Game 25 - Twins @ Seattle - 5/4/12

[Seth Stohs]

Twins Lineup:

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

SP: Carl Pavano

[Seth Stohs]

Let the whining about Drew Butera getting to play commence, I guess!!

[Rosterman]

Well, he might be a better defensive catcher that Doumit.

[one_eyed_jack]

And he'll probably strike out less than Clete!

[mike wants wins]

I doubt Plouffe ever gets enough at bats this year to get a good read on him. I don't get it, at this point....he should be in RF for a few weeks in a row. As for Butera, one start is ok, let's see how many he gets...

[J-Dog Dungan]

With Willingham having come over from a team that plays the Mariners 18ish times a year, does anyone know his average against Vargas?

[IronMike]

With Mauer, Doumit & Butera in the lineup I would feel a little safer if we had another catcher on the bench.

[thrylos98]

With Willingham having come over from a team that plays the Mariners 18ish times a year, does anyone know his average against Vargas?

Hitless with one HBP in 12 PAs

[thrylos98]

So basically the question that Gardy/Stevie had was Plouffe vs. Butera. Plouffe has .857 OPS vs Vargas and Buterror .283 (OPS not OBP or SLG). Both with 7 PAs. Well done! Someone should just DFA the guy, otherwise there is no way he does not play.

Also thought that Morney was available... Why not C Mauer and DH Morney. Tomorrow Komatchu will be around...

[Ultima Ratio]

With Mauer, Doumit & Butera in the lineup I would feel a little safer if we had another catcher on the bench.

Bwahaaaaahaaaaa! Love it!

[stringer bell]

So basically the question that Gardy/Stevie had was Plouffe vs. Butera. Plouffe has .857 OPS vs Vargas and Buterror .283 (OPS not OBP or SLG). Both with 7 PAs. Well done! Someone should just DFA the guy, otherwise there is no way he does not play.

Also thought that Morney was available... Why not C Mauer and DH Morney. Tomorrow Komatchu will be around...

Let's not forget that Pavano is pitching. He has always said that he like throwing to Butera. I don't know if Son of Sal can make his fastball zip a few more MPH, but if Butera is going to catch, today is probably the day.

Morneau has been out since Monday, will it be another several days? If so, maybe they should have DLed him. Mauer hasn't caught since Sunday--this to me is starting to sound like last year all over again..

[minn55441]

So basically the question that Gardy/Stevie had was Plouffe vs. Butera. Plouffe has .857 OPS vs Vargas and Buterror .283 (OPS not OBP or SLG). Both with 7 PAs. Well done! Someone should just DFA the guy, otherwise there is no way he does not play.

Also thought that Morney was available... Why not C Mauer and DH Morney. Tomorrow Komatchu will be around...

I agree, this came down to Plouffe and Butera, Evidently Gardy was not happy with the play of select players, I guess Plouffe is now in the doghouse. How else do you explain this?

[ashburyjohn]

Bwahaaaaahaaaaa! Love it!

Willingham is the emergency catcher. Oh, drat, he's in the lineup too. What will they do?????

[ashburyjohn]

Morneau has been out since Monday, will it be another several days? If so, maybe they should have DLed him. Mauer hasn't caught since Sunday--this to me is starting to sound like last year all over again..

Morneau was "Friday at the earliest". It's Friday, I guess he's not quite right yet. Could well turn out to have been a mistake to not DL him; let's wait and see. Mauer took a foul off the knee and hasn't been behind the plate since; likewise, let's see if this drags on or if it's just another day or two, although the fact he's able to bat and run suggests it shouldn't be much longer.

[Ultima Ratio]

Okay, going to be optimistic and call a 6-4 Twins victory with a 2 ER/7 IP quality start from the mustache, and Doumit as my pick to click (sorry) 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R. Willingham solo homers.

[Top Gun]

MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports the Orioles plan to sign free agent 3B/SS Miguel Tejada if he can pass a Monday physical.

[mikeee]

Drew has a wiff!!!!!

[TwinVike61]

Was Butera's at-bat as bad as it looked on Gameday? 3 89 mph strikes in the wheel house without even a swing?

[Ultima Ratio]

Butera's first AB? 3 pitches, 3 called strikes. Oh, the thick unsubtle irony (or is that anti-ironic?).

[Scheherezade]

Butera showed some discipline at the plate. He took the first three pitches... for strikes.