Game 11: Twins @ Royals
by ubelmann on Apr 12, 2008 6:00 PM EDT
in Game Threads
46 comments
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals, Apr 12, 2008 7:10 PM EDT
Boof Bonser VS Brett Tomko
GO TWINS!!
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Gotta love those stat widgets
There are quite a few new things I'm still getting used to on here, but I've been pretty happy with the results so far.
by Jesse on Apr 12, 2008 6:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
1-2-3
inning for Tomko there...it is cold there apparently.
Tolbert catches the pop out for the first out of the bottom of the first inning!
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
walk
that is the first pass issued by Boof! two outs one runner on first!
Go BOOOF!
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 7:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bonser
Has is velocity seemed down this year? Maybe an effect of losing all that weight. I noticed the same at the dome in his first game of the year. Seemed to be topping out at 90 mph most of the time.
P.S. if Kelly Theiser reports again that a pitcher had a bad start because he didn't keep the ball down, I might have to kill myself.
by caseintheface on Apr 12, 2008 7:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I highly
doubt it...Boof is thinner so thus the ball explodes out of his hand better. He certainly has a better pitch arsenal than last year and he has a lot more movement on them too
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
Yeah, it seems to me that his velocity should be up because he'll have more strength around in his legs. He worked hard on strengthening his legs while losing weight this offseason.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
by AdamOnFirst on Apr 13, 2008 2:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anderson's influence continues
I always enjoyed Boof more as a strikeout pitcher. He battled hard and it was fun to watch. I'm afraid Anderson's exerted too much influence on him and turned him into another boring contact pitcher.
P.S. if Kelly Theiser reports again that a pitcher had a bad start because he didn't keep the ball down, I might have to kill myself.
by caseintheface on Apr 12, 2008 7:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Are home runs on 2 strike counts a good thing?
It seems that Kubel doesn't change his approach on two strikes. No stats right now on Kubel right now, but if I'm right, then this would, presumably, increase strike outs and also increase extra base hits. Is this a good thing? Should you be trying to make contact, or should you be swinging big so the pitcher still has to be careful?
For instance, I don't want Gomez swinging on 2 strikes like he does on 0 strikes (i.e. jumping and swinging simultaeneously). On the other hand, I don't really like his swing with 0 strikes.
Just some thoughts, as I neglect my responsibilities in favor of baseball.
by snolls on Apr 12, 2008 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hitters should play to their strengths, situation
Gomez can just try to make contact and still beat a throw to first base. That won't happen with Kubel, even with two healthy knees. I think with Kubel's skill set, if he knows what's coming he can hit the ball pretty squarely--he's always hit a lot of line drives--so if he was sitting on that pitch he's a guy who can swing for the fence in that situation.
Hitters who aren't afraid to step in with two strikes will strike out more, but it also means they're giving themselves more opportunities to succeed because they're not bailing out a strike early. Strikeouts aren't always a sign of being a bad hitter.
by Jesse on Apr 12, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
look at Babe Ruth...he struck out more than he hit homers...now, nobody doubts how good Babe Ruth was. Look at Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, A-Rod, any power hitters strike out a lot, but that does not mean they are bad hitters.
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not just that
That's a good point. I agree that Kubel shouldn't try to hit choppers off the plate, ala luis castillo. I was more thinking about it from the perspective of trying to trying to keep the at bat alive, or advance runners. With two strikes, especially with 3 balls, do you swing at strikes aiming for singles or foul balls, hoping to earn the walk? Obviously the whole thing changes with people on base, depending on what you need.
by snolls on Apr 12, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kubel
I have no problem with that. It's a whole lot better than "just trying to make contact" and then beating the ball into the terf either to the 2nd or SS. Oh I'm sorry that's a sure fire way to have "productive outs."
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously threw other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Apr 12, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mauer...
Some days you are just so boring. If you look at his monthly splits over the past couple of years it's actually pretty obvious. If he can get the ball in the air consistenly over the course of the month, he absolutely rakes.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously threw other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Apr 12, 2008 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kubel
If so, good for him. We need some guys who don't always perscribe to the Twins way of hitting (ie grounding out to 2nd or SS every time you get 2 strikes).
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously threw other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Apr 12, 2008 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BOOOOFFF
Three straight fastballs to retire Teahen and the Royals in the third. BOOOFFF!!!
by Jesse on Apr 12, 2008 8:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lineups
Twins
Gomez, CF
Tolbert, SS
Mauer, C
Morneau, 1B
Young, LF
Kubel, DH
Harris, 2B
Span, RF
Punto, 3B
Royals
Callaspo, SS
Grudzielanek, 2B
Teahen, LF
Butler, DH
Guillen, RF
Gordon, 3B
Olivo, C
Gload, 1B
Gathright, CF
by Jesse on Apr 12, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Twins lineup
Too many banjo/single hitters in a row
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously threw other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Apr 12, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Young hit that ball
hard...but unfortunately right at the strongest arm in the infield: Gordon....
