Game 81: Detroit Tigers @ Minnesota Twins
by Jesse on Jul 3, 2009 6:23 PM EDT
in Game Threads
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PrintDetroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins, Jul 3, 2009 8:10 PM EDT
First Pitch: 7:10pm CDT
TV: FS-N
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Bless You Boys
Starting Pitchers
French, Detroit's 23-year old southpaw rookie, is making his first career MLB start after a pair of relief appearances over this week. He's a fastball-slider-changeup guy, almost exclusively, but he's had a great year in triple-A this season: 81.2 innings, 3.16 FIP, great strikeout numbers and good control. As for what to expect tonight it's hard to say; he's always been good with the walks, but all the strikeouts are recent, but ultimately his level of success tonight will depend on his nerves. If he can (cliche alert) "stay within himself" he might be alright, but right now I have to believe he's ripe for the picking. Or hitting. Of course now I've said that, he'll own us...which is the last thing anyone should want. Owned by the French? No, thanks.
Slowey's job tonight? Defeat the French. Kevin had been cruising for a while, racking up the quality starts (five in a row) until a little hiccup early in June. He came back with two more quality starts but was hit hard again his last time out, and suddenly all those hits look like they're taking their toll. The Tigers are on top of the division with a big target on their back, which means this is Slowey's most important start of the season so far. He'll need to step up and deliver.
Lineups
Tigers
Curtis Granderson, CF
Placido Polanco, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Marcus Thames, DH
Don Kelly, LF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Josh Anderson, RF
Gerald Laird, C
Ramon Santiago, SS
Twins
Denard Span, LF
Brendan Harris, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Joe Crede, 3B
Delmon Young, DH
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B
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Heading out tonight
To watch the game at a local bar in the St. Cloud area.
I always love mixing alcohol with Delmon’s fielding….but unfortunately he is in the DH tonight.
Edit:
DH is where Delmon should ALWAYS be.
Compared to playing the field, yes.
but in general I’d still want to see Kubel as the DH, even against a LHP. Hopefully this is the occassional day off and not the beginning of a platoon-type situation.
by Adam Peterson on Jul 3, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Slowey
The name SLowey is Scottish. I was really hoping it was a derivation of a German one so I could make the “German Slowey will steamroll the French” joke.
Ah well…
"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
Target Field...
..is tentatively set to open on April 12 next season against the Red Sox. The Twins will open away on April 5 against the Angels.
Not sure...
The extra week should make it warmer. I wish they were doing what the Nationals did. They opened the season on Sunday Night Baseball for the first game of the season and a one-game series. They then headed on the road for a week.
by Twins Territory on Jul 3, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Come on take a guess!
Let’s get some gambling going on in here. I assume it’ll be a day game—home openers usually are.
by Eric in Madison on Jul 3, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
55
Average High = 57
Average Low = 36
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Correction
Those were April averages. For the 12th, it’s 55 and 35. So I will adjust down to 53.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
An optimist!
I’ll go with 47.
By the way, did anyone notice that Garrett Jones:
a) got called up by the Pirates, and
b) went 3-5 Thursday, missing only a single for a cycle?
by Eric in Madison on Jul 3, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
1981
Last home opener outside was April 9, 1981
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN198104090.shtml
Day game… 65 degrees at game time
....more home openers
1980-Apr22-89 degrees
1979-Apr17-63 degrees
1978-Apr14-50 degrees
1977-Apr15-77 degrees
1976-Apr13-75 degrees
1975-Apr15-48 degrees
1974-Apr09-53 degrees
1973-Apr13-51 degrees
Doesn’t count rainouts… not sure how to find those…
Assez deja avec le mal traitment des francais
Only the insecure need to demonize other nationalities. BTW, French is 100% americain.
Hello from Bless You Boys
We noticed that you all have 10 comments, whereas we have just over 100. If anyone feels like they want to talk to us, using friendliness and also happiness, this is your invitation.
Sincerely,
everyone who noticed that you all have 10 comments so far.
I stopped by there earlier.
Nice fellas.
If Ozzie Guillen likes Punto that much, I vote we send him down to Chicago. Punto and Guillen deserve each other.
Slowey...
3 K’s to start the game. This is what I like to see.
If Ozzie Guillen likes Punto that much, I vote we send him down to Chicago. Punto and Guillen deserve each other.
That was a
disapopinting first inning for our bats.
If Ozzie Guillen likes Punto that much, I vote we send him down to Chicago. Punto and Guillen deserve each other.
I see the Twins are down 7-2
BUT, I know I’m dreaming and this isn’t happening and it’s not real because DY has a BB and a HR and my all-star starter Kevin Slowey went only 3 innings, and that just doesn’t happen. I have a vivid imagination and I hope when I wake up that I don’t miss the first pitch. I’m dreamtyping!
ERA+ in the 80s
With 10 W, he’ll likely make the all-star team, but he’ll be this year’s run support poster boy amongst sabermetric writers.
I'll go on record and say
this is a questionable decision to leave Duensing in the game. He’s pitched good, give him a positive Gardy. The guy wasn’t in MLB 2 days ago and now we keep him in in a high leverage situation agst the team we’re chasing for the division.
I hope it works out.
So far.....
(Duensing + Keppel) > (Ayala + Henn)
I really hope that trend continues.
Lets Geau Morno!
if he holds them,
that would be a HUGE confidence boost for Duensing
Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get. ~Homer Simpson
by thewild_viking_twins on Jul 3, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I love it when that happens
Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get. ~Homer Simpson
by thewild_viking_twins on Jul 3, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
wow. this game has become intense.
this could either be the most epic win or the most soul-crushing loss of the season.
