Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Dana White Announces Koscheck vs. Hendricks for UFC on FOX

Mauer powers Twins to 9-6 comeback victory



Joe Mauer hit two home runs on a 3-5 night to drag the Twins kicking and screaming to their first win in days.

Carl Pavano started for the Twins and lasted only four innings, giving up five runs on 99 pitches. Home Plate Umpire Dale Scott didn't do him any favors, calling at least a dozen balls on strikes over the outside corner to right handed batters. Pavano's ball tails, and Scott seemed to give up on it before it broke over the plate and right into Joe Mauer's mitt. Pavano uncharacteristically walked three batters and had several three ball counts on the night. The Ranger's took advantage of the small strike zone to add seven hits to the attack and chase Pavano after four innings.

Newly called up Philip Humber as the fresh arm du jour to come out of the pen early. He pitched a ragged inning and two thirds before turning the  ball over to Jesse Crain. Crain combined with Matt Guerrier and Joe Nathan to shut the door and allow the Twins bats to take over.

Mauer led the attack, but several Twins chipped in. Michael Cuddyer went 3-5 with two doubles. Denard Span, Orlando Cabrera and Delmon Young each hat two hits. One of Young's was a two run homer. The resurgent Young had four RBIs including the game tying hit on a double. His homer was also the game winner after the Rangers added the sixth run off of Humber.

This is the kind of win that can breath some life into a depressed clubhouse. Not only have the Twins been drubbed early and often of late, but they seem to have a new injury every day. A day after Francisco Liriano went on the DL and Justin Morneau had to leave the game wit dizziness, Jason Kubel fouled a ball off his surgically repaired knee, leaving the game. Both players are day to day, as is their fan base, shell shocked from all the carnage and distracted by the local football team's recent signings.

 

Studs

Joe Mauer His average is up to .384 and he's rapidly catching team leader Morneau in homers.

Delmon Young: This is the Delmon we hoped to get when we made the trade.

Michael Cuddyer: Nice to see him break out of his slump and drive the ball again.

 

Dud

Dale Scott: Not only did he squeeze the strike zone, he called a ball off of Carlos Gomez wrist a foul ball. After getting hit on the hand in successive pitches only to be down in the count 1-2, Gomez had no chance the rest of the night.

Comment 14 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

Humber

“Ragged” doesn’t quite describe it… 3 hits and 2 walks in 1.2 innings. He was lucky to only give up one run. I wonder how much of this was due to Dale Scott.

by Adam Peterson on Aug 19, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions  

the pic

the Mauer pic that accompanies this article is beautiful

by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 19, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions  

Man crush

I think we all have hidden, or not so hidden, man crushes on Joe Mauer. Your statement just proves it, haha.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Aug 19, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions  

He's so dreamy

"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 Aug 19, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

well

I meant that his swing is a thing of beauty, and that pic captures it.

by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 19, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

That felt really good

To be on the right side of a come-from-behind victory for a change. The Twins should do this more often.

As far as Humber goes, when you have trouble with an IBB, and are throwing to ghosts covering 3rd, it’s not the ump.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Aug 19, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions  

Humber threw to the wrong jersey

Too bad they don’t track interceptions in baseball.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Aug 19, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions  

That's a good question

I’ll have to look at the rule book. If a runner catches a throw on a bag that would be a force out, I think that’s an out. But I can’t be sure.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Aug 19, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think

They get an extra out, it’s kind of like dodgeball actually.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Aug 19, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

what is the story with the Rangers

running wild. Does Pavano just ignore baserunners?

by guinness junky on Aug 19, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions  

Yes

He’s very slow to the plate. Also, Borbon is very adept at stealing.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Aug 19, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

TT is an SB Nation blog of, by and for the fans. We strive to be the best Minnesota Twins blog by providing quality content and analysis, as well as daily news and notes on the team. We hope you'll make Twinkie Town your home for all things Twins!

Twinkie Town On Twitter


Editor-In-Chief

Twinkietown_small Jesse

Senior Writer

Small Bobomojo

Hrbek_small Jon Marthaler

The_jet_small cmathewson

Gladdentwins_small Adam Peterson

Hosken_powell_autograph_small RandBall's Stu

Twins_woo_small Steve Adams

W00t__2__small brandonwarne52

Special Contributor

Small roger13

Untitled_small Trevour

Chairmanmauer_small fischean