Category Archives: 2012 Twins Game Recaps

Game 21: Kansas City 4, Minnesota 7

Finally, I get to write a recap about a TWINS WIN! Willingham was a homerun short of the cycle with 2 RBI and Danny V was 3 for 4 with a triple, 2 singles and 2 RBI. Doumit added 2 RBI of his own and the Twins had 5 extra base hits altogether. Jason Marquis had a "quality start" going 6 innings and giving up 3 runs on 6 hits. Burton and Perkins each pitched a scoreless (though nail-biting) inning and Dicus gave up 1 run on 2 hits and a walk before securing the win.

Continue reading Game 21: Kansas City 4, Minnesota 7

Game 19 recap: Teh Suck

Twins 6, BoSox 7
WP: Buchholz (2-1, 8.87 ERA)
LP: Hendriks (0-1, 6.89 ERA)
Save(!): Aceves (4)
Fangraphs doesn't care that Parmelee got beaned in the head.
I'm sure that you can find a mlb video of Pedroia nearly hitting the cycle somewhere.

4 dudes are tied at the top of the King of the Savers race. It's too early to pick a favorite, but this Johnson is pitching out of his mind in Bodymore.

My mom always told me if I can't say something nice I shouldn't say anything at all.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEedHQl1Ff0

Culture Club: I stumbled onto ArtOrg's website when looking for a used Fuchs and Lang litho press on line. After a little digging around I found that they're a community based printshop with a focus on education and collaboration. They offer classes for beginners through advanced adults and kids. ArtOrg's projects are often ambitious in scale, sometimes incorporating over 1000 individual artist's work to create a single mural. Artorg also publishes the work of regional and national artists. The sale of prints from their shop supports their community outreach. The next time you're in Northfield stop in and see what's happening.

Game 18: Minnesota Twins 2, Boston Red Sox 11

That sucked.

To be honest, games like this are going to happen and I have a little bit of trouble getting too worked up over it. Mostly what games like this do is make me think of other close games the team could have won that they failed to. There's been two to three games this year the Twins had a good shot of winning and ended up losing. If they have those, the 5-13 record is closer to 8-10. That seems a hell of a lot better.

It's a long season, but I really don't want to put up with a whole season of .278 baseball. It'd sure be nice if they could get some reasonable starts so the team isn't always in a hole.

Well onto the next. 149-13, go.

Game 17 Recap: Boston Red Sox 6, Minnesota Twins 5

fangraphs (roller coaster of suck)
mlb recap

yet another game i was unable to watch or hear. this made me particularly upset as i've been able to hear about 2% of TK's broadcasts, and i already love them. i was able to "follow" along on gameday, and was able to "watch" in "real time" as capps does what he does. i'm not going to say it, so you guys can. also, while you're saying stuff, please think up some arguments for me to take to the boss on how getting mlb.tv is essential towards our quality of life.

i wanted to embed the JC/plouffe! play to give us some measure of happiness, but i came up short. sounds about right.

Game 16 Recap: Minnesota 2, Tampa Bay 6

I had a full day planned so I recorded todays tilt on the old DVR. Maybe my technology has a heart because when I went to review the game this evening, it hadn’t been recorded after all. At first I was annoyed, but then I checked out the box score… yuck. After committing 3 errors in last night’s ballgame, the Twins cleaned it up today and didn’t commit a single one. That’s about the only positive thing I saw. Continue reading Game 16 Recap: Minnesota 2, Tampa Bay 6

Game 15 Recap: Clete vs. the Sombrero

Clete had been waiting for the call for exactly one week. He still remembered being brought in to Leyland's office that morning.

"Clete, we need you to turn trader to are team."

"Sir, I can't do that, you're like brothers to me."

"This mission is even more critical than playing fifth outfielder. The Twins don't seem dangerous, but our mystics have seen the future, and left unchecked, they will win the division by one game. You must get in there and find a way to stop them."

"How will I know when it's time?"

"You'll know, Clete. You'll know."

The problem was, he didn't know. He had no idea which at bats were important, which moments could possibly make a difference in the long term scheme of things. Therefore, he decided to strike out constantly. Then, one week later, the opportunity he'd been waiting for fell into his lap. The enemy had staged a small rally, and was within striking distance. Suddenly, Clete knew, this was his chance - but he had struck out so many times before, had he missed his chance?

As it turned out, Gardy was drunk, so Clete stood at the bat and looked ridiculous striking out.

Somewhere in the stands, Leyland smiled and whispered "I knew you could do it, kid" as he brazenly disobeyed Target Field's smoking policy.

Game 14 Recap: Twins 5 — Rays 4

MINNESOTA 5 -- TAMPA BAY 4
Twins Record: 5- 9
Lowest WPA - Hendriks (5.2 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 2 BB, SO)
Highest WPA - Willingham (1 for 4, 2B, BB, 3 RBI), Carroll (2 for 3, 2 R, 2 BB, 2B), Bullpen (3.1 IP, O H, 1 BB, 2 SO)
Fangraphs - MLB Recap

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Denard Span and Jamey Carroll were on base 6 times in this one (1 double, 3 singles, 2 walks in 10 PA) and scored 4 runs. Joe Mauer could have driven in all 5 runs, but left the bases loaded for Willingham in the 7th because Josh is new to the team and wants to feel like he's contributing. AmenableBacon extended his hitting streak to 14 games, and continues to lead the team in quite a few offensive categories (BA/OBP/SLG/HR/RBI/2B/R/TB/HBP).

The bullpen was stellar getting 13 outs in 14 batters, including Matt Capps retiring Longoria, Scott, and Joyce in order in the ninth. Fun fact: Coming into the 9th, those three hitters hit a homerun every 15.9 PA against the Twins, compared to every 22.7 PA against all other teams. That includes the homeruns by Joyce and Longoria earlier in this game.

The Twins April schedule has been pretty tough, but since being steamrolled by the Orioles, the Twins are 5-6 against LA, Tex, NY, and TB.

Game 13 Recap: The Bully

"Are you ready to do it? Let's do it!" Carl shouted into Anthony's ear.

Anthony stood up and dusted himself off. He'd been crouching in the dirt for the past twenty or so minutes, trying not to think about anything. To go zen, or whatever. Anthony didn't really understand the whole meditation thing, but he knew that he didn't want to think about what he was about to do. It wasn't easy, with Carl jabbering along the entire time with what he thought was a helpful pep talk.

Continue reading Game 13 Recap: The Bully

Game 12 Recap: The Yankees can’t believe they lost

Twins 6, Yanks 4 (I refuse to believe that Matt Capps allowed any runs)
WP: The Marquis de Sade (1-0, 7.2 ERA)
LP: Kuroda (1-2, 5.0 ERA)
SAVE(ONE): Shortening (3)

Fangraphs gets it's wings every time the yankees lose.

Joey G looked at his script and shook his head. Something didn't make sense, but he just couldn't put his finger on it. He was totally down with his starter giving up 4 runs in the first. You've got to build drama, right? But where was the dramatic comeback? Where was the walk off home run? Where was the shaving cream pie to the face? Who were these clowns that dared to defy the narrative? Yeah, these clowns are from Minnesota, and they don't read scripts unless they're acting in awesome commercials.

NYC print tour: NYC is bursting a the seams with printmaking. Universal Limited Art Editions has been producing excellent work for 50 years. Tatyana Grosman founded the press as a way to earn a living supporting her husband who had suffered a heart attack and couldn't work anymore. Some of the folks they printed for included Helen Frankenthaler, Jasper Johns, and Robert Rouschenberg. They're still producing high quality, limited edition, original prints today. Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop has also been around a long time, and offers excellent art. Purchasing a print published by these fine folks allows them to continue offering artists of all skill level "unfettered access" to their presses and master printers. The LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Study is the printing / publishing wing of the printmaking department at Columbia University. They publish work from international, national emerging and established artists. The proceeds from prints sold "sustain future artist and student collaborations, exhibitions, equipment upgrades, and fellowships." And for a slightly different, less formal take on printmaking I give you Cannonball Press. These guys are as legit as they come. Their stated mission is to publish one pass, black and white woodcuts and screen prints that sell for 20 bucks apiece. Their work is impeccable, and for the price you can't beat it. I encourage you to check out their stock of artists and images.

 

Game 11 Recap: Minnesota Twins 3, New York Yankees 8

After Monday night's victory, I was a little concerned that the Mayans were right about this year. Order has been restored, and all is apparently right with the world: The Yankees beat the Twins again tonight.

Despite actually scoring some runs against Sabathia early in the game, both leads they earned were promptly lost by Liriano who continued his struggles. Once Sabathia had a lead he mowed the Twins down like he seems to do every time they face him. I didn't really have my hopes up since, well, it's the Yankees. Add in watching Span & Gardy tossed by an insecure umpire, and it wasn't a terribly fun baseball game.

Win tomorrow and the series win is still in order. With Jason Marquis on the mound I have no fear!

WP: Cap'n Crunch Sabathia (1-0) | LP: Francisco Liriano (0-2)
Josh Willingham: Awesome baseball player.
Greg Gibson: Terrible umpire. Oh wait, that's redundant. Umpire.