Game 115: Twins @ Royals
by Jesse on Aug 8, 2008 7:25 PM EDT
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PrintMinnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals, Aug 8, 2008 8:10 PM EDT
Pregame
24-year old right-hander Kyle Davies is in his fifth season in the majors. Currently in his second season with the Royals, Davies had been a highly-touted pitching prospect out of Atlanta. In '04 he was their highest rated pitching prospect by Baseball America, and as recently as January of '07 was projected to be the Braves #2 starter behind Tim Hudson. But at the trade deadline last season, on July 31st, the Braves shipped Davies to Kansas City for Octavio Dotel. Throughout his career in the minors he performed well, posting a cumulative 8.49 K/9, 1.22 WHIP, 0.42 HR/9 and a 2.93 ERA in 532.2 innings. So far in the majors, however, things haven't quite come together yet. In just over 350 major league innings the strikeouts are down, the walks and home runs are up, and those lofty expectations haven't been met. He's just 25 next month however, and he started this season well as after his debut on May 31st by allowing just 12 runs in his first six outings. But since the end of June he's had issues being efficient with his pitches, completeing six innings just once in his last six appearances.
For the Twins tonight it's Kevin Slowey getting the nod, who's hit a bit of a skid in spite of his complete game shutout on July 28th. Once again his nemesis has been the longball. He usually allows a hit per inning or less, he doesn't issue a lot of walks and on occasion he can ring up a few strikeouts, but that blasted home run ball has been Slowey's achilles heel in the past. Extrapolating his longball rate over his last five starts, he'd give up more than 33 jacks in a 200-inning season. To get back on track, the KC offense might just be the cure he needs. Establishing the inner half of the plate again, and having confidence in his breaking balls in any count, are two of those cliche'd keys that would seriously help Slowey tonight.
For the Twins versus a right-handed pitcher, I'll predict: Span (RF), Punto (2B), Mauer (C), Morneau (1B), Kubel (DH), Young (LF), Buscher (3B), Everett (SS), Gomez (CF)
For the Royals I'm going with: Aviles (SS), German (2B), Teahen (RF), Guillen (DH), Butler (1B), Gordon (3B), Buck (C), Gload (LF), Maier (CF)
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That was some good pitches he threw there to set him up but still. Gomez will get better but he may never be the leadoff guy we wanted. I don’t doubt he will become a better hitter but I still don’t think he’ll walk and therefore get on base enough to be our leadoff guy.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
still a lot of learning
whether he can do that with the Twins remains to be seen. personally I’d send him down to AAA to speed that process up. kids got a tremendous amount of tools, be a shame to see him continue to waste them as he has so far this season.
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 8, 2008 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
With the September call ups
I don’t think they would send him down but I wouldn’t mind him starting next season in AAA
I wonder
Do you think they’d send him to the Arizona Fall league? I don’t know if they do that with guys who play a full big league season or not but it would be a good compromise since I doubt the Twins will send him down even if it might be the best choice.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
I don't think he'd go to AZ but I'd have no problem w/ that move
Another question we can’t answer is, Will he be open to learning how to become a better hitter or will he think his god given talent is enough?
Interesting
That’s true, you’d think being dethroned as leadoff guy by a guy who is fully capable in CF might be enough of a wakeup call to have him work his ass off this offseason.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
well if you go by his ABs since losing the leadoff spot
I think it is still up in the air but if he was to start losing starts, that would have to wake him up wouldn’t it?
Of course if Cuddyer is hurt bad it’s all moot, they’ll have to play the hand they’ve been delt
As inept as his bat is.
It’s really nice to have both him and Span in the outfield together. If Casilla can come back it will help to get Everett’s even worse bat out of the lineup. One bad bat sucks but 2 or 3 can sink the offense altogether.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
todays game is proving your point
twice he comes up w/ the bases loaded and the Twins get nothing.
It just makes it that much harder to win a division when you get jump on teams in those situations
Nice Hit
Let’s go Joe.
Davies has 60 pitches and technically has only pitched 2 .0 innings so far. Ouch
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Cuddy Injured
Cuddy has left his Rehab Game with Rochester Tonight with what is being described as an Injured Ankle/Foot.
I hope he hangs one up there for Delmon
He’s gone too long homerless.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Never mind
At least the guy is done already. It’s always good to see the bullpen in the 3rd, as long as it’s the other teams.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
What happened?
Why isn’t Buscher or Lamb playing 3rd? Is Gardy sick of the defensive output the last couple of games?
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?
2nd bases loaded 2 out at bat for Gomez
in as many innings. Let’s see what he can do this time
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Foul 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?
by caseintheface on Aug 8, 2008 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
didn't see it live
but that was an absolutely pathetic at bat, 2 foul bunts with 2 out and Kubel at 3rd? and then he strikes out swinging
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 8, 2008 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions
ouch!
he just looks like he expects to strikeout, I guess we should be happy that he isn’t going ‘Hulk’ on the field but geez look like you expect better of yourself
if Cuddyer is hurt bad
w/ the september call ups, who else would you like to see take ABs away from Gomez?
Pridie is tearing the cover off the ball
Span RF
Casilla 2B
Mauer C
Morneau 1B
Kubel/Ruiz DH
Young LF
Buscher/Harris 3B
Punto SS
Pridie CF
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 8, 2008 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Obviously that lineup relies on ton
On Pirahna baseball, but what else is new
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 8, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
that wouldn't worry me
look at tonight, we should have at least another run w/ a capable hitter instead of Gomez
Great to hear Pridie is hitting really well, how’s his D compared to Gomez? Or would you move Span to CF and have Pridie take RF?
Other games update
White Sox are beating Boston 1-0 in the 5th
Tigers are losing 4-2 in the 8th.
Seems like the Tigers are basically out of it as far as I’m concerned. They’re gonna be pain in the ass spoilers with that offense though. I just don’t see their pitching allowing them to go on the run they’d need to get back in it. Now we just have to hope the White Sox drop off sooner than later.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Angel Morales update
Homerun #11 after hitting 2 the other night. Hopefully the Carlos Beltran comparisons continue. Obviously we have a rediculous amount of talent at CF position right now.
Span
Gomez
Pridie
Revere
Morales
Hicks
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?
Noodle Arm
I realize that was a tough play but still it’s hard to watch the softball pitch to Morneau
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
indeed
Casilla cannot come back soon enough so we can get Everrett on the next bus to Nothing Town
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 8, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
It would be a right handed only Casilla right?
and probably not at 100% but at least he’d be at 2B and not SS
What I heard
Is that he said as of right now he already thinks he could play defense and bat right handed if he had to. The team would like to be a little more cautious though, so maybe when he comes back in a couple weeks he can switch hit still and we can move Punto back to SS.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
that would be great!
Casilla in 2B and Punto at SS is probably my favorite combo interms of D recently
I worry about Punto playing everyday tho b/c of his bat
Come on Boston
This is bullcrap, let’s see some ass kicking please.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Who's pitching for Boston?
Actually it doesn’t matter much, that White Sox lineup knows all it has to do his put the ball in the air when they’re at home. Seriously how many HR’s were hit in the recently completed Detroit series? 15?
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 8, 2008 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Check some of the Pale Hose home/away splits
Quentin is good no matter what, but some of those guys put up monster numbers at home and then become Nick Punto circa 2007 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 8, 2008 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
gotta hope for some Manny heroics
oops… uh go Jason Bay!
still can’t believe they really traded him (total headcase but still it’s Manny)
quick innings
It’d be nice if they got some from Slowey so he could go 7 or 8.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Was worried there...
0-2 there on Gomez was worried Peralta was going to strikeout the side. Offense has got to show some life here, terrible since Davies was yanked
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?
