Game Thread: Twins @ Rockies, 7/13 @ 3:10pm CT

[Squirrel]

Game-time forecast: Partly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 80.

 

TWINS:

SP, Hughes

 

Brian Dozier 2B

Kurt Suzuki C

Kendrys Morales 1B

Trevor Plouffe 3B

Chris Parmelee RF

Josh Willingham LF

Eduardo Escobar SS

Sam Fuld CF

Phil Hughes P

 

ROCKIES:

SP, Anderson

 

 

Charlie Blackmon CF

Carlos Gonzalez RF

Troy Tulowitzki SS

Justin Morneau 1B

Nolan Arenado 3B

Corey Dickerson LF

Wilin Rosario C

D.J. LeMahieu 2B

Brett Anderson P

 

 

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Okay, just do it!

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Things to Think About:

 

1. Justin Morneau -- Here it is Sunday and I'm finally thinking about Justin Morneau. I've been a big Morneau fan since I first heard who he was. Before even seeing him play... I was a Morneau fan just based on what I was reading about him. I remember waiting for him to be called up... I remember starting to dislike Meintkewicz because he was up and Morneau wasn't. It wasn't fair to Dougie baseball but I developed a fascination over a ball player that I had never seen before. It took a little while before Morneau heated up but once he did... he became one of my favorite Twins. He was a player that I had to watch hit. Then the concussions came and he just didn't come back and I felt that trading him to the Pirates or anywhere made sense. I supported the trade and at the same time... I am happy that Justin has found new life in Colorado. It was the perfect place for Justin to land and things are working out. It'll be good to watch compete at Target Field in the HR Derby.

 

2. Brian Dozier -- I don't understand where his power comes from but Brian Dozier leading the team in Home Runs for the 2nd year in a row is still a bit surprising. There is a part of me that thinks that Dozier could be more effective if he took the ball the other way and used the whole field better. Maybe take a couple of dingers off his totals but increase his on base percentage in the process. If he ever becomes that player... who knows. If he doesn't... He's still a damn fine player. He's one of the best 2B defensive players in the game. He does have power and he does have speed. That's a great combination of skills for a 2B. With all that said... It's interesting that Little Brian will be participating in the HR Derby. He will have to compete against some monsters. I wonder if Arcia would have been a better a choice.

 

3. The All Star Game -- It's cool that the All Star Game is being held in Minnesota. I've never been a big fan of the all star game because I'm a baseball snob. I like my baseball played hard. Remember back to Pete Rose running over Ray Fosse in the all star game... That's exactly the way I like my baseball played. Well Fosse got hurt and Rose got vilified because after all... It was the all-star game and you don't do things like that in the All Star Game. Randy Johnson vs. John Kruk... I loved Randy Johnson competing at the all star game... I didn't like the way John Kruk turned it into a joke because after all... It's the All Star game. Don't let my thoughts about the all-star game stop anyone from enjoying it because I will enjoy it being in Minnesota. I'll watch the HR Derby and cheer for Dozier and Morneau and hope to see if Stanton can reach the upper deck. I'll watch the game and wonder what kind of design gets carved into the grass. It's a big moment for the Twins organization.

 

4. A Break and then what -- It'll be interesting to see what the Twins rotation looks like after the break. I imagine someone is coming up to join the rotation. It'll be interesting to see what kind of trade rumors and what kind of trades happen. The last weeks of July are must see TV and I look forward to it every year.

 

5. Beer -- Back at the reunion... I was catching up with an old classmate. It's been 30 years and I asked him "What's going on in your life... How are you spending your time". That's a broad question and the possibility of answers is just as broad. What was his response... "Well... I like Beer". I just looked at him and said... "That's it... No other details to pass along"? He then responded... "If I added more details to I Like Beer... It'll make me seem like a drunk".

[Craig Arko]

This is a great week for baseball, especially baseball in Minnesota.

 

However, there is no substitute for true heroes.

 

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/hero-discovers-hes-room-80-people-he-saved-nazi-concentration-camps-50-years-prior-video

[JB_Iowa]

This is a great week for baseball, especially baseball in Minnesota.

