Game 138: Twins @ Blue Jays
Minnesota Twins @ Toronto Blue Jays
Pregame
In Glen Perkins' last four starts he's logged 29 innings, including six quality starts in his last 10 and 12 total on the season. Just like every other starter in the rotation, he boasts a sub-4.00 ERA, and whether he's actually pitching as well as that implies or not that's a pretty astounding feat. The perma-optimist that I am, he hasn't been hit as hard in recent starts, and if he can start getting an additional couple strikeouts per game he can drastically improve his long-term prospects. Perkins has had a very good year, so hopefully he can continue to pitch well tonight. With any luck, he'll have an offense with him.
For David Purcey, here's my take from yesterday's series preview:
In eight starts and just over 42 innings, this 26-year old left hander's middle name is "Luck Sack". Sure, his ERA is a blossoming 5.53 and he's walking 4.46 batters per nine innings and more than 16% of the fly-balls he gives up are homers, but yes...he's still lucky. Opponents are scorching him, scathing line drives around the diamond on 28.2% of balls in play, yet his BABIP is a fantastic .258. Their line reflects a bit of that luck, but still is far from comforting for Blue Jays fans: .239/.337/.439. Purcey throws a fastball (low 90's), curve, slider and changeup.
For the Twins against their seventh consecutive southpaw: Span (RF), Punto (SS), Mauer (C), Morneau (1B), Kubel (DH), Young (LF), Harris (3B), Casilla (2B), Gomez (CF)
And for the scratch-n-sniff Jays I wager: Scutaro (2B), Bautista (3B), Rios (RF), Wells (CF), Barajas (C), Lind (LF), Rolen (3B), Mench (DH), McDonald (SS)
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comments
Comments
looks like a run
scoring lineup!!! Lets make that come true Twins…..
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 2, 2008 6:27 PM EDT 0 recs
I predict a struggle
the first time through the lineup. Purcel is coming off an excellent outing against the Rays in Tampa, an 8-inning complete game where he allowed one run.
I doubt he will be as effective this time, but he might have a good game left in him.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 2, 2008 6:32 PM EDT 0 recs
Too bad
that Morneau couldn’t get it a little deeper. Decent at-bat for Kubel, but just hit a bouncer that Rolen made the play on.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 2, 2008 7:19 PM EDT 0 recs
yeah it was
he only would have hit it about 50 ft deeper and it would have scored Casilla…..
by 33MorneauMVP on
Sep 2, 2008 7:21 PM EDT
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Bautista
I thought the Twins should have looked at this guy. Not very good stats, though.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 2, 2008 7:21 PM EDT 0 recs
nice walk there by Ruiz
worked the count after starting Ruiz off with a 0-2 count…way to work!
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 2, 2008 7:27 PM EDT 0 recs
Delmon Ks
but he had a good AB…fouling off a bunch of tough pitches.
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 2, 2008 7:31 PM EDT 0 recs
Lets Go Guys
Punto with a pop up to second, Span at the Plate, 2 on, 2 out
by Tony_O on Sep 2, 2008 7:36 PM EDT 0 recs
Purcey Strikes out Span
End of the Inning. No Damage Done.
Cleveland Leads Chicago 2-0 Bottom 2
by Tony_O on Sep 2, 2008 7:37 PM EDT 0 recs
Good news
From Lake Erie. Carmona is on the hill for the Tribe.
Purcey at 44 pitches despite only one hit through 2. My prediction was that the Twins would struggle the first time through the order. That is done with, so now they score and score some more!
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 2, 2008 7:40 PM EDT 0 recs
Cleveland has the bases Loaded in the Bottom of the second
only 1 out
by Tony_O on Sep 2, 2008 7:43 PM EDT 0 recs
Single to Right
Runners on first and 3rd, 2 out for the Jays
by Tony_O on Sep 2, 2008 7:44 PM EDT 0 recs
The ump is really inconsistent on
the inside corner. Perkins looks like he got one to get out of the second.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 2, 2008 7:48 PM EDT 0 recs
C'mon guys
burn them hard, ’nough of this singles crap
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 Sep 2, 2008 7:55 PM EDT 0 recs
just don't DP Kubes
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
Sep 2, 2008 7:56 PM EDT
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Alright good "bunt"
Major points there for Kubes, Gardy loves when guys do the small things like that. Even more it seems then if Kubes would’ve gone yard 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?
by caseintheface on Sep 2, 2008 7:58 PM EDT 0 recs
I don't know
Maybe if Kubel had dived head-first into 1st.
by PhoenixV on
Sep 2, 2008 8:00 PM EDT
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Mauer Scores on a Wild Pitch
2-0 Twins, Morneau Drove in Punto, i think
by Tony_O on Sep 2, 2008 7:58 PM EDT 0 recs
Delmon Singles
Morneau Scores…3-0 Twins
Tribe Lead the White Sux, 3-0 after 3
by Tony_O on Sep 2, 2008 8:02 PM EDT 0 recs
Delmon with a base hit after Ruiz Ks
Ruiz had another excellent AB! 3-0 Good guys…;)
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 2, 2008 8:02 PM EDT 0 recs
had to eat man
sorry to deprive you of my play by play
by 33MorneauMVP on
Sep 2, 2008 8:04 PM EDT
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Blooper reel material
On Ruiz’s swing. He made Purcey work, for sure. Delmon with an RBI single—3-0.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 2, 2008 8:02 PM EDT 0 recs
Purcey gets the K
to end the Inning, Twins Lead 3-0 after 2 1/2 innings.
