Game 79: Twins @ Royals
by cmathewson on Jun 30, 2009 7:45 PM EDT
294 comments
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals, Jun 30, 2009 8:10 PM EDT
First Pitch: 7:10pm CDT
TV: Fox Sports North (HD where available)
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Royals Review
Starting Pitchers
Baker has pitched five consecutive quality starts since his rough season opening. In that period, his ERA has dropped a full run. But he's got a ways to go to be the pitcher the Twins expected him to be after dominating in the second half last year. His problems have been concentrated in a few innings this year. He'll be cruising along retiring a dozen batters in a row or so and all of a sudden, a walk a hit and a homer later and he's tagged with a loss. Hopefully, he'll continue to get incrementally better and return to the form he displayed in the second half last year. Tonight would be as good a time as any.
Bannister is the kind of pitcher you expect to see in a Twins uniform. He pitches to contact, trying to get a lot of ground balls off of his sinker. Despite that, he's marginally a ground ball pitcher, inducing 51% of his outs on the ground. But the fly balls he does induce tend to stay in the park for whatever reason. Look for Twins hitters to hit enough to beat this guy tonight.
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Damn it!
They’re not showing the game. I guess they’d rather show a high school softball game replay.
"He didn’t call me or anything. It was an accident, but a lot of people would have called to see how someone is doing after they got hit in the head. Especially if they had to go on the DL." — Morneau on pitcher Ron Villone after an April 2005 beaning.
by Gonzo2 on Jun 30, 2009 7:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He took a wrong turn in Albequerque
and is now at the Kiwanis Park…
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So,
is Harris going to supplant Mauer at #2 from now on?
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 8:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
Gardy has said that he prefers Mauer 3.
by matty_b on Jun 30, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but what is he going to do when Harris is sitting?
I guess Harris has been playing well enough to remain the starter from here on out?
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm pretty sure
Harris has earned his playing time. But knowing Gardy, if Harris gets a day off it will be Punto or Tolbert.
by matty_b on Jun 30, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Evening, fellas!
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ANDREW!
(seems like the thing to do lately)
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, don't start scaring me like (one) others do.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Phil Miller
I can’t believe the Pioneer Press laid him off.
He was a great writer for that paper.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
My favorite Twins writer.
Here’s hoping he gets another job soon.
by matty_b on Jun 30, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tough news
I was surprised to hear what went down with Phil Miller.
I know PP is struggling with circulation, and times are tough at that paper, but I did not figure Miller would be a victim of the cuts especially since the paper has two beat writers.
He did a good job. I liked him over Kelsie Smith.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too
So much for the official beat writer of this site.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Jun 30, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, but totally understand it.
Twins coverage isn’t as important as the local/national news. Especially for a newspaper not known for their sports section, it makes it all the more important to keep your news team in tact.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Make it happen!
Willie Bloomquist almost had it.
Good job by Brendan.
Let’s get a run here.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Funny,
But I tell ya, its a little disappointing to see him return back to earth a little.
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone read Posnanski's latest column?
Very good read and gives some great perspective into the Royal’s franchise.
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/06/30/2-2/
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 8:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
UGH!
That’s the best way to say it.
Go get em, Scotty!
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 8:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Also
I’m glad to see Gomez in CF tonight.
by matty_b on Jun 30, 2009 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
if we’re gonna have a free swinging, weak hitting outfielder in the lineup, it should at least be the one that can play D.
by matty_b on Jun 30, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
gotta be said
Gomez!
Also, Bannister sucks.
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leadoff double
DeJesus starts the Royals inning well.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm sorry, but Mike Jacobs shouldn't be starting.
He’s just making too much money to ride the pine. But, I’m not complaining! =)
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 8:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Someday
Mike Jacobs is going to die on the field, when he takes off from the box, and that big wad of crap in his mouth gets lodged in his throat.
by matty_b on Jun 30, 2009 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Have to dive for that
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 8:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
One for the bad guys.
That’s a Tolbert kind of hit.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 8:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
30 pitches in the first so far!
which according to Gordon (as an aside) “is not good”
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 8:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tony Pena, Jr.
Sign him up for MY team. 4 for 39 this year.
by y2jayjk on Jun 30, 2009 8:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Voyageours National Park
Now that’s the park I would like to do camping one day.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 8:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cy Banister
He is looking too comfortable out there.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Roy Smalley
He will be doing the Tigers series this weekend.
Talk about a telecast being dull.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
His father lives in my town.
I know, very random.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least you recognize it,
that’s the first step in recovery …
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Roy Smalley the elder?
He was a ballplayer, too. Played in the 40s and 50s for the Cubs, Braves and Phillies
by DavidRF on Jun 30, 2009 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You make him sound like a Dwarven warrior.
“Roy Smalley the Elder, son of Fredo the Feebleminded”
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well....
The older one is Roy Smaller Jr and the younger one is Roy Smalley III. I started to type Roy Smalley Jr and then figured that might sound ambiguous… normally the younger one is Junior… so I switched to another random adjective…
by DavidRF on Jun 30, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BBQ
Now I feel like to go out and get some Barbecue after Dick and Bert are munching on some.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Baker
Scotty is settling down after the first inning.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who was Morneau's WBC teammate?
That’s a good question.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The answer
Yes, it was Mark Teahen that was the answer to Aflac’s trivia question.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Morneau!
Who cares who your teammate was, all I care about is you and your home runs!
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
somebody has a
m-a-n-c-r-u-s-h…
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JUSTIN'S ON FIRE
That was what the doctor ordered.
The Twins needed that one.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It's ridiculous how drastic the quality change is between the 3rd and 4th bars on MLB.tv.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 9:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Inning over
But that home run was huge.
I hope this becomes the momentum changer.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Seriously, Mike Jacobs is simply not good enough to have that big a wad in his mouth.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 9:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mike Jacobs
I am guessing you are not a fan of his, eh. lol
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh the double entendre possibilities...
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I set you up, and you didn't capitalize.
Very disappointed.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
my wife shares your disappointment regularly...
RIMSHOT!
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very nice, very nice.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
C'mon
Scott better not give up this tie game.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Orange juice > milk
I will go with Bert on that too.
I love drinking orange juice on a hot summer day.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Strongly disagree.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing better than chocolate milk after a day in the 110 degree Arizona sun.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sunny days were made for gin and tonic
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great choice
I can drink to that.
I like drinking Samuel Adams on a hot day.
Alcohol could be good too in the summer.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
Interesting.
I like eating chocolate candy, but I can’t eat chocolate ice cream or drink chocolate drink. There is no taste.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No taste to chocolate milk?
Did you have an accident as a child that removed 4/5 of your tastebuds?
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
bases loaded, one out Baker at 73 pitches in the fourth, we already lost to these guys last night...
not looking good at this point.
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 9:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
OH MAN!
Geez!
This should have been the final out of the game.
Now, this game can get away with a base hit.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Shameless self promotion:
I’ll be hosting a live blog/game chat at TwinsFix.com on Friday, if you’re interested in joining. Not only does it allow for Twins fans to chat about the game, but it makes me some money as well. ;)
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 9:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I will be there
Anything for you, Andrew.
This is a big series too.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bitch Sox
They are winning again.
This game becomes important more than ever.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Man
The Indians can’t get anything together.
by matty_b on Jun 30, 2009 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Their season is over
To think, I pick them to win the division.
Their pitching has been brutal.
I am not sure how Eric Wedge is the blame there.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most people
were on board with the pick at the beginning of the year. But when Carl Pavano is your 2nd best starter you know you’re doomed.
by matty_b on Jun 30, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Carmona
What has happened to that guy?
He was a sensation in the playoffs couple of years ago, and now he is in the Arizona League.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He started off-season training
with Dontrelle Willis.
by matty_b on Jun 30, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cleveland's starting five
I really like that rotation, but it seems everyone has stunk.
How is it Eric Wedge’s fault?
Cliff Lee has been okay. Carmona has been a bust.
C.C. Sabathia got out of Dodge at the right time.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
I know Twins fans blame Gardenhire often at times, and I am guilty of it myself.
Players define what manager is all about as we all know. I think Shapiro has done a good job of being patient with Wedge, but customers are always right as the saying goes and if the fans are unhappy, changes are going to be made.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Full count
Better get that scrub out, Scotty.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, hoping for Baker to get out of this and then get three more outs.
Let Henn pitch two innings before going to Nathan.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 9:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Baker at 83
Tony Pena Jr is wearing him out.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Whew.
But there’s no reason an at bat to Tony freaking Pena Jr. should go 11 pitches.
by matty_b on Jun 30, 2009 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good start!
Carlos with the single.
I like to get some runs.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good heads-up play
Good job by Carlos getting to second quickly before he was out.
At least, Nick did something meaningful at the plate.
The Twins need a second baseman badly. Get David Eckstein!
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
haha
get david eckstein made me laugh.
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Helluva better than Punto
That’s for sure.
At least, Eckstein shows up in the playoffs and gets hits.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha
there is no universe where David Eckstein is better than punto
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This has to be a joke
I guess you missed watching Eckstein beating the Twins up in the ALCS, right?
He was the World Series MVP for the Cardinals too.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was 11 total games. If you’re really ready to base player values on 11 games, I think you need to do some reading up on player value
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who gives a damn!
What’s with sabremetrics feak talking about crap like players value and stuff? I swear that dunce Aaron Gleeman has really blinded some people out there. I don’t give a damn about those type of stats. I got by what I see which is a player stepping up and getting hits when it matters.
Aaron Gleeman has sure made a mockery of how baseball is followed.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve never read a word that Aaron Gleeman has written. No offense intended to him.
It’s just common sense that there’s no such thing as “clutch” and it has been proven over and over again.
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
STATS!?
We dont need no stinkin’ stats!
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Eckstein. The Grit Meister.
He and Punto can slide their way into wins. They can dirty their jerseys so much the umps will not be able to see them pop out into shallow left.
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
An infield of
Eck, Punto, Tolbert and Doug M would be Gardy’s wet dream.
by matty_b on Jun 30, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Station-to-station baseball
So much for that being meaningful.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice pickoff
Well done in getting Dejesus off!
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
John Gordon!
With the actually somewhat thoughtful and actually analytic analysis of whether Slowey deserves to be an all-star selection and Gordon pulls out the hammer: “the only thing he really has going for him is the fact that he is one of four AL pitchers with 10 wins.”
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
104 pitches
I wonder if this is the last inning we see out of Scott Baker.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 9:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
15 pitches in one at bat. Ouch
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by cmathewson on Jun 30, 2009 9:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ya, and if he comes out after 5 I have some choice words for Gardy
again, regarding bullpen managment
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I need a nitro after that one
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Jun 30, 2009 10:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Those at-bats
It has been tough to watch.
Scott has survived at least.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cuddy saves it
That was a good catch to end the inning.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Twins just want to get home
bats mailing it in
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
OK this pancake guy is the biggest loser ever
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Jun 30, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Let's hope so
Mauer starts it off right.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's get more than one
(after we get that one, heh)
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So much for that DP
This looked like a DP out there.
Twins get a break on a bad throw by Butler.
What a break!
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Damnit, supposed to be getting in some overtime here,
and instead I’ve wasted my whole night following you boobs on this game blog/chat.
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 10:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Make 'em pay for giving us an extra out or two
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Jun 30, 2009 10:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who is pitching?
I wonder who is pitching for the Twins this next inning.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
High leverage situation
let’s see if using Dickey yesterday in a low leverage situation haunts.
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't quibble
Anything is better than Sean Henn.
I hope Keppel steps up.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I can quibble
I was born to quibble
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This should be Mijares
with the 2 lefties leading off the inning
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who will setup?
If Mijares is pitching in this inning, who will pitch the eighth?
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guerrier, or a six-out save from Nathan.
I just hope Henn stays on that bullpen bench.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keppel can pitch the 7th instead of here
or MattyG or Mijares for 2
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eighth inning
For some reason, I don’t trust Matty in the eighth. Matt has had a good year, but I like Mijares in that spot. I like Matt for the seventh inning.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
meh
comes down to matchups which guy gets which inning; but I trust Guerrier more than Mijares. Matty had like 15 straight scoreless appearances snapped the other day. He’s been good.
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was a fantasic non-catch.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Replay! Replay! Replay!
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bullpen: The main point being...
using Dickey yesterday for one inning when we are down 3 (low leverage) means he’s unavailable for today’s game. I said in yesterday’s thread it was a subtle mistake and now we see why.
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And now he gets Mijares up
what the #$@@. Perfect spot for him at the beginning of this inning Ronnie
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
settled
Punto career OPS .645
Eck career OPS .705
Eck is better.
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Throw this in:
Eckstein salary for 2009: $850,000
That looks a lot better than the millions we are throwing at Punto.
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
however
We have to evaluate where they are now:
past 4 years: Punto 7.2 WAR
Eckstein 6.5 WAR
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and
a lot of Ecksteins WAR value is simply in the fact that he played shortstop all the time, not that he was good at it.
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
NOPE!
Eck has a better OPS and a lower salary – those are the only stats I can compute.
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm old school
I only look at batting average. ;)
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eck would play here til he's 45
He’d be Gardy’s pentultimate love affair.
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
NICE STRIKEOUT!
Good job by Keppel.
One more out to go.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Royals
Every at-bats with them is an adventure.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That is why I love baseball.
HARRIS with the game-saver!
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BRENDAN SAVES THE DAY!
What a play!
That look like a hit there.
Bert said it best with the game-saver.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Today we see the best 9 position players starting for the Twins
in their right positions. Does anyone know how many times this lineup has been out there this year?
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll check - give me a few minutes.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess zero
I don’t recall one. Esp with Punto, Span, and Mauer all spending time on the DL
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're right: zero.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would you agree this is the best 9
at their rightful positions that we can put out there?
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Totally.
Not including Tolleson, of course. I still want to try him out.
And obviously Sanchez can make this better, but yes, this is the best lineup possible.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keppel
I thought Keppel did fine in a tight spot with some help by Brendan.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gomez is looking a lot better
THree hard line drives tonight.
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by cmathewson on Jun 30, 2009 10:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I really wish we'd trade for a major league 2nd baseman
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
adam kennedy
Not gonna spam my stuff again though :)
but seriously, how funny would it be to listen to Bill Smith – Billy Beane trade talks
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Freddy Sanchez
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would be better
I will take him too.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tigers
They are leading 2-0.
Might as well give the win to the Bitch Sox.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So much for another run
It’s up to the relievers to hold this game at 2-1.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just get Nathan the ball with a lead and we can all go home.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keppel looks OK tho
He throws like we thought Ayala should throw
But, HE"S OUR LONG MAN out of the pen
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rightfully so.
Keppel should be a starter, by all rights.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
disagree
He’s been horrible as a starter in his career. He’s probaby best as a reliever where he can just throw these two pitches…
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure, he's a great long-reliever...
But as a starter with Kansas City in 2006 he showed glimpses of potential.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is Keppel a marothoner?
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good job, Bobby
He stepped up for two innings.
He did his job.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
agreed
I held my breath for 2 innings.
/exhale
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keppel gets the 8th too....
breathe in…
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seventh inning
I thought that inning he pitched was flawless.
The sixth one had me worried.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good thing the Twins didn't sign Cruz
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by cmathewson on Jun 30, 2009 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You know what
Justin is a very good baserunner
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mijares for 3, Nathan for 3.
I’m feeling strangely comfortable.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Go get em, Jose
The Twins hit it hard, but they were all for outs.
The Twins have hit the ball hard all night with nothing to show for it.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bobby Keppel
I hope Bobby gets some attention on Twins Live.
He did a good job of keeping this game at 2-1.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Have you seen this? Pretty interesting, and fun to look at:
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oops..
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
drumroll please.....
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keppel
Great job by Bobby tonight.
He gets a star for his work.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 10:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Prediction
Jose starts the first hitter 2-0 and walks the first or second hitter
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 10:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he's getting better!
he used to start every first hitter 2-0. Now he’s down to 1-0 every time…
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wat
why not bring in Matty there. rolls eyes at Gardy.
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why guerrier?
Just bring in Nathan, Gardy.
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 11:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess Nathan probably wasn’t warming up, so I’ll give Gardy a pass
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by fetch9 on Jun 30, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No he wasn't
but no reason he couldn’t have been, anticipating this scenario.
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
two hits in three pitches...
He’s lucky Guerrier was ready…
I know what you mean, though…
by DavidRF on Jun 30, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ya, they showed both Jose and Matty up and warmed up
at the beginning of the inning.
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He wants to make sure
Matt’s arm falls off by August
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Isn't your icon a picture of Gardy with his arm over Punto's shoulders?
All of the dirt on that short guy’s jersey was my tip off
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
another reason to have Nathan
used for a possible 4 out save is in case KC ties it, Matty can go 2 innings for us. Here he just gets one out and if they tie it off Nathan, then it’s the Sean Henn show until midnight.
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
as in, matty pitching the 10th and 11th if that wasn’t clear.
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This inning is over
Good job by Matty to get the final out.
Harris has been great at SS tonight.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This game
It sure look like a long ballgame.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 11:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Three hours and three minutes so far.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gomez used to bunt more....
Kinda odd he didn’t sac here and hope to beat one out
by DavidRF on Jun 30, 2009 11:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
sac was on, he squared
but he took two strikes
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
c'mon gardy
punto’s been crap all night, week, month, season
you got bats on the bench
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
our weekly attempt at a hit n run
falls short
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
feelings entering this inning
BAD -——x—|————- GOOD
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Haha, how long did that take you?
I’m feeling strangely good.
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no I love Joe
He’s teh awesome.
Hope I’m wrong. One out.
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you are going to be wrong (at least, I’m having high hopes right now). =)
by fischean on Jun 30, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's in Joe's hands
Finish this long game, Joe.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 11:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's the game.
’Night, folks!
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by Andersklasen on Jun 30, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bobby Keppel
- Superstar of the game.
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gardenhire
star for a masterful use of the pen.
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stars of the game
1) Keppel
2) Morneau
3) Baker
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 11:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BAKER!?
100 + pitches in 5 innings! He struggled all night long and was freakin’ lucky that he was facing the Royals’ bats! He got some good defensive help. He couldn’t eek out a quality start. His short outing added stres to our bullpen …
… and you want to give him a star. Then, in 2011 you will look back and remember fondly how well Baker pitched in 2009 especially to those pesky Royals who always play the Twins super tough year after year, but roll over and play dead for all of those other AL Central teams …
just like your memory of David Eckstein is more accurate than any of those F’in! Stats which show he is a below average player who had a couple of good seasons and a couple of good/timely runs and made the most of his marginal talent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, Baker gets a star.
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quality Start
3 runs or less
5 innings or more
Therefore, Baker gets quality start.
by 33MorneauMVP on Jun 30, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aren't you in high school?
Do your homework.
Quality start
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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In baseball statistics, a quality start is awarded to a starting pitcher who completes at least six innings and permits no more than three earned runs.
The quality start was developed by sportswriter John Lowe in 1985 while writing for the Philadelphia Inquirer.1 The statistic is preferred by sabermetricians to that of winning percentage (the number of wins garnered by a pitcher as a fraction of his total decisions) insofar as it acts independently of some factors beyond a pitcher’s control such as fielding errors, blown saves, and poor run support. ESPN.com terms a loss suffered by a pitcher in a quality start as a tough loss and a win earned by a pitcher in a non-quality start a cheap win.2
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry,
that was a little sharp. Baker did not pitch well. I am a little fired up. A quality start is 6 innings.
time for me to go to bed.
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He performed
Geez you are being too hard on Scott.
He wasn’t perfect, but he did good enough to give the Twins a chance to tie and take the lead.
I am not sure who you thought was the third star.
by Loon on Jul 1, 2009 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Relievers need more love in the star of the game imo
1) Keppel
2) Morneau
3) Nathan!
by ajmargarine on Jun 30, 2009 11:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great win
The Royals pitchers did a good job out there so for the Twins to tie the game and take a lead, and then kept the game at 2-1. It was an impressive win in what was a long game.
Bobby Keppel was huge tonight. I am not sure if the Twins win this game without him.
Scott grinded it out tonight, and I thought he did well.
Justin is rolling.
The bullpen has done a darn good job since June.
A win like this can be beautiful.
With the White Sox winning, the Twins needed this game.
They need to get a series win tomorrow afternoon and go home on a good note.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 11:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I am really pleased with Kepple,
but I have to give major credit to Baker too. He did NOT have it tonight, was in several jams and gave up just one run. That’s big for him. In late May that would have been a 5 run 4th inning.
I was sitting about 13 rows behind home plate in the MN v. KC game where he took the no hit into the 6th or 7th (memory fails me) and then imploded. He pitched much worse today but saved it. Kudos for that at least.
If Ozzie Guillen likes Punto that much, I vote we send him down to Chicago. Punto and Guillen deserve each other.
by FoulJack on Jun 30, 2009 11:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Epic at-bat
Tony Pena Jr was fouling off Baker’s pitches.
Baker was on 3-2, and the payoff pitches have been fouled off.
Baker could have threw a walk there, but he manned up and got the out.
The Twins got a run after that.
That was your turning point of the game.
by Loon on Jun 30, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
THE Tony Pena Jr.
Epic grit showed by Baker there in that 11 pitch grudge match with a .103BA batter
Give him a STAR!
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Give him a badge and a cookie too,
all little kids need to feel good about themselves even if they are getting paid millions of dollars to actually perform well.
by montanatwinsfan on Jun 30, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You ought to go pitch
It sure is easy to sit on a computer and criticize someone for getting a light hitter out. It’s not exactly easy no matter how bad that hitter is especially when a hitter is fouling off pitches after pitches. You can throw a bad pitch as a result of it. I guess you did not think about that, right?
by Loon on Jul 1, 2009 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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