2008 Game 153: Minnesota at Tampa Bay
September 18th, 2008 by SBG
Well, here we are, with ten games to play in the Twins season and they've already won seven more games than I've said was enough to satisfy me and I feel oddly unsatisfied. I mean, a break here and a break there, and the Twins can still make the playoffs. Hell, it's not impossible that six weeks from now, we'll be celebrating the club's third World Championship. Not impossible, but from where I'm sitting, highly improbable. But, there are games to be played and maybe the Twins can pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat. Hey if it was Fluketober in Denver last fall, I'd be all for a little luck coming our way starting now, if not sooner.
There's nothing fluky, however, about what's happening in St. Petersburg, FL. The Tampa Bay Rays have 90 wins so far (after never winning more than 70, ever). That's pretty much exactly what BP thinks they should have (90.1). They've gotten there by not allowing runs (only the Blue Jays in the AL have allowed fewer runs -- or fewer adjusted equivalent runs) and by scoring a little above average. That sounds like the formula for success that the Twins have followed for years. They have pummeled the Red Sox at home (8-1, including 2-1 this week) and have opened up a two game lead, having fended off a recent Red Sox charge. The Rays are young (they have given only 20 at bats to anyone this year who has seen his 31st birthday and ZERO STARTS TO ANYONE WHO HAS SEEN HIS 27TH BIRTHDAY -- imagine the Twins not bringing in some washed up vet and just going with the kids), they still have depth in their system, and they look like a team that can contend in the future, in addition to this year. If this isn't a team that we can get behind once our club has pulled out their golf clubs (assuming, of course, that we don't make the post season), then I am at a loss to figure out when we can cheer for someone else.
Tonight, the Rays send James Shields (31st Start, 200.7 IP, 4.06 xFIP, born 12/20/1981) to the mound against Glen Perkins (25th start, 145.3 IP, 5.03 xFIP, born 3/2/1983).
If the Twins don't win tonight, take this consolation. With a win tonight, the Rays eliminate the Yankees from contention for the AL East title. If we can't win, that's something to celebrate, for sure.
This entry was posted by SBG on Thursday, September 18th, 2008 at 5:00 pm and is filed under 2008 Twins Game Logs. It is one of 2471 entries by the author. We are no longer accepting Letters to the Editor on this post.
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 5:53:20 pm
I predict a Twins blowout win tonight
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 8:45:08 pm
I was wrong
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:11:26 pm
Over/under 3 on HR's allowed by this staff tonight.
I'll take the over.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:33:42 pm
When you're right, you're right.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:12:58 pm
Wow.
The Rays don't have a hitter in their lineup tonight that holds a BA over .291.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:17:09 pm
Morneau is due to hit a catwalk or something, right?
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:18:32 pm
Or pop out on a pitch at his chest.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:17:31 pm
It would really be nice to put up a crooked number in the first inning.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:20:23 pm
KUBEL!!!!!
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:20:23 pm
KUBELLLLLLLLL!
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:21:15 pm
DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDDDE!
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:21:49 pm
Again, if it were anyone else on this staff other than Perkins starting, I'd feel OK.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:23:27 pm
Anyone else? How about Guerrier?
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:22:16 pm
Now, if Perkins can put up a zero in the bottom of the inning, this game will be off to a pretty nice start.
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:22:48 pm
Kubel hulked up!
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:22:56 pm
I love it when the Dude abides.
Guppy replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:23:37 pm
Gardenhire said something to the affect of "Morneau is about done" yesterday, he was talking about how tired and sore his legs are. They sure looked that way on that last at bat.
Good rip for Kubel. Let's see if Perkins can hold a lead for a change. Naturally, I'm skeptical.
FirstTimeLongTime replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:23:55 pm
brianS , I am indulging in a little "La Fin Du Monde" this evening. Lets hope that it is just a beer and not a sign of things to come.
FirstTimeLongTime replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:25:50 pm
Kubel doing his best to prove my beer choice wrong.
brianS replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:20:15 pm
I'm thinking that one "La Fin du Monde" won't be enough
Guppy replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:25:17 pm
Walk the leadoff. Here we go again.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:25:54 pm
Perkins sucks.
