Article: Game Thread: Twins v Yankees, 7/17@7:10pm CT

[70charger]

Very well done, Kepler/Superman. Saving the day!

[ashbury]

Looks easy but not every RFer gets that liner on the fly.

[DocBauer]

I don't think the Twins would have won the challenge, not definitive enough but I think he was safe by a finger tip.

 

Rosario would have gotten the runner at 3rd if he could have set himself better.

[Darius]

That's a hit last year.

[DocBauer]

Every time I watch Kepler do something in the field, or his smooth stroke, I'm reminded of my father watching him at ST a couple years ago and telling me he just looked and moved like a natural athlete.

[ashbury]

Thats it, we're all out of Judge puns

I move this post be stricken from the record.

[jimbo92107]

 

Because.......he was out?

The catcher clearly blocked the front of the plate with his shoe. By the current interpretation of the rules, that makes the runner safe. They can of course ignore their own rules, and we have all seen them do so in game situations. That is probably why Molitor didn't challenge the call. 

[70charger]

 

I don't think the Twins would have won the challenge, not definitive enough but I think he was safe by a finger tip. Rosario would have gotten the runner at 3rd if he could have set himself better.

 

It would have been a very hard challenge to win, but 1) it was a really big spot with potential for many more runs, and 2) it's very hard to get any closer than that. 

 

I think you challenge.

 

Still, I'm happy that neither of these things mattered.

[drock2190]

Wonder what Molitor had to go tell Berrios

[ashbury]

Dumb fielding decision by Mitchell. Forget about whether a fielder was positioned behind him, you don't stick the meat hand out there.

[Guest]

I can tell you, in all seriousness, that the moderators are most assuredly not. A few TD members have already been given a word to the wise.

A good Colon joke is a terrible thing to waist.

[Riverbrian]

 

I don't dislike Vargas, so I hope this isn't taken as a knock on him. But the difference between Mauer's defense at first and Vargas's is day and night. I know there's not much of a positional adjustment for 1B according to WAR and the like, but Mauer has been very, very impressive over there.

 

I'm Vargas fan and I agree with you. It doesn't mean that Vargas is horrible defensively... it means that Mauer is pretty damn good. 

[70charger]

Really, really, really have to stop leaving men on base.

[yarnivek1972]

Really, really, really have to stop leaving men on base.

If you have runners at second and third with one out and the top of the order due, you better get at LEAST one run.

[DocBauer]

I'm a Granite fan and think he has a future. But seems to me early returns are someone not yet ready or pressing. Can we just stop now with how easy it would be to trade one of our starting OF?

[Riverbrian]

 

This could just be homer bias, and I clearly don't have the fortitude to watch a replay ten times like Riverbrian on a routine fly ball to Robbie Grossman, but...

 

it reeeeeally seemed like he had his foot blocking the plate well before he got that ball.

 

C'mon you can do it. Grab a Red Bull... Down it and go for it. 

[70charger]

Oh good, another reviewable play.

[DocBauer]

Out!

[DocBauer]

No doubt!

[drock2190]

Mejia sliding into 1st base!

 

Good thing Molitor didn't challenge that call earlier! 

[twinsnorth49]

 

The catcher clearly blocked the front of the plate with his shoe. By the current interpretation of the rules, that makes the runner safe. They can of course ignore their own rules, and we have all seen them do so in game situations. That is probably why Molitor didn't challenge the call. 

I agree it appears he was but technically the rule is the catcher can't block the "pathway"
of the runner,without the ball. Dozier clearly had a lane to the plate.

[mikecgrimes]

Not challenging the play at the plate might have just been the thing that wins us this game.  Umpires gotta get crap like that right without replay.  Pathetic.

[Riverbrian]

 

I've witnessed a lot of Twins baseball over my 45 years+ as a fan. And I'm honored to be part of Twins fandom and TD. And over those many years, and the past 3+ here on TD, I've heard and read opinion, speculation, prosecution and defense of various teams, players, and the FO. In my expertise as a lifelong Twins fan, I can tell you my opinion of this current team is not mere conjecture. I love the young talent and the way they play together.

I know there is a great deal of conjecture in regard to the current state and status of this team. And while the jury is certainly out as to the full potential of this team going forward, and the deliberations of what the Twins should and should not do going forward, I am certainly enjoying the process of watching thjs team develop. And I know there are experts out there who offer their opinions on the young talent currently on the roster and coming up, Keith Law being primary amongst them, I like the makeup.

I like the makeup of this lineup now and going forward. This is not the usual suspects of the past. And this includes parts of the pitching staff. The evidence reveals we still need pitching help to make our case as a legitimate contender. And hopefully, through shrewd trade or FA move, or uncovering a hidden gem, we will add to Santana, Berrios and the sudden emergence of Mejia to round out the rotation.

I'm really liking what this kid is doing. And I swear we are witnessing him growing in to a legitimate ML SP right before our eyes, just not with the same testimony Berrios gets.

I know years of frustration with the system, and watching the man running it, can lead to a feeling of being persecuted or disenfranchised as a Twins fan, but I am a believer in the process now taking place.

Go Twins! Support Mejia and get some more runs! Beat the odds and vindicate yourselves with a winning series and year, beginning with beating the hated Yankees tonight!

Bang the ball and the gavel! I am an optimist. That is my decision!

 

Go get em DOC!!!

[70charger]

 

It would have been a very hard challenge to win, but 1) it was a really big spot with potential for many more runs, and 2) it's very hard to get any closer than that.

 

I think you challenge.

 

Still, I'm happy that neither of these things mattered.

 

FTFM.

[Squirrel]

I move this post be stricken from the record.

Objection overruled.

[yarnivek1972]

I'm a Granite fan and think he has a future. But seems to me early returns are someone not yet ready or pressing. Can we just stop now with how easy it would be to trade one of our starting OF?

Makes me wonder about the AAA infields. Are they like rock hard and Granite's ground balls are getting through? I'm sure somewhere there is data about his average launch angle in AAA. My guess is real low.

[Riverbrian]

 

Thats it, we're all out of Judge puns

 

Post of the Night

[70charger]

What the hell? Stop giving up hits to Garrett Goddamn Cooper.

[Riverbrian]

 

Looks easy but not every RFer gets that liner on the fly.

 

I may have mentioned this once or twice on Sunday but Grossman didn't yesterday. 

 

 

[mikecgrimes]

Didn't we already do these puns from 1991 to about 2005 with Dave Justice, how about some Mejia puns.