So tonight’s game is going to be a bit bigger challenge than we had originally had in mind – at least on paper. We’re going up against Dan Haren (eye candy) instead of the rookie Chatwood. Considering that Haren is kicking ass pretty well this year, I hope the boys are able to bring the bats to the game. That being said, it’s usually the less than adequate hurlers that the Twins make look like Cy Young so here’s hoping.
For those of you who follow the young kids, it appears Kyle Gibson might be headed for surgery. That would really suck for him to have to go through that so early in his career – especially when it showed so much promise. Surgery isn’t guaranteed yet but he’s definitely hurting and that’s never good for a pitcher regardless. Here’s wishing him the best no matter what he has to go through in the near future.
In the good news category, Justin Morneau has decided he’s ready for rehab games in AAA. Gardy would have liked a simulated game but Doc wants real baseball so he’s scheduled to play on Friday. Good luck Justin, we’re looking forward to having you back soon!
Tonight we have more lineup shuffling and Mauer back in the 2spot. With Revere sitting, we’re back with Delmon in LF – who says he doesn’t like DH’ing. Interesting. If he doesn’t like DH’ing, I highly recommend that he start working on his fielding a LOT more or he will be relegated to that position sooner rather than later. And we have more infield mixup going – the Nishi, Cuddy, Mauer combo seems.. unusual. Again, I’m hoping for a lot of offense since I’m not 100% confident on the defensive rhythmn.
| Minnesota |
@ |
LA Angels |
| Span, CF | Izturis, M, DH | |
| Mauer, 1B | Callaspo, 3B | |
| Cuddyer, 2B | Hunter, To, RF | |
| Kubel, RF | Wells, V, LF | |
| Thome, DH | Kendrick, H, 2B | |
| Valencia, 3B | Trumbo, 1B | |
| Young, D, LF | Aybar, SS | |
| Nishioka, SS | Bourjos, CF | |
| Butera, C | Mathis, C | |
| Liriano, P | Haren, P |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Minnesota | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| LA Angels | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | x | 7 | 11 | 1 |
Bad starting pitching, bad defense and very little hitting. Not much chance of winning with that combination. Babs’ stated lack of confidence in the infield Gardy put out there was well founded, as it turned out.
The only positive things I saw tonight were three scoreless innings of bullpen work by Phil Dumatrait, Jose Mijares and Joe Nathan. along with Jim Thome’s 598th career home run. – JC