Liriano Steps Up, Offense Impresses Again, and Jesse Damn Crain Saves the Day
by RandBall's Stu on Jul 16, 2010 11:52 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
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As noted earlier today, I took my youngest daughter to see Despicable Me (two thumbs up!) tonight, missing the first few innings of the game. It now appears I am obligated to do so again until the Twins lose. Given the current cost of going to a movie, can I borrow some money from you guys? It's for a good cause.
The Twins were in desperate need of a quality start from Francisco Liriano tonight, and he delivered it, going 7 and 2/3 innings, giving up only 2 runs, and striking out 8 as the Twins held on to win 7-4.
For a second consecutive night, the Twins offense, with help from four costly Chicago errors, gave their starter some decent run support. Minnesota broke through in the 4th, sending nine men to the plate and staking Franchise to a 4-0 lead. Key plays in the inning: Gordon Beckham error, Dayan Viciendo error, J.J. Hardy single, Orlando Hudson single. Hooray for taking advantage of lousy fielding!
Liriano exited the game with a 4-2 lead in the 8th, and after a not-disastrous appearance by Matt Guerrier (yay!), the Twins added three more runs in the bottom of the frame to put it out of reach, right? Right?
No. Jon Rauch struggled terribly in the 9th, recording just one out, walking three, surrendering 2 runs and leaving the game with the bases loaded and the tying run on first. Then, as usual in Bizarro Twins World, Jesse Crain came in and shut the door, getting Alex Rios to pop out and striking out Paul Konerko to end the game.
Studs:
- Liriano. Huge. Just huge.
- J.J. Hardy. 3-for-4, 2B, RBI, nice fielding play in the 8th to end the inning. Good to have him back.
- Crain. I can't explain it, but right now I feel better when he's in the game than any other Twins reliever. I can't believe I just typed that.
- Bengie Molina. The portly Texas Ranger hit for the cycle. (UPDATE: here's video of his 8th-inning triple. This is in real time, but you'd be forgiven for being skeptical.) I can't believe I just typed that.
Duds:
- Rauch. Bad game. Fortunate to have a 5-run cushion, couldn't find the strikezone to save his 6'11" behind by the time he was pulled.
- Chicago's defense. Both 4th-inning errors led to runs, and the 8th-inning throwing error set up Joe Mauer's 2-RBI single.
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This was not supposed to happen
For Jon Rauch anyway. Here he is the closer and gave up two runs, and loaded the bases to the point that the tying run on first and the possible winning run set to bat? Then he gets pulled and watches from the dugout as another pitcher is just lights out getting two quick outs and the save. If I was Rauch, I would be horribly embarrassed to see Jesse Crain get the cheers reserved for me. He looked that way after the game ended tonight.
Rauch is one of the more humble guys on the team.
He’s pretty quick to own his struggles and even quicker to give credit to everyone else when he gets the “save.” I do not doubt that he was embarrassed, but I do not believe it was because he was jealous he didn’t get the accolades.
I always loved that one.
At least it didn't happen in a save situation
If we were up by 3, then Rauch gave up 2 runs and loaded the bases, I think Gardy would have left him in instead of sending in Crane.
"Twins do not need to Lazy Joe maple syrup or Justin will win. They just need to Stache, beard, and embrace."
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jul 17, 2010 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Regardless
Rauch does not impress me, and never has….to me “saves” are an overblown stat. Rauch is not a playoff type closer. We are in trouble “if” we get there.
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have"
Thomas Jefferson
by RileysCannibalJct on Jul 17, 2010 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Playoff type closer?
Who is a playoff type closer? Is anyone but Rivera a member of that club?
Joe Nathan isn't
At least against the Yankees…
+36
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
Minnesota Twins 2010: GAME 163 OR BUST!!!
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 17, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Even Rivera blew the Game 7 save in the 2001 series
No closer is perfect.
"Twins do not need to Lazy Joe maple syrup or Justin will win. They just need to Stache, beard, and embrace."
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jul 17, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree that saves are overrated
And I would like a better closer than Rauch, but I don’t see an easy way to get one. Because saves are so overrated, closers are also overvalued in trades. I would like a better closer than Rauch for the playoffs, but I think he can get the job done if it comes down to it. At least I’d rather have Rauch go for it than trade some of our higher-value prospects for a closer who would be a small improvement over Rauch.
"Twins do not need to Lazy Joe maple syrup or Justin will win. They just need to Stache, beard, and embrace."
