Game 43: Twins @ Rockies

Howie Clark is getting the start at third base this afternoon, he’s hitting 7th in front of Everett and then Slowey.

the idea of hitting Delmon 2nd though. Give him a different mind-set when stepping into the box maybe, perhaps giving him a perspective of a table setter. Might breed some patience and selection.

Might.

leave it to the Twins to give a struggling pitcher a chance to get his game back

completely arbitrary, but if I were constructing lineups with these players, they’d look like this…

Harris
Young
Morneau
Monroe
Cuddyer
Redmond
Everett
Slowey
Clark

7-9 in our order looks a little rough today, so if Clark is able to get on, I’d rather see the top of the order coming up again as opposed to the pitcher. Again, with the people available, it’s really cutting hairs and a little out of the ordinary, but I think it has some advantages to it

And for Colorado…

Helton
Barmes
Holliday
Atkins
Hawpe
Baker
Iannetta
Francis
Taveras

I’d do the same thing with Taveras…he’s had some trouble getting on base this year, but Helton sure hasn’t, in spite of his drop-off in power. If Taveras gets on, with Helton right behind him, followed by a red-hot Barmes and then Holliday/Atkins/Hawpe, it’s really like having an additional leadoff hitter. But Helton really is great at working counts and getting on base, so I like him being the actual lead-off man.

But…again…entirely arbitraty.

Leads off the 2nd ripping a triple…very nice.

Thee weak flys and they’re out. Tough call on whether to send him or not from third. But with all the outs we’ve given up at home of late, I appreciate Ulger erring on the side of caution.

I don’t get it. Cuddy’s a much better hitter. That much should be obvious.

I can understand Ullger’s aggressiveness with this hitting display with RISP.

Hansell. He’s so hot right now. Hansell.

It’s a slugfest. Ortiz has hit two homers, it’s 11-6 in the 7th.

Another XBH…a double this time, leading off the sixth. Let’s bring him in, offense!!

Twins 2, Rockies 1.

Let’s get this one!

makes Ullger’s job easier.

Oh well, the Twins will just have to win this homerun derby.

only 1 run so far, but Hawpe just walked on 10 pitches, and Atkins is still on 2nd. One more out Kevin, let’s do it.

Isn’t this the 2nd time that he has given back the lead after just getting it?

The Twins should still have the lead if they would have scored in the first 3 innings

Howie Clark, 2B
Adam Everett, GO (Clark to 3rd)
Kubel, BB (Gomez PR)

of the season? When we talk about “doing the little things,” shouldn’t that include scoring a guy from third base with less than two outs?

2nd and 3rd, one out on a sac bunt.

Completely lost Quintanilla after getting ahead 0-2, walked him. Taveras pulls a Gomez and reaches on a bunt single. Barmes bunts them over.

All these games were the Twins have every chance to win but don’t is getting really frustrating

good time for your first bomb of the season!

oops sorry Mike you didn’t even play today

1-2-3.

Stealing 2nd and 3rd…that’s impressive.

Does anyone know if Gomez will start the next game?

At least Young keeps getting singles, Cuddyer has really struggled the last few games.

clark works a long count, but grounds out to 2nd. Rockies win, 6-2.

Just sayin’