Game 150: Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians
September 15th, 2008 by yickit
Tags: Alfredo Aceves, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Kevin Slowey, Mark Buehrle, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Scott Lewis
After getting rained out on Friday night, I again made the trip from DC to Baltimore to see the Twins play in person on Sunday. Although they lost, it was a fun game to watch. Being at Camden Yards always gets me excited for outdoor baseball in Minnesota. I've posted some pictures I took during the game over here.
The Twins try to gain some ground in the division race tonight against the Indians. Overall the Twins played well this weekend, but they'll probably need two wins against Cleveland to stay in the race. Go Twins! Oh and Cuddy's back and starting at DH today. Hopefully he's swinging a hot bat, because the Twins will face three lefties in Cleveland.
First Pitch: 6:05 CST (7:05 EST) at Jacobs Field Whatever the Indians are calling their field these days.
Probable Pitchers:
For the Twins: K-Slow (12-9, ERA: 3.63, xFIP: 4.06, tRA+: 125 )
For the Tribe: Scott Jeremy Lewis (1-0, ERA: 0.00, xFIP: 4.88, tRA+: 385 ) **Note: Small Sample Size** Here are Lewis's minor league statistics. Lewis appears to have good control striking out 82 and walking 13 in 97 innings.
Pale Hose Watch: The ChiSox start their four game series at Yankee Stadium tonight. Word on the street is that Joe Crede is done for the White Sox, and that his locker has even been cleaned out.
Probable Pitchers:
Sox: Mark Buehrle (xFIP: 4.09; tRA+: 120)
Yankees: Alfredo Aceves (xFIP: 4.22; tRA+: None)
It is okay to root for the Yankees . . . right? Yuck. I can't believe I just typed that, but the Twins need any help they can get.
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 5:48:37 pm
right now it is, since they are out of the playoff pitcure.
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 5:55:58 pm
Jesse Crain not available because his wife is going to have a kid
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:00:24 pm
My gratitude to the good Mrs. Crain.
FirstTimeLongTime replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:10:14 pm
I would live to echo E-6's good will. In fact, tell your husband to take another game off if he pleases.
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:13:42 pm
wattsy's choice of noun was appropriate. Goats have 'kids', right?
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:40:35 pm
Jesse Crain married a goat??
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:45:53 pm
His wife did.
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:20:34 pm
Gardy says that Crain might not be back until Wednesday
Andrew replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:14:37 pm
I tune in just in time to catch a DP. Perhaps I should leave.
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:18:20 pm
You're not getting out of here that easy, buddy.
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:21:02 pm
So if you were going to pick one guy in the AL to start a team with, who would you pick? Cleveland's radio guys would pick Morneau.
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:24:08 pm
Mauer
FirstTimeLongTime replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:24:15 pm
Mauer times a million.
Andrew replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:26:30 pm
Lew Ford
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:30:31 pm
He's not in the AL anymore.
Andrew replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:31:47 pm
I read that wrong, but I still stick by my choice. But Mauer is definitely a close 2nd
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:33:18 pm
guh. As much as I like the Answer Man, that is crazy.
how could you not take Poo-holes first?
If not Poo-holes, then I'd go with up-the-middle studs: Hanley Ramirez, Jose Jose Jose, Mauer, McCann or Sizemore.
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:35:18 pm
Four of those guys are not in the AL.
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:41:56 pm
That can be changed.
Ok ok, I misread. Mauer or Sizemore. I'd lean Mauer.
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:49:04 pm
Sorry, friend. I'm a law student, I live for nitpicking
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:55:17 pm
Yickit replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:33:55 pm
If there is no price. A-Rod. Otherwise Mauer.
Yickit replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:39:04 pm
Can I change my vote? Great home plate block by Mauer.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:29:32 pm
Harris has all the range of a tectonic plate.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:52:04 pm
Nobody? Okay, I'll take it. He also has just as many faults.
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:54:45 pm
Nothing very earth-shattering about that revelation.
Kris replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:56:44 pm
+5.0 Richters
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:02:21 pm
It was good. I'd even typed up a bit about infield shifts taking forever with Harris, but realized it wasn't funny.
(Yeah, yeah. I don't always practice that sort of discretion.)
socaltwinsfan replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:11:30 pm
You were saying?
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:38:43 pm
GoGo Gun!
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:41:53 pm
POW!
(Player of the Week.)
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:50:28 pm
Punto leads off with a double, Gomez, Span, and Casilla follow and not a single bunt. What the hell happened to Twins baseball?
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 6:56:43 pm
Players of the Week don't give up outs, twayn.
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:12:02 pm
Nice play by Mr. Lithosphere.
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:12:25 pm
Sounds like Mr. Crusty made a nice play, but I can't see it so I don't really know.
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:16:02 pm
Heh.
Harris's mugshot?
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:19:43 pm
"Let's just say it moved me...to a bigger house!!!!"
Beau replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:13:30 pm
I can't believe how far Hafner and Andruw Jones have sunk in just two seasons, especially at such young ages.
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:20:29 pm
Perhaps they stopped taking their "vitamins".
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:13:40 pm
oh noes
stupid Shoppach
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:13:58 pm
Shoppach is the new Hafner.
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:14:44 pm
Doh.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:15:00 pm
Dick: "Shoppach leads all AL catchers in HR." Next pitch, boom! Thanks a lot.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:17:17 pm
Thoughtful of the Twins not to score until I could get here. Let the offense commence.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:20:32 pm
Delmon with the placement.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:23:39 pm
Harris didn't do his job.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:24:38 pm
That outside corner is getting worn out tonight.
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:27:00 pm
Nicky Pop-out.
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:28:48 pm
So much for that.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:29:17 pm
Can we get an Amber Alert for the Twins offense?
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:34:34 pm
I'll join you in your concern.
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:29:30 pm
I'm outta here. Make magic happen, Kids.
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:30:08 pm
Here's a stat:
The last 11 runs allowed by the Twins pitching staff have been via the HR.
That is all.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:33:34 pm
So, does that mean our defense is getting better?
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:35:07 pm
Only Punto.
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:40:34 pm
Make that 13 runs.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:31:33 pm
Is the strike zone extra large tonight, or are the pitchers simply hitting it?
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:35:42 pm
It's a little wide, but Lewis is a lot like Slowey with really good control.
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:39:43 pm
Yeah, except Lewis is putting pitches down the middle of the fucking plate.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:43:50 pm
Are we watching the same game? Lewis has been working that outside corner with the fastball all night long.
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:34:53 pm
Apropos of nothing, but I think the Tribe play-by-play guy might be Paul "BOOM!" Allen's vocal twin. (Anybody who's listened to Vikings games on the radio will know what I'm talking about.
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:40:13 pm
Especially apparent on hits like that one.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:40:47 pm
The Twins just scored 24 runs on Saturday. So why do I feel like three runs is an insurmountable lead?
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:44:08 pm
Because they're not facing Baltimore?
Although that didn't work well yesterday either.
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:41:34 pm
I don't Choo Choo CHOOSE you
stupid home runs
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:47:23 pm
"Let's BEE friends!"
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:49:57 pm
"Stop eating the crayons, Ralph."
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:43:55 pm
Well, as long as they're having fun in the radio booth, that's all that matters.
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:44:42 pm
We have a gopher problem.
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:46:46 pm
Rally bucket of chicken
WE NEED RUNS
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:51:47 pm
Chicken gives you the runs?
socaltwinsfan replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:47:11 pm
That was as bad a pitch as you can throw in that situation. Just awful. Two outs, runner on second, righthander on deck and Slowey puts it on a tee for Choo.
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:47:24 pm
The Twins just can't continue this theme....losing and hoping the White Sox lose as well.
They're running out of time, and it's going to end up biting them in the ass at the end.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:52:28 pm
I believe they already have plenty of tooth marks on their butts. They needed stitches after that last west coast trip.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:13:29 pm
They've won four of their last six games. This one is far from over and there are two games left in this series.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:50:48 pm
Does anyone really think it's just a coincidence that since ubelmann showed up, the Twins have been shut down back-to-back by Jeremys?
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:50:53 pm
Another punchless inning.
Who would have guessed this offense would shut down following their 24 run outburst on Saturday?
*me*
Yickit replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:55:48 pm
Do you want a cookie or a medal.
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:56:58 pm
What kind of cookie?
That will be the determining factor.
Yickit replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:58:55 pm
walnut. Its a crappy cookie
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:00:00 pm
Eh...
I'll take the medal.
E-6 replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:09:59 pm
Got you a trophy instead...
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:54:51 pm
Slowey working on a quality start here.
Twins' offense? Not so much.
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:56:22 pm
Yay for a 4.50 ERA!
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:55:34 pm
This road trip mirroring how the last road trip began.
*sigh*
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:59:08 pm
that was a sweet inning for the Slow man
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:00:47 pm
dw, how about a little Jimi? We need to burn the ass bats.
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:59:34 pm
If the Tigers can score 7 versus the White Sox bullpen, the Twins can score 7 versus the Indians bullpen, right?
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:06:48 pm
Theoretically.
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 7:59:59 pm
I wonder if that was a StatFreak-endorsed "big inning for Slowey".
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:02:25 pm
they're all big innings, don't you know
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:02:00 pm
Why no PH Kubel for Cuddyer here?
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:05:34 pm
Letting Cuddyer hit worked out well there, Ron.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:11:43 pm
He hit a line drive. What do you want?
New Britain Bo replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:02:26 pm
C'mon Yanquis.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:09:38 pm
Yeah, what NBB said.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:07:34 pm
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:08:06 pm
Yankees score in the 7th, take the lead...3-2.
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:11:00 pm
Yankees score again...lead 4-2.
New Britain Bo replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:11:25 pm
4-2 pally's.
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:08:30 pm
the first part of the game never happened
why?
it was thrown into the fire
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:09:59 pm
Nice managing by Ron in that half inning...
He must be "saving" Kubel and Buscher for the latter innings.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:10:32 pm
Wilson Betemit with a pinch-hit RBI double and followed later by an RBI single by Johnny Damon and the Yankees lead the White Sox 4-2 in the 7th.
StatFreak101 replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:12:45 pm
Wow, that's a pretty damn good play by Korecky.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:16:17 pm
Good, but risky. At this point, though, you have to take a few risks.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:21:47 pm
I wish the offense would take a few risks.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:18:21 pm
Followed by a spectacular double play, which was set up by Korecky's play.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:20:06 pm
It's been a long time since the Twins rallied to win a game, it seems like.
punmanbowler replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:30:09 pm
This doesn't look good with Lee tomorrow
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:32:03 pm
Lee's Wednesday (vs. short-rest Baker)
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:32:49 pm
This f***ing team and its f***ing feast or famine offense is driving me f***ing crazy.
brianS replied on September 15, 2008 at 9:29:33 pm
Now, that's showing veteran savvy with the profanity. Well done, twayn!
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:34:05 pm
Well, the Twins scored three in the ninth yesterday. If they do that again, it's a tie game. Assuming a scoreless bottom of the eighth, of course.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:35:34 pm
Big assumption with the Mayor out there and two on, no outs. They should just shut him down for the year at this point.
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:35:19 pm
I hate it when matt Guerrier comes into the game
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:36:50 pm
Bases loaded. Hafner up. I can't watch.
Of course, since I'm listening to the radio, I mean that literally.
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:40:20 pm
no worries
I am not afraid of Hafner
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:43:21 pm
Neither am I. But then, I'm hundreds of miles away from him.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:49:20 pm
One for the Rev.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:43:38 pm
Hafner doesn't scare me this year. Shoppach does, though.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:42:23 pm
Was Hafner where he was supposed to be?
Moss replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:42:54 pm
Guerrier comes in and struggles? Who saw that one coming???
socaltwinsfan replied on September 15, 2008 at 11:20:17 pm
In his previous nine outings, opponents were hitting .235/.316/.353 against Guerrier. His last few outings haven't been good, but the two hits tonight were ground balls that found holes and in his previous outing, the two hits he allowed were described as "soft" (I didn't witness them).
Jeff A replied on September 16, 2008 at 5:18:57 am
That's a pretty good point. As much as I thought, and still think, that Nathan should have pitched the tenth Thursday, it's not like the opposition was knocking line drives all over the place off Guerrier. As you point out, tonight's hits weren't hit hard either, just in the wrong spot. If it weren't for bad luck, Guerrier would have no luck at all.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:43:19 pm
Indians announcers said Hafner should have been out for interference.
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:47:24 pm
He was on the infield side of the baseline, so yeah, he should have.
davidwatts replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:44:10 pm
Momentum has swung toward the Twins dugout
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:44:39 pm
A Simple Plan for Victory.
1. Get three runners on base.
2. Hit a home run.
3. Pitch a scoreless bottom of the ninth.
Result: Victory!
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:45:09 pm
Rivera in to pitch the 9th for the Yankees with a 2 run lead. I like the odds.
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:45:17 pm
Dennys avoids the breakfast platter.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:48:41 pm
Congratulations to the Crains.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:49:28 pm
Congrats, Daddy Crain.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:50:20 pm
Sox lose.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:51:05 pm
On the board!
twayn replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:51:44 pm
Yankees win, 4-2.
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:51:54 pm
Jeebus heard my prayers!
DK replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:52:26 pm
M.V.P.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:53:52 pm
Note to offense: tomorrow, please feel free to score before the ninth inning.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 8:54:26 pm
You will never succeed if you refuse to follow instructions.
Jeff A replied on September 15, 2008 at 9:17:32 pm
boom
Rhubarb_Runner replied on September 15, 2008 at 9:18:59 pm