7:05 Pacific start time. More civilized baseball!!!
Probables:
Scott Baker (8-7, 5.10 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 4.16 xFIP, 4.21 tRA, 90:23 K:BB, 109.3 innings)
Jered Weaver (10-3, 3.48 ERA, 3.85 FIP, 4.51 xFIP. 3.86 tRA, 107:39 K:BB, 124 innings)
After a turrible start, Baker is slowly rounding back into, umm, staff ace territory again. In the only stat that matters, he is 4-1 in his last 5 starts.
If Pitch F/X data is to be believed, Baker has significantly changed his mix of pitches this year from last, throwing his changeup 18 pct of the time (compared to only 9.8 pct last year), while shying away from his curve (2.2 pct from 9.1 pct). I don't know if that explains why his HR/BIA ratio is up to 8.6 pct (from 5.8 pct in 2008) or his runs allowed (63) is on the verge of bypassing his total for all of 2008 (66 in 63 more innings), but I guess it is possible. More likely his problem has been a bit of bad luck (or un-clutch performance, take your pick) as his LOB pct is a low 65.5 pct, compared to 72 pct in 2007 and 78.6 pct last year.
Weaver, like Baker, is your basic fly-ball pitcher (30 pct GB, 33 pct FB, 19 pct LD), although Weaver has enjoyed good success limiting those fly balls to within the ballpark (5.7 pct HR/BIA, identical to last year's rate). xFIP, however, is not very impressed, probably due to his BB rate and probably unsustainably low .264 BABIP.
The Halo's offense is led by the FFOTF, eye-eye, with a .400 wOBA, and Bobby Abreu at .378 wOBA. The team sports a highly credible .352 wOBA overall, compared to the Twins' .346, despite having three individuals with higher rates (Joe, .446; Justin, .422; and Jason, .406; plus Cuddy's .388). As a team, the Twins rank 6th in the AL in runs scored, 5th in OPS, whereas the Angels rank 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
Let's hope Scottie can go 7-8 innings to get to the Cheesy/Twitchy portions of the bullpen.
Well, Neko Case decided to cancel her show tonight given that it MIGHT rain outside ( it did not). I hope the Twins don't let me down as much as my favorite country-noir artist.
Perhaps she is the Wicked Witch of the West? She would certainly have reason to fear rain.
I didn't rain!!!11!
She was afraid Fox Confessor Brings the Flood would be prophetic? Funny, I always pictured her as fearless.
It turns out she fears overcast skies.
Redheads are a strange species, pal.
Way back in High School I made of list of things of "I would never date a girl if". The only item I have held strong to is no red heads. It is funny how your standards change...
I've dated two. Both were crazy in the bedroom. Crazy everywhere, really.
crazy in the bedroom
What, did she steal your pillows or something?
There's a nasty joke that ends with the punch line, "Wipe it off on the drapes..."
That's what she said?
DSPAN2 with a nice start to the game.
Professional hitter.
What happened to Mauer batting second?
Look at all those banjo hitting middle infielders. How could you possibly pass one of them up in the two hole. They're scrappy and can lay down a bunt!
well, did Lexi really "bat" second?
It counted as an at bat..
they could have just penciled in an out and skipped the exercise.
But the pitch count...
on the board!
who is doing the PBP tonight on the radio coverage? I don't recognize the voice.
He is "John" somebody, but it doesn't sound like Gordo. And who is doing color? Attabury?
Chris Attebury is filling in for Gladden while he's on vacation, I guess. I rather like Attebury, certainly more than Gordo, Gladden, or Morris.
I like runs.
Then you'll love bS.
Holy heck, how long bS going to milk this illness?
Holy heck, how long bS going to milk this illness?
Dude, he works for the Man. If anyone knows how to milk an illness it's a public employee.
+3 furlough days, meat :-)
Not any more. I got me some powerful antibiotics.
It seems that I somehow caught a case of Yankee Manager (Giardia)
So when you have the runs, the Twins don't but when, well, you get it, no picture needed.
Well, I was really "in the flow" on Monday. So it seems that my impact was rather indiscriminate.
Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude!
This aggression will not stand!
Speaking of 'The Dude' at the Mankato Moondogs game tonight it was:
I was all geared up for this, my old man's good friend from high school is co-owner of the WOW! and had held a prime lane for us, but the BS mortgage has us feeling like it's an inside evening.
I was going to go, but my ride bailed on me last minute :(
!!!
We need more Ku-bell.
HINSKE!Well played, sir.
Ahh. I forgot that Eye-Eye is on the DL. Bummer.
what's the over / under on Adenhart references by Dick tonight?
