Spring Training Game 4: Twins vs Toronto at 12:05pm (on FSN)

[Seth Stohs]

Here is the Twins lineup today versus Toronto. The game will be on FSN, so those who are able to, please update the rest of us who are stuck at work on the goings on:

 

Lineup:

 

Aaron Hicks 8,

Brian Dozier 4,

Joe Mauer 3,

Josh Willingham dh,

Oswaldo Arcia 9,

Kurt Suzuki 2,

Deibinson Romero 5,

Jermaine Mitchell 7,

EduardoEscobar 6.

 

SP Kevin Correia

[Halsey Hall]

Why does Gardy insist on Hicks leading off? That just doesn't work, so give the kid a break. It's a beautiful day here for a ballgame though.

[Tibs]

Has Alex Presley played at all? I don't remember seeing him in any lineups.

[jokin]

Has Alex Presley played at all? I don't remember seeing him in any lineups.

 

Started yesterday and on Friday. 0 for 6 so far.

[jokin]

Why does Gardy insist on Hicks leading off? That just doesn't work, so give the kid a break. It's a beautiful day here for a ballgame though.

 

Are there really any alternatives down there?

[Halsey Hall]

Are there really any alternatives down there?

 

It's spring training, put anyone there. Take a little pressure off Hicks. This is the time to tinker around, and Hicks has to be thinking "here we go again". Even batting 2nd would give him a little change that could help.

[jokin]

It's spring training, put anyone there. Take a little pressure off Hicks. This is the time to tinker around, and Hicks has to be thinking "here we go again". Even batting 2nd would give him a little change that could help.

 

 

I get where you're coming from Halsey. But it is a split squad and some of the guys in today's lineup are batting in their seasonal positional roles, so Gardy probably wants to get some of that continuity gong, too. And I guess Gardy thinks it's more useful to have Hicks bat in the spot where the team is most deficient, where Hicks can most help the team during the regular season, and where he'd like Hicks to get the reps in a low-pressure situation.

[Halsey Hall]

I suppose. I'm not even sure who makes out the lineups for split squad games. I wonder if Gardy takes a bus trip or stays home today. Anyway, I know where I'll be, box seats, 14th row. Gonna get sunburned again today!

[JB_Iowa]

I suppose. I'm not even sure who makes out the lineups for split squad games. I wonder if Gardy takes a bus trip or stays home today. Anyway, I know where I'll be, box seats, 14th row. Gonna get sunburned again today!

 

 

• Cory Provus ‏@CoryProvus 1h
  Instant replay will be available for today's game at Hammond. Gardy will be in Sarasota, so any challenges fall on Steinbach/Molitor.
   
   
  

[mikecgrimes]

Anyone know which roster Buxton is with. Hopefully with a split squad he gets at least 2 plate appearances today.

[mikecgrimes]

Why does Gardy insist on Hicks leading off? That just doesn't work, so give the kid a break. It's a beautiful day here for a ballgame though.

 

Hicks should bat leadoff all spring. If somehow he is a .180 hitter in spring at the leadoff spot, thats good information for management to have. If he would be a .280 hitter batting 7th this year theres a good chance he would be a .280 hitter leading off. As horrible as the #'s looked last year, he showed a lot of good signs. We might have Buxton waiting behind him, but Aaron Hicks should be a huge part of this teams future.

[JB_Iowa]

Anyone know which roster Buxton is with. Hopefully with a split squad he gets at least 2 plate appearances today.

 

I tried to read the line-up sheets photographed by Bollinger and Berardino but photography isn't either of their strong suits (I even imported to Photoshop).

 

It looks like Buxton's name may be on the travel sheet (Orioles game) but I wouldn't guarantee it.

 

It didn't look like his name was on this home sheet at all.

 

But there are a lot of last name "B" on the team right now so it gets hard to tell.

[JB_Iowa]

Hicks with a single up the middle to lead off the 1st.

[JB_Iowa]

Dozier with a gounder up the left field line for what should have been a double.

 

Hicks scores from 1st and then Dozier comes around and scores.

[mikecgrimes]

Hicks with a single up the middle to lead off the 1st.

 

Doizer turns double into inside the park HR with error on the play at plate with Hicks

[JB_Iowa]

2-0, Twins

 

Dozier scored after the late throw had come to the plate. Tryng to get Hicks or just prevent Dozier? Not sure but it was not good fielding by the Jays.

 

And it was VERY aggressive baserunning by the Twins.

[JB_Iowa]

Mauer walks.

[JB_Iowa]

Thanks, Mike.

[mikecgrimes]

Probably not a good idea for Hicks to try to score with nobody out, very slopply defense from the leftfielder slight bobble double clutch and bad throw, a clean play and he's probably out.

[JB_Iowa]

They were trying to get Hicks scoring from 1st. Ball got there about the same time as Hicks but Hicks was clearly safe.

 

Then the Jays' catcher was apparently sleeping on the job and let Dozier score.

 

Weird play.

[JB_Iowa]

Probably not a good idea for Hicks to try to score with nobody out, very slopply defense from the leftfielder slight bobble double clutch and bad throw, a clean play and he's probably out.

 

Probably not but I'd rather see them be aggressive early on in spring training. They can always tone down the aggression but it may be harder to ramp it back up.

[mikecgrimes]

Agreed but it felt like he was going to be out by 15-20 feet. 3 walks in the last 4 batters get this guy off the mound. Bases loaded.

[JB_Iowa]

Bases loaded after walks to Mauer, Arcia, Suzuki (Willingham popped out to the left of 1st).

[James]

Happ- Allowed three runs... with only one put out.

[mikecgrimes]

Had Romero? 0-2 4 straight balls and we have a pitching change 2 solid hits and 4 walks and a pop out.

[JB_Iowa]

And it is 3-0 after Romero walks.

 

Pitching change.

[JB_Iowa]

Okay, guys, question. Hammer's pop out was to the left of the first baseman. It that to the left of 1st or right of first? Do you say it from the 1st baseman's standpoint or the hitter's standpoint?

 

In any event, it was in foul territory.

[ashbury]

Jays' starting pitching would have been better today if it had been Happ-less. Har.

[JB_Iowa]

Sac Fly by Mitchell to right center. 4-0.

 

Escobar with a shallow fly to left.

 

Twins out for the inning.

[Physics Guy]

Mitchell took some ugly swings but fought back to get sac fly.