Pavano Good, Feldman Better, Rangers Blank Twins

by Jesse on Aug 30, 2009 6:03 AM EDT in Game Recaps

Twins 0, Rangers 3. That was frustrating.

It was an early strike by the Rangers that did all the necessary damage on Saturday night. I'm glad I fell asleep during the fifth inning, because I'm pretty sure my frustration wouldn't have let me sleep.

Carl Pavano struck out Julio Borbon to start the game. Good start. Michael Young followed that up with a single and Josh Hamilton doubled into the left-center gap for a run scoring double on a liner just over the outstretched glove of Orlando Cabrera. It gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead three batters into the game, and ultimately it was all they'd need. Two batters later, Ian Kinsler kicked off his big game with a liner into center field to plate Hamilton, completing a two-run first for Texas.

In spite of Carlos Gomez slipping twice in the outfield, Pavano had a solid night. After those two runs scored, he settled in, largely kept Texas off the bases and tallied a few strikeouts.

The offense blanked itself last night as much as the Rangers did it to them. In the first, Joe Mauer grounded into a double play to end the inning. Brendan Harris grounded into another one in the second to end a possible threat. Harris doubled to lead off the fifth but was stranded there. Cabrera and Mauer ended up on second and third with one out in the sixth--Scott Feldman got Jason Kubel to pop out before Neftali Feliz got Michael Cuddyer to strike out on a wicked curveball low and away. Gameday insists it was in the strike zone, but I don't believe it.

After the sixth the Twins were retired in order, nine up and nine down. Feliz knocked them down in the seventh, C.J. Wilson pitched a perfect eighth and Frank Francisco looked every bit the stud while striking out Morneau, Kubel and Cuddyer to lock it up.

Chicago and Detroit did the Twins a favor by losing on Saturday, but these are the games this team needs to be winning. Saturday was a gift day, and it went to waste.

Sunday is another day, and another chance to win. I'll see you for the game.

Stars
#3: Jesse Crain (1.1 IP, 1 K 0 R, .048 WPA)
#2: Orlando Cabrera (0-for-2, 2 BB, .018 WPA)
#1: Carl Pavano (6 IP, 6 H, 7 K, 1 BB, 2 R, .058 WPA)

Duds
Justin Morneau -- Not a good day at the dish.
Alexi Casilla -- A pair of strikeouts, also nicht good.
Jose Mijares -- Gave up a home run to Ivan Rodriguez.

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Neftali Feliz

Is filthy. According to Bert based on a conversation with the Texas announcer, last night was the first time he’s broken out the 75 MPH slow breaking ball (slurve?). For a guy who can hit 99, throw a slower low-90s fastball with more movement, or a filthy mid 80s slider, that’s a filthy pitch. Strike three to Cuddyer (the one Jesse says Gameday considers a strike) hit the mitt 3-4 feet outside the zone. A ton of movement.

by Adam Peterson on Aug 30, 2009 7:58 AM EDT reply actions

Offense

Simply didn’t show up last night. Texas pitching was very good, but not shutout good (IMO). The Harris double pretty much said it all. Gomez steps up, presumably with the “get him over” sign, gives himself up with a weak grounder to second. Harris to third with one out. Good play, right? Gardy and the entire bench congratulate Gomez on a job well done…except Casilla, who looked absolutely lost at the plate last night, was coming up next. Can Casilla even hit the ball far enough in the outfield to make a sac fly a possibility? Strikeout, groundout, inning over. I’d rather keep the out with Casilla coming up next. Yes, Gomez could have struck out, but it’s about as likely that he gets a hit in that situation.

by Adam Peterson on Aug 30, 2009 8:03 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed

To many times the Twins come to the plate with no intention to get a hit. They hope to just move a runner or in Punto’s case, walk. They hope to maybe score one run if things go right. They try harder to place the ball and end up not getting the job done. They are just as likely to get a single as anything else. See ball, hit ball.

by dakotajim on Aug 30, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't know how the TX infield was playing

but Gomez could have bunted for a hit too, moving Harris to 3rd. Than give Gomez a chance to steal 2nd. This team doesn’t bunt very much..normally stand there and swing. They need to mix it up a bit…

by justintime on Aug 30, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions