Twins 8, White Sox 3: Twins Finally Break Through for a Win!

[1985Fan]

Agree with others here about positive steps by Rocco. He counters that with a dumb call on the double steal attempt. Twins were rolling with two outs, leadoff LH hitter at the plate, and Julien at third. Julien went way too early to let the Sox take the bait and throw to second. He’s not a smart player and not suited for that call. Easy tag for the catcher with LH hitter AB. Catcher just had to wait for Julien to get there to apply the tag. That might be a good call with Rod Carew at third, not Julien.

Bader bailed him out with the 2-run shot later, but what a dumb call. I’m for more base stealing, but that was a bad call at inappropriate time. He must not have confidence in Wallner, but then why does he have him leading off? 
I guess it’s one step forward, two steps back with Rocco. Twins won despite him. 

[David Maro]

Good to win but there has to be concern about the 50 million spent on the 2 leaders. Don't think the FO thought they were paying for their gloves only. As of today they are well under the Mendoza line combined. 

[Vanimal46]

12 minutes ago, David Maro said:

Good to win but there has to be concern about the 50 million spent on the 2 leaders. Don't think the FO thought they were paying for their gloves only. As of today they are well under the Mendoza line combined. 

This is my petition to honor the late Great Bob Uecker and rename the Mendoza line to the Uecker line. 

Uecker finished his illustrious MLB career with a BA of .200

[Danchat]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I don't miss Max Kepler at all

If Bader keeps hitting like he is, sure... perhaps both Bader and Kepler have rebound seasons.

[LA Vikes Fan]

10 hours ago, knothole61 said:

Nice win--Bader's shot into the stiff breeze was impressive and Alcala was a man possessed.

I hate to rain on our belated parade, but I really don't understand the Gasper thing. Do folks really think that impressive minor league numbers are likely to translate to success in a 29 year-old journeyman who has been knocking around the minors for 8 years or so? I understand the "feel good" angle but I guess I'm just too old to care, and he is taking a roster spot.

  

Got to agree with you. Gaspar should be the first guy gone when Lewis or Lee is ready to come back. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Counter in June with Castro or Keaschall at 2B?

How about Keaschall May 1 if he's hitting in AAA and things continue for the team? Give him a month to get back to playing 2B and get him up for a shot. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, 1985Fan said:

Agree with others here about positive steps by Rocco. He counters that with a dumb call on the double steal attempt. Twins were rolling with two outs, leadoff LH hitter at the plate, and Julien at third. Julien went way too early to let the Sox take the bait and throw to second. He’s not a smart player and not suited for that call. Easy tag for the catcher with LH hitter AB. Catcher just had to wait for Julien to get there to apply the tag. That might be a good call with Rod Carew at third, not Julien.

Bader bailed him out with the 2-run shot later, but what a dumb call. I’m for more base stealing, but that was a bad call at inappropriate time. He must not have confidence in Wallner, but then why does he have him leading off? 
I guess it’s one step forward, two steps back with Rocco. Twins won despite him. 

I thought the pitcher balked. It was a lot more of a balk than what was called on Pablo Lopez the other day. They called the play hoping the White Sox would make a mistake. Wallner had two strikes in the at-bat and got to start over in the next inning. In the next inning, Wallner was able to draw a walk which led to a run on the Bader HR.

[1985Fan]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I thought the pitcher balked. It was a lot more of a balk than what was called on Pablo Lopez the other day. They called the play hoping the White Sox would make a mistake. Wallner had two strikes in the at-bat and got to start over in the next inning. In the next inning, Wallner was able to draw a walk which led to a run on the Bader HR.

I still think it was a bad call that stopped the good inning. Chance of success for that play was lower than letting Wallner hit. 

[mickster]

5 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I agree... I love that Wallner and Larnach were allowed to stand in there against the left handers. I prefer my pinch hitting to happen in the later innings not the mid innings. I prefer my defensive replacements to come in later innings not the mid innings. I was heartened. 

Wallner and Larnach being allowed to stand in there is two years too late in my opinion but yes indeed... I was heartened by the very things that you point out.

I also loved the Julien attempt... we have been watching station to station baseball on the base paths for too long. I don't care if it didn't work... I loved the attempt. 

Kiersay pinch running when he did and Bader entering as a defensive replacement when he did made sense. 

It just felt... less... scripted... for lack of a better word. 

 

 

 

I would have loved to see Castro bunt with 1st and 2nd and no outs as well

[Riverbrian]

5 minutes ago, mickster said:

I would have loved to see Castro bunt with 1st and 2nd and no outs as well

8th inning I assume.

Let me think on that. Normally I don't like giving up the out and Julien on deck with high strikeout percentages. With that scenerio I wouldn't bunt.

However... there was a lefty warming in the bullpen which probably meant Gasper was going to pinch hit. Gasper is supposed to be a contact guy... so maybe. Of course... Gasper did pinch hit and strike out against that left hander. 

I'll say this... normally I don't like giving up the out. However... if Rocco would have called for a bunt there. I would have appreciated it because they didn't bunt all year until the end of September when they were desperate for runs to stay alive. 

If you are going to starting bunting in September like your life depends on it. Maybe you should do some bunting in April, May, June, July and August. 

So... After all of that hamster turning the wheel in my brain. Rocco starting bunting when he was desperate last year. It shows that he thought he needed it. Maybe he should try some bunting in advance of that desperate moment. 

I wouldn't have but perhaps they should have. 

[mickster]

53 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

8th inning I assume.

Let me think on that. Normally I don't like giving up the out and Julien on deck with high strikeout percentages. With that scenerio I wouldn't bunt.

However... there was a lefty warming in the bullpen which probably meant Gasper was going to pinch hit. Gasper is supposed to be a contact guy... so maybe. Of course... Gasper did pinch hit and strike out against that left hander. 

I'll say this... normally I don't like giving up the out. However... if Rocco would have called for a bunt there. I would have appreciated it because they didn't bunt all year until the end of September when they were desperate for runs to stay alive. 

If you are going to starting bunting in September like your life depends on it. Maybe you should do some bunting in April, May, June, July and August. 

So... After all of that hamster turning the wheel in my brain. Rocco starting bunting when he was desperate last year. It shows that he thought he needed it. Maybe he should try some bunting in advance of that desperate moment. 

I wouldn't have but perhaps they should have. 

I think the bunt is underused - but I get the giving a free out.   However, we could have put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out.   This would have forced the INF in and increased the chances of a hit.  A SAC fly would do now.   I like to put pressure on the Defense and avoid any shot at a DP when additional runs could be crucial.

[knothole61]

21 hours ago, Althebum82 said:

Gaspar was given a roster spot due to two infielder injuries and a good spring training.  It's not like he is the first infielder to earn a few reps with the team for a short stint and then move along to other things.

Three walks and a double is a good game for any lead-off hitter.  Too bad he never scored, although Kiersey did as a pinch runner for him.

Any chance Castro makes it back to back seasons for the All Star Team?

Gaspar had a good ST and he plays a number of positions, including catcher--okay, but he seems to have so little upside, really. If I had to choose an "infielder to earn a few reps with the team" I'd go with 22 year-old Luke Keaschall who seems to have recovered nicely from his Tommy John surgery.

Just a thought...