2008 Game 131: Minnesota at Seattle
August 25th, 2008 by Yickit
[SBG: Yickit continues the strong debuts for game logs, following up on FTLT's performance on Saturday.]
The Twins begin the second series on their monster road trip tonight. The Twins arrived in Seattle with an improved bullpen and are looking to snap their two game Anaheim slide. The game starts at 9:10 pm for those of you in Twins Territory or 10:10 pm for the unfortunate souls who live on the east coast. But on second thought, the game starts at 3:10 am in Dublin, so maybe EST folk shouldn't complain.
Tonight's Probable Pitchers:
- The Mariners will send Miguel Batista (xFIP: 5.17; tRA+ 62) to the mound. Batista has struggled this year against just about everyone. After tossing at least 6 innings in 23 of 32 starts in 2007, Batista has only thrown 6 innings in 5 of 19 starts this year. (And only 2 times in his last 13.) Adding to his woes, during the first inning of his last 13 starts Batista has allowed 16 hits and 16 runs. This season opponents are hitting .305 in the first inning against Batista.
- Francisco Liriano (xFIP: 5.18; tRA+ 113) will toe the rubber for the Twins. While Liriano's season ERA stands at 4.24, since returning to the majors he has gone 4-0 with a 1.14 ERA. During that same span, Liriano has held opponents to a .184 batting average with 20 strikeouts and just one home run. Compare those stats with Liriano's early season ERA of 11.32, which resulted in an 0-3 record. Pat Neshek has already taken note: the road to recovery is a long, hard path.
(Note: Most people at the WGOM seem to prefer the xFIP stat to evaluate pitchers, but in this case tRA+ seems to be the more accurate measure. If you are interested in learning more about tRA+ check out this article where the basic methodology behind the tRA statistic is explained. For comparison purposes, Cliff Lee sports a tRA+ of 177, and Livan Hernandez's stands at 93.)
The Mariners are 48-82 this season and have lost 12 of their last 15 games. Even though the Mariners are struggling, Raul Ibanez has continued his second half tear recording 2 or more hits in 10 of his last 20 games resulting in a .420 average. I'm sure every Twins fan remembers the series Ibanez had against the Twins the first week in August; I'm also sure that the Twins don't want to see him repeat that performance this time around. In order to win this series the Twins will have to find some way to cool off Ibanez.
The Twins' season record stands at 74-56 and they have won 10 of their last 15 games. Mauer, Punto, and Morneau come into this game hitting the ball well, but their efforts have not translated to wins the last two days. Gaffes in the field by both Busher and Gomez cost the Twins too many runs on Saturday and Sunday, which helped to erase great efforts by both Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey. If they want to win this series the Twins cannot afford to play sloppy defensive baseball, against a Mariners team looking to spoil someones playoff hopes.
Since, tonight's game starts later than usual in the central and eastern time zones, you'll probably want some pregame reading materials to pass the time. Take a look at this post over at U.S.S. Mariner: Ahhh, Minnesota. My favorite comment might be #18, but gas-mask versus bag-over-head debate is also entertaining.
Since this is the first game of this series, lets start off the comments with a couple of questions:
- The Twins have now tried to solve their bullpen woes with the requisition of Every-Day Eddie: Will this trade be enough to fix the Twins' bullpen issues? Does Eddie automatically take over the eighth inning role, or do you have a better role to recommend?
- Ignoring pitchers and the M&M boys, who must step up to help the Twins win this series?
- Bonus pre-game question: Was designating Mike Lamb for assignment the right roster move to make room for Eddie?
This entry was posted by Yickit on Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 8:00 pm and is filed under 2008 Twins Game Logs. It is one of 9 entries by the author. We are no longer accepting Letters to the Editor on this post.
Moss replied on August 25, 2008 at 8:35:01 pm
In other moves...We hardly knew ye, Mr. Jennie Finch.
davidwatts replied on August 25, 2008 at 8:52:38 pm
he got released because of Brian Bass
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:01:44 pm
his gf/wife must be hotttttt!
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:41:42 pm
Is Cat Osterman married?
Kris replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:04:25 pm
That's just sad.
New Guy replied on August 25, 2008 at 8:46:40 pm
Anybody else watch Jared Allen take batting practice on the pregame show? He's pretty funny. I hope he's not drunk.
Yickit replied on August 25, 2008 at 8:48:09 pm
Was he using a 2 x 4 for a bat? I would watch that.
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 8:49:50 pm
No, but I saw Teddy Kennedy swing a few rhetorical haymakers tonight.
But "Still the One"??? Gaaaah. I blame him for the whole Ronald Reagan era.
davidwatts replied on August 25, 2008 at 8:51:02 pm
my answers:
1. I dont know. I think what the Twins needed is a strikeout guy. 28 k's in 49 innings for Eddie G....he certainly is not that guy.
