Game 135: Twins @ Athletics
by Jesse
on Aug 29, 2008 7:07 PM EDT
in Game Threads
152 comments
Minnesota Twins @ Oakland Athletics
Pregame
Southpaw Dan Meyer appeared to be on the fast track to the majors at the age of 23. After being drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2002 draft, he made his mark as a strikeout pitcher by sitting down more than one per inning on K's from '02 - '04. Combined with an ERA that never topped 2.87, the Braves were impressed enough to call him up for a cup of coffee that fall. He pitched two innings. That winter he was part of the trade that saw the Athletics ship Tim Hudson to the Braves.
He hasn't been the same since.
After spending all of '05 and '06 in the Oakland farm system, he rebounded in triple-A Sacramento last summer at 26. The strikeouts were back up, the home run rates were back down and the control had taken a big step in the right direction. Three years after his MLB debut he returned to the majors, appearing in six games and starting three, and generally suffering at the hands of professional hitters. This summer he was virtually replicating his triple-A numbers when Oakland called him up:
| Stat | AAA 2007 | AAA 2008 |
| Innings | 115.1 | 116.0 |
| Hits | 103 | 107 |
| Walks | 51 | 51 |
| Strikeouts | 105 | 102 |
| BABIP | .301 |
.301 |
| Ground Ball | 39% | 38% |
Since that recall Meyer has made two starts and five relief appearances, and before his last two stints was doing well. But overall he's again struggling, getting strikeouts but at times struggling to hit the strikezone and put hitters away. He's an extreme fly-ball pitcher (58.3%) who's susceptible to the long-ball, so hopefully tonight he'll hang a few sliders.
Trying to stem the tide will be Kevin Slowey, who's been huge for the Twins this month. In his last four starts (25 innings) he's allowed just five earned runs and walked just one batter. Kevin is good enough that if he can keep the A's on his game plan, he shouldn't have too much trouble. Of course, the problem is that exact thing could have been said for the last four games...of which the Twins have won one. And while we can bring up the White Sox, and how we hope Boston can take them out tonight, the bottom line is that Minnesota needs to start taking care of business, or this puppy will be over very, very soon.
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Lineups go as Follows
Twins (75-59)
1. Denard Span, RF
2. Nick Punto, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brendan Harris, 3B
8. Alexi Casilla, 2B
9. Carlos Gomez, CF
Starting pitcher: RH Kevin Slowey (10-8, 3.74 ERA)
Athletics (62-72)
1. Rajai Davis, CF
2. Bobby Crosby, SS
3. Ryan Sweeney, RF
4. Frank Thomas, DH
5. Jack Cust, LF
6. Kurt Suzuki, C
7. Daric Barton, 1B
8. Jack Hannahan, 3B
9. Eric Patterson, 2B
Starting pitcher: LH Dan Meyer (0-2, 5.95 ERA)
by Tony_O on
Aug 29, 2008 7:31 PM EDT
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Lineup
Yeah, Sweet Punto batting second. I know Alexi has been struggling but at least he can bunt.
by WITwinsfan on
Aug 29, 2008 10:00 PM EDT
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At least Span saw some pitches, or else that inning would’ve been totally worthless
by matty_b on
Aug 29, 2008 10:13 PM EDT
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yeah
and Mauer is becoming totally worthless….wtf is he doing? He is swinging at bad pitches out of the zone, and appears to be just out of it at the plate
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:14 PM EDT
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This Sweeney guy is killing us
And it’s not even Mike
by matty_b on
Aug 29, 2008 10:18 PM EDT
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It seems like
Justin’s gettiing back on the ball again. he’s been smoking it the past few nights.
by matty_b on
Aug 29, 2008 10:22 PM EDT
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yeah...
if anything gets us to the playoffs it probably will be him….he ALWAYS carries the Twins
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:23 PM EDT
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Good to see Our Boys Starting Out Strong.
especially with the white sox getting thrashed
by Tony_O on
Aug 29, 2008 10:26 PM EDT
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there is hope?
But I gotta see how the Slowman throws w/ the lead
by caluofmn on
Aug 29, 2008 10:26 PM EDT
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dont you remember the last time Slowey pitched
vs the As? 12 Ks baby!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:27 PM EDT
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I remember it was at the Dome more
but yeah, Slowey can be our stopper, and if his pitching continues next year he might be our ace…
such as it is
by caluofmn on
Aug 29, 2008 10:30 PM EDT
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Harris BBs and its Casilla time!
no outs
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:28 PM EDT
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Bases Loaded
Alexi at the Plate, GRAND SLAM PLEASE!
by Tony_O on
Aug 29, 2008 10:28 PM EDT
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dont think that high
because when Casilla hits a single you will be disappointed…and there it is!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:29 PM EDT
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bases juiced
what you going to do Alexi?
by caluofmn on
Aug 29, 2008 10:29 PM EDT
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Gomez breaks his bat and hits a little pop up
1 down
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:32 PM EDT
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gomez is a waste of AB
maybe we can ask to just have someone else bat twice?
Who’s up?
Gomez
Whoops, Harris bat again
Ghost runner on 1st!
by caluofmn on
Aug 29, 2008 10:34 PM EDT
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hey Gomez
worked the count and had a decent AB…he had to protect the zone and that meant swinging at a pitch that he didnt like but he had to….he just popped it up.
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:36 PM EDT
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That's why Span's so awesome
Even when he strikes out he’ll have a 9 pitch AB.
by matty_b on
Aug 29, 2008 10:41 PM EDT
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haha
now now, that is only for the bad guys remember….we dont say that for the good guys
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:41 PM EDT
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Mauer singles to CF
and scores 2 runs!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:41 PM EDT
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Saarloos is on
he shut us down last time he pitched against us…hopefully that changes tonight!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:44 PM EDT
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Morneau with a hit
liner to 2B knocked down but trickles off into RF….1 run scores
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:46 PM EDT
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wow...Morneau with a leaping catch!
I dont know he could leap that high….OMG
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:50 PM EDT
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Young grounds out to SS
and now begins the 5 shutout innings
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 10:57 PM EDT
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Slowey walks Patterson....
Slowey now has given up 18 BB and 17 HR
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:05 PM EDT
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WP to Slowey
but Mauer should have knocked that down
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:07 PM EDT
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Crosby flies out to Span
Patterson moves to third base…Sweeney is up
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:12 PM EDT
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Gomez and Span are out...
as I said the five scoreless innings are coming up because we now have the CY young Kirk Saarloos on…Cy young pitcher with an ERA over 4 before he came on
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:19 PM EDT
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2 run homer
Jack Cust took Slowey deep
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:23 PM EDT
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Get yourself together Slowey!
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on
Aug 29, 2008 11:25 PM EDT
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Instead of J-Lo
The New Phenom Nickname is K-Slow
by Tony_O on
Aug 29, 2008 11:27 PM EDT
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J-Lo?
who in the world is that!??
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:29 PM EDT
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Jennifer Lopez
Lol, theirs Two Nicknames ive come up with this season, K-Slow and Delmon “Only the Good Die” Young
by Tony_O on
Aug 29, 2008 11:31 PM EDT
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now you got the hang of it
Good Guys lead the bad guys 6-2…lol
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:33 PM EDT
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double for J-Mo!!!
2nd and third…no outs
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:36 PM EDT
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Kubel with a sac fly
and J-Mo ends up going to third base….
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:36 PM EDT
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Harris has an infield single
and drives in J-Mo
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:39 PM EDT
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sorry I meant a single
I thought it was knocked down by Crosby but it snuck through
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:39 PM EDT
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Gomez
is just The Killer whenever we have a chance to break the game open and he comes up, Always gets out
by Tony_O on
Aug 29, 2008 11:44 PM EDT
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not enough runs for you?
hey while you beat up Gomez, how about you look at Span and Punto…they also have put up 0-fers tonight
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:45 PM EDT
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Nice inning
They need a couple more so I can pay attention to something else—maybe my pillow.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on
Aug 29, 2008 11:44 PM EDT
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How many pitches?
For Slowey?
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on
Aug 29, 2008 11:46 PM EDT
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82 pitches
54 strikes. 28 balls
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:47 PM EDT
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Crosby Ks
KKKKKKKK
5 consecutive Ks for Slowey
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:47 PM EDT
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Morneau singles
Mauer to third
4-4 for Morneau!!!!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:55 PM EDT
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Kubel lines out to Crosby
nice play by Crosby….
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 29, 2008 11:56 PM EDT
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"Quickly 0 and 2"
every announcer says it. If the count is 0-2 doesn’t always mean the first two pitches are strikes. So, when the count goes 0-2, it is always quick.
