Twins 7, Cardinals 6

by Adam Peterson on Mar 10, 2010 7:33 AM EST in Game Recaps Comment 17 comments

Danny Valencia's home run in the 8th inning put the Twins up for good in a game where the lead changed hands five times. Offensively, coming out in the first inning with what may very well be the Twins opening day lineup, Justin Morneau knocked in Span and Orlando Hudson to tie the game at 2. Ben Revere also continued his solid spring, going 2-2 with a line drive single and a fly ball double after replacing Denard Span. If Valencia and Revere keep this up, the Twins could have some tough, but welcome decisions going north.

On the mound, starter Carl Pavano wasn't sharp, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs in 3 innings. Jeff Manship was also hit hard, 3 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks pitching the 5th inning. And Glen Perkins escaped trouble after giving up two hits and a walk in the 7th, helped by Wilson Ramos throwing Nick Stavinoha stealing second. On the plus side, Jesse Crain and Anthony Slama (2 Ks) pitched perfect innings, Chris Province (1 IP, 1 H) got the win and Kyle Waldrop (1 IP, 1 H) got the save.

Stars:

1. Danny Valencia: 1-1, game winning HR in the 8th

2. Ben Revere: 2-2, single, double, RBI

3. Justin Morneau: 1-3, 2 RBI. Tons of RBI opportunities with Span-Hudson-Mauer in front of him. Can he knock in 140 this year?

4. Anthony Slama: 1 IP, 2 SO. He can smell the roster spot.

Duds:

1. Carl Pavano: 3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 SO, 0 BB

2. Jeff Manship: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 SO, 2 BB

3. Jason Kubel: 0-3, SO

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Comments

Dazzle and Gordo didn't seem too unhappy with Pavano.

Said he used all his pitches and his form looked good. :shrug: I don’t know. Obviously he didn’t hit his spots. They also said he pitches like Kenny Rogers, and we should get used to seeing a loooot of 3-2 counts this season.

http://www.realityfish.com

by Robin G on Mar 10, 2010 8:33 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I hope that's not the case, all those 3-2 counts.

He doesn’t really have good enough stuff to nibble at hitters like that.

If last season is any indication (and really, that’s a crap shoot), he did throw a few more pitches to get his 199 innings than he threw in ’03 and ’04 when he was healthy. But how much of that was Pavano, and how much of that was the hitter…understanding that Pavano had been ineffective and hurt the last five years, willing to take a few pitches. 3-2 counts are just as much about the guy looking to hit the ball as they are about the guy throwing it.

I don’t know. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, but every pitcher will face 3-2 counts umpteen times per season anyway. I’m not sure that Pavano would be in a situation where he’ll be facing that count a significant number of times more than any of the other starters. Color me dubious for now.

by Jesse on Mar 10, 2010 8:51 AM EST up reply actions

To me Pavano

should be the fifth starter. Baker,Slowey,Liriano,Blackburn,Pavano tell Gardy.

by b1 on Mar 10, 2010 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

Dazzle and Grodo didn't seem unhappy with Punto either

But he has three errors and a misplay already. They have their favorites and have trouble seeing faults in them.

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

by cmathewson on Mar 10, 2010 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

Valencia/Revere

Theyre not going to make the team. I don’t think we have to worry about tough decisions going north.

The Twins need the 12 man staff, especially with Nathan out. That leaves four on the bench. They will be Thome, a backup catcher, the loser of Harris/Punto, and Casilla or Tolbert. I just don’t see why the Twins would keep Valencia or Revere with the club. Maybe Valencia could come up mid year, if he is looking ready, and the 3B situation with the team is ugly, but I don’t see Revere coming up at all.

by snolls on Mar 10, 2010 9:06 AM EST reply actions

Hugh's is getting alot of Playing time at 2B

Do we really need Casilla?

by b1 on Mar 10, 2010 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

Hughes has options; Casilla doesn't

If you think that there’s any chance at all that Casilla will amount to anything, and if you don’t think that Hughes is all that much better, you send Hughes to the minors, because if you try to do that with Casilla, someone will claim him on waivers.

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Mar 10, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

We let Tolleson and Pridie walk

If Casilla walks I don’t think we’re out much. DeLosSantos,Plouffe,Tolbert,Hughes,Singleton,Dinkelman. We let Buscher go to.

by b1 on Mar 10, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

I agree

They’re probably not going to make the team out of spring training, was a bit of hyperbole on my part. If either was called up (more likely Valencia), it would probably displace Casilla. If Revere keeps this up, who knows? Maybe we break tradition and start him in AAA? Unlikely, but not outside the realm of possibility…ok perhaps with the Twins.

by Adam Peterson on Mar 10, 2010 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

A strong spring training could shed years off wait time...

Remember the year Garza was in spring training? By midseaon Grady was begging the front office to call hime up even though he started in high A that season. If Ben proves he a real CF or a real lead of man, he’s going to jump to the top of the OF pecking order.

"I couldn't do that. Could you do that? Why can they do it? Who are those guys?"

by maxisagod on Mar 10, 2010 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

Why did we pick-up Jamerson (spelling?)

I thought it was to back-up Span? He’s not even playing in the games! If he was going to be Span’s back-up, should’nt he be getting some playing time? I never thought we should of picked him up. I like Revere,Martin and Roberts.

by b1 on Mar 10, 2010 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

No

Jimerson was signed to a minor league contract and not invited to major league camp. He was signed to provide outfield depth in Rochester, and I don’t think there was any thought of him being in the majors this year except in case of injury (probably several injuries).

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Mar 10, 2010 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

Ben could be positioning himself

as a callup in case Span goes down with an injury this year. I think the best plan for Revere is to begin the season in AA and give him a chance to earn AAA, but if he has a dominating spring, I’d be very happy if Revere skips AA and goes right to Rochester.

by Adam Peterson on Mar 10, 2010 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't

I think he needs to see a lot of breaking balls before he’s ready. Pitchers are throwing a lot of first pitch fastballs to get their work in. He’s swinging at them. I’d like to see him hit major league pitching toward the end of camp when they are using all their pitches. I’d especially like to see him battle when behind in the count and not strike out. When I do, I’ll be more confident he can handle AAA. Until then, send him to AA and let him prove he can hit the breaking ball when behind in the count.

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

by cmathewson on Mar 10, 2010 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

It's still very early

Did I read correctly that fielding whiz Nick Punto made two errors? I wonder if there may be a bigger problem with his right arm than just a sore wrist. If Valencia is the best option at third, he should start the season with the Twins. I think he may be, but will have to go back to Rochester to “show maturity” or some such thing.

I don’t think Pavano is near as much a nibbler as Rogers, but he does have to avoid the middle of the plate.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Mar 10, 2010 10:24 AM EST reply actions