I'm sorry...I may overreact and be irrational at times, but Perkins is finished.
He's terrible.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:48:25 pm
Give the guy a break. He's been solid most of the year until recently and I think its pretty obvious he's just logged too many innings this year after spending most of last year on the DL. The Twins have done well at protecting him but I think this was bound to happen without allowing him a chance to skip a start once in a while.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:03:46 pm
A break?
The guy is a 25 year old professional athlete.
It's not like he's throwing with one leg or something.
brink replied on September 18, 2008 at 9:26:54 pm
New to baseball? Or just a devotee of the Dusty Baker School Of Young Pitcher Management?
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:26:03 pm
Just setting up the triple play.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:27:49 pm
Well, I was close.
Guppy replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:27:22 pm
Okay, pull Perk and put Guerrier in there. Man, I'm a glutton for punishment.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:28:29 pm
I really question Perkin's mental "makeup."
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:31:49 pm
For whatever it's worth, Dazzle said he thought it was a pretty good pitch, and Longoria just hit it. I don't know if that's true, but that does happen sometimes.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:32:41 pm
It was a changeup down and in to a right handed hitter.
That's hardly a "pretty good" pitch.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:38:14 pm
I should probably know better than to rely on Dazzle.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:54:34 pm
It was a slider in off the plate and below the knees. What the Hell constitutes a good pitch for you? Give the hitter some credit once in a while. Even the second homer was not a strike, but it was a fastball up and down the middle so I would call that a bad pitch.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:02:06 pm
MLB.com's Gameday has it was an 84 MPH fastball...I doubt it was a fastball at 84 MPH, which leads me to believe it was a changeup.
He threw a changeup down and in to a RHH'ed hitter...that's a TERRIBLE pitch...it's just like a right handed pitcher throwing a slider down and in to a LHH'ed hitter...it's trouble.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:15:45 pm
Not when its not a strike! I was shocked that Longoria was able to keep it fair. Have you ever watched Liriano pitch? He lives on those down and in sliders. It may not have been a great pitch, but it was not close to being a TERRIBLE pitch. BTW, I hear this Longoria guy might actually be pretty good someday.
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:34:02 pm
Funny you should say that. That was sort of the knock on him when he pitched for the Gophers, too.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:30:32 pm
Well, the good news is the Twins still have the lead.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:30:46 pm
Perkins is entering Nick Punto territory lately.
Guppy replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:33:40 pm
Reminds me more of Livan Hernandez, with a W-L record that defies his ability.
Guppy replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:31:15 pm
Another Home Run Hitting Contest tonight. Don't think Morneau is gonna win this one.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:31:50 pm
If Perkins is going to throw a changeup to a right handed hitter, down and in is the LAST place you want to throw it.
Fuck.
Yickit replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:32:54 pm
Come On Rick - Fix Him.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:34:00 pm
This shit is comical...absolutely comical.
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:36:08 pm
Then how come we're not laughing?
E-6 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:38:02 pm
Like your overreactions. Oh, wait. They're not funny at all.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:40:16 pm
Yes, overreactions...
That's what those are.
E-6 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:45:42 pm
Why don't you keep a couple of 'em to yourself, huh? We'll know you're upset, but we won't have to read every fuckin' jaded thought that pops into your head.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:47:58 pm
Hmm, I didn't realize this wasn't a game thread.
My bad.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:36:26 pm
Remember Perkins' start back in August @ home versus the Yankees?
To me, that was one of his best performances as a Twin...he attacked the Yankee hitters in with the fastball, and then threw his changeup down and away to their right handed hitters all night...and was effective in doing so.
Since then, I have not seen him, nor Mauer, call for changeups down and away to right handed hitters as much as he should.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:36:27 pm
Well, the good news is there's still eight innings left for the Twins to catch up.
Guppy replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:37:00 pm
It's a bad dream. Or a joke. Whatever.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:37:36 pm
This is truly unbelievable.
I mean, how can this actually be happening game after game after game?
bodly replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:38:05 pm
ugh
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:38:42 pm
well, the Twins will have to use thier 'comeback mode' power this game
we still have time to win it
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:39:03 pm
GET PERKINS THE FUCK OUT OF THERE!!!!!
STOP MANAGING WITH YOUR DAMN HEART GARDY AND USE YOUR FUCKING HEAD!!!!!
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:48:18 pm
I didn't get to use this one last night, but it seems apropos again.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:39:08 pm
Can't anybody here play this game?
Guppy replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:39:12 pm
We score 3, so naturally Perkins has to give up 3. Had we scored 6, he'd have given up 7. Perkins and Gurrier are both done. Kaput. They need to be sat for next year.
bodly replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:39:47 pm
Abreu just hit a 2-run homer to put the Yanks up 2-1.
Guppy replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:40:24 pm
Gomez maybe should have had that one. We've given them 5 outs to far.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:41:35 pm
There is absolutely NO WAY Perkins should start against the White Sox next week.
None...if he does, Gardy and management need to be kicked in the face.
bodly replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:43:39 pm
I wanted to see Humber pitch. But not quite like this.
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:43:51 pm
negatives: Tampa have scored a bunch of runs
positives: its only the first inning. we can still come back
FirstTimeLongTime replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:44:23 pm
I am taking a break from this one. I will check back in in an hour or so.
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:45:14 pm
You guys want some comedy? Check out Fernando Perez's Gameday mugshot.
cheaptoy replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:56:31 pm
I think I'd put it on the level of Ross Gload.
Guppy replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:45:57 pm
We may very well come back. But we don't have a bullpen to hold it! What a collapse.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:03:01 pm
Well, they can hold it as long as they take a lead of at least five runs. They've done fine with that kind of lead. It seems like lately the Twins either lead by one or two or by 5+. They can't just take a lead of 3 or 4 runs into the late innings.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:46:51 pm
If Humber pitches well tonight, I am 100% in favor of giving him the start versus the White Sox next week.
There's just no way the Twins can justify allowing Perkins to start.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:50:56 pm
Twins have Monday off, so they can skip Perkins.
Guppy replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:52:27 pm
Think how frustrating this must be for the Twins hitters.
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:54:48 pm
heh, Gordo reading a promo for Playoff Ticket Strips are available on Saturday
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:55:54 pm
Dick just did the same thing.
lol
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:57:34 pm
I didn't think you could do slapstick on the radio, but I was wrong.
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 6:59:33 pm
Where was that 3-2 pitch to Pena?
Wow.
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:02:49 pm
Yeah, not only was it a good pitch, it was definitely in the strike zone.
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:03:35 pm
Bartlett delivers the airmail.
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:05:14 pm
down by one!
StatFreak101 replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:05:27 pm
Mauer gets one back...
bodly replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:14:42 pm
Abreu takes another one deep. Yanks 3 White Sux 1
sean replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:18:01 pm
Humber decides to save three-plus pitches for a walk and just plunks them instead.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:18:42 pm
The Twins scored and Tampa Bay didn't. Is that allowed?
brianS replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:25:27 pm
Too much angst in this game thread. I recommend EVERYONE have a couple La Fin du Monde's with FTLT.
this is what happens when our boys overachieve for months. getting our hopes up...regression to the mean is a bitch.
let's try to have some fun tonight, people.
cheaptoy replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:31:15 pm
Will a home made Rye IPA be an acceptable substitute? Nothing shouts relax like something you made yourself that can also get you drunk.
brianS replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:35:09 pm
I'm a brewer-patriot, and I approve that message.
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:30:38 pm
an aside: dont you hate it when you are craving something, but you can't quite put a finger on what you want.
Like right now, Im flipping through the Betty Crocker website looking for something to make, but I dont know what I want
cheaptoy replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:38:28 pm
I had a similar feeling today. Turns out what I was craving was meatballs and marinara on a roll, if it helps any.
