Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Indy 500: 'Greatest Spectacle In Racing' Set For Sunday

Twins Continue Losing to Inferior Teams, Forcing Jesse To "Re-Think" His Concept of Inferior Teams

Twins 2, Athletics 4

Jeff Manship's 29-pitch second inning resulted in a pair of Oakland runs and a 0-2 deficit.  He bounced back, retiring the A's in order in the third and fourth, and at that point had only thrown 69 pitches.  Through four innings, okay, it's not ideal, but hey, Joe Mauer would double and score in the bottom half of the inning to knot the game at two (thanks for the sac flies, Justin Moreau and Jason Kubel!).  So really, he was in pretty good shape.  Right?

Well, Manship walked the #8 AND #9 hitters to kick off the fifth.  His hook was slung.  Jesse Crain actually retired the next three men, but sadly the first two managed to get off long fly balls and they each produced a run.  That made the game 4-2, where we'd end things.

Mauer and Mike Redmond each managed to ground into double plays.  It's a catcher thing.  In fact, Mauer's double ensured that the 2-6 hitters didn't go hitless on the afternoon (1-for-17).  What else can I share with you that was utterly and mind-retchingly frustrating from today?  Oh yes, Brett Anderson owned us.  Seven innings, a pair of runs, five hits.  If you go back and read what I wrote in his scouting report for the game thread, well, he was exactly the pitcher I warned he's been since the end of June.  Oakland closer Andrew Bailey may have walked Morneau in the ninth, but I'm pretty sure it was an accident.  Because he mowed right through the other three guys he faced.

Orlando Cabrera did make a nice play in the first inning.  He ranged back to shallows left field near the foul line in between Brendan Harris (two hits on the day) and Kubel, caught the ball over his shoulder, then doubled Adam Kennedy off of second base.

That's right my friends, today's highlight might have been the double play in the first inning.

It's become abundantly clear over the last few days that the offense is pressing, and putting a lot of pressure on itself.  As necessary as that's been considering the type of starting pitching we've had this season, results in those circumstances are never good.  You always hear about players being told "not to do too much", but it's pretty evident that on any given night there's at least one guy who is more in his own head than he is inside the batter's box.  Or maybe that's just a completely subjective observation and I'm trying to rationalize how this offense continues to underwhelm when we need them the most.

Life is good when your team wins.  Hopefully the Twins can win tomorrow.  If not, you can always flip over to the Vikings.  If they beat Cleveland by anything less than 21 points, I'll be surprised.

Stars
Brendan Harrs:  A pair of hits!  We'll always take multi-hit days...
Denard Span:  One hit, and an RBI at that.  We like Denard.
Jose Mijares:  1.2 innings, no runs and four strikeouts.  I'm liking Jose, he's been a much needed reliable arm out of the 'pen most of the season.

I Love You But You Make Me Cry
Jeff Manship:  It's not your fault really.  You should be in the bullpen.  It's pretty clear we shouldn't let you go past pitch number 70 yet.  Abundantly clear.
Cabrera-Cuddyer-Redmond:  A lot of guys didn't get hits today, but there was zero contributions from you guys.
Hope:  Yes.  My hope makes me cry.

Comment 21 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

What we need is...

Someone to break a chair in the dugout like Corey Koskie did in Cleveland in 2004 when we were about to give up our divison lead to Cleveland in a loss. After he broke it, we came back, won the game and eventually finished the season as the division champions. We just need someone to egnite this team and get them fired up. That’s partly why I miss Hunter a lot as well because he was great at getting the team motivated.

by hitormiss1414 on Sep 12, 2009 6:44 PM EDT reply actions  

You might be right

Twins seemed to have given up on themselves after losing that last game to the WSux in the Dome. They don’t seem to have the drive to win anymore. I don’t see anyone stepping up either. Sad.

Plus CWS won, so we’re back in 3rd place. Good job, Twins
Det is up 3-6 in the 5th too.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"No, you don't understand It’s a metaphor for A SERIES SWEEP!!!!!!!" -natethejinx

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Sep 12, 2009 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

I have to agree

sometimes they look like they just are there because someone told them to show up. They seem to have lost spirit…that’s a shame.

And normally, while I don’t think Redmond is a great player anymore, he seems to be able to rally the team up a little. Maybe his magic is gone now, too.

And yay for third place. :(

by fischean on Sep 12, 2009 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'm really tired

of seeing Redmond in there on Mauers off days. The guy can’t even throw to second anymore, I think its time to take a coaching job or something. Kills me to see him out there when Morales is red hot and could be the spark we need.

by sox1844 on Sep 13, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

Odd comment

Coming from White Sox fan. Who’s “we?”

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"No, you don't understand It’s a metaphor for A SERIES SWEEP!!!!!!!" -natethejinx

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Sep 13, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions  

Like a Vikings and Packers fan

It’s an oxymoron

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

by cmathewson on Sep 14, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions  

Is "firing up" really what this team needs?

I haven’t seen a lack of desire or motivation out there. I’ve seen a team, especially on offense, that is pressing, trying to do too much. For example, Morneau and Cuddyer appear to have stepped into the bucket on virtually every swing since the end of August.

On the mound, I’m sorry to say this, but the young guys have looked like lost rookies entirely too often for a “pennant race”.

Detroit has given us a golden opportunity to climb back in this race, losing their last five. Unfortunately we’ve gone 1-4 during that time.

by Adam Peterson on Sep 13, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yes, I think so!

It seems to me, Morneau and Cuddyer are swinging at those bad pitches more out of desperation, than anything else. Even Dan Gladden commented the other day that the Twins “don’t have a spring in their step” lately. Seriously, you think these guys seem too motivated?

I agree with you about Detroit, they gave the Twins a gift, and we failed to take it.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"No, you don't understand It’s a metaphor for A SERIES SWEEP!!!!!!!" -natethejinx

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Sep 13, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions  

Fine line between motivation and pressing

I agree, they don’t have a spring in their step. Perhaps they’re not motivated, i think they’re pressing, trying to do too much.

by Adam Peterson on Sep 13, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think I'll probably focus on football tomorrow

Vikings wise and fantasy wise

But I’ll keep an extra eye on the Twins and hopefully they win!

by Hjorvarthr on Sep 12, 2009 6:57 PM EDT reply actions  

Can someone tell Morneau this isn't a Short Season A league?

What a perfectly awful post All-Star showing he’s had.

Fire Gardy? Hell, he’s managed without a first baseman for a month and a half now.

Bloggin' the bloggers since 1938.

by Johnny Safron on Sep 12, 2009 8:56 PM EDT reply actions  

Why can't Detroit just win?

and put us out of our misery

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 Sep 13, 2009 12:45 AM EDT reply actions  

Vikings

I have a bad feeling about today…Jesse, I can’t say I agree with your “anything less than 21 points, I’ll be surprised” optimism. I appreciate it though.

by Adam Peterson on Sep 13, 2009 9:13 AM EDT reply actions  

Redmond

is done. Plain and simple. He can’t even come close to throwing guys out any more. And the pace is picking up, Oakland took him for 4 steals yesterday. Blocking the ball, he hasn’t been much better. I simply boggles me why any of Morales’ defensive deficiencies get him a spot on the bench behind Redmond.

by Adam Peterson on Sep 13, 2009 9:20 AM EDT reply actions  

Agreed.

Forget throwing guys out…. he cant even throw to second!

by sox1844 on Sep 13, 2009 10:35 AM 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!

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Jedi2_small
BBMP6 Challenge™ Scores 5/13-5/24
Tc_at_tf_small
Hope in Beloit?

Recent FanPosts

Snickers_small
The Kind Of Debates That Baseball Is Made For
Puckett_small
A Night in The Cell
2011-06-18_22
Rochester Celebrates 10 years of affiliation by immortalizing Dustin Martin on a Magnet
Small
I get tired of trade or acquisition discussions. . .
Snickers_small
The Next Move
Small
(Cross-post from my blog) Twins. Red Wings. It's a revolving door.
Waterpolo1956_small
Free Anthony Slama!
Snickers_small
"We Gotta Start Trading 'Em...All Of 'Em!"
Small
AAA players who could help the Twins

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Twinkie Town On Twitter

Yahoo_full_count

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

Mustache_small Andrew Bryz-Gornia

Twins_woo_small Steve Adams

W00t__2__small brandonwarne52

Special Contributor

Small roger13

Untitled_small Trevour

Chairmanmauer_small fischean

Metargetfieldjose_small myjah

Small Brady Eyestone