Minnesota Twins @ Kansas City Royals Game Thread (4/25)

[alnorth]

<table border=3 cellpadding = 4>
<tr>
<td>Final</td> <td> 1 </td> <td> 2 </td><td> 3 </td><td> 4 </td><td> 5 </td><td> 6 </td><td> 7 </td><td> 8 </td><td> 9 </td><td> R </td><td> H </td><td> E </td></tr>
<tr> <td> MIN (13-6) </td> <td> 0 </td> <td> 2 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 1 </td><td> 3 </td><td> 12 </td><td> 0 </td></tr>
<tr> <td> KC (7-11) </td> <td> 1 </td> <td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 1 </td><td> 1 </td><td> 1 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> X </td><td> 4 </td><td> 9 </td><td> 2 </td></tr>
</table>

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/mlb/teams/20080123/80x60/min.gif

Loss, (2-2) Kevin Slowey 5.1IP 4R 4ER 3BB 2K 1HR
Ron Mahay 0.2IP 0R 0ER 0BB 1K
Alex Burnett 2IP 0R 0ER 1BB 2K

VS.

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/v/mlb/teams/20080123/80x60/kan.gif

Win, (1-1) Brian Bannister 6.1IP 2R 2ER 2BB 0K 1HR
Hold, (2) Dusty Hughes 0.2IP 0R 0ER 0BB 0K
Hold, (3) Josh Rupe 1IP 0R 0ER 2BB 1K
Save, (5) Joakim Soria 1IP 1R 1ER 0BB 2K

Home Runs

MIN

Justin Morneau, (4) - Top 2nd solo shot to right

KC

Jose Guillen, (7) - Bottom 5th solo shot to left

AL Central

Final: SEA 2, CWS 3
Bottom 6th: DET 4, TEX 8
Bottom 4th: CLE 0, OAK 3

Starting Lineups

MIN

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Hudson, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Jim Thome, DH
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. J.J. Hardy, SS
9. Brendan Harris, 3B
9. Jason Kubel, ph
9. Alexi Casilla, pr/3B

KC

1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Scott Podsednik, LF
3. Billy Butler, 1B
4. Jose Guillen, DH
5. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
6. Jason Kendall, C
7. Alex Gordon, 3B
8. Mitch Maier, CF
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS

[gblowfish]

Are we mathematically eliminated yet?

[alnorth]

Are we mathematically eliminated yet?

No, we still have a great chance at the #1 pick. Maybe we can draft a relief pitcher.

[gblowfish]

Maybe we can pick a third baseman.
Whatever happened to that Alex Gordon guy?

[DeezNutz]

E5.

[HotRoute]

Maybe we can pick a third baseman.
Whatever happened to that Alex Gordon guy?

he is coming off a thumb injury, and has been playing. he hit a game winning HR against the blue jays a few games back

[HotRoute]

No, we still have a great chance at the #1 pick. Maybe we can draft a relief pitcher.

this team is actually one setup guy away from becoming relevant again IMO

[alnorth]

this team is actually one setup guy away from becoming relevant again IMO

Assuming we have that, we still need 1 (preferrably 2) more guys who can pitch the 7th when the starter gets worked all day for long counts. This bullpen is capable of blowing a lead in 2 or 3 batters.

[teedubya]

In before the inevitable loss.

[DeezNutz]

this team is actually one setup guy away from becoming relevant again IMO

No. Not at all.

Starters:
1 #1
4 #4-5

Relievers:
Soria

Position players:
DeJesus
Butler (bat only)
Callaspo (bat only)
Pods

This team, properly run and with prospects developing, is 2-3 years from being relevant (as in capable of playing .500 ball).

[petegz28]

Does anyone have the game? All I am getting is a blank screen.

[alnorth]

Top 1st

Span grounds out to third
Hudson pops out to shortstop
Mauer flies out to center

0 runs, 0 hits

Bottom 1st

DeJesus doubles to left
Podsednik singles to center, DeJesus to third
Podsednik steals second
Butler lines out to second
Guillen sacrifices (fly) to left, DeJesus scores
Callaspo strikes out (looking)

1 run, 2 hits

[alnorth]

oh hey, Gordon thinks he's a 3rd baseman today

[KCUnited]

Great play by Gordon, probably broke something though.

[Delano]

What happened to Ankiel? Out for a few days or did they put him on the DL?

Depleted bench and bullpen. Poor Trey!

[DeezNutz]

No bunt, no bunt.

[alnorth]

I dont believe it. Our 3rd base coach made a correct decision.

[KCUnited]

Watching Dave Owen coach third is like watching Butler field a pop up.

[DeezNutz]

I hope Ankiel has been DFA.

We don't need Ultra-Jacobs.

[DeezNutz]

If DeJesus is one of the league's worst base runners, Pods is one of the best.

Dude consistently gets great jumps.

[petegz28]

Generous call by the Ump for strike 3, or so it appeared

[alnorth]

Top 2nd

Morneau homers to right
Cuddyer grounds out to second
Thome grounds out to first
Young doubles to center
Hardy singles to left, Young scores
Harris doubles to right, Hardy to third
Span grounds out to first

2 runs, 4 hits

Bottom 2nd

Kendall pops out to first
Gordon walks
Maier pops out to shortstop
Betancourt singles to right, Gordon to third
DeJesus flies out to left

0 runs, 1 hit

[alnorth]

Generous call by the Ump for strike 3, or so it appeared

this ump's strike zone is weird. It seems to be tall and skinny, as opposed to most ump's short and fat zone.

[DeezNutz]

Pods...wow, dude.

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

:facepalm:

[alnorth]

well, coulda been worse.

[alnorth]

Top 3rd

Hudson pops out to third
Mauer singles to center
Morneau reaches on a 5-4 fielder's choice, Mauer out at second
Cuddyer hits an infield single to third, Morneau to second, Morneau thrown out at third 5-3-6

0 runs, 2 hits

Bottom 3rd

Podsednik fouls out to shortstop
Butler grounds out to second
Guillen strikes out (swinging)

0 runs, 0 hits

[alnorth]

Top 4th

Thome doubles to left
Young grounds out to shortstop
Hardy grounds out to shortstop, Thome to third
Harris fouls out to right

0 runs, 1 hit

Bottom 4th

Callaspo doubles to center
Kendall grounds out to pitcher
Gordon flies out to left
Maier walks
Betancourt singles to center, Maier to second, Callaspo scores
DeJesus flies out to center

1 run, 2 hits

[DeezNutz]

Pods went full pussy near the wall. Too scared to even have alligator arms.

[alnorth]

So close...

[alnorth]

Top 5th

Span grounds out to second
Hudson hits an infield single to second
Mauer reaches on a 3-6 fielder's choice, Hudson out at second, Mauer to second on an Error by SS
Morneau walks
Error charged to C (dropped foul fly)
Cuddyer flies out to center

0 runs, 1 hit, 2 errors

Bottom 5th

Podsednik flies out to left
Butler flies out to right
Guillen homers to left
Callaspo doubles to left
Kendall grounds out to shortstop

1 run, 2 hits

[petegz28]

WTF is with us being unable to catch fly balls on the infield?

[petegz28]

Guillen has been a fucking monster so far this year.

[DeezNutz]

WTF is with us being unable to catch fly balls on the infield?

Shitty players. No more complicated than this.

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

Keep raking Jose, maybe someone will be dumb enough to trade us a bag of baseballs for you at the deadline

[DeezNutz]

If we're able get something of value in return for Guillen at the deadline, that would be outstanding.

[alnorth]

Top 6th

Thome walks
Young grounds into a 6-4-3 double play, Thome out at second
Hardy grounds out to third

0 runs, 0 hits

Bottom 6th

Gordon walks
Maier triples to right, Gordon scores
Betancourt grounds out to third

Ron Mahay relieves Slowey

DeJesus flies out to left
Podsednik strikes out (swinging)

1 run, 1 hit

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

Guillen has been a fucking monster so far this year.

It's all or nothing with this dude, eventually he's gonna go into a 2-20 slump

[alnorth]

Well, Bannister is at 99 pitches and is done or close to it. Once again, here's the million-dollar question: unless we score 3 or 4 more, how the hell are we going to survive the next 2 innings? Keep in mind Soria went 2 innings last night and probably will be limited to the 9th.

[LetsSignRussell]

I've pledged not to watch this team till they get within a couple games of first. If they don't - so be it.

[alnorth]

well, there you go. When you are facing a struggling pitcher and decide not to bunt, sometimes cool things happen.

[AndChiefs]

well, there you go. When you are facing a struggling pitcher and decide not to bunt, sometimes cool things happen.

Yep I was sitting here thinking.... "Don't bunt, please don't bunt."

And for once Hillman actually let the team try rather than giving away outs.

[Delano]

Watching Dave Owen coach third is like watching Butler field a pop up.

Easy on the man - it's his birthday.

[alnorth]

Top 7th

Harris hit by pitch
Span flies out to left
Hudson singles to left, Harris to second

Dusty Hughes relieves Bannister

Mauer reaches on a 6-4 fielder's choice, Hudson out at second, Harris to third
Morneau flies out to right

0 runs, 1 hit

Bottom 7th

Alex Burnett relieves Mahay

Butler singles to right
Guillen strikes out (swinging)
Callaspo walks, Butler to second
Kendall grounds into a 6-4-3 double play, Callaspo out at second

0 runs, 1 hit

[KCUnited]

I'm going to dump a glass of water on myself so I can feel exactly the same as I did last night at this point in the game.

[petegz28]

Oh fuck, Trey is going to make sure the Twins score 3 this inning

[alnorth]

Oh ****, Trey is going to make sure the Twins score 3 this inning

how so? Bannister is at 106 pitches, and our bullpen sucks. At this point all you can do is bring someone in and pray.

[petegz28]

Is anyone watching the regular broadcast of this game on tv? I can only get it on my HD channel

[petegz28]

how so? Bannister is at 106 pitches, and our bullpen sucks. At this point all you can do is bring someone in and pray.

Hughes??? Ok.

[petegz28]

Ah, 7 innings into the game and Comcast gets the regular channel going.

[Sure-Oz]

Callaspo you piece of shit

[SPchief]

God damnit AC

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

:facepalm::facepalm:

[DeezNutz]

Neighborhood.

[petegz28]

God damn it, AC, we got a lucky call at 2nd and he fucks up the DP

[Sure-Oz]

got lucky morneau didnt crush the ball

[petegz28]

Ok, well Hughes makes me eat my words. Pass the ketchup.

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

A fucking miiracle they didn't score there

[SPchief]

Did our bullpen just do something good?

[alnorth]

Ok, well Hughes makes me eat my words. Pass the ketchup.

heh, dont give him (or anyone not named Soria) too much credit. A stopped clock is correct 2 times a day.

[alnorth]

keep it coming, we need runs. We have almost no chance of getting through the 8th untouched.

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

Come on, blast one here

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

:facepalm:

[LetsSignRussell]

meh i guess i'll turn it on

[alnorth]

Hmmm... 2 run lead against the middle-bottom of the order. Is that low-leverage enough for Farnsworth to be a dominating beast or would he piss himself?

[DeezNutz]

Is Farnsworth coming out of the pen?

Odds of him giving up at least 2? Let's start at 2:1.

[alnorth]

Is Farnsworth coming out of the pen?

Odds of him giving up at least 2? Let's start at 2:1.

no idea, I'm just trying to think of any way we get through this inning

[alnorth]

Top 8th

Josh Rupe relieves Hughes

Cuddyer strikes out (swinging)
Thome grounds out to shortstop
Young singles to center
Hardy walks, Young to second

Jason Kubel bats for Harris

Young to third on a Wild Pitch
Kubel walks, Hardy to second

Alexi Casilla runs for Kubel

Span grounds out to first

0 runs, 1 hit

Bottom 8th

Casilla comes in at 3B

Gordon grounds out to second
Maier strikes out (looking)
Betancourt flies out to center

0 runs, 0 hits

[DeezNutz]

I wonder if the fact that Hillman has, rightfully, buried Farnsworth has caused any friction between the GM and the manager?

Privately, do you think Moore owns up to completely shitting himself with the Farnsworth contract?

[alnorth]

huh? was that a strikeout?

[LetsSignRussell]

and the shitfest has started

[petegz28]

Rupe's arm looked dead on the last few pitches

[alnorth]

oh, for crying out loud

[LetsSignRussell]

why can't these professionals throw strikes?

[AndChiefs]

I hate our bullpen.

[petegz28]

:facepalm:

[AndChiefs]

Bring in Soria before we lose...

[Demonpenz]

going to have to groove one here comes a grand slam

[alnorth]

Bring in Soria before we lose...

He threw 2 innings late last night. He's only available for the 9th today

[LetsSignRussell]

and thats why we're 6-11

[Demonpenz]

thanks for the help

[SPchief]

whew

[petegz28]

Why must we have this drama?? WHY?

DM should have his ass handed to him for what he did to our bullpen.

[SPchief]

He threw 2 innings late last night. He's only available for the 9th today

If hes even available

[AndChiefs]

He threw 2 innings late last night. He's only available for the 9th today

I know...but quit being a pansy he should pitch 3 innings a day. :harumph:

[jbwm89]

what did split end up missing last year with? He sure doesn't sound like he has recovered all the way

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

Does Soria have anything left after last night?

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

what did split end up missing last year with? He sure doesn't sound like he has recovered all the way


Some kind of virus screwed up his speech, he still sounds like he had a stroke

[jbwm89]

Some kind of virus screwed up his speech, he still sounds like he had a stroke

Yeah it does sound like a stroke

[alnorth]

man, you look at the team stats, and the difference between Soria and the rest of the bullpen is stark

[jbwm89]

Did anyone else just hear the ad for the mariner's series, "Come watch the royals build on the surprising start to the 2010 season". 6-11 ?????

[alnorth]

Top 9th

Joakim Soria relieves Rupe

Hudson grounds out to first
Mauer singles to right
Morneau doubles to center, Mauer scores
Cuddyer strikes out (swinging)
Thome strikes out (swinging)

1 run, 2 hits

Royals win, 4-3

[LetsSignRussell]

LMAO

[AndChiefs]

I think God hates us.

[petegz28]

Ok, explain this to me, we play Mauer up the middle-left center and we pitch him inside.

Then we play Morneu to right center and pitch him away.

WTF?

[AndChiefs]

Every single pitch except the last one showed as a strike on the tracker.

[KCUnited]

Dear Mauer,

Please establish, develope, and nurture a Steve McNair relationship.

Thanks.

KC

[petegz28]

Sit down, mother fucker!!!

[LetsSignRussell]

omg the royals won a game

[BillSelfsTrophycase]

Royals Win!

[petegz28]

The Royals have yet to be swept in a series. That's the good news.

The Royals have yet to win a series. That's the bad news.

[gblowfish]

Yay!
Of our 7 wins, Soria has saved 5 of them.

Hey, I updated my Royals blog today!
http://www.georgeblowfish.com/Royals2010-1.html

[Mama Hip Rockets]

The Royals have yet to be swept in a series. That's the good news.

The Royals have yet to win a series. That's the bad news.

they won their series with the tigers the second week.

[petegz28]

they won their series with the tigers the second week.

My bad, we have 1 series. One. I was all fucked up.