2011 Twins Game Logs, Minnesota Twins, MLB

Second Half, Game 1: Brewers at Twins

129 Comments

Wouldn't it be cool if the major leagues do as the lower-level minors do with the first-half and second-half winners both getting into the playoffs? You could wipe the slate clean halfway through the season and give last-place teams in July something to hope for. That's something the Twins could lobby for.

As it is, the Twins have still gone 19-9 in their last 28 games and they've managed to hover around the fringes of contention thanks to a mediocre division. If they can continue to hang in there until at least Delmon and Kubel can return, then they might be able to put another big run together.

The key will be for the team to figure out how to avoid the long losing streaks. This is why today's game is so key. The Twins need to avoid letting last night's Crapptastic ending force them into another losing streak. A win today would do just the trick.

Blackburn also needs to bounce back after his last disastrous start against the Dodgers. Having a heavily right-handed Brewers lineup should help him as long as he can keep the ball down in the zone. GO TWINS!!!

129 thoughts on “Second Half, Game 1: Brewers at Twins”

  1. I see Rene Tosoni is in the lineup today. I know the Twins are thin in the OF right now, but is there anyone else besides Tosoni? He has not impressed me as a big league player.

    1. So, that's what follows after slapping yourself in the face for doubting Mauer?

  5. This is the free MLB.com game of the day for everyone who is out of market.

  7. I think the holiday weekend combined with the soul-crushing Crapps plop last night might lead to a season-low in the number of LTEs.

    1. What'd that one game end up with, about 60? I think we can clear that low hurdle pretty easily.

      1. I'm here and I usually contribute to close to 60 on my own!

        I have some people coming to look at stuff I have for sale though, so I might pause the game and have to catch up, which might contribute to an abnormally low number of LTEs from me.

        1. I'm heading over to do some weed eradication in the MIL's garden, so I won't be helping out as much either. Still we should hit 100 pretty easy as long as the game stays close or the Twins keep the lead.

    2. I'm not out of market, and I'm still not getting the free game. I think I've yet to be "eligible" to get the free game when MN is playing. MLB.TV isn't getting any of my money.

  13. Gordo- "That ball is hit well to center field, it's got a chance... upper deck home run." Isn't that the reverse of his normal HR calls?

      1. That's a better explanation than any I've ever came up with to explain his game calls.

  16. 5-1 Brewers lead? I'm done with this one. Maybe this gamelog will be the low-LTE mark for the season.

    1. You mean the comeback by the Brewers? Where they score an additional 6 runs? If so, then you're probably right.

  31. Since Greinke is on my fantasy team, that home run will be a waste if the Twins don't come back and win this. So they'd better do it.

  32. Well, if I have to leave the gamelog for the Twins to score, I guess it's a sacrifice I'll have to live with. Let me evacuate before the Brewers score in this inning again. On with the Swishstinger!

    1. Twas putting together a quinoa salad (avocado, red pepper, Vidalia onion) for a barbeque that I'm late for...

    2. Man vs deck : provisional win for man. How goes it here? I am at un-b-out with the boy.

  59. Jimmers is going to have to take a long rest after going from 1st to home.

  60. Joe Nathan in the 8th, but that means...

    Oh Mauer, don't let it happen again!

  62. unfortunately, I know how Gardy likes to get his battered closers back on the horse again. I really, really hope Twitchy can get through the inning with few pitches so he can come back out in the 9th

    1. That sounds awesome, but I think Gardenhire would go for the conventional save even if Twitchy put them away on three pitches.

  66. NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS! NO BASERUNNERS!

  69. NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS! NO MORE BASERUNNERS!

  70. Wow. Actually pulled him before he gave up any runs.

    Your move, rest of bullpen.

    1. Hmm, must've been Gardy's evil sabermetric twin managing today. That's not a move I've ever seen the Manager of the Year make before.

    2. Right. I watched the first 8 innings, but had to leave one batter into the ninth. I figured Gardy would give Capps enough rope to lose the game, but he didn't. I can't remember any time that Gardy's pulled a closer before he's blown the save before. Next time, Gardy, don't even put Capps in.

  76. Wow, what an ending. I'd happy to see Joe in the setup role and perk in the closer spot with shortening relegated to mop up.

  77. I just caught up. That game was approximately one billion times better than yesterday's. That's no hyperbole either.

  78. What a great way to bounce back. I seriously doubt Perkins has been elevated to closer, but certainly is all the way back from his injury. I'm hoping Nathan will get back to being the closer. I think Capps can be successful as a setup guy who can be pulled for a lefty when the need arises.

    1. That would be my hope as well. Keep Perkins as the high leverage lefty guy and let Capps pitch to a few batters at a time--not necessarily in the 9th. It's been a couple of rough outings, but he's not completely useless.

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