Just my pet peeve.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on
Aug 30, 2008 12:03 AM EDT
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Slowey might be done tonight.
Who is ready to pitch?
I would say Reyes, Guerrier, and of course (heart attack) Everyday Eddie.
Nathan could twirl the ninth.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on
Aug 30, 2008 12:06 AM EDT
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Slowey is good for one more I think
96 pitches….
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:09 AM EDT
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Casilla with an infield single
Casilla is 3-4 tonight too!!!!!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:09 AM EDT
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Casilla
now back over .300. Maybe he’ll only stay in the 8 spot for one day.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on
Aug 30, 2008 12:10 AM EDT
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Gomez with an RBI single
and Casilla moves to third….
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:11 AM EDT
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Span with an RBI single
and Span picks up his first hit of the game…
and the only man without a hit is up: Punto
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:12 AM EDT
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Punto flies out to Davis....
Punto remains without a hit in this game….Punto and Young are also the only ones without an RBI tonight…everybody else has an RBI. Punto is the only player without a hit though
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:14 AM EDT
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Mauer with an RBI single!
4-5 tonight for Mauer!!!!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:15 AM EDT
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Heres a Way to Break out of a slump
11-2!
by Tony_O on
Aug 30, 2008 12:16 AM EDT
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Saarloos is out and Casilla is coming in to pitch to Morneau
what will happen? Will Morneau go 5-5 for the third time in his career? Will he get out for the first time tonight?
Lets see!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:17 AM EDT
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Harris with a standup triple!!!!!
2nd hit of the game for Harris
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:33 AM EDT
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Casilla gets Casilla to fly out to Davis
3-5 is the final line for Casilla (Alexi)
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:33 AM EDT
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Im Off to Bed
Good Night Twins Territory, only half game out of that AL Central Lead!
by Tony_O on
Aug 30, 2008 12:34 AM EDT
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G'night
wait on that half game out…Crain could come in!!! :)
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:37 AM EDT
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Breslow Ks Thomas
Twins pitchers K count: KKKKKKKKKKKKK
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:39 AM EDT
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Span is out...
Gomez moves to second.
Punto is 0-fer…..maybe he can get a base hit here to get every starting Twin a base hit in this game!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:43 AM EDT
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Punto pops up
and he is 0-6 tonight! quickly lowered his avg. He wont be in the game tomorrow!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:44 AM EDT
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Mauer with an RBI double
and Mauer is 5-6 tonight!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:45 AM EDT
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its too bad that Morneau still isnt in the game to see if he can get 5 hits tonight
but Morneau did need a little rest…..
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:45 AM EDT
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Buscher out on a fly ball to deep RF
but it is caught on the warning track by Sweeney…
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:47 AM EDT
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Breslow on for a save
if he can work this inning Breslow would qualify for a 3 inning save….
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:50 AM EDT
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Cust grounds out to Casilla....
one out
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:50 AM EDT
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Barton grounds out to Harris...
3 outs
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:52 AM EDT
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Breslow came on and retired all nine batters he faced.....
he deserves the save for doing such a fine job.
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:52 AM EDT
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Twins Pitchers Final K Count:
KKKKKKKKKKKKK
13 Ks for the Twins pitchers – 10 for Slowey, 3 for Breslow.
Slowey’s final line: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R (both ER), 1 BB, 10 K
Slowey wins his 11 game…..Great game for the offense and pitching staff. Slowey AND Breslow saved the pen tonight. GREAT PERFORMACE AND WELCOME TO .5 GAMES BACK OF THE AL CENTRAL LEAD!!!!!!!!!!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:55 AM EDT
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nice
nice streikout game for the pitchers
22 k’s for Slowey in the last 2 games pitched (13 innings)
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on
Aug 30, 2008 12:57 AM EDT
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G'Night
Twins Territory! Enjoy this night after the Twins pounded out 20 hits……….
by 33MorneauMVP on
Aug 30, 2008 12:56 AM EDT
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Crap, I always miss the good ones.
A junior high volleyball match got in the way tonight. My eldest grandaughter has made the team and did quite well. The won 3-0 so a good night was had by all and now that Twins had an easy win. This very late night victory cocktail is worth it. Go Twins….
by Beerbear on
Aug 30, 2008 2:01 AM EDT
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