Game Thread: Royals @ Twins 6:10 PM 9/11/2021

[stringer bell]

 

The Twins face Kansas City tonight in the second game of their three-game battle to stay out of the basement of the American League Central. Starting pitchers are Brady Singer for the Royals and Michael Pineda for the Twins. 

 

Today is September 11th. It is the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States wherein the World Trade Center was destroyed. Where were you on this date in 2001? Those of us who are old enough will most likely remember exactly what they were doing that fateful day. My memories focus on my family members, who were newly spread around the country and my worries for their wellbeing. A visit to the site of the WTC years later left me feeling sad and angry at the loss of innocent life.

 

I remember Michael Cuddyer recounting his experience in the aftermath of the terrorist attack. He was to be called up to the Twins for the first time when the world changed. It delayed his debut by a week and he was basically stranded until he met up with the team later. Also, because of a game-winning home run for New Britain, he unwittingly saved the life of Brad Thomas, who pitched for the Twins, and was scheduled to fly on one of the doomed aircraft. Here's the link:   https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/09/12/how-michael-cuddyer-unwittingly-saved-a-teammates-life-on-911/

 

In checking out this story, I looked at the record of the 2001 Twins. They had been the story of the league early, but fizzled in the stretch to finish second in the AL Central (to Cleveland). The Twins were going to be pretty good for several years in the early 2000s, but were just too young in 2001. It was Tom Kelly's last hurrah as a manager and he set up his successor (Gardy) with a really good team.

 

Changing the subject a bit, we're now 21 years into the 2000s. Who will be the first Minnesota Twin player to be born in this century? Another question to ponder is about home runs, Harmon Killebrew stands far and away as the top home run hitter for the Twins. He hit 475 as a member of the Twins and 84 more playing for the predecessors. No one else has hit 300 for the Twins. The top home run hitter in this century is Torii Hunter, who hit 205 for the Twins since 2000. Is someone currently on the roster going to exceed Torii? Will someone who is currently in the organization hit 300 homers for the Twins? I'd like to know what you game threaders think. 

 

Finally, another topic for discussion--errors and fielding. We all know that some errors are unavoidable--a catcher throws to second and the ball goes into center field because no one covered or a good one-hop throw hits a base runner and kicks away allowing someone to advance--and we also know that a low number of errors doesn't guarantee that someone is a good fielder. Many immobile defenders don't get a lot of errors because they always play it safe and they have no range. However, I do think that if a fielder has a lot of errors, it indicates they aren't a good defender (I'm looking at you Chulo and Miggy). Both Polanco and Sano have a lot of errors for their position and we've all seen them make fine plays, but it seems both guys have concentration lapses and make boots or bad throws on relatively easy plays. Further, it seems to me that both Sano and Polanco have been prone to the really poor decision and have made many ill-advised and hurried throws. 

 

Back to today (and pardon this meandering), here are the lineups. Enjoy!

Royals (64-77) @ Twins (62-79)

PLAYER	W-L	ERA	WHIP	IP	H	K	BB	HR
B. Singer	4-9	4.58	1.54	116.0	130	117	49	9
M. Pineda	5-8	3.99	1.23	88.0	90	76	18	15

 

HITTERS	H-AB	RBI	HR	SB	AVG
W. Merrifield2B	158-574	68	10	40	.275
N. LopezSS	124-416	38	2	19	.298
S. PerezC	148-541	104	42	1	.274
A. BenintendiLF	110-419	57	15	8	.263
C. SantanaDH	110-498	63	19	2	.221
M. TaylorCF	108-441	50	11	12	.245
E. OlivaresRF	20-88	10	5	2	.227
H. Alberto3B	54-212	20	2	2	.255
H. Dozier1B	85-419	41	11	3	.203

 

ITTERS	H-AB	RBI	HR	SB	AVG
L. Arraez3B	107-360	36	2	2	.297
B. BuxtonCF	45-157	22	12	5	.287
J. Polanco2B	142-512	83	27	10	.277
J. DonaldsonDH	97-387	62	22	0	.251
M. KeplerRF	75-366	46	16	10	.205
N. GordonSS	34-144	11	1	6	.236
M. Sano1B	86-395	64	26	2	.218
J. CaveLF	27-141	10	3	1	.191
B. RortvedtC	11-80	5	2	0	.138

 

[Squirrel]

Gordon with a start at SS ... and Jovani Moran up ... maybe we'll see him out of the pen tonight

[stringer bell]

I noticed that Gordon was getting his first start at short. Good for him. He’s performed better than expected in the role of utility player. Let’s hope he can handle SS. 

[RickOShea]

R.I.P., Mick Tinglehoff .  Another great sports figure is gone.  

[RickOShea]

9 minutes ago, RickOShea said:

R.I.P., Mick Tinglehoff .  Another great sports figure is gone.  

240 games played, 0 games missed.  17 yrs without missing a game.  This stat could easily be obliterated by Byron Buxton.

[shortround81]

As someone who doesn't cry at funerals, I'm already a mess

[LVTwinsfan]

Today is different, have to watch the NY game for a while. 
I❤️NY

[Nine of twelve]

3 minutes ago, LVTwinsfan said:

Today is different, have to watch the NY game for a while. 
I❤️NY

OK, as long as it's not I❤️NYY.

[RickOShea]

3 minutes ago, LVTwinsfan said:

Today is different, have to watch the NY game for a while. 
I❤️NY

Go in peace, and do what you have to.

[LVTwinsfan]

Just now, Nine of twelve said:

OK, as long as it's not I❤️NYY.

Lol, go Mets

[Nine of twelve]

1 minute ago, LVTwinsfan said:

Lol, go Mets

Even that is borderline.

[RickOShea]

I love the way Pineda has a seizure between pitches.  It used to bother me, but I've mellowed.

[RickOShea]

Ever notice how the infield tilts to the right when Pineda pitches and Sano plays first?

[Squirrel]

Well ... how was that for foresight? Bremer talks about how good Pineda is at holding runners, and he picks off Merrifield

 

comment for @RickOShea because I know how much he likes Bremer  

[RickOShea]

Yeah, even Bremer runs into one, once in a while.

[RickOShea]

Falvey's cursing in the owner's box.  "That's another $800,000 of salary negotiation"

[Nine of twelve]

There is no better position player in the major leagues than a healthy Byron Buxton.

[RpR]

One strike out , one home run we shall see how this goes.

[Nine of twelve]

Just now, Nine of twelve said:

There is no better position player in the major leagues than a healthy Byron Buxton.

And Polanco is top ten during the course of the last month or so.

[RpR]

Hmmm, Twins jumping out to a lead, not always good they run out of steam too often.

[Nine of twelve]

1 minute ago, RpR said:

One strike out , two home runs we shall see how this goes.

FTFY.

[RickOShea]

Damn Donaldson!  He didn't replace his divot!!!!!!!!!!!

[RickOShea]

2 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

And Polanco is top ten during the course of the last month or so.

 

2 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

And Polanco is top ten during the course of the last month or so.

Yes, they make a very potent pair.

[RpR]

This umpire seems to have a depth perception problem.

[Nine of twelve]

If Buxton is not successfully extended then Falvine needs to have a big-time win on a trade.

[RpR]

Flash Gordon strikes again.

[Squirrel]

wow! ... 

If everyone in the lineup hits one, that would be a good score

[PDX Twin]

Have they gone back to the juiced ball?

[Nine of twelve]

21 minutes ago, RickOShea said:

Ever notice how the infield tilts to the right when Pineda pitches and Sano plays first?

Pineda is in the center of the infield, so he doesn't contribute to a tilt. Now, the infield sinking in the center...

[big dog]

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but man would I like to see Nick Gordon earn a job on this team. Starting shortstop, for example. We might have an opening.