 

However, there is no substitute for true heroes.

 

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/hero-discovers-hes-room-80-people-he-saved-nazi-concentration-camps-50-years-prior-video

 

Thanks for the link. What so impresses me about many of the WW2 generation is their modesty.

 

I've visited with a number of veterans and invariably, no matter the nature of their service, their primary response is: "we did what we had to do".

[JB_Iowa]

How dumb is it that this game doesn't start until 2:10 MTN.

 

Geez, Rockies.

 

I think many of us would rather watch the Futures Game than Twins/Rockies.

[stringer bell]

Well, I predicted the Twins would score 24 runs in the series, so I guess that means the Twins will score 13 today. Unless the wind is truly blowing in, Hughes may give up a couple of long balls. The Rockies are a really good offense and they have almost all of their pieces in place, except for Cuddy. I am going to say, Twins win 13-7.

[Gibby]

Twin's Baseball! in the first inning?

[JB_Iowa]

Twin's Baseball! in the first inning?

 

Nice hitting by Dozier and Suzuki.

 

Not so good on the baserunning.

[JB_Iowa]

And nice hit by Plouffe.

 

But let's try to get a run from this mess.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Favorite all star game memories... may as well throw one out from a few years ago. Kurt Schilling was on the mound and I think A-Rod was hitting. He told him was going to give him a high fastball and dared him to hit it... He struck him out.

[Gibby]

Well, I predicted the Twins would score 24 runs in the series, so I guess that means the Twins will score 13 today. Unless the wind is truly blowing in, Hughes may give up a couple of long balls. The Rockies are a really good offense and they have almost all of their pieces in place, except for Cuddy. I am going to say, Twins win 13-7.

 

They are making it real hard to score 13.

[Gibby]

Nice hitting by Dozier and Suzuki.

 

Not so good on the baserunning.

 

It's Minnesota. As long as you do 75% of your job right, it's all good.

[LaBombo]

Wow, nothing like having a base-running gaffe cost a run on the very next pitch.

 

Trying to score from third on that with one out is a pretty big vote of no confidence in Plouffe. Nice to see him come through.

 

The way Anderson is pitching, it might be 13 runs before the first inning is over.

[JB_Iowa]

Well at least Parms managed to bring in a couple. Geez, I was having visions of 5 or 6 hits in the inning and no runs.

[JB_Iowa]

I think the Colorado pitcher is having trouble.

[stringer bell]

Cost them a run. Parm picks up Dozier.

[Puckett34]

Kendrys Morales makes Jim Thome look fast. Heck of a hit by Plouffe though

[Gibby]

Wow! some nice 2 out hitting.

[Puckett34]

Way to pick up Dozier, Parmsie and Escobarsie

[Gibby]

Kendrys Morales makes Jim Thome look fast. Heck of a hit by Plouffe though

 

It would behoove him to just hit it over the fence.

 

Love the avatar.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Well at least Parms managed to bring in a couple. Geez, I was having visions of 5 or 6 hits in the inning and no runs.

 

regressing to the mean with this RISPY numbers.

[stringer bell]

Did I say just 13?

[Willihammer]

Bat around!

[Puckett34]

It would behoove him to just hit it over the fence.

 

Love the avatar.

 

Much easier cardio workout if Kendrys would just hit it over the fence instead of hitting it just short of it. I know I'm picking nits, but he looked like he was going to take a tumble rounding second. Haha

[stringer bell]

Phil Hughes, rally killer.

[JB_Iowa]

Phil Hughes, rally killer.

 

As long as he kills any Colorado rallies, its okay with me.

[LaBombo]

This thing could go Vikings/Broncos in a hurry.

[stringer bell]

I think it might take 13 runs to win today.

[snepp]

I think it might take 13 runs to win today.

 

It's starting to appear that way.

[stringer bell]

Wow, the ball really carries. Good luck signing pitchers Rockies.

[Puckett34]

Come on Hughes. Stop turning into a pumpkin. On a unrelated note, I miss Justin Morneau. Not so much because of his play this year, although he is playing very well. He was my favorite Twin and was traded on my wedding day. Luckily, I hadn't checked my phone at all that day.