Twins-Rays: Crede taken for X-Rays
Posted on May 30th, 2009 – 1:51 PMBy La Velle
Twins third baseman Joe Crede left the game in the fourth inning with a sore left knee. He fouled a pitch off the knee earlier in the game. He was taken for X-Rays.
We’ll update as soon as we learn more details…
Update: X-Rays were negative. Crede is day-to-day with a left knee contusion…
Back to old programming….
Three Doors Down will play a one-hour set following tonight’s game. This place is loud enough with cowbell and piped-in crowd noise without music, so the scribes will move out of the main pressbox after the game and into the dining room to write stories. I like live music, so I might try to suck it up and write while listening to, “It’s Not My Time,” and their other tunes.
Alexi Casilla is here. He’s in a much better frame of mind than he was when he was sent down. But Gardy has him batting ninth. The manager would love to move Casilla back into the No. 2 spot but wants him to hit his way there first.
Jason Kubel isn’t in the lineup after a night of spinning at James Shields change ups. Gardy said Kubel tweaked his sore knee while striking out early in the game and almost took him out. Kubel is well enough to play but Gardenhire wants to give him a break. Kubel has been pull-happy lately and needs to get back to using more of the field.
Nick Punto’s sore groin muscle will need some time to heal. But consider him to be on the 15-day mentally disabled list, too. He needs to clear his mind.
Kevin Slowey will be miked for today’s game on FOX
If they show Liriano warm up in the bullpen before the game, compare his follow-through to when he crosses the white line and pitches in the game.
Lineups
Twins (24-26)
1. Denard Span, LF
2. Joe Mauer, C
3. Justin Morneau, 1B
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF
5. Joe Crede, 3B
6. Brendan Harris, SS
7. Delmon Young, DH
8. Carlos Gomez, CF
9. Alexi Casilla, 2B
Pitching: Francisco Liriano
Rays (24-27)
1. B.J. Upton, CF
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Willy Aybar, 2B
6. Ben Zobrist, SS
7. Joe Dillon, DH
8. Gabe Kapler, RF
9. Michel Hernandez, C
Pitching: David Price
318 Responses to "Twins-Rays: Crede taken for X-Rays"
First, woot!
Hopefully Casilla not only has a clear head but a hot bat to go along with it. We have to get some output out of the 7-8-9 spots. Having a third of the lineup catatonic is National League stuff. We don’t play there enough to make the playoffs.
Second….1/2 woot!
Hey, how bout in the future we use Baker for 5 innings and then let Liriano finish the game.
Close, Aaron…
LNP mentally disabled?? Must be all those head-first slides…
Heatonator says:
May 30th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Close, Aaron…
I know…. 
I think it had to do with when LNP stood up running through first base and got “zoinked.” If the price of staying upright running to first is a 15-day trip to the DL then I doubt we’ll ever see him do anything other than slide head first into first.
The lineup is about as good as it could be against a lefty. Imagine that, Mauer can actually catch a day game after catching the previous night.
Good depth to lineup to face Price. Price being a lefty also probably contributed to Kubel getting an off day. Good luck to the boys on National TV today. Let’s start winning on the road.
Mauer is only allowed to do that if the day game falls on the 30th day of a 31-day month that falls on a Saturday.
TK taught Gardy that one.
I know the game is on FOX, but does that mean that it’s truly a nationally-televised game?
I think, repeat think that this is one of those regional broadcast days. I may have dreamed it but I thought I saw an ad for two other games. As usual I could be wrong and have dreamed it. Pretty sad, actually, if that’s what I dreamed.
Yep.
Dodgers v. Cubs
Braves v. Dbacks are also on at the same time as us.
I assume most of the country will get the media giants.
i’m in oklahoma, they are showing the cubs dodgers game on Fox. bloody hell, thats what WGN is for!
Thanks, Fredo. I was just checking that out on foxsports.com.
Does anyone know who is calling today’s game?
Twins need to avoid the big inning with Liriano. Pull him as soon as he gives up more than two hits in an inning. Harsh, but lets play for keeps.
The manager would love to move Casilla back into the No. 2 spot but wants him to hit his way there first.
what’s wrong with Mauer at the #2 spot? This team is so much better with him up there
on the 15-day mentally disabled list
you didn’t really mean that now, did you? 
mentally disabled. Def: Persons diagnosed as having significantly lower than average intelligence and considerable problems in adapting to everyday life or lacking independence in regard to activities of daily living.
Not sure who is doing our game. Fox national has used Bert on other games before. Perhaps it will be the Rays PBP guy and Bert. Oh, and they haven’t let him circle people on their broadcasts.
T98-
Couldn’t agree on the Mauer thing more. Don’t you move a runner up when you a) walk, b) single c) double d)triple and, this year, e) homer?
Do you always have to give up an out to get a guy to 2nd or 3rd?
If we were getting production from 7-8-9 slots Mauer would have plenty of rbi opportunities.
I like Mauer right where he is and let Casilla and the other shrimps play small ball and get on base at the bottom of the order.
Oh, and I like the idea of Morneausie getting a PA in the first inning.
what’s wrong with Mauer at the #2 spot? This team is so much better with him up there
Thry - been good. IF we could find a #2 guy, then even better IF back to #3. Ya think?
thry - Trish’s blog is still active - I just put thru a test message - could just use that again today? Thoughts?
thrylos, don’t question a beat writer or you will be hung around these parts in case you haven’t heard.
Terry, can you provide the link again?
In terms of a long-term line-up, put Kubel(DH) at the four spot and put the hotter hitter between Gomez and Young at the 8 spot and this is the best possible line-up. Maybe Casilla 8, Gomez 9.
Ben,
there is “questioning” and “questioning”… I am just joking with La Velle, and he knows it and he knows that there is absolutely no harm or disrespect meant.
If you think that being a beat writer or a journalist is an easy job, you should try to take a crack at it. Unless you like 80 hour work weeks, you ain’t gonna like it.
Here is the only game Price has pitched in this year.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2009_05_25_tbamlb_clemlb_1&mode=wrap
3.1 IP 4 H 2 ER 5 BB 6 K 1 HR 100 pitches
This was the game where TB was up 10-0 after 3.5 innings, and CLE ended up scoring 7 in the 9th to win 11-10.
This game was the second day in a row that Maddon used six relievers. They lost the game before 5-4 to the Marlins in 11 innings.
IF we could find a #2 guy, then even better IF back to #3. Ya think?
Nope.
Mauer’s OPS:
#2 spot: 1.413
#3 spot: 1.234
Morneau’s OPS:
#3 spot: 1.081
#4 spot: 1.083
Kubel’s OPS:
#4 spot: 0.932
#5 spot: 0.880
if it ain’t broke don’t fix it and it is not broken…
http://www.chatmaker.net/chatap/rooms/TwinsChat/
Trish link - I’ll defer to thry tho, as it sounded like it could ‘move.’
Obviously a beat writer is not an easy job. With that said though, someone is usually a beat writer only if they do in fact love the game they are covering. Because of that not all 80 hours seem like work.
if it ain’t broke don’t fix it and it is not broken…
Professional blogger respect to you - IF we could find/develop a serviceable Casilla into a #2, then could say it is not about being ‘broken’ but ‘upgraded.’
My posts are once again awaiting moderation…
Nevermind…
IF we could find/develop a serviceable Casilla into a #2, then could say it is not about being ‘broken’ but ‘upgraded.’
Mauer’s OPS in the #2 spot is 1.413. I would have no problem having someone to replace him, if his OPS is up there too
despite the results, it was great to have mauer up in the two hole with two outs in the ninth last night …
dang. dodgers/cubs with buck/mccarver on my tv.
Whoa, Braves catcher McAnn got a new prescription for glasses and has been hitting near .400 since.
I’m taking Delmon to the eye doctor on Monday.
How many hits do we get from the bottom-third of the lineup? (DY, Go, Lexi)
Where you at Mickey?
portland, oregon. so it’s no big surprise (but a guy can hope…).
OK,if “National” TV is too strong of a term, how about “Regional”.
Hey Fredo
You might want to rent an airport shuttle bus and take Punto, Gomez, Casilla, Tolbert, Buscher, and possibly Harris with you too!!
man the ball explodes out of prices hand
Warmin’ up the bus.
Three Doors Down and piped in crowd noise. Tampa is h*ll.
Keep an eye on Price’s pitch count. His only start this year he had 100 pitches through 3.1 innings.
Price already hittin the 97 mph mark…
25 pitches after 1
Whats Liriano going to do this afternoon?
Give up a couple dingers and K 7 or 8 batters.
mickey mental says:
May 30th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
dang. dodgers/cubs with buck/mccarver on my tv.
*shudder*
Anybody else think they were watching liriano of 06 when price was pitching?
Heatonator says:
May 30th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Give up a couple dingers and K 7 or 8 batters.
with how many on for each?
Mauer’s OPS in the #2 spot is 1.413. I would have no problem having someone to replace him, if his OPS is up there too
Your position is agreed. IF is the key word to include BUT meaning Mauer HR total drives OPS
It’s not even regional TV. I live in Des Moines and we can’t ever get FOX Twins games, plus we are blacked out for mlbtv…I’m so fed up with mlb!
one solo and the other a 2-run shot.
Price 25
Franchise 10
Razz my wife is in sioux city and they arent getting the twins there either. Pretty stupid, its about 80 miles from the mn border
lets see if Crede can catch up to one of those fastballs
If Franchise blows up again in the 4th or 5th inning, he might want to start looking for a comfortable chair to take to the bullpen when Perkins comes back. It would be sweet to have two flame throwers (Mijares & Franchise) from the left side in the 7th & 8th.
Does anybody take more 3rd strikes on the inside corner than Harris?
LMAO
Should have sent him…
Yow - now would be a good time for a hit
for those who are watching, could have Crede scored or Ullger’s decision was good to hold him?
It would have been close…very close…but it would have been worth the risk
Casilla SHOULD NOT be swinging. No way price could hit his strike zone three times.
Thanks a lot Crede. There was plenty of time to score on that error if he had been hustling from the time the ball was hit.
thry — Crede would have had no chance.
At least he hit it on the ground instead of popping it up
thry they didnt show a very good view of it, and Crede is about as fast as my dad.
It was the RIGHT call not to send Crede. He would have been meat.
He’d have had a good chance had he been hustling instead of jogging.
You send him there…its early
Twins/Rays only going to 14 percent of US:
http://www.hdsportsguide.com/news/2009/mlb-on-fox-regional-coverage-5302009/
Same ump as yesterday???
Aaron you send him there and he gets easily thrown out. That is stupid.
Ump does not like the outside corner for either team
Or same ump as Thursday rather???
johhnyonspot, it is the same umpiring crew as yesterday, of course, but not at the same bases as yesterday.
No it is not, it is early and you have a guy batting 160 next. And with hindsight being 20/20 it did not matter much, did it?
The Rays really need to do something about that ugly turf. Looks like a pasture.
johnnyonspot, no he is in Colorado.
Aaron, so you would rather send a guy and have him get thrown out by 4 feet than at least give a guy a chance to get a hit and get him in. Use some logic man.
Ben, I know, just being sarcastic, since this ump looks like he is as bad as the idiot from the Boston finale.
You are assuming. We dont know if he gets thrown out because it did not happen. So you cant say that he does.
Thanks for that link FrantheMan - very interesting.
Crede would have been out. At least it added some pitches to Price’s pitch count by facing another batter that inning.
johnnyonspot, my bad
I dont send him because i think he is going to be out. I send him because I think he is going to score.
Aaron you saw where he was when he was held up and you saw the throw. Why does everybody else on here that was watching the game know he would not have scored, but you can’t figure it out?
Price 47
Franchise 27
Hopefully Frankie can give us at least six good innings and avoid losing track of his mechanics again. Looking A-okay so far.
After his first throw to first let the bunting start!
No prob, Rat Face.
Had they sent Crede he’d been out by a good bit imho. However, if you look at the replay, he clearly was jogging into second when Price made the throw to first. So it would have been a good bet to send him had he been hustling from the get go.
johnnyonspot says:
May 30th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
He’d have had a good chance had he been hustling instead of jogging.
Im not the only one
whattodo, nice call.
Way to put the pressure on the rook. Price reminds me of Frankie prior to the TJ surgery.
Aaron, you just used johnnyonspot’s post saying he’d have had a good chance if he had been hustling instead of jogging. He wasn’t hustling, that’s the thing. Get a clue.
Nice! Keep it up boys - keep the pressure on Price!
No need to get rude here, folks. We all on the same side here. Too bad that ball had to go into the stands, Span could have scored.
Contact Cuddyer!
Mauer is good
Cuddy just struck out on a ball. Can’t blame him, though, tough pitch.
At least the ump is calling it consistent for both teams.
More bunts when Gomez and Casilla roll around.
Ben says:
May 30th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Aaron, you just used johnnyonspot’s post saying he’d have had a good chance if he had been hustling instead of jogging. He wasn’t hustling, that’s the thing. Get a clue.
No need to be a adolescent about it. I have my opinions too and have every right to share it. I have avoided insulting you on a personal level. I would like the same respect, thanks.
Price up to 64 pitches
Ben doesn’t like beat writers or people.
Now if if can avoid the pitching habit of giving runs up the very next half inning after we score!
Like I said!
Heatonator says:
May 30th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
one solo and the other a 2-run shot.
so far so good
Way to jinx him, whattodo. lol
gives it right back
joe dillon’s second career hr.
Upton with a .198 average???
should have gone to second there.
Warm up dickey.
Here we go…………again
jon, sure you know all. Cause I simply disagree with somebody that means you don’t like somebody I guess?
this one is starting to sail south
Yuk!
Dillon was batting .000. Had only been up 4 times this year. This was the first time he faced Liriano.
Ben,
“Get a clue” is not just disagreeing.
If I disagree with my wife, “get a clue” gets me a bed in the garage.
Ben, I think the issue is the gratuitous “get a clue” comment.
jon, I guess I’m glad not everyone reacts as she does then.
I’m out!
Well I am not above apologizing, then I will do it. Sorry if that was perceived as a harsh comment Aaron.
On a sidenote, Liriano continues to self destruct.
Liriano has a terribly slow move to first.
uffda
Nice.
Both bullpens will get a lot of work today
Liriano is so easily frazzled this year. Not a good quality for a pitcher.
Mauer is getting beat up this inning.
Seems like Liriano’s out pitch is not there. Even when he gets to 2 strikes he gives up hits or has hitters fouling him off multiple times…
Especially with runners on.
Liriano is lost out there. Apparently, so is his pitching coach and manager.
hmmmm….
… says:
May 30th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Warm up dickey.
Whatever they’ve been working on with Liriano isn’t working. This act wouldn’t play very well in the pen if he’s in high-stress situations.
He needs to start over as a pitcher with the idea that he isn’t who he was and needs to learn a better change and perhaps another pitch.
Send him to Cuellar with a plan on how to reinvent himself as a starting pitcher. If he has to pitch like Jamie Moyer so be it. As it is right now he’s making no progress toward utility for the Twins. A lot of it might lie in between his ears where he just can’t see himself as another type of pitcher and be successful.
I’ts very sad but he still has major league ability and a host of other pitchers in the past have suffered setbacks from injury and figured out a way to change and grow. Frank Tanana for us old guys might be the best example.
Walter Johnson says:
May 30th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Twins need to avoid the big inning with Liriano. Pull him as soon as he gives up more than two hits in an inning. Harsh, but lets play for keeps.
You hear that, Liriano? That’s Anthony Swarzak stepping up behind you getting ready to take over your spot in the rotation. Better get hot! Your performance today is not helping your case.
Liriano to the DL?
Well, unfortunately that plan today would be a bad one, Walter.
Fredo, you are absolutely correct. What we don’t know, and maybe Thrylos98 can help us with this, but the number of pitchers that return to prominance after TJ surgery is far, far fewer than those who lose their careers. That would be my guess.
That was the longest half an inning that I can remember. Or at least felt like it. Geesh
Nothing was accomplished by leaving Liriano in there except to prove that he belongs in the bullpen right now. He’s still only 25 years old. He has plenty of time to work his way back to being a starter if that is his destiny.
I used to love watching Tanana and Tommy John finesse their way through a lineup start after start. The final week or so of the ‘87 season, when Detroit and Toronto were battling it out to meet the Twins in the ALCS is the best stretch run I’ve ever seen, especially the final game, on a Sunday, even shown on TV though not previously scheduled, pitched by Tanana, was a great treat.
Time for the bats to lay down and settle into another drubbing of a road trip.
Liriano and Young for Cain.
Liriano does this almost every start. Pitches great for a few innings and then loses his focus. He’d be great as the 8th inning setup guy. Possibly could come in and pitch the 7th too. I’m tired of seeing him look like he doesn’t care after 3 or 4 innings.
Lee, I don’t think SF takes that trade.
Too bad didn’t do it last winter.
I honestly don’t think putting him in the 7th-8th high stress situations would solve his issue. He’d just get to the meltdown sooner than he does now. One bad thing breaks his fragile confidence and he’s in China Syndrome mode.
Sticking him in the long relief probably doesn’t get him enough innings to learn what he needs to learn.
I’m still thinking you send him to Rochester with a detailed blueprint for Cuellar to mold him into the kind of pitcher he can be. His days of 98 mph fastball and 88 slider are gone. And he thinks they’re still here.
Oh-oh…Crede must have done something with all those dives. Crap.
Yeah, I’ve pretty much had it with both Liriano and Baker. Put them both in the pen when Perk comes back and let Dickey see what he can do as a starter. Can always switch them back if either Swarzak or Dickey or both fail. If nothing else it will show these two primadonnas that nothing is a certainty for them.
Okay Gardy…that inning is all Harris’ fault.
“Too bad didn’t do it last winter.”
there’s some textbook blogger logic.
That last inning was in no way the infield’s problem. These announces are nuts.
Fredo,
The thing is about Liriano working out of the pen, if he comes in the game in the 7th or 8th and gets into trouble, you have no hesitation in bringing in the next guy. When he’s the starter and he’s having trouble getting through the third or fourth inning, you don’t have that luxury - you gotta stick with him and hope he can pull out of it. Otherwise you end up using up your whole pen.
i was completely serious too. not.
I knew he’d hang that on Harris. Jack the guy all around the field and then get angry when he makes a poor choice. How about stick him there for the exact same number of innings the lap dog got and see what you’ve got?
I knew he’d hang that on Harris.
And now the announcers won’t stop laying that inning on the defense. WTH?
If anything the infield saved a couple runs for Frankie in the 3rd.
Lee, sorry you can’t note sarcasm on here.
The one infield mistake to me was when Harris threw to first. He had a shot if he would have thrown to second.
I probably should have been clearer. I don’t think Liriano should be on the major league team at all. He will not get the kind of attention and innings he needs to learn how to pitch in the pen.
Send him down to work with Cuellar, get his starts and lots of time with a real mentor with a plan to reshape the guy.
Unless you want him to be a reliever from now on I don’t see a lot of sense in putting him the pen at this point. Learn your craft in the minors not part-time here in the pen. I’d rather him get schooled in Rochester and see Delaney or Slama if we need relievers.
what happened, I am in Cubs- Dodgers land apparently
What happened to Crede? Gameday is really frustrating when in comes to injury’s…
Gardy said Crede “popped a calf” That doesn’t sound too good.
gameday said crede left with knee injury
The one infield mistake to me was when Harris threw to first. He had a shot if he would have thrown to second.
I agree but even that would have been a tough play considering how far Harris had to go for the ball.
I think Liriano should go to the pen because, 1. he isn’t cutting it as a starter, 2. he can be outstanding for an inning or two, 3. we NEED help in the bullpen, 4. he’s done it before, 5. Swarzak needs to stay in the rotation, 6. he can get by with fewer pitches in the bullpen, 7. we can’t let the season slip away while waiting on one guy to get his head straight, among others.
Livan Hernandez 4-1 with mid 4 ERA
Liriano 2-7 - nearly 7 ERA
My point above, is i think we should have gotten a veteran just to keep the kids calm.
Also, is anyone else getting tired watching Crede play 2-3 games swing decent, then he’s got some ailment again.
Crede update up top
Redmond’s catching tomorrow.
LaVelle,
You should check out Three Doors Down, at least that will make the trip to Tampa worth it! I doubt they have a shot with Garza on the hill tomorrow!
Maybe the can knock Price out this inning. Big spot for Cuddyer.
The dome should have cowbell giveaway night.
cuddy needs to get his eyes checked again.
You should check out Three Doors Down, at least that will make the trip to Tampa worth it!
Or at least they should induce some vomiting to help purge this game.
Or strike out on three pitches.
So who can objectively explain what happened on the three hits by the Rays in the third that are all described by MLB.com as a “single on a ground ball to Harris/Casilla?”
So at what point does this team make a trade here?? Because this is getting ridiculous and this same old story is getting awfully boring.
Now is the time to go after a guy like Cain from SF. It’s not like the Twins don’t have pieces they can move. That team is looking for a bat or two. I would be on the phone with SF 5 minutes ago.
beetlejuice, ESPN has been reporting constantly lately that rumors Cain is on the market are completely false.
Well, make them an offer they can’t refuse then.
And what would that be?
mauer and morneau for cain.
Delmon Young, Punto, Redmond, Baker, Buscher, and Perkins for Cain. That should do it.
I don’t see who we can trade right now except Morales. And the also are in need of a bat or two.
if anyone should be traded its cuddyer. i mean seriously, he leads the team in strikeouts and GIDPs by a healthy margin; and thats before his current 0-3 (3ks) game.
im sure there are plenty of organizations out there who would be dumb enough to give up some reliable relief pitching for an out machine with magic skills.
they may even throw in Molina for those two
Why would SF want to trade Cain? Contract problems coming up?
Does Mulvey have any trade value?
beetlejuice, who in your proposal has any trade value?
Cuddyer and Tolbert for Cain.
if the Giants were dumb enough to give us Liriano, Nathan and Bonzer for A.J. Pierzynski years ago, they should fall for another equally lopsided trade again.
So SF would have to make room for five guys on their roster in addition for the one replacing Cain?
Young you have looked as Cuddyer today.
Should have said as terrible as Cuddyer today.
Trade Punto for Jeter
Liriano for Halladay
Casilla for Brian Roberts
Young for . . .
Well, you get the idea
The Twins could have two golden sombreros in the locker room today. It has to have been a while since that last happened.
This team is just horrid on the road.
Dickey has given up just one run in his last 14 2/3 innings. maybe he should start for liriano next time.
stinky, I am wondering if he isn’t better suited for the relief role though where he can come into a game and face a time with his knuckler after they have seem somebody throwing hard.
Dickey has given up just one run in his last 14 2/3 innings. maybe he should start for liriano next time.
Or for baker. Swarzak for Liriano.
Although it couldn’t hurt with the way both have been throwing lately.
Looks like we spoke too soon.
12 K’s in 29 PA’s for the Twins…
A .238 winning percentage on the road after today. Wow, that is impressive Gardenhire.
Looks like we spoke too soon.
Yet…Dickey keeps pitching and gets out of the inning quick.
Oh, yeah, I was just kidding about my trade proposal obviously. A man can dream though.
I do remember hearing some grumblings in the offseason that the Giants were mildly interested in a Delmon Young and something else for Cain swap. Man, oh man, that would’ve been sweet.
R-A-Di-ckey, clap, clap, clap-clap-clap
…, in case you missed it he did give up another run.
okay, 2 runs in 15 2/3, although most of it has been in mop up
Cuddyer doesn’t want to wear that golden sombrero, but Young still wants it.
mop up? Yesterday at least the score was close, that can hardly be considered mop up.
Good inning boys!
14K’s, 5 hits, one run. wont matter who pitches if we can’t score more runs.
Send Tolbert down and bring up Tolleson. I don’t care if he has not played at AAA, he can’t be worse at the plate than Tolbert.
tolbert wants to be in contention for a sombero although he won’t get enough PAs… too bad
Will DY get the golden sombrero?!?
Nora, I am not sure if you watched the game yesterday or not, but Dickey did not pitch in it. We are referring to his work lately.
Honestly, who wants to see DY wear the golden sombrero next inning?
It’s amazing…I never thought I would’ve said this before the season, and the whole team has stunk so far today, not just Liriano, but I can’t wait for days when Blackburn pitches….At least with him, you usually know what you’re getting and it’s generally pretty solid.
I would be intrigued to see where Liriano and Baker came in on a list of biggest disappointments in MLB so far this season.
Overall, a great performance in relief by Dickey this afternoon.
Exceedingly depressing game, series, and season (on the road). A major shakeup is needed. Get Liriano, Tolbert, Young, Punto, Buscher off the major league team. Bring ANYONE up, it could not possibly be worse. At least make a real effort to salvage some production from the bottom half of our lineup.
Heatonator, you would think that you have something to prove playing against a team that traded you. Hopefully Garza has the same non-incentive starting against us tomorrow as Delmon does batting against TB today.
Evening guys… looks like a tough game to watch again today.
4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER. Not bad for Dickey when you look at Liriano today.
Trish you definitely didn’t miss anything.
Oh Delmon has a great chance of the golden sombrero now that Balfour is still in the game.
I think Dickey has earned the chance to replace one of these dead weight losers currently taking up space in the rotation. Baker, Liriano, Perkins, take your pick. I’d give Perk a chance to remain, to see if it was his injury causing his troubles, but the other two have worn out their welcome imho.
The golden sombrero will have to wait for another day. Delmon after that weak AB you should have to wear it anyway.
Gomez said my average is approaching the Mendoza line way too quickly, I need a hit.
How to you spell Sweep = TWINS.
Twins are road kill. Its going to be a LONG, LOOOONNNNNGGGGG June. Have you seen the home/road schedule.
What about it 98. You have all of the answers…..You and your croonies……
Span, does your mom have an idea of what the score is or not? Somebody please inform her.
Time for Lirano to go down to AAA?
trish, no options…
Hopefully the Twins can win tomorrow and then sweep at home. Maybe then they can win some road games. Their season will be doomed if they don’t play .500 on the road. Good luck and Go Twins!
Sure would be nice if Grant Balfour was still in a Twins uniform. Thanks Terry Ryan for giving up on him. I’m a die hard fan, but maybe I should just watch the home games. Most road games are a waste of time. Why do I get the feeling Liriano won’t even be in the Twins rotation next year?
Terrible effort on the road once again, you would think that you would begin to expect as much after they are 5-16 on the road. Gardenhire, who batttled their tail off today? I sure didn’t see anybody! I don’t think anybody gutted it out. This is becoming so frustrating.
thankfully i was too busy and no fox game here today anyway
Officially 3-12 in day games
i heard liriano has options…. but i did not research it
Shawn,
his 3 option years were: 2006, 2007, 2008
didn’t use the option in 07 though, no?
It doesn’t matter whether a player went up or not. The option year was gone
In this division, playing close to .500 the road would be sufficent.
Well no options for Liriano and Young means no options for the Twins. I guess Liriano will have to hit the pen (maybe take Dickey’s place?) and Young will have to continue to play or try to find someone who can be duped in a trade.
And the way things have gone so far this season I would expect Perkins to struggle. Too much to hope that he can come in and take a spot in the rotation. So then what? Does Perkins have any options left? Probably not.
Well, the manager and pitching coach are going to have to battle their tails off. On the road.
Well they are nowhere close to .500 on the road.
Lay off Lirano. He pitched well with the exception of one inning. He got go run support. Young as DH. You go to be kidding me.
I guess you all want Warthog, the one game wonder, to pitch. Maybe he will go juice up like he did in 07. I think thats called a Cheater…….
swarzak = warthog?
he didn’t roid he used street drugs.
not better but not a performance enhancer per se
Maybe he will go juice up like he did in 07. I think thats called a Cheater…….
Swarzak was suspended for the use of street drugs, not PEDs… Learn your facts or go back to your Brewers’ blog.
Rocky Simon, people could probably get over that if it was the first time that one bad inning did him in but unless you are new to watching Twins games this year, you would know that is not the case.
Rocky, kind of like Big Papi this year once he had to stop?????
Lay off Lirano. He pitched well with the exception of one inning.
Yeah, he always pitches well except for one or two innings, which is good enough for an ERA over 6.5.
Sorry Rocky, but Liriano is Atrocious with a capital A this season. You can not sugar coat his utterly dismal play. I was not aware he is out of options, but at the very least you can stash him in the back of the bullpen in Dickey’s spot. Maybe even try starting Dickey with a goal of getting 5 innings out of him.
They won’t send Liriano down. He will moved to the pen if anything were to happen. But Gardy is very loyal, him and Baker can go out there and get lit up, and they probably will continue to pitch in the rotation.
I respect what Gardy has done as a manager, but you just can’t be ever players friends. I think that is the problem with this club. It’s almost to laid back. It’s almost like they lose, and if you see them in the clubhouse, the music is on, its not a big deal. I wish they would tighten it up and act like a professional ball club once in a while. The first step towards that would be to get the AAA’s off this roster. Buscher isn’t going to play while Tolbert/Casilla are here. Send him down, bring up Morales, he unlike most of the players on this squad, does not have a hole in his bat.
Liriano may have to go to the bullpen, but it is way to early to sell out on him completely…. he’s only 25 and has the stuff, just needs a brain tweak or two, or ten
Let’s see:
Liriano “atrocious”
Perkins “atrocious”
Baker “atrocious”
Crain “atrocious”
Breslow “atrocious”
do you think it might actually mean that Andy is the “atrocious” one here?
Swarzak = 50 gamer for toking the good green earth
15 K’s in 37 PA’s for the Twins
thrylos, I have no explanation for you. I just find it hard to believe that this is the pitching coach’s fault. I think it’s more likely that these guys way over-performed last year relative to their abilities. Especially Baker.
Not one pitcher on our staff has dominating stuff, or even close to it. We have a rotation of 4th starters, and the mediocrity is contagious apparently.
today:
Twins: 18 LOB
Rays: 8 LOB
Cannot win like this
I just find it hard to believe that this is the pitching coach’s fault.
So you think that all 5 automatically became worse this season. How often has than happened in baseball and the pitching coach kept his job?
The closest mass individual collapse to this was the 2008 Tigers and you know what happened to their pitching coach.
Andy for some reason has always been thought to have the “magic wand” that fixes broken pitches. Fix them or kick him out.
Should the Twins player of the game then go to Casilla for being the only Twin for not striking out?
do you think it might actually mean that Andy is the “atrocious” one here?
disabled list for coaches. Bobby deserves a chance.
Hey no complaints here, I’m fine with letting him go. At the very least that would show the team has some standards for performance.
I just don’t see these pitchers as top-shelf major league talent. I don’t want to harp on velocity because it’s not the be all and end all, but how do we not have a single competent flame-thrower either in our bullpen or rotation? Detroit is absolutely loaded with them.
thrylos, nicely said. Could not have stated it better myself.
Pitch to contact is the ‘Twins Way.’ I don’t agree or disagree just accept it as ‘is.’ I agree with Franchise and Perk to the bully, like ASwark and TBD in the rotation. I just want a 1st place team!
