Game Thread: Twins vs. Red Sox, 5/6/17 @ 1:10pm CT

[jud6312]

 

I don't know...no pitcher has ever had to successfully overcome a two out error before. In the history of MLB.

Good point. I didn't even consider that. They should probably make that second HR by Young an unearned run.

 

If Polanco made that play, Tepesch would've never been chased. In turn, Rucinski wouldn't have had to come in so early so when he faced Young, his pitches would've been more unhittable.

 

Thanks, Jorge!

[ashbury]

Dat jinx on a no-no! Shame.

On the bright side, I have filed away the useful information that "as expected" does not function as an anti-jinx.

[ashbury]

Dick's pronunciation on "Ben-in-ten-day" is oddly annoying.

FTFY.

[Circus Boy]

 

He's a Dutchman, don't ya know.

 

Riverbrian: Who? Benintendi or Blyleven?

 

Chief: Yes.

 

Gracious, I'm not going to lob these meatballs to you guys forever.

[jimbo92107]

Wow, that slow curve took cajones. You know Porcello is feeling confident when he throws a slow curve dipping into the upper zone for standing strike three against Miguel Sano. 

 

Some strikes take balls. 

[jimbo92107]

Dang, two hard line drives, right to the outfielder. Boston's got all the luck in this one.

[ashbury]

On another note, we have to lead the league in solo home runs. It's crazy how there's never anyone on base for our shots

Hokay, so it's a reasonable question, and one that can be looked up. I'm a sucker for that.

 

Major league 2017:

Bases empty: 18922 PA, 601 HR ... 3.2%

Men on base: 14286 PA, 415 HR ... 2.9%

 

Twins 2017:

Bases empty: 568 PA, 16 HR ... 2.8%

Men on base: 466 PA, 15 HR ... 3.2%

 

Unless I did the math wrong, it looks the reverse of what was expected. In addition, the Twins are having a larger proportion of men-on situations than average. But it's early in the season, so not much to read into yet.

[jimbo92107]

Vargas! Play of the day!!

Reminded me of flicking a dirty sock at the laundry hamper while lying in bed... Next morning you'll find out how close you got.

[Bark's Lounge]

I'm not sure Pressley is going to pan out.

[jimbo92107]

Jack's right, you can't just have one legit pitch. Without a respectable curve, Pressly's fastball isn't enough to put up zeros. This is the right kind of game to work on it...

 

In fact, if I was the pitching coach, I'd order Pressly to start throwing breaking pitches and change ups. Why not? The game is toast, so you might as well work on your form. If Pressly can find his curve in this game, going forward maybe he can be more effective. 

[glunn]

I am glad to be at the office today and not watching this mess.

 

I am hoping that tomorrow Buxton and Dozier are healthy and that the Twins avenge today's loss. To make up for today, they will chase Sale in the first inning and Santana will throw a perfect game.

[glunn]

 

Jack's right, you can't just have one legit pitch. Without a respectable curve, Pressly's fastball isn't enough to put up zeros. This is the right kind of game to work on it...

 

In fact, if I was the pitching coach, I'd order Pressly to start throwing breaking pitches and change ups. Why not? The game is toast, so you might as well work on your form. If Pressly can find his curve in this game, going forward maybe he can be more effective. 

I wish that you were the pitching coach today.

[jimbo92107]

 

I wish that you were the pitching coach today.

It's funny - you can see that Rick Porcello's form from the set is almost exactly how you'd want Ryan Pressly to do it. Square off that front side 90 degrees from home, don't open up early. Pressly could do that, and it would improve the bite and accuracy of his curve. 

[D. Hocking]

 

I am glad to be at the office today and not watching this mess.

 

I am hoping that tomorrow Buxton and Dozier are healthy and that the Twins avenge today's loss. To make up for today, they will chase Sale in the first inning and Santana will throw a perfect game.

 

All this wish list is missing is a pony and world peace and it is perfect.

[ashbury]

To make up for today, they will chase Sale in the first inning and Santana will throw a perfect game.

 

There shall be no half-measures.

[Bark's Lounge]

 

Jack's right, you can't just have one legit pitch. Without a respectable curve, Pressly's fastball isn't enough to put up zeros. This is the right kind of game to work on it...

 

In fact, if I was the pitching coach, I'd order Pressly to start throwing breaking pitches and change ups. Why not? The game is toast, so you might as well work on your form. If Pressly can find his curve in this game, going forward maybe he can be more effective. 

I agree with you, but I don't think it is based in reality. Pressley's had his time in the bigs to work on that stuff. He is not old, but he sure isn't young anymore.

 

Except for the first week of this season he has been really, really bad. I don't know if he is the guy you want to cut bait with compared to our other relievers, but results matter when you are not a shiny penny. The bullpen is definitely showing it's cracks.

 

Saying that, I don't think this an awful team, we just need some help from the high upside arms in the minors when the levy breaks for the big club. That will dictate the direction this season goes when it is all said and done.

[jimbo92107]

Hey, we now know the proper role for Michael Tonkin! Mop up duty in a 10-run blowout!

[Kwak]

"It's Tonkin Time!"

[twinssporto]

Looks like I had a better day fishing than the Twins or their new pitcher.  Our boat caught the 4th largest crappie of the tournament!  We were holding on to the number 3 spot until the very end.

 

 

[jimbo92107]

Tonkin (more likely Castro) had one really good idea: Don't throw that flat Tonkin fastball to Hanley Ramirez. Curve, curve, curve. 

[twinssporto]

What happened today?  Can any elaborate with a short sentence or two?  Just trying to get caught up.

[Bark's Lounge]

 

What happened today?  Can any elaborate with a short sentence or two?  Just trying to get caught up.

Tepesch pitched badly, Polanco made a crucial error. Porcello has pitched okay.

[jimbo92107]

Actually, Tonkin should throw mostly curves at this point in his career. Hitters are so eager to hammer his flat heat, they'll flail at the curve. If only he could bend it consistently...

[jimbo92107]

Dang, I like Sano. He may not be the slickest fielder, but the guy's a gamer. 

[crapforks]

Dang, I like Sano. He may not be the slickest fielder, but the guy's a gamer.

He's talented and entertaining. That's a rare quality in Twins history.

[TwinsCD]

 

You hate it so much that you bring it to our attention a second time.

 

Yeah, I just liked my Grade I Hazmat situation comment about it.

[Circus Boy]

 

My other big theory is, teams that get big early leads get complacent and give it all back a run at a time.

My last big theory is, the good guys fall so far behind that they curl up in a fetal position, then crawl out of the bunker waving the white flag.

[jimbo92107]

 

He's talented and entertaining. That's a rare quality in Twins history.

Actually, the Twins have a few guys like that today. I'd count Rosario and Buxton among the talented young gamers, and Polanco is a smart, tough young player. 

[Bark's Lounge]

Just to blow off some steam. Porcello is overrated. He had a very good season last year, it was an anomaly. Verlander should have won the Cy Young Award. Porcello only won because of his archaic win stat.

 

Porcello is a #3 starter. Erv is a little bit better.

[Circus Boy]

 

Tepesch pitched badly, Polanco made a crucial error. Porcello has pitched okay.

 

Don't forget to note that the baseball gods loosed the Hounds of Hell, which proceeded to rip the Twins to shreds early and often.