Game 104: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim @ Minnesota Twins
by Jesse on Aug 1, 2009 5:10 PM EDT
in Game Threads
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PrintLos Angeles Angels at Minnesota Twins, Aug 1, 2009 7:10 PM EDT
First Pitch: 6:10pm CDT
TV: FS-N
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Halos Heaven
I'll draw your attention to the new tagline of Twinkie Town: The Orlando Cabrera Reign of Hustle Starts Now. A little more seriously, it's time for the Twins to show up. We've been asking for it for a couple of months now, but with the number of games shrinking it's all the more imperative that this team starts to play like a playoff contender. And you do that by beating the best teams in your league. Clearly the Angels are one of those teams.
Starting Pitchers
I'd like to say that the stability of the rotation depends on Swarzak, since there really isn't much depth left now that we're down Kevin Slowey and maybe Francisco Liriano, but the fact is that it's a little more desperate than that. This rotation hinges on each and every start, no matter who makes it, not just because we need quality performances but because the bullpen has a case of implosionitis. As for Swarzy specifically, after his last start it's still the fastball that's been by far his most effective pitch. Against a team as hot as the Angels though, both his breaking ball and his off-speed pitch are going to need to work. And work well.
The 28-year old southpaw has had a rough year. The home runs have been getting the best of him, which is harsh considering he's not a fly-ball pitcher. 22 bombs already? That bodes well for the middle of the Twins lineup, left-handed hitters or not. The problem is that compared to last year, where Saunders' fastball-changeup combination was pretty lethal, this season it's not happening. His slider has still been a good complimentary pitch, but a lot of its success could come from the fact that he only throws it three or four times a game. If he had more confidence in it, he'd throw it more often. Saunders, in terms of the three true outcomes, is coming out on the down side of all three, which is great for the Twins: he's susceptible to the homer, he walks too many and he doesn't strike out enough. His last quality start was June 24, a span of seven appearances.
Lineups
Angels
Chone Figgins, 3B
Maicer Izturis, 2B
Bobby Abreu, RF
Juan Rivera, DH
Kendry Morales, 1B
Mike Napoli, C
Erick Aybar, SS
Gary Matthews Jr, CF
Sean Rodriguez, LF
Twins
Denard Span, RF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, DH
Justin Morneau, 1B
Joe Crede, 3B
Delmon Young, LF
Mike Redmond, C
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B
Lineups courtesy of Joe C, who has both Span and Young playing in left. With Cuddyer out due to his strained lower back, I'm assuming the versatile Span will be moved to that corner.
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Jesse
For a guy who hates misspellings, you’ve been on a pretty decent roll of them recently.
I’d really like to see Swarzak consolidate his good efforts with a quality start tonight. Good start to his ML career, really. Takes a while to get the major league sea legs a lot of tines, but he’s done admirably. A few more missed bats are in order.
If you had just gone with Laos
think of the jokes we could have made.
by Eric in Madison on Aug 1, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Welcome to the Twins Orlando Cabrera
Please be the savior of our Pathetic middle infield.
Please be the savior...
…of Gomez and Casilla. As one of the roughly half of big-league teams without a Latin-born coach – a little odd these days that all big-league teams don’t have at least one – having a veteran Hispanic on this team again can only help.
Bloggin' the bloggers since 1938.
by Johnny Safron on Aug 1, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Cabrera #2
Yay, woohoo. I’m so excited. (/sarcasm)
In all actuality the guy has been on a tear lately and I suppose they may as well see if it continues. I’m excited for a change and hoping he’ll be a spark plug for us. Long live the piranhas.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Grudzielanek Update..
Just Sent to Double A New Britian…Should debut tonight vs Bowie.
why do we like having
old washed up middle infielders ????
that should be a youthful position
que the Eric Ayabar theme song
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 1, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Has anyone gone down/DFA'd/DL'd?
Don’t we need to clear a spot for Cabrera? Who be gone?
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Buscher
Which is a good choice I think. I’m glad Casilla is still up so he can maybe get a last shot at 2B. Harris will still get time at 3B and slot in at SS from time to time hopefully.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
O Cab's career vs Joe Saunders
8-15, 2 2B
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 Aug 1, 2009 6:55 PM EDT reply actions
not his fault
he must have been jinxed by the post about his AL-best defense today
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Aug 1, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
3 straight 2 out hits
and the Twins tie it up. Need a HR for the cycle this inning. CMON PUNTO
Oh, and I like Delmon Young.
It's no doubt been a hard situation for him this year
and he appears to be handling himself pretty well throughout it.
Coaching visit to mound
I hope Andy tells Swarzak to get some outs.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Welcome back to earth, Swarzak (again)
He’s got nothing tonight; fastball after fastball near the middle of the plate.
Does anyone ever watch Redmond and wonder if
he’ll get that thing where he can’t throw the ball back to the pitcher?
He’s got some hitches back there. He’s also got some ticks, such as dropping his head as he’s catching the pitch.
(I think of this as the ball is rolling around the infield after Red threw it back to RA)
Bremer just about wet his pants
on that near-routine dig by Figgins at 3rd. Got to get excited about something, I guess.
What was that on TV?
They want OC to work with the same 2B as much as possible. And they want him to work with Casilla alot?
ok, 4 games in the domes first year
he came back and played 3 seasons with MN 1985-7
Phew. Thought I was going crazy. I distinctly remember yelling at Smalley at the Dome one day “Smalley, you suck” Ahhhh, Memories
OK... makes more sense now...
We traded him for Ron Davis.
Thankfully, one of the minor leaguers in the deal turned out to be Greg Gagne
I remember that day...
Sid was on ’CCO telling Cannon, “We traded Roy Smalley for Ron Davis and some Wrestler!”
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
I remember being at the Dome one day when RD
was at the height of his struggles and we gave him a standing O when he came in in a blowout
That was mean.
Not out of line, though. That poor guy. Man, he stunk.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
no no
it wasn’t a mean thing. It was an encouraging thing. Or an appreciation thing. He was OK with us for a few seasons. And then fell apart in ’85.
Ok, I misunderstood.
He was a good guy. He was great setting up for Gossage. He just totally collapsed at the end, there. It was really horrible.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Not my memories...
Grandpa used to sit me on his knee and tell me stories of what the Twins were like before Gardy was the manager.
Harris makes the play routinely
Punto turns that play into a webgem, by diving bobbling and throwing while standing on his head
For anyone who thought Cabrera isn't washed up in the field at SS...
I submit that last play as evidence against the claim.
I can't say that was a bad play
because it wasn’t really a play at all.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Maicer Izturis and Gary Matthews, Jr. have combined to drive in 7 runs.
Gotta love our pitching staff.
Who makes the schedules?
I’m going to find this person and…I shouldn’t continue
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 Aug 1, 2009 9:12 PM EDT reply actions
The worst thing about RA
Is that he’s wearing RD’s number. We should retire #39, for safety’s sake.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
good season y'all
I’ll see ya next year
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 1, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions
Ow
My soul
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 Aug 1, 2009 9:15 PM EDT reply actions
We are mediocre
We’d be 10 games out in the other AL divisions. We are a .500 team this year. OC brings us nothing.
Let’s start preparing for next year. Gomez hit #2 and play CF every day. DY play LF every day.
Well
At least they didn’t make me watch extra innings tonight
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 Aug 1, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions
Why do we keep playing the Angels!?
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 Aug 1, 2009 9:19 PM EDT reply actions
Tomorrow is the last game...
We play the west more than the east because the west is a smaller division
Can we trade it for another home series against the White Sox?
