Game 126: Athletics at Twins
August 20th, 2008 by brianS
[SBG: Our guy brianS has volunteered to take game logs on Wednesdays... have at it, brianS!]
Those are some 
mighty big shoes to fill. Hurry up and finish your dissertation, ubes!
12:10 start for some Afternoon Delight. Will the boys have some mallet left after smashing Gallagher's watermelon last night? 
Pitching matchup: Dallas Braden (3-2, 4.50 ERA, 5.14 xFIP, 27:16 K:BB in 44 innings) vs. the F-Bomb (3-3, 4.97 ERA, 5.20 xFIP, 22:20 K:BB in 29 innings).
This game matches two young lefties, both of whom are expected to be front-line starters for their clubs for years to come.
The 24-year old Braden has been up-and-down between the big club and Sacratomato this year, where he put up a very impressive 2.36 ERA in 53.3 innings in the PCL. He had a very tasty 8.89/1.18 K:BB ratio and put up a decent 3.95 FIP (4.71 MLE) against AAA hitters in a hitters' league. Braden was particularly hard on lefties, inducing grounders 54.3 pct of the time (compared to 43.7 pct for righties) and holding them to only a .200 average (.262 for righties) with a 17:2 K:BB ratio (52 PA).
With the A's he's made five starts (all since July 22) this year in 14 appearances, including two consecutive solid outings: 7 innings, 3 runs, 4 K, 1 BB and 1 HR in a no-decision against the hated Pale Hose at the Mausoleum on Aug. 15; and 7 innings, 2 runs, 2 K, 1 BB and 1 HR in a win at Detroit Aug. 8. But he didn't miss a lot of bats in those starts. Only 10 of 120 strikes in those two starts were of the swing-and-miss variety, compared to 34 looking.
Like Braden, Francisco Franchise has been up-and-down with the big club this year, albeit for quite different reasons. In his three August starts he has compiled a 1.45 ERA over 18.67 innings, with a 15:7 K:BB ratio and one HR allowed and a nasty 167/247/273 line. For the three August starts, 27 of his 179 strikes have been swing-and-miss, compared to 46 looking. Obviously, he's been missing more bats and fooling more hitters than has Braden. Which is a good thing, since his velocity isn't back to full-blown nasty levels, particularly on his once-unhittable slider. According to Pitch F/X data, his slider and changeup are both sitting around 81 MPH and his fastball at just under 92. Nonetheless, both have been very effective pitches for him. He has yet to give up an XBH on anything other than a fastball.
Check out Josh Kalk's awesome Pitch F/X tool to see more.
As for the offenses, the A's come into the game hot, having scored five runs in the last two games. Hey, that's hot for them! The A's are last in the AL in runs at 3.96/g, compared to 5.04 for the Twinkies (prior to last night's movable feast). The A's have scored 99 fewer runs than the league average, for goodness sake. The vaunted Moneyball approach seems to be sputtering, as the A's are next-to-last in OBP at an unsightly .316 (albeit thanks to a league-worst-by-a-mile .243 BA).
On the brighter side, the A's have hit more HRs than the Twins (93-88). So they got that going for them. Which is nice. Frank Thomas's return from the DL was supposed to provide a boost, particularly against lefties, but he's been leading the sh!t parade with a 197/290/262 line over 17 games in August. Overall the team has been horrific in August (212/282/340) and putrid since the All Star break (219/291/331). By comparison, Carlos "Smells Like @ssbat" Gomez has been 234/280/273 since the A-S break. But he triggers the offense with his personality. Just sayin'.
So I'm expecting a Twins win out of this nooner, with a bit o' offense against Dallas Braden and pretty much nothing out of the A's (until the bullpen comes on, anyway). Finally, I'm recommending a fruity hefeweizen to accompany this game, such as the delectable and classic Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier. Drink one for me, as I will be stuck in the office.
This entry was posted by brianS on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 11:00 am and is filed under 2008 Twins Game Logs. It is one of 523 entries by the author. We are no longer accepting Letters to the Editor on this post.
socaltwinsfan replied on August 20, 2008 at 11:44:47 am
Delmon back in LF with a sore ankle and Everett still on the bench, so Harris at SS. Better have that out-pitch working today, Liriano! Or, the bats better continue where they left off last night.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 11:58:11 am
I'm hoping F-Bomb continues to whittle away at his ERA and correct his K/BB ratio some more in this game. Little by little, he's expunging his April cr@pitude.
nibbish replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:01:55 pm
For how awful his April was, he's expunging it pretty quickly.
Kris replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:02:09 pm
Mmm. Paulaner.
I'm likewise stuck in the office.
nibbish replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:05:15 pm
Ditto
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:13:11 pm
Here too, but when the office = home, it rocks.
cheaptoy replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:07:35 pm
Whoever is drinking one for those stuck in the office better have a strong liver. I'm stuck in the "office" today as well, although I get to hang out in the pilot plant instead of my desk. It's a nice change of pace.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:11:33 pm
I know "Emil" is normally pronounced EE-mill, and I can see how it could (Hispanic-type, thanks Bert) be pronounced eh-MEEL, but I think Dazzle's pronounciation of EE-mail is just plain misguided. Nothing new there.
nibbish replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:13:23 pm
Heh, my grandpa's name is Emil (the Czech/Bohemian variant, though)
brianS replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:15:15 pm
Gordo renders it "E-Meal".
thisisbeth replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:18:37 pm
My friends and I made Emil Brown our IT person for our fantasy team based on Dan Gladden's pronunciation (Brown spent most of his time on the bench, so we decided he needed a job).
brianS replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:14:03 pm
I missed the start. What was the error?
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:19:56 pm
someone greased the ball before it got to LNP. it happens.
nibbish replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:14:18 pm
Nick Punto doesn't make errors, he's far too crafty for them. Gameday is clearly broken.
Klawitter replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:16:51 pm
"Two men on in the first. Time to get Bonsor and Bass up in the bullpen"
--- Chicken Little
nibbish replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:18:21 pm
Wow... batting average as a flawed stat or no, these guys had only two batters batting above .250 (and Emil Brown was at .251)
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:18:48 pm
Liriano's ERA is looking more pedestrian with every out. Lot of pitches this inning though.
brianS replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:20:23 pm
Lot of pitches this inning though. That's Moneyball for you.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:22:05 pm
uh, less pedestrian. And yes.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:26:36 pm
Okay, I guess if you want to look at it in extreme, I guess he's transitioning from SUCK -> pedestrian -> ...
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:39:08 pm
That's exactly what I meant Mr. Rhubarb
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:44:58 pm
yeah, I got you eventually. I was thinking of farther up the line.
(Mr.? Mr.?!?)
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:20:58 pm
Does Punto have his head up his ass this game or what. Hard to tell from watching the Gameday graphics.
brianS replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:21:36 pm
how is that a hit when Nicky made a play on it and (with a good throw) could have gotten an out at the plate?
socaltwinsfan replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:26:01 pm
You'll never see an error on a play when a guy has to dive to stop the ball. Could have been a hit and an error to allow the run to score from second. Terrible throw. Redmond had to dive to his right to catch it and then dive to his left to try and make the tag.
Kris replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:24:21 pm
Braden's mugshot is one for the ages.
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:26:19 pm
I was going to say the same thing Kris. You beat me to it. Looks like he should be installing a muffler on my car or fixing my sprinkler system.
brianS replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:28:17 pm
Well, as John Connor told Kyle Reese, "the future's not certain." One of those jobs could still be in Braden's future.
E-6 replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:30:19 pm
Spicolli after graduation.
nibbish replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:26:42 pm
Nice walk by Span.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:28:38 pm
So, did LNP slide on that bunt?
socaltwinsfan replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:44:04 pm
Yes, but at least the first baseman had the ball close enough to the line to be worried about a tag attempt, so a slide is justified in that case.
brianS replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:32:13 pm
Dazz: "that's what you get for pitching to Justin Morneau...first base open."
and then, the double-play ball follows the Canadian's good work. echh.
davidwatts replied on August 20, 2008 at 3:39:08 pm
I dont understand Dazzle's line of thinking there. Its the first inning, you are not going to IBB Morneau
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:32:59 pm
Delmon Young = Rally Killer Extraordinaire
socaltwinsfan replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:33:02 pm
Delmon gets a hanging breaking ball and grounds out to SS for the DP. Nice.
nibbish replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:34:43 pm
It's kind of pulling the ball...
kg2005 replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:33:42 pm
I'm getting really frustrated with Gameday, even ESPN's gamecast is slow today. I work with sports webcast's MUCH like these programs (mostly for NAIA schools), and you can all trust me- it's not that hard to keep updated.
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:35:22 pm
Most of Liriano's fastball's are registering below 90 today on gameday (a lot of 88's & 89's). Hmmmmm. Did see one 92.
SBG replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:39:37 pm
Game Day says C. Pennington is batting. See, that's what happens when Brett Favre comes to town. You end up hitting ninth for the A's.
Kris replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:42:00 pm
Hiting ninth for the A's > Throwing INTs for the Dolphins
Andrew replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:46:46 pm
Hitting ninth for ANYONE > most of our day jobs
Kris replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:51:42 pm
Even the Nationals?
Andrew replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:58:05 pm
If I'm getting paid to play baseball, there is a lot I'll put up with. Besides, then I get to hang out with Da Meat Hook
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:42:36 pm
48 pitches in two innings. Ouch. Not all his fault though.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:43:57 pm
Lunchtime fare: bacon, honey turkey, and swiss on toasted asiago bread, Cheetos, a couple Panera cookies, and diet cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper
Kris replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:51:11 pm
Zantigo here. Their enchiladas are surprisingly tasty.
E-6 replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:53:24 pm
Zantigo? There are still Zantigo's?
Kris replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:57:49 pm
I know of two. One in the relatively-new strip mall area in Blaine, and the one I went to for lunch is in Fridley.
Apparently, this is the second coming of Zantigo. The Wikipedia article is enlightening.
E-6 replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:07:48 pm
Well, I'll be. There was a Zantigo in Mankato when I was growing up. Did boffo biz, but then Taco Bell took over. That sunk like a brick. Not too long after TB closed, another restaurant opened in that spot--Zanz--with the exact same menu as the Zantigo. As far as I know, it's still open.
The Chilitos were a fave. May have to inspect the Fridley location.
Kris replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:09:37 pm
I highly recommend the chilitos. The "hot" isn't very hot, though.
Andrew replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:53:38 pm
I'm probably going to run to Tsing Tsao here in a second and get whatever the special is.
bodly replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:26:35 pm
A double espresso and some Sour Patch kids for me.
socaltwinsfan replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:46:02 pm
Poetic justice: Harris catching a line drive with two in scoring position after he lined out with two RISP in the first game. That was really the difference in that game.
Klawitter replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:46:59 pm
Prediction: Braden's ERA will surpass Lirianos within the next few innings.
--- No Stradamus
Beau replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:21:42 pm
Right on
socaltwinsfan replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:49:19 pm
The strike zone today is horrible. It's all over the place.
twayn replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:53:29 pm
The umps have not excelled at calling balls and strikes in this series. Maybe they're distracted by all the instant replay stuff coming from Bud's office.
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:50:06 pm
Liriano had like 15 ground ball outs his last time out. Today through 2 innings: 0.
twayn replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:58:50 pm
Nick N. had a nice post on his blog recently about Liriano's ground ball tendencies. It's worth checking out.
socaltwinsfan replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:02:59 pm
One now in the third. Two of the hits and the error were on ground balls. Only three catches by OFs.
Beau replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:53:29 pm
Good thing our bullpen got some rest the past two days. We'll need it today for sure
smalls replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:03:01 pm
Bass is superfresh.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 12:54:40 pm
One of these games, we're going to hear an exchange like this:
Gordo: So, Dazzle, do you think we'll see that again anytime soon?
Dazzle: Well, there is a chance that...
Gordo: Yeah.
Dazzle: Will you STFU and let me finish my sentence first before agreeing with me?!
thisisbeth replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:24:23 pm
Gordo: Will you stop talking about your motorcycle and talk about the game once in a while? I call it a draw.
twayn replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:01:12 pm
Ash bats. I always get a kick out of the PSA.
nibbish replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:03:49 pm
Two strike bunt. How could they not see that coming?
smalls replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:05:39 pm
Slight of hand.
smalls replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:07:27 pm
Does getting picked off get scored as caught stealing?
It seems to me that Gomez gets picked off disproportionally to the amount he is on base.
Beau replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:08:55 pm
It only counts as a caught stealing if the scorer felt you made a move to second. If you just got caught napping, it's just a pickoff.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:15:59 pm
I always thought it was a PO if the out was scored when no pitch was made. How is it scored when a catcher makes a throw to first and catches a runner sleeping, then?
Beau replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:23:06 pm
If the runner makes a move, it's a pickoff and a caught stealing.
If the catcher gets him out...don't know how it's scores. Probably a pick off, but it's not tracked as a stat for catchers.
smalls replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:08:14 pm
Span nearly got hit in his Denards there.
twayn replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:14:33 pm
D-Span's got Nards!
brianS replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:09:53 pm
The server seems to be conducting a work slowdown in protest of ubelmann's leave of absence.
Beau replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:11:35 pm
going fast for me
Kris replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:11:38 pm
This is going to be one of those games with a billion LOB for both teams, isn't it?
twayn replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:11:51 pm
Punto fialure.
smalls replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:12:12 pm
Punto must have a time machine because he stole that AB from 2007.
E-6 replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:18:24 pm
He drives a Delorean?
Beau replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:20:31 pm
When Little Nicky Punto tries to bunt, you're gonna see some serious shit.
Kris replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:24:25 pm
You were standing on your toilet, and you were hanging a clock, and you fell, and you hit your head on the sink. And that's when you came up with the idea for the Sux Capacitor...
Which... is what makes head-first slides into first base and pop-up bunts possible.
twayn replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:27:39 pm
+ 1.21 gigawatts.
Beau replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:29:54 pm
He's an idiot. Comes from upbringing. His coaches are probably idiots, too. Kris, if you ever have a son that bunts that way I'll disown you.
smalls replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:28:42 pm
+88
bodly replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:14:09 pm
Gomez is exciting in the rare times he manages to get on base.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:20:18 pm
geez, Dazz, since when is pitch #70 "getting into that danger zone"? Don't let Bert hear you talk like that.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:22:58 pm
Pennington: My first SB was against the Twins in 2008.
observer: Oh yeah? You got your first steal off of Mauer?!
Pennington: No, actually Mike Redmond was catching that day.
observer: Oh. *walks away*
smalls replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:30:22 pm
Observer: Did he have to use the pitcher as a cutoff man?
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:25:26 pm
Liriano doesn't seem to have a lot of confidence in his fastball today. Seeing a lot more sliders and changeups as the game progresses.
socaltwinsfan replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:30:07 pm
Can't throw it for strikes. Looks like just five innings today for Liriano. Hopefully, Boof is up to the task today. He should have an advantage with a mostly righthanded lineup today for Liriano.
twayn replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:34:12 pm
I think he's only had sporadic control of his fastball since coming up. It's been good enough to get by with, but once he's got better command of the fastball he's going to be much more efficient and effective.
kg2005 replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:31:03 pm
87 pitches... will he be sent out for the 5th?
twayn replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:31:11 pm
Delmon takes that "see ball, hit ball" advice too literally. If he ever learns to work a count and use it to his advantage, he could become a dangerous hitter.
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:31:26 pm
R.A. Dickey's at it again. Chisox have already scored 6 on him in the first inning and there's still only one out.
bodly replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:35:00 pm
You're quicker on the draw than me.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:35:43 pm
ho-ly cr@p
bodly replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:33:34 pm
RA Dickey is starting today for the Mariners vs the White Sux.
So far... 1/3 inning, 6 runs. ouch
socaltwinsfan replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:35:13 pm
Alexei Ramirez with his second grand slam in four games.
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:36:25 pm
Liriano's gotta come out now. He just doesn't have it today.
Let him finish the inning for the possible "W" I guess.
socaltwinsfan replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:46:38 pm
At least the Twins have used only one inning of a non-Bass reliever this series, so if Boof can go two innings, the Twins should still be fine. Score some runs!!
SBG replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:40:55 pm
Over 100 pitches and only 13 outs. Cover your eyes, boys and girls!
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:45:24 pm
The first few innings Liriano looked like he was mostly throwing 88-89 on his fastball, but during the last couple he was more like 92-93. Nice to see that increase in velocity, but he was still throwing way too many sliders and he was wild as hell today. Still, decent progress to go 5 innings with no ER.
nibbish replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:48:43 pm
Boof needs to go 2 strong innings, plus we need at least 2 more runs.
Guppy replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:50:15 pm
Don't want to see Ziegler today. That dude is NASTY, and Joe Mauer isn't playing today.
meat replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:56:57 pm
Hi everybody!
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:58:33 pm
Norm!Meat!SBG replied on August 20, 2008 at 1:58:14 pm
Note to defense: you have to make plays behind Boof.
Diggity Dino replied on August 20, 2008 at 2:04:11 pm
Like that one by Harris?
meat replied on August 20, 2008 at 2:04:15 pm
It seems as though they heard you say that.
SBG replied on August 20, 2008 at 2:05:40 pm
I'm on a roll lately.
twayn replied on August 20, 2008 at 2:17:39 pm
On a roll, indeed.
Beau replied on August 20, 2008 at 2:06:01 pm
wow...terrible at-bat by Ellis. This offense is really awful
E-6 replied on August 20, 2008 at 2:08:42 pm
I'd like to see Gardy try Bonser at least once in the set-up role during this upcoming road-trip. It might be a real boost to his confidence. There's no question he's got major-league stuff.
nibbish replied on August 20, 2008 at 2:14:48 pm
I was actually thinking they should try that anyway. He strikes me as a guy who could work pretty well in high profile situations.
E-6 replied on August 20, 2008 at 2:19:51 pm
He's wasted in the groundskeeper role.
Kris replied on August 20, 2008 at 2:12:08 pm
Red Dog!
SBG replied on August 20, 2008 at 2:17:07 pm
How is it that Redmond seems to be in the middle of everything every time he plays, but he's got only 8 RBI for the year?
nibbish replied on August 20, 2008 at 2:18:45 pm
My friend and I were just wondering that same thing.