CapitalBabs is at Target Field today, which means two things… we hope to have a first-person report of the game, complete with photos, by tomorrow AND you have to put up with me posting the lineups and setting up the GameChat today. I haven’t had this much responsibility in a while, so I hope I don’t blow it.
First, let’s cover a few team notes being reported this morning.
As was indicated last night, the Twins plan to activate Nick Punto off of the Disabled List in time for him to be eligible to play in the first game of the WhiteSox series on Tuesday. Today, Gardy indicated “a catcher” would be sent to Rochester to make room for Punto. Hmmmm… wonder who that will be. I suggest someone call Rochester to make sure Jose Morales’ RedWings uniform has been cleaned.
Matt Tolbert has been doing his “rehab assignment” with the RedWings and the Twins now have officially reactivated him and optioned him to Rochester. No surprise there. His rehab stint has gone well but there’s simply no spot on the Twins for him at this point.
Over the past week or so, there has been some discussion about what roster move the Twins would/should make when Justin Morneau is reactivated. With Morales sent down, there really isn’t any obvious position player deserving of a demotion. In any event, it turns out this discussion can wait for a while… and perhaps a long while. Doc has apparently still not had a single symptom-free day since going down with a concussion over a month ago. As much as we all want to see #33 back in the line up, you simply can not rush this thing. Take care of things the right way and be ready to provide that huge offensive and defensive lift down the stretch.
| ATHLETICS | @ | TWINS |
| Crisp, CF | Span, CF | |
| Barton, D, 1B | Hudson, O, 2B | |
| Suzuki, K, C | Mauer, C | |
| Cust, DH | Kubel, RF | |
| Kouzmanoff, 3B | Cuddyer, 1B | |
| Ellis, M, 2B | Thome, DH | |
| Davis, R, RF | Valencia, 3B | |
| Carter, LF | Repko, LF | |
| Pennington, SS | Casilla, A, SS | |
| Mazzaro, P | Slowey, P |
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Soooooo many things to say about this game, but let’s start with the most important thing first. The SWEEEEEEEEEEEP of the Oakland A’s!
There was no shortage of drama today, either. How about Jason Repko’s amazing leaping catch in left field? Danny Valencia’s three hits! and of course, the Chairman, Joe Mauer, continuing his terrific hitting. All are deserving of assorted pastries.
The big stick today was Jim Thome, who’s 3-run homer (career number 580, for those of you counting) ended up providing the difference-making runs. Jim gets all the ice cream he can eat!
(I suppose it would just be mean to suggest we also send some “thank you baked goods” over to JJ Putz in Chicago for coughing up leads the last two games and allowing the Twins to build a 3 game lead in the AL Central race over the BitchSox headed in to their series at Target Field this week… so I won’t suggest that.)
In an ordinary day, Thome may also have been worthy of the Boyfriend of the Day award. But when your starting pitcher comes back from missing a start with a sore elbow and throws seven no-hit innings, there can be no doubt as to who wins the BOD award. (By the way, those fans who booed the decision to lift Slowey after 7 innings need to buy a clue… you simply do NOT risk hurting a pitcher who’s coming back from a sore elbow.)
Yes, you, Kevin Slowey, are our Boyfriend of the Day!
Jim, I agree with you in regards to the “fans” booing the decision to pull Slow Ride after seven innings. It’s a tough decision that is being criticized, and it’s certainly a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” thing. People would complain if Slow Ride was left in because “he’ll blow out his elbow and his season is over!” They’re complaining because they feel that he was denied a little piece of history.
I do have to agree with Gardy on this one. It isn’t worth the risk of losing Slowey to let him get the complete game no-hitter. If his pitch count was lower than it was there wouldn’t be an issue. If it was Liriano, Pavano, or Duensing with the no-hitter they could have been left in because they haven’t had very many problems this season. You simply do not take that kind of risk when someone has an elbow injury.
So…Punto’s back.
Is Valencia still the starting 3B? Is Punto back to Util? Does he start at SS now until JJ is feeling better?
Whatcha think?
I think they’ll try to fit him in at 1st to give Cuddy a day off or 2. What? He’s versatile. : )
Good job Slowey! Thx Thome. Booing is stupid.
I think it will be very interesting to see where Gardy fits Punto in. If/when everyone is healthy, Hudson, Hardy and Valencia deserve to be the primary starters and Casilla has done very well… well enough to deserve the first spot off the bench when Hudson and Hardy get a break. Punto should probably only be used to give Valencia a break and to pinch run for Thome.
Just my feelings at this point. It’s good to have depth when you’re going to have injuries like the Twins have.
I agree with Gardy pulling Slowey out. Its not like Slowey had the best command today (something like 3 walks, a hit batter, and something like 105 pitches through 7)
A combined no-hitter does lose a little luster, but hey if that happens that bullpen gets credit for something too!