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Game 161: Royals @ Twins

Twinkietown_tiny by Jesse on in Game Threads

Kansas City Royals @ Minnesota Twins


Pregame

Good thing Cleveland is the best team in the AL Central right about now, huh?

Anyway, this afternoon could belong to Glen Perkins if he's able to come through.  A win tonight would guarantee that no matter what happens tomorrow, there's no way the White Sox win the division outright.  It's one step at a time, and today's step is simple:  JUST WIN.

For Perkins, they key today is to do exactlly the opposite of what he's done over the last month:  pitch well.  He lasted two-thirds of an inning his last time out in Tampa, and just before that in Baltimore he logged just three innings.  When his breaking balls actually break, he has no command, and when they don't break, well, the lack of command doesn't matter.  Indeed, it's the curve/slurve/sliders that he's had absolutely zero confidence in recently.  It's probably good this season is almost over, because Perk needs to rest his arm.

Gil Meche, on the other hand, is having a very good year.  He's thrown seven quality starts in his last ten, but one of the three that wasn't was in Minnesota back on August 10th when he walked seven Twins.  But on most occasions Meche has pretty decent command, and he's also picked up career-high marks for strikeouts in a season.  Hitters can usually put decent wood on the ball when given the opportunity (22.1% LD), but he still manages to log good innings.  Unless lighting strikes twice and he walks two handfulls of hitters again, this won't be an easy game.  But then again, with the Twins, it never is an easy game when you think it could be, is it?

W-LGGSCGSHOSVBSIPHRERHRBBKERAWHIP
2008 - Glen Perkins 12-4 25 25 0 0 0 0 146.0 179 80 73 25 39 70 4.50 1.49

W-LGGSCGSHOSVBSIPHRERHRBBKERAWHIP
2008 - Gil Meche 13-11 33 33 0 0 0 0 204.1 197 96 92 19 70 176 4.05 1.31

0 recs | Comment 305 comments

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Lineups

Royals
Aviles, SS
Callaspo, 2B
Guillen, RF
Shealy, 1B
Teahen, LF
Butler, DH
Gordon, 3B
Buck, C
Maier, CF

Twins
Span, RF
Casilla, 2B
Mauer, C
Morneau, 1B
Kubel, DH
Young, LF
Harris, 3B
Punto SS
Gomez, CF

by Jesse on Sep 27, 2008 2:57 PM EDT   0 recs

I like Harris in there.

Meche has been on his game as of late. Hopefully we can rough him up early and then settle in. I’m getting nervous, I just want us to clinch!

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 3:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Lets Go Perk

I Need a Boost after the Gophers Loss. And LETS GO TRIBE TONIGHT!

by Tony_O on Sep 27, 2008 3:10 PM EDT   0 recs

The Gophers

did a pretty good job against a good Ohio State team…

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 3:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Lets go...

..we can’t control what the White Sox do. Win today and tomorrow and we’ve done everything possible. There would be nothing better than clinching a tie today. Then we’ll control our destiny tomorrow.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 3:14 PM EDT   0 recs

Lets win today Twins

Morneau has very good numbers vs Meche so hopefully he will break out of his big funk…..we need our boys to come up big and Perk has to stay away from the big inning!

by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 27, 2008 3:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Indeed

We cannot afford to fall back a half game. Lets just win the final two and hope that Burhle or Vazquez get beat on three-day rest.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 3:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Is this game on Fox?

Viking Vigil
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com

by Andersklasen on Sep 27, 2008 3:44 PM EDT   0 recs

Predictions

1 – Twins win, 4-1.
2 – Perkins, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 K, 2 BB
3 – Morneau, 0-4
4 – Span, 3-5
5 – White Sox lose, 5-4 in 11.

Viking Vigil
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com

by Andersklasen on Sep 27, 2008 3:48 PM EDT   0 recs

Wow...I get the Brewer game here in Arizona.

I am boiling mad…

Viking Vigil
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com

by Andersklasen on Sep 27, 2008 3:50 PM EDT   0 recs

I said "here in Arizona."