I'm just gunna take the over.
If only we would have been friends when you lived in Buffalo.
could your livers have taken that kind of friendship?
I survive a cheaptoy visit once in a while, I think I could take meat....
Where is spooky for that joke?
Heh, I went to Art school where we only feared the pistols and pagers that came with all the powders...
So, no. My liver still hates me when I
think fondly of Buffalodirnk 12 blue in an evening.One--or both--of you would prolly be in jail. ;)
Public intoxication is not a crime in Buffalo.
Dude! That's expected behavior in Buffalo.
And a tourism campaign was born.
If you like Fargo you are going to love Buffalo.
there are woodchippers in Buffalo??
I think you get ticketed for not drinking on the streets.
ubes would be happy. Two strikeouts! In the first inning no less.
Hello Gentlemen:
My daughter is asleep in her bed. After 14 nights away from home, it is very satisfying to have her back where she belongs. I was out mowing the lawn when she got home. She ran up for big hug. Man, it's good to have her and her mother home.
Oh, and DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE!
Welcome home, bossman. There's beer in the fridge (we didn't drink it all while you were gone).
I'm having some Summit Great Northern Porter (on sale for $7.99/12).
I will be living vicariously for the next week. :-(
Wow. Where is it that cheap?
14 nights? That would be tough, man.
I figure they've been gone 60 nights since the first of April. Now, I've gone down there some, but it's not the same as being in our own home.
Glad to hear the family is back together again, Stick. In almost 20 years of marriage, I don't think Pam and I have ever spent more than a week apart at any one time. We've been pretty lucky that way.
Stewart Cink's twitter really is awesome.
I was listening to the Matt Thomas show on KSTP tonight while out on an errand. He had Top Jimmy on there. My favorite idiot was blaming Mauer's slump on batting practice for the Home Run Derby. If he's actually right, Mauer's swing, which looks absolutely perfect, must actually be extremely fragile.
Matt Thomas diplomatically said, "I think it's just a slump."
Do you think there is a correlation between the 3-0 lead and 4 K's for Baker?
I'm pretty sure that there's simultaneity in play -- the lead caused the Ks, and vice-versa.
BTW, Surly Coffee Bender FTW.
I'm sure it couldn't be any better than a meatmilk stout.... ;-)
Didn't Montazuma's revenge start right after drinking that? :)
well, no, that was the Saison IPA. And I am NOT blaming the beer. In fact, if I'd had more of it, I prolly wouldn't have gotten sick.
Crap. There goes the perfect game.
+1 future gold glove first baseman.
Bert: And Baker makes a great play!
Dick: /laugh/
No way would that have been an error on Morneau at 34 Kirby Puckett place.
best hit Casilla's had in weeks.
With mlb.tv lagging I am going to guess he got hit by the pitch.
And I was right!
a nice little time killer
a photo gallery of the last No Hitter for each teams (26 teams have had a pitcher throw a no hitter)
grr. Morneau with the _elm_n Special. Damnit.
Does Baker throw at Willits next time up for breaking up the No-Hitter with a bunt? :-)
ruh roh.
I'm done for the night gents, carry it home for me.
I broke up with Joe Mauer this week, I bought a Span Jersey. I figure that there are enough people to date Joe, my love may be more appreciated by Denard.
I've heard _elm_n's not seeing anyone.
I got a Morneau jersey for my birthday that my wife picked out. She said Mauer jerseys are mostly for young girls.
I don't know whether Sheenie will appreciate you trying to horn in on her turf :-)
Nor Dr. Chop. She picked a fight with some chick from Mankato over Justin at the Expo NM flea market. I though the good Dr. was going to shiv that chick.
Just sayin', Twayn, you may want to watch your ass.
I saw this when I rifled through her purse. ;)
Baker's ERA back below 5.
How often have we said that?
At least once more.
Buscher missing the game because of Yankee Manager?
If Yankee Manager = sucking at the plate, then yes.
he ate some bad sushi
Lucky he didn't have the salmon mousse.
Baker is wearing me out.
X 6
going to need to run a second line
John __?: "There's no doubt that Mark Teixeira is one of the top-five players in the game today."
Me: say what??!!
top 5 First basemen maybe
Let's get a ruling from DK on that.
I can't think of any really good snark to be worthy of that shout-out, but I will say that there's only one first baseman who's in the top 5 players in baseball, and he ain't Teixeira.
E-Wonder Dog.
Man. You just can't be walking guys with .188 BAs.
