Game 136 Recap: Twins Win!

Twins 7, Sux 6
WP: Diamonds are a girls best friend LP: Peavy
SAVE! Joe Nathan
Twins record 57-79, 18 games out of first, 1.5 games ahead of the cellar

I'd look at the king of the savers race, but I really don't care.

The Twins scored a whopping 7 runs in this game. Whopping. One of the runs scored was driven in by Joe Mauer which brings his career total to 500 rsbi. If he'd play like a man he'd have more than a mazillionty by now, but he's really a puss. Not. The only other thing to know about this game is that SBG fired the Tweet heard round the strib. Rational folks cheered.

Culture Club: I've always enjoyed touring Chicago's art venues, and when in town I always make a trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art. There is always something happening at the MCA including great installations, weird contemporary art, performances, theater, working artist projects, and a good gift shop to boot. Heads up, hj, Tuesday admission is FREE for IL residents.

September Callups

Since this is a lost season, it means the expanded rosters in September take on new meaning. The Twins haven't called up many players in recent years, but they haven't had many lost seasons in recent years either. Calling up players would serve two purposes: get (some) people interested again and allow the Twins to evaluate players at the major league level.

The Twins have one spot free on the 40-man roster, hence the catch-all "other" choice. Some brief info on the four minor leaguers that haven't played for the Twins yet is below the poll.

Who will the Twins call up?

  • Chuck James (17%, 20 Votes)
  • Matt Tolbert (16%, 19 Votes)
  • Jim Hoey (14%, 17 Votes)
  • Joe Benson (12%, 15 Votes)
  • Jeff Manship (12%, 14 Votes)
  • Chris Parmelee (9%, 11 Votes)
  • Anthony Slama (7%, 9 Votes)
  • Someone else (6%, 7 Votes)
  • Deolis Guerra (5%, 6 Votes)
  • David Bromberg (2%, 3 Votes)

Total Voters: 30

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Minor Details: Games of 8/30

Rochester 8, Pawtucket 6 in Rochester.  The Red Wings scored five in the first, led 6-0 after two, then held on.  Brian Dinkelman singled and homered, driving in three.  Ray Chang singled and doubled.  Jair Fernandez hit a home run.  Cole DeVries started and went 4.1 innings, giving up two runs on eight hits and two walks.  Chuck James got the win in relief, giving up a run on two hits in two innings.

New Britain 12, Richmond 3 in Richmond.  The Rock Cats scored seven in the second and the outcome was never in doubt.  Yangervis Solarte had two singles and a double, raising his average to .323.  Brian Dozier singled and homered, driving in four and raising his average to .316.  Chris Cates singled and doubled.  Joe Benson and Mark Dolenc each had two hits.  Bobby Lanigan struck out six in six innings, giving up a run on five hits.  Reading also won, so the Rock Cats remain a half game ahead in the race for the last playoff spot.

St. Lucie 2, Ft. Myers 1 in St. Lucie.  The Mets scored two in the eighth to overcome a 1-0 deficit.  Jamaal Hawkins had two hits.  Aaron Hicks was back in the lineup, going 1-for-4.  Matthew Tomshaw pitched five shutout innings, giving up six hits and a walk.  Clint Dempster threw two shutout innings, giving up two hits and a walk.  Matt Hauser pitched the eighth and took the loss.

Beloit at Clinton.  Cancelled.

Elizabethton 10, Princeton 6 in Elizabethton.  The Twins scored four in the seventh to break a 6-6 tie and close out the regular season with a win.  Eddie Rosario had three hits to raise his average to .337.  Miguel Sano had two doubles.  Nick Lockwood singled and doubled.  Max Kepler had two hits.  Justin Parker lasted four innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk.  Cesar Ciurcina got the win despite allowing a run on two hits and two walks in one inning.  The Twins open the playoffs tonight at home against Bluefield.  They will play a best of three series with the Blue Jays, with the next two games in Bluefield.  The action starts at 6:00 p.m. Central, with Tim Shibuya (8-2, 3.30) the probable starter for the Twins.

Happy Birthday–August 31

Dad Clarkson (1866)
Duke Farrell (1866)
Red Ehret (1868)
Monte Cross (1869)
Eddie Plank (1875)
Sarge Connally (1898)
Ray Berres (1907)
Ray Dandridge (1913)
Danny Litwhiler (1916)
Frank Robinson (1935)
Claudell Washington (1954)
Tom Candiotti (1957)
Von Hayes (1958)
Mike Hartley (1961)
Hideo Nomo (1968)
Pat Howell (1968)
Gabe Kapler (1975)
Tim Raines (1979)
Armando Gabino (1983)

We would also like to wish a happy birthday to brianS’ son.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–August 31

Game 135: Twins lose again, Zack struggles to care

I didn't get to watch or listen to this game at all, as I was working until midnight at my former job as part of a consulting gig I offered to take on until I can transfer all the knowledge I amassed during my tenure there. I have very limited internet access at my new job, so I won't be able to post tomorrow, so I wanted to get something up.

I checked in a couple times during the game and was surprised to see they scored 6 runs. I was less surprised that they lost anyway thanks to their craptastic bullpen. As I can't give a whole lot more than that on the game, I thought I'd start a post which may be early to talk about the 2012 Twins (who I sincerly hope earn their W back).

I think part of the big problem they're going to have next year is that the there is a very thin crop of middle infielders, which I still think is their most glaring need. I don't mind having Plouffe, Nishioka, Casilla, or Hughes manning those spots occasionally, but we basically have four guys who should be backups as the starters. And the depth beyond that is... well, I don't consider that depth. It's too bad Jose Reyes has probably played himself into a $100+ million deal. We could sign a Type A free agent without surrendering a pick!

I'm assuming that Span & Revere are for sure in the outfield. I'm guessing one of Cuddyer or Kubel will be back. I'm thinking Tosoni & Benson will be in the mix at some point. I don't have a lot of concerns here other than Cuddyer getting a giant albatross of a contract.

The starting pitching was clearly exposed this year, and who knows what they'll ride into next year with. The bullpen is, um, less than adequate. I'm hoping they can restructure something to lock up Nathan for another couple of years. I hope Neck Fat isn't a disaster again. I hope Perkins continues to be lights out. I would like Duensing back into the 'pen. After that, I hope they can find someone on the scrap heap and not pay them outrageous sums of money.

I think right now outside of Mauer, Morneau, Span, and Valencia, I don't know who I'd be too attached to on the roster to carry over into next year. I think next year's team is going to look vastly different. I hope there is a front office shakeup. Any chance they can go hire Andrew Friedmann to overhaul the team? I just don't want them to think everything will be fine when they're healthy. This team had horrible health and was unlucky... but there were a crapload of problems beyond that.

What are your thoughts on what next year's team will look like? Thinking about a better roster next year is about all I have left.