Game 68: Pittsburgh Pirates @ Minnesota Twins
by Adam Peterson on Jun 18, 2009 12:30 PM EDT
131 comments
Pittsburgh Pirates at Minnesota Twins, Jun 18, 2009 1:10 PM EDT
First Pitch: 12:10pm CDT
TV: MLB.TV (and nothing else...this is getting old!)
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Bucs Dugout
Starting Pitchers
Nick Blackburn comes off yet another gem, 8 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 3 ER no decision at Oakland last week. Blackburn sports a very nice 3.31 ERA, good for 10th in the AL. Putting on my pessimistic hat, based on FIP (4.18) or xFIP (5.01), his expected ERA is about a run or two higher. Also concerning for a ground ball pitcher (career 1.26 GB/FB ratio), in his last four starts, he's given up 38 GB to 54 FB. Hitters are elevating the ball a bit more, which will eventually result in home runs. Then again, I had concerns going into the last couple starts, and Nick has brought the goods.
Zach Duke has been Pittsburgh's most consistent and effective starting pitcher this season, ranking 10th in the NL in ERA (3.10) and 9th in WHIP (1.17). Fortunately for the Twins, Duke (4.10 FIP / 4.43 xFIP) appears to be more in line for a regression than Blackburn. His extremely low BABIP (.268) and LOB% (78.5%) are due to come back down to earth. Duke is a ground ball pitcher (career 1.64 GB/FB ratio) who throws a high-80's fastball, but his curveball and change up are his most effective pitches. Twins hitters will need to be patient and wait for the hanging curve this afternoon. If his last two starts (5 HR allowed against Detroit and Atlanta) are any indication, there may be a few opportunities for the Twins to send a couple balls flying out of the park.
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Another productive day at work
watching MLB Gamecast.
by matty_b on Jun 18, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
21 PA short of qualifying
He was down to 18 short, but sitting out today bumps him back up to 21.
Adjusted numbers still gaudy with the extra 0-3
.376/.445/.663
by DavidRF on Jun 18, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully he’ll get to pinch hit
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by fetch9 on Jun 18, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lineups
Pirates:
1. McCutchen, CF
2. Morgan, LF
3. Hinske, DH
4. Adam LaRoche, 1B
5. Andy LaRoche, 3B
6. Moss, RF
7. Jaramillo, C
8. Vazquez, 2B
9. Wilson, SS
Twins
1. Gomez, CF
2. Harris, SS
3. Morneau, 1B
4. Cuddyer, RF
5. Kubel, LF
6. Crede, 3B
7. Buscher, DH
8. Redmond, C
9. Punto, 2B
by matty_b on Jun 18, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mourneau Double
drives in Harris. 1-0 Twins.
by matty_b on Jun 18, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Five straight
groundouts for Blackburn. Seems like the sinker’s on today.
by matty_b on Jun 18, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
slow, rainy day at work
makes me happy it’s a day game in a dome. :)
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Here too.
Except the rain is a nasty thunderstorm, and it’s hailing like crazy.
by matty_b on Jun 18, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'm in nyc...
we’re not quite that bad. just a miserable endless deluge of rain.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
mccutchen
has looked really impressive. this makes me happy since i added him to my fantasy team, but sad b/c we CANNOT lose a home series to the pirates.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 1:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jack Morris
just said that Blackburn has “white man’s disease.” Would have been funnier if he would have said “Blackie has whitey disease.”
by wcooley on Jun 18, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What exactly is “white man’s disease”?
by matty_b on Jun 18, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What is the record
for double plays in a three-game set?
by wcooley on Jun 18, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just tuning in on Gamecast
Why is Buscher DH’ing vs a LH when we brought up Morales? Morales hit fine the first time up, give him a shot!
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lefties are batting like .350 against Duke.
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
.346/.375/.469/.844
to be exact.
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also--
You know how Gardy wants to have a back-up catcher. And he apparently refuses to let Mauer play today so it’s gotta be Morales.
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gomez walked? Love that guy.
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by fetch9 on Jun 18, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well... that was horrible.
gotta do more with bases loaded/no outs.
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
9 ground ball outs for Blackburn so far...
somethin must be workin.
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Make that 10.
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
here’s hoping he stays on. our offense doesn’t seem to want to do enough to make going to our pen a safe option.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He’s only thrown 49 pitches through 4 innings so hopefully we can get 7 or even 8 out of him today.
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by fetch9 on Jun 18, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe gardy
is trying to see if he can get a player below .100. playing guys with BAs below .200 is way too easy. gardy likes a challenge.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bring back Lamb
We’re still paying him. He’s hitting .219 in Buffalo.
by DavidRF on Jun 18, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
we can always bring up a 4th catcher ;)
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
tough to get out of it too when you never play (not that he should)
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hughes/Valencia
These two are both slumping down in AAA and AA now, too.
So any help appears to be delayed.
by DavidRF on Jun 18, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice!
Blackburn’s ground ball magic to the rescue!
by Kaine on Jun 18, 2009 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
it's so much prettier
when we’re the team turning it.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nick seems to be cruising...
..cruising right to the All Star game!
:)
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 2:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Did anyone see that hit?
Was it a roof ball?
by Kaine on Jun 18, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
didn't sound like it
according to radio…LF was playing way over toward CF and misplayed it
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
just caught the end of it...
so i’m not sure, but morgan dove for it and it looked like a lazy line drive.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
With his D
What does Gomez need to hit to play everyday and not be a total liability? .260?
by wcooley on Jun 18, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
.225
which is what he’s at now…as long as he’s hitting 8th/9th
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well
he’s not a total liability at .225. but he’s not that great of an asset either…
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
furthermore :)
Crede’s a huge asset for us right now and he’s only hitting .232
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
his OBP is at .286
which is certainly not ideal, but i think given regular playing time, he’ll increase that above .300. with our current corner outfielders, i think his defense justifies plugging him in to the 9 spot right now but certainly would if he could increase his walk rate a bit.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ugh!
RISP fail again! it’s starting to become physical painful.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that fly ball scores punto
if harris is leading off. sigh
by Kaine on Jun 18, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
just wondering about that
If he keeps this up, there should be no reason for anyone else other than maybe Nathan to pitch today.
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Meanwhile
Blackburn continues to make the Pirates hit like me in high school.
by matty_b on Jun 18, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yo Gardy
See what happens when you hit Cuddy ahead of Crede, woot
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 2:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
cuddy
it’s my parents anniversary (they live in iowa) so i got them tickets to the game yesterday. really disappointing game, so they decided to get tickets today, too. my mom looooves cuddyer. i’m convinced he did that just for her! :)
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 2:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
buscher revelation
i just realized that i find it more difficult to watch buscher bat than punto. i think the only explanation is that i have higher expectations for buscher…or that i’m now capable of totally ignoring punto.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lol
I can watch Punto bat; but I can’t watch him run, especially when he runs back to the dugout. He runs on his toes with his legs spread too much like he’s got the biggest testicles in MLB
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i went to the game in chicago this weekend
and i stayed with a friend who is a cubs fan. i was explaining my distaste for LNP and got a little too fired up and went off on a tangent about his tendency to slide into first base. she thought i was nuts until he dove into first base on the squeeze play in his first AB sunday. i have officially converted another punto hater.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
was that the one?
There was one recent slide into first that was legit imo. Sliding helped avoid a potential swipe tag by a pitcher. But that’s like 1 in a 100.
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Punto didn't slide on the play
he could have been tagged out for the third out, nulling the run.
by Kaine on Jun 18, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
my point wasnt' that he shouldnt' have slid then (he should have)
my point was that regardless of what the play was going to be, he was going to slide. it ended up being pretty impressive, but it was also something cubs fans don’t see often, so she was impressed that i called it.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well if he hadn't practiced sliding headfirst
all those other times, maybe he wouldn’t have executed it the actual time he needed it. :)
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mauer out wiht the Flu
So apparently Mauer is out today because he’s had the flu for a week and it won’t go away so Gardy is getting him some R&R. That’s actually pretty ridiculous when you consider that he’s gotten like 15 hits in the last week, and apparently he felt like crap that whole time.
"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 Jun 18, 2009 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LHP + Day Game + No off days coming up
Its a day he often sits out anyways.
Who know’s maybe Joe is like Michael Jordan in Madison Square Garden and he finds it easier to focus when he’s super-ill. :-)
by DavidRF on Jun 18, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
blackburn
wow. i know this lineup isn’t exactly rock solid, but they showed yesterday they can hit if given the chance. blackburn looks fantastic today.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nathan up in the pen
after the 4 pitch walk
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
91 pitches thru 8
Does Gardy keep him in?
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would say yes.
But have Nathan warming.
by Kaine on Jun 18, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Save situation...
Might want to give Nathan some work (and pad his stats in the mean time).
by DavidRF on Jun 18, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's get a run here
and take it out of Gardy’s hands!
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Take him out
It’s a mistake to let him see the middle of the order a 4th time. I know the Pirates aren’t the Yankees, but don’t screw around.
by Eric in Madison on Jun 18, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A mistake?
To give the guy a chance at a shutout?
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
We saw it the other week in Oakland, I think with Baker. Gotta stop caring about things like shutouts. In a close game, you shouldn’t let these guys see a lineup for the 4th time. They just lack the pure stuff to do it—they aren’t throwing 97 in the 9th. They’re command guys—Blackburn, Baker, Slowey. Letting a lineup see them a 4th time is asking for trouble.
Might work out, but I wouldn’t risk it with a 3 run lead. Don’t want Nathan having to face the tying run.
by Eric in Madison on Jun 18, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How bout with a 5-run lead?
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can't get a save
with a 5 run lead, so Gardy is forced to leave him in until there are 2 on
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was kind of my point.
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and my point
is that Gardy is a slave to statistics. He’s gonna give Nick a chance for the shutout and won’t bring Nathan in until it’s a save situation.
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know
I was looking up Crede’s D on fangraphs the other day and was surprised to see that he was the 2nd most valuable player in MLB. The best defensive player in baseball? Nyjer Morgan the PIT LF. He sure hasn’t showed it in this series.
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 3:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
C'mon boys
runner on 3rd and no outs and we can’t get him in
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Takes away Nathan's Save Opp if he scores...
Then maybe we can let Blackburn go for the shutout
by DavidRF on Jun 18, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cuddyer and his 3B's
Tied for the league lead now…
Funny I don’t think of him as being a good runner
by DavidRF on Jun 18, 2009 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Too many outs at home lately...
So weird…
by DavidRF on Jun 18, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
uuugh
what do we need to do to get a runner in from 3rd?
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WOWOWOWOW
Buscher. That was a pleasant surprise.
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Buscher’s homer doesn’t really make up for our inability to score a runner from third with no outs today.
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Haha, I was just thinking the same thing.
by fischean on Jun 18, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe it's my diminished expectations for 3d base
but crede does just enough to make me really happy he’s around.
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he'd be perfect
if we had enough hitters so Crede could hit 7th/8th in the lineup every day
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Deep double for Hinske on Pitch #100.
SEE, BERT?
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gah.
What’s a guy got to do to get a CG shutout around here?
by matty_b on Jun 18, 2009 3:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No hitter, apparently.
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
WIN.
That’s all that matters. Excellent game Nick.
by Neil on Jun 18, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
and winning makes me oh so happy
now what to do with the last 4 hours of work…
by dctwin on Jun 18, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would have brought in Nathan for the last out
with him being warmed up and everything
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Seems like a waste of time for everbody.
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by joeiscool12 on Jun 18, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still got the CG at least
I hope no one in the bullpen had to warm up.
Nice game by nick…
by DavidRF on Jun 18, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Burninator!
CG 6 H 1 R
Not too shabby.
by matty_b on Jun 18, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Blacky
Blackburn gets the bragging rights in the pitching staff now for the first Twins CG on the year.
"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 Jun 18, 2009 3:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice to get a win
with Mauer sitting and Nick pitching great and Harris getting 3 hits and Buscher hitting a dinger and Cuddy hitting a HR. All around solid win
by ajmargarine on Jun 18, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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