Lets Geau Morno!
Delmon 3-0 pitch
I was just about to look up the last time he had more than one walk in a game and he’s drills a double on a 3-0 pitch
Who is that wearing Delmon Young's uniform
by Eric in Madison on Jul 3, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions
Delmon has games like this, but when he doesn’t, we wonder why he’s still a Twin
Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get. ~Homer Simpson
by thewild_viking_twins on Jul 3, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions
Gardy is saying the right things...
Talks about “consistency” and all that. In previous seasons I’d be afraid that Delmon would be starting for three straight weeks after a game like this.
Gardy
do you realize we are using are AAA relief guys in the most important game we’ve played all year?
It's very disconcerting
that keppel is the on the mound here. Not even totally blaming Gardy (though I would go to Guerrier or someone), the fact that things have reached this state is…not good.
by Eric in Madison on Jul 3, 2009 10:28 PM EDT reply actions
I love
I love span’s approach and swing, he moves his whole body through the zone so quickly and keeps his whole movement so simple
"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
The at bat wat pathetic
A bad showing for Cuddy
"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
Prediction:
Dickey will pitch six innings and we win this game in the 19th.
Wow
That strike 3 call on Polanco was TOTAL BS. a MILE high.
"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
This ump has a hot date after the game. --or--
He’s Leslie Nielson from the first Naked Gun movie.
Curtis Granderson has been programmed to kill the Queen of England.
You heard it here first.
Joe, Uncharacteristic
"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
Anyone else...
loving Roy Smalley tonight as the Analyst???
I think he’s crap on the Pre-Game, but he’s been great tonight. Has really given an interesting perspective on the mechanics of pitching and hitting, and made some good in-game observations.
Showing a lot of the qualities of Steve Stone, who is the best Analyst in the game, IMHO.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Yes, after he stopped being nervous.
His first few innings were pretty um-filled.
Yep...
Seemed to find his voice pretty fast. No one is more surprised than me. Thought this would be a disaster, but I’m kind of hoping Bert stays in FLA for a while…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Awww
"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
I wasn't
I wasn’t a fan of “Zumaya’s slider was let loose because of him worrying about Span.” Maybe it had more to do with him at a career high in pitches? Either that or his already being wild with the breaking stuff…
"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
Only RA dickey left
Liriano’s gonna have to go 9 tomorrow
by lesscowbell,morneau on Jul 4, 2009 12:08 AM EDT reply actions
Great job by the bullpen though...
I officially grant them “goat immunity”.
Won’t matter because we’re still going to win, though. :-)
Reminds me of when I was a kid
and the Twins were out on the west coast, laying in bed, falling asleep with the radio on, listening to Herb Carneal…
gladden, when a LH hitter hits one down the left field line
he always says “hooking away from the left fielder”, instead of slicing.
/nit
Ok Cuddles
Ok, DJ Cuddles, time to attone for that catastrophe in the 11th.
"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
Gladden: Hit to right, Ordonez out there, "AND HE LET IT FALL IN"
did he really mess that up that bad? what happened?
What. The. Hell.
"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
Why why why. So much stupid from J-Mo.
"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
Oh yeah
Oh yeah, also, way to go Michael.
"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
Come on
Lets just end this shit, please
"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
tonight
we will see the longest game in baseball history
This is silly
One good thing, we have a knuckleballer, so theoretically he could go for awhile before he gets tired.
Ok, so, who pitches when we’re out of pitchers? Whichever starter is supposed to have a bullpen session tomorrow? Tolbert? Longest throw competition from the fans, what?
"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
If we go to the 18th
Does that count as tomorrow’s game too?
by lesscowbell,morneau on Jul 4, 2009 12:43 AM EDT reply actions
Wow
These two teams are tired. That LD DP could be the break of the game.
"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
They just said
They just said Blackburn would be considered to throw, cause it’s his throwing day.
"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
Old school...
Pitchers throw one days between starts… managers used to them in relief on those days.
Kubel time
I’ve got a fever. And the only prescription is more Kubel.
Guarantee you Kubel is thinking bomb all the way here.
"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
Longest game since 2005
16 innings against the Sox
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA200508160.shtml
Twins explode for 5 in the 16th to win.
Tied for longest game since 2004
See above for other 16 inning game…
In 2004, we lost a heartbreaker to the A’s in 18.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN200408080.shtml
sigh
im stilling callin mauer gets a hit and then morneau hits the walk off
Gardy's gotta prep his postgame speech...
“only counts as one game in the standings”
(Of course, we’re still mounting a comeback)
If we win
greatest comeback ever
If we lose, it wasn’t the blowout it stared out as…but it will still suck
by lesscowbell,morneau on Jul 4, 2009 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Boo
Boo, missed opportunities and baserunning mistakes. Not how a good team wins extra inning games at home against big division rivals. This team is not good enough as it stands.
"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
baserunning...
We’ve been losing a lot of baserunners lately. The team used to market itself as “doing the little things”. This year is the opposite. Team OPS+ of 106 but in below average in R/G.
Not just
It’s not just been this year, we’ve been wasting out on the basepaths for several years now. Honestly, ever since the guys who came up under TK left this team hasn’t really been “doing the little things” like everyone says. Gardenhire’s laid back style keep the guys loose, but may be leading to some of the these mistakes a more disciplined manager wouldn’t accept.
"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
credes gonna do it
hes gonna hit the HR. hes gotta
Lost my internet after Cuddy...
It said “In play run(s) scored” and then my cable modem froze up. So frustrating… took me several minutes to get back on… by then we had lost :-(
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