your team, GO TWINS!
Why the hell is Tolbert pinch hitting for Kubel!?!?!?!!
I am convinced Gardenhire has lost his freakin’ mind.
Tolbert as a pinch hitter???? why?
Wait a second. Did Gardy just pinch hit for Kubel….
This is your example of cheering on your team, GO TWINS!
Except in my case, I’m not rooting for it to happen.
Again, go back to your Tigers blog troll.
Gardy got Tolbert confused with Tollhouse cookies, he was hungry
what is the reasoning for having Tolbert hit for Kubel….Farnsworth throws heat…Kubel hit heat …
I guarantee we go down 1-2-3 in the 8th and the 9th innings.
I’m not rooting for it to happen, I’m pointing out a trend, or pattern, I learned about these early on in gradeschool…like, red, white, white, white, red, white, white, white….
Tolbert PH for Kubel is an impossible choice for anyone. Gardy is the only manager in baseball that would even consider that.
Gardy has lost his mind, what reason could he possibly have for doing that?
Gardy needs the boot. Period.
We’ll have to wait until after the game. Maybe something happened to Kubel.
That’s the advantage of having the game on FSN. DnB would’ve likely wondered, and we woudl’ve gotten something from the sidelines about if Kubel was hurt or something…
It is odd.
An out, great move Gardy.
The whole bullpen should face the firing line. This is the end of the line for the Twins. We are DONZO!
If Gardy deserves to get fired, Leyland deserves to be not only fired, but expelled from baseball.
And Joe Giradi would disappear underneath Giants stadium alongside Hoffa.
T,
even if something happened to Kubel, I can think of 2-3 people who should be pinch hitting before Tolbert…
Kubel left the game to warm up, Gardy is bringing him to pitch the 9th
What an ugly at at bat by Buscher, Farnsworth tried to walk him two pitches in a row and Buscher would have none of it.
Probably not even get to the M & M boys next inning. *sigh*
at least the vikings start on monday
Oh wait, I see now…it all makes sense:
“Strib Blog Rule 49.B: Discussion of firing Gardy should only be breached once the Twins are losing.
It should never be discussed as a viable option following a victory.”
I missed that chapter. My bad.
settle down, I don’t need to go to the vikings page
Jimmy, he couldn’t do any worse I guess. LOL
Probably not even get to the M & M boys next inning.
Not like Morneau’s done any favors with his two DPs rally killing DPs.
And yeah, 1 scored a one…whoop de doo.
this just out! new Twins offer, if the Twins blow a late inning lead they refund your money…..great, the rest of our home games are free!
this is ridiculous. I’m so sick of this bullpen being responsible for every loss at this point. I have no idea what else they can do about it other than stop pitching Guerrier. What do you suppose Toronto would want in exchange for their entire bullpen in a nice little package?
I know what’s wrong, someone told the bullpen that the Twins get runs when they give them up
Gardy have a fine system where a reliever has to pay $1000 per run, including runners already on.
Gardy should have a fine system that is
Well, he did get a grand slam yesterday. Would be nice if somehow that would happen. Probably highly unlikely though.
guarantee they go down 1-2-3 in the 9th, won’t even make good contact with a foul ball
LNP to start the rally?
yeah, Twins are coming up with a pair against Rodney in the 9th. I’m going to watch some tennis.
Twins should get the Miller high life guy from this commercial to pitch, at least he is confident
Tigers bullpen today:
3.1 IP, 1H, 0R
Twins bullpen today:
1.2 IP, 3H, 3R
Who can Gardy throw out there? They all suck.
Rodney could have no arms and he’d still put down the Twins
From now on, the starting pitcher stays in the game until he grabs his pitching arm in pain.
gp says:
September 6th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
season over.
the season was over last week. Every game the bullpen blows eats away at the batters and starting pitchers, knowing that nothing they do is good enough to keep this god-awful pen from crapping the bed, then rolling around in it.
At this point the call ups. Maybe they have not been brainwashed by the bullpen yet. LOL
Insanity = letting Punto bat, yet pinch-hitting for Kubel.
Korecky and Humber are already brainwashed ala Toronto game…
I bet Nick Punto hits a 3 run-home run here
Didn’t people on this page say swinging at the first pitch is a sign of a bad hitter? Or is that just relative to the batter?
walk for punto here
maybe the Twins should get some circus midgets, at least the games would be entertaining
Swinging at the first pitch just for swingings sake is the sign of an undisciplined hitter.
there goes my 3 run home run
rally time here folks. this team sucks worse than paris hilton but damnit we are winning this thing.
Nah, Kubel isn’t as important in the field as Punto, so that is why he can be pitch hit for (yes I know Kubel was the DH)
We need gomez to connect on one of those wild swings.
gomez with a 2 run bunt
Gomez has to start in AAA next year
“this team sucks worse than paris hilton”
No, the phrase is:
this team sucks more than paris hilton
Should have let Ruiz ph, Gomez clueless as usual
midgets cannot play mlb baseball. It is a rule. i’m serious. strike zone is too small.
gomez should go to single a to get some confidence
well they don’t need to play, they can just run around between innings or something???
Maybe if fans start a letter writing campaign to Vlady he can teach gomez how to hit and keep his wild swing at everything approach…..it might be better than just benching him for all eternity like some people would like
here we go
DP is still in order…
In Twins fashion, double play to end game
Please lexi find a gap please !
This team sucks harder than a fat man drinking a milkshake.
Lexi holy buckets didnt see that coming
lets go folks
Now would be a nice time for a Grannie, just like in Toronto
Come on Joseph!!!!
Here comes Mauer, guaranteed, grounds into double play to second baseman
I hate to say it, but i feel a dp coming here.
It was a perfect bunt
lol, the announcer just said the twins have big boppers.
double right here
wait, lets ph ruiz for mauer!! that sounds like a gardy move…..or macri!
Just don’t hit into a DP mauer. I would like to see Leyland walk mauer, even though that would be stupid.
Mauer should have put that ball in the outfield
no, that sounds like him, seeing Justin hit into 2 dps today….. kind of smart….now you are thinking like him, scary
Mauer should have put another one in the outfield
God damnit
redemption time
Mauer missed two pitches that would have tied the game, and it looks like it will decide the game.
and we are going to be down 2.5
wow, this sucks.
Well obviously Gardy should’ve PH for Mauer and Morneau.
What a moron.
The seasons done if the bullpen can’t right the ship
Leave it to the twins to make a loss manufactured by the bullpen even worse.
Morneau with the bases loaded today:
0-2, GIDP.
Go MVP.
“The seasons done if the bullpen can’t right the ship”
Hard to right a ship that is already shipwrecked…
they should wear the sleeveless unis the rest of the year. This embarressing bunch of idiots are not worthy of wearing uniforms that 2 world series were won in.
(M & M) + (bases loaded) = loss
I’m speechlessly disapointed
Wrong.
Bullpen pitching = loss
Well, they are going to be 2.5 games back. Just as long as we don’t fall further back, they still have a chance…
Whoopee, I didn’t by any more tickets for twins games this year, there is always a positive in everything
“Hard to right a ship that is already shipwrecked…”
At least the rats will leave the ship and the ship will be in better condition for those who stay.
I’m in favor of moving Perkins and Blackburn to the pen now just to help ensure wins 3 out of 5 days and then just have throw away games the other 2 out of 5. Better than throwing every game away in the 7th and 8th.
I am not a gardy hater, but why in christ’s name didn’t he let baker try to work through the eighth?
Can I just say…
Worst. Play. By. Play. Ever.
For all the complaining about Dick and Bert, today’s game on FOX was excruciating.
Or the rats will eat everyone on the ship…
NOTE TO FRONT OFFICE: Twins blow lead in 8th.
Figgins doubles
“Or the rats will eat everyone on the ship…”
Not if they leave the ship!
gatty790 says:
September 6th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Well, they are going to be 2.5 games back. Just as long as we don’t fall further back, they still have a chance…
Are you suggesting that the twins are going to score 15 runs per game? Or that the starters are going to go nine innings every day? Yay!
It must be nice to be the Angels because they don’t have to win a game the rest of the month and they will still be going to the playoffs.
Reezee, gimme some examples.
No, I am suggesting that the Twins are going to score 20 runs per game and the starters are going to throw a perfect game every day.
1-0 Angels
Ullger ran us out of a possible bigger inning, bullpen blows again, Gardy pinch hits for Kubel, doesn’t pinch hit for Gomez, Mauer just missed two hanging splitters and Morneau ropes one that if its 2 feet higher, tie game maybe even a winning 3-run double. This one really stings. Come on Torii and the Angels!
But many will panic to get off of the ship, that is when the rats will make their move…
gatty,
“It must be nice to be the Angels because they don’t have to win a game the rest of the month and they will still be going to the playoffs.”
And if they lose momentum and lose in the ALDS, they will get skewered.
Heatonator
Reezee does not have to give examples to justify his opinion. Bad play by play cannot really be quantified. I agree with him. The play by play guy did not seem to know very much about the game, and mazzone did not have much to say, and what he did say wasn’t very insightful. “whitey ford once told me that a guy throwing a 125 pitch nine inning shutout had a heck of a game.” Really Leo? What a fascinating story.
