Twins-Rays: Bass Leaves Game With Back Strain
Posted on April 17th, 2008 – 4:24 PMBy La Velle
Righthander Brian Bass left tonight’s game in the fifth inning with some sort of injury. He had just completed an intentional walk to Eric Hinske when he motioned to the Twins dugout for help. Never seen that before.
Matt Guerrier has replaced Bass. We’ll update you here when we’re given an update.
Update: Bass left the game with a lower back strain and is listed as day-to-day.
Speaking of updates, Carlos Pena left the game after four innings with a tight right hamstring….
Twins starter Boof Bonser had trouble throwing strikes all night and was removed after he loaded the bases in the fifth. But Bass lasted just 14 pitches.
I love Carl Crawford’s skills but he’s got to slow the game down a little bit and remember game situations. I spoke to some people after the game and they said the mistakes he’s made at the Dome since 2007 are examples of why things have been even tougher on the Rays (it’s bad enough they’re in the AL East). Crawford hasn’t been the only cuprit over there.
I’ve talked with Joe Maddon a couple times and I think he’s got things headed in the right direction. But Crawford can’t let his brain fall behind his body.
In a highly unusual move, the Twins were on the field at 3:45 p.m. this afternoon - about 45 minutes earlier that they normally are. They are going over all kinds of fielding drills. I know there have been a couple miscues in recent games but I don’t think there’s been a rash of mistakes.
Anyway, here are the lineups:
Tampa Bay (6-9):1.Akinori Iwamura, 2B. 2. Carl Crawford, LF. 3. B.J. Upton, CF. 4. Carlos Pena, 1B. 5. Evan Longoria, 3. 6. Eric Hinske, RF. 7. Jonny Gomes, DH. 8. Mike Difelice, C. 9. Jason Bartlett, SS. Pitching: Jason Hammel.
Twins (7-8): 1. Carlos Gomez, CF. 2. Matt Tolbert, SS. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Delmon Young, LF. 6. Jason Kubel, DH. 7. Brendan Harris, 2B. 8. Mike Lamb, 3B. 9. Denard Span, RF. Pitching: Boff Bonser.
372 Responses to "Twins-Rays: Bass Leaves Game With Back Strain"
First
What the …. where is Punto? Not even worth watching to night!
I like the line up today. Monroe where you at buddy???
I like the line up. Can’t wait to have cuddy back so we can drop span. I hope D-Young can really start hitting so Gardy can put him in the 3rd spot and put cuddy behind Morneau where he belongs.
“What the…”
Hey, I saw this great license plate last night and thought of you. The plate was: WTF
Was that you? A young blonde lady in a Chrysler convertible. Nice…
lol
Gogo is going for 162 games straight this year.
wife
CG,
He is 22, Why not? Big D should also play 162 this year.
I think Span has been solid since he’s come up. Doesn’t sound like Cuddy will be ready anytime soon, and I’d rather see Span then Craig aka Out Machine.
What the…
plate was nice; how did you get it past the license plate police?
bc twins
I agree. And, Morny could do it as well. How hard is it to walk around the bases and to catch throws?
HB,
I think they should drop Punto or Span and bring up Buscher then you have a righty and a lefty “power” bat off the bench.
I think Span has been solid since he’s come up.
If an OPS+ of 64 is “solid”.
(for reference, Punto’s career OPS+ is 69)
But we’re the Twins, we love light hitting good guys.
Folks, is anyone in agreement with me that we should scratch the Adam Everett project?
Sincerely, I know it’s only been two weeks–but I’ve seen enough!
Good lineup tonight…let’s keep it rollng…no let down, Boooooof.
OPS+ of 64 isn’t good. BUT, Span isn’t a power hitter, so it’s not exactly fair to compare him to power hitters. His “S” portion of OPS will not reach those levels. The “O” portion is really all he should care about.
“is anyone in agreement with me that we should scratch the Adam Everett project?”
I’ve been as down on him as anyone, but if he’s hurt, and that’s why the arm/throwing problems, then let’s get it taken care of and go from there. It’d be silly at this stage to just give up on something like that.
its time for Mauer to pull a Robin Yount and switch to a position where the team needs him, Mike Lamb can continue to get the 200-300 at bats he gets backing up Mauer when he gets injured (inevitable).
Don’t get your hopes up, Twins fans. In looking at this lineup, I’d say that you have 2 legitimate starters and the rest belong on the bench or in AAA. Tolbert? Please. You guys think he’s your savior in the infield but he has NO experience and will likely end up being your next Punto without the defense. Gomez has no discipline and the novelty of having a “fast guy” is going to wear off come May. Mauer, Cuddyer and Kubel will be sitting with injuries the majority of the season and Liriano is going to go the way of former twin Joe Mays.
It’s a good thing you guys still play in the metrodome, because with the higher concession prices you’ll have to pay in the new stadium it is unlikely that you’ll even be able to drink yourselves into thinking you have even an AVERAGE team.
I agree, scratch the Ever-Out Project @ short. Deal some arms for some left side infielders with power…ha
there should be no monroe bashing, hell, he doesnt get enough at bats to even get a chance…we need his rt handed bat and i would think gardy would work him in a bit more often-guys need to play to be effective…
Ever-Out Plroject = Tony Bastisa Project
However, I would give TB the nod because his grand slam stayed fair, Ever-Out’s drifted foul… maybe he’ll shack up with Rrrrew Ford in Japan
I also forgot to mention that I am a big bag dousche
1. Carlos Gomez, CF. 2. Matt Tolbert, SS. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Delmon Young, LF. 6. Jason Kubel, DH. 7. Brendan Harris, 2B. 8. Mike Lamb, 3B. 9. Denard Span, RF. Pitching: Boff Bonser.
Boff Bonser??
Big bag dousche?
Whoever posted under my name is clearly lacking in grammar as well as spelling. How stereotypically Midwestern.
EastCoastFan: Is that you Hank Steinbrenner?
I’d been to durn busy ridin’ m’ tractor to reed dem bookz!
Joe@IcanPLAY3rd.com:
The only way Joe will see time at the hot corner will be in the seats following his career-ending knee injury.
We need Everett because without him SS would be very weak, I like Tolbert but Tolbert isn’t great at short and we don’t need to find a reason to let LNP play. Buscher is hitting good in AAA but again its AAA, and hes playing everyday and hes DH, he wouldn’t be able to do any of those things with the big club. If anything we need a righty bat we have enough Lefty bats.
Hey EastCoastFan, the Jerk Store called, and they ran out of YOU!
Which is too bad, ’cause you’re their all time best seller!
And I slept with your wife last night!
Hope she comes outta the coma soon…
Umm…Joe…with him (Everett) SS is very weak!
He’s young enough where we could give him 18 months off, the transfer his contract to the Minnesota Vikings, cut Tavaris Jackson, and then at least one Minnesota Franchise can get a championship…Baby Joe can then go on to be the Governor for crying out loud…
“But we’re the Twins, we love light hitting good guys.”
Teams with a high OBP combined with a high batting AVG, score lots of runs. SLG increases that, but sluggers are typically expensive, and a small market team can’t afford everything.
The Twins can score plenty of runs without sluggers especially if they can combine some speed with high OBP and AVG.
Of course, pitching and fielding should always be the two top priorities.
I think Punto gives us much better coverage as a backup than Ever-Out does, plus he covers multiple positions, is much faster, and brings nostalgic memories of 06′.
This is my favorite lineup with the current roster.
Everett? I don’t necessarily agree with Jason but he and LNP are redundant. If Tolbert isn’t the everyday SS then either one (but not both) would do. Having all three on the roster is unnecessary. Get rid of one and add Buscher/Ruiz/Knott/Jones/Pridied.
When Cuddy comes back… keep Span send Gomez down. I know, I know… Don’t have time to explain now but I’ve got my reasons.
Buscher’s putting up some nice numbers in AAA. And did anyone notice Butera’s stats. Toby’s also leading his team in BA. Strange times.
Yeah LaVelle, no rash of mistakes. But they could have won both games in Detroit without the Everett error in game 1 and Crain’s in game 2.
They could have won if Guerrier and Neshek didn’t leave belt-high pitches over the plate, too. Neither of them could keep the ball down in the zone and got hit hard for it.
Mauer is playing at a position where we need him — catcher.
The Twins have been driving in a lot of runs this year with singles. This is the case with the Twins every year. That is why a high OBP that is largely generated by AVG is superior to a high OBP that is largely generated by walks.
A walk will not bring in a run, unless the bases are loaded. A single can drive in a runner from third or second. A single can also often send a base-runner, from first to third. A walk cannot.
The old adage that “a walk is as good as a single”, in many instances, is completely false.
“Carlos G says:
April 17th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Gogo is going for 162 games straight this year.”
GoGo better go for a higher OBP.
TWINSFAN32:
You don’t like Boff? ? ?
Freaking thank you for putting Span 9th in the order.
eastcoast fan,lol, no one i know is an east coast fan, either you love the yanks or redsox, not the region. my guess is you are a south east (florida fan) and because all your teams are horrible you try and play you like the whole coast, lmao, loser! heck you might even be a disgruntled Avs fan 
EastCoastIdiot:
Have you even seen a Twins game this year?
Gomez has SICK bat speed, a golden glove, and a monster arm to go with the best wheels in all of baseball. 15 games 9 SB. that projects out to over 100. When he learns to work pitchers better he will be a top 5 player in the league. But then I suppose you’re blinded by the freakish talent of melky “no tool” cabrera and jacoby “tyner” ellsbury. And Phil “Ball4″ Hughes. Over/Under on him making about 10 starts before his next injury. Geez, sure glad you held onto that assclown instead of trading for santana.
Have fun paying arod, posada, and rivera 60 million dollars into their forties to go along with post-roids giambi and washed up matsui and damon. If baseball had a salary cap like the NBA you’d be in the same situation as the knicks.
Pretty funny how that guy buried the Ortiz jersey in the cement in your new stadium and how paranoid they were to get rid of it.
And the Rays trading Delmon Young and replacing him with a roid-ravaged retread like Eric Hinske. How much sense did that make? Good Luck with Headcase Garza and his arrow-straight fastball he throws on about 85% of his pitches, bartlett who can’t even manage warning track power, and that reliever morlan we gave them who has no control and a history of arm problems.
Harris is a hitting machine. Lamb has been hitting the ball pretty well but not getting anything to drop. Teams have him scouted pretty well in that they play their LF close to the line because he hits it there alot. He will have to adjust.
No one thinks tolbert is a savior, but he has been a pleasant surprise. He has pretty good pitch recognition and uses the whole field, while he’s solid in the field and makes all the plays he should.
No one expects him to keep hitting .400,
but .285 with a high OBP, lots of doubles, and low Errors is realistic for him.
Mauer is too good a C to move to 3rd, he’s also too tall to play effectively there. 6′6″ 3rd baseman are a rarity for a reason.
Kubel is a beast. He is going to have a monster year. Finally gardy has let him play every day and it will pay off.
When cuddyer comes back we will have exactly zero automatic outs in our lineup if tolbert plays SS. That is a helluva lot better than last year when we had punto and RonDL.
The bullpen is what worries me. Guerrier has dropped velocity from last year and Neshek and Crain are getting hit hard. We have no one in the minors ready to step in either, unless we try Humber or Perkins there. At least Bass has been a pleasant surprise and Nathan has been solid.
Liriano will come around. He just has absolutely no control of his fastball right now or feel for his slider because of the long layoff, which is understandable. But his changeup has been absolutely filthy (as has scott baker’s).
It’s a different game now than 10 years ago. It’s much tougher for a power pitcher to dominate if he has a straight fastball unless he has a sick offspeed pitch. (See example 1: CC Sabathia this year). So many pitchers now rely on the movement of their fastball to get outs instead of the velocity. The current Twins staff is a great example. You don’t see alot of 4-seamers any more from our righty starters, even Boof throws alot of 2-seamers now in the upper 80’s instead of his usual 93-94 thigh-high 4-seamer getting knocked around the park. The results speak for themselves with the success boof, blackburn, and baker have shown.
Guerra should be an exception because of his sick changeup. That 95 MPH heater will look alot faster, plus he’s only 18, when he’s 21-22 he could be throwing 97-98 with his tall frame. This trade could end up being a heist of pierzynski preportions if Johan keeps giving up gopher balls and 1 or 2 of the pitchers pan out. 5 years from now maybe no one will even remember the names phil hughes or jacoby ellsbury.
I’m a displaced Yankees fan FROM the East Coast. There’s a freakin’ link if you click on my user name.
And Midwest fan, I honestly stopped reading after the 3rd sentence. Sweet Jesus man got a life outside sports??
Preach on MidwestFan, preach on brother.
EastCoat: People who like other teams shouldn’t hang out on a TWINS blog.
Midwest: blogspot.com. Make your own. They are free.
What, too much knowledge for ya EastCoastFan?
Bury, under the new stadium, one of Punto’s bats, along with an 8X10 glossy of him nailed to it. That way we can always keep a little bit of Sparky with us.
Every time the Twins need a scrappy play, we can conjure up the indomitable spirit of the little Sparkster.
“And Midwest fan, I honestly stopped reading after the 3rd sentence.”
Haha. I have to admit, so did I.
Crawford is a good fantasy player but not a good real player. Too weak to be a corner outfielder. If you have speed and aren’t in CF you are worthless defensively also.
“If you have speed and aren’t in CF you are worthless defensively also.”
Who made that rule?
Haha. I have to admit, so did I.
Same here. When I saw how long it was I assumed it was one of BC’s.
Shannon Stewart
Boy, If Punto could hit .260 to .275 I would have no problem with him playing
SS. The plays he made last night including the double play ball on Bartlett just goes to show you how good this guy is with the glove…..but the bat?? Good lineup. Go get ‘em Boof.
“When I saw how long it was I assumed it was one of BC’s.”
Couldn’t have been BC. The first three lines didn’t have seven spelling errors.
Mauer at 3B??
Do you realize that if the Baby Jesus played any other position other than catcher, he’d be a very average big leaguer. It’s his skills behind the dish that separate him from the average catcher. Third sackers that hit .280-.300 with 7-10 HR’s a year are not a big deal.
Glad to hear the extra work, like hopefully getting Gomez to throw a ball in a straight line to a base or cut-off man?
Sorry so many words painful to small eastcoast brain. Too much smog and traffic make attention span shrink.
Sure I have a life, we multitask here in the midwest. As I type I’m eating a sandwich and watching your parents on YouTube performing in the circus.
I post once in a blue moon and kinda shoot the whole load instead of making a bunch of small pissing-match style nuisance posts that are so common on blogs and message boards. When you resort to the old “got a life” jab you know you’ve been owned. Anyone who uses that tired-ass cliche’ secretly embraces said cliche’ (hence trolling opposing team message boards). Bonus lame points for mentioning “Sweet Jesus”. If you read above a 3rd grade level there are actually some observations in there for you since you obviously don’t get much twins coverage out there.
Enjoy the game folks.
Have you noticed Mulvey’s stats this year in Rochester?
17.2 IP, 3 BB, 20 K, 2-1, 1.02 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
not bad…
Both Punto and Tolbert are fill-ins at SS. Right now the Everett signing looks Rondell-esque, but according to all I’ve ever seen or read, the guy is a great defensive SS. But just like White the last two years, if he is nicked up and unable to play, it is a waste of a roster space and a couple million dollars.
Did anyone notice lately on FSN when they show pictures of past Twins they’ve changed the logo on their hat from the “M” to the “TC”. They showed a picture of Scott Erickson last night and he was wearing the “TC” hat. Same with a shot of Knoblauch. Erickson was long gone before they switched back to the original hat. A hate the “M” hat. Wish they ditch it for the road hats as well. I like Ullger and White wearing the “Butch Wynegar” helmets like our catchers do at the Dome.
The Twins 5-man rotation looks set for a while with Liriano pitching the next 2 day games….one next Thurs in Oakland and the other at the Dome the following Wednesday, April 30.
They could skip Blackburn on May 2 because of an offday on the 1st. But I doubt they’d do that.
The rest of the schedule isn’t exactly easy either. Haven’t researched it, but Texas makes me worry a little. And Oakland’s always tough in their Coliseum thing.
Seth,
I think it is fair to compare him to power hitters, since most right fielders are power hitters. But even comparing him to center fielders is problematic because he won’t have the high OBP to offset his low SLG. OPS+ is the best stat to measure offensive proficiency. There are many ways to get there. But you can’t get there if you don’t get on base or hit for power.
