Category Archives: Gamelog Archive

Archive for game logs from previous seasons.

2012 Twins Game Log

Game 15: Twins at Rays

240 Comments

The internet connection is extremely spotty at my house right now, so instead of giving you the well thought out, well researched behemoth of a game log intro that you all deserve, I'm going to spout off random things that I like and dislike about the team without backing any of it up with anything resembling a fact.

Likes

  • Burton's Splange - He threw one or two last night, and when that pitch is on, it's a thing of beauty. He seems like a good pickup about 10% of the way through the season, and looks like he could be a decent late inning option. I wasn't expecting to say that about any of the offseason relief pickups, but none of them have been failing to live up to what I'd hope for (Grey is finally letting the rest of the team's pitchers wins a few games, Maloney hasn't tripped on the pitching rubber or picked any fights with fans or umpires, there might be someone else I'm forgetting, but the fact that he's not springing to mind means that I probably haven't been cursing his name too often, so... uh... keep being invisible, other relief guy).
  • The Porkstar - My Reds fan buddy noted how nice it was that the Twins finally had a free agent signing work out. I could have punched him for his condescending tone, but instead, I simply nodded my head in agreement. Willingham's been good with the bat, and he's only the second worst outfielder I've seen play for Minnesota over the last five years. Once you factor in that they had to get rid of Delmon Young to make it so that they could go out and get him, and it's not just a net positive - I can confidently say that it's the best thing that's ever happened to this team.
  • Mauer/Morneau - I was concerned about Morneau for a bit there in the first few games, but he seems to be taking much better swings over the last few games. Mauer's been solid as he ought to be; I just wish he were just a little bit more manly, because seriously, it's got to be bringing the team down.
  • Having a middle infielder simultaneously batting second and not sucking - Carrol's D is much better than I expected (no one show me any +/- numbers, I don't want to see if I'm wrong on this one. It's also really nice to not have a black hole batting second. The hits are starting to come, and I love the patient way the guy bats. They've got 3 guys at the top of the lineup that bleed the pitcher dry. Very cool.
  • Span - It's really nice having him back as the leadoff hitter. Now that Baker's probably gone forever, I'm tempted to say that Span's my favorite Twin.

Dislikes

  • Casilla - I'm pretty sure that the stats don't bear me out on this, but I find myself constantly unimpressed by Casilla. I know he's the replacement-level guy who's just a placeholder at this point, but I find myself going to the kitchen to get a snack when he comes up. If my diet is going to succeed, I need someone else there.
  • Starting pitching - I was slightly (probably stupidly) hopeful coming into the season. The idea of Liriano pitching well, Baker doing what he always does, Pavano eating innings, with some combination of who cares and someone else filling out the last two spots meant that the Twins would likely be getting 2 or 3 strong starts per time through the rotation. The quality start stat is an awful way of looking at anything, but if Pavano bombs tonight, we'll have gone 5 games without seeing a single start that was even halfway decent. With Hendricks, Blackburn, Swarzack, and Liriano (who seems to be intent on showing that 2011 was not his floor) behind Pavano, I have zero faith in the rotation - and more worryingly, no real hope for anything in the future to patch things up. The idea of being just close enough at trading season for management to go get a "proven winner" puts a chill in my bones.
  • Capps - He hasn't exactly exploded into tiny pieces yet, but it's coming, my friends... oh yes, it's coming.

Pavano* takes on Shields* tonight.

I'm to predict a win. 6-3. Mauer gets a double and a couple of RBIs, but Willingham's hit streak ends (he'll make a comment in the aftergame interview on how all that stuff is cool, but "it doesn't matter, so long as we get the 'W'").

* Both of them have presumably played baseball at some point this season, but if you want all those sexy stats, you'll have to look them up yourself, my computer is currently in a hate/hate relationship with any kind of site where I could look them up for you.

2012 Twins Game Recaps

Game 14 Recap: Twins 5 — Rays 4

6 Comments

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.

2012 Twins Game Log

2012 Game 14: Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays

234 Comments

Liam Hendriks
v
Matt Moore

Hendriks is four months older than Moore and made his debut eight days earlier. Moore is awesome, so that means some will rub off on Hendriks, right?

I note that the Twins are currently in fourth place in the division. They're also tied with the Angels. And the Yankees are trailing the Orioles, awesome. Finally, the Nationals are leading the NL East. And you all laughed at my World Series prediction.

2012 Twins Game Recaps

Game 13 Recap: The Bully

4 Comments

"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 →

2012 Twins Game Log

2012 Game 13: Twins at Yankees

270 Comments

Twins (4-8) vs Yankees (6-6)
6:05 PM CT at Yankee Stadium

Anthony "Spookysilk" Swarzak vs. Phil Hughes

Twins Lineup:

Denard Span CF
Jamey Carroll SS
Joe Mauer C
Josh Willingham LF
Justin Morneau DH
Ryan Doumit RF
Danny Valencia 3B
Chris Parmelee 1B
Alexi Casilla 2B

Yankees Lineup:

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Raul Ibanez LF
Russell Martin C
Eduardo Nunez 2B

2012 Twins Game Recaps

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

7 Comments

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.

 

2012 Twins Game Recaps

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

15 Comments

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.

2012 Twins Game Recaps

Game 10 Recap: Minnesota Twins 7 – New York Yankees 3

9 Comments

once again, sorry, you guys, i wasn't able to keep a solid eye on the game. the small percentage of eye that did see the game is wondering how often the twins of this monday night will show up to other games. pavano pitched a great game (most likely out of spite). the inverted W and W and inverted W boys did great. clete thomas continues to show he is the answer to all twins' problems (and is apparently a great home base coach). also, i've always had irrational hopes for casilla; and if he can keep making plays like this (and maybe hit a little please?), i'll continue to be happy he's on the team.

anyway, please pretend that i thought up an an awesome way to recap these twins actually beating the yankmes, and then comment accordingly. danke sehr.