Game 94: Twins @ Tigers
by Jesse on Jul 12, 2008 3:10 PM EDT
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PrintMinnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers, Jul 12, 2008 3:55 PM EDT
Pregame
After last night's well-deserved victory, the Twins increased the spread between themselves and the Detroit Tigers to five and a half games. Combine that with another White Sox loss (leaving the Twins just a game and a half out), and it's been a fantastic last couple of days. The primary concern leading into the All-Star break, and specifically for tonight, is how to deal with Carlos Gomez. Gomez's three strikeouts last night are a concern, but more than that it's his continuing aggression and lack of discipline at the plate. His struggles haven't kept the Twins from winning over the last three weeks, but he definitely hasn't been contributing to the victories, either.
With Scott Baker taking the mound this afternoon for the Twins, there has to be a lot of confidence on the field. He's been a juggernaut of effective hurling in recent memory. In fact, since his return from the disabled list he has thrown 43 innings in seven starts, striking out 35 and walking nine with a 2.72 ERA. He was lights out in his last start in Boston, but sadly his offense wasn't able to back him up. This afternoon, you know they'll be gunning for support. Baker's faced the Tigers three times this season, including the game that was cut short due to his injury. In those starts he's combined for 16 innings, 13 hits, six runs, four homers, just two walks and ten strikeouts.
Taking the opposite hill will be Nate Robertson. He's been a bit of an off-and-on pitcher most of the year, peaking in his last start as he threw a complete game in Seattle. Over the years the Twins have seen quite a bit of this lefty, and already a trio of times this year alone. Minnesota's largely taken care of business, as in 16.2 innings he's allowed 24 hits and 13 runs, uncluding three bombs, five free passes and 12 strikeouts.
Projected Lineup: Gomez, Casilla, Redmond, Morneau, Monroe, Young, Harris, Punto, Span
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Gomez
should really be sent down to AAA upon Cuddyer’s return. And in the meantime switch him and Span in the lineup. I get the same feeling this year when Gomez steps to the plate I got last year whenever Punto or Tyner did. He just looks clueless, and has the stats to prove it.
Gomez since June 1: 37 G, .224/.260/.286, including 40 strikeouts. Span since the call up: 11g .455/.581./.667, including 10 walks. Gomez has 14 all year. And 96 Strikeouts which puts him on track to shatter the Twins single season record of 145. Small sample size for Span I know but last night they walked Span to get to Gomez.
Agree
I think early in the season the Twins might have been afraid of the fans complaining that Santana produced no MLB ready players.
I think most fans are over any of that and just want the team to keep winning.
Gomez to AAA, Span to CF when Cuddyer is back should help with that.
Stupid Direct TV. Even though I have the extra innings package, I can’t see this game because the Fox affliates that we get from the coasts are showing the Mets/Rockies and Phillies/D-Backs so I’m forced to watch it on gamecast.
I have Extra Innings thru Comcast
and noone gets a game that is up against the national games
It sucks, this is the first game I’m missing due to Fox though
Whooo
Harris! Just for fun, I thought I’d show you guys this. One of my friends who’s a Mariners fan sent me an e-mail. He decided to see what player in MLB matches best with the M’s BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS.
M’s – .255/.313/.373/.686
Brendan Harris (MIN) – .256/.313/.361/.675
Go get 'em Baker
One of my favorite “Bakers”
by montanatwinsfan on Jul 12, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
hmmmm....
Young two for two and a stolen base so far, which lead to a run.
That’s a good game for Young and its only the 4th inning. Maybe CMath is right, maybe Young is turning a corner on the season.
by montanatwinsfan on Jul 12, 2008 4:55 PM EDT reply actions
Young can be so frustrating
with half the swings he takes he seems to not care if he hits the ball or not. Other times it looks like all he is trying to do protect the plate.
I think I can count on one hand the times it looked to me that he really tried to drive the ball. And yet he still has games like this.
Crap
We’ve got a brand new ballgame.
Also, to go along with that subject line, the Fox feed here is terrible – cutting out and pixellating every few seconds.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
weird
play there with Casilla and Gomez….I think Gardy had a legit argument there as it did appear that the ball did hit Casilla in the batters box and thus it would have only been a foul ball.
No Doubt
The ball hit Casilla. The bigger question is why to you bunt with the #2 hitter in the middle innings?
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 12, 2008 5:22 PM EDT reply actions
Probably
Would have been wise for Buscher to take a pitch or two.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 12, 2008 5:25 PM EDT reply actions
The inevitable
Fox play-by-play commentary: “Delmon Young, who has two hits… going after the first pitch…” [computer screen shows some good ol’ failing]
Momentum
Is slowly sliding to the Tigers.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 12, 2008 5:25 PM EDT reply actions
I have no idea...
...I’m all over the place tonight…I keep coming back to the game but I’m not really watching this one.
Looks like Baker’s doing okay so far.
Fox commentators:
Dick Stockton, Eric Karros
It is early yet.
Harris has done a fine job.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 12, 2008 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Mauer and Harris
Get above the Casilla (homer) line. Notables below that line. Delmon and Cuddy.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 12, 2008 5:43 PM EDT reply actions
more like, "I'm sorry but I need to disagree on Harris getting that star, sir"
But I love the idea of Joe dropping a that star is mine bitches!
3 Run Cushion
Baker can go after them this inning. Most likely his last.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 12, 2008 5:44 PM EDT reply actions
Delmon Young
Still looks like he is catching hand grenades in left field, but he made the play in foul ground.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 12, 2008 5:46 PM EDT reply actions
Baker
Scott is pretty good. 14 months ago, I would never have believed it.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 12, 2008 5:50 PM EDT reply actions
I'm with you.
But it’s because there’s no east coast or L.A. Teams involved. Everyone is oblivious to central divison teams until the playoffs start.
Eric Karros, talking about the Twins
“This team has a resilience which you really can’t teach, and I think it stems from the coaching staff.”
Isn’t that a one-sentence contradiction?
Isn't there some way...
We could do some Six Million Dollar Man style superfast reconstruction of Neshek’s arm? I mean, we have the technology; we can rebuild him. I’m sure Pohlad can afford it…
Casilla
with a double…it would have been a double if his legs didnt cross him up. He kinda stutter stepped and had his feet tangled up there for a sec. but none the less Casilla with a double.
Kids, let this be a lesson...
Fox color commentator Eric Karros just advocated that Gomez should have grabbed his wrist in feigned pain after almost being hit by a ZOOM-aya fastball in order to fool the home plate ump. So I guess now we’re teaching kids to cheat blatantly and (quote) “do whatever it takes to get on base”.
Now, I’m all about on-base percentage, and I sure do like to bash Carlos Gomez. But this is as crazy as telling soccer players to dive more.
Well...
That was the ugliest plate appearance of this series.
SSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEE 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Granderson strikes out swinging!
We can now go for the sweep tomorrow!!!!
alright
lets blow the lid off the Tigs early and often tomorrow! Last strong offensive performance of the first half tomorrow hopefully..
I hope the Twins will be able to blow Verlander out of the game early and maybe every player in the lineup have a hit.
Morneau homers. Young hits a double. Harris goes 2-4. Blackburn throws 6 shutout innings. Twins win 8-2.
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