As bad as things have been over the past couple of weeks, we still find ourselves only 4 games out.
Also, as expected, our power hitting third baseman is on the leaderboard for SLG, OPS, and extra base hits. He's even leading the league in doubles.
That Lynn fellow, on the other hand, needs to step it up. Hopefully, he gets his first win as a Twin tonight.
On the board!
I don't know what's going on with all these conversations, but it's not exactly helping with pace of play.
Scoring runs is fun!
Now we need Lynn to put up some zeroes. It's possible, isn't it?
Isn't it?
I guess it isn't.
Stupid giveback run(s)
Lynn needs a double play here.
Thank you.
Three runs is not going to be enough tonight!
ROSARIO!!!!
How about five?
Probably going to need more.
Six?
ROSARIO!
Lynn has settled in.
Gladden just told a story about Corey Koskie hitting 30 homers in a season and striking out 107 times and getting grief from management for striking out too much. Well, if he did, it didn't make him change his approach. His high in home runs was 26, in 2001. He struck out 118 times that year. It was the first time he hit more than 11 homers, so we'll assume that's the season Dazzle was talking about. His next three seasons, Koskie struck out 127, 113, and 103 times, after which he was no longer a Twin. His home run totals in those three years were 15, 14, and 25.
Santiago threw about 89 pitches in 3 1/3 innings. Definitely not missing him.
Eight runs is not enough
Now it's eight! I'm starting to think we're going to win this one. I wouldn't be opposed to getting some more runs, though.
Joe making up for his walk total falling below games played.
I really don't see a need for expansion. I'm sure it would be a good short-term cash grab for the current owners, though.
*In response to Cory and Dan talking about the commissioner saying MLB should expand.
Where are you going to put teams that wont turn into a Tampa type situation?
I'd like to see Montreal get a team--they supported it fine until Jeffrey Loria came along. But I agree, they need to get the Tampa situation straightened out before they add more.
Thinking about it, they could probably add a team in Mexico or Puerto Rico along with Montreal.
Travel would be hellish for that team. Montréal and North Carolina are my picks right now.
Let's not let the leash be too long. Yes, it would be nice to get Lynn his first win as a Twin, but let's just make sure the Twins team gets the win.
I think pulling a starting pitcher out when he is in trouble instead of laboring to get 5 is where Molitor is way stronger than Gardy ever was.
More of an old-school method, except now they aren't allowed to go a bit longer when doing well.
Lynn getting some very timely double plays today. Not much luck on balls in play. If my math is correct, the White Sox are 8-for-14 on balls in play. I wasn't watching the first inning, so I don't know how hard he was getting hit, but the last 2 hits weren't hit all that hard this inning and the double last inning was a ball that fell just in front of Rosario's glove and the guy hustled for second.
Hector Santiago's pitching at aglacier pace made me forget about the first inning, but I want to say they were well hit balls. Lynn settled in after that.
Gladden seems to think there's going to be a substantial demand for Matt Harvey. I don't see it unless he's willing to go to the minors for a while, but I guess you never know.
Bremer said that in terms of extra base ability, Rosario reminds him of Tony Oliva.
Oliva's XB% 8.7
Rosario's 9.8
Maybe there is something to that idea.
Rosario's power has been a pleasant surprise. I knew he would never walk much. I thought he might hit for a better average and still might. My concern was if he wasn't going to stick in center or second base if he was going to hit for enough power to justify putting him in a corner OF spot. So far, so good.
When Rosario led the Appalachian League in home runs (over Sano) the power was evident. My concerns have been base running and bone headed plays in the field.
Easily the best game Lynn has pitched as a Twin. It would be nice to be able to get through this game just using the bottom of the bullpen.
I wonder if Dozier thinks trying to steal a base when you're up by five runs in the eighth is a violation of the unwritten rules.
Is a 5 run lead safe at the Cell?
With our bullpen, I'm not sure any lead is ever safe anywhere.
They were holding on the runner, so I seriously doubt it.
2 walks 2 hits for Joe. Ho-hum.
Dick asks Roy Smalley to identify the best-throwing catcher he ever had a teammate. Smalley offers up three names, and then Dick still can't help himself from suggesting Sal Butera.
That was a perfectly good question to ask a color guy, so then get out of the way and don't answer your own question.
Who did Smalley say?
I'm interested in the answer too.
He played with a young Jim Sundberg in Texas, Butch Wynegar, Sal, Rick Cerone, Pudge, a young Mark Salas, Timmy Laudner, Jeff Reed, Tom Nieto, and a couple of others.
Found it in the broadcast. Smalley listed Wynegar, Cerone, and Laudner. Dick brought up Butera and Smalley said he was "very good".
looking at the advanced fielding stats on b-r, Butera was a league average catcher throwing people out (32% , league average 33%) although in 1981 Sal caught steal % was 54. Maybe thats what Bremer remembers.
Please let Magill finish the game.
And Phil Hughes it is!
Boooo, Hughes in for the ninth.
So nice to get a win and not have to use any of our key relievers.