Just south of Tucson, Arizona.

Viking Vigil
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com

by Andersklasen on Sep 27, 2008 3:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That Sucks

I’m Looking for atleast a radio stream for ya dude.

by Tony_O on Sep 27, 2008 3:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I've tried FreeBaseballRadio.com

But none of them work. I’ve lived off Gameday all year, so I think I can manage two more games. Thanks, though!

And I’m getting MLB.tv next season. So it’s all good. :)

Viking Vigil
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com

by Andersklasen on Sep 27, 2008 3:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Andy

Heres a Radio Stream

Go to this Link: http://www.thegamelive.com/baseballmlb.html#al

Scroll Down to the Twins

Click on WNAX out of Yankton South Dakota.

It should work

by Tony_O on Sep 27, 2008 3:56 PM EDT   0 recs

Ah, WNAX. My dad grew up on that, and I used it for the four years in lived in SD

Thanks a bunch, Tony!

Viking Vigil
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com

by Andersklasen on Sep 27, 2008 3:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Not a Problem Man

Glad i could help out!

by Tony_O on Sep 27, 2008 3:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Aviles should really be considered with ROY...

I know that Longo has it but Aviles should really be considered.

by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 27, 2008 3:59 PM EDT   0 recs

yes of course

them too but Aviles really is good! my gawd!

by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 27, 2008 4:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ever notice how Gameday Mini fits perfectly in the blue sidebar on the right?

Pretty nifty.

Viking Vigil
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com

by Andersklasen on Sep 27, 2008 4:00 PM EDT   0 recs

It looks like it'll be a long day...

…Perkins looks like crap early on. He can’t finish anybody off. He’ll be done after four the way it’s going.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:01 PM EDT   0 recs

what a play by Harris!

defense comes through there!

by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 27, 2008 4:02 PM EDT   0 recs

Yeah

I’ve seen him once before with the Twins on there, but not often.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

WOOHOO!

I got MLB.TV so I will watch Bert once the game is streamed.

Good to see Bert on Fox.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Good inning I guess...

..but he needs to use less pitches. We need six or seven strong from him today.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:02 PM EDT   0 recs

Anybody

else glad this got moved to the day? I’m not sure I could have waited until tonight.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:03 PM EDT   0 recs

I am

I Wanna Be Able to Watch the White Sux-Cleveland tonight LOL

by Tony_O on Sep 27, 2008 4:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hello, everyone

Must-win game today.

Get it done.

I am so nervous about the game.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:09 PM EDT   0 recs

Just a quick note

On 3 days rest, coming off a 125 pitch, 8 inning performance, Johan Santana just finished a 3 hit, complete game, 2-0 shutout of the Marlins. 117 pitches, 9 Ks. Brilliant.

by Eric in Madison on Sep 27, 2008 4:10 PM EDT   0 recs

We didn't need him

Especially after Liriano’s meltdown last night.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Morneau

has been really bad this past week. That better change sometime today.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:14 PM EDT   0 recs

that was a horrible call

and Morneau almost got ejected!

by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 27, 2008 4:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

but he still hasn’t been very good. I’m looking for him to heat back up today…

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He's no MVP

I know Reusse and others have been calling for Morneau to be the MVP, but I don’t see it. If anything, Joe Mauer have produced more than Morneau. Either Mauer or Pedoria would be the right choice for MVP.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Royals radio

I am listening to the Royals guys on the radio.

I am not a John Gordon fan, and Gordon loves the sound of his voice. Plus, he does not know where the ball goes.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Perk gets it done

Good second inning by Glen!

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:22 PM EDT   0 recs

Pitches

First Inning:
19 pitches
3 changeups
1 slider
16 fastballs

Second:
14 pitches
1 changeup
2 sliders
11 fastballs.