I am usually not a Gardy basher - but Tolbert for Kubel? And then he lets Gomez hit in the 9th? I can’t fault him for the bullpen because nobody’s reliable. I guess you could make an argument that he should be using Breslow before Reyes based on recent results. Also, they really might be better off letting the starters go longer given the state of the bullpen. But the PH moves (or lack thereof) in this game were inexplicable.
What would whitey ford think of when carlos silva threw that CG on 70-something pitches?
Tolbert for Kubel is kind of bizaare. Is kubel hurt or something?
BTW - agree on the play by play - brutal.
I’m sure kubel is fine
gatty
He would sign silva to a 4 year, 48 million dollar deal. Then get run out of town.
I’m not disagreeing with Reezee. I just like to hear people specifically rip announcers.
“What would whitey ford think of when carlos silva threw that CG on 70-something pitches?”
Whitey Ford would think “Who the hell is Carlos Silva?”
The play by play announcer today was Chris Rose, host of Best Damn Sports Show
Too @#$%@#$%@#$% much scuffling!!!
Would whitey ford sign him to a type of man-slave contract for 4 years?
why would you even think about letting Gomez bat in the 9th
“why would you even think about letting Gomez bat in the 9th”
Because he is a wild swinger and is prone to strike out…
Yeah, Rodney v. Gomez = K
I think the worst part about gomez is that you don’t even need to throw a single strike to strike him out.
i got a kick out of gomez barking at verlander. made me laugh. gomez better not be at the major league level next year. He is an insult to people paying good money to be entertained. Watching gomez futilely flail away is not entertaining. Right now, he is garbage, and should never, ever be trusted to bat in the late innings when they desperately need runs.
Buscher now struggling offensively because Gardy let him sit so, so long on the bench and then had to play Tolbert 9/1. Buscher did play good defense today through. I hope he can work through his struggles. He can hit but not hitting now.
The real problem is not 3rd base and many has suggested but the bullpen.
2-1 Sox
With all due respect and not seeking controversy, didn’t Gomez drive in two runs today and start the four run inning(Morneau’s GS yesterday). This team loses because they make too many mistakes, in all facets of the game. They are not a good fielding team; they are not a good base running team; their bullpen is suspect; they too often miss out on close down half-innings (the half inning following your team scoring); they are young and some of their coaching is suspect. That said, they are 14 games over .500 and doing better than they should ever have expected this year. To conclude, I’m just as frustrated tonight but tomorrow is another day and the CWS team is catchable. Carlos G., the drinks are on me!
“their bullpen is suspect”
I think that is an understatement
Wow, 19 men left on base, that tends to kick you in the ass
OK… from one of the 42,000 fans at the game, here’s my take and a couple of answers:
1. Tolbert (switch hitter) pinch hit for Kubel because LHP Rapada was still in the game. He actually warmed up and then after Tolbert was announced RHP Farnsworth was brought in.
2. Gomez doubled today to drive in 2 (doubled yesterday as well). Without his double we lose 6-2 instead of 6-4. He wasn’t our problem today or yesterday.
3. Ulger blew the decision to send Buscher on the Gomez basesloaded double. If he holds him, we have 2nd/3rd with one out and top of order coming up. that was a huge play.
4. Yep, Morneau 0-2 with sacks jammed today. The first one, the double play really sucked the air out of the dome. Sacks full and nobody out. It would have been nice to score 3 or more that inning.
5. Baker was completely in control. 70 of his 100 pitches were strikes. He deserved a better ending.
6. As I said yesterday, we didn’t need to use any of our “top” relievers yesterday. Matty’s yesterday arm was much better than today’s arm.
7. Dang, Rodney throws hard… hitting 97 on the stadium gun. Mauer just missed a couple of pitches. Morneau was right on him. It would have been a game winner, IMO. Looked like it would have split the CF/RF gap with Alexi on first. If only a couple feet higher…
8. Dang… we deserved better. That slop that Reyes and Matty served up was not pretty.
9. Dang.
10. I need those drinks Daniel.
Let’s go F-Rod. Hold that dang lead.
Cellular field is a joke it is so easy to hit HRs there apparently they are running out of room to mention the players that have hit a HR today.
K Rod blows the save boooooooooo
Sox are about to win and your lifeless MN Twins are about 10 seconds from being 2.5
Who the hell are and get a life you pathetic troll. LOL
Oft times, these pennant races come down to good/bad bounces and just plain luck/good fortune. Experience helps immensely.
