Twins-Rays: Cuddyer leaves game with strained finger
Posted on May 31st, 2009 – 8:46 AMBy La Velle
Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer left Sunday’s game after striking out in the second inning. We’ll update his condition as soon as it becomes available.
Update: Cuddyer has a right index finger injury. He has been taken for X-Rays.
Update: X-Rays didn’t reveal anything major. Cuddyer has a strained right index finger and is considered day-to-day.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire will count healthy bodies in the clubhouse and cobble a lineup together. The Twins are wounded and can use all the help they can get to avoid getting swept for the fourth time this season.
Joe Crede is expected to miss the game with a bruised left knee. Joe Mauer might not be able to even DH after the beating he took behind and at the plate yesterday.
They are losing game they really aren’t that far out of - although I’ll admit that David Price could have been 80 feet, 8 inches from the plate and still overpowered several hitters yesterday.
Ben Revere was named Twins minor league player of the week after going 11-for-22 with three steals in 6 games for Class A Fort Myers.
Check back here for lineups and more. Gardy’s weekly show on KSTP begins around 9:30 a.m.
Update (9:35): Yep, Gardy is stressing over his starting nine. “I can’t fill out a lineup,” he said, half jokingly.
Mauer just arrived at the clubhouse and is seeing how his body responds to stretching and whirlpool time. He raised his workout shorts to reveal big bruises on the inside of each thigh. He also took a shot on his right side yesterday and fouled a pitch off his leg.
“I feel like I’ve been playing paintball,” Mauer said. “I’m going to check on some things and might make a case to Gardy.”
If Mauer can’t play, Alexi Casilla will bat second.
Crede is definitely out.
Chances are that Carlos Gomez will get the nod over Delmon Young.
Glen Perkins will throw in the bullpen this morning then drive down to Fort Myers, Fla. for rehab work. He’s expected to pitch on Thursday in the first of two outings. So Anthony Swarzak will stick around for little while.
11:28 update: Just got back from the clubhouse. Long session with Gardy.
Lineups
Twins (24-27)
1. Deanrd Span, LF
2. Alexi Casilla,2B
3. Justin Morneau, 1B
4. Jason Kubel, DH
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Bredan Harris, SS
7. Brian Buscher, 3B
8. Mike Redmond, C
9. Carlos Gomez, CF
Pitching: Nick Blackburn
Rays (25-27)
1. Ben Zobrist, 2B
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, DH
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Willy Aybar, 3B
6. Matt Joyce, CF
7. Gabe Gross, RF
8. Dioner Navaro, C
9. Reid Brignac, SS
Pitching: Matt Garza
172 Responses to "Twins-Rays: Cuddyer leaves game with strained finger"
Three steaks! Yum. Good job Ben.
Steals?
Thinking along with Gardy on today’s lineup. We have RH power pitcher Garza.
Considerations:
Crede is likely out
Mauer is likely out
Harris is probably in the doghouse (again)
Have to play one of Gomez/Young
This adds up to a pretty crappy lineup possibility. Big surprise since it’s Sunday and getaway day.
Sample lineup—
Span CF
Casilla 2B
Morneau 1B
Cuddyer RF
Kubel DH
Buscher 3B
Deadman C
Young LF (if Gomez, Span in LF)
Tolbert SS
Ick.
Garza will throw a no-hitter today.
Mauer will play.
Harris not in doghouse yet. He’s at SS and Buscher (cover your eyes and cross your fingers) at 3B. Crede definitely out, not sure on Mauer yet.
GoGo in, not Young.
Oh boy. I think I’ll try to keep busy today to keep myself away from the radio. Buscher at third, no Mauer… things could get ugly. I hope Walter Johnson is right.
No decision on Mauer yet. Gardy said he’s really beat up and that shin looks terrible. May play.
Time for MLB to add NBA-style 10-day contracts. Then they could sign Koskie and fly him in to break a chair and play 3B.
We could probably sign Michael Jordan to a ten dayer.
A good day to steal a win
Gardy doubts Mauer is going to play.
Baseball is a funny game. Sometimes when you think you are over matched, you win easily……or you do get smoked. Garza will probably really really REALLY want to show the Twins they made a mistake trading him (& they probably did), but if he makes a few mistakes he could blow up & go down in flames. Good luck to the boys.
Can’t recall…did Garza pitch against us last year?
Fredo
Garza has only faced the Twins earlier this year in a spring training game.
No excuses. TB isn’t exactly at full strength, either. Just go score some friggin runs.
Garza served up three homers to the Tribe last time out.
Unfortunately, most of the Twins’ home run threats are among the walking wounded.
This is just my two cents but I don’t want to see a very winnable central division go down the drain. Gomez needs to be sent down to work on his swing. Bring up Martin or Pridie. I think Morales needs to be up here. When Perkins comes off the disabled list put Liriano in the bullpen. Possibly put him there now and let Dickey make his start until Perkins arrives. Explore a trade for a middle infielder (hopefully Freddie Sanchez) Maybe we can unload Delmon that way.
It is just frustrating to watch them sometimes especially on the road. So I am just venting is all…
The line-up I want to see today.
1. Span CF
2. Mauer C
3. Morneau 1B
4. Cuddyer RF
5. Kubel DH
6. Harris SS
7. Buscher 3B
8. Casilla 2B
9. Young LF
Mauer has to bat today. He’s hitting .493 against RHP. The Twins need Kubel’s bat too, even if he can’t play in the field due to soreness. Kubel’s average against RHP is .366. I believe Joe Crede needs a day to rest, especially against RHP. Give Tolbert a day off.
By batting Young 9th, we might get a couple of singles right before the top of the order. Young is batting .267 against RHP, way better than against LHP. We also have better L/R switching in this batting order.
I don’t trust Liriano, even in the bullpen. And he is out of options, right? There has to be a way to DL him and attempt to address his issues on the side.
I think the team is better with Go-Go on the roster, even if he is just a defensive replacement/pinchrunner/spot starter. Don’t think Martin or Pridie would help enough to justify not having GoGo available on the 25-man.
If Mauer and Kubel can’t play, here’s the line-up I want.
1. Span LF
2. Harris SS
3. Morneau 1B
4. Cuddyer RF
5. Buscher 3B
6. Redmond C
7. Gomez CF
8. Casilla 2B
9. Young DH
xahstar: There’s no way Mauer will catch today. To beat up. Maybe DH.
The lineup will likely be this:
Span LF, Casilla 2B, Morneau 1B, Kubel DH, Cuddyer RF, Buscher 3B, Harris SS, Redmond C, Gomez CF. After Delmon’s swings yesterday, I’m not sure Gardy wants to see him against Garza.
Don’t like Buscher at 3B. Don’t like him defensively anywhere. He is overdue for a HR, but that’s the only justification to have him in the line-up with Crede apparently unavailable.
How about Tolbert at 2B, Harris at 3B and Casilla at SS today? Don’t expect any offense from Tolbert, but that applies to Buscher, too, these days.
thry has a nice Liriano analysis on his website. Enjoyed it thry, thanks.
Young is definitely out of options. Both Pridie and Martin are good defensive outfielders who steal bases. It may be worth it in the long run if we send Gomez down for a month or two. Especially if he learns how to hit. If that guy could get on base once in awhile it would be huge for us for years to come.
thry has a nice Liriano analysis on his website. Enjoyed it thry, thanks.
Link?
Thanks.
thry has a nice Liriano analysis on his website. Enjoyed it thry, thanks.
Link?
Who is heck is FrantheMan……
Fran Tarkenton
I’m not Fran Tarkenton or Francisco Liriano, but we do share a first name.
Who the heck is Rocky Simon?
Fran, Rocky the Flying Squirrel’s last name is Simon, isn’t it?
Rocket J. Squirrel
Or perhaps a distant relative Simon the chipmonk??
Last I looked Tampa had 9 players on the DL. No excuses please!!
Jim Mandelaro has a new post up about the ineptitude of the Red Wings offensive struggles this year. Not much down there to help the Twins but New Britian has shown a pretty good offense this year. Valencia is having a very solid year at the plate so you have to wonder what moves the club will make with Crede at the end of the year.
Rocky Simon is the smartest blogger on this site! I do know that…..
Closed circuit to DrDon…can you stop by the chat plave for a minute? Thanks.
The happiest guy to see our starting lineup today has to be Matt Garza. We just have way too many automatic outs once again.
With Delmon not in the lineup today I guess that means that the Atlanta scouts packed up and left town. After what Young did at the plate yesterday I don’t blame them unfortunately.
If you have Directv, you can watch the Rays pre-game show.
11:28 update: Just got back from the clubhouse. Long session with Gardy.
La Velle, do tell 
Anyone else notice that the Twins have won exactly 3 games EVERY week this year?
this combination is a problem:
7. Brian Buscher, 3B
Pitching: Nick Blackburn
I’d rather see Tolbert than Buscher in there today.
Thrylos
Great write up about Liriano’s problems on Tenth Inning Stretch. I wonder what Anderson is trying to do about it. My feeling is he has to go to the bullpen and start Dickey until Perkins returns. What do you think?
With Delmon not in the lineup today I guess that means that the Atlanta scouts packed up and left town.
Nah. Cuddaver is still in there. Better trade value that Young.
I’d rather see Tolbert than Buscher in there today.
Me, too–also would have been an opportunity to give Casilla a start at SS.
With Delmon not in the lineup today I guess that means that the Atlanta scouts packed up and left town.
Nah. Cuddaver is still in there. Better trade value that Young.
Why not trade Kubel??? — That future HOFercould bring in a bounty of talent that could solve all our problems!!!
Thrylos you know the Twins are NOT going to trade Cuddyer unless they are completely overwhelmed with something back. I don’t think the Braves are going to do something like that.
Jeff,
thanks. This has been going on all season (the inconsistent release point) and 2 months into the season whatever Anderson has trying to do has not been effective. I got to have a look at his release point earlier vs. later in the game… Liriano is fine the first time through a lineup. If this coincides with the higher release point, it might indicate that he is getting tired later in the game. If that’s the case, replacing Henn in the pen (no pun intended) might work for him. The other thing is that he’s got to throw his change up more…
That goes double for Kubel as he just signed that new contract and is arguably our 3rd best hitter. Maybe Cuddyer for there shortstop but I doubt that would happen..
Maybe I’m just really hungover, but WTF is up the My29 feed? Why is it in HD format? Doesn’t look so good on my ghetto SD tv…
Third best based on AVG? or some outdated idea of potential?
I’d feel better about Valencia if he wasn’t 25 years old. It’s not like he’s some young guy tearing up AA.
I still don’t get why Buscher is on the roster. There’s two times this week they start Redmond at catcher, too bad Morales isn’t up here.
Delmon is what he is right now, a terrible hitter that also doesn’t field LF well. Does he even have three XBH yet?
This roster shows just how bad the Twins were at drafting and developing hitters and how bad Smith has been so far at making trades.
On further review posssibly our 3rd best hitter currently plays for Rochester!! 
Garza’s glove wiggle and his goatee are already annoying.
“On further review posssibly our 3rd best hitter currently plays for Rochester!! ”
Who could that possibly be?
Seth
The switch hitter with the great smile and attitude!
I think it is interesting that we don’t get to see Garza face Young, organization doesn’t want to give us anymore ammonition?
Did anyone see Garza screaming at the Indian hitters in his start last week? We were led to believe that his success was due to him maturing and not be prone to his dumb antics on the mound. I have a feeling he won’t be doing that today and he will pitch a good game.
Uh, OK…
Seth
That was tongue in cheek so you know. I do believe he belongs on the Twins roster though..
I’m not very smart, but, at the end of the day, I don’t see a huge difference between Cuddyer and Kubel. But one needs to be traded and the other needs to be “Freed”.
Rochester is pretty thin this year.
Mike Wants Wins,
Valencia is 25 years old. That is true. But he has, nonetheless, dominated at every level in the minors. I have seen him play many times. I have, for the last two years, ranked him as the highest Twins prospect.
Another guy I rank in the top 5 (but nobody else seems to) is Brian Dinkelman. He does everything well. Everything. Not a potential all-star player, but a very solid prospect.
It is not Valencia’s or Dinkelman’s fault that they are not in AAA at this point. They both should have been promoted to AA way earlier, and both should be in AAA now. But, Valencia is a very good hitter, decent fielder, decent arm, and has tons of swagger. Dinkelman is basically a leader in the infield, solid defensively, does not strike out much, handles the bat well, can hit and run with him, draws tons of walks. Two very solid prospects.
The difference between Cuddy and Kubel is one is capable of being an everday player and the other is not. If Kubel wants to be “freed” then he needs to produce when he has AB’s against LHP. It is not Gardy’s fault that Jason has not done that.
I don’t see a huge difference between Cuddyer and Kubel. But one needs to be traded and the other needs to be “Freed”.
here are 2 quick ones:
a. Kubel is 3 years young and is about to reach his prime
b. Kubel costs about a third of what Cuddaver does.
Seth
I got a chance to see Tyler Matzek pitch last week against my Sons team Orange Lutheran in CIF championships. He pitched a complete game shutout with his fastball reaching 97 MPH. It is easy to see why they think he will be a top pick in the 1st round. There was over 20 scouts watching that game and he was very impressive.
Kubel Splits
RHP .991 OPS 153 sOPS+
LHP .465 OPS 31 sOPS+
Cuddyer Splits
RHP .855 OPS 140 sOPS+
LHP .957 OPS 134 sOPS+
Is it really that hard to see a difference? I wonder what people would think of Kubel if Gardy started him against every LHP. While Gardy has given him more chances to hit LHP, he has protected him by not playing him everytime.
I guess my point was, with those numbers that Aaron showed, why the hatin’ on Cuddaver while the unfettered admiration for Kubel?
I’m just sayin’
Suck it Garza!
Thank you Harris! Wish we had someone on base though…
I agree… Kubel and Cuddyer are both fine.
Harris!
Cuddy has stepped up after his horrible start and should not be the brunt of fan frustration imo. I was on him early, but he deserved it at the time. With that being said, I would not mind the Twins moving him for a decent middle infielder or pitcher. I belive Young and Gomez will both eventually develop into good everyday players.
WHY IS BUTCHER ON THE 25 MAN ROSTER?
AaronK - Agreed!
Cuddy stepped it up at the same time Kubel started to cool off a bit. I also feel that GoGo and DY will become very good players.
Cuddy hurt?
I can’t believe anyone would use sOPS+ to make a point when the sample size is 35 ABs.
I suggest you look at Kubel sOPS+ ‘08 or even ‘07.
OH oh hope it is nothing serious for Cuddyer..
I think that Dick just jinxed Cuddaver at the previous inning
sOPS+
that’s relative to the team. tOPS+ is relative to the league and should be looked at.
never mind. My bad
“”"FranTheMan says:
May 31st, 2009 at 11:32 am
Closed circuit to DrDon…can you stop by the chat plave for a minute? Thanks.”"”
A few of us there, Fran, and TFelton and I agree, all is cool.
Logan,
Kubel has never hit LHP well. Sure with more AB’s it doesn’t look at pathetic, but it isn’t good. Over .100 point difference in OPS.
Kubel
Career:
RHP .813 OPS 107 tOPS
LHP .657 OPS 70 tOPS
Cuddyer
Career:
RHP .779 OPS 96 tOPS
LHP .821 OPS 108 tOPS
Same applies
Wow Bert with a few shots at Bremer there, did you guys hear that?
You don’t want to see Kubel’s tOPS. I was trying to help his argument.
What exactly was that?
Gomez is so pathetic.
Glad to see Butcher and Redmond back to back…
6 pitch inning OUCH
I was wondering does anyone think that Morales coming back up is a possibility? I know he won’t hit for that high of an average obviously, but he seems like he takes pretty decent at bats. I wonder if Cuddyer will be going to the DL.
I like Gomez’s way of thinking…if you can’t hit or bunt, try combining both at the same time! I wonder if Vavra came up with that.
Morales should have never been down over Redmond and/or Butcher to begin with
Did anyone see the Cuddy injury? Did it appear serious?
Judging by the looks on Gardy’s-Vavra’s faces that bunt was not well liked!
Thry,
I agree with you completely. I would hope to see Morales as the backup next year, but I think the Twins and there loyal ways will sign Redmond to a 1 year contract w/an option.
I used to occassionally try that in High School, and the show bunt brings in the 3rd baseman, try punch it past him. Sometimes works, sometimes doesn’t.
Blackburn is looking good once again. He definitely is one of the few bright spots on the pitching staff this year! Now if we can just make Garza throw more then 6 pitches this inning and squeak out another run it would be nice.
the Twins and there loyal ways will sign Redmond to a 1 year contract w/an option
they should: Bullpen coach at Ft. Myers
if Gomez hit that a foot or two to either side he has a hit…it looked horrible, but the 2nd baseman would be running to first…plus with hsi speed a slow chopper up the middle is a hit.
It looks horrible when it doesn’t work, but it isn’t htat difference from a bunt attempt…just a little different placement.
Dick is drunk. He just said that the Twins consulted Fran Tarkenton about Casilla at AAA
Wow Garza’s pitch count is pretty good, he maybe out there a while…
Garza followed up his 6 pitch inning with a 9 pitch inning and made Kubel look bad in that at bat.
minntwins5
I think that Redmond will not be on the roster next year but will definitely have a job in the organization somewhere.
thry — I think he was making a joke about how Tarkenton said the Vikes shouldn’t get Favre.
Jeff in So Cal, etal… feel free to come over to trish’s blog at:
http://www.chatmaker.net/chatap/rooms/TwinsChat/
When you first get there, you will be a number for a name, just backspace the number out and type in your name and join us.
ugh
cuddy is out with a ‘right index finger injury’ according to dick and bert.
are you sure it’s not a hole in his bat?
The Twins pups are not going to get it done today.
If Cuddy goes on the DL I bet they will call up Pridie
id say yes to the hole in the bat, but he leads the team in GIDPs,
Dick should just shut up!!!!!!!
grooved one right down the pipe
Good catch Span!
Is that the same finger that shelved him last season?
This should be fun.
Big difference between SpanMan and DumbGo.
Michael Cuddyers plate apperances since the start of the Boston series on 5/25:
HR
SO
F-4
SO
2B
5-3 Ground Out
5-3 Ground Out
F-2
SO
SO
SO
HBP
2B
BB
1-3 Ground Out
F-2
HR
E-5 (ended up on second on throwing error)
SO
SO
SO
6-3 Ground Out
SO
needless to say, cuddyer has been a serious liability.
That .880 ops is an absolute killer. You can’t win with that in the lineup.
4-20 w/ 2 HRs. A regular David Ortiz.
Did you miss the bit a little farther up this thread about drawing any conclusions from 35 PAs?
Wow, this team is soft.
How do you hurt your index finger swinging a bat? Good lord…
Do these guys play the slightest bit hurt? Doesn’t look like it. Have you ever seen a Manager that babies and coddles his players so much? If I was Gardy I’d tell them to suck it up and get out there. For a team that supposedly “battles their tails off” so much, they sure seem like a bunch of wimps.
It’s the same one he dislocated last, rather badly as I recall, early last year. Hopefully, it’s not turning into a chronic thing like Hrbek and his loose shoulders back in the day.
“”"”"Bill Brasky says:
May 31st, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Wow, this team is soft.
How do you hurt your index finger swinging a bat? Good lord…”"”"”
He was picking his nose and ran into a wall originally.
well, i could have gone back farther, but it would have just been more strikeouts and a few GIDPs.
the fact is, other than the really hot week where he hit for the cycle, cuddyer has been ice cold.
Get off the team Casilla.
?
just testing to makre sure the blog is up.. where did everyone go?
Trish blog, Fire.
The Ray’s stadium is pathetic like the Dome.
Fire…. see: http://www.chatmaker.net/chatap/rooms/TwinsChat/
Why wasn’t Buscher bunting there? I know the end result may have been the same, but am I missing something, is Buscher a power hitter? Seemed like an obvious bunting situation.
Lexi,
How about a flashback to your big HR in Tampa last year?
Lazy grounder by Casilla.
Why don’t they just start Lexi, Go-Go & Delmon with 0-2 counts just to save a lot of wasted time?
None of them even seem aware of what is happening in the at bat before them.
Their AB’s srve one useful purpose, they make me appreciate the hitter Span has made himself into.
Get off the team Casilla and take Butcher Boy with you.
Nice play Nathan. One more out.
on an unrelated note, what do we think about Mauer’s future with the Twins? It seems like the rumblings are getting louder that he’ll leave for Boston or NY…
Get off the team Casilla and take Butcher Boy with you.
I don’t think he can hear you.
Twins win on the road, Twins win on the road!
He can’t hear it but he knows his days on the Twins are numbered.
Nathan is really good. Gardy should think of using him more!
Get healthy Joe, Joe & Cuddy!
It might be a sign, but things really started happening for this team last season when Punto and Cuddyer got hurt. Punto is on the DL, Cuddyer got the finger issue, who knows…
Carlos Gomez gets the game-winning RBI on a single hit just over the second baseman. Anyone still want to disagree he’s improving a little? Step by step.
Young and Buscher each got a hit. Harris hit a home run. Span got a bunt single. Morneau got an RBI single. Redmond collected a nice pair of hits.
Casilla went 0 for 5 with 5 men left on base. He should not be hitting second. He keeps getting burned by pitchers.
The pitchers and defense get credit for this win. Holding the Rays to just two runs is a great job by Blackburn and company.
Pretty funny stuff watching the Sox-Royals game. Hawk is hilarious when things aregoing well for the Sox he is elated and when they are not going well he is completely depressed. LOL
Cruz as a relief pitcher is not that good at least in this game.
Did you see Garza’s reaction when Gomez hit the bloop just over 2nd base? At least he didn’t start yelling at Gomez like he did last week against the Indians when things weren’t going his way. I loved to see Blackburn get another win with Garza the loss. Blackburn has been a real bright spot for our pitching staff this year.
As much as I’d luv to see the Twins win every game, this one is REALLY sweet. It is so much fun to punch Garza in the chops with a loss that’s credited to him!!
I’ve often blogged here that I wish the Twins as a team had a tougher persona, not always that MN Nice stuff. But I’m also glad they don’t show that obnoxious attitude of Garza’s when he’s just successfully completed an inning without giving up a run. Johan used to be in-between, leaving the mound exuding a much justified confidence but without being obnoxious like Garza.
The Twins finished May 1 game under 500,just like in April.In May we had 3 hitters(Mauer,Morny and Cuddy)who should get votes for player of the month Add to that Kuebel was consistent and Crede started to produce.So why did we finish 1 game under 500? We have to find someone for the second hole(comeon Lexi,you can do it)because Mauer in the 3 hole,balances out the bottom of the lineup.If the bottom can hit 240 instead of 210,that would help.Baker or Lirano must start producing and a reliever who could get the ball to Nathan would help.We might get back into this thing,then again,maybe not!
Actually they were two under in May. A real nice win with a limited number of players available. The three guys sitting out at the end of the game plus Kubel need to get healthy. The bullpen is looking much better. Casilla, Liriano and Baker need to find their confidence. The team needs to play much, much better on the road.
GENO,
Mauer should bat second. It was a better lineup.
What’s up LaVelle, no minor league update this week?
Oh well, you’re still the man. Keep up the good work
There was a minor league update…in the newspaper. You know, that thing that creates income for our dear LaVelle? Buy one sometime.
If I was Gardy I’d tell them to suck it up and get out there.
And then promptly get fired as a strained finger, sore hamstring, and tight quad turn into a trip to the DL for your starting RF, C, and 3B…
What, are you Dusty Baker now?
Nick Blackburn is a very good and underrated pitcher.
Minor league update. You mean this: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/46508267.html Look before you leap, Mr. Freeze.
La Velle,
thanks for your Minor League report. Another thing of note is that the DSL started yesterday, with the Twins wining 3-0. They won the league championship last year and in addition to some of their great pitching prospects, they have a couple of 17 year old hitters that are really promising. I know that it is kind of hard to keep up with the DSL, but given the fact that about 1/3 of the players appearing in each All Star game are Latin American free agent signees, it is well worth while
t98 what would it take to trade for uggla?
ggg,
not sure at this point. Last off-season would have been easier (and I am saying that because I think that Casilla + Humber + Duensing + warm body would have probably done it, but the way these 3 have been playing this season, there is no way…)
How bout the bottom feeders today.
Buscher, Red Dog and Gomez each get back, to back, to back hits and score the go ahead run. 7, 8 and 9 hitters.
More than you can say about Casilla.
I’m not that worried, personally, about the offense. That hasn’t really been the issue. It’s been Liriano and Baker (and Perkins). When your two “best” pitchers are pitching poorly, you’re going to lose more games than you win. That they’re only one game under is a testament to their offensive production.
Meanwhile, Slowey and Blackburn are about as consistent as it gets. I’d take them any game - they give you a chance to win when they pitch.
I must have sounded sarcastic. Totally unintentional on my part.
I’m not on the baseball blog here very often, but anyone that has read what little I have to say knows that I don’t come on here to rip the writers.
I’ve been out of town working most of the week, and only checked LaVelle’s blog entries. So thank you Mr. Nesterenko for the link.
We can’t win consistently as long as 3 of our hitters are hitting right around the Mendoza line!!!! Casilla & Gomez are sure outs. Punto, who’s out now, shows pretty good leather but isn’t much better and Buscher,…..much of the same.
Hey, did anybody else notice this? When Mijares made that great catch and fell down, NOBODY came to his aid. No one helped him up. No one gave him an “atta boy”. Not sure what the significance is. But this seemed odd to me.
the twins are the softest team in the league
I got a paper cut on my right index finger today at work. I am going home for the day.
I got a little bruise on my leg today. I’m going home for a couple of days as well.
Paul and Rocky,
On high performing teams team members pull for each other. It’s a given. That’s why this was odd to me.
Paul,
“No one helped him up. No one gave him an “atta boy”.”
That may have been because:
1) There were runners on base who could have advanced if the infielders had abandoned their bases after the catch; or
2) All the players who allowed Mijares to catch the popup (due to their own lack of responsibility/heuevos) wanted to hide from the cameras; or
3) You are correct about the team chemistry lacking some basic elements.
sane,
The play as I recall it:
Pena hits popup. The ball hits the center ring on ceiling structure. The balls trajectory alters. Mijares’ body language demonstrates concern that the ball may not be caught. He calls for the ball and catches it on the mound. He stumbles on the mound and falls after making the catch.
I forget the exact status of runners on base, but I think there was a runner on 1st as Mijares asked for time while laying on his belly.
From my observation the SS and the 2B did not abandon their responsibilities and the baserunner advancing was not an issue. Time was quickly granted as the runner apparently was not going.
Potential cause number 1 was quickly eliminated.
IMO the ball was Buscher’s responsibility. Mijares obviously had more confidence in his ability to catch the ball than in Buscher’s. There very well might have been some embarrasment or guilt from the IFer’s or Buscher in particular. But no one came to the mound. Not even the catcher.
Based on what I saw, and have seen in the past, I conclude your potential cause number 3 is the most likely. I was at a game last Sept. and witnessed a dugout incident where Gomez, while acting goofy with teammates with goofy handshakes, was shunned by Mijares. This leads me to believe it’s a matter of general surliness on Mijares’ part. Not necessarily a killer for team chemistry. But a factor.
What about this blockbuster: Liriano, Delmon Young, Brendan Harris, and a middle/high rated prospect for Miguel Tejada (hitting .350), Chris Sampson, and LaTroy Hawkins.
The Twins would probably dump Ayala and probably Crain. They would have three guys to pitch the 8th (Hawkins, Sampson, Mijares) and allow Guerrier to pitch the 6th and 7th when needed, with Henn as the lefty specialist.
The Twins would still have 4 outfielders and would have Punto as an emergency option as he would go back to his utility role. The Astros need outfield depth as their primary backups are Darin Erstad - only hitting .170 - and Jason Michaels - hitting .179.
The Astros would get Brendan Harris to take over at SS and give Liriano a fresh start. Also, the Twins would probably have to give up a decent prospect - maybe a Dustin Martin or a Joe Benson type of player.
Twins lineup:
Span - LF
Mauer - C
Morneau - 1B
Cuddyer - RF
Kubel - DH
Tejada - SS
Crede - 3B
Gomez - CF
Casilla/Punto - 2B
Rotation: Baker, Slowey, Blackburn, Perkins, Swarzak
“They would have three guys to pitch the 8th”
That’s a normal game for the Twins bullpen.
Sometimes three were not enough.
