From me at TwinsFix
Before the bashing begins, yes, I did have this picture up just a few days ago. But poor Bass found his way into my doghouse again, among other players. Let's dive into some thoughts:
-What did we expect from Hernandez? Seven innings of solid work against the defending champions? He went four and a third but gave up six runs on eleven hits. He didn't walk a man and struck out two.
I don't think Hernandez was the worst performance tonight. He did give up six runs, but left when the score was only 6-3. We still had a fighting chance, and eventually worked out way back to 6-5.
-Boof Bonser came in during the fifth and showed us why he doesn't deserve to be a starter anymore. He gave up four runs on four hits during one and two thirds innings. Once he put runners on second and third with no outs in the seventh I thought his night was over. But Gardy, being Gardy, refused to take him out just yet. He waited until Boof surrendered a single to Varitek that scored one and put runners on the corners.
I'm starting to think that he trying to prove something to the management. If he keeps up this awful bullpen managing, maybe the front office will have to pick up someone to work the eighth innings. Keep it up, Gardy!
-My excitment for actually seeing Craig Breslow pitch quickly drained as he almost immidetley loaded the bases and surrendered a hit to score a run, leaving two runners in scoring position. Then, our man Brian Bass was called upon because Guerrier was unavailable today.
Guess what? He still didn't bring his 'A' game. He is proving why he doesn't belong with the Minnesota Twins, and is easily the worst reliever on this team. I honestly didn't care that he was left in after playing a big part in that seven-run seventh inning, and later in that two-run eighth.
Following the game today I realized that my frustration with this team is quickly turning to apathy. I simply don't care anymore. Bass went one and one third inning giving up four runs on six hits.
Oh, and for the record, Nathan didn't throw a pitch in this series.
-Enough of the relief pitching. I hope I don't have to say another negative thing about them until after the Break. I certainly noticed the loss of Gomez and his range in center field today. Span and Kubel both missed a few plays that they should have made.
-An absolute slug-fest today. 13 hits for Minnesota, 23 hits for Boston. The most hits ever given up in a game by the Twins is 24; in 1996. Yet, despite the bats for the Twins they only managed to get five players across the plate, while Boston scored 18.
-Mauer did well again tonight. He and his patience never cease to astound me. He drew two walks tonight while going 2-3 from the plate. His average is up to .328.
-Our luck may be running out. There were two times during this game that Minnesota left the bases loaded without scoring a run. Normally one of the most productive teams with RISP, Minnesota may be falling back to earth.
I really don't have the desire to say anything more about this game. I just want to start over again in Detroit. That team will be easier to score runs off of, and Minnesota might be able to squeak out of there with a split despite the way their bullpen is playing.
Another afternoon (morning for me, so don't expect a pre-game post) game tomorrow against the Tigers. Kevin Slowey (6-6, 3.78) will face Kenny Rogers (6-6, 4.60). First pitch again at 1:05 EST.