Twins Drop Nightcap, 6-3 To Indians

by Jon Marthaler on Jul 18, 2011 11:14 PM EDT in Game Recaps

All those who dreamed of moving within three games of Cleveland will have to wait for another series. Fausto Carmona threw six strong innings for the Indians, and the away team's bullpen locked down a doubleheader sweep.

Scott Diamond was okay on his major league debut, allowing four runs (three earned) in six and a third. Not bad for a first major-league start, but not spectacular either. We also have our first scouting report on him, as well, which is this: opposing players will hit the ball against him. A lot. He threw 90 pitches and got a grand total of one swinging strike. This may not necessarily disqualify him from pitching for the Twins, but he's not the type of guy who can blow anyone away.

Internet favorite Chuck James was singularly unimpressive, helping to put the game out of reach in the ninth by walking a hitter, balking him to second, then giving up a single and a triple. If Matt Capps had done this he would have been showered with garbage on the way off the field. Just saying.

At the plate, the Twins failed again to drive home runners in scoring position, going just 1-6 with runners on second base. Only Joe Mauer managed to single home a run, part of a day in which Mauer played two positions and got six hits. On the flip side was Ben Revere, who was 0-9 in the doubleheader and didn't manage to fight the ball all the way out of the infield all night.

Danny Valencia homered in the sixth. Trevor Plouffe went deep in the ninth. These are good things, but they also were Minnesota's only hits after the fifth inning.

The loss drops the Twins all the way to seven behind Cleveland in the Central standings. Granted, there are two more games in this series, and nearly 70 left in the season. But this particular Monday still has that feeling of putting a major, major dent in the Twins' chances this year.

Duds:

3: Phil Dumatrait's only contribution was to allow a single, driving in Cleveland's fourth run.
2. The aforementioned Ben Revere lands here for his impressive 0-9 on the day.
1. Chuck James, about whom no more need be said except that I plan to call him "Internet favorite Chuck James" forever.

Studs:

3. Scott Diamond, only because I talked to some very, very nice people from Guelph today, and they're so proud of the local boy made good.
2. Joe Mauer, for getting six hits today and raising his average from .260 to .290.
1. I don't know. The Twins lost twice today. No matter how long I type, nothing good will have happened.

Indians vs Twins coverage

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Comments

At risk of pointing out the painfully obvious,

a split is tremendously important.

by Right Field Dreamer on Jul 18, 2011 11:20 PM EDT reply actions

While it's clear that the offense was the main problem today

It’s worth pointing out that when you head into the biggest series of the season thus far, and you are forced to start Anthony Swarzak and Scott Diamond in the first two games of the series…well, you probably are not a contender.

The Wolves are like the worst meal you've ever had--terrible while you're eating it and even worse later.

by Eric in Madison on Jul 18, 2011 11:20 PM EDT reply actions

I was quite surprised we didn't see Gibson today.

by Right Field Dreamer on Jul 18, 2011 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions

don't want to start his clock/use an option

College Hockey!
Hockey at the Forks - for all your Winnipeg hockey needs

by fetch9 on Jul 18, 2011 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Guys, he pitched Sunday.

That was before the Twins knew Baker was on the DL.

by Jon Marthaler on Jul 18, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

While Gibson had nothing to do with my point, which is they aren't, you know, good enough

This remark: That was before the Twins knew Baker was on the DL. is fantastic. The humor might be a little too dry for a forum like this, though. I’m not sure subtle wit like this works on the internet too well.

Great line, though.

The Wolves are like the worst meal you've ever had--terrible while you're eating it and even worse later.

by Eric in Madison on Jul 18, 2011 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Somebody had to take the start for Rochester.

Besides, the DL Stint is a precaution namely because we had to call up somebody for today’s Doubleheader.

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 Jul 18, 2011 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you missed the joke(s)

which are a little hard to parse, but amusing.

The Wolves are like the worst meal you've ever had--terrible while you're eating it and even worse later.

by Eric in Madison on Jul 18, 2011 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

When the other guys score 5 runs and 6 runs...

….is it really the pitching?

I didn’t see the games, was it just stuff that they couldn’t quite get to in the field? Random bad pitches?

by MNPundit on Jul 19, 2011 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions

True

I wouldn’t exactly blame it on the pitching. This doubleheader and homestand represents the season in a nutshell. We have trouble scoring runs, and when we do, the bullpen has to give it up. We faced three Kansas City pitchers who we should have shellacked, and there are the errors committed on the field. As of right now, Danny Valencia is in Gardy’s doghouse.

by Jessy S on Jul 19, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Darkness!

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"God grab your neck but never choke" -Ozzie Guillen

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 18, 2011 11:29 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs

black magic, Darkness!

rec’d

"Nobody wants to hear me rap." - Joe Mauer
"METEOR" - JIM THOME

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jul 18, 2011 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Despite the HR,

I am naming Danny Valencia a Dud on the day for the fielding errors that led to runs. As of right now, he is in Gardy’s doghouse. I am sure our resident fan girl would agree with this assessment.

by Jessy S on Jul 18, 2011 11:35 PM EDT reply actions

Don't bait her

Seriously, just don’t.

Your behavior towards her is really inappropriate. You make her uncomfortable, you make me uncomfortable, and I’m pretty sure you make other people uncomfortable. Since it’s apparent that you don’t recognize what it is that makes your attention to her so creepy, I really think you should just back off and leave her alone.

I’m not saying don’t comment/post at all. Some of your stuff is amusing. I’m saying let the 14 year olds be 14 and not have to worry about creepy old dudes on the Internet.

by ColossusOfRhode on Jul 19, 2011 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions 10 recs

oh, that's a way overreaction.

she is constantly pointing out how she ‘hearts’ Danny Valencia. Constatntly. jessy is just making an attempt at lighthearted kidding. sheesh.

THIS MORNING I POURED MY CEREAL BUT IZ OUT OF MILKS!
MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! - natetheskate

by montanatwinsfan on Jul 19, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

While keeping other people in mind is important

Ms. twinsgirl197’s spelling and grammar are better than most 14-year-olds. If nobody’d ever mentioned it, I’d think she was 22 or so. It’s easy to forget these things staring at characters on a screen instead of people.

Steve Goodman lives.

by twinsbrewer on Jul 19, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm sure Jessy S means no harm. I like having him around.

But he says things at times that have a certain “ewww!” factor to them, even though it may not be his intention. Like saying, “We could never be married…” to a 14 y/o could imply it was something he was thinking about. But I think you’re right, it was just a clumsy attempt at humor.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"God grab your neck but never choke" -Ozzie Guillen

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 19, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

+1

"Nobody wants to hear me rap." - Joe Mauer
"METEOR" - JIM THOME

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jul 19, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand what you were saying

But I wasn’t trying to bait her. I was just stating the facts about Danny Valencia in yesterday’s game. The only reason why I mentioned Twinsgirl is because she makes her love for Danny known all the time.

by Jessy S on Jul 19, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

actually

I would go as far as giving him a dud but he did make some frustrating mistakes yesterday. Everyone has their off days, and yesterday was just one of those until his home run. I say that they sort of balance eachother out for being a nuetral not stud but not dud, but that’s just my opinion

I called Thome's 596th home run! BOOM! :D

by twinsgirl197 on Jul 19, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Any particular Gardenhire quote that makes you think that Valencia is not on his good side right now?

Or is it just a hunch of yours?

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 19, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

His hitting has fallen off this year

And defense has been suspect the past few games. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gardy try Trevor Plouffe at third one of these days. Don’t really read into it though because all he might need is just a little rest, but yeah, Valencia is in Gardy’s doghouse.

by Jessy S on Jul 19, 2011 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Not what I really asked, but okay

So what you really mean is that Valencia isn’t performing up to par and should be benched. That’s way different.

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 19, 2011 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Danny is getting better

Although he has hit only .232 this season, his OBP is about 50 points higher and his SLG is about 150 points higher than his batting average which is better than his numbers from last season. Over the last 30 days, his batting average is about .268 with 4 HRs and 16 RBIs. I think he is still adjusting to playing at the major league level, because remember he didn’t play a full season last year. He is the team leader in RBIs and he is only 3 HRs behind Cuddyer (who leads the team with 14). I think he will get better.

Hipsters: like hippies, only more annoying!

by doug_2050 on Jul 19, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I am ready to take the full blame for this loss

I carelessly called the result. It will not happen again.

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 19, 2011 12:58 AM EDT reply actions

Whoa, you did

I had forgotten.

All your fault.

by ColossusOfRhode on Jul 19, 2011 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Et tu, twinscrazy_german?

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"God grab your neck but never choke" -Ozzie Guillen

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 19, 2011 7:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Qu'est-ce que tu veux que je fasse, monsieur more 'neau?

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 19, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Non est ad astra mollis e terris via

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"God grab your neck but never choke" -Ozzie Guillen

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 19, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

In 7th grade I had the choice between French and Latin as my second foreign language

I chose French.

But unless there is some sort of breakthrough in space travel, you are probably correct.

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 19, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Went to the game tonight

My first time seeing target field (insane lol it defiantly ain’t no dome so nice) since I live in Cali now but up here visiting so went tonight and going tomorrow night we need to win! I’m 0-2 so far after catching the first loss in San fransisco. Was nice too see Mauer on fire with Danny v and plouffe jacks, diamond did much better than I expected but the d was bad, the pen was bad, and revere looked terrible at the plate I was really hoping for some spark plug but ouch 0-9 in the doubleheader didn’t get the ball out of the infield.

Free Carlos Guiterrez! Free Chuck James!, Free Anthony Slama!

by holymackerel on Jul 19, 2011 1:01 AM EDT reply actions

Also at the game tonight

Parts were exciting, but parts were really frustrating. Too many men left on base. Really crummy defense. Valencia blew one play and Casilla blew a couple.

I agree with holymackerel – fun to see Valencia and Plouffe hit homeruns and Diamond pitched pretty well. Diamond didn’t blow me away but he was solid through the 5th.

by al-exx on Jul 19, 2011 1:17 AM EDT reply actions

That's really all you could ask from Diamond

But we really really need offensive production right now.

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 19, 2011 5:24 AM EDT up reply actions

A very disapointing effort

By the offense.

The loss of Span is starting to show. Nothing against Revere but Span probally would have had some better AB

by clutterheart on Jul 19, 2011 6:56 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Revere's had some good moments for a rookie.

But he’s clearly not in Span’s class.

by Luke in MN on Jul 19, 2011 7:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

He’s playing well for a rookie and I love his defense but he’ll look better in the 9 spot.

by Gunnarthor on Jul 19, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I fear the "for sale" sign is coming

Don't call it a come back! We've been winning for years!

by caluofmn on Jul 19, 2011 8:39 AM EDT reply actions

If they can't beat Cleveland at home

Then they aren’t a contender

by DJL44 on Jul 19, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I feel like they have to win the next 2

and then win the series against Detroit.

The hole they dug for themselves during the first two months was just so deep…

Don't call it a come back! We've been winning for years!

by caluofmn on Jul 19, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

The sad thing is this snake-bitten season might affect their ability to sell, even if they wanted to. So many of their candidates have either been hurt (Kubel, Young) or too ineffective/inconsistent (Liriano, Slowey). In other words, it’s Sell-Low City.

I suppose Perkins, in the midst of a great year, could maybe fetch something nice if everyone in the game really is looking for relief (as they say). But that doesn’t strike me as a move they’d consider. And I’ve never been convinced Cuddyer is as good a trade chip as he’s sometimes made out to be (although he’s another guy I don’t see them moving, as they’ve said do themselves).

The bright side is if they fall out of it, we probably won’t see a Ramos-Capps redux.

by jianfu on Jul 19, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Chuck James

“If Matt Capps had done this he would have been showered with garbage on the way off the field. Just saying.”

Well, that’s probably because that would be an average appearance for Capps, this year. I’m not ready to give up on James after one bad appearance.

It was an extremely disappointing day of baseball, but no reason to get so gloomy. Let’s see how the next two games play out. If we can get back within 5, things won’t look so bad.

"I wanted to do it because it's fun, it's fun to do bad things and drive into a car."

by PurplePeopleEaters on Jul 19, 2011 8:50 AM EDT reply actions

Incarcerate Chuck James

The only stat that counts is W

by wayback on Jul 19, 2011 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Well

Crapps is being paid 7 million and james just just got recalled from aaa so there is that

Free Carlos Guiterrez! Free Chuck James!, Free Anthony Slama!

by holymackerel on Jul 19, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Oops didn't see

That statement was from the article in quotes oops

Free Carlos Guiterrez! Free Chuck James!, Free Anthony Slama!

by holymackerel on Jul 19, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

but did you notice

that our bullpen got a rest?

by Theo77 on Jul 19, 2011 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

Yes

Nathan and Perk needed a day off.

Follow me, mmk?

by John_Locke on Jul 19, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like the weather is pretty crazy in the Twin Cities right now

Very dark with heavy hail

by DavidRF on Jul 19, 2011 1:11 PM EDT reply actions

Be prepared for the illegal ailen invasion

But these illegals are different, they do roofs.

Seriously, a small cell did move through the cities, but northern Minnesota is getting pounded by rain.

However, we will have a good chance at baseball tonight.

by Jessy S on Jul 19, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Sirens blew at 350 this morning.

And again a few minutes later. Gigantic storm suddenly blew up and passed over our place. Endless lightning. Streets flooded. Power lines down. Crazy wind. All that and… nothing.

Currently HI is at 108 and it is sunny.

I’d say something political here, but it ain’t a political site.

by MNPundit on Jul 19, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions