Game Thread: Twins @ Mariners, 4/26, 3:10 p.m.

[JB_Iowa]

Twins Win!    Twins Win!

 

Another chance today for a Series win.   Both the Twins and Mariners are 7-10 and the Twins are in 3rd place in the AL Central, ahead of Chicago and Cleveland.   We saw last night that the Twins may not have the worst defense in the league.   Everything is a work in progress.

 

The Mariners were originally scheduled to start righty Hisashi Iwakuma but he went on the DL this morning with a Grade 1 strain of his right lat muscle and will be expected to miss two to four weeks.(1)   The Mariners are bringing up 26-year-old lefty Roenis Elias from AAA Tacoma.    Like Trevor May, Elias lost a ST battle for the 5th starter spot.  Unlike May, he did not excel at AAA, posting an 8.04 ERA with a 12/7 K/BB ratio in 15 2/3 innings but he still was 2-0.   He was 10-12 with a 3.85 ERA in the majors in 2014.   That included going 0-2 against the Twins with an ERA of 8.71.   So the Twins have some familiarity with him – keep those bats warm!

 

The Twins counter with Kyle Gibson making his fourth start of the year.   Kyle’s last start was Monday in KC where he gave up 4 hits, 4 walks and 4 runs (3 earned) in 5 innings.   Kyle is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in four career starts against the Mariners.   I think he’ll bounce back from his KC outing and continue his tradition of good pitching against the Mariners so look for a Twins win today.

 

Molitor has really shaken up today's line-up with Escobar, Nunez, Herrmann, Robinson, Arcia and Santana all starting (alongside Dozier, Plouffe and Mauer).  Suzuki gets a day off as do Vargas and Hunter.  Seattle's line-up is the same as Saturday with the exception of the catcher. 

 

This is the only series outside the division in April -- it would be great to take advantage.   The Twins need to build a little momentum before going home to face the Tigers, White Sox and A’s.

 

It is also the Twins’ only trip to Seattle this season.   So grab a coffee (or your favorite beverage) and some fish and chips (no sushi here) (or maybe Gibby will make salmon for all of us) and settle in for a late afternoon of baseball.

 

 

Twins

 

2  Brian Dozier     2B

21 Shane Robinson   CF

7  Joe Mauer (L)    1B

24 Trevor Plouffe    3B

9 Eduardo Nunez   DH

5 Eduardo Escobar(S)   LF

31 Oswaldo Arcia (L)   RF

12 Chris Herrmann    C

39 Danny Santana   SS

RHP  Kyle Gibson

 

Mariners

 

16   Austin Jackson      CF

  7    Seth Smith (L)     RF

  2    Robinson Cano (L)   2B

23  Nelson Cruz    DH

15  Kyle Seagar (L)   3B

20  Logan Morrison (L)    1B

13   Dustin Ackley (L)    LF

  5   Brad Miller (L)   SS

  2   Jesus Sucre     C

 

LHP  Roenis Elias

 

Line-ups from a photo by LEN3

 

(1) http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/25/hisashi-iwakuma-has-a-grade-1-lat-strain-will-miss-2-4-weeks/

 

[Squirrel]

Thanks, JB! I'm working this afternoon, but I'll be streaming the game ... will be an interesting juxtaposition ... the game broadcast on my computer and Bruckner Symphony No. 8 over the sound system and stage monitor.  And just maybe I'll get home quick enough to see the end.

[Danchat]

My goodness... Robinson batting second, Nunez at DH, and Escobar in LF. This is so crazy, it just might work. Emphasis on the "might".

[NorthwestTwinsFan]

I like the fact that they're sticking with Dozier in the leadoff spot. He seems much more comfortable there.

[AlwaysinModeration]

During last nights game Blyleven mentioned in passing that Molitor was considering leading off with Mauer. Can't wait until that happens.

[Squirrel]

I'm just glad to see him trying different things. For now. Hopefully something he tries works. But even more, I hope to see those you 'expect' to hit, hit.

[Jerr]

Go Twins, but watching Wild here

 

And wondering if, I will even partake in Target Field this year

[Hrbowski]

Let's go Twins!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Circus Boy updates?

 

Well, Twins game has not yet begun.

 

But the Wild have gone up 1-0 on a shorthanded goal.

[USAFChief]

We get a hit on an 0-2 count!  First inning run!!

 

 

[JB_Iowa]

I wish they wouldn't replay old home runs, though.  I got all excited ... but Escobar is still batting.

[ashbury]

CBU: 1-0 going into the bottom of the first inning.

[ashbury]

We get a hit on an 0-2 count!  First inning run!!

If you bench a pitcher who allows that, what's your reward for the batter who accomplishes it? (Or do you really want to encourage guys getting two quick strikes on them?)

[ashbury]

First pitch strike. Gibson's got this.

[ashbury]

Seth Smith still crowds the plate. I don't know why he doesn't lead the league in HBP. Oh wait, it's because he doesn't play for the Royals, boo hoo hoo for them.

[AlwaysinModeration]

My 7-yr old wants to know why Robinson Cano did not run hard on his ground out.

[USAFChief]

 

My 7-yr old wants to know why Robinson Cano did not run hard on his ground out.

At least he's not asking you why you don't have a $240M contract.

[AlwaysinModeration]

True. That line of questioning is reserved for the 10-year old.

[USAFChief]

_{XBH from Mauer!  RBI!!}

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Twins match Wild with a 2-0 score.

 

(and pardon me if i'm not around much. As often happens, i'm doing something useful, cleaning one mess and making a couple more...)

[Danchat]

Shane Robinson and Joe Mauer are going to have a batting average race. Robinson is ahead by 110.

 

Honestly, though, Robinson should be the main CF instead of Schafer, as long as he can keep hitting.

[USAFChief]

Well, poop.

[formerly33]

 

Well, poop.

Yeah, right. Now.

[USAFChief]

C'mon Santana.

 

We're rootin' for ya.  But you're makin' it harder and harder.

[Squirrel]

 

Well, poop.

This always makes me laugh hearing this in a Gomer Pyle voice.

[ashbury]

Yep, Santana's not seizing the opportunity he's being given this season.

[ashbury]

Well, poop.

 

This always makes me laugh hearing this in a Gomer Pyle voice.

 

Surprise surprise surprise.

[formerly33]

Sounds like either there are a lot of Twins fans in Seattle or else they appreciate a good play.

[Squirrel]

Well, at least the Sanatan error didn't result in a run scored. Still ... errors are errors. Don't like 'em.

[formerly33]

 

Well, at least the Sanatan error didn't result in a run scored. Still ... errors are errors. Don't like 'em.

That goes without saying, but I'll go on record and agree. Except when it's the opponent. Then I laugh.