IdahoPilgrim

It's been a rough couple of weeks for Kyle as he has gone into a slump at the plate. He has now gone hitless in 5 of his last 6 games, going 2-for-17 the last two weeks. This brings his Double-A numbers down to .273/.365/.295 and his overall numbers to .328/.410/.414 Defensively it has also been a bit rough, giving up 5 stolen bases and 1 passed ball, with none caught stealing. That brings his season CS% down to 27%. While these are still ahead of last years numbers, they will need to improve if he is to advance or even stay in New Britain. Slumps happen to all of us - let's hope this one doesn't last too long.

I have difficulty seeing Hendriks as part of the answer. He was fantastic in AAA the last two years, but was mediocre at the big-league club. This year his Rochester numbers are uninspiring (5.05 ERA, 1.548 WHIP, 5.2 K/9) at best. Yes, he is young and may improve, but so far I'm not seeing it.

I haven't watched enough games to be able to comment authoritatively on his defense, other than to see I have seen some spectacular plays. I also know that some of those spectacular plays could have been made easier if he had taken a better route or reacted more quickly to the hit. I've also seen some real duds. I guess my question is whether that will improve with time or not. It seems different to me than hitting, where there will be an obvious step up in quality for pitchers faced and thus time needed for an adjustment. But is there that much of a difference in fielding from the minors to the majors? Hicks has played CF for years - is the route taken to a fly ball different in the minors than the majors? If not, he will be acceptable for a while, because his speed allows him to compensate. But eventually that will fade, and we'll be left with another Willingham defensively. Genuinely curious. Those who say he will improve defensively, help me see why.

All in all I thought it was a good interview. Did he answer everything? No. No GM would. Three thoughts: First, I don't see him being that concerned about fan reaction to moves he would make. That's a good thing. He's paid to make the moves that he thinks are best, not do what a mass of others, most of whom are not schooled in the game (and I include myself in that category), think is best. And at the end of the day he'll be evaluated on how those moves work out. Some will. Some won't. He's right that no matter what he does, in any situation, there will be critique from some. I've learned in my own career that you can't make decisions on what you think will be popular; you have to do what you think is right and then live with the consequences. Second, I like that he is not happy with where we are. Not a lot of positive spin here, comparatively. I would have been concerned if he was feeling good about where we are in comparison to last year as opposed to recognizing how far we have yet to go. Third, it still feels like to me that Ryan and Gardenhire aren't quite on the same page, and I'm not just talking about the normal give and take that happens between a general manager and a field manager. Ryan was very careful not to criticize some tactical decisions Gardenhire has made, but he didn't go out of his way to defend him either. He recognizes that he didn't give Gardenhire much to work with; but I suspect (and this is just me reading in between the lines) that Ryan has some questions about whether the players he has given Gardenhire are being utilized fully and correctly. If his contract is not renewed, I suspect it will be that and not the W-L that made the decision.

Part of why I love the game.

Suzi: "Sorry, couldn't read your note. The glare from gramp's hall of fame plaque got in my eyes."

I guess a 6-run lead is enough to put Burton in. Maybe we can let Duensing pitch the 9th.

I'm not sure, but I think it has chocolate in it.

Watch - he'll go on the DL tomorrow with a hernia.

I have no problem with Walters being DFA'd - But I wish it wasn't to make room for Pelfrey.

Does that mean that Twins fans have a whole pile of good luck coming our way? To balance out being a Twins fan?

To be fair, first rehab starts are almost always limited by a pitch count.

No magic tonight.

Does she know it's 3-2 in the bottom of the 8th?

OK, that works too.

OK. Is Hicks up next inning? He often hits a homer after a great catch.

Try it with ground beef. It's not bad.

Boy, we've had our chances tonight. Just not getting the job done at the plate. I suppose I should (reluctantly) give Sabathia some of the credit.

I hope at least you weren't a youth when it happened. That sort of thing can scar someone for life.

My heart truly sorrows with you.

OK, if that's not worthy of a lifetime ban, I don't know what is.

OK, if we had been told earlier today that after 6 the Twins would only be down 3-2 tonight, I think most of us would have been pleasantly surprised.

Good to finally see Thielbar in there when it might actually matter. If he gets out only allowing 1 run in it will be a good appearance.

Right...on...schedule...

And so it begins...