Sometimes these games and Twins hitters become too painful to watch.
I had a nice nap from 4:30 to 6.
It saved the day.
Thank the gods of baseball that I have to attend a graduation party tomorrow.
Bobby deserves a chance.
you think?
Let’s see:
who do you want?
the guy who taught the change up to Randy Johnson in ‘95 resulting to an 18-2, 2.48 ERA and 192 K season and started the streak of his Cy Young years,
the guy who taught the change up to Pedro Martinez in ‘97 resulting to a 17-8, 1.90 ERA and 219 K season and started the streak of his Cy Young years,
the guy who taught the change up to Johan Santana in ‘03 while in the minors, resulting to an ‘04 20-6, 2.61 ERA and 182 K season and started the streak of his Cy Young years,
or
Andy?
Guess the Twins’ brass have a hard decision to make here…
thry and TFelton agree -
we have so many problems right now. mornoe, mauer, and cuddy are the only ones that are hitting consistantly.
crede is constantly hurt. wasn’t crede’s agent asking for around 12 million for him in the offseason? if crede dosen’t get more consistantly heathy, he’ll make even less next year. tolbert cant hit. delmond can’t hit. i’m glad punto’s on the dl because he also can’t hit. in order for these road trips to not kill us, about 3 more guys are going to have to get hot. i know i’m just venting the obvious, but i’m just upset with this team right now.
might be time to make matt g a starter again. keep swarzak starting and put liriano and baker both in the pen and see how they do in relief roles–matt g isnt the most preferred move i would like, but i dont have any other answers outside of going out and trying to trade for someone and i dont see the twins gutsy enough to do that…
going to tampa and facing the rays is like going to the dome and facing the twins….rays look like the twins at home…everything they do goes well at home and price you know was going to be tough on the twins…they definately need to win the get away game….
“thrylos98 says:
May 30th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
today:
Twins: 18 LOB
Rays: 8 LOB
Cannot win like this”
actually, that’s misleading. the twins left eight on base, tampa bay five.
the figure you’re quoting relates to how many were on base for each at-bat; but “left on base” in the tradtional box-score sense refers to how many runners occupy bases at the end of an inning.
the reason i mention is because my eyes popped out when i read that post.
nevertheless, the twins aren’t getting the hits and two runs won’t win many ballgames.
mornoe
who? I accept and hear rest of ur point but think he is in Pitts last I checked. TF
I think it’s time to consider Boofing Liriano. An extended stay in the bullpen might help everybody out. Not sure how he would handle being thrown into pressure situations though.. He can’t seem to get himself out of his own this season.
i still think the twins are making a big mistake by not going out and getting tejada to play ss….his .340 average and extra power would solidify this lineup in a major way and now with casilla back they could really put out a first class lineup 1-9 and a strong bench….tejada could be gotten for a damn prospect or two and we have plenty of them….think of this….
span cf
casilla 2b
mauer c
morneau 1b
tejada ss
kubel dh
cuddy rf
crede 3b
young/gomez of
thats as solid a lineup as there is in baseball, if you ask me…..whats holding mr smith up, i have to ask…
mj1: hmm
tejada does well the team does poorly, he does poorly the team does well…. so you might not want him
but if you want to give up Harris plus someone else for Tejada I will be happy to take that deal
Tejada is making almost $15M this year. His stats so far back it up, but the Twins can’t afford to make that gamble with a 35 year-old player.
I’d be shocked on a Miggy trade.
Twins: 18 LOB
Rays: 8 LOB
Cannot win like this”
actually, that’s misleading. the twins left eight on base, tampa bay five.
the figure you’re quoting relates to how many were on base for each at-bat;
It’s not misleading… the Twins had more opportunities to get these 8 men in that the Rays to get these 5 men in… 18 lost opportunities vs 8 lost opportunities. Huge difference.
“can’t afford”? or “won’t afford”? (not that it makes much difference.)
Tejada is a DH in the AL. And I think that Houston will be more than glad to shed his contract for a player to be named later. Now, if I were Smith, I’d trade a certain 27 year old AA utility player with 1 career HR and .556 career OPS to make a point
“It’s not misleading… the Twins had more opportunities to get these 8 men in that the Rays to get these 5 men in… 18 lost opportunities vs 8 lost opportunities. Huge difference.”
i agree that it’s a huge difference. i’m just saying that when i read “twins: 18 LOB” my jaw dropped because the MAX is 27 (three in each of nine innings). and in fact it was only eight.
for once i would like the twins do something without money being the driving force…maybe winning should be the goal….i dont worry about the twins money…they have plenty, its wins that theyre lacking in….
Mental - good news is there were ducks on pond, bad news………..
“Mental - good news is there were ducks on pond, bad news………”
no argument there.
for once i would like the twins do something without money being the driving force…maybe winning should be the goal…
they need some credit. Last season they did sign a bunch of losers and released them mid season eating up the money. They are still paying Mike Lamb, btw.
About time they eat Reddog’s contract as well.
The Twins can technically afford any player, but they won’t afford Tejada’s contract because it would be nearly a quarter of the entire payroll.
About time they eat Reddog’s contract as well.
Why Thry? I am jokin with ya. I thought they should have traded him in STraining.
youre making my point heatonator…stop worrying about the money…they have plenty.. i only care about wins and thats what i would like to see from them for a change…
quarter of the entire payroll. hmm, and ya got LNP.
mj1, if ya want to buy the wins become a Booston or Jankee fan.
I thought they should have traded him in STraining.
they didn’t even need to do that. They picked his option last off season. That should have never happened in the first place.
The Twins are not going to suddenly start spending $100M on their payroll. Sure, the Pohlads might be able to afford that, but we all know that’s not going to happen any time soon if ever. So, with our payroll probably staying under $75M for a few years, is Tejada’s contract really worth the gamble at age 35?
i hardly think adding a tejada would would put me or anyone else in class of boston or ny…thats pretty juvenile to say the least–ugly thought also…
DET 3 BAL 3
CHI 2 KC 2
they didn’t even need to do that. They picked his option last off season. That should have never happened in the first place.
Lot’s of talk on this blog and elsewwhere on Butera whilst TFleton was talking about Morales. Think ahead it seems…..
DET 4 BAL 3
CHI 3 KC 2
They picked his option last off season. That should have never happened in the first place.
You defended that move at the time as did almost everyone else. I remember well because I commented that it was a waste to not give the spot to one of the young catchers and everyone jumped down my throat about it.
They picked his option last off season. That should have never happened in the first place.
You defended that move at the time as did almost everyone else. I remember well because I commented that it was a waste to not give the spot to one of the young catchers and everyone jumped down my throat about it.
Welcome to Hysteria Central.
The Twins Blog for high-rise jumpers.
Look out below!
AAAAAAHHHHHaaaahhhhhhh……………
WJ- about the time TFelton ‘found this blog.’ I posted for my first time supporting keeping Morales. I have lots of respect for Seth Speaks but he called me ’silly’ for it. Watching it develop, me not feeling silly.
Crede taken for X-Rays.
Aren’t Young and Harris x-Rays?
You defended that move at the time as did almost everyone else.
nope. You are confusing me with someone else. Here is part of my blog entry last December:
# The Twins made the first blunder this off-season, releasing Randy Ruiz to reportedly open another spot on the 40 man roster. Readers of this space know who I feel about Randy Ruiz. It is bothersome that this comes from a team that has 5 catchers on the 40 man roster, re-singed the AARP-eligible Redmond as the back-up catcher for next season, and having several older career minor league non-prospects in that roster.
here is the link to that entry if you don’t believe me:
http://tenthinningstretch.blogspot.com/2008/12/catching-up.html
thry…”"”AARP-eligible”"” Careful, one needs to be 50 to be “”AARP-eligible”". I am eligible, RedDog isn’t.
Anybody else noticed that Lirano tips his pitches? It was pretty obvious. Especially from the set, if you lay an imaginary yardstick across his shoulders, it points right where his next pitch is going.
Also, if he drops his right shoulder slightly, he’s going to throw a slider. I called a bunch of his pitches correctly in a row during the game. It was easy.
Oh, and when he drops his right shoulder a little more, he’s going to bounce it. Good for a base runner to know.
No wonder Lirano’s got a high ERA. Batters (and couch potatoes) can see where he’s about to throw the ball.
BTW, this also solves the strange mystery of why Liriano looks so good in his warm-ups, then falls apart in the game. In warm-ups, nobody is batting, so he has no reason to not be precise. In a game, that same precision is working against him so long as he tips his pitches. Being precise is no fun at all if the result is line drives and home runs.
If ruiz was hot, why would he not be in the majors now..Plus, that is 2008 article.
Why do people keep slamming Crede..
Foul ball activity….
Win Twins!
If ruiz was hot, why would he not be in the majors now.
Lyle Overbay, Kevin Millar and Adam Lind in Toronto.
I’d take him every day with the Twins over Butcher and Tolbert… Here are some of his splits last season:
in the dome: .346/.414/.423
with RISP: .533/.611/.600
in day games: .360/.448/.400
but of course he was way underused last season…
ruiz is an odd case. hit .274/.338/.355 last year in 68 at-bats with the twins. and apparently doing pretty well in aaa with toronto right now.
but he’s 31 and it’s not like he hasn’t had his chances:
July 11, 1999: Signed by the Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent.
March 24, 2003: Released by the Cincinnati Reds.
March 29, 2003: Signed as a Free Agent with the Baltimore Orioles.
October 15, 2003: Granted Free Agency.
January 12, 2004: Signed as a Free Agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.
March 26, 2004: Released by the St. Louis Cardinals.
April 29, 2004: Signed as a Free Agent with the Philadelphia Phillies.
October 15, 2005: Granted Free Agency.
January 19, 2006: Signed as a Free Agent with the Kansas City Royals.
April 14, 2006: Released by the Kansas City Royals.
April 23, 2006: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.
October 15, 2006: Granted Free Agency.
January 20, 2007: Signed as a Free Agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
July 23, 2007: Released by the Philadelphia Phillies.
July 25, 2007: Signed as a Free Agent with the San Francisco Giants.
October 29, 2007: Granted Free Agency.
November 16, 2007: Signed as a Free Agent with the Minnesota Twins.
Morning Twins Fans -
Upon reviewing things this morning, it isn’t as bad as it feels 51 games into this year. This division is close, nobody is taking control of it, so a hot streak and little luck in June, then have a chance.
Have you seen June schedule Terry…..
I don’t think so. Little chance.
jimbo nice anaylsis
