Twins Player of the Game: July 27, 2011

by Jesse on Jul 28, 2011 8:06 AM EDT in Player of the Game, 2011

Last night the Twins won convincingly. And you'll forgive me if I firmly believe that it was awesome. In celebration we're bringing back our Player of the Game vote, since we haven't been able to do one in what seems like forever. Here are your candidates for last night's victory over the Rangers!

Brian Duensing: A lot of people have been waiting for Duensing to move back to the bullpen so the Twins could give Kevin Slowey another chance at the Major League rotation, but as usual Duensing answered a bit of unease with a solid performance. He was relieved with two outs in the seventh, having surrendered just one run to the big-time Ranger offense on seven hits and a walk. Duesning struck out six.

Joe Mauer: His first homer of the year, another multi-hit game, a walk, a pair of runs batted in...and three runs scored. Somewhere, Mauer haters are lurking and waiting for a bad week so they can bring themselves back out of the woodwork.

Michael Cuddyer: Minnesota's offensive MVP delivered again, with his own home run, his own multi-hit game, his own pair of runs batted in...and two runs scored.

Jason Kubel: It's so good to have a legitimate middle of the order again. Kubel landed a trio of hits and a trio of runs batted in; one of his hits was his 15th double of the season.

So, Twins fans. Who's your horse today?

Poll

Last night's player of the game is...

Brian Duensing

263 votes

Joe Mauer

183 votes

Michael Cuddyer

48 votes

Jason Kubel

43 votes

537 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Had to go with Duensing,

He is probably the one that had the most to lose.

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!!!

by bf4mvp on Jul 28, 2011 8:59 AM EDT reply actions

And here I thought this was going to be another easy one

With Joe suddenly hitting more than singles and all…

I admittedly did vote for him, but without Duensing, this game might have ended differently!

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 28, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

Where's the love for Cuddy?

by KirstenR on Jul 28, 2011 9:15 AM EDT reply actions

Kinda have to give it to Mau Mau

That was HUGE for him as well as the team last night.

"It's not what you do when you walk in the door that matters. It's what you do when you walk out. That's when you've made a lasting impression." -Jim Thome

by IloveThomeHomers on Jul 28, 2011 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

Mau Mau?

by clutterheart on Jul 28, 2011 11:11 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Mau Mau?

"The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't."
Follow me @SimulacraAlex or on facebook!

by TWinSS on Jul 28, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Mau Mau?

by Gooseke on Jul 28, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Moe Jauer

by Caulfield on Jul 28, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Good starting pitching wins games...

…but one of the best players in MLB was pretty well on his game last night – I can’t not give credit to Mauer.

"...and we'll see ya tomorrow night!" - Jack Buck, Game 6, 1991 World Series

by WindyCityTwinsFan on Jul 28, 2011 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

Voted Duensing

Went 6 2/3 innings. Gave up one run. Had good control of the strike zone and kept a very potent offensive team in check. Tough for me not to vote for him even with the HR from Mauer and Cuddy.

by TC Mooch on Jul 28, 2011 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

Especially good from Duensing considering what we have been getting from our starters

lately, and the BP needed a start like this.

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!!!

by bf4mvp on Jul 28, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Jason Kubel quietly rising

It’s been a long time coming, but Jason Kubel is pretty close to being at his peak as a ballplayer. He’s finally gotten back most of his foot speed, his arm is strong and accurate, and his swing is popping nicely. Also, he’s one of those guys that looks like a polished ballplayer, one that knows exactly what to do from play to play.

Right now I’d stick Kubel in RF and leave him there. Play Plouffe in the infield or LF, keep Cuddy at 1st.

by jimbo55403 on Jul 28, 2011 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

Plouffe will be at 2B

Casilla popped a hamstring

by DJL44 on Jul 28, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Good to have a tough choice

With three big hitters hitting like big hitters, and a SP bouncing back in a stud-like way, any of them would be deserving. Isn’t that great?

by Theo77 on Jul 28, 2011 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

Mauer gets the nod

The catcher gets a little credit for the good pitching which puts him over the edge.

by DJL44 on Jul 28, 2011 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

Heh,

I remember Mauer haters. How Silly.

"The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't."
Follow me @SimulacraAlex or on facebook!

by TWinSS on Jul 28, 2011 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

Hard to decide who to vote for

I ended up going with Duece just because of how crappy our pitching has been lately and how awesome he did

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

by twinsgirl197 on Jul 28, 2011 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

Me too.

I really am happy for Mauer but since pitching has been the achilles hill of the Twins this season I had to go with Duensing for keeping that Ranger line-up at bay.

"Somebody once asked me if I ever went up to the plate trying to hit a home run. I said, 'Sure, every time." --Mickey Mantle

by ilovethetwins on Jul 28, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions