Game 96: Twins lose to Angels in 10
July 24, 2009
Minnesota @ Los Angeles (Game 1 of 4)
The Twins lost their second extra innings game this week as the Los Angeles Angels pulled out a late rally and defeated the Twins 6-5 in the ten innings.
The Twins got out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first that started with an RBI double from Joe Mauer to score Denard Span from first. Jason Kubel then hit a two out 2-run homer to extend the lead before the Angels even had a chance to bat.
Scott Baker controlled the Angels offense by limiting them to just four hits and six strike outs in the first four innings. Baker would run into problems in the fifth, though, as he would load the bases with the first three batters before breaking up his shut out with a sacrifice fly from Kendry Morales. Erick Aybar singled in another run before it was all said and done to make it 3-2 in favor of the Twins.
The Twins would get one run back in the sixth off an RBI single from Kubel to score Mauer from second but the Angels answered back with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Bobby Keppel replaced Baker and gave up the run on a line drive single from Chone Figgins that scored Jeff Mathis to make it 4-3. Jose Mijares would replace Keppel before the inning was over and got Bobby Abreu to ground out in three pitches.
The Twins would score another run in the top of the ninth off a single from Joe Mauer that scored Carlos Gomez from second. Denard Span would try to reach third on the play but would be thrown out at the base to end the inning. With a two run lead, the Twins would send Joe Nathan into the game to close it out but it didn’t quite work out that way.
Nathan would start the inning by walking Abreu and then hitting Mike Napoli with a pitch to put runners on first and second with one out. The next batter was retired with a fly ball to right field and the Angels formed a two out rally to tie the game off a single from Gary Matthews and a single from Howard Kendrick that deflected of Joe Nathan’s glove and second base to tie the game at five each.
The Angels retired the heart of the Twins lineup – Morneau, Kubel and Cuddyer – in a row in the top of the tenth. The returning Jesse Crain was sent to the mound and tried to pitch out of a two on, two out jam but Napoli took a slider deep to center field to score Figgins and end the game with a walk off double. Crain was credited with the loss.
Attendance: 38,145 (Angel Stadium)
Crain back, Mulvey sent down
July 23, 2009
Jesse Crain has been brought back up to the Majors after a stint in Triple which saw him post a 1-0 record with a 2.55 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. This is a complete turnaround from the 2-3 record and 8.15 ERA in the same amount of innings with the Twins in the first half of the season. It is hopeful that Crain can help a struggling and depleted bullpen as they work their way through the final part of their 10-game road trip.
Kevin Mulvey has been sent down to Triple-A to make room for Crain. Mulvey made only two appearances with the Twins since being called up, one against the Rangers where he threw four pitches and worked 1/3 of an inning, the other was against the Athletics where he gave up four runs off six hits in a single inning of work to inflate his ERA from 0.00 to 27.00 in a matter of 29 pitches. Mulvey, who led the Rochester Redwings in strike outs, faced 10 batters and had no strike outs while with the club.
Crain will join the Twins for the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels.
Game 95: Twins embarrassed by A’s in 16-1 loss
July 22, 2009
Minnesota @ Oakland (Game 3 of 3)
The Twins got an early 1-0 lead off a solo home run from Justin Morneau in the top of the first for his 24th home run of the season. The game then quickly spiraled out of control for the Twins as the A’s started to take batting practice off the Twins pitching staff.
Glen Perkins faced all nine batters in the bottom half of the first inning and gave up five runs, which included three singles, two walks and a triple before it was all said and done. Perkins faced three batters in the bottom of the second to give up a single and walk and a home run before being pulled out of the game. Perkins threw 41 pitches and gave up 8 runs of six hits and got credit for one inning of work.
With an 8-1 deficit, the Twins turned to Kevin Mulvey, who suffered much of the same fate as Perkins did. Mulvey pitched to nine batters in the second inning and gave up six hits, all singles, and four more runs before the inning was done. It would be the only inning Mulvey would pitch who raised his ERA from 0.00 to 27.00 in 29 pitches.
R.A. Dickey took over from there and restored some order for two innings before running into problems in the bottom half of the fifth. Dickey loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a walk before giving up three runs off two singles to make it 15-1 in favor of Oakland. Dickey would put two men on in the seventh before being replaced by Brian Duensing. Oakland would score their final run just four pitches later on a fielding error by Brendan Harris to make it 16-1.
The Twins had a scoring threat on with one out in the top of the ninth due to inconsistent pitching from rookie Edgar Gonzalez who walked the bases loaded. Alexi Casilla, though, would ground into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.
Attendance: 22,031 (Oakland Coliseum)
Game 94: Twins over A’s in 10
July 22, 2009
Minnesota @ Oakland (Game 2 of 3)
Anthony Swarzak had some early control problems but was able to make the needed adjustments to keep the A’s in check and Michael Cuddyer got a little redemption by hitting an RBI triple in the tenth to put the Twins over the Athletics 3-2 in Oakland.
Swarzak got off to a rough start by giving up three walks, two singles and two runs over the first three innings to give the A’s a 2-0 lead. Swarzak, though, went to his curveball and struck out four while only give up two more hits over the next four innings.
The Twins tied the game at two in the fourth inning that started with a one out double from Joe Crede. Delmon Young followed with a triple that bounced off the wall and would score on a sacrifice fly from Nick Punto. Both teams, though, would have troubles getting runners on base after the fourth inning as the game would stay knotted up until the 10th inning.
Joe Mauer would single in the tenth to give the Twins their first base runner since Joe Crede hit a double in the sixth inning for his second double of the night. Justin Morneau would fly out before Michael Cuddyer hit a two out triple to score Mauer and take the lead.
Joe Nathan would pitch in the tenth to close out the game and retire the three batters with a pop out, ground out and a strike out to earn his 26th save of the season.
Attendance: 12,027 (Oakland Coliseum)
A case for instant replay
July 21, 2009
Baseball has been around for over a century, although it has only implemented a form of instant replay since late last year. The use of replay, though, is only allowed to make sure the proper call has been made on questionable home runs. Last night’s game ending play at the plate that took place between the Minnesota Twins and the Oakland Athletics, however, gives cause to broaden that scope in the future.
The Twins had given up a 10-run lead throughout the course of the game and found themselves down a run in a high scoring 14-13 game in the top of the ninth. They were down to their last out with the tying run at second and the go-ahead run at first when reliever, Michael Wuertz, threw a pitch in the dirt that got away from catcher, Kurt Suzuki, and rolled to the backstop.
Suzuki had troubles tracking down where the ball had gone as Michael Cuddyer took off from second and headed for home. Suzuki grabbed the ball and tossed it to Wuertz who tagged a sliding Cuddyer. Home plate umpire, Mike Muchlinski, called Cuddyer out, thus ending the game. Cuddyer sprung up from the ground and argued with the umpire as Ron Gardenhire came out to do the same.
A replay of the tag was shown on television and it was clear that Cuddyer slid under the tag and crossed the plate with his leg before Wuertz put his glove down. There wasn’t much that could be done, though, as the game was finished instead of being tied at 14 with a runner on third.
Whether or not to use instant replay in Major League Baseball has been a hot topic for quite some time now. Baseball traditionalist argued that it would take away the human element, while others have argued that it would add too much time to an already long game. Both of those are valid arguments but I think that a limited use of instant replay, aside from home run balls, would greatly help the sport.
Allowing a team to question every single play would be a nightmare for both players and fans. Blown calls are part of all sports and I would not want to see the watchful eye of the camera to be used to second guess balls and strikes, stolen bases or base running plays. The umpires are there for a reason.
Game changing plays, however, namely questionable plays at the plate, could benefit from video replay and slow motion video, especially since those can easily called incorrectly due to the speed of the play or due to the view from which they are standing.
Limiting replay to those calls and home runs would not add too much time to the game either. For example, the Twins had some first-hand experience in the current state of baseball’s instant replay system on Sunday when a home run from Andruw Jones of the Texas Rangers was ruled a foul ball after it was reviewed. It took the umpires about two minutes to get together, watch the footage, overturn the decision and resume the game.
That didn’t add too much to the game, now did it?
I think most fans automatically think to football when the topic of instant replay comes up. With football, the coaches already start with the ability to challenge the officials with their calls on the field. It can also take anywhere from three to five minutes to review a single play. You have to remember, though, that if a play is overturned in football that they have to respot the ball and at times the game clock, which is why it can take so long.
Baseball wouldn’t have any of that. Have the umpires decide when to check the video footage to see if the ball is fair or foul or if the runner is safe or out. It doesn’t need to get much more complex than that. If time really is that important, have a two man video umpire team that makes the replay calls for the crew on the field.
The cameras are already in place. The umpires already have instant replay booths in each of the stadiums. Why can’t they use it for other game changing plays aside from home runs? As the Twins found out last season, one game can make a difference. Let’s hope that doesn’t ring true for them this year as this game will immediately come to mind to all Twins fans. The game the officials decided the outcome in Oakland.
Game 93: Twins blow 10-run lead to lose 14-13 to A’s
July 21, 2009
Minnesota @ Oakland (Game 2 of 3)
The Twins got out to an early 12-2 lead with Justin Morneau hitting two home runs, one of them a grand slam, with seven RBIs, but were unable to keep the A’s from hitting and scoring and lost 14-13 at the Oakland Coliseum.
The Twins got a pair of two-out walks in the first inning before Jason Kubel sent a rocket into right center to make it a 3-0 game before the Athletics got a chance to bat. Oakland came back, though, with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning to cut the Twins lead down to one.
The Twins would bat around in the top of the second scoring five runs in part by a grand slam from Justin Morneau with two outs. Michael Cuddyer knocked one out of the park in the next at bat to make it 8-2 in favor of the Twins. The team wasn’t done their either as the put another four runs on the board in the third inning with a two out 3-run home run from Morneau for his second home run of the game and the fourth home run for the Twins in the game. A single from Kubel would score Cuddyer later in the inning to make it 12-2.
The A’s showed they weren’t going to go out lying down and put up three runs in the bottom half of the third off of a single from Jack Cust and a 2-run home run from Daric Barton to make it 12-5. Matt Holliday would add to that score in the fourth inning with a 2-run home run off Nick Blackburn to make it 12-7.
Delmon Young added the 13th and final run for the Twins in the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly that scored Justin Morneau. Nick Blackburn would pitch out of a jam in the bottom half of the inning before being taken out of the game. Blackburn would give up seven runs, all earned, off 13 hits with no strike outs and no walks.
The bullpen would take over in the sixth and make it through the inning before running into problems in the seventh. Brian Duensing would load the bases with a walk and two singles before being replaced by Bobby Keppel. Keppel would only throw two pitches before Orlando Cabrera hit a 2-run double and loading the bases with another walk. Matt Holliday would then send a fastball into right center field for a grand slam to tie the game at 13.
With still only one out, the Twins sent Jose Mijares to the mound who would give up a home run off the first pitch he threw to Jack Cust. The Twins would finally get out of the inning by retiring the next two batters but the damage of a seven run inning had been done and the Twins found their 10-run lead turn into a one run deficit.
The Twins tried to comeback in the top of the ninth that was spurred by a two-out double from Michael Cuddyer. Jason Kubel got a free pass to first with an intentional walk and was replaced by Carlos Gomez as a pinch runner. Reliever Michael Wuertz then sent a 1-0 pitch to Delmon Young in the dirt that went to the backstop. Catcher, Kurt Suzuki lost track of the ball as Cuddyer ran home. Suzuki recovered the ball and threw it to Wuertz who put the tag on Cuddyer at the plate to end the game.
After the game, the replay showed that Cuddyer’s leg had crossed the plate before Wuertz put on the tag. The game was over, though, and the Twins had a historic loss that tied the 1984 Twins as the worst blown game in the club’s history.
Attendance: 10,283 (Oakland Coliseum)
Grudzielanek signs Minor League deal
July 20, 2009
Veteran second baseman, Mark Grudzielanek, has signed a Minor League deal with the Twins and will report to Fort Myers for some extended training before being assigned to a Minor League team.
Grudzielanek is a 14-year veteran who has spent time with the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and most recently the Kansas City Royals. He batted .299 in 2008 before an ankle injury put him on the shelf and hasn’t played with a team since becoming a free agent at the end of last season.
Ron Gardenhire said that the signing does not mean he will take over at second base and said the deal was not done to push Alexi Casilla, who has been struggling throughout the season. He may, however, give the Twins another option in a position where they are at a league worst in production. Grudzielanek is a career .290 hitter and was awarded a Gold Glove in 2006.
Even with those career numbers, though, the bare fact is that Grudzielanek is 39 years old and hasn’t played a game since being injured nearly one year ago. His age alone gives Twins fans plenty of fodder to etch his name with the likes of Tony Batista, Bret Boone, Ruben Sierra and Phil Nevin; low-risk players picked up near the end of their careers for next to nothing instead of finding a suitable player such as Freddie Sanchez.
Signing Grudzielanek may have not been the best move the organization could have done, but it is a move, which shows that the front office is aware of their middle infield problem. It will take some time to find out if Grudzielanek will ever don a Twins uniform, but looking at his career numbers he is a better option than what is presently available.
Game 92: Rangers beat Twins in 12
July 19, 2009
Minnesota @ Texas (Game 3 of 3)
The Twins and the Rangers went to 12 innings on Sunday but Ian Kinsler hit two home runs, one to start the game and one to end the game, to put the Rangers over the Twins 5-3 and prevented the three game sweep.
Ian Kinsler got the Rangers off to a quick start by sending the second pitch from Francisco Liriano over the wall in center field to make it 1-0. The Twins, however, would get a rare power surge from Nick Punto who hit a home run in the top of the third to tie the game at one. The home run was the first of the season for Punto and the first of his three hits during the game.
The Twins would take the lead in the fourth off a bases loaded sacrifice fly from Denard Span that scored Delmon Young. Alexi Casilla would extend the lead by hitting a line drive single to score Carlos Gomez to make it 3-1 in favor of the Twins. The Rangers would get one run back in the fifth when a passed ball would get by Joe Mauer allowing Marlon Byrd to score. David Murphy advanced to third on the play but Liriano would shut down the next two batters with strike outs to end the scoring threat.
Liriano would continue to pitch into the seventh inning before giving up back-to-back hits and being pulled from the game. Bobby Keppel came in to relieve Liriano as Jarrod Saltalamacchia advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt and Elvis Andrus tied the game with a sacrifice fly to score Byrd. Liriano would be charged for the run which would give him a total of three runs, two earned, off five hits with six strike outs and three walks over six complete innings.
Both the Twins and the Rangers would fail to score throughout the remaining innings with both teams leaving runners in scoring position. Brian Duensing would come in the 11th and retire the side in order with two strike outs and a ground out. Duensing, however, would give up a lead of single to Saltalamacchia, who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Andrus. With a runner in scoring position, R.A. Dickey was brought into the game and left a 1-2 fastball up for Ian Kinsler to hit over the wall in left field for the walk off home run.
Although Dickey gave up the home run, Duensing was charged with the loss as he was responsible for the runner in scoring position.
Attendance: 27,204 (Rangers Ballpark in Arlington)
Game 91: Baker shuts down Rangers
July 18, 2009
Minnesota @ Texas (Game 2 of 3)
Scott Baker started the second part of the season on the right foot as struck out eight batters and lead the Twins to a 4-1 victory over the Texas Rangers and give the Twins their third win in a row.
Baker would get some run support in the second inning off a RBI double from Michael Cuddyer and an RBI single from Carlos Gomez to give the Twins a 2-0 lead. Baker would make quick work of the Rangers until Nelson Cruz would send a first pitch change up to the seats in right field with a solo home run to cut the lead in half. Michael Cuddyer would answer back in the top of the fifth with a leadoff home run to give the Twins a 3-1 lead.
Baker would continue to cut through the Rangers line up and get another run in the top of the eighth with an RBI single from Justin Morneau that scored Alexi Casilla. Baker would retire the three batters in order in the eighth inning before leaving the game after giving up one run off six hits with eight strike outs and two walks in eight complete innings.
Joe Nathan would come in and pitch in the ninth inning and gave up a controversial single to Nelson Cruz who may have run out of the baseline to avoid a tag from Nathan. Ron Gardenhire came out to object the call and was tossed out of the game. Nathan would then strike out the next two batters to close out the game and earn his 25th save of the season.
Attendance: 31,041 (Rangers Ballpark in Arlington)
Game 90: Twins take first game after All Star break
July 17, 2009
Minnesota @ Texas (Game 1 of 3)
Glen Perkins and the Twins got off to a rough start after the All Star break but quickly came back to defeat the Texas Rangers at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to take the first game of the series.
Josh Hamilton put the Rangers on the board in the bottom of the first inning by driving a ball into right field for a 2-run home run. Carlos Gomez, though, would knot the game at two in the top of the second with a two out triple to score both Joe Crede and Brendan Harris.
The Twins would take the lead in the next inning when Jason Kubel sent a ball over the wall in right field for a 3-run home run, his 15th of the year, to make it a 5-2 ballgame. Perkins would keep the lead in check by giving up only a single hit and three strike outs before running into a bit of trouble in the fifth.
Hamilton would come through for the Rangers once again by hitting a two out RBI single to make it 5-3. Perkins would follow by loading the bases by walking Andruw Jones before getting Hank Blalock to ground into a force out to end the scoring threat. Perkins would be taken out of the game after giving up three runs off seven hits with four strike outs and a walk in five complete innings.
The Twins bullpen, which has been shaky during the first half of the season, took control of the game and held the Rangers to a total of two hits over the next four innings while striking out four. Joe Nathan would close the game out for the Twins and pick up his 24th save of the season. The loss would snap a 5-game home winning streak from the Rangers.
Attendance: 34,662 (Rangers Ballpark in Arlington)