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jul 17, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Saves are overrated
But if you are stated as a closer for a team, you might want to keep on the ball and pitch the best you can. One of the big things about closers is that closers are one of the top pitchers and must complete an inning. Even if you are humble, there is something negative about being the closer and seeing somebody else finish what you started. I rather be blamed for a starting pitcher getting a no decision based on what I did rather then see another pitcher save the game.
I'm willing to let this pass, because we won
It’s been a while since he pitched. If this continues, I’ll be more worried.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. ~ Terence Mann
I'd be worried too since he last pitched well before the all-star break
That well is based on distance, not how he did his last time out.
Way to go Twins!
I thought things would come unhinged in the ninth…how bizarre Crain did the job. Guerrier seems to have inherited his ineptitude.
Only 3.5 back!
by MarshalltheIrish on Jul 17, 2010 4:08 AM EDT reply actions
JJ Hardy
Must be seeing the ball well. Everything he hit was HARD.
And now for a completely unrelated note.
I’m in the land of humidity again for a family wedding. I am lucky enough to have tickets to see the game on Sunday afternoon, before I head out for a weeklong reunion with the BWCA. It’ll be my daughter’s first trip to the BWCA. Let’s hope the mosquitos’ aim is as bad as Guerrier’s right now.
Random thoughts:
1. Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Mauer jerseys … per city block.
2. Those KFAN billboards, with all of the smiling old guys … kinda creepy.
3. Cities traffic isn’t any less frustrating.
4. How the fuck do you guys’ breathe? What, are you all amphibians?
5. Do any of you pay taxes? I could mix up a margarita by putting all the ingredients in a sack and driving around on your highways.
6. Man, Minnesotans are nice. I can merge into any lane any time I want. People actually slow down to let me in !?!?
7. Nice Zoo.
I’m sure I’ll have more random thoughts after the baseball game on Sunday. Looking forward to going to the first major league baseball game played outdoors in my life. Not looking forward to attempting to breathe the viscuous quasi-fluid that you all call air. I haven’t even finished a single blog post here and my butt crack is already sweating so hard, my testicles need a raincoat.
My life's goal: to force fischean itno using her moderator powers
by montanatwinsfan on Jul 17, 2010 11:16 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
You thought you saw a lot of Mauer jerseys...wait until you actually hit Target Field.
Hoooly crap.
As for #4…isn’t summer great?! :)
The Pavstache will own you.
I feel like construction is even worse than usual this year
But maybe it’s just that I’m driving in the cities more than usual.
Hopefully it won’t be too humid for you on Sunday. It was almost perfect Thursday night at the game, maybe that weather will hold another few days.
Also, the heat might bother you less if you stopped wearing wool coats all the time… (getting in my sheep reference quota for today)
"Twins do not need to Lazy Joe maple syrup or Justin will win. They just need to Stache, beard, and embrace."
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jul 17, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Its the Prediential Sponsored Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Act"
or whatever those long winded, probably expensive signs say. The bailout. It means a ton of money was pumped into construction projects.
I always loved that one.
I thought MN road construction was bad too....
Then I moved to Madison WI. Wow.
+1,000,000,000
I’m a student there. It can be a real nightmare.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. ~ Terence Mann
by John Veldhuis on Jul 17, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
You think that is bad
Try driving the interstate in the Bismarck-Mandan area. It is a maze of construction. No Kidding.
Montana,
Glad you are in Town. I am excited you get to see your first game! It will only be massivly humid today, after the storms, tomorrow will feel 100% different. Breezy and dry, perfect for outdoor baseball. They MAY not get the game in tonight, so watch the news, tomorrow may turn into a doubleheader.
Randomly;
The KFAN Billboards are odd. Especially the ones with PA. His Unibrow is otherworldly.
We do pay taxes. I think the third or fourth highest of the states! Its the hot and cold crap, does damage to the roads.
Minnesotans are nice, yes, but make no mistake, we are secretly cursing you while we smile and let you merge, condeming you for not planning more efficiantly.
Which zoo? One is free, one is expensive. Morneau built a bear farm at the free one.
I always loved that one.
Good game to go to.
White Sox games are always fun, and I am still undefeated! I thoroughly enjoyed Frankie stepping it up after a couple hiccups in the first. Just…quite enjoyable.
The Pavstache will own you.
I think you should go to more games
if they all end up like this one.
"Twins do not need to Lazy Joe maple syrup or Justin will win. They just need to Stache, beard, and embrace."
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jul 17, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
My friends and I got some standing room only tickets
It sucked being kicked out a lot but we eventually found god spots in the first deck of the HR porch. Also got Danny Valencia’s autograph. I’m thinking my Sconnie friends are also good luck.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. ~ Terence Mann
by John Veldhuis on Jul 17, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
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