Rookie manager decisions in Thursday's game

[Otto von Ballpark]

No problem with pinch running, but any sequence of moves that removes Rosario from that game has some mistakes in it.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Although the bigger mistakes right now have been committed by the GM. They have zero trusted multi-inning relievers right now. They used an MLB game as a de facto rehab start. They lost that game Tuesday by 1 run after trying to stretch Achter for 3 innings and May for 2 (they both gave up runs in the process), then last night both of those guys were deemed unavailable and they lost trying to stretch a LOOGY for a full inning against good RHB.

 

And this situation has been in effect for months, and a potential internal remedy overlooked. Arg.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Robinson running for Plouffe was a mistake. Using Duensing there was a mistake. I am not sure about the other stuff. That Mauer strikeout was brutal.

 

Molitor likes to pinch run too much but Duensing isn't on Molitor.  Someone has to pitch and he used his other options.  It was a crapshoot and he lost.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

I have no problem with the pinch running in the 9th.  They were playing to win with no outs.  Sano has had recent hammy trouble and Trevor runs like he is pulling a trailer.  Losing their bat if the game goes to extras isn't ideal, but you gotta play to win in that situation.

 

I don't think anyone is taking issue with running for Sano or Plouffe.  I think the issue is with using Nunez for Sano, and Robinson for Plouffe.  Reverse that, and Eddie stays in the game, and this might be a completely different conversation.

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

Blaming last night's loss on Moliter is like blaming the Super Bowl losses on Tarkington

[DaveW]

Blaming last night's loss on Moliter is like blaming the Super Bowl losses on Tarkington

Or like blaming the super bowl loss on Bevell...oh wait.

[stringer bell]

I thought Molitor should have run Buxton for Hunter with the score tied. It can't be disputed that both Sano and Plouffe should have been pulled for pinch runners, but reversing the choices would have kept Rosario in the game. No great PH choices with an expanded roster.

 

Also, it is obvious that the veterans are getting the innings. Graham, Darnell, Tonkin, Achter etc. are there for lost causes and blowouts.

[Circus Boy]

A Sano blast on Tuesday and a Suzuki flyball last night would have meant a sweep. But we lose two. That's baseball.

[Thrylos]

 

The Thursday game is on Moliter. We go into extras w/o Sano, Trever or Rosiaro and with the pitcher hitting. He should have used Robinson to run for Sano or left Trever in the game. We're spotting the Tigers too much.

 

Hitting .250 I see

 

Thursday's game is on the closer who did not do his job and sucked.

[h2oface]

It always amazes me when pitchers can't make throws to the bases. Jepsen last night, and Boyer to third the other day..... it is just self sabotage. Best athletes on the field, right Bert? Both Mauer and Escobar had an opportunity to end the game as well. I thought Escobars range was exposed a couple of times in this game, and the 0-fer was not a help, but I never would have used Duensing, and definitely not against both Martinez's. Never.

[David HK]

 

I don't think anyone is taking issue with running for Sano or Plouffe.  I think the issue is with using Nunez for Sano, and Robinson for Plouffe.  Reverse that, and Eddie stays in the game, and this might be a completely different conversation.

I concur wholeheartedly, Dr.  That's right on the head.  Add that Dunse-thing pitching to dangerous RHB, and you've got the trifecta.

[h2oface]

What is Molitor thinking? From a soft tossing lefty that the Angels were feasting on, to a soft tossing AAA righty? What was Achter doing in the game? It was like throwing the game in the second inning. Milone's luck has run out, Hughes is toast, Perkins is nowhere to be found, Duensing against righties the night before, and AAA O'Rourke tonight.... and now they serve up batting practice with Pelfrey tomorrow? Does Molitor want this Twins team to compete, or are they calling it a day? Opportunity after opportunity, and tanking. Tough to take.  At least AAA Tonkin finally pitched well in the show. I guess that is something. Molitor's judgement is very suspect lately. I guess you have to hang on the fact that as this team blows opportunities, the mediocrity of the second wild card, whoever that will be, is still up in the air. Maybe it will even be Cleveland. ..........And maybe it will still be the Twins.

 

I guess this still fits... because the title of the article is .....

Rookie manager decisions in Thursday's game

[Boom Boom]

I don't get bringing in Achter to face Trout with the bases juiced... I understand it was early, but that was a high-leverage out, and there was plenty of game left to use long relievers. Why use one of your worst relievers in that situation?

[Otto von Ballpark]

No problem with an aggressive early hook for a starter, that's what competitive teams have to do this time of year.

 

However, when AJ Achter is facing Trout with the bases loaded, it's abundantly clear the Twins don't have the resources right now to pull off such a strategy.

 

So, they should probably just leave in the starter, or get more creative (i.e. insert May early).  Or use one of their 6 starters in that role, which they might do soon with Hughes but arguably should have started earlier this week.

[stringer bell]

Even with the expanded rosters, they don't have that many alternatives. I don't know, perhaps they could have gone with Tonkin, who at least throws hard, but really no one that would figure to handle that specific situation.

[Boom Boom]

Even with the expanded rosters, they don't have that many alternatives. I don't know, perhaps they could have gone with Tonkin, who at least throws hard, but really no one that would figure to handle that specific situation.

I would have gone with May, personally.

 

I get that there was a lot of game left, and someone was going to need to soak up innings, but there was still plenty of time to bring in Achter.

 

Once it was clear that Trout would hit in the 2nd, I would have had someone else warming up to pitch to him. Someone who is one of the best eight relievers on the team.

 

Molitor is more avant-garde than Gardenhire was, but he's proving that he's still a very old-school manager.

[jimmer]

 

I don't get bringing in Achter to face Trout with the bases juiced... I understand it was early, but that was a high-leverage out, and there was plenty of game left to use long relievers. Why use one of your worst relievers in that situation?

There is no legitimate excuse to do it.

[stringer bell]

 

I would have gone with May, personally.

I get that there was a lot of game left, and someone was going to need to soak up innings, but there was still plenty of time to bring in Achter.

Once it was clear that Trout would hit in the 2nd, I would have had someone else warming up to pitch to him. Someone who is one of the best eight relievers on the team.

Molitor is more avant-garde than Gardenhire was, but he's proving that he's still a very old-school manager.

May wasn't available with hip/back issues IIRC. Since 9/1 the Twins have lost Perkins, Darnell, Hughes has come back and shown he isn't ready, Milone has put up two bad starts in a row, Robinson has missed time, Sano has been hobbled (I believe that happened after Sept 1) and a few players have slumped terribly (notably Dozier). Molitor is sticking basically with a set lineup and trying to squeeze enough out of his guys, but I don't see it unless both health and performance improve immediately.

[Jerr]

 

I don't get bringing in Achter to face Trout with the bases juiced... I understand it was early, but that was a high-leverage out, and there was plenty of game left to use long relievers. Why use one of your worst relievers in that situation?

Judd and Mackey were discussing bringing in Jepsen to face Trout, as the game was on the line.

I thought this made a very interesting discussion. Better to bring the weaker pitchers in later with no one on base....thoughts?????

Molitor certainly would have been in the front of that thinking, if he did that!