Game Thread, Twins @ Rangers, 6/14 @ 2:05 pm CT

[formerly33]

Saturday 6/13, 3:05 PM CT at Globe Life Park in Arlington

TV: FS-N; Radio: Go 96.3, TIBN, BOB FM

 

 

Weather:

 

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 10 to 15 mph.

 

 

Lineups:

 

TWINS (33-28):

1. Dozier, 2B

2. Rosario, RF

3. Mauer, 1B

4. Plouffe, 3B

5. Nunez, DH

6. Suzuki, C

7. Robinson, LF

8. Escobar, SS

9. Buxton, CF

 

Phil Hughes, RHP (4-6, 4.81 ERA)

 

 

RANGERS (33-29):

1. DeShields, LF

2. Choo, RF

3. Fielder, DH

4. Moreland, 1B

5. Gallo, 3B

6. Andrus, SS

7. Martin, CF

8. Chirinos, C

9. Alberto, 2B

 

Nick Martinez, RHP (5-2, 2.65 ERA)

 

 

BIG LEAGUES, WELCOME TO BYRON BUXTON!!

 

 

At first I thought about something like "Byron Buxton, welcome to the Big Leagues!" but I decided that it would be less than ideal to associate a phrase that's already suffering from verbal fatigue with the number one prospect in all of baseball, and it would be a disgrace to understate Byron's potential.

 

This is a moment we've all been waiting for, and yet I'll go ahead and say it - it just isn't happening the way I would have liked it to. In my wildest dreams I hoped that Buxton and Sano would debut on the same day at Target Field, but it just didn't work out that way. But like I said, that was in my wildest dreams. However, if you read on a little further, you'll see that I still expected a better situation than this all panned out to be.

 

This past week and a half has been one of utter misery for Twins fans. After splitting a series with Boston, we came back home and lost a series to the worst team in baseball, our next-door neighbors, the Brewers. Then we hosted Kansas City and were swept at home for the first time this season. And then we headed down to Arlington where we are currently playing the Rangers who have won the first two games of the series. That placed us in a season-worst losing streak of five. However, just as everyone was about to give up what little hope they'd managed to retain through this disheartening week, it was announced in the middle of yesterday's game that Byron Buxton had received the long-awaited call to the majors.

 

It's a bittersweet moment. I had hoped that he would be called up to a winning team and create an absolute explosion when he debuted. However, here we are, losing left, right, and center, and we've called Buxton up as a last resort to help us win.

 

What I'm trying to say is that we can't expect Buxton to carry this whole team on his shoulders. I didn't want to come into today's game viewing him as our savior. I wanted him to be a more than valuable addition to the team, but not the only player worth bragging about, nonetheless. But we've had a terrible first half of June, and it looks like I'm just going to have to settle with viewing him as a potential savior.

 

The bright side is that the Twins aren't all bad. "Yeah, right?" you say? Well, to be completely serious, it's true. Even Joe Mauer does well with runners in scoring position because he doesn't have to figure out the shift that has so effectively figured out him. Buxton is just one more batter to hit before Joe, and I'm expecting him to get on base and score some runs. Plouffe is also showing signs of improvement, and I'm not going to groan every time he steps up to the plate today, even though a few days ago I might have.

 

Not only that, there was yesterday's game. Sure, we lost big time - but not as big time as we could have. With two outs in the ninth, Eduardo Núñez doubled. That in and of itself didn't make me think much besides "It's a little late for a rally" (for posterity, we were losing 11-3), but then Chris Herrmann came up to the plate and doubled as well. Then Eduardo Escobar singled, and Shane Robinson and Brian Dozier followed with back-to-back doubles. Unfortunately the Rangers decided at that moment that they'd had enough and replaced Anthony Bass with Jon Edwards, who was able to record the final out when Eddie Rosario grounded out to first, but come on, we scored four runs with two outs in the ninth. Sure, we didn't win, but that right there shows me that we don't stop fighting, no matter what situation we're in. I like that mentality, especially when it's coming from the bottom of the order.

 

There is one guy I can't help but worry about, though: Kurt Suzuki. He's done just terrible lately, and he really isn't giving me any reason to expect him to improve any time soon, either. Much as I love him for what he did for us last year, I can't help but want to see Eric Fryer catching some more in the majors. He's played in 34 games in Rochester this year and is hitting .343 with 6 doubles and 11 walks (42 total bases). In about as many games at AAA last year, he hit only .252 and it dropped to .213 in the majors. Theoretically, then, he should still do pretty good if we were to call him up tomorrow, and at this point I almost want to say "anyone but Suzuki." And, as we don't want to send Suzuki down, there's always the DL. You can't tell me that the man isn't hurt one way or another with all those blows he takes every day behind the plate, and if he does happen to be alright...well, there's always that doctor from "The Invalid Corps."

 

Well, I guess that's it. I know I never could live up to Riverbrian's standards, but I feel like today was especially bad. The worst thing about it is that it's Buxton's debut, and here I am, staring dully at my computer screen and feeling completely uninspired. I couldn't even think of anything to write about the Buck because all I've been thinking about lately is how the Twins keep losing and what we need to do to win. I feel bad that I volunteered for this very game a month or so ago because there are at least fourteen (yes, I counted) other members who are more qualified to start this honorable thread than I am, but as it is, I can't and won't back out now that I have it.

 

In the past I've been either accused or commended for writing tribute(s) to War and Peace and a sequel to Anna Karenina, but today I think I closer resemble The Idiot. In more ways than one, now that I think about it. But you'll forgive me because you, like myself, have been living a week or more in misery deeper and darker than any that Fyodor Dostoyevsky could have possibly depicted in even his gloomiest novel. At least I think so...I've never actually read one. I think I'll have to start Crime and Punishment after I get this posted, and then I'll come back with a report of it next time I have a game thread. Unless the Twins have started winning again; then I'll give you Lorna Doone.

 

But back to baseball...whatever happens, we must win this game. If we don't, we might as well content ourselves with getting another high draft pick in 2016. Oh, and I thought a week or two ago that my prediction of 2017 being our first year back in the playoffs was annulled. Now I wonder....

 

A line from a poem comes to mind, simple yet significant: "Cheer up, sad world." I can't remember the source, and I have absolutely no idea why we're supposed to cheer up, but maybe, just maybe, it's because Byron has stepped up to the plate.

[Craig Arko]

You left out Gogol.

 

But try this instead.

 

http://youtu.be/RHD-XRTsWdE

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Fine intro. Yeah, there wasn't much action on the thread during that come half back bit last night. And the team is still in a good position despite the recent troubles.

 

I don't know if Buxton will pull the game thread together either. I sure hope so!

 

Anyway, for my Russian Literature, i'll recommend the short story Romance with a Double Bass by Chekhov (Anton, not the Star Trek fella).

 

Anyway, should be fun game to watch...

[TheLeviathan]

I want him to lead off soon, but I'm glad to see him at 9th today.  I hope the kid hits the ground running and we never look back.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

You left out Gogol.

 

But try this instead.

 

http://youtu.be/RHD-XRTsWdE

Always meant to read Gogol.

 

Even got a collection of his...

 

(He wrote the Overcoat, no?)

[Craig Arko]

Always meant to read Gogol.Even got a collection of his...(He wrote the Overcoat, no?)

He did, although I mostly know Diary of a Madman and Dead Souls.

[Danchat]

So Buxton bats #9. Not surprising, but a tad disappointing. I suppose it's too early to move him into the top of the lineup.

[Bark's Lounge]

And so the Uncle Buck era begins.

 

(RIP John Candy)

[RedBull34]

 

So Buxton bats #9. Not surprising, but a tad disappointing. I suppose it's too early to move him into the top of the lineup.

To be fair that was what we did with Hicks and nobody wants to repeat that mess.

[Craig Arko]

So Buxton bats #9. Not surprising, but a tad disappointing. I suppose it's too early to move him into the top of the lineup.

The important point is that he bats.

[Winston Smith]

"Fame is the thirst of youth"

 

Lord Byron

 

I wish you well in your travels!

[USAFChief]

Great job JB! Thank you, much appreciated!

 

Now lets get a win. Personally, while I am excited to see Buxton, what I want is to start a winning streak today.

[formerly33]

I was so serious I am now being mistaken for JB. What is this world coming to?

[Halsey Hall]

It's a beautiful day here, so the problem is do I go play golf, or sit inside and watch Buxton.  Not a hard choice, really.  Let's get a win today, finally, it seems. 

[Craig Arko]

Now for something really amazing...

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33126885

[AlwaysinModeration]

Started June 3-9. Not great, but not terrible. This isn't desperation. Team is still well over .500, two games out of first, tied for a wild card spot. Just got a huge upgrade in defense. Get a W today and then aim for a split in St. Louis.

[Blake]

"I'll take depressing Russian literature for $100, Always33."

 

And the answer is: "Dr. Zhivago."

[sampleSizeOfOne]

He did, although I mostly know Diary of a Madman and Dead Souls.

I'll get to him eventually, and it's a two volume collection, so i bet it has them also...

 

But seein' as i haven't finished my collection of Chekhov's comic stories (the only place i found Romance with Double Bass, which i'd been looking for since seeing John Cleese's adaptation) it might be a while...

 

Thankfully we don't have nearly as long to wait for this game to start, i assume.

[JB_Iowa]

 

I was so serious I am now being mistaken for JB. What is this world coming to?

 

That's okay.  Yesterday Chief mistook Hrbowski for me.

 

Dang those old brain cells.

[stringer bell]

Here we go!

[Riverbrian]

What's This?

 

It's a Couch and a TV with a Twins Game on

 

I've forgotten what these things are... Almost didn't recognize them. And I have to relearn how to work them.

 

Butt goes on the Couch... Right?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Play ball!

[Craig Arko]

Dozier pumped up.

[JB_Iowa]

DOZIER!!!

[stringer bell]

It's not Buxton, but a leadoff HR.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

...

 

Butt goes on the Couch... Right?

Some advanced Couch users will apply an entire side of their body to the couch.

 

Either way, you should enjoy that first hit by Dozier. Thinking outside the ball park, is that fellow.

[JB_Iowa]

 

What's This?

It's a Couch and a TV with a Twins Game on

I've forgotten what these things are... Almost didn't recognize them. And I have to relearn how to work them.

Butt goes on the Couch... Right?

 

Couch in Michigan???

[AlwaysinModeration]

Boom

[John Kelsey]

That Dozier guy is alright. 

[Blake]

Okay guys, bat around the first inning so we can see Mr. Buxton swing a bat.