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:42:39 pm
mmm
meatballs
I think I have narrowed it down to 'mexican' or 'lasanga'
cheaptoy replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:49:42 pm
Glad to be of service. Also, thank you for giving me a thought for tomorrow night's dinner. It'll be mexican (non-authentic).
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:32:02 pm
Poop.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:32:08 pm
This has to be reaching historic levels. I can't remember a team giving up this many home runs game after game after game.
brianS replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:32:49 pm
all the color has been drained from my homer.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:33:05 pm
I picture all the bullpen pitchers hiding, refusing to answer the phone.
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:33:32 pm
Poop (x2).
brianS replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:33:52 pm
whad I say?
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:39:17 pm
You said, "let's try to have some fun tonight, people."
Guppy replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:35:02 pm
What an incredible barrage of homers hit against our pictures in the last couple weeks. I've never seen anything like it.
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:40:34 pm
do you remember the mid 1990's teams?
Brad Radke was even in a commercial for his Home Run Giving Up Prowless ('Triple Play 97' I want to say was the game)
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:43:44 pm
The mid-to-late 90s teams were bad, and their pitchers gave up a lot of runs, but I don't remember them allbeing on homers like these are. I'm thinking possibly some of the early '80s teams might have had a stretch like this, but I wouldn't want to swear to it.
davidwatts replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:59:29 pm
1995: 210
1996: 233 (!) (4 starting pitchers gave up 20 or more HR's, including Radke's 40)
1997: 187
1998: 180
2008 (before todays game): 169
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 8:14:29 pm
I'm not arguing the staff on the season is worse than those teams. I'm just talking about this recent stretch of games, where we give up four homers every game.
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:36:55 pm
Looks like we're going to need these again.
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:44:07 pm
Hmmmm, maybe some of these to go with them.*
*This is a satirical comment and is in no way intended to advocate the use of illegal drugs. Drugs are bad. Just say no.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:37:13 pm
That's now 17 homers allowed in the last five games. That has to be some kind of record. And Humber was cruising too before those back-to-back jacks.
brianS replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:37:18 pm
Torii Hunter stole home?!?!?!?!?!?!
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:40:57 pm
Well, I hope he gives it back. They're going to need it to play the rest of the game.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:49:18 pm
The Angels just pwned the A's on the bases today. With two outs, Robb Quinlan took off for second and then stopped halfway in between. Hunter stole home on the ensuing rundown and in the process, the pitcher forgot to help out and Quinlan got back to first. The next pitch, Quinlan stole second. It was funny. The game was 2-0 before that inning.
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 8:01:45 pm
Hopefully it was one of John McCain's. He'll never even miss it. /oops
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 8:10:08 pm
Hey! No politics around here!
bodly replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:39:57 pm
Who had the over on homers today?
Your prize: Yet another Twins loss.
brianS replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:43:17 pm
I giggle every time I see your avatar, bodly.
See, it's not so hard to see the sunny side of the street!
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:45:19 pm
Just leave your worries on the doorstep.
bodly replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:47:41 pm
I'm happy I can bring a little joy to the gamelog.
bodly replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:54:51 pm
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 8:08:09 pm
+ 1 cheesemaker.
twayn replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:53:22 pm
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 8:46:54 pm
I'm taking a course on Islam this semester, so I'm learning about the Sunni side of the street.
DK replied on September 18, 2008 at 9:57:53 pm
This was top-notch, Padre. I did that thing the kids call, ahem, "laughing out loud".
brianS replied on September 19, 2008 at 8:19:12 am
That's some funny shia.
socaltwinsfan replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:44:25 pm
The Twins have allowed 4+ HRs in a game seven times this season. Three of those have come in the last five games.
brianS replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:45:17 pm
I'm off to eat free food and talk public policy. take care of each other -- and do NOT mean with a lead pipe or a shotgun.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:47:00 pm
This would really be a pretty good game if Tampa Bay hadn't been allowed to bat.
Jeff A replied on September 18, 2008 at 7:50:15 pm
If it weren't for b