Argh,
Nice. Escape clause.
uno
dos
Good patience, guys. Way to work the count.
say, it, Bootsy.
aww, I missed a pitch. I thought that was a three-strike K.
err. Three-pitch.
Sorry, I looking for my shiv.
Nice shiv.
Gordo with the reference to Virgil Trucks' two no-hitters (out of a total of five wins) in 1952. As it turns out, both were 1-0 victories.
oh, and Trucks is the uncle of Butch Trucks. kewl.
Ruh-oh.
ruh roh X 2
I was watching Game Six of the 1987 World Series, and Jim Palmer off-handedly mentioned that he never gave up a grand slam. So I looked it up, and well darn tootin', he's right. Nearly 4,000 innings, 303 homers, and not one of them with the bases loaded.
Not sure about this trend of putting team logos on the back of the mound. Feels like it's only a matter of time before a Ford logo shows up there.
Good evening, folks. Good to see some early abidance.
Nibs.
That is both nonsensical and tremendous.
Throw a slider in the friggin dirt!
Abreu with a killer at bat here
It goes to 11.
I've got a baaad feeling about this.
The wheel is in danger of falling off this sculpture
Just as long as the game doesn't fall into this sculpture.
Our joaks were ready-mades. Du(o)champs.
Heh, that's pretty
funnypunny.It's dada, not data. ;)
You do not run on Mauer!
I'll take that tradeoff.
aww, crap.
Ah, so close...
Oh crap. This could get ugly.
Man, Baker always runs out of gas, it seems
Because he's frustratingly inefficient. If he would trust his stuff more, stop trying to nibble the corners all night, and pitch to contact when the situation calls for it, he'd go a lot deeper into games
plus, keep the ball down.
Oh, well, yeah, of course, you have to keep the ball down. /bert
He's one of those frustrating "in-between" pitchers. He's not dominant enough to blow every hitter away, but he doesn't need to rely on his defense to get all of his outs for him, either. He's the pitcher where it always seems that if he figured it out, he'd be really good. It seemed like he'd sort of done that last year.
Well put.
Scott Baker, 2007: xFIP: 4.45 tRA: 4.24
2008: xFIP: 4.25 tRA: 3.93
2009: xFIP 4.17 tRA: 4.20
This is who he is, guys. He's pretty solid, not great, but I wouldn't count on him "figuring out" anything else.
Yep. He struggled, but didn't implode this time so I'm satisfied.
Baker............Get. It. Done.
Whew.
FINALLY
Why does Baker always look like he's depressed?
I remember in 2006 when it seemed like every single game was an exercise in Baker looking like he was about to break down crying on the mound.
casilla, punto, tolbert, buscher....
this would be a good time for some get-back runs, boys.
Now I'm gonna cry.
Weaver has settled down now :(
Casilla should be looking for a multi-hit game.
Casilla should be thinking about a career change.
I don't know, but strike 2 to Aybar looked an awful lot like balls 1-2 to Abreu, and the GMJ at bat featured 2 strikes that had been balls in previous at bats.
Joe's got his groove back.
Wow, it took Morneau something like 10 months to get back on track after the home run derby. Mauer shrugs it off as if there's nothing to it.
Abide with me.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/cyanide%20and%20happiness%20cowbell/lonesome_star/Blinkies/Cyanide%20and%20Happiness/cancer.jpg
heh.
I love the Dude!
I do too, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I like his contract, too.
Oh, thank god! Bobby Keppel!!!!
Well, time to see if our bullpen can hold anything other than their dicks.
hee hee
Speaking of which, I believe Dickey is the long man in the pen.
I think they're gripping their balls wrong.
Practicing their circle jerk change up, I guess.
Hmm, Keppel's looking more like the guy his minor league stats suggested he is...
Yeah, I've pretty much seen enough Keppel for one season.
Not possible. He started his season with a bunch of scoreless innings. How could he not be awesome?? I just don't get it...
Shorter Bremer: Nothing better than making productive outs.
SBG: How about hits?
Who needs home runs when you can make productive outs and then go play grab-ass in the dugout.
I think I need to watch a few Twins games on mute, Dick-n-Bert are killing me more than usual these days.
If you turn down the sound on your TV and start playing Dark Side of the Moon with the first pitch, it would be a thousand times better than listening to D&B.
Speaking of which, did you watch that new guy blow this UP vid?
I did not.
I like to cue up The Wizard of Oz and listen to Dizz and Gordo.
That's gotta be psychedelic
That would have been better if Figgins had made a productive out.
Can we cut Bobby F. Keppel already?? DFA him and save on the travel cost of flying him home.
but we need a power sinker arm in the pen
I had to endure talk of how they should make him the 8th inning guy a week or so ago. This is the same crowd that universally praises Nick Punto - admiring his "scrappiness".