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 Aug 1, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank Goodness
We picked up an over-the-hill shortstop, instead of some pitching. Whew, that was close. Thanks, BS.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
....and in a stunning move
on August 1st following the blowout defeat at the hands of the LA Angels of Anaheim
the Twins release or demote every single bullpen arm they have besides Joe Nathan and Matty G
and Bring up Juan Morillo, Rob Delaney, Armando Gabino, Sean Henn, Yohan Pino, and Anthony Slama
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 1, 2009 9:21 PM EDT reply actions
If I hadn't read your post
I wouldn’t probably notice the difference for a few weeks.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Sorting
There’s a master log of all the pitchers’ career Twins totals and I sorted by games and looked at the bottom (G=1) for position players… 1990.
John Moses. Led the league in CS one year! I wonder if he’s the last Twin to do that!
Was that CS by # or %?
Not sure which is the more impressive achievement.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
They're crystals of some sort.
Very tasty. But my tongue is numb, and now I can’t feel my arms…
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Well if it wasn't him
Or John Moses, the only logical answer remaining would be Mark Olson.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Have Mauer pitch
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 Aug 1, 2009 9:26 PM EDT reply actions
Delmon needs to start going to the David Ortiz school of hitting;
not the Tom Kelly school of hitting. Pull the ball!
When Delmon came up with the Rays
I am certain his stance was narrower…
now its so broad and wide that he doesn’t have any power left in it.
and is swinging late and slicing cliscing clsicng away.
I say let Delmon go back to his old ways, the balance thing isn’t working………
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 1, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Slow game.... time for stats trivia
Last Twin to Lead the league:
AVG: Mauer
OBP: Carew
SLG:Oliva
OPS:Carew
G:Morneau
AB:Puckett
PA:Smalley
R:Carew
H:Molitor
2B:Knoblauch
3B:Guzman
HR:Killebrew
RBI:Puckett
BB:Killebrew
K:Darwin
SB:Case-WSH (Never in MIN)
Still,
I remembered Bobby D struck out a lot, but led the league? And was the last Twin to do so?
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Wow.
That must have been about the time the “fundamentals” came back into vogue in the Twins org. No way a strikeout artist like that would get far in the past 25 years of twinsdom.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Post-draft / Pre-free agency...
No need to have fundamentals because everyone had equal access to all the talent
True.
Oddly, he came up with LAA in 1962 as a pitcher. That didn’t last.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Team never led the league in K's though...
They did the last couple years in WAS though… 2nd in 73 and 82.
I think we’re the only ones left…
Nope, I'm here, just had to give daughter a bath and tuck her in.
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 1, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions
what happened...
someone make a call to the pen?
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 1, 2009 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
You mean the little pink guy
in front of what is obviously Jesse Crain?
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
yup,
big round one on the far right is Guardado. See how he is really no longer in the picture?
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 1, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
they all look alike
; )
sorry – bad mojo there…
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 1, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
OK, so you did something worth doing.
We, on the other hand…
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Here's the last John Moses game...
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN199007310.shtml
Against the Angels!
He actually pitched three games… I wonder if he’s still available.
probably
couldnt be worse than sw mn guy.
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 1, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not available tonight.
I was washing storm windows today and my shoulder is killing me.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
I think it technically reads,
No washing storm windows while riding on a motorcycle.
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 1, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions
or walking down the stairs with your dog
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 1, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Broncos Quarterback, ...
Brian Griese i think.
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 1, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Griese:
“In the last two years, he barely threw more touchdown passes than interceptions (38-34), was arrested on a DUI charge, tripped down the driveway of teammate Terrell Davis during a party and claimed to have been injured when he fell over his dog.”
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 1, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, heavens no.
Nor do I routinely vacation in Bangkok.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
While distracted with silliness,
Jesse Crain in the house! And momentarily effective.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Just remember the golden rule of athletes...
When you tuck that gun in the waistband of your sweatpants while fondling the girls in the stripclub, where a belt.
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 1, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions
Are the Halos just tired?
What have they done with the Real Jesse Crain?!?!
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
Well, that was...something.
Fun chatting, but now it’s time to do something that doesn’t end with a numbing sense of futility. See you later!
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
well then you wont be having sex with your wife...
baddum, dum, drumroll…..Ching!
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 1, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
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