I sure hope he starts to vary things a bit soon….

by Zathras on Sep 27, 2008 4:24 PM EDT   0 recs

3rd

14 pitches
1 curveball
13 fastballs

by Zathras on Sep 27, 2008 4:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Young sac grounder to first

and then a Harris double!!!!!!!!

by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 27, 2008 4:28 PM EDT   0 recs

Get him home!

The Twins need to get a run quickly or else Meche will get into a groove

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:29 PM EDT   0 recs

WOOHOO!

That first run was huge psychologically.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:32 PM EDT   0 recs

Royals

I tell ya what.

This Royals team is going to be good real soon.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:37 PM EDT   0 recs

We need more than one...

…those two runners left at third so far better not come back to bite us.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:37 PM EDT   0 recs

of which

of which 32 have been fastballs….

by Zathras on Sep 27, 2008 4:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Three good innings...

…but he needs to continue it and avoid a big inning. The offense meanwhile needs to break out for more than one.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:41 PM EDT   0 recs

Perk is pitching with heart

He has been good for the first three innings.

He at least showed up unlike Liriano last night.

These hitters have to pick him up. 1 run is not going to win obviuosly.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He has been good

but it’s the second time through the order that tells you how good of an outing it’ll be.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The Mets won

and the Brewers already trail 4-0. Looks like the Wild Card in the NL will be tied into tomorrow.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:44 PM EDT   0 recs

Seconded

Put it out of Pedroia’s reach

by Zathras on Sep 27, 2008 4:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not sure

how much Pedroia will play in the next two games. Today’s is in a rain delay and they wouldn’t probably make it up.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That'll do it.

2-0 Twins. Keep adding, don’t settle for a small lead.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:47 PM EDT   0 recs

At least Morneau

is taking pitches. He has to be beat up, I don’t remember the last time he had a game off.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:49 PM EDT   0 recs

Finally

one sneaks through. Maybe that’ll start him up…

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The Twins are

really going to kick themselves in the nuts if they lose this one. They’ve so many runners on so far. Two double-fricken-plays.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Meche is no stiff

It sucks, but Gil Meche is pretty good in his own right.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

but he has missed some spots and we’ve bailed him out with to DP.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought it was going to be gone

That look like a HR.

Gosh it sucks listening to the radio.

Stupid Fox and stupid MLB. I can’t watch the game since it’s blackout.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 4:57 PM EDT   0 recs

NICE K!

One more out by Glen!

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 5:00 PM EDT   0 recs

Perk shows heart

4 Ks.

Two back-to-back Ks.

This is what you call stepping up!

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 5:02 PM EDT   0 recs

1 run will be good enough LOL

Would Take a 3-0 over Nothing LOL

by Tony_O on Sep 27, 2008 5:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Me too

but we won’t be saying that if Perkins hits the normal wall. We’ve already left seven on base.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 5:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

True, I Hope Glen Keeps it up

Maybe the Skipped Start helped him settle down.

by Tony_O on Sep 27, 2008 5:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Home sweet home helps

Pitching in front of a supportive home crowd helps.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 5:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hopefully he goes six or seven scoreless. This game just means so much, I hate having it close :)

By the way, it’s 9 LOB now…

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 5:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Baseball is never easy

After what we experienced this season, I learned baseball is the hardest sport to play. It can eat at you mentally.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 5:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Very true

for player and fans.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 5:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Being a fan is not easy

Fans are always fickle. I hate it when others call out negative fans when things go bad. You can’t change a fan’s personality. If a fan is optimistic, it’s by nature. You can’t change a cynic’s personality. I laugh when fans tell others how to be good fans. It’s not as easy as it looks.

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 5:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Right on

I try to always stay positive and not give up on things, but when the Twins blew some of those leads in Seattle, I was very upset and not what most would call the best fan.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 5:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No letdown today

I think the boys are playing today.

Can they win now?

by Timber on Sep 27, 2008 5:14 PM EDT   0 recs

Boy I hope so.

Nothing would be better today than a win and a Sox loss. Knowing we can do nothing worse than a tie would be a great feeling. Right now I get nervous just because it seems like we nee