Twins-Tigers: First of three at the Dome
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 – 4:49 PMBy La Velle
Justin Morneau and Nick Punto are in the starting lineup, so the injuries that forced them to leave Wednesday’s game must have been minor.
Brian Duensing is here and determined to stick around longer than nine games this time.
There are no new developments, as far as the Twins are concerned, in the Miguel Angel Sano pursuit. There is some concern that another team might sign Sano and cross their fingers that he’s really 16. Indications are that the Twins won’t sign Sano unless his age is verified.
The Twins failed to sign any of the top handful of Venezuelan prospects. They won’t celebrate until they get the contracts in their hands, but they expect deals with a few Dominican prospects they feel have pretty good ceilings.
Baseball America is reporting that the Twins have signed Max Kepler from Germany. They claim he’s an outfielder but ESPN’s Keith Law reports that he’s a catcher. Apparently, he’s the top prospect in Europe. What does that mean?
Now let’s examine the report from FOX’s John Paul Morosi (a person I have a lot of respect for) that the Twins have been chatting up the Pirates about Freddy Sanchez, Matt Capps and John Grabow.
I was told the Twins have liked all those players for awhile and are keeping in touch with the Pirates. But nothing is imminent.
Pittsburgh is in a tough spot because their fans and players are wondering why they are trading good players when they aren’t that far out of it in the N.L. Central. But the Bucs’ brass apparently knows they need to address weaknesses throughout the organization, and the best way to do that is to trade a player for multiple players in return.
Sanchez would fit in nicely as the Twins’ No. 2 hitter, but Bucs beat writer Dejan Kovacevic tweeted that Sanchez isn’t being discussed.
Capps or Grabow would boost the bullpen but several teams are looking for bullpen help. The Twins’ track record suggests they don’t do well when there’s competition. They’ve historically preferred to hold onto their prospects, which doesn’t bode well in this case.
But let me throw this one out: What if the Twins are willing to deal one of their current starters, in addition to a prospect? With Anthony Swarzak’s development and R.A, Dickey a rotation option, would the Twins consider moving a starter? I think the Twins might, at least, consider that approach.
I was told that the Twins are able to add some payroll. I wasn’t told a number but at least they are willing to take on some salary. Sanchez’s salary, however, might be too much to take on. There’s a vesting option for 2010 at $8 million with bonuses that could push it to $9 million. The Twins likely would want Sanchez as a rent-a-player, which affects what they would want to give up. Then there’s that option.
I’ve written here and said on the radio that I have little confidence that the Twins will make a significant deal. If they pulled something off with Pittsburgh - especially if there’s a breakthrough with Sanchez, I’ll be the first to say I was wrong for doubting them.
Update: Mike Redmond’s forearm is very sore, so he’s probably not available today.
Delmon Young is the DH today to get another righty in against French.
I’m predicting a Denard Span homer today
Tigers (43-35)
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Marcus Thames, DH
5. Don Kelly, LF
6. Brandon Inge, 3B
7. Josh Anderson, RF
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Ramon Santiago, SS
Pitching: Luke French
Twins (41-39)
1. Denard Span, LF
2. Brendan Harris, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Delmon Young, DH
8. Carlos Gomez, CF
9. Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: Kevin Slowey
400 Responses to "Twins-Tigers: First of three at the Dome"
I believe Max Kepler throws left handed…. so though he may be a catcher in Europe I doubt he would stay there long
I didn’t even know they had baseball in Germany! Oh, well.
Max Kepler for ROTY in 2013!
pull the trigger bill smith
I think that the Twins would more likely to deal Swarzak than one of the current starters.
I would go so far as to say that Sanchez would not be worth one of the starting 5.
bull the trigger bill smith
here is the exact article about him
While most of the money on amateur international free agents will go to players from Latin America, scouts say 16-year-old German outfielder Max Kepler is one of the better European prospects to come along in recent years. Kepler, who bats and throws lefthanded, has an athletic, projectable body at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds. Kepler’s power should develop as he fills out his frame, but he already has a plus arm and above-average speed. The Red Sox, Mets and Reds have all signed players from Germany in recent years, and all three teams have reportedly shown interest in Kepler.
I don’t think the Tigers are 18 games over .500 La Velle.
Thank god Punto’s healthy and in the line-up. We need is solid .212 average. If he was out we’d have to start Tolbert who only has a 4-5 game hitting streak.
Seriously, if we’re going to be stuck with Punto and Tolbert at 2B, Gardy at least needs to be willing to ride the ‘hot hand’ (which is all relative) and play whichever one at least has a pulse at the plate. Punto was actually pretty hot when he first came off the DL, but is now 0-fer since his rib injury and looked plainly awful in KC. Tolbert meanwhile has been swinging well. At minimum he should be in there until he has a couple 0-fers himself.
Hmmm… he’s only 16? I would assume that he will stay in Germany a few years and finish school? Or will the Twins bring him here and have him play for a school in the U.S for a couple of years?
La Velle,
Max Kepler is an OF. Here is the roster of Buchbinder Legionäre Regensburg, his team:
http://www.legionaere.de/teams/?id=1BLS
he is number 23 and his full name is Max Kepler-Rozycki
If Sanchez has a 2010 option, all the better. Who exactly do the Twins envision playing 2B in 2010? Punto? Casilla? Tolleson? None of these are going to be significantly better next year then they are right now.
Also, having 2B (and SS with Harris) nailed down puts less pressure on them to re-sign Crede, which is going to be difficult. If they have a competant 2B, they can more easily afford to go with Valencia at 3B and not be pressured to produce signficant offense right away
La Velle,
BTW, any news on Redmond?
Good point about the option, Howeda.
I think that with the new stadium the Twins would want to have as many exciting players on the field as possible. And I doubt that Alexi Casilla will draw as many fans as the former NL batting champ!
re: 2B. I was tossing this around for a while last night after the news that the Rangers borrowed $15M from MLB to make payroll last month:
BS should go all out for Ian Kinsler: He is under contract until 2012 and will be an all star during this time. It will be costly but (looking at what the A’s gave for Holiday) something like Casilla, Fox and Revere might make it happen. And if people balk at the idea of parting with Revere, Kinsler is now what we hope Revere might become (albeit with less power than Kinsler) in 3 years. Got to strike when the iron is hot and get the best.
But I doubt that Crede will re-sign with the Twins. He truly is a rent-a-player, since all indications are that Valencia will be manning the hot corner next year.
Danny Valencia for ROTY 2010!
Kinsler would make a great Twin!
However, the Rangers won’t drop him now that they’re finally in a division race. That would just annoy their fanbase, depress their ticket sales and cause them to go further in the hole.
Who is Don Kelly?
Len3,
Is the Mauer hitting 2nd experiment back to being “dead” for Gardy? If so why (other than his old “preference” non-sense)? And if Mauer in the 3 spot is the way it has to be then how does he rationalize putting a .180 hitter (who found a nut last time out) just in front of him? Why not let the pitcher hit in the #2 hole while he’s at it?
Have a good 4th weekend!
Kepler’s line this season: .400/.500/.480 4BB, 3K, 3SB, 8R, 3RBI, 25PA (20G)
LEN3,
Is Kubel hurt, or is he just out because the Twins are facing a LHP?
Thanks.
Revere, Fox, Casilla would almost be too little for Kinsler.
Kirby91, Harris is hitting much better than .180! He is hitting in front of Mauer because Gardenhire hates to put so many lefties in a row in the lineup, especially with a lefty starter today.
If Kubel was in the lineup and Mauer hit second, it would be four in a row at the top of the order. That makes it really easy for the other team to bring in a lefty specialist late in the game and mow down the heart of the Twins batting order.
Swarzak/Casilla and a couple good prospects for Sanchez??? I don’t think the option would be that big a deal if they did’nt have Punto’s contract hanging around their necks like an albatross. Still the bullpen is where they will likely make a move if they do a trade.
My comment is awaiting moderation? I thought it was pretty clean. I must have inadvertently dropped a couple of F-Bombs in there.
Speaking of which, Francisco “F-Bomb” Liriano is on the hill tomorrow, isn’t he?
Having SS nailed down with Harris??
don’t you guys remember that Harris is the 2nd best option at SS behind Punto and making significantly less…. if that deal for Sanchez happens Harris will either be moved in it (fits Pitts MO) or will be moved to the bench for the 4 million dollar wonderboy….
AM– Don Kelly is an IF/OF the tigers called up recently…. looked pretty good in BP during the Houston series…
Tom: I wouldn’t call Punto’s contract an albatross! He isn’t exactly making A-Rod money here… although he does still make abuot 80 times as much as I do.
Still, his contract isn’t so big that the Twins couldn’t bench him.
You’re right LMS: Harris would totally be moved out of hte starting lineup in favor of Punto. Just like he was moved out of SS to make room when Punto got back from the…
oh wait.
Actually, Don Kelly is former Twins skipper Tom Kelly in disguise. He wears one of those fake nose/moustache/glasses things.
Apparently he missed the game so much that he was even willing to play for the Tigers. Detroit must be pretty desperate to play him though, because he is 58 years old.
the twins could get kinsler for…. Joe Mauer or Justin Morneau.
Kinsler is not tradeable for the Rangers silly
international players are not allowed to come to america until next professional season…. my guess would be he would stay in Europe the rest of the year and then either stay in one of those baseball academys in Europe or come over to america next year and start off in the GCL….
Do the Twins have a baseball academy in Europe? I know that plenty of teams have them in the D.R., but I have never heard of any of them in Europe.
the difference is when Punto came off the DL he had the opportunity to bench someone else in favor of Nicky…. if they trade for Freddy they won’t have that ability.
You know Gardy HAS to play Nicky… he is lost without him
European players signed by US clubs usually continue to play in the European leagues until they move to places like the GCL when a bit older. There is a league with 15 teams in Germany where he currently plays. I suspect that he will be there next year as well.
Moderation test…1…2…3…
Snepp, it’s a good thing that you stopped at 3. I know that when I try to drink in moderation I sometimes end up at 4 or 5!
Yeah, why would we expect this team to make a move to help this current club with a division clearly open for the taking? Twins fans ask too much.
Sanchez is not in the lineup tonight for pittsburgh is it possible he was pulled because he has been traded?
Swarzak, Casilla, and a couple of younger prospects for Sanchez?? That would be a better haul then what they got for McClouth, Bay, or Nady. I don’t think it will take a Swarzak to get this done especially with that contract.
travistalks
Great call on the lineup. I was going to look for myself as I was thinking that if he wasn’t in the lineup tonight it may mean something.. Or he is just getting a rest.. Just more guessing by all of us here.. I hope we get that guy though..
La Velle,
Freddy Sanchez was in the starting lineup today and was replaced right before the game. Only reason I know this is because he is on my fantasy team.
Interesting….
if we are going to do anything go big and get all three or atleast Sanchez and Capps. I would offer Casilla, Crain, and Delmon Young for those 3
Sanchez is out with tightness in his lower back:
http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/pbc/archive/2009/07/03/pirates-vs-marlins-7-3-09.aspx
Thrylos, why’d you have to go and ruin this speculation with a rational explanation?
Worst news of the week:
Duensing has a high ERA, and Casilla is playing lackadaisically too much (according toe Souhan).
And I have to go to porch party and street dance and will miss too much of the game tonight.
Have fun, gentlemen!
you will have to offer more then Casilla Crain and Young if Sanchez is involved…. he will likely be a type A free agent if his contract is bought out…. I think Swarzak or Mulvey would have to be involved… possibly a Revere or Plouffe as well…. Casilla would be thrown in just because….
if we are going to do anything go big and get all three or atleast Sanchez and Capps. I would offer Casilla, Crain, and Delmon Young for those 3
Too much. I suspect that Casilla and Crain will be gone and the Twins will probably add someone like Martin and Fox to the deal for all these three. Maybe another pitcher like Yohan Pino or something of that level. Got to see who in the minors will have to be protected next year and a couple of those will go in a deal.
Thrylos, why’d you have to go and ruin this speculation with a rational explanation?
Just didn’t want you guy to dream too much 
but… could be an excuse…
I think that Millage going to the Pirates would eliminate the chances of them wanting Delmon Young….
Casilla, Crain and Young? No way.
I don’t think that would work in either direction. The Pirates don’t need outfielders, and the Twins don’t need to part with Young.
Anyway, the Casilla/Crain/Young trade sounds like a Twins fan just trying to get rid of players he doesn’t like. That isn’t how trades work.
If the Twins get Sanchez (big IF), they will need to part with someone whom we probably won’t want to see go. Guaranteed.
My guess is Swarzak, but that’s just idle speculation.
Sanchez scratched with a tight lower back?
Wow… whoever said he would be a good fit for the Twins didn’t know just how right they were.
My guess would be it would take a deal like this to land Sanchez and the pitchers..
It would take
1. Swarzak or Mulvey (which ever one there scouts like more)
2. Trevor Plouffe
3. an A ball OF
4. Casilla would be thrown in just because….
Russ Adams was DFA’d by the Blue Jays, isn’t he pretty much a perfect match for the Twins right now?
Well said, Icon. I have felt that for a long time whenever people suggest trade so and so, etc. Your first sentence says it all.
talking about the Pirates, I would not mind the Twins getting a hold of Ian Snell. He is in their doghouse and when right he can dominate. I’d gladly trade any current AAA or AA starter for him
You got to look at comparable trades. Sanchez is very comparable to Louis Castillo. Do you remember what it took for the Twins to get him?
Scott Tyler and Travis Bowyer
Interesting point, Thrylos. Those were a couple of under the radar guys. Who knows which players Pittsburgh’s scouts would like!
How about Jeff Manship and Deolis Guerra!
If i’m not mistaken Ian Snells contract hurts the chances of him getting traded…..
here is more info on Sanchez’ scratch:
Freddy Sanchez, originally slotted to hit third, has been scratched from the lineup because of tightness in his right lower back. Sanchez said his back tightened up on him while he was getting out of the cab at the ballpark today. He’s listed as day-to-day.
from here: http://bucsbits.mlblogs.com/
BTW, here is a little known fact about Freddy Sanchez: he was born with clubfeet
Snell’s a head case too. Apparently, he battled depression and suicidal thoughts.
Look what the Pirates got for McClouth, Bay, and Nady?? No way they get a guy like Swarzak for Sanchez. Not with that big contract of his. There was a report earlier that Devries and Fox were mentioned. I have to believe that whatever is discussed Casilla is right in the middle of it.
It’s sad, you look at this team 1 through 7, and it’s a really nice looking line-up. I think it’s on par with almost anyone else. Then, we continue to play Gomez and Punto. Can’t we trade Gomez as part of a package to ensure that Punto doesn’t play either?
And why can’t we just stick Delmon out there and see what he becomes. Play him day in, day out the rest of the year, and let’s see what he has. This Gardy crap of playing him part-time isn’t doing anyone any favors. Contrary to the incessantly spewed Young-bashing cliches, Delmon is a solid left fielder that goes to the foul lines as well as anyone. He’s got a plus arm. He takes good routes to balls. He’s hitting .302 with a homer, four doubles and nine RBI in his past 14 games. Perhaps a little confidence in Delmon, a little time to see what he can do now that he’s heating up a little, would go a long way. Then we can make an intelligent decision on him in the off-season.
But Punto and Gomez??? There’s absolutely no upside on this team for either, no matter what the “experts” say.
I suppose that Devries and Fox would be the equivalent of Tyler and Bowyer.
Too bad they can’t just trade a second round draft pick like they do in the NFL.
Apparently Sanchez got his back issue “while he was getting out of the cab at the ballpark today”
from here: http://bucsbits.mlblogs.com/
BTW, here is a little known fact about Freddy Sanchez: he was born with club feet
Yeah JiSC, the Pirates would need somebody to man 2B for the rest of the year. Casilla fits the bill.
Sorry, Lala. You are absolutely wrong about Gomez.
First, keep in mind that he is at the beginning of his career. His upside is tremendous. Second, he is worth having ni the lineup just for his fielding skills alone.
It is perfectly legitimate to have one or two bad hitters in a lineup because of their fielding ability. Most teams do this at SS, C, and/or CF. The Twins are lucky that their catcher is also a great hitter, so they can certainly afford to have Gomez at CF, even if he hasn’t started to hit yet.
