Morrow Self Destructs, Twins Tally Come Back Victory
by Jesse on Apr 8, 2009 3:37 AM EDT
in Game Recaps
33 comments
Brandon Morrow slips
One out away from a win
That was a close one
That's my haiku for Tuesday's win. And what a win it was.
Nick Blackburn was hittable. Justin Morneau was hitless. Seattle's bullpen was mowing through the Twins lineup like...well, blades of grass. It wasn't looking good.
Then Carlos Gomez (yes, Carlos Gomez!) worked a walk. So did pinch hitter Jason Kubel. So did pinch hitter Brian Buscher! Down 5-3 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the bases were suddenly loaded and, suddenly, it wasn't quite over.
Seattle attempted to pull a Borg Collective, adapting by yanking Brandon Morrow for veteran Miguel Batista, but Batista lost the game in three pitches. Denard Span knocked a 0-1 count for a single to score one, and then Alexi Casilla, with an electrified crowd like a buzz, delivered on Batista's first offering. A line drive just to the right of center field plated two, and as Minnesota mobbed home plate...I got goosebumps.
I love these kind of wins.
Stars of the Game
#3: Carlos Gomez (1-for-3, 2 R, 3B, BB)
#2: Denard Span (3-for-5, R, 2 RBI)
#1: Alexi Casilla (1-for-5, 2 game-winning RBI)
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Well...
The season has really started now! Got our first home plate mobbing in game 2. Its obviously great to get a come from behind win early in the season.
"Even though it was bouncing, I knew it was so soft that it was just going to stay in," Battle said. "Then I ran around like a lunatic."
by bconway6 on Apr 8, 2009 3:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
After Morrow got those two outs, it didn't look good...
..but how great did it feel when Casilla hit that?
by Twins Territory on Apr 8, 2009 8:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Span has
3 hits and 2 walks so far in just 2 games. He seems to be really cementing his hold on the leadoff spot after the dismal hitting he had in preseason. that bodes well for us.
Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?
by the Real Thor on Apr 8, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lets hope it will
continue! go Span! I dont want to start seeing him dropoff…
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 8, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He sucks
Just look at his spring training numbers.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Apr 8, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well played
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
by BeefMaster on Apr 8, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What?!?
Who looks at spring training numbers? Look at what he did last year. I know he’s not Torii…yet. Give him a chance.
by Twins2win on Apr 8, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um...
Your sarcasm detector appears to be broken.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
by BeefMaster on Apr 8, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sarcasm
A lot of people expressed doubts based on his spring numbers.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Apr 8, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All I'm sayin is
Spring training doesn’t always measure how a team or a player is going to play out the season. It’s a time for players to try new things to incorporate in their reportoire in terms of how they approach the plate. You can’t always get a gauge on those kind of things in spring training. I guess time will tell. I think he’s gonna be a great player.
by Twins2win on Apr 8, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's what Cmathewson is saying.
When he mentioned Span’s ST numbers, he was being sarcastic. He doesn’t actually think Span sucks.
At least, he doesn’t think Span sucks based on his spring training numbers.
by Jesse on Apr 8, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK then
It’s just that sarcasm doesn’t come over well in typed word, for me. They really oughtta come up with a universal color you can express sarcasm with just like anger is expressed in red. Anyway, I get very protective of those players. They each work hard day in and day out, I mean last year 4th in runs scored and dang near the bottom in HR’s. That’s hard work and that’s why I love this team.
by Twins2win on Apr 8, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the new castillo?
Those two chopper singles reminded me of Castillo I half expected to see Span hobbling around at 1st base in pain after he hit them.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
by halfchest on Apr 8, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's what I wrote over at LEN3's blog
He practiced that this spring, but those choppers were weak grounders to the left side on the soft dirt in front of home plate in Fort Myers.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Apr 8, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
5 times on base in 2 games
and that’s all I’m asking from our leadoff hitter. GET ON BASE!
by Adam Peterson on Apr 8, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
3 game winning hits
since September! Jesse, you need to find out how many game-winning hits Casilla has had in his Major League Career! I think he probably leads the Twins!
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 8, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Crede's defense
Although that guy might be overrated with the bat, the man can play some defense holy crap. The dp he started where he got over to get the ball in front of Punto was amazing. The last few years it’s always been tense when you saw a ball sharply hit at 3B but not anymore. I’m already starting to miss him knowing that he’s here for only one year.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
by halfchest on Apr 8, 2009 11:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I could almost hear LNP call out
“hey that was my ball!” on that play…
I just hope Crede stays healthy. What I thought during yesterday’s game was, wow we really have a bench now. No more Jason Tyner coming off and us fans hoping for another walk to score a run.
by caluofmn on Apr 8, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crede
They weren’t looking for a god with the bat when they signed Crede, just some more power. He’ll be like Koskie with a slightly lower BA. But look at the left side of the infield, now with him at the hot corner and Punto at short. You better hope you hit it high into left field if you hit it their way…and then you gotta get it by Span- better just hit it over the fence.
by Twins2win on Apr 8, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Span
Span is wonderful proof of spring being time for work, not big numbers. He looks very patient with one single goal in mind: get on base. That’s perfect. Fight, scratch, claw, walk, bunt on base, then run all over the place when M&M smack the ball all over the place.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
by AdamOnFirst on Apr 8, 2009 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Spring training
Span is wonderful proof that spring training is small sample sizes.
Span will also soon be proof that the opening series is small sample sizes.
I like his approach, he played great last year, and we have no-one better to hit leadoff, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. His best quality is that he has a good eye, takes bad strikes, and makes good contact. Still, cracking choppers off the top of the plate is not going to sustain a .372 OBP or whatever he had last year. Hopefully, that is one way he has to protect the plate, but I don’t think it is a good sign if that becomes his substitute for driving the ball.
by snolls on Apr 8, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Choppers off the plate
I agree, they aren’t going to be sustainable over the full season. He can sustain the OBP if continues to walk and get on base.
by Adam Peterson on Apr 8, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right
Castillo’s OBP was .370 in 2006 with 35 infield singles and 56 walks.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Apr 8, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I realize I made a circular argument...
…of course he can sustain the OBP if he continues to get on base… yeesh.
by Adam Peterson on Apr 8, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thoughts on last night's game...
What a great comeback. I kept waiting for the worst, but it never happened. In other words, exactly the opposite of being a Vikings fan (sorry, couldn’t resist).
- I still really dislike Young in LF, Span in RF. They should be switched. Didn’t hurt us tonight, but we’re giving runs away over the season. Gardy is too scared to move Delmon around the OF I guess…
- GREAT double play started by Punto, ranging into the hole. Casilla’s turn was just about as good.
- It worked out just fine, but I don’t like sending Crede and Delmon up in the 9th against Morrow. With their low OBP and a two run deficit, we should have gotten Kubel and/or Buscher up earlier. Worked this time, but not a sounds strategy, IMO.
- Boy, Gomez sure looks locked in at the plate. More patient, going the other way, head down. It’s only two games, but I’ve seen some growth so far.
- Nice outings by Humber and Guerrier. I’m a little concerned that we may be overusing Guerrier again, 3 innings in 2 games, but he was solid last night. Humber’s fastball also shows more life, think he got up to 93-94, higher than last year.
- Span’s getting the job done in the leadoff spot. Just get on base, that’s all I’m asking for.
- Both steals were on the pitchers, but Seattle sure looked like they had a green light with Morales behind the plate. One poor throw, one good one.
by Adam Peterson on Apr 8, 2009 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey, now
I kept waiting for the worst, but it never happened. In other words, exactly the opposite of being a Vikings fan (sorry, couldn’t resist).
I wouldn’t say it’s exactly the opposite – a real Vikings fan is also expecting the worst at all times.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
by BeefMaster on Apr 8, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cuddyer
so far this season:
3 Hits – 8 AB
The 5 times that Cuddyer didnt get a hit…he STRUCK OUT!!!! I think that guy should start cutting down on the Ks!
by 33MorneauMVP on Apr 8, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The man swings hard.
I’m fine with him taking mighty cuts once in a while. He’ll cut back a bit as he re-adjusts to big league pitching… Once in a while, those mighty cuts connect, such as last night when he knocked in a pair. He’ll get more comfortable, and least he looks healthy and not afraid to give a good swing.
by Neil on Apr 8, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Strikeouts don't bother me.
A guy can strike out 200 times in a season and it won’t bother me if he produces when he doesn’t strike out. K’s happen. Adam Dunn gives you wicked awesome production, but the guy strikes out more often than C.C. Sabathia needs to go up a size in his underwear.
Besides, it’s only two games. Cuddyer will strike out some, it’s part of his package. I just hope he continues to produce, and has a season worth what the Twins are paying him.
by Jesse on Apr 8, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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