Stop calling yourself Twins when it is obvious you are not a fan of the Twins and are a troll. You are a disgrace to the name.
AN AJ makes a terrrrrible base running decision
Either way Twins are probably out of it but I just don’t think Sox are going to get past the 1st round. Twins if they were going would not either.
Wow, Sox are blowing it. I thought they had the game in the bag.
Thanks, Torii!!!
Whew. Shields dancing through the heart of the sox order with 1st/3rd nobody out. Cooool. Maybe they can regain that lead. If nothing else, go ahead and play 20 innings.
Well folks, there is some good news in the middle of the rain clouds today. Scott Baker still looks strong. He will finish with more innings pitched this year than last, and the fact that he is finishing strong bodes well for his next season. I can see Baker-Liriano forming a very good 1-2 combo at the top of the order. Some of the current AA and AAA pitchers (Duensing, Manship, et. al.) are going to get every opportunity to start next season in the MLB bullpen. Doesnt mean Guerrier and Crain won’t be back. They’ll get chances, but their jobs will not be written into stone b4 spring training. So, this current situation could end up strengthening the pitching staff for next season. Through AAA, trades,or FA’s, the bullpen will get better, and the starting pitching should be strong.
Of course, that doesnt address the defensive deficiencies, nor the offensive imbalance, nor the overall lack of leadership on the team. But the alpha and the omega is pitching, and the Twins are not that far away from having a championship caliber pitching staff–for next season.
go Gophers
go Angels
TD Decker!
It took a sacrifice DP to extend the WSox game. It has been seven innings since the Sox hit a HR, so looks like the Sox are going to walk off with a 2.5 game lead.
What do you know, Jim Thome hits a HR
That kind of rhymes which scares me…
homers against small ball..i will take small ball
2 1/2 back please everyone keep the faith.
stick a fork in the twins, they’re done.
Actually, looking back, the ten game winning streak is made even more impressive because it is mind blowing that the bullpen could blow a game in ten chances…
couldn’t obviously
anybody still on here?
nope
If this team wants to beat out the WSox, they have to start with winning two games in a row.
Thoughts:
1) I don’t think you can blame Gardy for bringing in Reyes to face Granderson. It was the right move.
2) However, this is why you don’t use Guerrier in a blowout Friday night. That was stupid.
3) Ultimately, the front office’s failure to make any serious attempt to help this team caught up with them. The bullpen situation demanded attention long ago.
if this team wants to beat the Wsox, every single player needs to grow a pair and start playing like men.
Newsflash:the bullpen sucks
jack,
that’s one of the problems here, this team isn’t men…it’s a bunch of rookie’s learning on the job and for most, it’s the first taste of a tight pennant race. I don’t mind giving the youngsters a chance, but I do mind potentially missing this opportunity to compete in the post season. 1993-2000 is still too fresh on my mind and missing consecutive play-off appearances is how that one started.
IF the Twins want it bad enough, the division is theirs to take. The W. Sox are not scorching hot. Hell, they’re barely luke-warm. It’ just that the Twins are cold. Sure they beat the Angels- but at home and the Angels aren’t playing paticularily hard because they have the division wrapped up. The Series is the biggest reason to have faith yet. If they continue to play like this, (with major bullpen and some offensive woes) they’ll be lucky to win 85 games this year. The pennant is theirs for the taking, if they want it bad enough. But then I guess that’s the million dollar question isn’t it.
**The Twins should have made a trade at the deadline**
Gomez is lucky to hit the ball once a game … and that lucky moment happened earlier in the game … he had no business batting in the 9th …and someone should teach Gomez how to act when he actually gets a hit or the guy will be thrown at constantly … mouthing off to or trying to show up the pitchers when you get a hit is classless … hey GARDY , thought you were supposed to let guys develop in the minors not the majors … or is the only reason he is here is to try and make us think we got something for Santana …
and I know he was HBP before his hit in this game … Gomez getting plunked by Verlander was for his actions in a previous game … and now Gomez will get nailed again because of his actions in this game …
So now that the season’s over (again), does that mean people are going to stop whining when Gardy puts out a lineup they don’t like.
I mean, these games don’t matter anymore right? So who cares who’s in the lineup?
Might as well start getting ready for 2009.
3) Ultimately, the front office’s failure to make any serious attempt to help this team caught up with them. The bullpen situation demanded attention long ago.
You’re absolutely right. I mean, it’s not like everybody here thought that just One-Arm (TM) was going to solve anything right.
And it’s not like the trade for Eddie Guardado was well liked. Or that anybody who said it was a bad idea was called crazy or anything…right?
