Player of the Game: Beating the Dodgers Edition

by Jesse on Jun 30, 2011 7:01 AM EDT in Player of the Game, 2011

If it feels like it's been forever since we've had this vote, it's because it's felt like forever. Losing does that to you. But we're back! And if you're curious to see who our past winners have been, be sure to check out our Player of the Game 2011 page.

This series didn't start out too well. Hell, after that 15-0 drubbing where Twins pitchers allowed 25 hits in the process, I would have been happy for Minnesota to salvage one game of this series. Yet they showed some fortitude, once again, and shook off one of the worst defeats I can remember as a Twins fan to come back and take two of three from the Dodgers. With that, here are your series nominees.

Scott Baker: 7.1 innings, no runs, nine strikeouts in what would be a 1-0 Twins win. He needed some help from his offense, not to mention 1.2 innings of brilliant help from his bullpen, but Baker was undoubtedly huge again.

Ben Revere: 4-for-10 (with two walks) in the series, which is great. But all of those on-base opportunities came after going 0-for-4 in that 15-0 stomping. Exceptional in games two and three. He also scored three runs and stole three bases.

Joe Mauer: Joe was the only Twins player to collect a hit in all three games this series, finishing the three-game set with a 3-for-10 mark, including a walk, double, and RBI. Not a standout performance like Revere in game two, but steady.

Luke Hughes: An o-fer in game one, but his two-run blast was the deciding blow in game two, and he'd add another hit in game three. Just 2-for-11 in the series, but one of those hits was massive.

Poll

Who is your Player of the Game for the Dodger series?

Scott Baker

232 votes

Ben Revere

126 votes

Joe Mauer

5 votes

Luke Hughes

17 votes

380 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

This was tough between Baker and Revere

but I went with Baker. He’s been outstanding.

Baseball reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.-Terence Mann/James Earl Jones in FoD

by Twins33 on Jun 30, 2011 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

Sometimes the poll doesn't get it

Baker was great, but so was De La Rosa. Ben Revere got the only run off a great young pitcher. Revere got his first great compliment from Don Mattingly when the Dodgers manager gave him a free pass, although it certainly worked out when an over-matched Nishioka very politely grounding out to end the inning.

I am seeing the core of a new Twins baseball team emerging over this summer. Revere and Luke Hughes look like part of that new core. Those guys belong. They’ve got speed, power and grit, which is what it takes to have a winning club. In an otherwise disastrous season, there are signs that the Minnesota Twins have a bright future coming out of Rochester.

by jimbo55403 on Jun 30, 2011 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

What do you mean "the poll doesn't get it"?

You think De La Rosa deserves to be included? That’s not the point.

I agree on Revere, although I’m looking forward to seeing how he responds once teams have a bigger scouting report on him. His upside is still Juan Pierre, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but being able to take a few more walks would do him a world of good.

With Hughes, I like him. I’d like to see him flash that power a little more often though, or else he’s just a bench player. Which is fine, because those guys have value too and they’re needed.

by Jesse on Jun 30, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Have a clue Jesse

Yesterday was a pitching dual between De La Rosa and Baker and what happened is that Ben Revere got the only run of the game off the Dodgers pitcher. He simply thinks that Ben Revere should be getting more votes (I have at least voted for him) than Scott Baker. That is not disqualifying Baker’s performance or anything, but pitchers need to rely on their teammates for offense in the AL. Without that run, Scott Baker could have had a no decision while the Twins lose the game in extra innings.

I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew

by Jessy S on Jun 30, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

So...the voters don't get it....?

The poll is fine.

"My clique should be cancelled. Freaks and Geeks...." ---Childish Gambino

Tweeting sports, movies, TV, just about everything @alstevenmann

by alstevenmann on Jun 30, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

The poll is fine. All I am saying is that there has to be a case for Ben Revere because he pretty much scored the winning run of the game. Scott Baker’s performance can be discribed like a football tackle making a path for the runner. The original point was that Ben Revere deserves it more because he provided the only run of the game in front of a good pitching duel.

by Jessy S on Jun 30, 2011 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

My thought on that point:

I’m not down on this team enought to praise one guy for producing one run. Was it a huge run? Absolutely. There were 8+ innings of zero runs between two teams after that. But it’s one run. In a 1-0 win, the #1 reason is your pitcher. I don’t see anyway around that.

I’m very high on Revere and glad he finally got a triple and that we took advantage.
But the fact that his other hit and the IBB basically led to nothing, doesn’t help his case at all.

Call it an over-exaggeration, but really, the game was on the line with every one of Baker’s pitches, and he was great.

"My clique should be cancelled. Freaks and Geeks...." ---Childish Gambino

Tweeting sports, movies, TV, just about everything @alstevenmann

by alstevenmann on Jun 30, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions