GameChat – Page 9 – Knuckleballs

GameChat – Orioles @ Twins #3, 1:10pm

Posted on 4 May, 2014 by CapitalBabs

Now that the requisite bit of geekdom is managed..

Let’s see what Phil Hughes can do to keep the Orioles on their toes and give the Twins offense a chance to come out on top in this rubber match!

Baltimore	@	Minnesota
Markakis, RF		Dozier, 2B
Machado, M, 3B		Mauer, 1B
Cruz, N, LF		Plouffe, DH
Jones, Ad, CF		Colabello, RF
Wieters, C		Kubel, LF
Hardy, SS		Suzuki, K, C
Young, D, DH		Fuld, CF
Pearce, 1B		Escobar, E, 3B
Schoop, 2B		Florimon, SS
Gonzalez, M, P		Hughes, P, P

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Baltimore	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	8	0
Minnesota	0	0	2	0	1	0	2	0	x	5	10	1

You’ll have to forgive me if I fail to pass on any incredibly important detail since I spent most of the game switching back and forth between baseball and hockey… Sue me.

However, I actually did watch the majority of the baseball game and I liked what I saw! (except for that “not quite catch” from you Herrmann) After all, the Twins won another game, took another series, and are almost back to .500 ball. That’s good enough for 2nd in the division. I’ll take it.

Hughes did a good job keeping a hard-hitting team from hitting much too far out. Cruz is and always will be a problem but even he was leashed for MOST (not all) of his AB’s. And the dig at Herrmann aside, he was out in Right Field because Colabello got moved to 1B after Mauer had to leave the game with lower back spasms. Dozier also continued to play really good baseball and showed why we keep him up in the top of the order by stealing two bases.

But pretty much hands down for me today was the effort made by Kurt Suzuki. He got 3 hits in 3 AB’s, 2 of them were 2B’s, a BB and drove in 3 RBI. Yeah, that’ll do Zuke, that’ll do! Here’s your BOD!

GameChat – Orioles @ Twins #2, 1:10

Posted on 3 May, 2014 by CapitalBabs

Wow, if you live in MN and have been tolerating the weather this week, today is GORGEOUS!! The sun is out and the 50’s are so much better than it was… Since Nolasco did help out the bullpen last night, we should be set to take this to the birds but some actual offense would help a lot.

Baltimore	@	Minnesota
Markakis, RF		Dozier, 2B
Machado, M, 3B		Mauer, 1B
Cruz, N, DH		Plouffe, 3B
Jones, Ad, CF		Colabello, RF
Clevenger, C		Kubel, LF
Hardy, SS		Pinto, DH
Pearce, 1B		Suzuki, K, C
Lough, LF		Fuld, CF
Schoop, 2B		Florimon, SS
Chen, W, P		Correia, P

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Baltimore	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	2
Minnesota	1	0	1	0	1	0	3	0	x	6	12	0

Not only was the weather a VAST improvement over the previous week but a win is too!! Correia just kept going out each inning.. having a discussion with Andy at the end of each one but then going out for the next until he’d completed 7. Again, that makes for a nice continued break for the over-worked bullpen. I like that. Kudos and pastries for our starter today! The tough part is coming up with a BOD today… I still battle back and forth. My gut says Dozier but the numbers say Mauer.. since I have no one to discuss it with at this point, I’m just going with both!

GameChat – Orioles @ Twins, 7:10pm

Posted on 2 May, 2014 by CapitalBabs

*sigh*

Apparently this home-stand is all about teasing me with favorite former Twins…

I STILL get angry seeing JJ Hardy on someone else’s roster. Just saying.

At any rate, at least I get to see him – no complaints there. AND the weather has improved! We have sun (sometimes) and the temp is starting almost 20 degrees warmer than the last 3 games did!

Fans in TF will hopefully have that plus other reasons to enjoy some baseball!

[edit] Roster news: Hicks has been placed on the 7 day disabled list with concussion symptoms and Logan Darnell has been called up from AAA to take his spot. Of course, he’s not here yet tonight so that limits the bench but we’ll see what happens..

Baltimore	@	Minnesota
Markakis, RF		Dozier, 2B
Machado, M, 3B		Mauer, 1B
Cruz, N, LF		Plouffe, 3B
Jones, Ad, CF		Colabello, RF
Wieters, C		Kubel, LF
Hardy, SS		Pinto, DH
Young, D, DH		Suzuki, K, C
Pearce, 1B		Fuld, CF
Schoop, 2B		Escobar, E, SS
Jimenez, U, P		Nolasco, P

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Baltimore	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	3	9	1
Minnesota	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0

Gotta admit that tonight was not the most interesting baseball game ever… Nolasco didn’t pitch great but he didn’t suck either. And he did pitch a complete game so that was a HUGE bonus for the bullpen. He got lucky a few times, he left a few up but he really only paid for it once – one long bomb for 2 runs that brought the Orioles lead up to 3. But honestly, I don’t know why the Twins didn’t get any runs because I don’t think Jimenez really pitched all that well either.

Let’s just say that it didn’t really cause me any distress to move over to the hockey game when it started.

so… GO WILD!

GameChat – Dodgers @ Twins #3, 6:10pm

Posted on 1 May, 2014 by CapitalBabs

Before I get into a discussion of tonight’s game, I want to give you guys a heads up about TOMORROW’s game that I think a good portion of you will find highly appropriate. They have a last minute surprise promo giveaway that may encourage those of you in the area to pop out for evening:

Now, back to our regularly scheduled gamechat posting.

I think tonight is actually better weather than this afternoon!! Let’s hope the pitching is also improved. If you have peeked ahead, you’ll see a name that chances are, you won’t recognize. The Twins got Kris Johnson as a result of some complicated maneuvering in the Justin Morneau trade. I know next to nothing about his actual pitching ability but I do know his visit here is temporary.. for now. He’s the 26th guy that the Twins have available due to the double-header. It’s doubtful that he can do MUCH worse than the starts we have been getting from Pelfrey – not that that is what we’re going for here. *knock on wood*

LA Dodgers	@	Minnesota
Gordon, D, 2B		Dozier, 2B
Puig, RF		Mauer, DH
Ramirez, H, DH		Plouffe, 3B
Gonzalez, Ad, 1B		Colabello, 1B
Kemp, CF		Pinto, C
Van Slyke, LF		Herrmann, C, LF
Uribe, 3B		Fuld, RF
Turner, J, SS		Hicks, CF
Butera, C		Florimon, SS
Patterson, P		Johnson, K, P

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	R	H	E
LA Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	2	4	11	2
Minnesota	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	6	1

Well, you can’t blame this one on the starting pitching. Kris Johnson threw a lot of pitches, walked a few guys, but also struck out his share of Dodgers in throwing 4.1 innings of shutout baseball in his spot start.

I got home from the Kernels doubleheader (where they won both ends) in time for the final half inning of this extra-inning affair. The guys made a run at pulling out a win in the 12th but fell just short. The result is being on the wrong end of a sweep. And that sucks. – JC

GameChat – Dodgers @ Twins #2, 12:10pm

Posted on 1 May, 2014 by CapitalBabs

Ok, it’s butt cold and still rainy – this will NOT be comfortable baseball.

That being said, we should be able to get both games in which I’m sure is a great relief to MLB.

LA Dodgers	@	Minnesota
Gordon, D, 2B		Dozier, 2B
Puig, RF		Mauer, 1B
Ramirez, H, SS		Plouffe, 3B
Gonzalez, Ad, 1B		Kubel, LF
Kemp, DH		Pinto, DH
Ethier, CF		Suzuki, K, C
Uribe, 3B		Fuld, RF
Olivo, C		Hicks, CF
Crawford, C, LF		Escobar, E, SS
Haren, P		Pelfrey, P

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
LA Dodgers	0	3	2	0	0	0	3	0	1	9	15	3
Minnesota	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	4	7	0

general consensus was that this game sucked and it was all Pelfrey’s fault… It was good to see Deduno do pretty well though and good to see Gardy use the challenge well. Let’s hope this evening goes better.