I need to stop talking baseball with these people.
You hang with Strib Giy?
Pretty much, these were the people last year that couldn't fathom why they cut Livan last year.
He gets a few points for acknowledging that his early success was due in part to a "small sample size".
So, was that bouncer to the pitcher a productive out? Was there a bunch of butt slapping in the Angel dugout? I want to know.
so much for productive outs this inning.
I really hate the animated advertisements on Gameday. My wireless connection is slow enough as it is without that crap eating up my bandwidth.
I'm not impressed with the ad space in the expanding box score on the telecast. There is enough ad space already sold on the ball field thankyouverymuch.
Gordo: "Angels pecking away..."
Me: does that make the Angels peckers?
Helga: "Lena, you're so big you could play with the Green Bay Packers."
Lena: "No, Helga, I only play with Ole's packer."
Hey, are we still on for Monday's game, Stick?
Wednesday
Well, if the Yankees are pricks...
Well,
ifthe Yankees are pricks...Punto is on fire. That was a helluva base hit.
Nice job by Mijares.
I agree
Well, I'm out gentlemen. Bring this one home safe for me.
do you walk Morny now? I don't think so.
Darren Oliver proves the old Tom Kelly 'If you're left handed and breathing' addage right
Oliver has been solid this year. 3.82 FIP, 2.83 ERA in 41 1/3.
We should be so lucky as to have signed that kind of "left handed and breathing" vet for the bullpen.
but he is about 100 years old
tru dat.
Oh, gawd. Attebury campaigning for the "productive out" from Morneau.
sadly, he did not produce.
Bert was saying Morneau should have hit something on the ground. Yup, that's what you need your best power hitter to do.
crap. wasted opportunity. If only Morny had bunted.
can i haz the Cheesy-Twitchy portion now?
You only get the Twitchy if the Cheese doesn't stink.
he best be warming up in the pen
can I haz 6-4-3?
We are doomed. Angels execute the bunt.
"If they're going to give you an out, take it." But feel free to give one back when you come to the plate next time
Pay it forward.
Wow. Gordo just slapped down Attebury.
I missed that
Attebury was talking about Kendrick being a good hitter. Gordo just slapped him down.
Dick: The Twins have a cavity at the 2 hole.
Me: That sounds like a job for a proctologist.
A cavity at the two hole seems redundant.
holey cheese, but nonetheless good cheese
I like being ahead going into the 9th
Good cheese.
Ah, good cheese. That means in the 9th we get....
let's get a policy
Funny, when I did a Google image search on Twitchy, I got several of Keeley Hazell pics. I'm not complaining, but WTF is Google thinking?
*scrambles to google twitchy*
Punto is obviously a better hitter than Morneau because he moved the runner
Well, I'm glad that we have Casilla up here with runners on 1st & 2nd while Mauer is in the on deck circle in this situation.
GIDP?
Great. Key opportunity for our 2-hole...
curious twitter from LEN
4 minutes ago from web
LaVelleNealI think the #Twins just made a trade...
nvm. it was a joke. Nathan warming up
could Steve Tolleson be any worse?
I shudder to think how bad he would have to be.
Angles TV guys advocating pitching around Mauer because Morneau has a low AVG against Angels pitchers in his career.
Joe Mauer is gawd. But Span, WTF??
Mauer is Gaudy?
Gaudi
Gowdy.
Don't be curt with me, mister
Little things.
Wow. That play pretty much makes me regret my decision to break up with Joe and start up with Denard.
Span in the doghouse
This picture kills me every time.
Nice keys.
that's not Kyra Sedgwick
Good Lord Span. At least get in a rundown or something.
Not much point with 2 outs.
If he had been tagged a second or so earlier that run wouldn't have counted.
ahh, right. good point.
Base runner, check.
Nathan wastes no time with the obligatory.
Gordo must be back on his meds. He didn't show any excitement in response to that fly ball.
'not hit deep....Span catches it in front of the warning track'
I was confused
Now I'm trying to tune him out as much as possible, but is Bert really questioning Nathan's pitch selection and saying he's doing too much out there? Oy...
3-2 breaking ball to the leadoff batter with a two-run lead? Yeah, I'll but that.
oh, hell, Joe.
On the bright side, Napoli is clogging up the basepaths as the potential tying run.
Nathan's first of the season! Couldn't he have waited until a mop-up inning?
what mop-up innings?
There was one a month ago. The Chicago blow-out would've been a nice time too. Get it out of the way early and take out some White Sox.
Nathan had 2 hit batter all of last year, both in the month of August
I really don't like these free passes. Strikes, Joe!
OMG. That was close.
Cuddy nearly freaked me out with that throw.
Nathan getting squeezed?
Is he getting squeezed?
That was strike three. Horseshit call by the ump.
crap. Too much damned excitement.
Joe got squeezed.
There goes the scoreless streak. Keep it right there. I'd like to see that 2-2 pitch on Gameday. Looked like strike 3 to me.
It was definitely a ball.
If we lose another game because of a bad call by the home plate ump, I will stomp puppies.
>:0
You've got to be shitting me.
WTFUCK?
Fuck this shit. Why do these games have to happen on the east coast?
You live in Hawaii, Beau?
lol
Beau's world has been turned upside down.
Frak.
jiminy christmas
oh, shit. Un-be-fucking-lievable.
Somebody on the Twins has really pissed off the baseball gods. Unbelievable.
Could it be Gardenhire's insolence of putting Casila/Tolbert in the 2 hole?
>>:O
Strike him the frack out and let's get to Morneau and Kubel.
fuckity fuck.
This sucks.
Looks like I picked the wrong day to stop smoking.
Looks like I picked the wrong day to stop sniffing glue
Do you like gladiator movies, Bobby?
Have you ever seen a grown man naked?
It's going to take a phenomenal effort from the long relievers to win this one now. We used all our best relievers to get to Joe. The Twins are totally screwed. Hard to imagine Nathan coming back for the 10th after that long inning.
Well, Joe had to give up a run sometime.
It didn't have to be two.
Time to sacrifice a chicken to Jobu between innings here.
This team is snake bit.
That's gonna leave a mark. Unlike our 4-5-6 hitters.
Thank god for the insurance run. Wonder how long the relief will last.
If the past is prelude, not long enough.
Angels score two runs in the ninth on two hits: a blooper off the end of the bat and ground ball that hits the second base bag.
Divine intervention?
WEST COAST ROAD TRIPS SUCK
Maybe we'll get to see an Angel pitcher bat.
Oh no a Jesse Crain sighting. :S
extra innings, Jesse Crain. What could go wrong?
I stayed up for this. The middle of our order out in order, so, if we even make it through this half inning all we're looking forward to is an _elm_n pinch hitting experience. Hurumph.
that's an out if Harris isn't playing in...and maybe a little to the right with his range
Crain Wreck time.
What kind of name is Chone anyway? I hope Morneau gives him a wedgie.
I hate, hate, hate Chone Figgins. He's one of my most hated, non-Yankee baseball players.
He's a burr under my saddle, too.
I completely agree. "Shawn" is bad enough. But "Chone"!? WTF.
The fans seem surprised and upset that we would walk Abreu there. Have they seen baseball before?
Have they seen
baseballJesse Crain pitch before?tomorrow's starter is gonna go 8 if it kills him.
Liriano is the scheduled starter
RIP Frankie.
I don't think there is anyone that is ruled out for tomorrow. Maybe Duensing. The frustrating part was how good Mijares and Guerrier pitched, especially Mijares. He was throwing the crap out of the ball.
that was a big K
Strike 2 to Morales was balls 2 and 3 for Nathan last inning.
Notthat I'm bitter or anything.Strikes 1 and 2 were off the plate. I'm grateful but it's an inning late.
Fun fun
That sucked. Yet totally predicable.
That was fun. Let's do that again.
Well for fuck's sake. You'd think these asshole won the world series. Lucky roller off the second base bag... fuck me.
Great, now I get to go to sleep in this swamp box with no air conditioning.
sigh
That's it. I've got some stomping to do.
great minds, janus.
heh, glad we're all on the same page.
/trying to fit in
AUGH!
That is my contribution to this game log.
Pretty much sums it up.
Seriously, this team is finding every horribly gut-busting heart-destroying way to lose this season. If this keeps up, I'm going to need some serious therapy.
Next up: Twins lose 1-0 on a walk-off balk in the 16th after Liriano goes 10 no-hit innings.
I really shouldn't be this pissed off about a baseball game, but I am. And I'm out of beer. And that pisses me off even more.
That was the Twins' seventh walkoff loss of the season already. And that doesn't include the 14-13 loss or the two games Blackburn blew eighth-inning leads on extra-base hits to Adam (&^&^( Kennedy and Jason Kendall.
LEN with some quality Twitter snark
Jesse Crain now in for the #Twins. Let's see what he's learned in Rochester...
next message
The Crain slider is back, I see....#Twins