I meant to write that this is the best line-up since Cuddyer went on the DL. Span is not bad in the number nine hole, but he doesn’t belong anywhere else.
flateblade: “but according to all I’ve ever seen or read, the guy (Everett) is a great defensive SS.”
You must not have seen or heard about the series in Kansas City or the game on Monday in Detroit.
I looked at the minors stats today. Mulvey has very good numbers. Two guys who are supposed to be a phone call away, Humber and Perkins, do not. Mariano Gomez, one of the anonymous guys who were in camp and sent out, has been very good in the bullpen and he is a lefty.
I think Humber and Perkins should transition into the bullpen. Both have good arms, but don’t seem to be able to make long starts.
If Everett’s hurt, then that’s the problem. But by the time he gets healthy, a younger guy will have taken his spot.
As far as EastCoastFan is concerned…people, don’t feed the trolls. Just bury a jersey near their stadium and you’ll keep’em busy for a weekend or two.
It still escapes me why Span has more ABs than Monroe…
OPS+ is the best stat to measure offensive proficiency.
I might be wrong, but I thought even the guru himself, had backed off on the whole OPS thing.
Of course, what do I know. I don’t belong to that religion.
I think Humber and Perkins should transition into the bullpen. Both have good arms, but don’t seem to be able to make long starts.
I concur. Humber has been lights out for two innings and then they blow his lights out after that. Perkins has proven he can be a good bullpen arm.
But I don’t mind them starting in the minors. When the Twins try to get a reliever on track, they often sent him down to start (e.g. Romero).
Just to clarify, that should have read as a quote. Craig would NEVER say that OPS was important.
Let’s try again:
“OPS+ is the best stat to measure offensive proficiency.”
I might be wrong, but I thought even the guru himself, had backed off on the whole OPS thing.
Of course, what do I know. I don’t belong to that religion
Prediction: Someone will hit their first homer of the year for the Twins tonight.
Span can play RF, I don’t think Monroe can. Which means if Monroe’s in, most likely Kubel’s in RF or sitting.
And I dunno if Kubel in RF is much better than Monroe.
OPS+ is not mere OPS. It is relative to the league. So years in which hitting is down all over value hitters more than their raw OPS numbers might suggest. It doesn’t take into account park factors. line drive percentages, and the like. But it’s the best accessible tool we have.
Monroe played 209 games in RF in the majors and Kubel 19. Monroe’s range factor in RF is almost double than that of Kubel…
how ’bout that Span?
“OPS+ is not mere OPS.”
OPS is still the basis. If OPS alone has no credibility, OPS+ isn’t going to help. You can’t turn crap into candy, no matter what you do with it.
Awful play by Span. Second very bad play in the field within the week. The way the Twins value defense, we will start seeing more Kubel in the field if Span keeps it up.
NO! You coulda got him Tolbert.
Span’s play wasn’t an error, he just lost it in the lights.
romer
it hit him in the glove. if he can’t handle the lights at home he shouldn’t be playing. should be an error and was.
romer,
there was nothing to lose in the lights… it was a line drive
Tough error, JP. Hope they change it.
Inexperience at SS and inexperience in RF cost the Twins that run.
So I’m listening to you, thrylos. LF has been dangerous because of lights, right? And didn’t Hunter grimace a number of times last year because of the same problem?
But no light problem in right?
it was obviously lost in the lights. It happens.
Belly-button high, right down the middle. Perfect advanced-batting-practice pitch Hinske hits for a HR.
Folks, the lights have always caused problems with line drives to right. It’s still an error but these are the first games Span has played in the Dome and in right field.
Belly-button high, right down the middle. Perfect advanced-batting-practice pitch Hinske hits for a HR.
That’s at least two more bases than the Twins would get from a pitch like that.
We’re about to see how good Boof can be this year.
The Rays have some good strokers…..
Pay me the league minimum and I won’t lose one in the lights!!!! Isn’t that why they go out after games to work pop-up/fly ball communication???
Telly butchering another between inning break.
Manny has 2 tonight LEN3, he is tearing that clubhouse down right into first place though. He’s hopeless I say!
Hope he rubs off on Papi soon though.
“Pay me the league minimum and I won’t lose one in the lights!!!!”
Because the ball only goes into the lights for league minimum players?
