Game Thread: Twins @ Tampa, 12:10 PM CDT

[Respy]

 

Thank you. So, a 1-2-3 9th wouldn't be bad in terms of his hit streak.

Also, what kind of manager would intentionally walk a player to end his hit streak. Or, how badly would a player like Ty Cobb need to be hated for a manager want to do that?

 

Well, it was the right move there and I'm sure Joe didn't mind at all.  It might be different if Joe had a 35-game hit streak.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

While I agree with the sentiment and I know their attendance sucks, the residents of Florida have something a bit more important to worry about at the moment.

 

Except that today's attendance is terrible for 29 other teams, but only somewhat lower than usual for Tampa.  The Rays are last in attendance, at just over 15k per game.  The Marlins are 28th at just over 20k.  If you combine the two, they would still only be 10th.  If it weren't for the new stadium in Miami, I would move one team to Orlando, and move the other to Nashville or Portland.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Well, it was the right move there and I'm sure Joe didn't mind at all. It might be different if Joe had a 35-game hit streak.

Agreed. Wasn't questioning the pinch hit at all. Winning the game is most important thing by far. Still interested to see if he extends his streak, though.

[Doubles]

Have a day, Esco.

[mickeymental]

three little outs ...

[PDX Twin]

 

Except that today's attendance is terrible for 29 other teams, but only somewhat lower than usual for Tampa.  The Rays are last in attendance, at just over 15k per game.  The Marlins are 28th at just over 20k.  If you combine the two, they would still only be 10th.  If it weren't for the new stadium in Miami, I would move one team to Orlando, and move the other to Nashville or Portland.

 

I can't imagine that Portland would draw enough people over 81 games to support a team. Much different for basketball or soccer. It's not that big a city and the archetype Portlander wants to be outside *doing* something in the summer, not *watching* something. And there's no stadium and no chance that local money would build one unless all of the sudden Phil Knight decided to spend some on something not in Eugene.

[Craig Arko]

Sano jogging today and will take live BP tomorrow. Probably pretend it's Souhan and mash.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Except that today's attendance is terrible for 29 other teams, but only somewhat lower than usual for Tampa.  The Rays are last in attendance, at just over 15k per game.  The Marlins are 28th at just over 20k.  If you combine the two, they would still only be 10th.  If it weren't for the new stadium in Miami, I would move one team to Orlando, and move the other to Nashville or Portland.

 

Having moved to Portland, I don't think there are enough large companies to buy enough season tickets to make enough money.

 

North Carolina should have a team....

[AlwaysinModeration]

Since I am not a superstitious person, I don't mind noting that the Twins have given up leads of 1, 2, and 3 today, and now have a 4 run lead.

[h2oface]

Our closer. Amazing one has to say that about Belisle. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

I can't imagine that Portland would draw enough people over 81 games to support a team. Much different for basketball or soccer. It's not that big a city and the archetype Portlander wants to be outside *doing* something in the summer, not *watching* something. And there's no stadium and no chance that local money would build one unless all of the sudden Phil Knight decided to spend some on something not in Eugene.

 

also, this. there is zero room for a stadium other than the western suburbs, and no one in the city likes to go there. PDX, can you imagine trying to drive on 26 after a baseball game? Ouch.

[h2oface]

Nice add for hOOters behind the plate at Tampa. Baseball and breasts. A family activity, eh?

[AlwaysinModeration]

Winnah!

[PDX Twin]

 

also, this. there is zero room for a stadium other than the western suburbs, and no one in the city likes to go there. PDX, can you imagine trying to drive on 26 after a baseball game? Ouch.

 

Ouch, indeed. There was talk several decades ago about a stadium in the Delta Park area. That could be near light-rail lines now but the traffic on I-5 after the game would be ugly.

[IndianaTwin]

 

Worst atmosphere I have ever experienced for a baseball game.  Give those Tampa teams credit for being good for years with so little support.  

 

Yeah, same here. I only went to check it off my list (No. 25 of 30). It made Montreal look good. The crowd was small at Montreal, but at least those there were glad to be there. 

[notoriousgod71]

 

Yeah, same here. I only went to check it off my list (No. 25 of 30). It made Montreal look good. The crowd was small at Montreal, but at least those there were glad to be there. 

 

I went to a Rays-Twins game there in 03 and got two balls (only because we were the only people in a four section radius) and got circled.

 

I still had fun.

[h2oface]

I hope Buxton settles down a bit again. 0 for his last 10, and consistently swinging at pitches up to a foot outside and low again.