GameChat – Dodgers @ Twins #1, 7:10

Posted on 30 April, 2014 by Jim Crikket

It sounds like it may be a pretty damp evening at Target Field and it will be interesting to see how many fans show up, given the weather. I guess there’s some kind of hockey game on TV that a few Minnesotans are interested in later tonight, too.

Kris Johnson, who was acquired from the Pirates in a round-about way for Justin Morneau (more accurately for a guy the Twins got for Morneau but decided they didn’t want so much, after all), has been promoted to be their allowed “26th player” for tomorrow’s scheduled doubleheader with the Dodgers. Johnson’s scheduled Rochester start earlier this week was rained out so he’s rested and got the call to pitch game 2 Thursday.

I’m sure MLB will do whatever it can to get tonight’s game in, since rescheduling later in the year would be a major league pain in the butt. But if the Twins want to win tonight, I strongly suggest they get an early lead and hang on because I could see this game ending as soon as the requisite innings have been played to make the game official. It won’t be easy, though, since they’re facing former Royal Zack Greinke, who hasn’t given up more than 2 runs in a start in something just short of forever.

So, tonight we welcome back former Twin Drew Butera, who will be catching Greinke for the Dodgers.

Los Angeles	@	Minnesota
Gordon, D, 2B		Dozier, 2B
Puig, RF		Mauer, 1B
Ramirez, H, SS		Plouffe, 3B
Gonzalez, Ad, 1B		Colabello, RF
J Kemp, CF		Kubel, LF
Ethier, DH		Pinto, DH
Uribe, 3B		Suzuki, K, C
Butera, C		Fuld, CF
Crawford, C, LF		Escobar, E, SS
Greinke, P		Gibson, P

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
LA Dodgers	0	0	2	0	0	0	3	1	0	6	12	0
Minnesota	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	4	12	1

The good news is the Twins scored the first run of the game and the last three runs of the game. The bad news is the Dodgers racked up six runs in between.

The Twins managed just one run off Greinke and while Gibson’s night was arguably not as bad as his final stat line looks, it still wasn’t good enough.
iopj

GameChat – Tigers @ Twins #2, 1:10pm

Posted on 26 April, 2014 by CapitalBabs

GAH!

Of course it when you’re trying to do something really quick right before a deadline that your computer decides to die and need attention before it will work for you… *sigh* all the more reason to replace it sooner rather than later.. but that is a different issue.

Today it LOOKS quite lovely out but it’s cooler than it appears and the wind isn’t exactly gentle so it could make things interesting for both players and fans – including JC who drove his mom up for her first game since TF officially opened.

Let’s get a win boys!

Detroit	@	Minnesota
Kinsler, 2B		Dozier, 2B
Hunter, To, RF		Mauer, DH
Cabrera, M, 1B		Plouffe, 3B
Martinez, V, DH		Colabello, 1B
Jackson, A, CF		Kubel, LF
Castellanos, N, 3B		Pinto, C
Romine, A, SS		Fuld, RF
Holaday, C		Hicks, CF
Davis, R, LF		Escobar, E, SS
Sanchez, An, P		Hughes, P, P

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Detroit	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	8	1
Minnesota	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	1	x	5	4	1

Yep, I’m more and more convinced that pitching wins games… Clearly, the Tigers just didn’t have the pitching today and we took advantage of it.

Even without 4 gazillion walks, Hughes pitched FANTASTICALLY! We needed everyone of those innings (although why he uses the first inning for his warm-up, I don’t know) since the bullpen was officially spent. THAT is why he is today’s BOD! Thanks Phil!

GameChat – Tigers @ Twins, 7:10pm

Posted on 25 April, 2014 by CapitalBabs

Anyone else get nervous when you see opposing lineups that look like the Tigers’ does? I wish I could say that sending Correia out there made me feel any better but I do think I feel more confident about his ability to keep the boys in the game than Pelfrey so there’s that…

In better news, it’s really NICE here in Minnesota which is funny since they are giving away Twins bomber hats today – I really want one so if you’re reading this and there and don’t want yours because it would mess up your hair? yeah, I can help you with that.

Detroit	@	Minnesota
Kinsler, 2B		Dozier, 2B
Hunter, To, RF		Mauer, 1B
Cabrera, M, 1B		Plouffe, 3B
Martinez, V, DH		Colabello, RF
Jackson, A, CF		Kubel, LF
Castellanos, N, 3B		Pinto, DH
Avila, C		Suzuki, K, C
Romine, A, SS		Fuld, CF
Davis, R, LF		Florimon, SS
Porcello, P		Correia, P

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Detroit	0	2	7	0	0	1	0	0	0	10	15	1
Minnesota	0	1	0	0	0	4	1	0	0	6	11	1

this game was long and not terribly satisfying but honestly it wasn’t HORRIBLE…

Dozier and Fuld had pretty great games actually both in the field and at bat. Several other guys hit well too and 6 runs is not a bad offensive total – unless the opposition scored 10. The one who DIDN’T have a good night was Correia. ouch.

so.. it was nice to see Torii and Twitchy? kind of?

GameChat – Twins @ Rays #3, 12:10pm

Posted on 24 April, 2014 by CapitalBabs

I think the whole team as well as the fans are hoping for a good start from Nolasco – especially the bullpen.

The Twins have themselves in a nice position to win another series. I’d like that; how about you?

Minnesota	@	Tampa Bay
Dozier, 2B		Zobrist, 2B
Mauer, 1B		Jennings, D, CF
Plouffe, 3B		Joyce, LF
Colabello, RF		Longoria, 3B
Pinto, DH		Loney, 1B
Suzuki, K, C		Myers, RF
Fuld, LF		DeJesus, DH
Hicks, CF		Escobar, Y, SS
Florimon, SS		Molina, J, C
Nolasco, P		Bedard, P

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Minnesota	3	1	0	0	4	1	0	0	0	9	12	1
Tampa Bay	0	3	0	0	0	1	2	1	0	7	13	0

you know what? it’s fun to watch baseball when we are able to actually WIN the game! And the series is just bonus.. (Of course coming back to a homestand after some nice road series wins feels pretty good to.)

It was really tough to narrow down a BOD today because this team was doing it’s best to work as a team with a lot of effort up and down the order. It was good to see Sam Fuld have a very good day against his old team and for that, we are awarding him access to the pastry buffet. Mr. Fuld, the donuts are on us!

Today’s BOD came down to the veteran but new Twin, Kurt Suzuki, or the struggling young phenom, Aaron Hicks. I decided that trying to choose was too much work for a rainy afternoon so I went with BOTH! Congrats to Hicks for getting his first homerun of the season and I hope to see his bat continue to warm up. Our thanks to Zuke for holding down the fort with a great outing!

GameChat – Twins @ Rays #2, 6:10pm

Posted on 23 April, 2014 by CapitalBabs

So I meant to bring this up yesterday but I forgot: looks like GoGo is STILL a fireball and is paying the price with a 3 game suspension – and he’s not alone. There was a pretty good bench clearing brawl a few days ago sparked by a difference of opinion between the pitcher and the hitter about how long it’s appropriate to watch a long ball that isn’t a homerun. It’s still a triple though so.. yeah.

The video makes for a good watch.

But about tonight’s game, I hate to admit it but just like last season, I really don’t feel all that optimistic about any game with Pelfrey as the starter.. *crossing fingers anyway*

Minnesota	@	Tampa Bay
Dozier, 2B		Zobrist, LF
Mauer, 1B		Jennings, D, CF
Plouffe, 3B		Joyce, DH
Colabello, DH		Longoria, 3B
Kubel, LF		Loney, 1B
Pinto, C		Myers, RF
Herrmann, C, RF		Forsythe, 2B
Escobar, E, SS		Escobar, Y, SS
Fuld, CF		Hanigan, C
Pelfrey, P		Odorizzi, P

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	R	H	E
Minnesota	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	6	12	1
Tampa Bay	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	9	0

I could go on and on about all the stuff that happened in this game, but frankly it just went on way too long. (four hours and 48 minutes? Seriously?)

Let’s just say the bullpen did a great job and Chris Colabello came through big time with the bat.in the 4th inning and again in the 12th. And that makes him our BOD. – JC