Methodical Baker Stymies Royals

by Jesse on Jul 30, 2007 11:43 PM EDT in News Comment 6 comments

Allows two hits, no walks in eight innings

Since returning to the Twins on May 19, those flashes of promise that were few and far between have started showing up on a regular basis. These days, when Scott Baker toes the rubber, I believe the Twins will have a legitimate chance to win the game because of his efforts. Since June 15, the 25-year old has had only one bad start. Over his last eight starts, his line has been more than satisfactory:
Split IP ERA WHIP K/9 BB/9 HR/9 6/20 - 7/30 52.1 3.61 0.99 6.71 1.03 0.52
On Monday night he mixed a dancing fastball (92-94 mph) with an array of offspeed and breaking pitches. He seemed to work extremely well moving in and out on hitters as opposed to up and down, and kept the pitches that were up in the zone to a minimum. Scott Baker is pitching with confidence and authority, and this time out he owned the offense.

Offensively for the Twins, Jason Tyner led off with Castillo's departure for New York. He went 3-for-4 and narrowly missed his second career home run, bouncing a rocket off the baggy no more than two feet from the top. His line included a single, double and triple with two runs, and is now batting .318/.362/.432 since June 1.

All three runs were knocked in by Joe Mauer, driving in both Tyner and Bartlett in the bottom of the first with a beautiful line drive double downt the left field line. His third RBI came in the bottom of the eighth, when Royal reliever Jimmy Gobble (who had been checking on Tyner at second base) was halfway through his windup before even laying eyes on home plate. Buck was set up outside and Gobble missed inside, and Mauer drove it to right field for a single. Tyner scored easily to make the score what would be an eventual final of 3-1.

Monday's win puts the Twins six games back of the Indians. Depending on the outcome of the Tigers/Athletics game, they could be either six or seven behind Detroit. In spite of Luis Castillo's trade late Monday afternoon, the Twins appear to be far from 'done' mathematically or realistically, no matter how badly things looked after Cleveland trounced us on Friday. Hopefully the Twins can continue to take care of business with Kansas City in town for three more days.

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Yep...

we do still have a chance.

Again, it'd be nice if TR STILL deals Silva and Rincon (and brings up Slowey and Korecky) but still ADDS either Ensberg or Piazza to see if they can give us some life there.

I certainly think that would be a good plan of attack at least.

by djskilbr on Jul 31, 2007 12:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It was

It was quite a good night for Mr Baker. He made a lot of very nice pitchec, especially with his breaking balls on those strikeouts.

He'll always be a guy though, that when he has an outing like this, it's from a lot of fly balls that just didn't find the gaps or the stands.

Not to take too much away from him though, he was economical with his pitches and got a lot of pop ups instead of deep fly balls. A good showing.

Baseball is great because you cant take a knee or kill the clock. You gotta put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn shot E Weaver abridged

by AdamOnFirst on Jul 31, 2007 12:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thing is ...

The outfield didn't spend the night running down rockets - the Royals weren't getting good wood on the ball.

Granted, they're still the Royals, but they've been better lately - there's reason to see this outing as encouraging.

by BD57 on Jul 31, 2007 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw Baker throw against Detroit

He looks like a major league pitcher.

Young fresh arms have more life in them. Maybe baseball is changing. Pitchers seem more likely to be bigger, younger and throw harder. Not a good trend for guys like Slowey. But Baker's stock is rising, as is Garza's. With Boof and Liriano, another few years and the Twinks will have everything nailed down but a way to score runs without Mauer and Morneau doing the damage.

by Old Twins Cap on Jul 31, 2007 1:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully in a few years...

Parmelee and Lis will be ready, and Cuddyer will still be a good bat.

by Jesse on Jul 31, 2007 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Twins Pitching

the Twinks will have everything nailed down

I don't think so. Teams usually need at least six starters. Someone will get hurt or fall apart. The Twins have one guy who has proven himself, Santana. It starting to look like Bonser and Baker may join him by the end of the season. Bonser has success last year that he has carried over into this year. Next year, Baker will still have to show he can do it two years in a row.

Garza and Liriano have larger upsides, but a lot more to prove before anyone puts their name down in ink for a rotation spot next spring. Garza will be there before the end of the season if continues to pitch the way he ahs. But no one knows where Liriano will be.

by TT on Jul 31, 2007 9:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs