Game 161: Twins in Boston
Posted by ubelmann on Saturday, September 29th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Carlos Silva vs. Tim Wakefield
This is kind of an interesting pitching matchup. I think of each pitchers as kind of a trick pitcher. Wakefield with his knuckleball and Silva with his two-seamer. Of course, Silva has seemingly been less of a one-pitch pitcher these days, but that's still how I think of him.
I'm stunned Punto isn't in there. When's the last time Punto didn't start when Silva was pitching, at least since the Castillo trade?
So---anyone around tonight?
This may have been discussed already, but I believe Morneau's home run last night tied him with Roy Smalley for tenth on the Twins' all-time list.
Top of the second sure didn't take long.
I love it when Gordo gets behind, and so he broadcasts one pitch and then says, "The pitcher comes right back," as if the pitcher caught the return throw from the catcher and immediately went into his motion for the next pitch.
Tony Gwynn Jr. got the game-tying hit in the bottom of the ninth for the Brewers off Trevor Hoffman that kept the Padres from clinching a playoff spot today. How's that for irony.
We need a double play here.
Seems like the Red Sox really have their blooper bats going this series.
Is there anyone out there who can explain what just happened? Gordo sure didn't.
We still need a double play.
No sound, so I have no clue.
Mirabelli was swinging 3-0?
Looks like it's just you and me, Socal.
I'll stick around until I need to start actually doing work.
What do you need to get done tonight?
Good work by Silva to get out of that.
Gave Clayton the last pitch he expected - a fastball right down the middle.
Wouldn't it be great if, after tomorrow, there's a three-way tie for the wild-card?
They were talking at one point that there could be a five-way tie for two divisions and the wild card. Arizona clinched the division, so still could be four-way tie for NL East and wild card.
Rondell!!!!!!!!
Rondell?????
Yes, Rondell!!!!!!!!
Finally found a pitch he could catch up to.
Well, Carlos, there's your run. Make it stand up.
Gordo having his problems tonight. That was another play that he needed about three chances to describe, and all it was, was a ground-rule double.
And again. I mean, I kind of understood the botched run-down, because there was a lot going on and it was kind of an unusual play, but Gordo is having trouble with easy plays. I hope there's nothing wrong with him.
NESN constantly showing replays of the Red Sox making fools of themselves in the infield last night. I'm already sick of watching it.
How could anyone strand a leadoff double?
Mauer power!!!!!!!!!
You stole my comment. Great minds think alike I guess, or something like that. Joe was just baiting Wakefield with those ugly swings on the first two knucklers.
Dazzle and Gordo are saying Hunter should have caught it. Any insight, Socal?
Looked like he mis-timed his jump. He might have been able to get it with better timing. Would have been a very good catch.
This is no time for Bad Carlos to show up.
At least he didn't stay long.
Drew and the Greek God of Walks are ripping Silva.
Tough play for Bartlett. Definitely not routine. Caught him on the in-between hop.
Dazzle said that was an easy play, too.
He should know from all his years at shortstop.
That's why he's the Dazzle Man.
That was especially tough with Ellsbury hitting--he can fly, so JB couldn't take his time to make the play.
Nice damage control Chief.
Fenway giveth and it taketh away.
Royce Clayton = -VORP
I step away for a couple minutes, and the run-scoring machine that's the Twins' offense gets another run. What happened?
Cuddyer singled down the line. The ball hit the seats jutting out and bounced out into left field. RonDL's blazing speed caused an infield error and Cuddy went to third. Buscher blooped a single to left. Of course, L-Rod really screwed it up for the Twins by bouncing into a DP, which means Gardy will never again let anyone with little power hit with two on and no outs.
Why is Mauer playing? I mean, he's having a good game, but when he's hurt, and the game means nothing, why play him?
Because he wanted to.
That's the reason why....Gardy didn't want to play him, but Mauer wanted to.
Hey, Gardy, I want to play tonight, too. Will you put me in the lineup?
Can you pick it like Punto?
Wait...is it possible to have a movie called "Pick it like Punto?"
If they can make a "Bend it like Beckham" movie, I don't see why not.
I can't pick it like Punto, but I was always a good bunter. I could probably beat him in that.
Yeah, and I could hit more homers than Jason Tyner.
Mauer power!
Way to run 'em out, Torii.
Those are the AB's that make me not want Torii Hunter in a Twins uniform in 2008.
You mean the ones where he crushes the ball? Mauer was in the right-field grass when the second baseman was making the turn, btw.
Mauer shouldn't be playing at all. I'm not going to rip him for not running hard when he can barely run, period.
Wasn't really my point. That was as hard a hit ball as you're going to see. I thought Lowell had caught it at first. It was an automatic double play. I took no notice of Torii not "running it out" until it was mentioned. I've really never noticed Torii not running out plays, which is a pet peeve of mine.
And I probably would have taken no notice of it either, if Torii wasn't always telling us how he always plays hard.
Is there a rain delay? Gordo and Dazzle are giving us a travelogue of the Boston area. Dazzle: I found out that Sam Adams is more than just a beer.
Now they're talking about their problems getting a pencil sharpener to work. I know this is kind of a meaningless game, but if we're listening, it means we'd kind of like to hear the game. Do your job, guys.
Carlos is looking like a million bucks tonight. Actually, more like 40 million.
It's been nice to see Silva have a good year (by his standards). I've always kind of liked him, and it's good to see him do well.
Here's hoping Blackburn does better tonight than he did Wednesday night.
Unfortunately, no.
Did anyone hear Gordo as they were heading to the break?
Missed that. What did he say?
He goes...
"Ohhhh Nicky Boy."
I assume he was referring to Blackburn coming in...and was kind of disappointed by the decision.
And perhaps he was correct.
Re: Dazzle's comment---I know Blackburn's a rookie and all, but it seems like he'd know when Ramirez is going to be coming up next.
Blackburn hitting 95 on the MLB.com Gameday gun.
Screw Blackburn.
Doesn't really seem like Boston's been hitting Blackburn that hard, but they keep going for hits.
They hit that one hard.
You've got to be fucking kidding me.
Not a big Blackburn fan, SF?
No, I am...
I just don't like what I've seen over his last few outings.
I wonder if Drew is still upset about that 3-1 pitch being called a strike. I know I am.
That's about the worst pitch selection I have ever seen.
Dazzle agreed, but I don't know. According to him, Blackburn had thrown nothing but sliders, and then came with a fastball. That's not necessarily wrong. If you keep throwing the same pitch, a good batter will eventually hit it. The problem seemed to be more that he threw a fastball over the middle of the plate. That's never a good idea.
The way some baseball people value wins, Blackburn may have just cost Mr. Silva some money.
Especially since being .500 is a pretty big benchmark to go along with 200 innings. He'd also be able to tell teams he had just one less win than Johan on the same team.
After a rough start, Buscher's defense seems to have improved quite a bit. Comes from watching Nick Punto, no doubt.
Nice inning by DePaula. If only he'd ..... oh, never mind.
Every September call-up wants to make an impression on the manager. I think Nick Blackburn has done that.
Lew Ford is pinch-running. The entertainment value of this game just went up.
Apparently, the Red Sox have decided they want to rest Papelbon tonight.
Apparently Papelbon had a lot of fun last night.
If this were at any other ballpark, the game would be tied right now. Fenway giveth and it taketh away.
SWING!!!
My gosh, Okajima is throwing meat.
How fitting is that?
Well, shoot.
Anyone know how to blow 'er up?
So much for 80 wins. Would have looked a lot nicer than 78 or 79. Oh well, we're climbing up the draft order.
It's at 14th right now I believe.
One game left, guys. Let's have fun tomorrow. Not sure if I'll be around or not, but I'll try.
No matter how bad of a season, I always hate the end of the baseball season for my respective team.
Sorry, guys, I'll be on a plane to Omaha during the game. So I've got that going for me. Which is nice.
Yeoman work by Jeff A and StatFreak today. Tip o' the cap.