2. I think two areas need to 'step up'. Whoever is playing 3rd base, and the bullpen HAS to redeem itself from the last time the Twins visited Seattle
3. I had a soft spot for Lamb. I think it came from earlier in the year when won a game for use by flairing one over the infield. I know he has no glove, and it seems like his bat is gone, but I felt that if Lamb was coming in late in the game as a pinch hitter, we had a chance to score that run
Kris replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:00:43 pm
I'd say throw Eddie right into the 8th-inning fire, and see how he does. At least it'd be entertaining.
As for Lamb, I also have a soft spot for him. He seems like a nice guy, and he had a few clutch hits this season. I'd much rather have seen Everett go. I still get nervous when he fields routine grounders to short and floats them over to 1B.
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:06:49 pm
Agree with tossing Eddie into the set-up role. I mean, what the hell?
(By the by, nice write-up, Yickit.)
bodly replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:04:13 pm
Lemme take a shot at those questions...
1. Eddie still seems able to get people out. He's given up runs in 4 of his last 5 outings, but 2 of the games were closing out blowouts. I think it's a good move. Is it enough of a move? I think so. Boof seems to be getting better with his relief role. If Guerrier is back to his old self, Eddie and the Mayor make a good tandem for the 8th.
2. Kubel and/or Delmon need to step up and get hits when Morneau is intentionally walked. They were hot there for a while, but Kubel's 3 for his last 22 with 1 RBI. Delmon is 3 for his last 26 with 3 RBI.
3. I was a little surprised by the Lamb move, but I think it's for the best. Looking at the roster, he was by far the most expendable.
Yickit replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:07:22 pm
I definitely agree with the Delmon and Kubes point. With all the lefties the twins are going to face both need to help out the middle of the order guys.
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:05:29 pm
ChiSox up 4-3 in the 8th in game 1.1 tonight at Bal'more.
bodly replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:05:47 pm
By the way, great job Yickit!
Yickit replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:09:39 pm
@ E-6 and Bodly. Thanks, writing this post was a great way to finish off an arduous first day of classes.
.
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:15:57 pm
Perhaps you'll have to scale back to 90 blogs a day.
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:07:31 pm
Twins need to punish Batista tonight. Chase him all the way to Miami.
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:18:02 pm
Why not Havana? It's only a hundred or so more miles to Cuba.
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:08:58 pm
check out this article where the basic methodology behind the tRA statistic is explained.
I am skeptical of that site. They spell "defense" funny.
Yickit replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:12:10 pm
Their about page might help out here.
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:17:15 pm
pfft. Not only is he a Brit (and therefore genetically ignorant of baseball), he does statics. What could he possibly know about baseball dynamics!?
*plus his bio says he spent time "at college". So he's not even a good Brit, who would have spent time "at university."
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:10:03 pm
1. Yes, Eddie has the 8th, and some of the 7th, and Nathan will take over some for Eddie in the 8th as well (come h3ll or high water)
2. My pick-to-click this series is 'Lexi.
3. Yes. He was who I expected to go, appropriate or not.
Oh, and to out-New-Guy New Guy, my prediction is that Gomez tosses a perfect 9th tonight.
New Guy replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:16:19 pm
A solid prediction
Any thoughts on Gomez potentially winning the Heisman this year?
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:24:50 pm
Your "American Hero" post at your blog cracked me up. It tasted of Onion.
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:04:37 pm
re-post the URL, New Guy. I forgot to bookmark it.
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:14:06 pm
http://knowledgedropped.blogspot.com/
kids...
socaltwinsfan replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:02:24 pm
So far, so good on 'Lexi.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:16:35 pm
btw, I like the above intro to Lemony Yickit's A Series of Unfortunate (for Seattle) Events series. Please write more...
freealonzo replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:21:42 pm
Chicago wins 4-3. Half game up.
Kris replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:21:42 pm
O's and Pale Hose both score 7 today, and both win one and lose one.
socaltwinsfan replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:35:15 pm
I guess it was too much to ask the O's to win both. Let's hope they can at least split the series.
Yickit replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:23:00 pm
Liriano decided to get rid of the Livan cutoffs?
New Guy replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:26:13 pm
Mercifully.
DK replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:34:24 pm
I thought the cutoffs are only home unis, do they have grey or blue cutoffs too?
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:36:44 pm
I think those are a home-only option.
Yickit replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:43:00 pm
Didn't even cross my mind. That makes sense.
GreekHouse replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:29:13 pm
1. This bullpen needed anyone--ANYONE--that was even serviceable. May not be the best pickup ever, but should be helpful.
2. There's so much variance in baseball, it could be anyone. I'm not gonna say anyone "stepped up" just because they have a few good games.
3. Lamb's presence on the roster was a bit redundant, so yeah, he needed to go.
Beau replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:29:15 pm
Just watched Die Hard for the first time. It reminds me of a moment from this game tonight. Ichiro was on second base. Ibanez was at the plate with a runner in scoring position. Raul looked at Liriano and said, "What have you got that could possibly keep the mighty Raul from yet another RBI?"
F-Bomb went into his motion and said, "Yippy-ky-yay mother...."
GreekHouse replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:32:33 pm
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:33:28 pm
Another fantastic almost-play by Punto. He's really giving the Twins a lift on the left side of the IF.
Guppy replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:34:24 pm
It looked to me that Punto didn't need to dive for that ball
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:37:30 pm
It often looks to me that Punto didn't need to dive into first base, either.
GreekHouse replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:40:00 pm
+1 finger injury
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:44:55 pm
Might I suggest this one?
bodly replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:40:49 pm
Does Dick have some sort of speech impediment? He consistently mispronounces Kenji Johjima's last name and Ichiro. Those are hard J's like the J in Joe or Justin not zh. And he consistently pronounces the ch in Ichiro as an sh, Ishiro.
I wince every time I hear it.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:47:33 pm
I laugh every time Dick calls you "Bodily" as well.
Uh, that's not how you pronounce it, is it?
bodly replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:53:36 pm
hahaha
Usually just 2 syllables. bod - ly.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:54:34 pm
That's what I thought. Dick bert's it up there, too.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:55:14 pm
Yeah, it's a weird Dickism.
FWIW, it's rare that play-by-play guys pronounce all players' names correctly... usually somewhat butchered are Spanish names. Jon Miller is a notable exception.
I'd peg the correct pronunciation of Morneaux's last name among non-Minny broadcasters at around 10 percent.
Dread Pirate Will Young replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:02:26 pm
And the correct pronunciation of Morneau's first name among non-MInny HR Derby sponsors at around 5 percent.
bodly replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:44:57 pm
"Break out their Helter Skelter game" = "stab Sharon Tate 67 times" ?
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:47:04 pm
I thought U2 took that song back...
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:53:59 pm
+no sympathy for the devil
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:55:34 pm
well, now, that made absolutely no sense. Kind of like Lennon lyrics.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:57:10 pm
Heh. I was trying to make heads or tails of your comment and was wondering where I missed the joke.
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:58:46 pm
Yeah. That definitely lacks the clarity of The Cult's prose.
SBG replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:13:51 pm
koo-koo kachoo.
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:16:36 pm
Isn't it past your bedtime?
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:56:55 pm
-Abraham Núñez, Billy Martin, and Tommy John
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:59:13 pm
What are an oven mitt, a lip, and an elbow?????
davidwatts replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:56:36 pm
snarf.
I was actually listening to that album this morning
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:07:35 pm
blah blah blah 3-chords and the truth...
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:56:12 pm
That Casilla "player of the series" pick looking pretty good so far...
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:58:41 pm
showin' New Guy how it's done in the Big Leagues...
bodly replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:56:32 pm
I was just about to say "Man, this game is sloooow. Absolutely nothing interesting happening."
Nice small balls.
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:56:56 pm
lots of excited crowd noise on that hit by the boyo. Whassup with that? Did both Twins' fans at the game sit by the mikes?
davidwatts replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:01:58 pm
I was waiting for the swearing to start
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:04:03 pm
I thought one of those yelps sounded decidedly Ubelmannish...
New Guy replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:05:18 pm
Some of my friends are in Seattle for an Oasis concert, and I know they are attending two of the games. I don't know if they are at this one, however.
Beau replied on August 25, 2008 at 9:56:58 pm
I <3 Span. (again)
Kris replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:04:24 pm
Some great defensive plays by the OF here. Even Delmon getting into the act by not screwing up.
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:12:04 pm
Like most us, I forget that DY is only 22. The kid might still pan out.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:04:39 pm
Fantastic catch by Gomez -- that is really hard to judge and dive for a ball straight at you.
Beau replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:14:58 pm
And if he misses his dive that's an inside-the-park walk for Ichiro.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:05:35 pm
I really don't see Suzuki getting the throwing error on that run.
bodly replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:14:06 pm
I don't think the error was for the run, it was for Casilla getting to 3rd.
Beau replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:16:30 pm
And I still don't see it. His throw was perfect, on one hop. Because the catcher couldn't handle it, he gets an error. An outfielder shouldn't be expected to hit the catcher on the fly.
bodly replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:30:46 pm
I just went back and re-watched that play. I don't see an error there at all. It was a very good throw, just a little bit up the 3B line. Span and the ball got to the catcher at the same time. If it had been a perfect strike to home plate and Johjima had handled it perfectly then it might have been an out. Johjima didn't catch it cleanly and then Span kicked it away. Just tough luck, not an error.
socaltwinsfan replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:07:10 pm
Liriano having trouble putting M's away. However, all three hits are grounders that have made it through the infield. Hopefully, Liriano can give the Twins six innings tonight.
New Guy replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:07:50 pm
Is a Swarzak call-up within the realm of possibility? He's now 5-0 with a 1.89 ERA since moving up to Rochester.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:13:45 pm
I dunno. The way Gardenhire talks about him, you'd think he's posting those numbers in a Women's softball league.
brianS replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:55:55 pm
so, you're saying Swarzak and the Rochester boys are in a League of Their Own???
Yickit replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:11:17 pm
[collective sigh of relief]
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:11:33 pm
Once again, lotsa flyball outs for Cisco. Now we pray that most of them go to CF/RF.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:12:54 pm
This is where Morneaux hits a ball a long way.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:14:22 pm
Does 150 feet on the ground count as a long way?
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:19:22 pm
As an earthworm, it's a weeks work.
davidwatts replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:15:30 pm
Delmon has 14 steals on the years
sneaky!
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:15:50 pm
Not real pleased with how this one's going so far. The Mariners' starters are just terrible but their bullpen is pretty good. I'm having visions of a replay of yesterday's game.
SBG replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:16:10 pm
Speaking of mispronunciations, I'm sick of hearing "Patista" from Bert.
SBG replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:17:04 pm
God, Delmon, that's not Adam Everett out there in right field.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:18:52 pm
Did he run through a stop sign? I'd think it would be on Ulcer, not Young.
Actually, his slide was pretty good. He did everything he could to get under that tag, the throw just beat him by way too much.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:17:13 pm
Yeah, running on Ichiro twice on a ball in shallow RF is like hitting on 17 twice. You might come up 21 once in a while but over the long term, you tend to lose your money.
New Guy replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:18:22 pm
Dear Mr. Young,
You're not the only outfielder with an excellent arm.
Sincerely,
Ichiro Suzuki
Dread Pirate Will Young replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:20:40 pm
I'm sorry New Guy, but my arm really sucks (probably need rotator cuff surgery).
New Guy replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:24:37 pm
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:20:51 pm
Man, the OFers are getting plenty of action tonight. Glad the game's in Safeco, not Arlington.
New Guy replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:26:54 pm
Are we sure that ubelmann is gone? Like, absolutely sure?
Because... Jeremy Batista.
bodly replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:33:34 pm
Damn. Shitty throw by Casilla.
Beau replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:37:49 pm
What happened? How did Casilla get the ball?
twayn replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:40:26 pm
Mauer threw to second on the hit and run without the hit. Runner headed back, Laddie threw it in the camera well.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:39:39 pm
All things considered, Cisco acquitted himself well of that Casilla-made jam. He sure has been victimized by the defense a lot. He's given up more unearned runs than earned since his return.
Beau replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:40:58 pm
How many innings has it been since he's given up an earned run?
davidwatts replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:42:53 pm
17 now
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:44:49 pm
BTW I might have spoken too hastily -- I assume it's scorer's discretion on whether that run would be earned or unearned. Runner at 1st no outs -- 2 base error -- double -- groundout -- groundout -- flyout = no clear answer.
New Guy replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:43:26 pm
Tonight's run was actually earned.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:35:00 pm
That takes the shine off his possible "Player of the Series" award.
meat replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:40:07 pm
evening folks.
meat replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:41:38 pm
Laddie got away with one there.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:42:51 pm
Batista is pitching like a bajillion times better than last time. Making some really nice pitches to Mauer.
E-6 replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:45:06 pm
jeeebus doesn't save.
socaltwinsfan replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:45:16 pm
Mauer has looked awful tonight. Swinging at two pitches well out of the strike zone for two strikeouts.
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:47:35 pm
Yeah... give Batista some credit, I honestly don't think the Twins were ready for him tonight. He's been getting ahead of most hitters unlike last time where he was behind everyone. I'm guessing the coaching staff preached patience tonight.
Yickit replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:47:37 pm
Those pitches had some nasty movement.
meat replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:45:50 pm
Mountie!
davidwatts replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:46:04 pm
lets see some abidness here
brink replied on August 25, 2008 at 10:46:09 pm
Wow, Justin just missed hitting that one out... Twins really, really need to get him home here. Strange saying that in a tie game vs. the Mariners but dang...