OB: “Snell’s a head case too. Apparently, he battled depression and suicidal thoughts.”
So… you’re saying he’d fit in better as a Twins FAN than a player?
But Punto and Gomez??? There’s absolutely no upside on this team for either, no matter what the “experts” say.
I give you that Punto has no upside. Also, I’ll remind you that Gomez is only 2 years older than Ben Revere. Draw your own conclusions about his upside
delmon isn’t worth anything now! for those that hate him with all their blogging might he needs to play much better, which you won’t like, but will make him worth something in a trade.
it’s a catch 21.
Dang we would be solid:
Span
Sanchez
Mauer
Morneau
Cuddyer
Kubel
Harris
Crede
Gomez
“OB: “Snell’s a head case too. Apparently, he battled depression and suicidal thoughts.”
So… you’re saying he’d fit in better as a Twins FAN than a player?”
Actually, JimCrikket, that means he’d fit in better on the Vikings. Anyone remember Dmitrius Underwood?
Adam S., that is a pretty sweet lineup.
Can he play QB? I hear the Vikings are holding auditions.
Span
Sanchez
Mauer
Morneau
Kubel
Cuddyer
Crede
Harris
Gomez/Young
Somehow this lineup looks a lot better then any other team in the Central Division in my opinion!
I’m sure he’ll throw more strikes than Brett Favre.
Quick scouting report on French: 84-90 mph fastball, average curve (has trouble throwing it for strikes), average change up
Suicidal thoughts and depression?? So what…. as the question is can he PITCH!!
So what…. as the question is can he PITCH!
He struck out 17 the other day in AAA
Wait… Snell is in AAA?
Go-Go got rushed through the Mets system. Imagine if Revere were in Rochester right now. That was his pace.
Nice observation, OB. Keep the patience with Go-Go.
Wait… Snell is in AAA?
He is in their doghouse like Crain and Casilla is for the Twins… Great opportunity
But he has definitely shown flashes of talent. He was tearing it up in his first two months. He’ll get back there. We just need to wait a bit.
Anyway, I’m off to Happy Hour (it’s only 5:00 here). Have a nice Independence Day, boys and girls. Happy Birthday, America!
This might help.
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/07/01/ian-snell-says-depression-thoughts-of-suicide-lead-to-self-demo/
Undeniable talent.
With that last comment, I was talking about Gomez, not Snell.
Bye again!
Have fun, and thanks Icon.
Sanchez has a $700,000 buyout this year, and will be a TYPE A free agent…. basically it would cost the Twins about 3 million maybe a little more but they would get a 1st and a supplimentary out of the deal…. The Pirates haven’t been took as much as people think, the Nady trade they didn’t get much but for Bay they got fair value and there were people thinking Atlanta over paid for McClouth….
t98 i think snell’s contract would make him off limits for the thrifty twins.
Snell can’t handle the bloggers. Whose got the kid gloves?
Snell’s contract is not that bad. Lots of options: 09:$3M, 10:$4.25M, 11:$6.75M club option, 12:$9.25M club option
Sanchez’ 2010 contract vests w/ 635 PAs this year, and he’s on pace to beat that, so it’s unlikely the 2010 option is really an option.
The 6 o’clock newscast of Kare11 said that Target Field will be opening on April 12th against the Red Sox…
The AP agrees…
Any other news on the schedule?
Chief,
yeah. And I think that this is a sticky point for the Twins re:Shanchez. Nothing that cannot be overcome though. Next year they lose what they pay for Lamb this year $3.5M, what they pay for Ayala and Crede. I suspect that Mauer’s extension and the arbitration will be covered by the new stadium revenue
Any other news on the schedule?
Opening day April 5 @ Angels
Joe says
The difference with what the Buc’s will get for a guy like McClouth and what they get with Sanchez boils down to contract. McClouth is an up and coming star who makes a fraction of what Sanchez makes and is under team control for two more years. No way does any team give up for Sanchez anywhere near what Atlanta gave up for McClouth.
If Sanchez performs to the level at which he is capable, an 8 million contract for next year isn’t bad value. If he is added that lineup becomes dynamite.
Slowey got his curve going… Tiggers beware
I would love Sanchez on this team.
Young will not be part of the deal (surplus of OFers in Pit) Casilla most certainly would be along with a ML ready pitcher (see Kevin Mulvey). Casilla and Mulvey seems like a lot for Sanchez though.
Tiggers still having trouble scoring runs there.
:)>
hard to score with the bat on your shoulder
Here’s Mauer up with 2 outs. Thanks Gardy.
Got a gig tonight, romer??? Big Holiday Weekend.
romer
What is worse is…
Morneau leading off with nobody on.
At least Harris *swung* at strike 3.
No Doc, just hanging out till my gal drags me to the streetdance in Currie.
Hope the cool dismal drippy weather doesn’t hurt beer sales.
For the record…..yesterday I was trying to remember a guy’s name for KC — Joey Gainwright.
He’s with the Orioles’ AAA affiliate, Norfolk, hitting above .300.
Wonderful.
Infield hit, HBP, triple.
That’s never stopped beer sales in Currie, romer. 
Did Slowey get a little cocky after that 3 pitch K of Cabrera?
So Thrylos, whats with your man Slowey. His ERA is gona be over 5 before this game is over.
It is the 3rd inning it is a good thing that the Twins can get back in this as long as Slowey gets it together.
“Gainwright” = Gathright.
Giving up 3 runs in one inning is not good though. Ugh.
Yeah Nora, one don’t wanna get beat by the equivalent of Jason Pridie.
Gathright…….I’ll get it yet, Chief.
Once again batting with runners in scoring position.
Let’s see some heat from Slowey now.
And some high inside heat too.
Slowey doesn’t have any sinker type stuff, does he.
High heat from Slowey???
Slowey clearly hasn’t been right lately. His velocity is down again tonight.
Need a 91 mph FB once in a while.
Worst start by Slowey this year.
Embarrassing….
batting practice
Nothin like a mid 80’s fastball to get pounded.
he’s doing a good job of pitching to contact tonight.
At least he’s not just letting 1 guy beat him this time!
A D3 team lights up the meat he is throwing tonight
Well I guess Slowey is not going to get it together. This is a disappointing opening of this series.
Is Slowey injured or something? Haven’t seen him this bad in quite awhile. Bad timing too.
Slowey has no room for error. If he’s off even a little, tonight is the result.
Slowey’s ERA has been pretty high all year.
Harris, you’re not the dude that needs to be swinging 2-0 with a rally going and the team down 6-0.
Dumb by Harris. Down 6 and a 2-0 count with a young pitcher on the mound.
Disappointing. 2 on, 2-3-4-5 hitters due up, 1 run.
well said chief
M&M know its on them. The lineup’s built for that last half inning.
I wonder how much Slowey’s side was affecting him tonight.
Get just one run on yet another disappointing inning and follow it up by giving them back the one run.. This is NOT how I envisioned the start of the homestand to start. This team needs a spark of something!
Delmon looks good in his first two plate appearances!
Nicely hit Young. We just need some men on for those…
Okay this time let’s not give it right back kthx.
Bottom of 5. Time to bat around. Pray Duensing gets through the top.
Cuddyer swung at ball four twice before grounding out.
///sigh////
Who says not to resign Crede!!!!
Hey, maybe Smalley s/b DY’s batting coach.
Who says not to resign Crede!!!!
Scott Boras, unfortunately.
SPAN! Identical triple to the one he hit last year vs. the White Sox
Back in the ballgame!
HARRIS!
This is great!
2-run jack, Mauer; come’on.
Unbelievable! Make a call- do they win this?
This would be huge to come back in this game!! GO TWINS !!
Man…Leyland looking like a moron right now. And French? Oh man he’s GOTTA be pissed.
Huge if we can get through this inning without any major threat.
The callup looking like a stud right now *knockwood*
You know, for all the reasons that the Twins need to keep Crede…those are all the reasons why it’s going to be VERY hard to do so.
DY breaking out.
who is this delmon young? is he new?
WTF has happened to Delmon Young??!
Man I thought Delmon hit that one out.
Mickey Mental:
Smalley just said that he’d spoken with Vavra and that DY has made some changes. This occurred after Gardy met with DY just before the inter-league play and told him that he’s important to the team.
Keppel can field.
Bear down, stay focused, get this last out w/o Cabrera scoring from 2nd.
interesting, jtf. dy certainly COULD be important.
For all the credit we give Go-Go for his defense, can anyone remember the last time he threw anyone out? Or even threw the ball on target to a base? Or even hit the cutoff man? Dude seems to have a bit of an accuracy issue.
mlb should make players wear form-fitting uniforms that must be tucked in when batting. That HBP was a joke.
Assist at 2nd within the last week k91.
MM:
Yes, I was surprised when Smalley told the story. Not only that, Smalley and …………….yea, Keppel.
But yeah, his arm is not his strength.
MM, JtF, perhaps DY has finally acquiesced and is listening to others about his swing. That head need not be so hard.
OB,
Thanks, I must have missed that one. Just tired of seeing him miss three cutoff guys even on double when there is no reason to be that far off or miss at the plate by a mile so there isn’t even a chance at a play. Just seems way to hyper when it comes to letting it go with a throw.
Keppel looking like a all star right now for our bullpen! Makes everyone forget about Ayala really quick! Just one more run and turn it over to Nathan!! This would be a huge win for the Twins if they can come back all the way!!
jtf, have you seen “we are young,” the documentary on delmon, dmitri and their old man? (i have not but wonder if it holds clues to the kid.)
Wait a minute…the ump can’t ask for help. Right? Right? Cause the other umps didn’t say anything right?
Oh Gardy’s gonna be PISSED if this gets changed.
oh wow…he was inside!
If the Twins pull this one out I can’t wait to hear Leyland’s thoughts.
Perfect running situation, can’t understand why you don’t send Span there.
Yeah, and 98 thinks Gomez is the second coming of CF……What a joke.
Anyway, MM, it’s been awhile since I’ve had a chance to watch a full broadcast, as Jan and July ones are very busy for me, so I went a bit ballistic on just a third out.
Anyway, so, Smalley also said that Gardy and Vavra said that DY has a new (meaning better, I guess) attitude about changing his approach to hitting. Then, Smalley did a good analysis of DY’s new batting approach.
My wife’s digging Smalley, because his explanations, occasionally tied into golf swings is something she understands.
My oldest son, his wife, and two daughters are at the game and got on the Twins big scoreboard. (There up from SF, SD for tonight’s and tomorrow’s games.)
So, they better win tonight.
Gomez has been a bit above average defensively thus far in CF. His range is as good as it gets. That current OF will track down A LOT of flyballs.
how come you’re not there, jtf? business before pleasure?
whew.
How about a walkoff?
I’m up for it Chief.
Soooooooo close!
joe my kids live in sioux falls.
Dangit. Didn’t want to see the 10th.
Triple for the cycle!
What a pleasure having Smalley as analyst. Smart, inciteful, easy on the ears, no cornball attempts at supposed humor. God, I wish he was on there full time instead of Mr. Duck Fart.
I woulda saved that bullet for a better spot. Outfield gonna be ugly now.
It is my guess Smalley does not wish to commit to doing 80 games a year hence we have Blyleven. He is very good though.
100 miles per hour! Wish we had a reliever that could do that. Maybe one of our draft picks this year will be able to do that up here by next year.
Twins win in the bottom of the 11th! You heard it here first.
LaVelle was way off on his call…Span does not have a HR tonight…way off.
Zumaya outta be gassed for the rest of the series, no?
Zumaya is looking gassed THIS inning.
This is all one can ask for. Do it Joe.
If 2 intentional walks, it will be a lot of pitches for Zumaya. A possible walk off walk?
That would make sense with Zumaya.
MVP …. MVP….MVP!
walk off walk! You heard it here first!
After Zumaya’s long outing tonight with the extra innings, will we see Zumaya the rest of the series??
The longer this goes, the less I like our chances. Come on guys.
Cuddy, nice at bat. I meant to say the bottom of the 12th.
I doubt it.
don’t bring in Mijares.
Heck of an AB, Mike.
Smart move by Tigers but completely gutless to walk the M & M boys.
That was pathetic!
Bad matchup for Mijares vs. Miggy.
3G, really. How old are your kids? Do they work in SF, SD (aka, San Francisco East)?
shaun in chicago go to bed
Bases loaded, you know Zumaya is going to throw a fastball, right down the gut and as usual Cuddyer takes the first pitch. What was he thinking? Was that fear in his eyes?
Detroit announcers are laughing about Cuddyer’s at bat.
tbob…see Greg’s 10:42 comment.
The best comment was about Gardy as such a great bench. Yup, pinch hit Buscher and his .175 average or Tolbert and his .180 average.
Detroit announcers should be laughing at their own team, had us down 7-1 and we tie it.
This game has turned into “Find the Strikezone” for both sides.
I meant to say the bottom of the 13th ( if needed). Whatever is needed for a win.
Agreed Don. They should be laughing at Leyland for pulling a rookie pitcher who just got done shutting down Morneau for the 2/3rd tiem.
That’s twice now Mauer has made a bad throw on strike three in the dirt. He did it a couple weeks ago.
What are the odds against Delmon hitting walk off homer? Is the moon blue outside? It would be nice.
Young with another chance at the Cycle.
Hey Don, I didn’t say I agreed with the announcers laughing, don’t kill the messenger. You have to admit it was a weak at bat though.
I hope Crede ends it…Young can get a cycle some other time:)
Kubel ends it.
Come on, DY, blue moon, da, da, da, da, da.
Mauer’s 2nd error of the year, Chief, not too shabby, but maybe we should send him to Rochester?
Almost midnight, come on, DY.
Yea, it seems that DY is fouling off pitches that he used to miss.
Come on, Kubes. HR.
Mr. Kubel.
Good PA. Looked like he had a plan.
where’s T98?
Rats
Both teams apparently forgetting the purpose is to SCORE runs.
Mijares or Dickey?
Dickey time?
Souhan’s column tomorrow will be entitled:
Twins BP the Cause of Poor Hitting by Twins’ Hitters.
I meant to say the bottom of the 16th inning.
After Kelly.
Is Ordonez the last Tiger reserve?
“”"”"Joe the First says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:55 pm
where’s T98?”"”"”
Talked to him earlier tonight, Joe 1st, he is leaving early Saturday for a week’s vacation in the Caribbean, won’t be here for awhile.
Intense game.
Thanks, Doc Don; good for T98,
Greg,
Why don’t you come on over and make me go to bed?
Let’s see Mijares with a 1-2-3.
Good comments by Bert regarding Boras/Ordonez.
“You’re guy sucks right now, he doesn’t deserve play time. I don’t care about his option.”
Agents should not be able to force their players on rosters.
Why don’t you come on over and make me go to bed?
Why don’t you two just get a room?
Dickey to go until curfew?
Dollars to donuts the Twins call up another arm tomorrow.
Impressive outing for Mijares tonight.
I just laugh when I hear Dickey getting up.
6-hit game including a HR for Span.
T,
Don’t make me ill. I was seeing if that now silent Internet tough guy has anything else to “say.” Exercising my almost freedom of speech on here.
But thanks for noticing my 1-2-3 call on Mijares.
It has to be D-Span’s night to be the hero. I’m calling it. Put it down!
hey, that brushed his jersey.
“Smart move by Tigers but completely gutless to walk the M & M boys”
I want my team to be gutless and smart…rather than aggressive and stupid.
How can Harris swing at that pitch.
Geez! Mauer’s on deck, you’re up in the count 3-1 and you take a weak swing at a marginal pitch.
Get some smarts!
It’s Dickey’s game, there’s nobody left.
I think Rodney is it for Detroit, too, right?
This isn’t good.
This is one of those games that you lay at the feet of the offense. They got it tied up and apparently went to work patting themselves on the back.
I’ve be up since 5:00 am, hope I can stay up until the end of the game. Win the game & then announce a trade for a 2B like Sanchez.
Polanco’s always wanted to sing soprano.
you can always tell whne it’s a nut shot, because the only thing the trainers can do is pat him on the back and be like “Sorry man.”
joe they all live and work there. the oldest an ex jar head works for sanford, the oldest girl is an eng. and my youngest girl dropped out of med school to make a fortune in real estate.
great city to make money in.
Damnit.
This is where one of the 3-5 hitters hits that homer we needed an inning or two ago.
Polanco is a good hitter, wish we has a 2B that could hit.
win or lose, quite a night for the bullpen.
Damn. Can we come back one more time?
Good night.
On an 0-2 count.
sigh
We have the guys coming up for that comeback…
What coach is in charge of positioning the IF? Whoever it is should get his butt kicked. RH hitter, slow pitcher, and Tolbert was playing in the hole to RF?
I can already imagine the complaints tomorrow.
“Why did Gardy go to DICKEY!”
“Twins bullpen let another one slip away!”
“We wasted a 7-run offensive surge!”
Okay, seriously. Just put one over the fence so can we go to bed/home.
And it begins…
If Cuddy comes up with two on…BUNT! Just BUNT. I don’t care how dumb it sounds. Just BUNT. It’s weird, it’s ballsy, it may fail miserably. But it’d be AWESOME!
Looks like i picked a bad time to stop sniffing glue.
Yes yes yes!
I dont think anyone would complain about Dickey being used at the end. Gardy used the bullpen perfectly tonight. I do hate it when he saves nathan for the end tho… you gotta be sure your best bullpen arm conributes
The Tigers might just concede the run on a DP.
Yeah M&M! Let’s finally win this game…
SAC FLY! ALL I WANT IS A SAC FRICKIN FLY!
YEA!
what the F Morneau????
I guess now we know why Ordonez has been benched by Leyland. I know he was playing deep on that routine flyball, but how about some effort to attempt a catch on it.
Looks like I picked a bad time to stop taking amphetamines.
Winning run on 2nd no out. C’mon Crede!
Josh: Ordonez dives at that and it gets by him the game is over. It would’ve been like the Hunter play in the playoffs in 06.
Bremer with a great point: Why are they pitching to him?
Gosh, can’t wait until I watch the condensed version tommorrow. Stuck at work with no customer’s here. Missing a good one. Please keep the updates coming!
Josh
With how deep he was there was no way he could catch it, its better to just sit back on it and hold him to a single. worst thing in that situation would be too dive for it and have morneau have a single turn it to a triple
Bad 3rd Base coaching by Ullger. Didn’t pick up Morneau coming around 2nd, didn’t give him any help at all. Bad, bad, bad.
Delmon’s about to eat Dolsi up.
No chance for the cycle here unfortunately.
Please, just one more wild pitch, please.
That out at 3rd is HUGE. But man…this catcher and pitcher are NOT clicking at all.
What inning is it?
Bottom 14. 2 out cuddy on 3rd, Young up
Bottom 14th, tied 8-8 cuddy on third young batting 1-2 count
I can’t believe I’m putting all my hopes and dreams tonight on Delmon Young. Desperate man, I am.
Thanks guys.
Leyland started this clusterf* by pulling his starter early.
Poop
no problem, young grounded out to the second baseman, twins have the upperhand with dickey pitching the rest of the game
For all the S#!& we give Punto, Go-GO and other for their base running blunders Justin deserves his share for getting thrown out at 3rd. Dumb move by a smart guy.
Man, that throwout at third was huge, but at least they tied it back up.
Morneau: Hero and Goat in the same inning.
R.A. sure looking good in these “pressure” situations since he got the call to be more of a factor. Get a DP ball R.A.
AWWW heck ya!
That’ll work for two!
Can’t afford a run here.
Hey, the WSJ today just had an article about randomness in sports performances. Ordonez just illustrated this concept.
Boy I bet Leyland wishes he had bunted now.
If Dickey can get out of this inning, the Twins better score and win, b/c Dickey is running out of steam.
Okay seriously this time. Let’s walk off.
Come on Kubes, Tolbert, and Span, put an end to this.
Let’s end this before RA has to pitch to anyone else PLEASE!
JtF: Delosi doesn’t look much better. At this point it truly comes down to bullpen depth.
Unless Gardy decides to use one of his starters in an emergency.
just give dickey another blue pill he’ll be fine.
Can’t afford a run here.
Chief, master of the obvious.
I’m calling MYSELF out on that one.
Man, Dickey is getting hit hard. Lucky we are still tied after that inning.
Let’s end it now!
Why can’t we show a little patience here!!
Tolbert is such a waste of space.
Chief cut out the obvious.
this is kinda of the game subject, but has anyone else seen the ESPN Home Run Derby commercials with the winners of a few previous years, and for last year has Hamilton instead of Mourny, kinda makes a guy a little upset for the lack of respect for Mourny
Poor Span. He’s got 5 hits on the night and at this rate his average is gonna DROP.
On the other hand, Mauer DEFINATELY won’t have to worry about getting enough PAs.
Too long. Tolbert please hit a HR
Meanwhile the vendors stopped selling beer a full game ago.
“Tolbert please hit a HR”
HA. thats a funny thought
WHy is Dickey still in. Oh yeah we have no one left in our bullpen.
Bad start to the inning
Wow. They didn’t send the runner?
we r gonna lose
Maybe someone could mention again (on the broadcast) how the Twins have the big advantage with R.A. still left to go all night. Dude has been raked.
people are still awake for the game??? i’m surprised.
Vultures starting to circle now.
DAMN IT
kirby: The Twins offense screwed themselves over agaisnt Delosi. Morneau gave himself up at 3rd in the first inning and in the next inning the three hitters were impatient at best.
Only a matter of time for Dickey.
I don’t care what happened with Dickey tonight. The offense had numerous chances to end this game before it got this far.