[PDX Twin]

 

I hope Buxton settles down a bit again. 0 for his last 10, and consistently swinging at pitches up to a foot outside and low again.

 

He looks disappointingly like April.

[bighat]

One word: PHEW.

[h2oface]

The worst part about it being so empty, is that they guard the seats that nobody is in close to the field like a war zone. They work hard to keep what little attendance they have away from the field of play.

[notoriousgod71]

At this point in the season, I'd normally be ecstatic and say a win is a win, but it was a really annoying game from beginning to end. Rosario (who Dick constantly reminds us hits lefties as well as righties), Kepler, and Mauer ALL needed the day off? Give me a break. This is a postseason race.

 

And the pitching moves of taking three guys who spent a good amount of time in Rochester was not very inspiring.

 

It ended up working out today but I certainly don't feel good about how this game played out or was managed from beginning to end.

[wsnydes]

 

Except that today's attendance is terrible for 29 other teams, but only somewhat lower than usual for Tampa.  The Rays are last in attendance, at just over 15k per game.  The Marlins are 28th at just over 20k.  If you combine the two, they would still only be 10th.  If it weren't for the new stadium in Miami, I would move one team to Orlando, and move the other to Nashville or Portland.

I realize that.  Yesterday's game set a new lowest attendance mark at the Trop and today was only slightly better that yesterday.  Floridians really don't go watch baseball.  Those that do usually have allegiances from where they moved from.

 

My point was that even for the Rays, these two games in particular saw record low attendance.  That's almost certainly because people have higher priorities at the moment.  That's all I was saying, not some general defense or excuse for their poor attendance figures year in and year out.

[bighat]

 

I hope Buxton settles down a bit again. 0 for his last 10, and consistently swinging at pitches up to a foot outside and low again.

 

He doesn't respond well to pressure in the batter's box. Notice he was hitting 3rd today with no Mauer, no Kepler, no Sano...zilch. I noticed the other day in Tampa he was trying to bunt his way on again (without success) in a situation where he'd struck out the AB before. 

 

Molly: hit Buxton 6th or lower. He'll be fine. 

[mickeymental]

 

Ouch, indeed. There was talk several decades ago about a stadium in the Delta Park area. That could be near light-rail lines now but the traffic on I-5 after the game would be ugly.

well, there's the 13-acre post office tract in the pearl district ... but it might already be earmarked for something else. nevertheless, i agree that ptown just doesn't seem like an mlb town.

 

 

[yarnivek1972]

 

Final score: Rays 11 - Twins 6.  Book it.

 

 

Well, you had the numbers pretty close.  Reversed, but close.

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I realize that.  Yesterday's game set a new lowest attendance mark at the Trop and today was only slightly better that yesterday.  Floridians really don't go watch baseball.  Those that do usually have allegiances from where they moved from.

 

My point was that even for the Rays, these two games in particular saw record low attendance.  That's almost certainly because people have higher priorities at the moment.  That's all I was saying, not some general defense or excuse for their poor attendance figures year in and year out.

 

Just a side note, but that whole Irma thing has people re-prioritizing things out here right now.

[wsnydes]

 

Worst atmosphere I have ever experienced for a baseball game.  Give those Tampa teams credit for being good for years with so little support.  

My in-laws live in the Tampa area, so I've been there many times.  The Trop made the Dome look like a decent spot to watch a game.  The area around is developing more, but it's still pretty barren.  Getting their sucks.  Getting out of their sucks.  As bad as the atmosphere is for fans, I can't imagine playing there.  I legitimately feel bad for the players.  

 

All that said, when they're playing the Yankees or Red Sox it's a tolerable atmosphere.  They fill the place up more so it actually feels like a ball game.  It's just full of Yankees or Red Sox fans unfortunately.

[Mike Sixel]

well, there's the 13-acre post office tract in the pearl district ... but it might already be earmarked for something else. nevertheless, i agree that ptown just doesn't seem like an mlb town.

That would be a great spot, if you could figure out traffic.

[wsnydes]

 

Just a side note, but that whole Irma thing has people re-prioritizing things out here right now.

My in-laws live just north of Tampa, so I know what you're saying.  We're checking on them on a daily basis right now.  Baseball is the last thing on their minds.

[h2oface]

 

My in-laws live in the Tampa area, so I've been there many times.  The Trop made the Dome look like a decent spot to watch a game.  The area around is developing more, but it's still pretty barren.  Getting their sucks.  Getting out of their sucks.  

 

Hey.... the parking is easy! That's something.