Twins Player of the Game: August 3, 2011

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 10:25 AM EDT in Player of the Game, 2011

Kubel went deep last night, but still doesn't qualify for the Player of the Game ballot.. Who would you choose?

Last night was just one of those games where it's impossible to pick just one guy and lift him above the rest. Because let's be honest, no game is ever about just one player, no matter how overwhelming of a performance they may have given. On Wednesday night the Twins had a number of heroes, so we'll ask the hard question: who was your favorite?

Michael Cuddyer: His grand slam in the top of the fifth broke a 4-4 tie and seemingly destroyed any momentum the Angels may have built by overcoming Minnesota's early 3-0 lead. But Cuddles would pick up two hits in the game, and his second would also be a homer. That solo blast in the ninth was, considering how badly this season has gone for the Twins, some satisfying dirt in the opposition's wound. We've experienced more than enough of that this year.

Anthony Swarzak: When Scott Baker struggled to get through three innings, Swarzak stepped in and more than did his job. Taking the hill in the top of the fourth with the Twins trailing 4-3, he owned the Angels batters for five innings. No runs allowed, just one hit and a walk: that's big time. Especially considering he had to pick up Baker.

Delmon Young: Young's two-run homer in the second put the Twins up 3-0, and his solo shot in the fourth tied the game immediately after the Angels decimated Baker in the bottom of the third. Cuddyer's shot put the Twins up for good, Swarzak kept them there, but it was Delmon who kept the Twins in it early.

Poll

Who's your player of the game?

Michael Cuddyer

167 votes

Anthony Swarzak

107 votes

Delmon Young

49 votes

323 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Does Mike Scioscia qualify?

Bringing in a lefty to face Cuddyer with the bases loaded was a game changer. For a manager in a heated pennant chase, that was a colossally dumb move.

After his 2 homers last night, Cuddyer has now hit 10 homers in 133 PAs against LHP. He’s hit 8 homers in 309 PAs against RHP.

In the last 3 seasons, Cuddyer ranks behind only Pujols and Youkilis in wRAA against LHP.

by Bobomojo on Aug 4, 2011 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

Rakin'.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

While that wasn't a good idea

Given how far off the mark several of Piniero’s last pitches were, I’m unconvinced that he could have thrown a strike. Plus he was in danger of wild pitching or plunking those runs in. Might as well bring in the guy you’ve got warm at that point; even lefties get Cuddyer out most of the time.

by timprov on Aug 4, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Also there was a 1-0 count.

New Pitcher. Lefty. To face Cuddyer. 1-0 count. The ONLY thing that Takahashi is thinking about doing on the first pitch is throwing a strike.

Cuddy’s crazy not to go after that first pitch hard.

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

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

by alstevenmann on Aug 4, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

fear The Cuddler

by bl4ckduck on Aug 4, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotta go Cuddy

But damn, Swarzak was what the doctor ordered last night!

by foertsch on Aug 4, 2011 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

Yes

I really want him in the rotation. He has been solid and sometimes spectacular this year.

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

by cmathewson on Aug 4, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Last night surely moves him up in management's mind

Huge pickup there and our starters have (mostly) been a mess lately. I’d love to see him get a shot. It seems he’s stretched out enough for it!

I gave him the POTG for sheer save our assness, but Cuddy really changed the momentum in this thing. What a beautiful thing.

by dctwin on Aug 4, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Nothing beats a Grand Slam

Sex is a close second.

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

by cmathewson on Aug 4, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I've never hit a grand slam,

but I’m still not sure I believe you. Just sayin’.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, I guess you both have something to try for the first time!

;)

"The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't."
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by TWinSS on Aug 4, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Zing

by Caulfield on Aug 4, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I want him in the bullpen

He’s doing well there and they need the help

by DJL44 on Aug 4, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I went with Swarzak too,

He has been spectacular out of the BP and come through with a few good starts in between. Cuddyer was awesome too, but look how many times lately with our shaky starters Swarzak has come through. He deserves a little love.

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

by bf4mvp on Aug 4, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I went with Swarzak

Baker kept letting the Angels tie it back up. Without Swarzak stopping their offense, it could easily have been an 11-10 game or something similiar to the Texas game last week.

That said, grand slams are always awesome, and the home run explosion was much appreciated.

by missles on Aug 4, 2011 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Swarzak is looking great

I am so happy for Anthony Swarzak this year. His first stint in the majors ended badly, and his struggles in the minors since then were really frustrating. Finally, we’re starting to see the dominant pitcher I thought he was going to be. He’s got a quick delivery, good accuracy, a moving fastball, and a lot of bite on his curve. The biggest problem moving forward is, if Swarzak becomes a starter next year, who will fill his super-reliever role? Nobody except Perkins dominates like Swarzak, and Perk is now just a one-inning guy. Swarzak does it all – spot starts, long relief, short relief, set-up, closer, and he steps up several times per week. He’s doing everything Matt Guerrier used to do. I hope they don’t burn him out.

by jimbo55403 on Aug 4, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I went Delmon

since I felt he wouldn’t get much love in the poll, and who the hell saw that performance coming?

by archie2227 on Aug 4, 2011 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Our new favorite gif says Delmon saw the hell out of it.

by foertsch on Aug 4, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Delmon wants to show some value

When was the last time you saw Demon Young gun down a runner or dive for a ball? The latter is rare and the former is extinct. I think Gardenhire prefers Ben Revere’s gonzo style and blazing speed to Delmon’s sloppy, lackadaisical play in LF. Even with a wet noodle arm, Revere is more valuable in the field, which means Delmon needs to show value somewhere else, like at the plate.

Unless his fielding improves dramatically, Delmon Young will spend a lot more time at DH on this team or some other team. Time to catch fire with the bat, big guy!

by jimbo55403 on Aug 4, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions