Twins-Rays: First of three from The Trop
Posted on May 29th, 2009 – 3:12 PMBy La Velle
Scott Baker pitched 8.1 innings in his last outing and will try to back it up as the Twins try to improve their awful road record.
Here’s the Twins’ lineup. Will update later.
Update: Nick Punto’s sore groin muscle is still sore, and manager Ron Gardenhire isn’t happy that he doesn’t have a backup middle infielder. He indicated that he might explore a temporary solution.
Punto said he needs a couple more days - and that the errant throws he’s made recently are because of the groin.
Boof Bonser and Pat Neshek are with the team this weekend, a little escape from the monotony that is rehabbing in Fort Myers, Fla. Neshek, out for the year because of Tommy John surgery, is doing long toss drills every other day. Bonser is ahead of schedule in his comeback from shoulder surgery. More on that later.
Carlos Gomez is 4-for-6 against James Shields, so he’s in there tonight.
Watch out for Jason Kubel, he’s 7-for-12 with a homer off of Shields.
Mauer at The Trop: .417, 3 homers.
Morneau at The Trop; .317, 3 homers.
Twins (24-25)
1, Denard Span, LF
2. Joe Mauer, C
3. Justin Morneau, 1B
4. Jason Kubel, DH
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Brendan Harris, SS
8. Matt Tolbert, 2B
9. Carlos Gomez, CF
Pitching: Scott Baker
Rays (23-27)
1. B.J. Upton, CF
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Willy Aybar, DH
6. Ben Zobrist, 2B
7. Gabe Gross, RF
8. Dioner Navarro, C
9. Reid Brignac, SS
Pitching: James Shields
394 Responses to "Twins-Rays: First of three from The Trop"
Now that’s what I call a lineup. Very nice, Gardy.
Great lineup.
The final score will be Twins 8, Rays 2.
Wow, a Carlos Gomez sighting!
The Puntz’s groin is still bothering him???? Good.
Twins should be able to take it with this lineup and the Rays’ injuries.
“The Puntz’s groin is still bothering him????”
umm…I think .187 is bothering Gardy (at long last).
But I don’t care the reason…I like this lineup.
I think this is the best line up of the year.
someone knock on wood though…the last time we had a lineup this clutch was Tues. night…then Kubel came down with a sore knee and it all fell apart.
Of course we did end up winning the game.
Magic Man needs to be replaced by Young then the lineup is close to bulletproof for me! 
yes Fire…the guy with the higher BA, tons more Homers, and tons more RBI should be switched with delmon…
Gomez is alive…YEAH
FIRE VAVRA,
I would have been with you earlier…but magic man has earned his playing time now.
This morning on KSTP, Gardy said Butcher’s hitting is really a concern, as is the hitting of Young and his second baseman (Tolbert).
Very nice lineup. Wonder what the Trop crowd will think seeing Harris starting but not Young?
that’s hilarious, ES16. So he’s not concerned about Punto, apparently?
I don’t think the Trop crowd is all that concerned about Young, Glanzer. They got to the World Series without him.
DrDon says:
May 29th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
The Puntz’s groin is still bothering him???? Good.
DrDon are you turning into a vulture?
i hope for delmon young’s sake that he can come out of the little slump he is in…gotta be hard on the guy considering what he’s been thru in the past month. a nice hot streak would be very good for his morale..that said, very good line-up
This looks like another change that will be at least semi-permanent.
I hope Punto takes this as a sign he needs to take more batting practice, watch more video, etc. My prediction: if Crede needs a day off, Buscher will spell him, keeping Punto on the bench.
On another note, I’ve been worried about Span’s batting lately. He keeps striking out. That shouldn’t happen to Span. Maybe he needs to tweak his swing.
“Buscher’s hitting is really a concern”
He’s had just 60 at-bats! It’s Buscher’s fielding that’s a concern.
Jason,
He did mention Punto, but more about his injury. He did concede that he wasn’t hitting well too.
Delmon Young is not getting coached up in terms of his hitting. It’s got to change. He needs to spend more time in the batting cage, improving his offensive game.
Xahstar: I wouldn’t worry about Span’s strikeouts yesterday, especially since he got 4 hits the night before. Yesterday was tough for all the Twnis’ hitters. Even Mauer struck out yesterday! The Twins just ran into a really good pitcher.
Ben Magic Man is once again making rallies disappear meanwhile Gardy has even said he wants to give Young playing time to get him going like he did with Magic Man
This is the best lineup possible. My only hope is that Casilla will eventually improve and rejoin the team in Tolbert’s spot.
Of all the guys who are struggling at the plate, I think I worry the least about Tolbert. He’s showed he can hit, plus he’s not not afraid to lay down a sac (and can actually lay it down consistently) or do what he has to to help the team.
I find it so ironic with this lineup in the last week…
Last year, when Mauer looked for all the world like an ideal No. 2 hitter, Gardy would never concede as much and contiued to bat him third in the lineup…now in 2009 when Mauer looks like he’s the best No. 3 hitter in baseball, he has him at No. 2.
I realize our No. 2 hitters have stunk it up pretty bad and Gardy would prefer to have an on-base guy bat second and Mauer bat third, but I think this last week or so has taught us something–there’s no rule that says you’re No. 2 can’t be a power hitter. Unless you have a .390 OBP guy you can plug in at No. 2, I would urge Gardy to accept that the lineup he has now is a pretty darn good plan long term.
Plus, it gets who I believe is our best hitter, Justin Morneau, a first inning at-bat every night.
“”"”"gobbledygookguy says:
May 29th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
DrDon says:
May 29th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
The Puntz’s groin is still bothering him???? Good.
DrDon are you turning into a vulture?”"”"”
Absolutely not, ggg. I just don’t bash him, I see the writing on the wall. He is not doing the job. No Vulture in this old Buzzard!!!!
Love this lineup.
When you look at it you can just see how it would look if either GoGo or DY blew up and started to work toward their potential. I don’t really care which but I hope one of them grabs the bull by the horns and takes off on a hot streak. Imagine one more righthanded bat that had to be accounted for. Not a bad lineup at all.
Also, hopefully Harris can relax a bit and keep building on his at bats the past few days. I’d like to see him send a couple over the wall this weekend to remind Gardy et. al. what he is capable of.
Best lineup possible for us! now lets hope it works…win twins!
Anyone on here think we could get a guy like Uggla for Young, Perkins, and a prospect like Luke Hughes? Or if Hughes is too much, maybe a Steven Tolleson or a Jeff Manship? Imagine the lineup! Span, Uggla, Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, Cuddyer, Crede, Harris, Gomez.
Brandon, every Major League Team is waiting for us to offer sub-par people for proving entities. Yah, right.
i do like that line up with uggla..but trading away delmon young is just something that i don’t think the twins want to do for a few reasons. 1:it makes the trade that brought him here look even worse than it already has. and 2: young still has the potential to be the player the twins traded for, even tho a lot of people are growing impatient
Brandon
Young and Perk are about to enter their arb years, so they aren’t the kind of players Florida is looking for.
Uggla hits a few HRs but his numbers have been pretty subpar since the All Star break last year… and his rep on D is pretty bad. Not really sure I’d give up much for him.
Uggla’s the guy who made all those errors in the All Star game, isn’t he? Maybe something happened to him that day!
Anyone on here think we could get a guy like Uggla for Young, Perkins, and a prospect like Luke Hughes?
They’d probably have to throw Nolasco and a reliever in to make that work
ES16….let me know when Tolbert proved to you that he can hit. You must be from Rochester or something. Those of us from the Twin Cities haven’t seen him hit yet!!
Udpate is now up.
If I was a Twins fan, I’d really be expecting a win tonight.
DrDon says:
May 29th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
The Puntz’s groin is still bothering him???? Good.
So much for the hippocratic oath. lol
I heard thru the grapevine that the Twins are offering Bert Blyleven, Dick Bremer, John Gordon, and Dan Gladden for Uggla.
Uggla hits a few HRs but his numbers have been pretty subpar since the All Star break last year… and his rep on D is pretty bad.
I was a huge proponent of getting Uggla back in the off-season when he was fighting with the Marlins on arbitration and they practically had their whole roster arbitration-eligible. Back then, something like Alexi Casilla, Brian Duensing, Phillip Humber and a spare part in AAA ball could have done it. Not sure that this is the case now.
As far as defense goes, his career UZR/150 is -3.3 which is not that great, but better that that of Harris (career UZR/150 @2B -6.6) or Tolbert (career UZR/150 @2B -23.4) and just better than Casilla’s levels (career UZR/150 @2B -4.1)
After the All Star break last year he had a 95 OPS+ and YTD he has a 105 OPS+. Since the All star break last year he has 18 HRs. I’d take that every day over the collective 22 OPS+ of the Twins’ second basemen…
Aaron…”"”So much for the hippocratic oath. lol “”"
That is better than the hypcritic oath.
Nick Punto’s sore groin muscle is still sore, and manager Ron Gardenhire isn’t happy that he doesn’t have a backup middle infielder. He indicated that he might explore a temporary solution.
I hope that does not include the Butcher as the backup
Punto to the DL, Tolleson up
Butcher to the forest as a stump, thry.
As with many things in life, sometimes a change of scenery is good when a player is struggling. Crede??? YES!!!! Puntz???? would be good for him. Uggla???? would be good for him. DrDon???? Too Late.
DrDon says:
May 29th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Butcher to the forest as a stump, thry.
LOL. That reminds me of an “Onion” article I read once, entitled “Twins Release Tony Batista Back Into Wild.”
Almost the perfect line up. The right 9 are in there, but I’d switch Cuddy and Kubel, and Gomez and Tolbert. Splitting hairs, I know.
Who’s 1-4 is more dangerous?
On the middle infield thing: I read between the lines and read this: Casilla up, Buscher down.
Who’s 1-4 is more dangerous?
Twins easy and by far. Here are the OPS+ of the top 4:
1, Denard Span, LF 121 OPS+
2. Joe Mauer, C 248 OPS+
3. Justin Morneau, 1B 187 OPS+
4. Jason Kubel, DH 139 OPS+
1. B.J. Upton, CF 50 OPS+
2. Carl Crawford, LF 105 OPS+
3. Evan Longoria, 3B 158 OPS+
4. Carlos Pena, 1B 141 OPS+
My 5:17 PM post was deceptively obscene.
lefty…. does Butcher still have options??? or is it Harris with options???? Help us out, Thrylos.
“Who’s 1-4 is more dangerous?”
Rollins
Utley
Howard
Ibanez
It’s gone, sane. No record of it here.
Butcher has options, Harris doesn’t
sane, I have sent an email to the big 3 guys, requesting more policing, and I was assured there would be. Unfortunate, yes, but it has to be.
That’s still one of the best 1-4’s that the Twins have faced so far this year.
Doc,
Identical to my 5:20 PM post.
Also deceptively obscene.
sane,
try to delete the word you might think filter it and shoot again
thanks, thry. That is what I thought, but you know me…. I am half-and-half…. Half Dim and Half Wit.
Team AVG R H HR
New York Yankees .280 266 466 77
Texas Rangers .269 242 433 77
Phil Phillis .260 249 403 66
Tampa Bay Rays .273 282 479 58
Balt Orioles .271 240 450 56
Minnesota Twins .276 253 459 55
Boston Red Sox .275 253 455 55
Anyone predict this before the season? The Mauer/Cuddy/Crede effect has been great!
I think now is the time to cash in on Cuddy and trade him in for a MR and SS!!! Strike while iron is hot!
Maybe I under-tipped my paper boy.
somebody using sane to come here and bash, be insulting, curse, swear, conjur, etc???? sane has more class than that.
Except Mauer’s is not sustainable at that level, and Upton will be over 100 by the end of the year, and OPS+ does not take into account Crawford’s ability to steal bases (last I checked he was 25 of 25).
I still like the Twins’ top 4, but it isn’t as big an advantage as it appears right now.
Sorry for the formatting (looked good b4 hitting return), but basically Twins are 5th in the ML in HR ( I never count the Yankees, b/c they cheat and now especially with that ridiculous homer ready stadium).
sane, I saw neither the 5:17 nor the 5:20 posts on this end.
Who is this Carlos Gomez guy I see in there? That must be a typo.
Doc,
The 5:20 PM post is still up, and it was identical to my 5:17PM post.
Not a big deal.
How many home runs will be hit between Pena, Longoria, Mauer, and Morneau tonight?
Heatonator says: How many home runs will be hit between Pena, Longoria, Mauer, and Morneau tonight?
Answer: 3 (Mauer x 2 and Longoria x 1)
Punto’s errant throws are because of his groin.
On its face, that sounds kind of silly, doesn’t it? Like, if Nick Punto is using his groin to throw, I’d hate to imagine what he uses his hands for!
If you all care, this is the game thread of the most popular Rays’ blog:
http://www.draysbay.com/2009/5/29/892952/5-29-gdt-minnesota-twins-tampa-bay
if Nick Punto is using his groin to throw, I’d hate to imagine what he uses his hands for!
the thing is that one really needs a strong base to get a strong throw. If it hurts every time he throws, the throw will be affected. That’s why pitchers with leg and groin issues are being put to the DL.
For the record, I do understand how the groin muscle can affect a throwing stance.
I just thought it sounded funny.
“”"”"Iconoclast says:
May 29th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
For the record, I do understand how the groin muscle can affect a throwing stance.
I just thought it sounded funny.”"”"”
Icon, here is the way I look at it…….. whoops, wait a minute here, you do NOT want to know that. hee hee hee
I’m liking what is on FSNorth right now since they are talking about Winona State
trish….welcome to the board tonight. We need some class, and trish, you have class. Good to see you… Good old WSU, my alma mater.
Is Winona State (WSU) called Wazoo like Washington State University?
This is probable the first time I haven’t been moderated my first comment. Although I noticed that it usually happens in JC’s more. I have 2 friends down at Tropicana Field right now and on their Facebook they said they just met Dan Gladden, Toured the press box and are sitting close to the field. I’m Jealous…
I see no solution to this lack of a back-up MIF except to DL Punto! It has to be done Gardy!
Sane,
Our Mascot’s name is called Wazoo. But we are the Warriors
careful, sane, you might get censored again using the term Wazoo!!!!!!!!! You know, like up the Wazoo??????
As you know, people, I am familiar with the term “Up the Wazoo”.
punto must have had a bad groin all season because he has been making poor throws all year. gardy has a soft spot in his heart for nicky and has a problem finding anything wrong with his play. bs imo.
trish,
Is Warriors a PC nickname, unlike the Fighting Sioux?
“I see no solution to this lack of a back-up MIF except to DL Punto! It has to be done Gardy!”
Actually, I think the Twins have several good solutions for backup MIF: Tolbert, Harris and Punto. They’re all perfectly decent backups.
Now, if they could only find a couple of STARTING middle infielders…
ggg,
“gardy has a soft spot in his heart for nicky”
Or maybe Gardy has a soft spot in his ____ for Nicky. (Fill in the blank)
PC?
btw,
you can’t hit right either with a groin injury… LNP should have said something instead of costing the team.
trish….. romer and I are planning on meeting in person, come mid-June. Let me know at my email…. urvislippschiz@aol.com for more information.
one thing that seems to be over looked with the twins defense is morneau at 1st..his ability to scoop errant throws has saved countless errors from our fielders. morneau should definately be a front runner for a gold glove
politically correct, an 80s term
Sorry!
PC = politically correct.
Yes… I believe it’s a Warrior like a soldier. Because that is what the mascot looks like.
hey La Velle,
what happened with that Morneau blog piece? Are you gonna nudge him about it, or he’s just being a sore loser? 
“”"”"trish says:
May 29th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
PC?”"”"”
trish, everyone is so blasted concerned about being “Politically Correct” that we can’t even have fun anymore. That is why I like Norwegian jokes…. We don’t gave a rip, and love being laughed about.
Sounds PC to me.
Now, if PC is an 80’s term, I must have heard it from my grandparents.
I was very young at that time.
KIDDING!!!!!
And here I thought PC meant Personal Computer. Duh!!!!!!!!!
BTW Don… I don’t think that mid-June uniting will work. I have a really busy June. Sorry!
trish is PC….. Pretty Cute.
Who the hell are you calling Norwegian?
PC means “per capita.” as in PCGDP, if you are an economist.
Or maybe it means Pitcher-Catcher. Like the Twins are having PC communication problems.
Or how about “pretty crappy.” As in, The Twins SS and 2B are PC.
punto is leading the team…in errors committed!
drdon you’re getting close to being a dirty old man!
“”trish says:
May 29th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
BTW Don… I don’t think that mid-June uniting will work. I have a really busy June. Sorry!”"
trish, no problem, just that romer and I are trying to figure out how to get some of the local bloggers to meet in person. I think we would be very surprised if we ever started meeting for real.
would it be worth trying to pick up freddy sanchez? i think he’d fit into 2b real nice.
I am interested in what Gardenhire’s “temporary solution” might be. There’s not much help within the organization, and they surely aren’t going to spend any money…
Oh, no. Do you think they’re going to resign Brett Boone?
If Harris had been the starting SS for 49 games, he would be leading the Twins in errors.
It is partly (at least) a function of the difficulty of playing SS.
“”"gobbledygookguy says:
May 29th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
drdon you’re getting close to being a dirty old man!”"”
ggg… I am NOT a dirty old man, my friend…. I AM a sexy Senior Citizen.
MVP fourth in AS voting? What a joke!
ggg etal…. Do you know what they call a beautiful woman in Norway???? The Norm.
Hate to break it to you, Dr. Don, but I think Norm is actually a guy.
DrDon,
“Do you know what they call a beautiful woman in Norway????”
A foreigner?
I know that, Icon, Norm is my oldest brother…. Has his name on air conditioners in cars.
I have to admit, though, he looks pretty good in a dress and a blonde wig.
“one thing that seems to be over looked with the twins defense is morneau at 1st..his ability to scoop errant throws has saved countless errors from our fielders. morneau should definately be a front runner for a gold glove”
morneau is far from alone in being able to make those plays. especially on turf.
There was a contest between some Norwegian Ladies for the Miss Norway contest. They all came in last.
Being half German and half Norwegian, you all are beginning to make me very proud of half my heritage… I won’t say which half.
btw, Doc, I’ll be in the Twin Cities in mid June… for the Pirate series and a few days before that on business. Be happy to share a beer or three with you, romer, whomever.
Icon, NO HE DOESN”T…. He is still ugly.
My mistake. Anyway, back to baseball…
Interesting that when Gardy finally sits DY, it’s against his old team.
hmmmmmmmm… beeeeeeeeeeeer. gooooooooooooooood.
JC…. did you catch my email address from earlier????? Check please. Thanks.
Doc, sending email from my aol address, I get an error message that the addy you gave doesn’t exist. Are you aware that you don’t exist?
I’ll try again, JC. Urvislippschitz@aol.com
Coomer’s big big smile is so annoying. And making excuses for the Twins’ away record is annoying as well.
Great lineup tonight! Hope Gomez can put together some good ABs tonight; I think he is a critical part of the bottom part of the lineup.
It showed up, JC…. I will give more details in a few.
whose coming out of this roataion for swarzak…baker or liriano..or perkins–i am hoping to see liriano go to the pen and become a lites out guy for one inning or two….
I think it has to be Liriano coming out… he truly hasn’t had a quality outing. I can think of quality outings from both Baker and Perkins.
I see Francisco going to the pen to keep working. And if a starter falters early, he will be good for 4-5 innings of long relief until he is ready to take the reigns and get back to being himself.
just noticed something… I know this was said months ago about the jerseys but I’m so used to see the “Minnesota” across them when they are away and today they say the “Twins”. Very cool
i tend to agree w you drdon, it will be interesting to see how they try him in the bullpen, be it long or short relief….damn i wish span would have been a bit more patient on his first at bat, but they are off to a good start here…go twins….we need a very good short road trip ..;no less than 2 or 3 and hopefully a sweep
98
tolleson is im AA snd has struggled
don’t you know nothing/
trish….that is because the Twins are Very cool. Gotta love it.
crazy line up tonight
Cuddyer is re-heating up!
Adam Jones and three pitchers for Bedard….what did Smith get for Santana or Garza? Imagine if they had gotten Adam Jones.
“tolleson is im AA snd has struggled
don’t you know nothing/”
Huh?
Or LaPorta? Or Gamel? Lots of good to very good to great hitters were traded recently for pitchers not as good as Santana, or as young as Garza (and throw in Bartlett too!).
98
tolleson is im AA snd has struggled
don’t you know nothing/
hmmm
Toleson has been hitting .415/.490/.683 the last 2 weeks and .310/.413/.483 the last month…
I guess I know nothing…
BTW, JC Smith, are you the same as the guy who got banned with the T-o-p-p D-o-g-g userid?
Tolleson belongs in AAA and his numbers are coming around.
“Imagine if they had gotten Adam Jones.”
The Mariners weren’t interested in Santana’s price-tag, so imagining is all the Twins could do.
Missed the top of the 1st. Somebody, besides thrylos, please tell me how bad/good Cuddy looked.
And Span — good AB?
M&M hit hard singles?
mike,
Did any of those lesser pitchers want $126 million for 6-7 years?
What about Garza and Bartlett? Why were three very good prospects dealt for pitchers, and one or two stiffs, and we got the stiffs (so far)?
How do you trade Santana and not get the number one prospect from the team you deal him to?
no one considers Santana’s price tag when talking about the trade.
that first sentence is out of order. 5 hitters and some other guys were dealt for pitchers last year or the year before. Three are viewed as very good to great players, two can’t hit (one can field). The Twins got the two that can’t hit so far.
Here’s a test…
Scott “Home Run” Baker faces the AL homer leader…
Good luck, Scott.
The Garza/Bartlett for Young/Harris trade has not worked out. But, Young looked alot better than he has turned out and Bartlett did not look like a league leading hitter. Maybe some of that is on the Twins but at the time the trade looked reasonably close to most observers.
I do, I do all the time. I’d rather have gotten one great prospect than 4 mediocre guys (if only Humber or Guerra were even mediocre so far).
They didn’t get Fmart, they got Fmart junior.
And, there was also the Garza/Bartlett for a guy that can’t hit deal.
“Why were three very good prospects dealt for pitchers, and one or two stiffs, and we got the stiffs (so far)?
How do you trade Santana and not get the number one prospect from the team you deal him to?”
The Twins just weren’t as smart then, as we all are now.
Baker looking totally relaxed and confident…….and like a veteran, in the one inning so far.
Really, no one questioned that deal when it was made? This is really all hindsight? Huh, I guess I read the blogs all wrong at the time of the deal.
imagine if we still had aj and had picked prior instead of mauer. if’s and buts. not your kind of butt doc.
“Baker looking totally relaxed and confident…”
I meant that literally. Wasn’t talking about his pitches or any results.
Harris has his groove back…
nice hit by harris…
I do think Gomez’ defense can make up for most of his offensive shortcomings right now.
“”"”"gobbledygookguy says:
May 29th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
imagine if we still had aj and had picked prior instead of mauer. if’s and buts. not your kind of butt doc.”"”"”
What can I say to that??? Nothing, just laugh. Good one ggg…
“Really, no one questioned that deal when it was made?”
I am sure SOMEONE questions every deal, but those people were guessing, just like everyone else is doing when predicting the future.
After the fact, we find out who were the geniuses and who were the dumb-asses.
if mike ran the team they’d go 162-0. some bitching is ok but the same bitching every day over and over does get old, imo.
Why would you sac bunt with a guy on 2nd and 1 out?
That makes very little sense to me.
Did they just really sacrifice and are there now two outs? Not a fan of giving up an out with an out already and a man on second.
stupid bunt
Because Gardenhire is an idiot. Also nice patience by Gomez shown in his first at bat. You wonder why you don’t play everyday Carlos, go watch some videotape. Take a pitch once in a while. Even if Young can only get singles, at least he can get a hit once in a while.
Of course, with Tolbert batting, he probably would have been out anyway. At least the bunt ends it quickly.
Base-hit bunt attempt, not a sac.
gobble, I ripped those trades when they were made. My first post was just a flight of fancy, posting “imagine” and I got jumped on, so I responded. I guess that was a bad idea, and I should have stayed in fantasy land.
And, the team would probably be about a .500 team if I ran it, just as most teams are.
Back to bunting with one out and a man on second, bad managing.
i wish this team would have signed Orlando Hudson
by the way… I just checked the AAA roster and saw Tolleson’s name on there. Explanations???
Ben, check the stats between Young and Gomez so far this year….
I hope it was a base hit bunt attempt, hard to tell from my computer.
I just checked the AAA roster and saw Tolleson’s name on there. Explanations???
Casilla up and Punto to the DL?
Tolleson was in AA last week, I saw him
cool if he got called up!
I will say this in Delmon’s defense. I think the move to LF has really affected his hitting as well as his fielding.
sane, fine then. Stupid time for a bunt attempt for a hit with a runner on second and one out.
Casilla up and Punto to the DL?
Done deal. Casilla is not starting with Rochester today
mike,
““Imagine if they had gotten Adam Jones.”
“The Mariners weren’t interested in Santana’s price-tag, so imagining is all the Twins could do.”
If that response made you feel “jumped on”, I sincerely apologize.
Not aGAIN!!…..
Is the ump asleep?
hope so thrylos
Mike wants wins, I just checked the stats and Young’s batting average is higher than Gomez’s. In that situation (with a runner on second and two down), all we need is a hit so I really don’t care about the fact that Gomez’s OPS is higher than Young’s.
i disagree thrylos…. Cliborn just wanted to get Macri’s .196 average into the lineup
So……..do the Twins announce roster changes during games?
you are right sane, that wasn’t it. I dont’ know where my head went. I need a beer.
“”sane says:
May 29th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Base-hit bunt attempt, not a sac.”"
“”"then:Back to bunting with one out and a man on second, bad managing.”"”
Sane is the only one with common sense on that, Sheesh people.
Baker is throwing a lot of pitches tonight.
you would think that if that move was made one of these media guys would hear about it.
fsn has the bad sound mix again tonight.
Fair enough Ben, fair enough.
romer, do the Twins announcers talk about the game? I missed that between the motorcycle and restaurant stories I guess.
dang, I’m cheeky tonight. I need a break.
Enough with the full counts, already, Baker!
Good updates on what is going on in AAA, my friends. Thanks.
No problem, Mike.
You are one of the good guys.
Okay. All’s well that ends well. Good pitch, Baker.
Dang…the blog is even whinier than usual so far…
From the looks of things, Tolbert bunted for a hit on his own. Gardy’s expression in the dugout afterward did not appear to be… enthusiastic.
I guess it takes a while for some people to develop anything resembling a baseball IQ.
double checked: Tolleson not in the lineup in New Britain either and officially off their roster.
My guess is that a move would not be announced until after the game tonight, not during the game.
i’m not whining too tired to whine.
Guerra had a nice start today, only 1 K though
Justin, we could be up 12-0 and the whining would still be here.
Baker pitches:
19 in the 1st
16 in the 2nd
sorry Thry, I coulda told you that too since I checked there first for Tolleson.
you would think that if that move was made one of these media guys would hear about it.
They would have heard it only if there was an official announcement… They don’t dig, like Trish did. A move has been made, just not announced yet.
Hey, why doesn’t Mauer have nickname yet?
May I suggest Joe “Lawn” Mauer?
What the…..
I blinked, and Span was out. Is he taking any pitches tonight?
thry…. then movements of players are on the move. Right?
YAY!!! We figured out something before the big guys!!! Exciting.
Mauer 2/2 today. Looks like that average is going back up
trish,
since you broke the news you ought to post it to your blog!
Yes! The lawnMauer just cut the Rays’ grass on that one!
Okay, needs a little work.
Icon,
He does have a nickname… its Baby Jesus
La Velle,
Trish scooped you
“So……..do the Twins announce roster changes during games?”
Not if they may need the dearly departed to play, later in the game.
Hey Hey… I like the way you think Shawn….
This will be interesting. Bill Smith, Gardy, the entire staff is looking to make a move now. Enough of the laissez faire stuff. I look for the Puntz, RedDog, and maybe more to be gone, and the Twins will eat their salaries. It is time. GO TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Justin, when the team is 5-14 on the road, of course people aren’t going to have a ton of confidence if things don’t go well early.
let’s go kube’s
need a hit from the Kubler elf here
or not
Kubel has great numbers against Shields. You sure wouldn’t be able to tell it from his first two at bats tonight, both with guys in scoring position.
DrDon, if they were 19-0 on the road, there would not be any justified whining. However at 5-14, I think some complaints are definitely justified.
ugh…. I love pat neshek but really?? that is the most ugliest facial hair you can have. My ex had that and so many of his friends made fun of him because it looks like a female body part. I vote that we tell him to shave it.
If Punto is gonna DL, why did they wait till today?
Bill Smith too busy packing his suntan lotion yesterday?
damn, it is getting sickening watching the choke job on the road. 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position already in 3 innings. Will it never end?
I’m a bit concerned…Dick mentioned that JKubel was limping back to the dugout.
We really don’t need to have him out for any extended period.
So far tonight Baker is having great difficulty finishing off batters when he gets two strikes on them.
Don’t think ‘Baby Jesus’ is PC.
I probably will always think of Mauer as The Chairman (copyright BatGirl). Not very PC, either, but I think Baby Jesus is actually a mocking term, aside from its offensiveness.
Doesn’t look to me like Morales is listed on the RedWings’ roster any more.
Butera is the only catcher listed.
Yeah, 0/5 RISP is an ominous start, I’ll say that.
btw great scoop Trish!
romer, my guess is they probably wanted to see how Punto felt before the game tonight. If he told them he felt as he was ready, maybe a move would not be made. They can always make any transaction to the DL retroactive to when he stopped playing.
Oooooo, JC.
That’s juicy.
Never mind… Jose Morales is listed among the infielders and position listed as DH. Duh.
Still, there are only 25 on the Rochester Roster, including Tolleson… so someone’s missing unless they had been running a person short.
trish……”"”"” it looks like a female body part. “”"”" I would be embarrassed if you meant anything other than an arm pit.
Okay, second time through the order for Baker. Let’s see him mow them down again.
JC…
When i checked about 15 minutes ago his name was on there… Interesting
“…probably wanted to see how Punto felt…”
True. Forgot about that. Give him one last chance.
What were Span’s ABs like tonight?
JC… I do remember seeing Butera’s and Morale’s names next to each other when I checked. So weird that they moved them.
Romer… Fly outs.
My guess would be Buscher down and Morales coming up. With the possiblity of Punto going on the DL with Casilla up too.
Crap.
It begins…
Damn.
I didn’t think he had it. Not a bad pitch.
Crawford’s having a great year.
My guess would be that Buscher is going down and Morales is coming up. With the possiblity of Punto going on the DL with Casilla up too.
So, experts. Would you rather walk Crawford or give up a dong? I’d rather he walk.
Machado on the 7 day DL for Rochester (silly me… didnt even know there WAS a 7 day DL). Maybe Tolleson is just a temp call up? Still leaves 24 on their active roster. Is that the norm in the minors?
There’s Home Run Baker. dang.
however, Casilla’s name is still on AAA roster. But tolleson’s is definitely there
Doesn’t look to me like Morales is listed on the RedWings’ roster any more.
Finally someone got into their senses? Morales is playing today with the Red Wings in my back yard, on the other hand…
The other curious development is that Ramon Santana, the guy who leads all Twins’ minor leaguers in OPS, is playing 2B in Beloit tonight. He is usually a SS and DHs sometimes. Maybe he is the one to go to AA for Tolleson.
Yikes!
That first 7:29 post wasn’t me.
Machado on the 7 day DL for Rochester (silly me… didnt even know there WAS a 7 day DL). Maybe Tolleson is just a temp call up?
the only DL in the minors is the 7 day. Machado has been in in for 2-3 weeks.
Well, at least the bases were empty. If Home Run Baker only gives up solo shots, he can still win.
ggg,
wishful thinking…
Based on what I am seeing from you great bloggers, I will reiterate what I said:
“”"”"DrDon says:
May 29th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
This will be interesting. Bill Smith, Gardy, the entire staff is looking to make a move now. Enough of the laissez faire stuff. I look for the Puntz, RedDog, and maybe more to be gone, and the Twins will eat their salaries. It is time. GO TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”"”"”
Sorry, trish…Strib gremlins. I didn’t look at my entry info and got your info.
darn, Cuddaver is hotter than aluminum foil in a microwave…
t98 what do you think of freddy sanchez?
If Tolleson did get promoted in anticipation of a promotion from Rochester to Minn, that would indicate a DL stint for Punto, I assume, rather than a demotion or DFA. I suppose maybe a trade.
Or it could be they just had a roster spot open and Tolleson deserved a promotion.
Tolbert’s up with two outs and a man on.
Think he’ll try to sac bunt?
Thrylos give it a rest. You can’t deny his numbers are just fine right now.
Tolbert opts for the sacrifice walk instead.
Think he’ll try to sac bunt?
I think Bert and Dick were just actually talking about it.
Fredo: All good. I figured they would figure out it wasn’t me eventually since it doesn’t sound liked me
Morales is still in the game as far as i can tell.
t98 what do you think of freddy sanchez?
Last year he had Punto-like numbers and will probably regress to that…
A lot like Cuddaver. Peak at 2006, then steady decline and now a spike. I just don’t think it will last (he is a year older than Cuddaver as well). I’d rather have Uggla if they go outside the organization…
thrylos, I will take Cuddyers bat in the lineup over Gomez’s anyday!
Well……..at least he didn’t overswing.
“I think Bert and Dick were just actually talking about it.”
Sorry. I’m listening to the radio version.
“I think Bert and Dick were just actually talking about it.”
Sorry. I’m listening to the radio version.
No problem. I was mostly just stating in disbelief they were talking about laying down a sac bunt with 2 outs.
I look for the Puntz, RedDog, and maybe more to be gone, and the Twins will eat their salaries.
Doc…I think you’re reading way too much into this. I could see a DL move or even a trade. But I would be stunned if there were wholesale changes or DFA’s. Red did not look ready to retire yesterday. If there were to release or assign him involuntarily, it would be the most un-Twins-like move in my memory.
Were Dick and Bert serious? I was joking.
by the way Don… this is a little late the part I was referring to was not the arm pits
Way to strike out the Home Run King.
I think a trip to the DL for Punto is in store. Gives everyone a chance to save face.
I have the neighbors cat on my legs right now and all I want to do is get up and get a beer. Why am I nice to this cat and won’t get up!?!?!
How is Baker’s velocity lately? I am listening to the Rays’ radio broadcast (my IPhone just lost the Twins’ signal), and they’re talking about Baker. They said that he doesn’t throw as many fastballs anymore because he’s lost a couple of MPH….
Interesting.
“by the way Don… this is a little late…”
It’s never too late for DrDon. He’s got a mind like a venus flytrap.
Good inning for Mr. Baker. Actually good game so far, though 70 pitches in 4 innings is a bit much.
Were Dick and Bert serious? I was joking.
I have to say I wasn’t paying a lot of attention but they sounded serious.
“”"”"trish says:
May 29th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
by the way Don… this is a little late the part I was referring to was not the arm pits”"”"”
Then, trish, I am embarrassed.
Baker looks like he’s settling in. Time to put up a multiple run inning. We really need to get some good vibes on the road. If they don’t start feeling like they have a good chance there it doesn’t really matter how good they are at home.
Ok, gang. Let’s kick some, um, rear.
15 pitches for Baker that inning.
question for everyone:
These blogs are nice and everything… but would anyone want to do a chatroom kinda thing so you don’t have to keep refreshing the page? I found a place that would make it super easy to just post a link in the blog for those that wanna chat in there. Let me know.
Span leads off again.
The Twins’ bats need to get going soon.
I must have had a bad bottle of Jack tonight…Sheilds reminds me of the pitching version of Kurt Bevacqua. He’s the Mr. Dirt of pitchers.
Ok, I know. Back to the Jack.
there goes Mauer’s perfect night…
How about trading Gardy to the Rockies for Huston Street?
Span not in his game tonight at the plate.
:(>
Check out my blog for a proposition!
trish,
proposal not proposition
Baker will be lucky to go 6.
I haven’t seen anything over 89 mph yet.
He’s hitting 90-92 on gameday.
Nice catch Thry. Thanks
romer, he is at home and trying to do too much.
thrylos, more like it how about Gardy to the Rockies for Clint Hurdle since they canned him today?
Damn Cuddyer…
thrylos98, why are you silent now?
I’m glad Cuddyer is better
Cuddy just made a fool out of SOMEbody….
:)>
Cuddy sucks. Yah Right.
Ok, that should wake up the bats. The assbats are now in cold storage.
Way to tie it up Cuddyer
ready….aim…cuddyer!
it really seems like three-quarters of our HRs are solo shots…maybe my perception is just skewed because I’m not used to seeing so many of them?
84 pitches through 5 for Baker.
you know thrylos is sitting near some computer just angrier than hell than Cuddyer just did that.
another meaningless home run.
way to increase your trade value Cuddyer
“he assbats are now in cold storage.”
Wow… I’m shocked you can say that here
“”"”"trish says:
May 29th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Check out my blog for a proposition!”"”"”
trish, I went there, tried to leave a comment, I do not know what to do next. But, I think I Love You.
Ben,
I am happy; not angry… Twins score all, Cuddaver increases his trade value, all good
Mickey… it wasn’t tho. Tied up this game. We are back to even and I like it that way rather than being down one.
Harris must definitely lead the time in called third strikes taken.
I love watching a great pitchers’ duel…. the only scores are solo home runs and trish.
Don,
Click on the url on the first blog.
yes, i’m sure the twins are working the phones to trade cuddyer at this very minute.
nice try.
Just finished dinner. Wow, Baker has a ton of pitches already.
So, what did you all decide, is Morales or someone else coming up?
This sixth inning is not looking good. Baker always seems to choke during this part of the game.
Well, this is another fine mess Bake’s gotten us into.
Nice hit by Cuddy.
Home runs are good.
sorry, trish. i forgot to hit the sarcasm button.
actually, if the twins go on to win this game, it’s one of the biggest hits of the season so far…
Interesting, apparently my other username is not appreciated….
that was a bit too predictable, i’m afraid…
trish,
I just went to your blog. I read where you banged up your knees on “wicked grounders”. Were you in thew IF or OF?
Once again we choke it up on the road. Baker continues to give up the long ball. The record goes to 5-15 on the road. Sorry guys, the bats tonight are in no way coming back from this deficit with only three innings to go.
Apparently Baker is only a five inning pitcher.
If they don’t get their stuff together on the road they might as well start being in the “sell” mode. If they can’t play near 500 on the road they have no chance.
That Longoria guy could be pretty good someday. I’d probably start my team with him, given any player, his age, and his position.
hahaha, Baker was damn sure he was going to get that out
kind of looks like a normal road game (loss).
Paul… we were doing infielding practice.
Baker slams into the wall right on cue!
Why is this team SO bad on the road?
Dick Bremer, there are no warning signs? How about the two hard hit balls to begin the inning at the same time that he usually falters?
Fredo, who would you sell though? Not Kubel, Morneau, or Mauer or Slowey. Probably not Cuddeyer or Baker or Blackburn or Nathan.
It’s not like they have a bunch of guys coming up on big pay raises right now. They either are already paying their guys, or their other guys don’t deserve or aren’t needing a long term deal yet (maybe Slowey).
I’m not sure who they’d sell.
On a positive not DET is down 7-2 in the bottom of the 7th in Baltimore.
Just a tad too late Gardenhire. You sure need to get something fixed as after tonight this team will be 10 games under .500 on the road. That is pathetic.
Problem is that we can send both Baker and Liriano to the bullpen.
Although 4 man rotation would be interesting.
*can’t send.
Baker has to be the biggest disappointment this year, or maybe Liriano. But, at least Liriano has some excuses.
It’s a good thing Tampa is crippled with a lot of guys out on the DL.
That contract extension that Dr. No gave to Steve Baker is sure looking wise.
Perhaps he’s just jinxed. Always good to put a dollars and cents guy in charge of an organization that depends on scouting and shrewd personell decisions.
Yes, I’ll admit this road performance has…disappointed me.
Alas, that is not good.
cuddy looking good
trish,
This may sound bad, but prepare earlier and spread your legs more. My daughter had this problem. The only time your knees should be in jeopardy is if you HAVE to rush. You will normally fare better if you are still and prepared for the ball as opposed to moving. You can react to bad hops better and get a stonger throw off.
Gardy almost let the cat out of the bag. Something big is going to happen! A little birdy told me a trade is going down. Hopefully it was not a cuckoo!
If they ever get into sell mode, which I hope doesn’t happen, I’d expect that Nathan, Liriano, Baker, Punto, Crede, Gomez, Young, Harris and some of the minor leaguers (Macri, Casilla, etc.) would be in conversations about potential trades. I might add Cuddyer to that if a strong team had an injury need to fill in.
If you aren’t in it you listen to every idea floated your way.
But we’re a long, long way from that. Whip off 4-5 road wins in a row and all of this changes.
But I still wonder what the heck is going on on the road.
thry had a great breakdown of the Twins’ road record the past few years.
Twins only have 1 day road win this year-the 20-1 thrashing of the White Sox.
But they have a chance to pick up 2 road day game wins this weekend.
Oh wait, I guess I was dreaming that the twins would make a bold move. Oh well.
Span trying to do way too much and be a hero at home tonight.
By the way… The umpire crew that worked the Twins/Sox games is doing SD @ Col this weekend and Mr. Tichenor is at 3B.
Thanks for the heads up JimCrikket, I will make sure to stay as far away from Coors as possible
Gardy is packing it in, bringing in Crain.
Casilla wasn’t in Rochester’s lineup, for what it’s worth. Maybe something, at least Casilla being recalled, is going to happen.
Poor padres and Rockies. I’ll keep them in my prayers… tee hee
Well he won’t be behind the dish at all this weekend.
Crain isn’t very good, is he?
And right after I say that strikeout/throwout.
I am an idiothead.
nice DP!
why would the team eat salaries of Redmond, Punto or even Ayala…
Pure nonsense.
if anything, Punto goes on the DL.
No baseball sense on most of these postings.
Baker needs to go on the DL.
Win Twins!
Mauer says, can I get any help guys?
Mauer a homer short of the cycle!
romer, are you around?????
Greg, because all three of them are absolutely TERRIBLE!
Shields out, Twins might come back against Ray’s tired BP.
Greg,
I can see the team eating Redmonds contract it his last year and he’s not making a lot of money. They Ate Mike Lamb’s contract and he was making a lot of money.
OK, let’s keep the rally going.
Once again… I got a great idea on my blog that if you haven’t checked out yet, you should. (you’ll see why I can’t post it here)
Anyone else watching FSN Florida?
Yeah Morneau! MVP
Good start to this inning, now Kubel you need to do something!
thanks to Boy George, trish, I can see why. I did not deserve that, and leave it at that.
Just turned on the game - what is the deal - Mauer HR short of cycle and Twins have 2 runs? Hmm.
Price and Garza should be entertaining the next couple days -
Thank you Longoria!
Lets go Joe.
looked like cuddy didn’t touch the base.
Harris just can’t do much when he actually gets to play.
test
Umps continue to miss calls.
Bad call at first. Crain had him picked off!
Good call at first base. Morneau’s glove blocking Crawford’s hand. But let’s not get the correct call for the Twins.
Mijares screws up & does not cover 1st. Should be fined, could lead to big inning.
Mijares gets to first or the umps get the call right and the inning is done.
what’s wrong with the posting system
Trish’s blog rocked tonight. Sorry Trib, thanks Trish for the fun and speed.
Agree, Terry. That was fun, except for some jerk named Boy George.
Thanks guys! Thrylos is gonna do the link in his blog tomorrow since i will be playing softball during the game so make sure you check in there! Have fun!
Well, that sucked.
It’s hard to win when you only score 3 runs. We need more sacrifice bunts and stolen bases. We need to manufacture two or more runs a game.
One bit of good news was that Jesse Crain pitched better than the stats will show. He picked off a runner and struck out Longoria. Unfortunately, the umpires were asleep at that time.
Span is struggling. His .300 average is hiding inconsistent results at the plate. He needs to work harder. He might be crowding the plate. I don’t know if he really needs to tweak his swing.
Kubel is definitely too injured to play in the outfield. He can barely limp to first now.
Punto to DL and Casilla promoted.
Oh come on JC… we figured that out HOURS ago
Yep finally it is official.
from the AP: “Twins LHP Glen Perkins (left elbow) is set to resume throwing off a mound. He is expected to have several bullpen sessions before starting a minor league rehab assignment.”
well I’ve “figured out” a LOT of things that didnt turn out to be accurate, trish… just thought I’d post it once it came from the horse’s mouth… so to speak
Finally LaVelle has a short post on it, after as Trish had said “she figured it out earlier” and ESPN also officially reported it on their website. Hey LaVelle, wake up!
JC I thought you were going to bed too Guess that didn’t happen either huh?
