GameChat – Twins @ Tigers #2, 12:05pm, 1500espn & MLB.tv only

[edit] I LIED! The calendar doesn’t have this broadcast listed for FSN but it seems to be on the FSN list!! woohoo!

photo courtesy of Jim Mone/ASSOCIATED PRESS

First of all, I feel it’s utterly appropriate to recognize that a year ago, today, we lost Harmon Killebrew. For the Twins fans and team, this was a HUGE loss. I think we are continuing to feel his absence both up in MN and in the minor leagues where he had such an impact on young players. You’ll always be missed Killer.

 

 

 

 

On to the game: today’s pre-game roster moves are not what anyone was actually expecting. After last night’s odd victory (both in on-field activity and record), we had some odd announcements. We expected to see Doumit moved to the DL after popping a calf muscle during the game and having Butera replace him defensively in the 8th. Turns out, he had an MRI and it was all good news! Doumit is day-to-day but could be available to DH very soon. Of course that means he joins the ranks of the bench-injured – a growing club with this team that includes Span and apparently Capps as well. In a rare move, the Twins actually did place someone on the DL – Nick Blackburn – with a strained left quad. That does explain the horrible 2 inning outing. However, the team brought up Ben Revere to take the open spot on the roster…  color me a tad confused. I’m sure the decision regarding Revere was made when the team assumed they were losing Doumit for awhile. But I certainly didn’t expect to see the team go to 12 pitchers the day after we used the entire available bullpen to win a game. I think that we have a lot of pressure on Walters today.. let’s see what happens.

Minnesota

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Detroit
Revere, CF Kelly, CF
Dozier, SS Dirks, LF
Mauer, 1B Cabrera, Mi, 3B
Willingham, LF Fielder, 1B
Morneau, DH Young, D, DH
Plouffe, RF Avila, C
Casilla, A, 2B Boesch, RF
Butera, C Peralta, Jh, SS
Carroll, 3B Raburn, 2B
  Walters, P   Fister, P

 

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Minnesota

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3

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4

10

1

Detroit

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2

The Twins won a SERIES!!! Detroit may lead the division at some point (probable) this season but their defense is going to have to improve for that to happen. BUT if you have the bats, solid defense and miracle of all miracles, a BULLPEN, you can go places!! Justin Morneau got 3 of today’s 4 RBI so I gotta say it’s really good to have him back. And you’ll never guess who leads the team in Batting Average right now.. yes, it’s DREW BUTERA! *dies laughing* Statistically, Drew was 3/4 today but actually got on base all 4 plate appearances due to an error.

But, as I mentioned in the pregame notes, the pressure for today was all on PJ Walters. Since our bullpen had to cover 7 innings last night, there wasn’t a lot of room for anything but a deep outing from our starter today. And while Detroit may do their best circus emulation on the field, they DO bring the big bats to the plate. It’s no easy job to face that lineup inning after inning. So while we offer our heartiest thanks and plates of pastries to Doc & Drew for their stellar efforts today, the BOD goes to the new comer, PJ Walters! Congrats on your first Twins win!

Photo credit: Jim Mone / AP

St. Paul Saints Opening Day!

There is other baseball to watch in the Twin Cities! We are actually a blessed community to have options. So if & when you are frustrated with watching the Twins at points during the season – and even if you’re not! The Saints make a great show of 9 innings in addition to the ballgame. And the Saints actually made it to the playoffs last year.. and took it all the way through Championship only to lose out in the last possible game.. I’m hoping for one game better this year!

 

Since the Season Opener is at home, they have a GREAT week of activities planned for all the fans that show up to enjoy this great May weather. This is all after a fun week of exhibition activities that culminated in the World’s Largest Game of Catch yesterday where the team mascot was introduced to the public.. in case you don’t already know, the Saints pick a little piggy to represent them until roasting time at the end of the season. This year is breaking tradition just a bit! They have Co-Mascots this year.

Introducing Kim LARDashian and Kris HAMphries!

Better news is that their union will actually last longer than their namesakes.. *snort*

There are a LOT of other things going on this week that you would love to be a part of!

Tickets are so affordable, you can bring the whole family!

BTW, in other news from this years legislative discussions regarding stadium funding, the Saints were also at the capitol looking for some funding to move from Midway to a new home base in Lowertown, St. Paul. They certainly don’t have the weight to throw around that the Vikings or Twins do nor are they looking for anything like the amount of money as the big boys.. And the news at this point is that while they did not receive any direct funding, they most likely are eligible to apply for an economic development grant to fulfill their needs. That will take some more time to work out but I’m sure that further announcements will come later.

Until then, as old as it is, Midway is a fun place to watch a baseball game and I hope you all will make an attempt to go out and join the fun!