One more out and Morneau will be our hero.
Happy 4th everybody!
It’s only 10:00 here
Explain what you menan by “only a matter of time”
Boy could you imagine the rancor around these parts if Cuddy, Young, or (god forbid) Punto had made that out at 3rd?
double play
One more strike Dickey!
Well cody your mother is starting to sing now…
Do we have anyone in our bullpen left?
Oh Smalley, stop making excuses for Dickey
Like I said, I don’t blame this on the bullpen (or Dickey) tonight. They shut the Tigers out for what…10 innings?
wow…. this sucks
No Cody. There is not. That is why Dickey’s in still.
Game over, I’m afraid.
Can’t really blame Dickey *too* much, we’ve had waaay too many wasted opportunities to score, unfortunately.
roster move tomorrow?
This sucks because the Twins will lose tonight and tomorrow too.
Probably, they’d never want to be first in the division. That would be terrible.
Here’s where the game was lost:
- B. Buscher hit for N. Punto
- B. Buscher struck out swinging
- D. Span singled to right center
- D. Span to second on wild pitch
- B. Harris grounded out to second, D. Span to third
- J. Mauer intentionally walked
- J. Morneau intentionally walked, J. Mauer to second
- M. Cuddyer struck out swinging
Okay, I’ll be dellusionally optimistic now.
Let’s go Harris-Mauer-Morneau!
Take one for the team Harris
Gatty, no game is lost befiore it is played. You never know.
This sucks because the Twins will lose tonight and tomorrow too.
*caw caw caw*
Wait? Is that the sound a vulture makes?
Why is buscher still on this team? isnt it pretty clear hughes would be a much better pinch hitter?
I suppose Liriano can throw 7 innings tomorrow and give the bp a break.
Morneau:
Why was he trying to go to 3rd. Bonehead play………Probably the game.
T,
I agree with you about the Twinks offense with plenty of chances to put this thing away. No question.
Watching R.A. tonight though I keep thinking “there is no way this guy can be a 8th inning option no matter what his success has been on lower leverage situations”.
This probably take Mauer out as a catcher later today. Still got to DH him though.
It’d be nice to at least get one run to at least make Leyland pace some more.
The important thing tomorrow is that the Twins hitters don’t come out tomorrow flailing at everything.
Both bullpens are shot, and the Tigers don’t have an offday Monday. Twins have a chance to wear down their staff before the All-Star Break.
Is anybody else hoping that Leyland forgets the rules and comes out to the mound a second time at some point?
Yeah, I think the Dickey as an 8th inning guy conversation has ended based on tonight and his past few appearances.
least we forget this game is on slowey he put us behind the 8 ball.
No double play here.
Dickey only fell apart in his third inning of work.
Yeah baby!
Looks like I picked a bad time to stop dropping acid.
Crede will be our hero.
We are still in this
According to the Detroit paper, Crede has the go ahead RBI in all four of the Twins wins against the Tigers this year. Doesn’t mention what was wrong with him in the one loss.
If only Casey Blake had signed with us and not Crede. We should have offered more money.
come on cuddyer
Come on CREDEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Cuddyer has to learn to keep his hands back and go opposite field.
Crede HR right here
Jack it and tie it, Crede.
good game; tough loss; good night.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Dang that loss sucks. BS, make some trades to make this team better.
It sucks the Twins didn’t win, but the fact that they came back twice has to speak for something.
In the end, the offense just can’t get the hit when they need it…and bullpen just gets worn out.
Cuddyer really does need some Vavra instruction. He takes a full swing at everything, the same as with Gomez, it’s just that Cuddy makes contact more often than Gomez. But with 2 strikes, he needs to shorten up his swing, keep his hands back, and go to right field.
Oh well. Hopefully we can get a win tomorrow and this loss is forgotten.
Sheesh, T, it was a 16 inning game. If they take the next 2, then it’s a good series against the Tigers. It’s unrealistic to expect the Twins to go undefeated against the Tigers at home.
Read the Weekend Section of today’s WSJ. It has a good article on the randomness of sports stats. For example, the underdog team in the WS wins 45% of the time. In order to eliminate the randomness of the WS, the teams would need to play 269 games.
Anyway, it’s almost 1:30 a.m., good night.
Joe the first
great point on cuddyer, he could really improve overall as a hitter if he could shorten his swing from time to time
Sheesh, T, it was a 16 inning game. If they take the next 2, then it’s a good series against the Tigers. It’s unrealistic to expect the Twins to go undefeated against the Tigers at home.
Which of my posts gave you the impression I expected a sweep? I’m bummed they couldn’t get that key hit when they needed it…but I certainly am not acting this is the end of the season.
T,
Not exactly on your Dickey assesment. Go back and look at the play by play. He gave up multiple hits in 2 of 3 innings he worked and another in the other inning. He had given up 7 hits in 3 before they scored a run (or maybe after their 1st it’s late for all of us).
He was hit hard the entire outing. And he has had issues his last few times out. Nathan needed to bail him out last time out.
Well, I’m going to head off to bed so I can enjoy the fireworks tonight (um, the NEXT tonight…not this tonight)
Noble effort by the bullpen tonight. Too bad the offense couldn’t push that last run across before Dickey tired out.
Let’s hope the local 9 can get their act later today and work the Tigers pitcher. Because their pen is just as worn out as the Twins’
It’s official: Slowey to DL with a flare up in the wrist.
Swarzak up. He’ll be in the bullpen for now and then move to the rotation.
This is on the post game.
Cuddyer has too many very bad AB’s.
