Twins 4, Diamondbacks 2: Offense Wakes Up Just in Time, Bullpen Locks It Down, Twins Take Series

[Bracky]

5 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I'm not ready to give up on Keaschall as a defensive second baseman. His offense has been so-s0, but better than his defense, but he's got enough speed to have decent range and while he doesn't have a strong arm, if his release is quick enough and he's accurate, arm strength isn't going to matter much.

Agree on Keaschall. He has the athleticism. He still isn't that far removed from his injuries/surgery in the grand scheme of things. 

I still think he is a contributing component of our line up for the future and should be kept up to keep working. With how much we want the guys from AAA to come up to the big leagues I think we need to be willing to be patient with them. Same when hopefully Cullpepper comes up.

[JADBP]

5 hours ago, karcherd said:

What recommendations are Zoll making to him.  I don't want Tom P. anywhere near judging what players can help this team. So is Zoll going to hold Tommy accountable for his words.

I agree…but are you going to leave all of these player decisions to Zoll?  I just can’t trust him (and recent polls and his actions seem to agree).

After all, it has been Zoll who has been dumpster diving  for all these washed up losers he keeps foisting on Shelton. Can’t we hold Zoll accountable?  Who does if it isn’t Tom?  

[knothole61]

6 hours ago, JADBP said:

Ok. Here’s an on-site report from the desert:

1) the food at the Twins field is far superior to Chase Field.  You are lucky, Twins fans!

2) Other than food, they seem to do a better job of taking care of fans here.  They have free handouts almost every weekend and often more than one.  Yay. Their  “Advantage Fan” system is great—I don’t know of anything comparable in Twins country. And they have a swimming pool in the stadium!  Pricey but interesting. 

3). Jumbotron is not viewable from large parts of the stadium!  Sucks! And they don’t add n some localized flat screens to make up for it. 
 

4) The players are not better, they are just playing much better.  Last year the players played like they just don’t care.  This is a far more aggressive team!  I never saw a Rocco team play this hard.   The coaching is great.  
 

5) the only coaching bumps that I saw in 2 games was leaving in (or letting in) Lawrence.  Sure we were up 16-0 but after 4 walks in a row to start an inning he should have DFA’ed him right then and there from the dugout.  I’m hoping he went straight to Zoll and said “I’ll never call his name again, never ever, so you might as well DFA him because he’s a wasted butt warming a bench from here on forever!”  Who knows?  On the other hand I was worried about Parades today but the coaches stick with him. Overall, I am far more impressed with the coaching now than over the last 10 years.  Not quite piranhas but getting there!!

6). I thought Buxton had his best year last year but this could be even better!  And Clemons looks like the real deal 

 

great Games!!

Clemens is a gamer and a valuable, versatile player who flashed some serious leather in center at a crucial point in Sunday's game. Keep him around.

[knothole61]

2 hours ago, Bracky said:

Definitely think Buck has been a leader this year. I also do think Shelton is doing a better job with the players than Rocco. 

Take it for what you will but I have read that Bell has contributed leadership this season as well. Works well with Buck I believe. We do have a couple guys I think that are helping lead the team this year.

Yeah, you can see Bell's positive interactions in the dugout, etc. He really seems to be a veteran leader, and man is he big: 6' 3" and close to 270, I think!