Game 139: Twins at Blew Jayz
September 3rd, 2008 by brianS
6:07 tipoff.
Pitching matchup: Nick Blackburn (9-8, 3.75 ERA, 4.56 xFIP, 80:30 K:BB, 69.8 pct LOB) vs A.J. Burnett (16-10, 4.48 ERA, 3.64 xFIP, 193:74 K:BB, 69.9 pct LOB).
The Twins now have lost seven straight to the Jays, including five straight at Rogers Centre, where they've been outscored 39-13 in that stretch. On the bright side, they get to face a right-handed pitcher for a change. On the downer, they have been pretty feeble vs. power pitchers this year (259/326/385, compared to 279/346/393 vs. pitchers baseball-reference.com classifies as "average Power/Finesse" pitchers).
Burnett is a 31-year old power pitcher, on target for career highs in innings and strike outs. But he already has set career highs for hits and runs allowed and could well set a career high for HR allowed as well. So we have that going for us.
Burnett can still bring the heat: according to Josh Kalk's card on him and pitch f/X data, his fastball averages 96, compared to a slow, 82-MPH curve and, somewhat oddly, a hard "changeup" at 90. He relies heavily on the heater early in counts and turns to a devastating curve when he gets ahead. He gets more swing-and-miss strikes on the curve than on the fastball even though he uses the fastball almost twice as often. In fact, batters have swung-and-missed the curve more than they have made contact! So, maybe this would be a good night to rest _elmon and GoGo.
Nicky B has been a pleasant surprise this season. He throws a 92-MPH fastball and 88-MPH cutter in roughly equal proportions while occasionally mixing in a glacial (76-MPH) curve. Kalk only has two games' worth of f/X data on him, but the data seems to suggest that his bread-and-butter mix of fastballs and cutters keep hitters reasonably off-balance, contributing mightily to his success.
On the offensive side of the plate for the Twins, Justin Morneau has hit at a tasty 385/370/654 clip over the last week and Sweet Baby Jeebus has been 429/458/476, helping to drag the team overall to 305/364/423 in those six games. Let's hope the lumber feels good today.
To help today's game go down more smoothly, I am recommending a fine Canuckian brew, Unibroue's La Fin du Monde. At 9 pct ABV, if the Twins don't produce the desired effect, this trippel will. Plus, it has a "smooth, dry finish," which is just what our bullpen needs.
This entry was posted by brianS on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm and is filed under 2008 Twins Game Logs. It is one of 528 entries by the author. We are no longer accepting Letters to the Editor on this post.
Yickit replied on September 3, 2008 at 5:49:41 pm
Nice write up. Go Twins!
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 5:50:08 pm
I wonder how the boys will fare facing a right handed starting pitcher for the first time in over a week
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:15:25 pm
prolly Mixed Up
*special for E-6
E-6 replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:46:49 pm
The Cure sucked.
(Nicely penned intro, doc.)
meat replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:07:12 pm
evening folks.
Dread Pirate Will Young replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:08:33 pm
Angel Hernandez behind the plate. I predict that Gardy wants some Showtime tonight.
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:14:32 pm
Mauer seems pretty dialed in lately.
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:16:53 pm
after that 5-5 game against the A's last week, he was the post game guest on the radio. He said that the couple of weeks before that he was pressing a bit, and he decided to get 'back to basics' by hitting the ball up the middle again
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:16:27 pm
That was a pretty good Luis Castillo impression by the Canuck.
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:16:56 pm
Justin Morneau, Speed Merchant with the infield hit.
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:19:07 pm
Un-Abidement.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:20:58 pm
Strike 3 to Kubel was the first called strike on his curveball in the game. I think the Twins need to continue that approach until he can prove he can consistently get it over the plate.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:26:02 pm
Wow. Blackburn made Wells look bad. Nice nine-pitch inning. Burnett at 19 pitches so far.
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:29:22 pm
That was a pretty poor at bat by Buscher. Swung at three pitches at his shins.
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:31:22 pm
so, Gardy -- crazy like a fox for starting Tolbert?
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:32:46 pm
and does this lineup count as the Twins' best defensive alignment??
DK replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:34:09 pm
It sure might (I don't know how good Tolbert is at third, but I know how bad everyone else is)
DK replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:12:48 pm
Looks like I got the answer to this one.
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:35:47 pm
socaltwinsfan replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:42:11 pm
I love those one-pitch double plays.
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 6:56:56 pm
socaltwinsfan replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:00:14 pm
Joe "Bleepin" Inglett.
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:08:53 pm
Joe "Speak No" Inglett.
New Guy replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:07:21 pm
*yawn*
socaltwinsfan replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:12:16 pm
When the Twins had lost their fourth straight on this trip, they were two games back. Now with two games left, the Twins are guaranteed to be no worse than 1.5 games back (White Sox are off tomorrow) and they could be in front by half a game. I would certainly be happy with half a game back, which is where the Twins would be if they can win one of these last two games.
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:13:52 pm
nice way to start an inning, Tolbert
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:14:11 pm
Matt Tolbert is the greatest player in Twins history.
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:17:35 pm
How many times do I have to tell you... don't read the comments on the Strib blogs!
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:14:15 pm
Blackburn missin' some bats tonight... and then throwing a gopher ball to the last guy you'd expect to take him out. Crazy stuff.
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:16:07 pm
It's a crazy game.
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:15:13 pm
just a little grounder to the right side, please, GoGo.
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:15:24 pm
Wells finally helps the Twins in CF rather than breaking their hearts...
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:20:27 pm
ugggg
we better get Tolbert across home plate before this inning is done
Yickit replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:21:38 pm
damn. We'll get em next inning
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:21:27 pm
That sucked.
Kris replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:22:21 pm
Yay, leadoff triple!
...
...
Shit.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:23:25 pm
Gomez has lost his aggressiveness and now he's pretty much worthless. At least when he's swinging at everything, he'll actually have a chance to hit the ball when it's left in the zone. He has no clue of the strike zone, so now he's just trying to guess up there and he's taking fastballs for strikes and swinging at pitches in the dirt.
New Guy replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:24:46 pm
Toronto is almost as bad as Seattle. What's it take to beat this team?!?!
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:28:48 pm
Runs.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:34:40 pm
Huh? What? Have you ever looked at the standings? The Blue Jays are 18 games better than the M's. They have a better record than Cleveland and Detroit and are only 2.5 games behind the Yankees. They also lead the AL in ERA. The Twins shouldn't have this much trouble with the Jays, but losing 2 of 3 from the M's is still much worse than if they were swept by the Jays (as far as what the Twins "should" be doing, not as far as the standings go.)
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:34:59 pm
actually, Toronto is still in the Wild Card list, something like 9/10 games down
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:47:35 pm
I imagine that NG meant "Toronto is almost as bad for my mental health as Seattle".
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:47:22 pm
we are going to score a run...eventually
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:49:51 pm
I know New Guy. You, sir, are no New Guy.
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:58:50 pm
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:48:39 pm
pinch hitter for GoGo?? I guess it is the time in the game to trade defense for offense. Actually, that time was the top of the first.
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:50:56 pm
Rally Fez!
Dread Pirate Will Young replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:51:29 pm
I'm not sure why the Twins can never understand the exchange rate when they play Toronto.
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:51:36 pm
Span is not having a good night
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:52:03 pm
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. It.
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:57:13 pm
I'm inclined to think that getting to the Jay's bullpen will be an improvement for the Twins tonight.
Dread Pirate Will Young replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:57:48 pm
C'mon Angel Hernandez. I know you can fuck up this game in our favor.
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:58:15 pm
MAUERRRRRR!!!!!!!!!
Kris replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:58:26 pm
Mau-Mau-Mauer Wheels!
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:58:31 pm
Pauer!
DK replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:58:32 pm
M.V.P.
Dread Pirate Will Young replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:58:37 pm
MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 7:58:45 pm
w00t!
Never doubt th' Fez!
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:00:33 pm
Walk Morny to get to Abiding Time.
brianS replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:03:16 pm
My work here is done. Bring 'em home safely, kids. I'm out.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:04:11 pm
Hello all -- browsing brought to you by Google Chrome. Like the game, it looks pretty good now, and I have my hopes....
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:06:08 pm
Tried but could not download Chrome this evening. I was looking forward to checking it out.
Beau replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:04:52 pm
lefties were slugging a mighty .232 off Scott Downs before this inning. That's a poor man's 2007 Punto. I love this game
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:10:09 pm
OMFG. Punto, you have to make that play.
Dread Pirate Will Young replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:10:22 pm
This entire road trip, everytime the Twins score in the middle innings, they promptly allow runs.
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:12:47 pm
it seems like that has been happening all year
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:13:31 pm
Meltdown.
Kris replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:10:29 pm
@#*&^@# PUNTO
kortronovitch replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:13:23 pm
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:15:15 pm
For some reason, I now fully expect the two runners on base to score. I hope I am wrong.
New Britain Bo replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:17:42 pm
Cmon, pally.
Beau replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:18:00 pm
Reyes spending all that time warming up to intentionally walk a guy and come out is a mockery of baseball. Not that I'm blaming Gardy. But it's a waste of time.
Dread Pirate Will Young replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:23:08 pm
He earned over $6,000 in this game to come in and throw four intentional balls. It's good work if you can get it.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:33:39 pm
I'm guessing Gardy was figuring on the Jays not going to a pinch hitter in the 7th inning of a tie game. However, teams can go to their bench and bullpen a lot sooner with the September callups.
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:20:36 pm
Damn, it's still broken.
Guppy replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:20:44 pm
Guerrier will give it up. I have zero confidence in him.
Beau replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:22:14 pm
nice reverse psychology!
Beau replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:21:12 pm
Gordo giving me a heart attack, even though I could kind of tell from the excitement in his voice that Span was going to get to the ball.
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:22:29 pm
nice job matty
Guppy replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:23:06 pm
The Jays bullpen is very tough. The odds are highly against us I'd say. Might be time to go watch that HPOA Palin.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:24:21 pm
Why? Why? WHY??!!
Why does it have to happen now? Why not when we are down 2-0 and it looks like we won't ever get to Burnett? Why when we come up with a great rally we have not one but two errors?
And why to Gardy pull Blackburn? What pitch was it that made him think they were getting to him? Was it the four ground balls? Or was it the popup that fell for the only hit of the inning.
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:32:27 pm
The Universe is indifferent, socal. Ain't nor rhyme nor reason.
Guppy replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:24:40 pm
Make up time for Punto and Tolbert.
Guppy replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:27:05 pm
Downs is kinda pretty with that mullet.
Damn you Tolbert.
Geoff replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:27:11 pm
What a waste Tolbert.
E-6 replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:29:57 pm
Twain once opined, "Golf is a fine walk spoiled."
Had to take advantage of the spectacular fall weather preview tonight, so I went for a long stroll--iPod--not the game-call. A beautiful thing, really. 3 miles or so, I'd guess. Got home just in time to hear Boots of Twinnish Leather when I turned on the radio. Damn infield has given me metaphorical blisters.
Like the fez use, though.
New Britain Bo replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:46:56 pm
That the Fez is capricious, no surprise. Hence the U'mann caution. I say, "Comme Ci, Comme Ça".
E-6 replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:53:29 pm
Did Ubes really hate the fez, or is this myth-building ?
The man is worthy of a myth.
seels58 replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:29:59 pm
Gee, imagine if we didn't do all the "little things" where we would be on this road trip !!!
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:39:01 pm
Unfortunately, the "little things" consistently coming undone really bodes poorly for the Twins' chances should they make the playoffs. They obviously have a great chance of winning the division... but a porous defense and absolutely untrustworthy pen are recipes for disaster in the playoffs where runs are at a premium.
Geoff replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:31:58 pm
Way to offer and a #%ing 1-0 pitch out of the zone.....
Geoff replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:34:57 pm
Those plays shouldnt come with so much drama.....
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:37:39 pm
Just got back to enjoy the 7th inning excitement...
I said it last night and I'll say it again... this "can't win on the road" mojo is in the Twins' heads. Punto's a solid defender... that's twice in the last two series he's made critical errors close and late on pretty routine plays. Booting both of them smacks of fear of failure... playing not to lose rather than playing to win is not quite the right phrase but it's close.
I think this team needs a shrink more than anything...
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:38:45 pm
Well, if we can scratch out a run in the 9th we'll at least get our best pitcher into the game.
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:43:25 pm
Until they score though, it will be Sudden Death with the Twins' weak pen against the Jays' vastly superior pen...
Oh well, same exact thing happened against the Angles in the first game of the road trip, so it can be done...
E-6 replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:41:43 pm
This is where Justin starts his MVP campaign.
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:42:54 pm
will a double work?
Kris replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:43:53 pm
Need some serious abiding here.
Or maybe a walk.
E-6 replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:43:31 pm
well, it's a start....
40 doubles for the Mountie.
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:44:49 pm
Harris, this is your last best chance to get out of the doghouse.
E-6 replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:48:53 pm
Out of the doghouse--and diving into first!
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:47:46 pm
YES!
Beau replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:47:57 pm
HARRRRRRRRIIIISSSS!!!!
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:48:11 pm
That'll do, Brendan.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:48:31 pm
Yes, there is a God.
Dread Pirate Will Young replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:48:40 pm
Back out of the doghouse!
Guppy replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:49:54 pm
What a play by Harris! This looked like one case where diving head first was more effective than running through the base.
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:51:09 pm
Whew... so we do get to put the Twins' strongest link in the pen out there after all. Giving Nathan a chance to close this one down = the Twins' offense providing the best defense of the night.
smalls replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:51:54 pm
Un-friggin-real.
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:52:26 pm
Three pitches into this inning and it's already looking a bit like the last time Nathan pitched. That isn't good.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:52:32 pm
Holy cr@p, Gordo, shut up about blown saves already!
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:53:53 pm
Nathan's now allowed the last 4 baserunners he's faced... when it rains, it pours... again, seems largely mental to me...
davidwatts replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:56:27 pm
punmanbowler replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:54:19 pm
Wow, gameday showed that none of those pitches were very good. When did Nathan turn into Rick Ankiel
New Britain Bo replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:54:42 pm
Zaun on. So what. Focus, Joe.
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:55:06 pm
Twins Defense 2008: Where Nothing -- not a grounder right at the SS, not a throw from the 3B to 1B, not a pop fly to RF -- Is A Sure Thing.
Kris replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:56:43 pm
C'mon c'mon GIDP please please GIDP
Or I suppose I'll take a heart attack-inducing liner to SS. Nice job, Tolbert.
twayn replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:57:25 pm
Jeez, Angel, that pitch at the knee's been a strike all night.
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:59:55 pm
Yeah, strike 2 to Morneaux in the 9th appeared at least as low -- perhaps even lower. On the other hand, the Twins have to my eye benefited from some dubious calls from Angel as well....
punmanbowler replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:57:32 pm
Don't f*** up.
Don't f*** up.
Don't f*** up.
New Britain Bo replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:59:39 pm
MLB needs to get a Tolbert gif.
brink replied on September 3, 2008 at 9:02:14 pm
I think you've nailed several Twins' internal monologue... and you don't want to be thinking that when you're trying to deliver in a critical situation....
punmanbowler replied on September 3, 2008 at 8:58:54 pm
Close the door Joe.
Don't peek inside again.
Just close the flippin' door.