Spring Training - Game 25 - 3/26/12 - vs Tampa

[Seth Stohs]

Here's the Twins lineup today versus the Rays:

 

Denard Span CF

Jamey Carroll SS

Joe Mauer C

Justin Morneau DH

Josh Willingham LF

Ryan Doumit RF

Danny Valencia 3B

Chris Parmelee 1B

Alexi Casilla 2B

 

SP: Scott Baker (Hendriks, Burnett, Fien, Gray, Manship)

 

Rays

Ben Zobrist RF

Luke Scott DH

Evan Longoria 3B

Carlos Pena 1B

Jeff Keppinger 2B

Jose Molina C

Elliot Johnson SS

Will Rhymes LF

Jesus Feliciano CF

 

SP: Jeff Niemann

 

Earlier today, the Twins send Brendan Wise back to minor league camp so the team is down to 38 players in big league camp.

[edavis0308]

Side note, I believe this is televised on FSN.

[Twins Fan From Afar]

Opening Day lineup?

[denarded]

Opening Day lineup?

My thoughts exactly. And not bad

[Seth Stohs]

From Mackey, Willingham pulled with a "very minor ankle tweak." Revere will play LF and bat 8th.

[mikeee]

Opening Day lineup?

Geez. I wish I was at home to try it out on the new TV!!

[Mauerpower]

so mauer @ catcher, Span @ cf, and Valencia @ 3rd. Those are the only real locks right now. all the other positions are basically up in the air and dependent on health and other factors

[mnfireman]

Baker not looking good. Bad location and no movement.

[minn55441]

Looks like Baker has given up a couple hits and one walk through 2 innings. How has his velocity been? Back in the 90's yet?

[minn55441]

spoke too soon. Grand slam and they are still batting in the second. I guess he doesn't have his good stuff back yet.

[mikeee]

Homer for Doumit.. 4-1

[Nick Nelson]

Baker is not looking at all sharp. Tossing soft fastballs down the middle and they're getting crushed. I will say that the hitters are looking a lot better than they have in previous spring games I've had the chance to watch.

[Dilligaf69]

Ben Zobrist a very mediocre player again kills Twins....Hey Gardy you fat idiot how about plunking him..This craphole coaching staff just not smart enough to figure it out.. Typical Baker will be so glad when this guy is gone..

 

 

HAHA please GO AWAY!

[Cap'n Piranha]

Ben Zobrist a very mediocre player again kills Twins....Hey Gardy you fat idiot how about plunking him..This craphole coaching staff just not smart enough to figure it out.. Typical Baker will be so glad when this guy is gone..

Because the solution to this team's problems is beaning people? I think you're a little too worked up over a spring game there, my friend.

[DrJubal]

Rocket bats!

 

Looks like Baker's in mid-season form already.

[mikeee]

I am practicing my booing in spring training....

 

BOOO!!!!! Baker gives up a dinger!!!!!

[Gernzy]

Hopefully Baker can get back into form soon. At least I got to see Doumit's bomb during lunch.

[Harrison Greeley III]

I got confused when he called Ben Zobrist a mediocre player. He is in reality what people have always perceived Michael Cuddyer to be.

[Seth Stohs]

Not sure why, but I 'm not worried about Baker. Assuming his elbow is fine and strong, it'll just take a couple of starts to get back to form. He's going to give up some HR, so that doesn't bother me. Will be good to see more of that movement that he normally has on his pitches.

 

As for Zobrist, he is a pretty good ball player. I believe he's been an All Star. He has hit many HR. And yes, he's a guy who has the Twins number. That's one of those weird things...

 

Hitting someone in a spring game is pretty ridiculous.

[Mr. Ed]

DL Baker. Please. There is no way to survive getting mid-upper 80s "fastball" thrown over the middle of the plate.

[SirLoin]

What are the chances Baker starts the season on the DL?

[woolhouse]

It looks like the chances are pretty good right now...

[Mr. Ed]

Anyone notice that Span is slowing down his early torrid pace, now down to .300?

[Fanatic Jack]

Actually giving up 10 RBI games, 9th inning HRs, and letting a slightly better than average player look like Willie Mays for the last 3 years is about as rediculous as it gets...How about the pitching staff try something different for a change...Zobrist is way too comfortable at the plate and that's an undisputed fact.. Looks like the bloggers are as Minnesota Nice as our fantastic starting rotation..

[Twins Fan From Afar]

How has Morneau done today?

[Mr. Ed]

How has Morneau done today?

 

0-2 thus far.

 

 

I agree w/Jack on this point. Twins do not pitch inside enough. Too many guys dig in and let it rip, because the Twins are known for getting the ball over the plate.

[Mr. Ed]

1-3 for Morneau, doubled Mauer to 3rd with 1 out in the fifth.

[Twins Fan From Afar]

1-3 for Morneau, doubled Mauer to 3rd with 1 out in the fifth.

Thanks for the update! My work is remarkably adept at keeping us off of all the websites where I could get that information . . . .

[bird]

And calling someone a fat idiot is totally classless, FJ.

[Mr. Ed]

Hollimon got thrown out at the place on the Doumit Sac Fly, running for Morneau. (according to game day)

 

Hendriks has gone a couple innings.

 

Burroughs PH and got HBP.

So I guess it IS ok to hit someone in spring training