Game 6 - Twins vs Angels - 04/12/12

[mikeee]

Oh No! AJ Burnett is on!!!!

[CDog]

Striking out with a runner on third and one out happens but if you make over 20 million it really can't. Score that run and the game could be different.

 

Disclaimer... I like Mauer... I really do but he's in the three hole for exactly that moment. A run scored in that at bat and it makes a difference with a head case on the mound.

 

I was thinking the same thing about Mauer. He seems like the anti-clutch hitter and more of a rally killer.

 

"Seems like" alert! Good thing everything anybody does on a major league baseball field is recorded and things like that can be checked. (Spoiler alert: The "seems like" in this case doesn't hold up.)

[Seth Stohs]

Can someone fill me in -- watching on Gameday, it looked like Mauer took a couple belt-high fastballs down broadway before "the pop-up." I'm reading, though, from those that are watching on TV or at the game, that they weren't even strikes.

The first three pitches were all borderline on the outside corner... then the pop up pitch was a couple inches inside. Just masterful pitch sequence by Haren.

[TwinVike61]

why burnett?

[Boom Boom]

Mauer now has 2 more HRs at Target Field than Bigfoot.

[Riverbrian]

Oh Oh... I want to be clear... That the seems like part was not mine.

 

The 20 million part and head case part is mine. Just to be safe I'm going to fan graphs right now to check the numbers on Lirianos head case per inning ranking.

[woolhouse]

MLB Gameday's Scouting Report:

 

"Alex Burnett is trying to jam Izturis inside where he is batting .000 compared to .000 on the season."

 

Thanks, Gameday Scout!

[CDog]

Can someone fill me in -- watching on Gameday, it looked like Mauer took a couple belt-high fastballs down broadway before "the pop-up." I'm reading, though, from those that are watching on TV or at the game, that they weren't even strikes.

I was at home watching on TV (over lunch) and they were both borderline on the black. The first I thought looked slightly more outside, the second they showed on Fox-tracker or whatever they call it and the very inside of the ball nicked the outside corner at just above the knees.

[Mauerpower]

we have more hits and have as many runs, with 1 hr each. that's sad

[Mauerpower]

*have half as many

[Riverbrian]

*have half as many

The autocorrect got you didn't it?

[woolhouse]

Why not pinch hit Plouffe for Revere with a lefty coming in late in the game? Or Hughes for Casilla? We need offense right now, and might have to sacrifice defense for it.

[Mauerpower]

yes, very annoying

[Alex]

The first three pitches were all borderline on the outside corner... then the pop up pitch was a couple inches inside. Just masterful pitch sequence by Haren.

Exactly the same thing I thought. Darn good pitching and there wasn't really one that most hitters could do much with.

 

 

As for people getting frustrated with Mauer, he's now gone 1-3 with runners in scoring position in this game, it's almost like what should be expected from a career .323 hitter....that is if you understand that clutch hitting is a myth. I'm sure people it's more about frustration over the teamin general, but hitters, no matter how good, are going to have streaks where they don't get hits, runners on or not.

[powrwrap]

Thats Sciosia Baseball. He will run... Always has.

 

Remember that really large Molina who played for the Giants... Can't remember his name. Scioscia would send him.

Yes, I know Scosica likes to run. I guess the question should have been, 'what's with Mauer/Liriano allowing so many SBs?' Angels had 1 SB up to this game, now have tied for the AL lead in SBs. BTW, Mark Trumbo with a SB? Really?

[Riverbrian]

Why not pinch hit Plouffe for Revere with a lefty coming in late in the game? We need offense right now, and might have to sacrifice defense for it.

A couple of reasons. Revere is more likely to reach base and we need baserinners to catch up And Revere will probably bat In the ninth and we might need the big fly then.

[mhanson93]

It's 23 million

My bad...I dont know why I was thinking 10 yr deal instead of 8 when dividing 180 million. At least he's finally earning a small piece of it today...

[Riverbrian]

Yes, I know Scosica likes to run. I guess the question should have been, 'what's with Mauer/Liriano allowing so many SBs?' Angels had 1 SB up to this game, now have tied for the AL lead in SBs. BTW, Mark Trumbo with a SB? Really?

That would be on Liriano. Professionalism he lacks at times.

[Twins Fan From Afar]

Span with 3 hits on the day.

[Mauerpower]

fastball, fastball, fastball...slider and repeat

[woolhouse]

I actually thought the game was later than it is (6th inning only.) I don't think Revere vs. lefty is more likely to get on base over Plouffe, but the fact it is only the 6th negates my comment. Carry on.

[Mauerpower]

mauer gets another chance w/2 on.this time to tie the game.

[Riverbrian]

Exactly the same thing I thought. Darn good pitching and there wasn't really one that most hitters could do much with.

 

 

As for people getting frustrated with Mauer, he's now gone 1-3 with runners in scoring position in this game, it's almost like what should be expected from a career .323 hitter....that is if you understand that clutch hitting is a myth. I'm sure people it's more about frustration over the teamin general, but hitters, no matter how good, are going to have streaks where they don't get hits, runners on or not.

He didn't need a hit. He needed to plate a run at the very least. It's 6 to 5 right now if he does and Mauer has 5 RBI's. I also contend that scoring in the 1st Heartens Liriano and maybe the 2nd inning goes better. Maybe. But I do know that even Mickey Mantle bit the dust on occasion.

[Mauerpower]

will they walk mauer?

[Mauerpower]

i actually laughed when i typed that

[Twins Fan From Afar]

Good to see Mauer take a rip at the first pitch.

[Riverbrian]

Early season team test. GOOD TEAMS MAKE TEAMS PAY FOR MISTAKES.

[striker_86]

cmon justin, big hit here!

[Riverbrian]

Early season team test. GOOD TEAMS MAKE TEAMS PAY FOR MISTAKES.

Damn Autocorrect... I meant to say... We have 3 more innings to catch up. Let's go Twins!

[TwinVike61]

It must be the faulty auto-correct thing...I meant that Morneau was anti-clutch...just kidding.