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 8:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ok, that's enough...
...it's 1am here, it's time for bed. See you tomorrow, Twinkie Town. GO TWINS!!
by Jesse on Apr 12, 2008 8:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
One last thing
my prediction for tonight: 4-2, Twins win. Nathan gets a save, Boof gets the W and Delmon Young picks up a couple RBI.
Peace.
by Jesse on Apr 12, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
see ya
Jesse...have a good night...Pip pip
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Delmon
This lineup will be so much better when he starts hitting some balls in the gap and over the fence.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Apr 12, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he will
caseintheface....Delmon is young and it is still extremely early in the season. Once it warms up, Delmon will crack a lot of doubles and homers. Only the 11 game of the season, so hold on!! :)
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Harris
now has a 6 game hitting streak...he joins Justin Morneau and Tolbert.
Gomez has a 4 game hitting streak and has hit safely in 9 of the past 10.
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 8:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A No-Hitter
Did anyone notice the no hitter yet?
Mr. Weatherstone
by Mr. Weatherstone on Apr 12, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
too many pitches
it won't last, or he wont be able to finish it
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Apr 12, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
I have noticed that. Boof has given up 2 BB and 1 error on Tolbert but there are still no hits for the KC Royals....now they will get a basehit as we just cursed them.. :(
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 8:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Opps. . .
Did I just jinx them? Sorry
Mr. Weatherstone
by Mr. Weatherstone on Apr 12, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe...
tough to tell. lets wait and see!
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and there
it is....Gload punches a single. No-hitter over although I doubt Boof would have thrown a no-no.
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gomez is up
Punto just drew a walk and now is 1-1 with a walk...Gardy will probably put Punto in tomorrow since he "showed remarkeable plate discipline" PLEASE!!!
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sorry
Sorry about losing the No-No, I had to jinx it though, I cant let my royals suffer a no hitter against the twins.
Mr. Weatherstone
by Mr. Weatherstone on Apr 12, 2008 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
and a Twins fan??
or else...why would you be on this board?
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 12, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Purpose
I just came on to jinx the no hitter, hell of a pitcher dual today though
Mr. Weatherstone
by Mr. Weatherstone on Apr 12, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
product of the weather
neither of these pitchers are this good, and unfortuanetely the twins are making tomko look like beckett with his fastball and curve combo.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Apr 12, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Vavra
damn dude, how much longer you going to let Young swing at the first pitch like that.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Apr 12, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
anybody notice
the top 5 guys in the order are 0-15
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Apr 12, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bonser
Bonser came out after only 89 pitches. Though he pitched well. much to my delight, we still haven't seen him go really deep into a game yet, which was supposed to be his new ability. Granted, Gardenhire rarely lets pitchers go so deep.
Bonser said he was still feeling good, but he didn't go out because it was cold and the top half of the seventh was long. I'd like to know if he still looked strong in the sixth from anyone who watched. Does the "it was cold" excuse pass muster, or was he starting to lose form more than seems natural?
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
by AdamOnFirst on Apr 13, 2008 2:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Young pitchers
I know there has been extenuating circumstances and it's still early in the season. But sooner or later Gardy's going to have to stop complaining about these guys not going long enough and let them throw 100-115 pitches in a game. Last night with Bonser being one example (pulling after 90) and Baker the other day against the Sox. If it's alright for Livan to give up 4 runs over 7 innings, shouldn't you allow these guys to do the same? With Bonser I was particularly surprised considering he hadn't given up a run yet and that he seemed to be getting stronger as the night went on. Like gameday actually showed him hitting over 90 mph more consistently in the 6th when he had been doing more of 88-89 mph throughout the game. Idk... just some thoughts.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Apr 13, 2008 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
Yeah, Gardenhire is ridiculously conservative with pitch counts. The perfect example is one Gleeman cited near the beginning of the season where Carlos Silva had never thrown as many as 116 pitches in an outing for the Twins, and then did in his first start with Seattle.
We'll see what it's like when it gets warmer though, the temperature theory probably makes sense. It's a lot easier to pull a muscle that way.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
by AdamOnFirst on Apr 13, 2008 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was listening to the game
KC made two pitching changes in the top of the inning and it dragged on quite awhile.
I thought at the time that it would be smart to keep Bonser in the dugout given the temperatures and let the bullpen close it out.
I think the way Gardy approaches it is that Bonser did his job. By taking him out, Gardy builds his confidence and hopes that everyone gets the same idea: do your job, and then we've got other guys who will come in and do theirs. Never put a player in a position where, once they've been successful, you ask too much of them and they fail.
Anyway, Guerrier, Neshek, Nathan 7-8-9, with a two-run lead--you will win a high percentage, so I can't second-guess that.
And the Twins will not win a lot of games when the first five go 1 - 20 or whatever it was, so it was kind of like they stole one.
by Old Twins Cap on Apr 13, 2008 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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