Game 15 - Twins @ Rays - 4/21/12

[Seth Stohs]

Tonight the Twins will try to win their second in a row in Tampa:

Twins Lineup:

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

SP: Carl Pavano

[mikeee]

Glad Morneau is back...

[John Bonnes]

Clete Thomas again? I gotta say, if we're looking for a reason to get worked up about Gardy's lineup, forget this 3rd catcher crap - this is the topic we should be focusing on. Thomas has STARTED in right field six of the seven games he's been with the Twins. What the hell?

I can understand it a couple of times. For instance, his first game, he gets a pass. His second game he gets a pass because he had the big first game. And I can understand the two starts when the lefties were on the mound and Gardy was protecting/resting Morneau. But that still doesn't explain Game 3 in NYY and tonight. Parmelee is getting screwed here.

[Seth Stohs]

Parmelee should be in Rochester, not in RF. I have no problem with them playing Thomas. First, they see what they've got, and second, he's not so bad. I have no problem with him being the Left-handed hitting RF in a platoon. The four-K game was one game. A game to move on from.

[John Bonnes]

Parmelee should be in Rochester, not in RF. I have no problem with them playing Thomas. First, they see what they've got, and second, he's not so bad. I have no problem with him being the Left-handed hitting RF in a platoon. The four-K game was one game. A game to move on from.

There are at least four things in that quote I want to talk about. I've started a Clete Thomas thread, because this is going to drive me crazy.

http://twinsdaily.com/showthread.php...Fielder-Really

[Bark's Lounge]

I choose Parmelee over Thomas. When Terry Ryan acquired Thomas through the waiver wire last weekend he mentioned something to the tune of Thomas projects as a good 4th Outfielder. If Morneau eventually works his way into being the almost everyday first baseman again. Wouldn't it make sense to have Parmelee get a fair amount of action in RF? At this juncture in time he has done nothing to convince me that he needs more "seasoning". I really think he adds an element of offensive fear to our line-up and RF is where he is going to have to play if Morneau is in the field. I like Thomas, he can play all 3 OF positions, he has a nice arm, he has some pop, but is very susceptible to LH pitchers - but he is what TR calls him... a 4th Outfielder.

[twinsnorth49]

I'd rather see Parmelee but this lineup can get it done.....Win Twins!!!

[Kirby_Waved_At_Me]

Lots of Strikeouts early by Pavano . . . that's promising!

[striker_86]

We need Pavano to pitch 7+ innings tonight....

[Kirby_Waved_At_Me]

nice work to turn two there, keeping the Rays off the board.

[mikeee]

pitcher's duel.

[Kirby_Waved_At_Me]

REALLY nice work to turn two there, keeping the Rays off the board.

[mikeee]

great double play! defense is working!

[Kirby_Waved_At_Me]

great at bat for Morneau - come on Doumit!

[striker_86]

Could have used a big hit by Doumit there....cmon!

[mikeee]

bases loaded, and out he goes...

[twinsnorth49]

He hit it pretty well, battled hard after going 0-2. Nice little rally, too bad it came with 2 out

[Kirby_Waved_At_Me]

if there is such a thing, this has been a vintage Pavano performance so far.

[Seth Stohs]

I always have to ask... what more was Ryan Doumit supposed to do there? He took a great AB against one of the league's best pitchers, and he hit a very hard line drive. I would have liked a couple of runs there too, but what was he supposed to do there instead?

[stringer bell]

Some good ABs for the Rays hitters. Pavano can't finish them off after getting a lot of Ks early.