Game Thread: Twins v A's, 4/9@ 12:10pm CT

[LaBombo]

Third out at third, bummer.

[Physics Guy]

Is anyone concerned that Mauer has 8 Ks in 29 ABs?

 

Not at all. I do think he isn't getting the close calls he used to. That last at bat he was rung up on a pitch below the zone. Strike for Escobar, not Mauer. Any merit to the idea that catchers might get the benefit of a few strike calls just from being around the umps more? Plus he doesn't strike me as the type that would irritate the ump (like his predecessor).

[zchrz]

The pitch f/x on this umps strike zone is going to be hilarious.

[Physics Guy]

Third out at third, bummer.

 

I think we can all agree that baserunning isn't Plouffe's strong suit.

[James]

I think we can all agree that baserunning isn't Plouffe's strong suit.

Nor is fielding.

[Boom Boom]

I think we can all agree that baserunning isn't Plouffe's strong suit.

 

It's not anybody on the team's strong suit. The last three years the Twins baserunning as a team has been terrible.

 

I guess Molitor's coaching hasn't sunk in yet.

[LaBombo]

That pretty much narrows it down to hitting lefties. That has value, but it's not terribly hard to find and shouldn't cost much...

[Beezer07]

5 backward Ks sure is a lot out of 21 possible outs.

[JB_Iowa]

Twins do Stand Up To Cancer on Monday.

 

On Wednesday, they give Ron Gardenhire cigars.

 

A bit hypocritical IMO.

[Winston Smith]

Not at all. I do think he isn't getting the close calls he used to. That last at bat he was rung up on a pitch below the zone. Strike for Escobar, not Mauer. Any merit to the idea that catchers might get the benefit of a few strike calls just from being around the umps more? Plus he doesn't strike me as the type that would irritate the ump (like his predecessor).

 

I think its just a case where the umpires, officials and referees are always against any team, player, coach or manager from Minnesota. If you don't believe that just ask Sid!

[LaBombo]

Twins do Stand Up To Cancer on Monday.

 

On Wednesday, they give Ron Gardenhire cigars.

 

A bit hypocritical IMO.

Not big on political correctness, but it doesn't take a PR genius to see the problem with that. Cigars privately and an appropriate public pregame gift would have been better.

[LaBombo]

Finally a pitch is called a ball... after the catcher has to lunge for it.

 

Dozier's patience pays off with the swing he put on that bomb. Funny what can happen when the pitch is somewhere near the strike zone.

[James]

Dozie!!!!!

[James]

Hmmm. Interesting little situation we got here.

[twinscowboysbulls]

It'd be really nice if Dozier could provide awesome defense and 20 homeruns, year in and out. Would slide nicely into the 6-7 spot in the order.

 

(IN AN ORDER WHERE WE HAVE OTHER GOOD HITTERS)

[LaBombo]

Plouffe facing a rightie late and close is a sign of a not-so-deep bench.

 

 

After being absent for a ton of bad calls, FoxTrax mysteriously reappears on a nondescript fastball in the center of the strike zone...

[James]

I think we can all agree that baserunning isn't Plouffe's strong suit.

Judging by the sausage commercial on the radio, singing is definitely his strong suit either.

[twinscowboysbulls]

Looks like Bello's magic has ran out.

[Winston Smith]

All is not lost we have 10 K's for the day in the quest for the record.

[LaBombo]

Looks like Bello's magic has ran out.

Magic in general running out for a lineup that entered the day second in the league in runs scored but second to last in homers.

 

Hard to sustain offense by stringing together bunches of hits, especially when some of the guys batting .320 are really .220 hitters.

[LimestoneBaggy]

Someone tell me that Gameday's pitch tracking is way off, and it isn't this bad? Please?

[Halsey Hall]

Woke up in time for the 9th.

[LaBombo]

All is not lost we have 10 K's for the day in the quest for the record.

...with a chance to add to the total in the 9th against their closer.

 

When Suzuki and Herrmann come to the plate down two in the 9th, it's official. You have no bench. One PH and one defensive sub and you're done.

[gocgo]

Concussion like symptoms?

[kydoty]

Oh look, we still don't know how to make sac bunts.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Winning run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth - probably not what anyone expected after the first inning today.

[Beezer07]

Why in the world are we bunting there, down two? Unless I'm misremembering, bunting reduces your chances of scoring more than one run in an inning...

[DaveW]

Why in the world are we bunting there, down two? Unless I'm misremembering, bunting reduces your chances of scoring more than one run in an inning...

1. Hermann sucks at hitting.

2. It allows you to tie the game with one single if he does pull it off. Of course he didn't....

[Danchat]

Okay, Eduardo. Time for a big hit.

[LaBombo]

Why in the world are we bunting there, down two?

Goin will no doubt mention this to Gardy, who will call him a stat nerd while giving him a wedgie...