Game 145: Royales w/cheese @ Twinkies
September 10th, 2008 by brianS
Is that a Royale with Cheese?
We won't be using the Metric System for this game, thankfully. Toronto remains in the rearview mirror. Although, I must say that the blood spatters I see in that mirror are heartening. Thank you, Bluebirds of Destruction. Thank you very much. Keep up the good work.
First pitch is at 7:10.
Probables:
Kyle Davies (age 24, 86.3 innings, 4.59 ERA, 5.43 xFIP, 87 tRA+, 49:39 K:BB) vs. Kevin Slowey (24, 139.3 innings, 3.75 ERA, 4.01 xFIP, 124 tRA+, 109:18 K:BB).
On paper, this should be a repeat of last night's glorious victory. Davies has been mediocre throughout his extensive (73 starts over 4 seasons) albeit young MLB career. Pushed into a starting role by the Braves as a wet-behind-the-ears 21-year old in 2005, Davies has combined terrible control (4.6 BB/9) with mediocre bat avoidance (6.3 K/9, 1.70 WHIP). If this guy isn't a Jeremy, I don't know who is. The only thing he has going for him is a low HR/F rate. But, as we know, the Twins aren't exactly the '27 Yankees on that score anyway. He's 2-3 with a 4.76 ERA in five career starts against our boys.
Slowey, on the other hand, continues to defy his utter lack of an out pitch to put up excellent numbers. 18 percent of his pitches this season have been called strikes, with another 8.6 percent swing-and-miss strikes, whereas only 31 percent have been called balls. While he has allowed 19 HRs, that constitutes a very acceptable 11.9 pct of fly balls. His extraordinarily low walk rate and sustained, low BABIP (.285 this season and .291 last year) more than make up for the occasional hanging pitch. Plus, Slowey pwns the KC Gentlemen (2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in two career starts, both this year).
As compelling as the pitching matchup may be, I'm eager to see who Dazz will be calling out in the KC lineup tonight. Last night he went all "get off my lawn" on Ross Gload and Mr. Jose "Don't Show Me Up When I Jog to First Base" Guillen.
Will KC manager Trey "I left Japan for this cr@p?" Hillman pull a Joe Maddon and bench Gload and Guillen tonight for their lack of hustle? I know I would in his place. If I'm gonna go down with the ship, it might as well be fighting for truth, justice and the American Wa Way.
This entry was posted by brianS on Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 at 6:40 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.
brianS replied on September 10, 2008 at 6:45:30 pm
Have some bipartisan/non-partisan fun, kids. I'm off to Back To School Night.
cheaptoy replied on September 10, 2008 at 6:58:30 pm
Is posting first on your own game log the same thing as laughing at your own jokes?
I kid, I kid. Enjoy being Back At School.
brianS replied on September 10, 2008 at 11:14:58 pm
Back to School Night is no laughing matter.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:19:09 pm
Pathetic looking crowd tonight. Nice to see the fans showing up to support the team that is one game out of first place in September.
davidwatts replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:20:32 pm
only had 17,000 last night
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:34:58 pm
Attendance drops off pretty sharply across the board after Labor Day, at least for weekday games.
cheaptoy replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:58:53 pm
That'll happen with impending winter. Gotta get outside while you still can.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:24:23 pm
WTF was that Joe?
cheaptoy replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:24:32 pm
I just saw my first "there's only one October" commercial for 2008. I think I'm actually already missing Dane Cook.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:25:25 pm
White Sox up 1-0 in the 1st after an RBI single by Thome.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:29:13 pm
Why was Young playing Teahen like Joey Gathright was at the plate?
Slowey stinks so far.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:33:35 pm
Slowey relies on locating the fastball, and he's generally very good at it. But tonight he doesn't look so sharp.
Kris replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:34:46 pm
As bad as he's looked, things could be a lot, lot worse.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:30:14 pm
Pierzynski singles...2-0 Sox.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:15:44 pm
Jays' first four hitters had three hits in the first, but thanks to a double play and a runner getting thrown out trying to stretch a hit into a double they didn't score.
bodly replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:35:37 pm
Good work by the Slow man to get out of that.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:36:39 pm
Bert hopes the Twins re-sign Nick Punto.
If Bert likes it, I'm all for it.
Kris replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:36:55 pm
Stay classy, Torii.
cheaptoy replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:41:44 pm
I hope Torii doesn't got to crowded clubs too often, if he thinks what Rodriguez did was a shove. I watched it about six times, and it looked to me like Rodriguez was doing one of those, "hey you hit me, I held on but nice try anyway." pats.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:37:40 pm
DY up?
GIDP baby!
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:40:38 pm
O ye of little faith.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:41:50 pm
Did you have faith in DY during that AB?
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:45:29 pm
Are you kidding? I had UNO already typed into the comment box.
Kris replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:42:40 pm
Delay of game, Kansas City, #28. 5 yard penalty, first down.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:43:10 pm
I have faith in Punto. Does that count!?
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:44:34 pm
Faith that he'll ground into a fielders choice!
Did anyone else hear the applause after Punto's AB?
The Twins must have some of the dumbest baseball fans in baseball.
Let's go Gomez!
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:44:09 pm
Two outs? Check.
RISP? Check.
Time for an actual hit.
davidwatts replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:45:50 pm
good call, my friend
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:46:08 pm
Good call me boy.
(Common man reference)
cheaptoy replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:46:28 pm
Always good when a plan comes together.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:45:25 pm
Bert pulling a Gladden and referencing the ol' wild pitch!
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:48:38 pm
I'd be down for Span driving in 2 runs here.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:49:42 pm
He obviously wasn't though.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:51:44 pm
FSN when south there during Span's AB, but Gameday shows that called third strike was juuuuust a little bit inside.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:49:33 pm
WTF is up with FSN?
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:50:33 pm
I was wondering if anyone else was having that issue...
It's happened twice so far...keeps saying "no signal."
Kris replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:50:45 pm
Game broadcast itself has gone to shit, but they have no problem showing me the commercials...
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:50:59 pm
Nice gamelog preview, bS. Reminded me of this winner from Mad TV:
(and way to go, OKGo!)
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:56:34 pm
I didn't realize last night that we have Charlie Reliford's Band of Merry Idiots working this series, co-starring Brian "Bait 'Em" Runge.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:02:36 pm
they're bigger parodies than Weird Al
New Britain Bo replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:14:00 pm
Comedian Al Franken won the Dem. primary... reads WSJ's What's News.
What's shaking, Minny? Didn't get it out of your system with The Body?
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:58:22 pm
That's the last thing the Twins would need...losing Joe Nathan.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 7:58:56 pm
What a great play by Laddie. Deep in the hole behind second, throwing off balance across his body. Excellent.
cheaptoy replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:02:48 pm
How many times do you see it; a guy makes a great play to end an inning and leads off the next half with a hit.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:00:48 pm
Buck is not getting a Christmas card from Reliford this year.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:02:28 pm
2 good AB's so far by Casilla.
Good to see.
Let's attempt to steal him or something...maybe a hit and run with Mauer.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:05:24 pm
Hit and run, hmm...
Works nicely, eh?
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:06:45 pm
Just be sure that you use your powers for good, not evil.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:03:46 pm
I have a good feeling about this inning.
cheaptoy replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:06:37 pm
Stupid Gameday Mini showed in play (outs) on the Mauer single. Had me all worried there. (although I am digging this mini business. I can't wait to try it out tomorrow at work.)
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:11:31 pm
My wife assures me that smaller can be better sometimes.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:14:00 pm
right, the mini pwns
cheaptoy replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:19:01 pm
The best part, I can get enough info in that smaller window so I can have the WGOM on the monitor at the same time.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:07:21 pm
Bad AB by Morneau...
Kubel is SO due for a HR.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:09:30 pm
KUUUUUUUUUUUUBBBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!
Twins catch a tough break...Mauer would have scored as well.
Let's hope DY can drive 'em in!
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:09:41 pm
Bummer, Dude! You got robbed of an RBI there. Nice abiding though.
bodly replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:10:28 pm
Twins have been nice and patient with this wild man.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:10:54 pm
I really wonder why Young fails to drive that pitch...he's always late on it.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:13:47 pm
What I mean is...
He seems to be almost always late on a fastball in an obvious fastball count. With his "bat speed" and "youth," shouldn't he be driving that pitch?
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:19:16 pm
I think Delmon has trouble recognizing pitches and compensates by keeping his hands back as long as he can. And I don't know that he's savvy enough to actually sit on a fastaball in a fastball count. He doesn't strike me as being the brightest bulb on the tree.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:24:59 pm
Maybe he should have that eye surgery that Span had to fix his ability to recognize pitches.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:14:51 pm
Big inning for Slowey here.
Put up a zero please.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:20:00 pm
Just like that.
Good work K-Slo.
Beau replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:21:08 pm
You're welcome
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:16:40 pm
Punto showing off his 80 arm on that play.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:21:11 pm
That throw to first had a real rainbow quality to it.
diehardtwinsfan replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:20:15 pm
hopefully slowey can make it through 8 tonight.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:23:19 pm
Gomez frustrates me
sometimes...most of the time.twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:23:28 pm
Yes, Gomez, hit yourself in the head. Then kick yourself in the ass. That was truly ugly.
Kris replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:23:36 pm
WTF was that, Gomez?
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:28:18 pm
Justin needed a slightly longer glove there. Or the ability to actually jump into the air.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:29:16 pm
Last time I checked, he's white...and canadian.
New Britain Bo replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:30:39 pm
Canadians don't naturally jump - why leave the ice?
bodly replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:32:42 pm
Maybe he could teach his horse to jump.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:30:11 pm
One more Slowey...get 'er done.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:31:09 pm
Sox still lead the Jays 2-0 through 5.
New Britain Bo replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:50:04 pm
Not lookin good in Shecago.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:37:10 pm
Man, what is wrong with Mauer? He's only hitting .325!
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:39:41 pm
He's pacing the leaders. Couple more games from now, he'll bypass them so fast, their heads'll be spinning.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:38:39 pm
I guess Davies is showing us an example of an effectively wild pitcher. We should really have more than three runs in this game.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:40:39 pm
And that's what worries me...
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:39:36 pm
Offense looks to have entered shut down mode...again.
diehardtwinsfan replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:43:27 pm
trouble brewing in Chicago
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:46:35 pm
Looks like the Twins will have to win in order to keep pace with the Sox.
They are up 4-0 on Halladay and the Jays in the 6th.
davidwatts replied on September 10, 2008 at 8:55:50 pm
see ya Kyle (not to be confused with Ray) Davies
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:01:23 pm
Grant Balfour pitching for the Rays in the bottom of the 9th. Would it be great to still have him in our pen, or what?
diehardtwinsfan replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:02:39 pm
I was about post the exact same thing. He's hitting upper 90s and has been sick this year...
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:03:45 pm
I posted this a few weeks ago...
One of the mistakes that the Twins FO has made over the last few years in terms of bringing in players, and letting them go.
vodkatang replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:05:49 pm
they let him go years ago I think after 2004 because he had reconstructive shoulder surgery. It took him years to get back to being an effective reliever. and he bounced between multiple organizations. Hard to fault the Twins for not hanging on to him under those circumstances.
davidwatts replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:13:44 pm
right on, vod
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:16:59 pm
You're probably right.
It was after 2004...and at that time, the Twins bullpen was considered a significant strength, and had some quality depth to it...and with Balfour facing a difficult injury, he was obviously the odd man out.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:01:56 pm
Big inning for Slowey here.
Get through 7.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:03:01 pm
Good start.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:05:02 pm
If he can, he might get the 8th.
DK replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:08:04 pm
Have you been calling every inning a "big inning for Slowey"?
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:09:39 pm
Nope...but they can be looked upon as big innings considering the current state of the Twins 'pen.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:05:36 pm
How 'bout a changeup Kevin?
FirstTimeLongTime replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:06:43 pm
I spend a night with the lady and I come home to the ChiSox putting up a 5 spot on Haladay? WTF? Thankfully, our boys are up top. Take it home for me tonight, folks.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:06:49 pm
I demand...no walks!
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:07:36 pm
And that's what he does.
Why does FSN always go to that stupid camera angle all the time?
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:10:11 pm
Gameday mini: great
Gameday mini with Google Chrome browser: excellent
Gameday mini in Google Chrome browser with a Twins lead: priceless
you know, it seems like it even updates quicker than the full-blown model, too
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:14:08 pm
Humber and Mijares warming!?
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:14:53 pm
Why is a 3 run lead not large enough for Mijares?
The likes of Guerrier, Crain, Reyes, Breslow, and Bonser have proved that it's not large enough for them.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:19:23 pm
NOW do you know why?
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:18:29 pm
Mijares or Humber HAVE to get some innings tonight assuming the comfortable lead holds, right?
brink replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:19:02 pm
Hmmm.... Ozzie is playing bullpen Russian Roulette tonight... Buehrle leaves with 1 out in the 8th and a 5-0 lead with 1 guy at first... brings in Dotel who promptly gives up the dinger... 5-2 ChiSox with a runner on 1st for the Jays... still only one out...
smalls replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:19:24 pm
Speed Kills!
socaltwinsfan replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:20:40 pm
It's truly amazing how many times the opponents have screwed up a bunt by the Twins this year.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:23:48 pm
Geicos.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:23:53 pm
Dick is making a pretty pathetic case for not allowing Mijares to pitch in a relatively close game.
brink replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:26:29 pm
I think he has a legit case, actually. This pen has been absolute gasoline lately. As paranoid as it sounds, the (presently) 5-run lead with 6 outs to go isn't quite low-leverage enough IMO to call it mop-up duty.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:28:33 pm
So you'd bring in Crain, Guerrier, Bonser, Reyes, Breslow, or Guardado? Who have all proven, lately, that they are capable of blowing any lead at any time?
We don't know what Mijares can, or can't do at the ML level...
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:33:05 pm
Bonser looks to be warming now.
If the lead holds into the 9th, you have to give that half inning to Mjiares or Humber...preferably Mijares.
twayn replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:48:52 pm
I'm thinking Gardy is more concerned with giving the pen a chance to build their confidence back up. For this team to make the playoffs, he's going to need Crain and Bonser and the rest to be effective. To be effective, they have to believe they can be effective again, and Gardy wants to give them that chance. Strategery.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:25:26 pm
Big inning for Gobble here...
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:26:41 pm
Mauer and Morneau failing miserably to get Casilla in.
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:29:23 pm
But KUUUUUBBBBBEEEELLLLLL doesn't!
davidwatts replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:29:30 pm
Kubel having a nice day at the plate
brink replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:30:05 pm
The three lefties in the Twins' heart of the order have been locked and loaded for weeks now. It's really nice to feel so confident in the offense cranking out 4-6 runs per game. Too bad that confidence doesn't leak over into the pitching and defense....
StatFreak101 replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:32:08 pm
Did Roy jut say "cute?"
Kris replied on September 10, 2008 at 9:33:16 pm
Twice, even.