Twins vs. Rangers, 07/08/2012, 6:05pm

[Top Gun]

Too many games for Perkins, even the big closers get hit. Dozier should be sent down for a break take a look at someone else.

[glunn]

Gardy's always been like that - he lets the "closer" get the job done or blow it completely - no half-way measures. In all fairness, most managers do the same thing. Closers are supposed to be your most reliable people in those situations - they're supposed to be able to pitch their way out of trouble.

Perk did pitch 4 days in a row, but he had 2 days off after that, and this was only his 2nd game in 5 days. He should have been rested.

Washington pulled Nathan when he looked vulnerable, but Gardy left Perkins in to give up the tie. I like the Washington approach better, assuming that the goal is to go into the All-Star break with a win.

[mikeee]

They should have given perkins a rest and let devries pitch!!!!!!!

[Top Gun]

Gardy should know D wins games you can give 4 outs.

[sbknudson]

Washington pulled Nathan when he looked vulnerable, but Gardy left Perkins in to give up the tie. I like the Washington approach better, assuming that the goal is to go into the All-Star break with a win.

Nathan wasn't in a save situation. That being said, given the results, I can't argue. If the end up losing this, they're going to spend the next 4 days kicking themselves.

[USAFChief]

Washington pulled Nathan when he looked vulnerable, but Gardy left Perkins in to give up the tie. I like the Washington approach better, assuming that the goal is to go into the All-Star break with a win.

Just who exactly would you prefer?

The blame belongs squarely on Dozier and Perkins. Dozier for the boot, Perkins for giving up the extra runs, including 2 hits on 0-2 pitches.

[sbknudson]

Just went back and checked my box scores. Burton pitched the last two nights; he is probably unavailable.

[glunn]

Nathan wasn't in a save situation. That being said, given the results, I can't argue. If the end up losing this, they're going to spend the next 4 days kicking themselves.

It sure would be nice to win this particular game.

[sbknudson]

I think we've found the problem - they're wearing the wrong caps! Didn't they change back over to the "M" caps earlier this year?

[mikeee]

Just went back and checked my box scores. Burton pitched the last two nights; he is probably unavailable.

yeah, the radio guys said he was unavailable.

[mikeee]

2 outs... LOL

[notoriousgod71]

Pulled for Casey Fien. hrm.

Even though he pitched a shutout inning this move is inexcusable. If you're going to take DeVries out it should have been for Burton or Perkins. This was like bringing Bass into one run game after one run game.

[glunn]

And bases loaded, and Gardenhire is going to let Swarzak sweat it out.

[sbknudson]

Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I have to work tomorrow. Hasta. Maybe the Twins will win in my dreams.

[glunn]

Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I have to work tomorrow. Hasta. Maybe the Twins will win in my dreams.

It's only 9:00 here. Have a goodnight sb.

[glunn]

Pull Swarzak now -- too many pitches.

[kydoty]

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?co...80550&c_id=mlb

Jerry White's reaction at 1:15 is just great.

[glunn]

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?co...80550&c_id=mlb

Jerry White's reaction at 1:15 is just great.

Good one -- thanks for sharing this.

[CDog]

Blame Dozier...but that was an 0-2 pitch from Perkins that Young just doubled on to tie the game. Completely unacceptable.

Not really a correction since I'm sure it was just a "typo," but it was a single. But more so, I wanted to use that comment to segue to something about the larger point...

In between some of the ridiculous stuff Mitch Williams said last night (there's a whole thread on that), was something that caught my interest. He talked about there being more 0-2 hits (and I think he added that many were extra-base/home runs) than he could ever remember and thought it was at least partially due to the pitch count. In other words, pitchers trying to get through batters on fewer pitches were more likely to "give in" and throw something hittable 0-2 to avoid throwing extra pitches. Part of why I found it interesting is because it's not really something that can be checked (at least not the motivation part), so in that sense it was at least thought provoking.

Basically I'm distracting myself from watching the game as intently as I had been because it's stressing me out, so I figured I'd do some typing. Feel free to ignore or discuss.

[notoriousgod71]

That about sums up our first half of the season.