Damn
We really need some more thump in this lineup, too many banjo/borderline single hitters
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?
Breslow
Too bad Slowey couldn’t get out, with close game I understand the move though. Breslow’s gotta come in and throw strikes though to get on Gardy’s good side. He got kind of lucky there.
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?
Cuddy
Any word there yet, hopefully it was a precautionary move?
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?
fracture
fracture of a meta-tarsel (sp?) on his left (I think) foot
flying back to Minnapolis tommorrow
according to the radio
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 8, 2008 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Quentin
Man that guy has been a monster for Chicago, HR number 31 now on the season. From his stats it doesn’t seem to matter who he’s facing or what stadium.
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?
Crap
Setting up for Guerrier again in the 8th, here we go
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?
Everett
Absolutely brutal, Lexi where are you?
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?
Cuddy
Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer, on a rehab stint at Class AAA Rochester, was hit in the left foot with a line drive during tonight’s game, suffering a fractured second metatarsal bone
He will remain in Rochester tomorrow before returning to the Twin Cities for further evaluation.
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 8, 2008 10:47 PM EDT reply actions
Pit vs Phl tied 0-0 in the 12th
how does that even happen?
Man, these last days of August are going to be huge. No promise of Cuddyer coming and adding some rt handed pop, the Twins have to do it w/ what they got
Young and Ruiz
Somehow those guys are going to have to add enough thump from the right side
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 8, 2008 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Young
Not very hopeful for the kid at this point. In my mind he warrants demotion just as much as Gomez does. Still taking horrible at bats and just seems in la la land some nights when he’s playing.
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 8, 2008 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions
indeed
Like the guy but that’s a bit too much to ask for a 30 year old in his first stint in the Majors
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 8, 2008 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
30 yr old minor leaguer
helps team win the division… sounds like a movie which means that better not really be the script for the next month.
....
What a terrible night for the Twins offense. Only reason we’re winning this game is because Davies couldn’t find the plate.
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?
Another great at bat for Gomez
wow guys, where are you Varva. Young and Gomez have simply not developed at all as ball players…
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?
Sorry
I’m usually fairly optimistic but this is not a good showing after the brutal Seattle series. This team needs to step it up these next couple of games. The no mercy Yankees are coming on Monday night at the Dome. Last thing I wanna see is big WHIP Ponson and Old Man Mussina dominate this offense 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?
Guerrier
I just don’t have any confidence when he’s on the mound now… That was a battle again to get 2 outs. Course the case could be made that he could use some more time off after being abused the past 2 weeks.
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?
every
every batting from about the 6tth inning has been a battle
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 8, 2008 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
yea I suppose
I miss the bullpen domination…
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 8, 2008 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Still remember the opener
Neshek struck out Guerrero on 3 big swing and misses, and I remember thinking after the long offseason: “God I miss baseball”
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 8, 2008 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
runners
runners on 2 and 3. 0 outs. Mauer, Morneau, Kubel coming up
we gotta score here
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 8, 2008 11:23 PM EDT reply actions
Mauer
That must have been pretty well hit for Punto to tag to 3rd on a fly to left.
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 8, 2008 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Kubel
Burn’em, somebody needs to step it up behind Morneau
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?
Damnit
Why couldn’t you be building off your monster night on Tuesday…
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 8, 2008 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess
I guess the offense wanted to get Joe Nathan a save
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 8, 2008 11:27 PM EDT reply actions
Nathan
was just named that DHL thing for July
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 8, 2008 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
maybe he didn’t want it…
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 8, 2008 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Think about it...
If you’re an opposing pitcher, who do you consistently fear? Morneau and… umm… nobody!
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?
Hopefully
the lineup will flow better if Casilla can make it back.
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 8, 2008 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
...
that was a Delmonish at bat there by DeJesus, thanks buddy!
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 8, 2008 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Did Everett
make the throw to Punto in the air? or did he one-hop it? lol…...
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 8, 2008 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
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