Game Thread: Twins v Cleveland, 6/2 @ 3:10pm CT

[TheLeviathan]

 

yeah it was a light hit right to the third baseman. Play is right in front of him. With only one out, you have to make sure the ball gets through.

 

I thought the point of the "contact play" was to take the decision making away from the runner so there isn't hesitation? 

 

That one is completely on Garver for hitting the ball weakly to the worst possible place IMO.

[jimmer]

I thought the point of the "contact play" was to take the decision making away from the runner so there isn't hesitation?

 

That one is completely on Garver for hitting the ball weakly to the worst possible place IMO.

calling a contact play with one out and a man on third is, imo, a bad baseball play. So maybe not a bad baserunning mistake, just a strategic blunder...especially with such an unproven batter.

[USAFChief]

 

I thought the point of the "contact play" was to take the decision making away from the runner so there isn't hesitation? 

 

That one is completely on Garver for hitting the ball weakly to the worst possible place IMO.

I don't know that the contact play was on. But if I was a betting man, and I am, I'd lay 100-1 on it.

 

There was one out. Most every team does that. In this case, Ehire Adrianza was on deck, and there would have been two out. If the contact play wasn't on, Molitor is sleeping.

[USAFChief]

 

calling a contact play with one out and a man on third is, imo, a bad baseball play. So maybe not a bad baserunning mistake, just a strategic blunder...especially with such an unproven batter.

 

One out is WHEN you call it.

[Circus Boy]

All I know is, we'll need at least four more runs to cinch this.

[Nine of twelve]

I wasn't saying he should have been called out based on the rules.   I'm saying the rule should be revisited.   The rules regarding blocking the plate have changed  whereby the catcher has to position himself inside the foul lines making that reaching tag so much harder.    A revised rule saying the runner has to be able to reach home plate with his slide just makes sense to me.  Most runners can still have their feet be at least 6 feet outside the line and still reach home.  That seems enough.

 

I just took another look at the play on MLB.   Yes, when he slid he missed by inches but he followed the baseline all the say until near Garver and then went outside three feet and then slid back toward the plate and was unable to touch the plate so I think even by the current rules he could have been called out.

This is a fair point regarding this play, but it depends a bit on how the rule is interpreted. Regarding revisiting the rule, I think the runner should be allowed some room to avoid a tag. And I don't think we want chalk lines to define base paths. So it comes back to judgement by the umpire, and I think that's the best we're going to be able to do.

[Mill1634]

Aggressive move bringing Lynn back out

[Nine of twelve]

I'm OK with Lynn coming out to open the 6th, but the leash needs to be very short.

[TheLeviathan]

 

calling a contact play with one out and a man on third is, imo, a bad baseball play. So maybe not a bad baserunning mistake, just a strategic blunder...especially with such an unproven batter.

 

I can't think of a more ideal time to put that particular play on.  At some point players have to execute.

[jimmer]

I can't think of a more ideal time to put that particular play on. At some point players have to execute.

I'd rather tell him to try and drive the ball as deep as he can for a sack fly myself.

[Mill1634]

great play by Kep

[jimmer]

Nice player Max!!!!

[Richie the Rally Goat]

DOZIER!!

 

Never seen the ball bounce that far in

great to see Dozier go oppo

[Circus Boy]

Lynn out for the sixth inning. Mollie not fired nor arrested. Yet.

[jimmer]

It hasn't been pretty but Lynn got the job done

[Nine of twelve]

Good job, Lynn, now it's time for the bullpen to hold on.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I'd rather tell him to try and drive the ball as deep as he can for a sack fly myself.

 

Well, we can rest easy that he would have failed either way then....

 

[jimmer]

Lynn out for the sixth inning. Mollie not fired nor arrested. Yet.

wasn't a bad call to let him go back out there.

[jimmer]

Well, we can rest easy that he would have failed either way then....

 

hehehe

[Richie the Rally Goat]

wasn't a bad call to let him go back out there.

the outcome was good, the decision is still dubious at best

[jimmer]

Turned into a perfect day at TF.

[jimmer]

the outcome was good, the decision is still dubious at best

like that word...dubious.

[Circus Boy]

Twins learnin' how to win the close ones. (I hope.)

[TheLeviathan]

I wonder if that wasn't a clubhouse-based decision to leave Lynn in.  As in - "we want you to know we believe in you, go believe in yourself" kind of thing.

 

Not sure it matters, but that's what I'd bet was the idea behind it.

[Nine of twelve]

When a good opposing team gives us a break we need to turn it into some runs.

[jimbo92107]

Lance Lynn 1,2,3'd Cleveland while almost out of gas. Makes me wonder a couple things:

 

1) What if Lynn arrived at spring training in great shape, and

2) What if Lynn mixed in more off-speed pitches right away? 

 

How good can Lance Lynn really be? As a baseball fan, I would like to know.

[Mill1634]

MAX!!!!

 

WOOO!!!!! We actually look like a good team

[GCTF]

Das ist gut, yeah?

[Nine of twelve]

Atta boy Kep! OK boys, keep it up and let's get at their bullpen.

[Squirrel]

When a good opposing team gives us a break we need to turn it into some runs.

And that’s what we’ve done.