Game 114: Twins @ Mariners
by Jesse on Aug 6, 2008 4:20 PM EDT
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PrintMinnesota Twins at Seattle Mariners, Aug 6, 2008 4:40 PM EDT
Pregame
There's not much to say, other than the first two games of this series have gone nothing like what I thought they would. A win tonight would be nice before an off day tomorrow, and then three in Kansas City. Time to get back on the horse!
Seattle's starting Jarrod Washburn tonight:
Jarrod Washburn: Washburn, clearly, didn't get traded at the deadline. Poor Yankees! Still, he's not worth what the Mariners are paying him. His only saving grace this season is that he's been able to keep the ball in the park, allowing just 14 bombs in 122.2 innings of work. But he does get hit hard: 23.1 LD%, .295 opponent average and a few walks which tends to result in about one-and-a-half base runners per inning. But here's the rub--he's pitched much better the last two months. Between May 25 and July 27 he made 11 starts, eight of which were quality starts and another two which were just one out away from a quality start. His ERA dropped in that run from 6.99 to 4.50. Now, his first August start was forgettable, but it's hard to ignore how effective Washburn has been the second half of his season. Plus, he's a southpaw. And we all know what that means.
Looking to salvage one game from this miserable series will be Nick Blackburn. Nick needs to log exactly six innings to surpass Livan Hernandez as the Twins' leader in innings pitched. He's fresh off a pair of consecutive seven-inning, one-run starts, giving him five quality starts in his last six (and seven in his last nine). While he's not a "ground ball pitcher" per say, he does get more grounders than fly balls or line drives, so here's hoping he'll be able to keep the Mariners from putting up crooked numbers.
And once more, from Matthew at Lookout Landing:
Like Perkins above, this is Nick Blackburn's first year in the rotation but he's taken to it better. Again, he throws strikes, 68.6%, and misses around an average number of bats, 7.3%. But Blackburn also has a an average groundball rate, something not usually seen in Minnesota. The whole package comes in at a touch worse than Scott Baker above, but he's more than quality at a 4.43 tRA and at the low cost of basically nothing. The Twins just have a clone farm for these guys.
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Nice to see Young get a breather
from time to time. It also means Randy Ruiz gets another shot, which he’s earned after nine years.
I think
he kinda has to after his terrific performance last night.
by Twins Territory on Aug 6, 2008 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Kubel
did homer against a lefty last night. Hopefully he continues to smash the ball.
BTW, I agree that Mauer needed a day off. His fatigue seems to show on defense.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Aug 6, 2008 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully..
..the Twins can salvage something here in Seattle and then go to Kansas City where it should be somewhat of a home-atmosphere.
I'm..
looking for Blackburn to have another good outing, Ruiz to have a big hit, and Morneau to add one to the homerun column (he always does after Kubel catches him).
Wow
continues to ravage left-handed pitching
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 6, 2008 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
He looked..
..overmatched on that second pitch. How one pitch can change a whole at-bat.
by Twins Territory on Aug 6, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
C'mon guys
don’t swing at the first pitch and bail the guy out of the inning
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
We've
Really made their offense believe in themselves again
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
....
So much for getting some mileage from Blackburn today. Looks like he’s going to battle is way through 5 or 6 innings.
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
Figured as much
He can get a bit frazzled when things aren’t going his way
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 6, 2008 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Harris
Too bad he doesn’t play better defense, he’s been really on the ball lately
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
lol
Harris has become the equivalent of a national league pitcher at the plate. He’s suppose to be able to handle lefties and they make him bunt…
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
*Excuse me
I meant Everrett not Harris
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 6, 2008 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting Span splits
Not arguing with him leading off of course, but this would suggest he’s better in other roles
Bases empty: .263/.366/.438
Runners on: .389/.459/.500
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
Answer
They’re his Major League numbers:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?playerId=29087
So we probably can’t derive much about Span’s true “clutch” ability (should such a thing exist) from those.
Even with the bases empty
those are still good numbers for Span. It’s an .804 OPS…not great power, but definitely a good OBP. If that were his overall line on the year, I’d be happy.
Open letter to Mr. Blackburn
PLEASE do not melt down!
Please!
But
he already has 89 pitchers and who’s going to come out of the bullpen? This is looking like another terrible game for the Twins.
by Twins Territory on Aug 6, 2008 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Idea
Maybe one of the hitters on the bench has a junk pitch just waiting to be shown to the world?
Bass
is likely going to have to pitch at some point here
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
Darn, Morneau!
This team is so bad with RISP!!!!!!!!!
Since when?
Answer: Just this series
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 6, 2008 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Reyes
I guess they pumped his stomach last night to make sure he could pitch today
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
Morneau
He’s been carrying this team offensively for about 2 months, I imagine he’s kind of worn out
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
No Gardy!
Don’t micromanage. Make these guys pitch some innings. Now we’re destined to go into extra innings.
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
Span - An American Hero
THAT was a crucial play.
Oh my god!
Why didn’t I think of that Python reference? Why? [sobbing loudly]
Man
This pitching staff has been playing with fire all series
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
Good at bat Ruiz
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
If I were pitching
I would have try to get him in on the hands instead of everything away
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 6, 2008 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Lamb
He’s been clutch lately
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
We'll need him
if we find a way to the postseason
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 with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
sweet
harris!!!!!
double machine
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 6, 2008 6:59 PM EDT reply actions
caseintheface
had it right earlier this game
lol Everett has become the equivalent of a national league pitcher at the plate. He’s suppose to be able to handle lefties and they make him bunt…
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 6, 2008 7:03 PM EDT reply actions
3
3 runs is good. Would of loved more that inning
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 6, 2008 7:14 PM EDT reply actions
AND
and Nathan coming in for the 9th
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 6, 2008 7:28 PM EDT reply actions
nice
nice game to wrap up that series
onto KC
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 6, 2008 7:34 PM EDT reply actions
Nice work, boys
Bullpen ERA today: 0.00. (Although they never made it look easy.)
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