jimbo92107

You can see the challenge for Miguel Sano in right field. Every batter that hits the ball down the line will be looking to take second base on Sano. Every base runnier will be looking to advance on him. Sano has got to gun a few guys down before they stop taking liberties.

Meyer? No way, not until after he posts half a season of good starts in Rochester. Otherwise we're just looking at a statistical anemone, a fig newton of our imagination. We know Berrios is ready from over a season of great pitching in AA/AAA. Milone isn't going to suddenly get radically better, which he'd have to do in order to be a better pitcher than Berrios. The Twins today have a bunch of #3's, 4's and 5's in the starting ro. Berrios is a solid #2, maybe even a #1. At some point Meyer and Duffey may make this into a very good starter corps, but both those guys have some proving to do in the minors. Duffey needs an MLB change-up, and Meyer needs to demonstrate reliable command (and hold base runners better). Meanwhile, Nolasco has just pitched some of the best ball of his career. Time to dangle him for a trade? Good grief, what was all that money supposed to buy, trade bait?

Yeah...I'm out. That's too much crap for me.

Okay boys, get this one out of your system. Let's give 'em fifteen runs, then come back tomorrow and kick their asses.

Okay, now it's time to panic.

It's important now for the Twins to realize they still have time to chip away. All they need is 4 runs in this inning, then 3 in the next inning, and they're right back in this game.

Pitcher's duel, eh?

When that happens, the upper decks could become a dangerous place to sit.

What's interesting is the coming adjustment from pitchers. If Park is blasting breaking balls over 400 feet, guess what they'll stop throwing him? That means they have to start throwing Park fastballs or change-ups in those same situations. If Park can hit a few of those over the fence, we may have a new nickname: OT Park, as in Out of The Park.

I sure didn't think so out of spring training, but Rosario could use a month in AAA. Instead of becoming smarter at the plate, he's swinging at everything, handing easy outs to pitchers. Maybe the pressure of MLB has gotten to him. I still think he's _destined_ to be one of the best players on the Twins, but at the moment he's in a batting funk, and you can see on his face that he's not happy. As for bringing up AAA guys to sit, I'm not so down on that. The experience of being in the dugout during games provides a lot of positive motivation for the new guys. It's an affirmation that the organization sees them as a serious prospect, and they get to see up close how professionals go about the business of competing at the highest level. Who knows what little things Kepler, ,O'Rourke, Rogers and Polanco are learning from watching the big leaguers. I hope they all get a good look at Oswaldo Arcia. First came up as a macho, swaggering home run or nothing hitter who showed little interest in fielding. Almost lost his opportunity in the bigs. Then last winter, Arcia changed his attitude and started really trying to become a professional ballplayer. He lost weight, got in better shape, worked on his fielding, and stopped trying to pull every pitch. Now he looks like a real professional ballplayer, and he's helping a major league team win games by hitting balls all over the field. Smart players win games, and smart players stick around on major league rosters. Learn that, kiddies!

Game finally called after over 2 hours. Hughes gets a 6-inning complete game win!!!

It's a shame that Byung Ho Park can't adjust to MLB pitching. :-|

Boyer just can't get guys out. Back to Japan? Call it a career?

The ump's strike zone is a puzzling shape. Like a fat man slumped in a chair, wide down low.

That catch by Buxton... Man, that's speed. He was running about 23mph just then, like the fastest guys in the NFL.

This starting pitcher appears hittable.

Maybe more than in any other year of his career Joe Mauer can show a bunch of young ballplayers how to win games by playing smart and doing things the right way. Coaches can harp on correct form all day long, but Joe Mauer does things every game that prove you can win by doing it by the book. Is it rubbing off? We can't know for sure, but when I see Oswaldo Arcia reach out and stroke an oppo hit for the win, that's an encouraging sign. Hit 'em where they ain't, and then play smart, solid defense. Get your feet right, so you can throw the ball on target. Understand the game situation so you know the right play before it happens. Study pitchers so you know their tendencies. Baseball is easy. Just play like Joe Mauer. ;-)

Some may not remember that Joe Mauer was a star quarterback in high school. He was considered the best college prospect in the nation, but everybody knew he was committed to baseball. Mauer is a great athlete with a genuine golden arm. He also was an excellent HS pitcher. Probably could have been a pro pitcher, too. I'm really glad he appears to be finally getting past those nasty concussion symptoms. Let's hope we get to see some of the old Mauer magic at the plate this year. Early signs are very good - he appears to be recognizing pitches quicker and getting the bat to the ball with more precision.

I never doubted. Sometimes I lie.

Good test for Jepsen. Let's see him attack the zone. Nothing passive.

This bunch of guys is getting angry like a nest of hornets. It's been kicked a bunch now, and they're about ready to swarm.

Aside from the current score, I'm starting to see some encouraging signs at the plate. When players start hitting sizzling liners to outfielders, they are close to breaking out with some hits.

Next time Sano shouts, "I got it," Nunez definitely heard him.

God created Dune to test the faithful. Then He said, "How shall I test baseball fans?"

As fans, we have officially entered a Roman wilderness of pain. h/t, Jim Morrison