by Tony_O on Sep 2, 2008 8:04 PM EDT 0 recs
Buscher Ks and HE had a good AB
although he swung at a ball out of the zone
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 2, 2008 8:04 PM EDT 0 recs
Purcey well into the 70s
for a pitch count. I go back often and think about the team that was trying to score runs in April and early May. Really different.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 2, 2008 8:06 PM EDT 0 recs
Rios singles...
come on Perk, you have done well thus far, but you need to get Wells…..preferably a GIDP
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 2, 2008 8:08 PM EDT 0 recs
Wells singles
Bautista scores but Rios is thrown out at third base……
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 2, 2008 8:10 PM EDT 0 recs
Nice Throw by Span
This is What was Sitting at Triple A for half the Season.
by Tony_O on Sep 2, 2008 8:11 PM EDT 0 recs
we could say the same about
Casilla and Buscher and Ruiz….it makes no difference. Whatever is being taught down in AAA works at the Major League level
by 33MorneauMVP on
Sep 2, 2008 8:12 PM EDT
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Span
His arm isn’t as much of a liability as was led on by scouting reports. It’s not a cannon but he has real good accuracy.
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
Sep 2, 2008 8:15 PM EDT
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Perkins
Very hittable tonight… Toronto historically does well versus lefties too. I remember they always hit Santana pretty hard.
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 Sep 2, 2008 8:11 PM EDT 0 recs
Blue Jay announcers
said that the Jays were 12-20 vs. lefthanders.
Of course, they also said that Casilla doesn’t have much speed and that Span has a terrific arm.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on
Sep 2, 2008 8:16 PM EDT
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well
Casilla does have speed and while Spans arm might not be terrific it is accurate. Not really powerful but accurate…….
by 33MorneauMVP on
Sep 2, 2008 8:17 PM EDT
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Guess not...
Couple years ago they had Rios, Wells and Thomas all together and just remember them pounding lefties I guess. Not so much this year…
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
Sep 2, 2008 8:18 PM EDT
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C'mon Perk
Still don’t know why he’s shelved the curveball, gives the hitters a completely different look. He can fall into patters where everything is on the same plane.
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 Sep 2, 2008 8:12 PM EDT 0 recs
and as you can see
there isn’t that much of a speed differential between the fastball, curve and change.
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
Sep 2, 2008 8:14 PM EDT
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Actually
The speed differential seems decent:
http://baseball.bornbybits.com/2008/Glen_Perkins.html
Fastball: 92 MPH
Curve: 78 MPH
Change: 84 MPH
by PhoenixV on
Sep 2, 2008 8:18 PM EDT
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oops
I meant slider, not curve. That’s why I want him to use that curve because that slider comes in at the same speed as the change pretty much.
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
Sep 2, 2008 8:19 PM EDT
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Only one ball (or maybe two)
that wasn’t hard hit. Perkins was lucky to get away with one runs allowed.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 2, 2008 8:14 PM EDT 0 recs
Still
7 hits in 3 innings is a bit concerning.
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
Sep 2, 2008 8:15 PM EDT
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Glad to see Punto back in the 9 hole
He’s much better using his “underdog” style of play when he’s in the bottom part of the lineup.
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 Sep 2, 2008 8:16 PM EDT 0 recs
Anybody else think
Morneau can catch Hamilton for RBI lead by the end of the year?
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 Sep 2, 2008 8:20 PM EDT 0 recs
I think he will
Hamilton has dropped off the table since the HR derby…he is cooked. Morneau will have the RBI lead!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Sep 2, 2008 8:23 PM EDT
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Wells
Very good centerfielder, obviously with a good arm there. But with Punto running wasn’t surprised Ulger sent him. Ulger tends to make decisions more based on who’s running compared to who’s in the field. Just more fuel on him being a homer and not knowing much about other players in 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
Sep 2, 2008 8:23 PM EDT
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Good, good, good
But I am worried about Perkins tonight. So far, 7 hits in three innings. Woo!
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 2, 2008 8:23 PM EDT 0 recs
Purcey
is done for the night, Something Called Brian Tallet is now pitching
by Tony_O on Sep 2, 2008 8:23 PM EDT 0 recs
Tallet can be nasty
if his control is on
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
Sep 2, 2008 8:24 PM EDT
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Then again Toronto has a great bullpen
Good thing we got to their starter, best we stick to that formula 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
Sep 2, 2008 8:25 PM EDT
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Mauer's probably going to have a tougher time
Keeping up with Pedroia for the batting title. That kid is hot, and obviously in a great lineup.
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 Sep 2, 2008 8:26 PM EDT 0 recs
Crucial steals to set up those runs
When we’re actually using our speed, we’re winning 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?
by caseintheface on Sep 2, 2008 8:28 PM EDT 0 recs
Textbook small ball
Span singles, advances on his hit, steals third and scores on a sacrifice fly.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on
Sep 2, 2008 8:32 PM EDT
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Alright Perk
put up a quick 0 on the board
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?


