Game Recap: Athletics 13, Twins 12

prediction: player/manager nick punto.

Rocco did the same thing in the Saturday game in the Mariners series. He pulled Cruz to pinch run Jake Cave then we were treated to Mr. Cave hitting in that spot in the bottom of the 10th. I remember because I was at the game and yelled to my wife when Rocco pulled Cruz. Arraez makes the play at second that Blankenhorn muffed and Donaldson makes the throw that Arraez sailed.

Okay, but they never would have tied that game with Cruz still running the bases, as Cave scored on a close call on a wild pitch if I remember correctly. Rocco has made plenty of questionable decisions, but let's give some credit where credit is due. There are definitely both benefits and risks to these types of decisions.

when your 'closer' is one out away from the win and he walks the next two hitters, the result rarely is favorable. The two errors that followed were gut wrenching. The blown save in the 9th...terrible. Rogers coming in and immediately allowing 2 inherited runners to score...bad. Maeda getting lit up like Las Vegas after the Twins actually scored some runs...a harbinger of things to come. The bottom 3 in the lineup..pathetic as pathetic can be. Losing 13-12 (right after losing 1-0) might be a snapshot of how this team is going to look this season.

One thing I missed. I know Cruz is banged up but why did Garver pinch hit for him? Was he really unable to come to the plate? Just asking.

Our defense is really terrible right now,except Buck. They have terrible range where not getting to playable balls and making easy routine plays look difficult. Although our 1st line of defense is pretty darn good, our 2nd is downright terrible. Our 40 man roster is full of poor gloves so that we can't fit better players. How many players have to be hot to overcome our defense liabilities. We need to change our priority and greatly improve our defensive depth. Obtaining Simmons greatly improved our team but it's not enough. Broxton is our 2nd best OFer and he's not even on the roster. Even if he hits average, which  would put him better than the others (except Buck) that  would be an improvement more so defensively we would greatly improve.

I'm interested to see the WPA for this game. So many players screwed up so many times in this one, who should receive the blame?!

Yeah, this is one of those amazing games where you can't really blame any specific player OR any specific skill set. Everyone was bad on defense. Starting pitching was terrible, bullpen was terrible, managing was terrible (I rarely criticize managing because hindsight is always 20/20). Clutch defense was disgusting. Can't throw a guy out? Can't field a grounder? Honestly that looked like bad middle school baseball. GAAAHH!!!

Cruz 2 HRs, Donaldson goes 4-for-5 or whatever with a HR, Buxton hits a 2-run homer in extra innings and you freaking LOSE?!?!?

Who's going to get the Twins out of this mess? Berrios and Maeda are spent, guess it's time to turn to Big Mike on Friday?

JA Happ and Matt Shoemaker are the type of guys that you can have ONE of, but you don't want two. But that's for another thread!

Still just bamboozled over yesterday's loss.

My take - after this 9th loss in 10 games, I am very interested to see what Baldelli and the coaching do to make some adjustments.  This is the first stretch of bad baseball that a Baldelli-led team has played.  Yes, he and the coaches didn't give up the walks, make the errors, etc but as leaders they do have to do something different.  

All winter when many here and elsewhere where clamoring for the Twins to cut Rosario loose, I often mentioned that there was a risk in doing so. Why? Because he was the heart and soul of this team. 

Yes, the Twins have leaders on the field. Guys like Cruz and Donaldson and hopefully a few others. But they are missing something. I maintain it is their heart and soul who is now playing in Cleveland.

I was not surprised we lost that game.  I am ready to move Colome out of end of game situations.  Yes, he did induce two ground balls that should have ended the game, but he blew the save in the 9th and should never needed to get to 10th.  

This is some of the worst baseball I have seen in awhile.  They really need to figure it out.  Pitching generally has been bad, fielding overall has been terrible, and outside of yesterday, hitting has been terrible as well.  

It does suck facing teams on great rolls like the Red Sox's were and now the A's, but we gave that game away.  

I think this was the worst loss I have ever witnessed... I took some time before commenting to make sure it wasn't just emotion. 

1. The game lasted all day long.

2. Manager made questionable decisions

3. Pitching was brutal all day (except Dobnak, Duffey, and Rogers)

4. Defense...

Baldelli simply didn’t want Donaldson in a situation where he would be forced to kick it into the highest gear to win the game. He’s nothing if not consistent in his perpetual concern for tomorrow’s game and next month’s games. And maybe that’s smart...

Except that it hasn't worked, and players still miss time.

One thing I missed. I know Cruz is banged up but why did Garver pinch hit for him? Was he really unable to come to the plate? Just asking.

Baldelli: "Yes, he was unable."

Lasorda: "What? That's nothin' but a flesh wound, Nellie! Get out there and win us a game!

Thats the 2nd time already that Rogers has given up inherited runs in a key spot.

I think Broxton needs to be up, too. That means cutting someone from the 40-man, but it would be like a kid in a candy store if it was up to me who to cut.

Blankenhorn looks expendable.  You need zero skill to stand on second and trot home after a homer and then cough up a routine grounder.

When teams are hot, they find ways to win. When teams are not, they find ways to lose. That's about all you can say about that game. I'll bet both Blankenhorn and Arraez make those plays 24 out of every 25 times. However, the Twins are cold right now so both blow the play. At least the offense finally came alive. Let's hope things turn around quickly.

What I will never agree with is letting a relief pitcher not pitch a second inning after shutting out a team in their first (only) inning. Both Dobnack and Duffy did that today then were gone. Doesn't make sense to me and never will.

Of course it was a horrible loss.    When Donaldson was pulled for a runner I had no problem with it.   Odds were he wasn't going to bat again and his injuries have been mostly calf strains.    It was a totally justifiable move.     Yes, you can't walk guys but two routine grounders, either of which could have ended the game is on the fielders not the pitcher.   Mariano wouldn't have been considered an elite closer if ground balls were routinely booted.    So I guess the only criticism of how Baldelli managed would be putting Arraez at 3rd base.   Likely, it wouldn't affect the outcome of the game statistically but when I heard the 2nd baseman and 3rd baseman booted grounders I assumed it was Arraez at 2nd and Blankenthorn at 3rd,.    Blankenthorn has played more games at 3rd in his career than Arraez and a higher % of his games at 3rd vs 2nd.   I would have hesitated having one guy change his position mid game but maybe Baldelli wanted to put the rookie in his slightly more comfortable position.   It was defendable and really, both plays should have been made anyway.    Its sad, because I can hardly remember two plays in a row being misplayed in a row like that.   Hopefully this is the low point of the season.   Hardly giving up on this group now.    The players are there to succeed.   Its totally up to them to do so.

Except that it hasn't worked, and players still miss time.

It hasn't? You must have missed the part where the Twins have the second-best record in the AL since Baldelli took over...

The season might need saving?

Broxton in the outfield can prevent runs, has actual speed for pinch running situations, and had a good spring, which was used to justify Garlick making the team. Broxton over Rooker makes the team better today, at little to no cost. Same can be said for Kirilloff of course.

The way Rooker has looked so far this year, sure, it's hard to look much worse. But he's only had 22 PAs this season, and he looked very promising in his short stint in the majors last season. The point is that Broxton is much more of a known commodity and he has a low ceiling, while we're not quite sure what we have with Rooker yet. I'm not sure Broxton really would make the team better right now. I do agree with you about Kirilloff, though, and I hope they'll be breaking the seal on him this weekend.