Game 139: Twins @ Blue Jays
by Jesse on Sep 3, 2008 5:30 PM EDT
in Game Threads
169 comments
Minnesota Twins at Toronto Blue Jays, Sep 3, 2008 7:07 PM EDT
Pregame
I don't want to talk about last night. I haven't wanted to talk about last night all day. The Twins have 24 games left this season, and the number of favors they've done themselves over the last few weeks amounts to zero. If they'd like to take control of their own destiny, they're free to do so at any time.
Tonight the Twins run out Nick Blackburn, who in spite of having a 3.70 ERA in his last 10 starts is 2-4 in that span. He's voiced frustrations over not having his best stuff, and over having the few mistakes he's made get taken advantage of, so it seems the best thing for him to do against the Jays is to establish what does and what can work early on, and to attack Toronto based on how he feels. If he doesn't have confidence in his breaking balls, or if he struggles to locate his fastball, it'll be interesting to see how he approaches hitters. If he's on his game, the Jays will put a lot of balls in play, but if they're converted into outs it should also make him efficient and allow him to get to the seventh inning or beyond. I call seven innings, two runs.
A.J. Burnett: Even having lost some velocity on his fastball, averaging 94.2 mph still makes it one of the fastest fastballs in the majors. Unlike Purcey, Burnett is pitching better than his numbers indicate, pulling down a 3.65 xFIP. As much as I hate to see the Twins face a good pitcher, as a baseball fan it's nice to see Burnett having a decent season. His strikeout rates are still high, and his walk rates are relatively static. It's interesting to see his ground-ball rates on the south side of 50%, but they're still so close that one or two games could easily put that ratio back to where it's been for most of Burnett's career. In addition to a good fastball, the 31-year old Burnett throws a changeup, curveball and an occasional slider.
Yay for our first right-hander in 753 games! I predict: Span (RF), Casilla (2B), Mauer (C), Morneau (1B), Kubel (DH), Young (LF), Buscher (3B), Punto (SS), Gomez (CF)
And for the home team: Inglett (2B), Scutaro (SS), Rios (RF), Wells (CF), Lind (DH), Overbay (1B), Barajas (C), Rolen (3B), Snider (LF)
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According to LEN3
Twins (77-61)
1. Denard Span, RF.
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, LF
6. Brian Buscher, DH
7. Nick Punto, SS
8. Matt Tolbert, 3B.
9. Carlos Gomez, CF
Pitching: Nick Blackburn
Blue Jays (71-66)
1. Joe Inglett, 2B
2. Marco Scutaro, SS
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Adam Lind, LF
6. Rod Barajas, C
7. Lyle Overbay, 1B
8. Scott Rolen, 3B
9. Travis Snider, DH
Pitching: A.J. Burnett
by Zathras on Sep 3, 2008 6:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hello, everyone.
Newbie here.
Let’s go for a win tonight. Twins need to get it going.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Is Roger SportsNet available in the Twin Cities?
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought Morneau was going to be out, but he got a hit.
Let’s get a run.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Blackburn is off to a good start with a first out.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rios with a double.
Nick needs to get that final out.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nick strikes out Wells to end the first.
Good job, Nick.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope Gomez gets a hit and Tolbert runs like hell to home.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You did not expect Gomez to get a hit off Burnet, did you?
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I will be surprised if Blackburn matches up to Burnett tonight.
Burnett is that good.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Come on Boys
Get the W tonight, Keep Pace in the AL Central
by Tony_O on Sep 3, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s going to be tough against Burnett, and that’s why last night’s loss hurts.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LOVE THE DOUBLE PLAY!
Double play is a pitcher’s best friend.
One of my favorites about watching Twins baseball is how they get double plays.
After two, no score.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BURNETT IS DEALING!
5 Ks for Burnett.
This is going to be a tough task tonight.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This should be over.
Inglett’s two run bomb should just do it.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Twins are a good offensive club
but Burnett is a good pitcher going well. I’m relatively confident the Twins will score a couple, but I really doubt Blackburn and company can hold Toronto to 2 runs in 9 innings.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 8:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Burnett has done very well in the last couple of months so.
This was a tough matchup to begin with, and it’s not like Blackburn is anything great on the road.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Jays have struggled to score runs all year
Lets remind them of that
by .mnqwerd on Sep 3, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well the Jays did a good job scoring against the Twins bullpen so they couldn’t be that bad.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Blackburn looks about as good
as he has all year.
by Eric in Madison on Sep 3, 2008 8:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gomez...put the ball in play!
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 8:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Span too!
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What did Joel Maturi do to earn an extension?
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Soup is good
There is nothing like eating a nice soup.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Patrick Reusse called out the Twins in his show today. It was a good listen.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Delmon Young Big Double
2nd and 3rd 1 out
by .mnqwerd on Sep 3, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bases Loaded 2 outs for Mauer
Burnett is done.
by .mnqwerd on Sep 3, 2008 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Span looks totally overmatched today
for about the first time all year. No shame—Burnett is very good. But it’s been ugly
by Eric in Madison on Sep 3, 2008 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That was a monster hit
Mauer comes through
by Eric in Madison on Sep 3, 2008 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Blackburn only 69 pitches threw 6
Hopefully he can continue to cruise and give the Twins a solid 8 innings
by .mnqwerd on Sep 3, 2008 9:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Now, hold 'em
Jays have the bottom of the order this inning.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 9:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Howdy do!
Sorry for the absence lately, guys. Let’s go Twins!
Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com
by Andersklasen on Sep 3, 2008 9:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gold star performance
Nick has pitched well tonight.
I hope he can give you one more inning.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nick Punto has been awful defensively in this trip.
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Twins...
are inventing ways to lose.
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This Twins team does not have it in them to be a playoff team. How could anyone be confidence?
by Timber on Sep 3, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow
What the F#%^. Why is Gardy going to the bullpen. Blackburn hasnt even thrown 90 pitches and has got 4 outs already this inning. I trust him over the bullpen
by .mnqwerd on Sep 3, 2008 9:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Positive me sees an easy out
Negative me sees a wild pitch to score the lead run or a blooper just over someone’s head.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Blackburn deserved better.
Other than the homer he gave up it was a solid start.
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What the hell is Gardenhire Doing?
My God, hes a Moron
by Tony_O on Sep 3, 2008 9:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why didn’t they just walk Inglett and let Blackburn face Scutaro and then see if they brought in a left handed pinch hitter
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 9:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It's tied
but we should be up. We need these final two games on this trip to make it a good one. Going 5-9 or 6-8 isn’t very good at all. We’ve blown 4, but we can partly make up for that tonight and tomorrow.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jason Pridie in the On Deck Circle
Time to see what he can do
by Tony_O on Sep 3, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It'd be
a good time for his first homerun with the team :)
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not pinch hit Ruiz for tolbert?
They still have Macri, Harris and Everett to play defense
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 9:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would have left Pridie in there but hit for Tolbert since they have 3 infielders on the bench
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s time for Span to come up clutch yet again.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Span is due.
Left two guys at third already today.
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not to be
nagative, but I just don’t feel confident in our chances to win. Until the bullpen proves me wrong, I’m not sure if that will change. Fricken Punto!
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Effective 8th
for Guerrier. Ryan on for the Jays.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Casilla, Mauer, Morneau, Kubel
vs. BJ Ryan
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Subs
Did Pridie stay in the game at OF?
by WITwinsfan on Sep 3, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't
put anything better against them. Hopefully we can take this game like they took it from us last night.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
end of 8th
I thought I would check in. Good short inning for Gurrier. Try to score some runs now.
by WITwinsfan on Sep 3, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Homeruns
When was the last time someone other than Morneau hit one out?
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 9:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mauer
So I’m following on Gameday, how close was Mauers fly out?
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 9:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Morneau comes through
now Kubel needs to give us the lead…
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
3-0 to Kubel
Looks like they are pitching around him to get to Buscher.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bring on Ruiz!
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 9:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BRENDAN HARRIS
BIG INFIELD HIT, TWINS LEAD!
by Tony_O on Sep 3, 2008 9:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Can Nathan hold it?
Lets hope he doesn’t blow number three. He needs to get back on track here in September.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If the Twins lose again and blow the lead...
…I might go crazy.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
9th
We need this win, Chicago won today.
by WITwinsfan on Sep 3, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
and winning tomorrow would put us at 7-7 on the trip. Not great because we blew four games, but I think a lot of us would have said we’d be happy with that two weeks ago.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here we go again....
Leadoff Walk.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I feel good..
Twins seem to pull them out when we are in 2nd place, just not when we are in first and technically we are in 2nd now.
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I did
but this leadoff walk doesn’t help.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nathan is in a slump
Command is off.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 9:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Two Out...
Snyder will pinch hit.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The 1-2 pitch
looked like strike three.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 9:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It was
I’m glad that didn’t come back to bite them there.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Finally
we match the White Sox with a win. Still tied, and I’m already sure we’re going to lose tomorrow.
Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com
by Andersklasen on Sep 3, 2008 9:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not sure
about this comment. The game was still going and with our bullpen nothing is certain.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You Spoke to Soon Anderskalsen
Poor Pridie, Booted that Badly
by Tony_O on Sep 3, 2008 10:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nathan, Just Doesnt Look like the Nathan we know
hes gotta be missing Pitching at the Dome So Bad hes sandbaggin it.
by Tony_O on Sep 3, 2008 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to the Big Leagues
Jason Pridie.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So much
for Pridie’s defense they’ve been talking about. Another loss tonight. It’s just fitting to blow the fifth game right?
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It's not over
but the Twins basically have to win this game three times. Toronto has just as much talent or more. The odds are certainly against them.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know
and I’m not going to give up, but it just seems fitting the way this trip has gone.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come on Gardy
Or Anderson, Get your ass out their and Calm Down Nathan.
by Tony_O on Sep 3, 2008 10:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nathan K's McDonald
Inning over, but the Damage is Done
by Tony_O on Sep 3, 2008 10:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes it is
I don’t see us winning, and if we do, it’ll shock the hell out of me. I really can’t see the playoffs (and that kills me to say) with the way our bullpen has pitched. This makes 5 games blown on this trip now.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nathan
He just looks hurt, velocity down, no bite on the curve ball. That’s my opinion, I hope I am wrong. It has just been a bad trip.
by WITwinsfan on Sep 3, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pennant pressure
Is showing on this team.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bunt!
Please Pridie lay one down.
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He better
make up for the costly blunder.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tough to bunt
98 mph fastballs.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice play Rolen
Toronto is playing well. Does Nathan pitch the 10th? I doubt it.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yep
and he gives up a triple. Could he get two losses this series with two blown saves?
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The good news is that...
Gardy doesn’t like to play the young guys. So Tolbert and Pridie never made those errors.
by Johnny Safron on Sep 3, 2008 10:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pridie
is terrible. It isn’t just because of today’s game. I see no real reason to have him on the team. They should have known that if they brought him up, Gardy would play him. Just don’t bring him up and you won’t have to worry about it. Hopefully he doesn’t try to use everybody else too.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They used him as a pinch runner/defensive replacement
It just turned out that the game got extended and he got plate appearances. Pridie seems to be really nervous. Perhaps he’ll settle down after this game.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bases loaded
with one out. Good luck Joe.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 10:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nathan
is going to be out a week now. He has nearly 50 pitches.
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 10:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
2 outs
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 10:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lukcy!
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 10:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
I’d say so. Could that be a turning point?
by Twins Territory on Sep 3, 2008 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Twins best hitters
vs. a 98 mph fastball. Should be fun.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like the TV guys are making it sound like the Rios triple should have been a home run
"Oh really fool! Really! Stop looking at me swan!" -- Billy Madison
by JD34 on Sep 3, 2008 10:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
jam
I have no words for what just happened. Getting out of that jam. none, I don’t know
by WITwinsfan on Sep 3, 2008 10:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kubel should be swinging
for the fences
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Everyday Eddie
I can’t look!
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rolen
is only playing with one arm. Unfortunately it is his left arm that is hurt.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Eddie just cant pitch anymore
He really was that Shot in the Arm the Pen Needed.
Why Not Let Humber Pitch, why is Boof Pitching.
by Tony_O on Sep 3, 2008 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bonser's the only bet to get K's
to get out of this jam. it’ll be dumb luck though if we don’t lose this one right 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?
by caseintheface on Sep 3, 2008 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Asking for a miracle
from Boof.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hooray for callups!!
That is all.
Good night.
I hate watching Twins games.
by Neil on Sep 3, 2008 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And Its Over
we arent Winning the Central, Not Making Playoffs. Mark MY Words.
by Tony_O on Sep 3, 2008 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This game
is the first all year that really stings.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 3, 2008 10:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The first??
I’ve felt the sting many times this year.
Please god let’s get back to the dome and SETTLE DOWN.
by Neil on Sep 3, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know what I'm sick of?
Watching Telly interview someone from the OTHER team after the game. That’s just irritating.
by Neil on Sep 3, 2008 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WHAT THE CRAP!!!!????
Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com
by Andersklasen on Sep 4, 2008 1:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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