2008 Game 132: Minnesota Twins @ Seattle Mariners
Posted by Andrew on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Following my esteemed Drake colleague Yickit's game log, I'll do what I can to give you the very best our fine university has to offer in half-baked analysis.
Eddie's Return to the Minnesota Bullpen
Eddie Guardado pitched a perfect 8th inning last night in his return to the Twins' bullpen. He got Ichiro to fly out to short on the first pitch of the inning. Then he battled Betancourt in an 8 pitch affair that ended with a popout to Morneau. Next up, Raul Ibanez flied out to second on only two pitches. A quick recap: 1 IP, 11 pitches, 3 up-3 down, held a 2-1 (at the time). I hesitate to make any sweeping comments about the outing since 1) I didn't see it and2) it was only 11 pitches, SSST indeed. However, it I find it encouraging that his first outing was of the 1,2,3 variety.
Other notes from last night's game
- Joe Mauer went 0-4 with 1BB and 2K, snapping his career-high 16-game hitting streak.
- Joe Nathan's blown save was only his 4th of the year, but his 2nd against Seattle.
Tonight's Matchup
The Light Rail(7-3, 3.74 ERA, xFIP:4.18) vs. Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-2, 3.84 ERA, xFIP: 5.07)
In his last outing, Scott Baker threw 8 strong innings against the Angels. He gave up a first inning home run to Mark Teixeira, but scattered only 3 more hits over the next 7 innings. Baker's final line: 8IP, 4 H, 1ER, 1R, 6K, 2 BB. As I remember, it was a pretty good outing from Baker.
His counterpart, Ryan Rowland-Smith, started the season in the bullpen for the Mariners until making his first start of the year on July 1st. This will be his 6th start of the year. Rowland-Smith's last start was a 7IP loss against the A's. Rowland-Smith only gave up 1 Run (earned) on 4 hits, but his teammates were shut out at the plate and the Mariners eventually lost 2-0.
Two Saturdays ago (8/16/08) Baker and Rowland-Smith faced off against each other in Minnesota. You may remember that game as the one where the Twins had a 5-0 lead after two, only to see the Mariners score 6 in the 6th to take the lead. A home run single in the 8th by Mauer Kubel (Edit: My bad, I can't read - Andrew) tied the game, and a sac fly in the 9th by Buscher to score Mauer brought the Twins back for the win.
Bulldog Pride.
UMD? oh, the other bulldogs. I get it.
Yeah its not the most unique mascot. Although it is an improvement from when we were the Drakes.
Duh Duh DaDuh Duh Duh DaDuh. /a close approximation of the D Song as I do not know the words. Do you know the words to the D Song? cuz I know Algonad doesn't. I really don't think anyone does.
Did anyone here discuss yet the 9-year old from New Haven who was banned from pitching in his youth baseball league because he throws too fast?
bS put it in the headlines, though rather cryptically.
I hate to be critical because that's a quality game log...
But Mauer's HR versus Seattle two Saturdays ago was in the 1st inning off of RR-S.
The Twins tied it in the latter innings thanks to an RBI single by Jason Kubel.
Good catch SF. The article I used says: "Mauer muscled his eighth homer to the opposite field in the first inning", but I must have read that as "Mauer muscled his homer in the eight" or something.
Twins need to win tonight in order to remain a game within the Sox.
They just beat the O's 8-3.
radio pregame show tidbit: Kevin Slowey speaks fluent Spanish
That's not too shocking.
Slowey comes off as a very intelligent individual...he's a terrific interview, and seems to always have a logical answer even when being asked questions by Telly Hughes.
I've heard him in a number of interviews now and he does come off as articulate and intelligent. Usually a lot more articulate and intelligent than the sportscaster conducting the interview.
And Damn! what an arm that Baby Jesus has.
THE TWINS ARE GOING TO WIN THIS BASEBALL GAME
*$%& YEAH!!!! SUMMIT PTA BEER!!!!
%&#$ YEAH SUMMIT SCANDIA ALE!
Sorry, got fired up.
Anyone else think of Q-Bert whenever they see only symbols used as expletives?
Only when I see them in the proper order
@!#?@!
I believe this is the proper order: #@%!
Where's my Q-Bert v.2008 dammit!!!!
I think of Beetle Bailey, but then again I'm older than hydrogen.
I miss drinking Summit. I didn't make it to Minneapolis this year. I love ballparks that serve IPA's.
If only I held that amount of optimism.
Optimism?
THIS! IS! NEW GUYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
I like it. Yes.
All this positivity in this town rocks
I'll make sure to knock that positivity down a little bit.
The Twins radio group better not throw too many stones in their glass booth here
(they are running down all the wasted money/bad contracts given to some veterans)
Mauer just looks terrible at the plate.
or maybe not.
Why do we struggle against the Mariners in Seattle?
Can anyone explain this?
Magic!
Must be the rain.
2008 Record: 4-3
Current Streak: 1 loss
2008 at Home: 3-0
2008 at Seattle: 1-3
All-Time Record: 179-188-1
All-Time at Home: 99-86
All-Time at Seattle: 80-102
2008 Game Logs:
Date Site Score Winner/Loser/Save
8/ 4 Sea. 11-6 Corcoran/Bass
8/ 5 Sea. 7- 8 Putz/Guerrier
8/ 6 Sea. 7- 3 Blackburn/Washburn
8/15 Min. 9- 3 Liriano/Silva
8/16 Min. 7- 6 Reyes/Jimenez
8/17 Min. 11-8 Perkins/Feierabend/Nathan
8/25 Sea. 2- 4 Dickey/Crain
8/26 Sea. TBD
8/27 Sea. TBD
I'm surprised the Twins are down in the all-time series. The late 70s-mid 80s Twins were bad and of course they were terrible most of the 90s, but the Mariners didn't even register their first winning season til 1991 (and barely, at 83-79).... and they were Since the 1977 debut season of the Mariners, the Twins have 13 winning seasons, the M's 10.
ready, aim MAUER!
Ready.....aim....
I must echo Bert...
What a throw by Joe.
You. Don't. Run. On. Jeebus.
If those are the AB's that Ruiz is going to provide, then I don't want him getting at bats over Kubel.
Thanks though Telly.
evening folks.
Hilarious.
Just laughable.
Dirty Harry gave that one a ride.
I didn't feel lucky.
I know what you're thinking....
Baker was nowhere near the plate to Ibanez in that AB.
Scared a bit?
Leadoff walk followed by a double.
Yikes Baker.
That's a pretty good recipe for runs.
2-0 M's
THE TWINS ARE GOING TO WIN THIS BASEBALL GAME!
Crazy! I mean like so many positive waves maybe we can't lose! You're on!
crax.
Just terrific.
The Seattle Mariners...the reason why the Minnesota Twins could not qualify for the 2008 postseason.
The Minnesota Twins...the reason my TV remote is in multiple pieces on the floor.
you don't run on joe.
The M's have 5 guys who are just torching the Twins this year... Ichiro, Beltre, Ibanez, Lopez, and Clement... not too shocking that the latter three were responsible for those 2 runs there.
I've never seen anything like this -- a prolonged offensive attack by 5 guys from a terrible offensive (and all-around) team giving a playoff-hopeful team fits. It's one thing to have a 1-2 guys doing this... five is a bit much...
Alright Gomez...let's see some of that excitement!
Dick, if you mention bunting again I'm going to stomp on a kitten.
How about Gardy and Co. put on a little hit and run?
Get this offense moving a bit.
I really love the fact that Span can walk versus LHP.
Span is pretty much awesome at everything
Sure is... high average, walks, defense, even some pop -- did we expect any of them in isolation? Can't believe we're getting it all at once.
What!?!?
Those 3-0 and 3-1 pitches are strikes!?
Seemed a bit low and in, but I've seen worse, and fairly recently at that.
What exactly is Casilla swinging at there?
Just protecting the plate. You saw what got called strike 1 and 2. Nothing screws with a hitter's head worse than calls like that that don't go your way.
Please Jeebus, grant us an extra base hit.
come on Joe....a gapper here would be nice
Sorry.
Too much to ask.
No! I did not just see the Baby Jesus slide headfirst into first base. Didn't see it, didn't happen.
*sigh*
I'm goin' to bed. I hope I wake up to a happy sight.
nick + base running advice + joe mauer = no fucking way
I can't stand to watch this crappy baseball.
I doubt you are the only one.
Yeah, I wasn't real happy about those strike 1 and strike 2 calls to Casilla either. Borderline at best.
But I think the Mariners are really pushing their Karma... in fact, I think the Twins come back and win this one. Just a hunch having to do with the M's already somewhat squandering a shaky beginning for Baker with 2 outs on the basepaths.
I'm making a call...
Randy Ruiz will hit his first major league HR in this inning.
That's the ticket!
Or not.
Not a very good AB for Ruiz.
That's non-clutch of him.
StatFreak and New Guy, not that different after all
In all seriousness, Randy Ruiz looks to be a pretty key guy for the Twins down the stretch. It appears Gardenhire will stick pretty close to the natural platoon at DH and with so many lefties coming up, the Twins need him hitting. That's a fair bit of pressure on the
youngrookie.You do realize that a home run differs from a weak-ass grounder.