2011 Twins Game Logs, Minnesota Twins, MLB

Game 65: Rangers at Red Wings

198 Comments

No, this isn't the Stanley Cup Finals. This is a baseball game. And it is an opportunity for the Twins to win their third straight series. I would have to say I would be satisfied with a split giving the minor league nature of the lineup, but a win would sure be sweet.

The mound matchup is Matt Harrison vs. Francisco Liriano. So, another lefty to pitch against the Twins, the third in the series. Probably a good time for Justin Morneau to get a few days off, if there is such a thing. Harrison had little margin for error with a below-average K rate and he doesn't help himself much by walking more than average. His groundball rate is only average, but despite all this he has a shiny 122 ERA+. His stats show that he has gotten a ton of popups and double plays and has allowed few line drives, so it looks like he has had pretty good command despite the excessive walks. FWIW, the Twins have hit him well, but most of those in the lineup today weren't in the lineup the last time he pitched against the Twins. Harrison also has been trying to pass a kidney stone, so don't be surprised if he collapses in pain during the game.

Liriano was solid in his last start and hasn't allowed more than two runs in his previous three starts. Hopefully, he's getting ready to start dominating again. For the Twins to continue this run of good play, the starters will have to lead the way. It's difficult to imagine that this lineup will continue to score runs like they have of late. However, I've got to say, Ben Revere is quickly moving up my list of favorite players. GO WINGS!!

198 thoughts on “Game 65: Rangers at Red Wings”

  1. EAR and her sisters are taking her dad to the game today for early Fathers' Day, first game at the Concentric Circles for EAR and her dad. Littlest sister has comp corporate tix through her office. Right behind home plate somewhere. I got EAR wearing my Red TC (just a bit big for her head), and my baby blue Twins hoodie. She looked great, although I think she'd do better with an adjustible red TC, so she could pull a ponytail out the back. (I never bought myself a fitted cap until I cut my hair.)

    EAR's mom is here with the kids, I'll be taking the opportunity to run a bunch of errands (I need pants). But first, CER and HPR wanted a bikeride with Grandma. But AJR is napping, so I volunteered to have my wings clipped for about a half-hour. I'll have to ease my suffering with a... Sierra Nevada Double IPA (Beer Camp #29).

    2. I'm scraping the paint off the exterior of the house in preparation for roofing and siding replacement. Boo.

  2. I'll be around for the first hour or so, then I've got to brew up a batch of amber ale.

    Of course, the way Liriano pitched that first inning, that might be enough for the first 7 innings.

  3. There is NO GODD*&^ED REASON TO BUNT A MAN TO THIRD IN THE FIRST INNING. Damn it!

    He just walked a guy on four pitches. Don't hand him anything. UGH.

      1. Heh. I read an "ell" in that reference to Ms. de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong.

  6. Heads up, Cuddyer. Way to be a team leader out there.

    Wow, I'm a bit surly today. Anxious for final Spookymilk Survivor submissions, I guess.

  7. EAR just texted me "Glad hnpn county funded it. This rocks!"
    After complaining about public funding of stadia.

  8. I was a little nervous Cuddy was going to get tagged out before Revere score there.

  11. I would be surprised if Francisco Liriano does not throw a complete game no-hitter today.

  12. My favorite part of the early going?

    Bert calling out Cuddyer's base-running mistake, and having Dick change the subject to Baker's great performance yesterday.

    2. my favorite part of bert's repository entry:

      Blyleven has been known to make off-color remarks during some Twins television broadcasts. Play-by-play announcer Dick Bremer frequently responds to these comments with silence or with an attempt to change the subject.[citation needed]

  15. Twins pitchers pwn Hamilton.

    I am off to the gym, thus guaranteeing Liriano's no-hitter.

    1. I'm with the Calf today. I'm going to have to pass.

      [babe with bong .jpg]

  19. I want it known that when Beau told me he was going to this game (he was supposed to be at yesterday's, but the guy giving him the tickets screwed up and he decried missing that game), I predicted what's going on right now. No word on whether I was kidding.

          1. Thank Greek for it, even if I hadn't read the email. I'm thinking quantum entanglement, even if he isn't the resident physicist.

  26. So it seems that I've lied about the gym so far. Which means I'm totalling taking credit for this.

    Spoiler SelectShow

      2. Also, the amazing thing was Hrabosky's recall of the event. Triple to lead off the inning, stranded at 3rd [Boxscore]. Anytime an old player starts telling these stories on broadcasts, I always fact check. But I suppose it's not hard to remember the only time it ever happened.

    3. I think both of you misunderstood. Sanchez had a no-hitter in 2009 with the one baserunner because of an error by (third baseman!) Uribe.

      1. I got it. I watched the last few innings of that game. As annoyed as I was at Uribe, I'm a touch more annoyed at Hughes. This was a tougher play, though. As I remember, Uribe's was fairly routine.

      2. Yeah, mine was supposed to go on its own line. I was going to say something comparing Hughes to Uribe, but it wasn't clever or insightful, so I deleted it and forgot that I was still on "reply".

  36. Oof, the way F-Bomb is pitching, Hughes is going to feel pretty bad.

    Kind of a karmic adjustment for that play he made earlier, I suppose.

    2. you were braver than i to hunt down that link. i just gave that a derisive snort when i heard it.

    3. Wait. I thought that he was on the roster mostly as a novelty. There's actually a chance he could be called up? Oish.

      1. If Matt Tolbert, Luke Hughes, Lexi, and Plouffe! all get injured he is next!

  38. is that what valencia resorts to to get on base? no wonder he's in gardy's doghouse.

  39. Rangers feed talked to the three guys to pitch no-hitters in Minnesota.

    Steve Busby: "Nobody talked to me, but that wasn't different. Nobody ever talked to me on my pitching days because I was in a bad mood and got mad at everybody."

    Bert: "Nobody talked to me, but I walked up to a teammate and said 'Hey, I think I have a no-hitter!'"

    BlackJack: "I didn't care either way about the no-hitter."

    2. Heheh. Bert is complaining about Andrus being given an error there.

    1. i think lowe took his sweet time getting warmed up too. not that i can begrudge him that.

  49. How did that wild pitch just go into the Royals dugout, Bert?

      1. I'm typing with one hand and holding a baby with the other. Much more difficult than a beer.

  55. I wonder if Liriano left the dugout to get something to eat during this looooong half inning.

  56. Damn, things look fun but there's sadly no way I'll be able to finish this one.

  57. Alright Twins, get some outs. Liriano is getting stiff in the dugout.

    2. They worry that the game might still end up in the bullpen's hands.

    2. If Capps goes 1-2-3 in the 9th I will trade you David DeJesus for Capps.

  78. I assume most of the lawyers here passed the coors light bar exam. /worst commercial ever

    2. Arrrgggh, nothing gets me angrier than incredibly un-funny commercials that also don't make sense conceptually.

  84. Geez, can the Twins just play the Royals and Rangers for the rest of the season?

    1. meat, you really have to stop posting this. we're going to get in huge trouble with the rights holder.

      2. I've filed the paperwork, and I'm waiting the staff at WGOM.org to fork over half the profits.

  88. I take responsibility for the loss of the no-hitter. My father-in-law came to the door, and even though I knew I was all that was holding the NH together, I figured it was time to make a tasty amber ale.

    My apologies, everyone. Still a damn good game.

  89. What a glorious day to be at the ballpark. I must apologize for the long 7th inning, though. I spookied Cuddy's homer. Sorry guys.

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