No, I’m just saying that I will work for peanuts and I’ll make routine plays like that!!!
What’s with FSN missing the first AB coming back from commercials? It’s happened several times in the past week. They’re becoming like KSTP.
The speedy Boof covers the bag!
Brasky, what was the last commericial? I sometimes have the issue, and it’s usually my cable afiliate or local network trying to inject one last ad.
Another pitch up that gets smacked, thankfully this one went right at someone.
Whatever, Brasky. But it makes ya confident in the veteran skills of Cuddy.
It’s not the cable companies because Dick & Bert are behind too. Last inning, they came back and Span was catching a fly ball in RF. We never saw the pitch (or any pitches before that - if any)
Don’t know that Bill Brasky is a bad ass??
Brasky, the Twins are trying to earn more advertising $$ so they can move up on the Forbes list.
Oh yeah, right….
I feel guilty eating those $1 dogs last night.
I love it. Twins fans are cheering a FC by Lamb.
Sheez, Brasky’s on a drinking jag again.
I’m laying off the stuff a while. No fun at all.
Go Brasky go!
So what’s the actual score and inning?
Yeah, that’s a hit. Bartlett never would’ve got him.
Hope the Twins pitchers saw the hight tight one to GoGo.
Not for revenge sake, but every-day use.
It looks like Gomez may have blocked Iwamura’s play on that one.
Everett who?
http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/gamecenter/live/MLB_20080417_TB@MIN
God Bless the internet!
z: 2-1 Twins on a Harris single.
Bottom 3rd, 2-1 Rays
My mistake, 2-1 TB. Twins score on a Harris single.
on a TOLBERT single
Not to be a dick, but if you’re posting on this blog, you obviously have an internet connection so you can find the score and follow along on a bazillion different websites.
thanks, have i mentioned i hate surf control
Brasky, zwiefz has to sneak peaks on news sites at work.
T and Brasky drinking together.
Livan a little off last night. Now Bonser too.
Still no curve from Boof.
3-1 Rays, top 4th
My apologies. I hope my company never tries do that 
Boof, a 2-pitch pitcher tonight.
I’m not as runk as you drink I am thomer!
Total hindsight here but did we ever look at picking up Hinske this off season? Isn’t he a cheesehead?
The name sounds familiar…
I think Mauer blocked the umps view by coming up to throw the ball.
Wow, Bonser throws another cookie. We got lucky that time.
No problem Brasky. It’s weird. I have always been a Twins fan living in Wisconsin. But I lived far enough to the west that I could pick up the games on the radio and occasionally on TV. But I got a new job, moved to the east out of radio range, definitely out of TV range, and on top of it am working the afternoon shift for an employer that has blocked every sports oriented site. And when we have found one that works, it only works once and if we go back a second time it is blocked. So you guys are my only update rather than staring at ESPN’s bottom line on TV for 15 minutes to see the score. So any info is appreciated.
Bonser needs to shave….his upper lip looks like a walrus
Wow, the catcher said a swear. Quite loudly.
And the Rays are building a new stadium? May I ask why?
3-1 Rays, Bot 4th
And the Rays are building a new stadium? May I ask why?
Because the dump they play in is the only park worse than the Dome?
T-
Same reason Punto is going to get 300 at bats this season
Yeah, but at least the Twins occasionally draw fans.
OMG are you f’ing kidding me? You’ve got Telly making my ears bleed and a video of McFail playing rather than showing the @#$%@#$%@#$%^@#$ game!!!
That’s a good way to start the inning!
Did they miss Morneau’s double? I switched over to the Wild game and missed it either way.
Did they miss Morneau’s double?
Yes. First they had the awful between inning drivel of Telly, then cut to a Kevin McHale interview rather than to Morneau’s AB.
That’s twice now this game they’ve missed the first AB of an inning.
Figure it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is there a rule that Boof can’t throw anything below the belt?
Someone should email the Comish’s office and tell them about all this amateur FSN stuff.
How do you do that?
1-0 Avs
Is it time for Bass?
Get the pen up.
Bass warming up. Mighta needed him tomorrow too.
3-2 Rays, top 5th
4-2 Rays
Bonser is garbage, i have said it since last season, and i will continue to say it…
Bonser, buddy. It’s tough to get back into a game when you keep giving the runs right back.
Stop it.
Bonser pitching relief for himself with a 93 mph heater.
Boof is still fat.
I’d take Bonser out right now on the 1-2 count if Bass is ready.
Thats why Tolbert and Lamb can’t play the left side together. An 88-hopper rolls through the 5-6 hole.
Bautista and Castro have returned to the Dome!
Rick Anderson looks like he needs some Mylanta
I was just about to post this inning isn’t really Bonser’s fault, and then he walks Upton.
Never mind
No K’s or curve balls for the Boff tonight.
Something’s wrong.
Actually it’s Gardy’s fault. Bonser should have been out after the 1st 2 hits of the inning…
pfft.
*switches to Wild game*
better play Monroe tomorrow
anybody going to apologize for Span on that one? Second error of the game. Brutal.
Span sucks!
Perhaps Span needs a new glove.
Or needs to find another occupation.
Agreed, thrylos98.
Did Span loose that one in the lights too?
Oh come on…
It’s easy…Span is having issues because he hasn’t played RF since HS.
good god, what now?
Bass’s back…
You could read his lips.
Erik,
really Gardy is the one with the issues, because he is the one who started him…
By starting Span and keeping Boof too long, Gardy gave up 3 runs.
LEN III:
Don’t remember Carl Crawford misplays very good. Span is making quite a few also. At the dome AND on the road.
wild 1-1 after 1. finally scored in the 1st period
Twins play Pridie in right in ST. So, who do they call up to play right when Cuddy goes down?
Bass looked like his back tightened.
He’s out. Guerrier in.
6-2 Rays, top 5th
Any one who says Span should start instead of Gomez is just nuts.
The most entertaining part of the game tonight is watching the !@%# duck walk across the bottom of the screen.
CARLOS:
Thanx for update. Give us a blow by blow if more fights like last night break out.
Is it really so incomprehensible for a center fielder to play right? Kirby did it, so not buying any h.s. excuses.
Tovar: Knocked a few avs on the butts already. No fights yet. Avs won’t fight they will only provoke. And it was two nights ago, not last night.
Right, Argh. Seven years in the minors; should be able to handle it.
fat or skinny it doesnt matter, Boof still sucks
We need some Wild mentality on this pitching staff. Knock a few guys off the plate!
Thank goodness this dogpile of an inning is over. I should work on something more productive than just sitting here watching the team Morse Code it in tonight. Normally I’d say phone it in, but that would be too nice of a thing to say.
Maybe Span should be canned.
Didn’t Cuddy play 2nd, 3rd, SS (I think), RF, LF, and CF in the last couple of years. I didn’t see him making any HS crap excuses. If you are a professional athlete, you know how to catch and throw a ball.
Telly doesn’t know what lutefisk is? Didn’t FSN North brief him when he was hired?
And then Span starts the next inning…
Canned Span. I think that should be the next avatar on Howard’s blog.
I used to think it was pathetic to see Jason Tyner starting in the Twins outfield.
Than I got a good look at Denard Span.
Man this is going to be a long long season….
Who said Span made excuses?
Those excuses were made by bloggers.
Gomez CF
Tolbert SS
Mauer C
Morneau 1b
Young LF
Kubel DH
Monroe RF
Harris 2b
Lamb 3B
this is the lineup we need . play it, play it daily. Stop switching the lineup everyday to keep “people fresh” - its old.
With 2 errors in RF for Span, Monroe should be out there to start the 6th inning.
“It’s a meat product.” Man, if I could get a nickel for every time a woman said that to me….
Nice bit of luck to Tolbert there with that collision in the outfield.
Take that Punto!
sane,
the only reason bloggers know to make the HS excuse is because denard said it when he came up… something like, I will do the best I can out there but haven’t played it since HS… sounds like a pre-excuse to me.
DJB,
Gardy doesn’t seem to believe in the idea of a “set” lineup.
Nice one Mauer.
Good eye, Delmon.
Decent AB for Delmon.
Come through kid! Break out!!
Unbelievable. Denard made the High School comment as a joke.It was funny.
Pulling out players for making errors is done by bad Little League managers.
Two errors don’t make Span a bad outfielder.
Why not forget what a player has done in 7 professional years and react to what he did today.
At least Gardy doesn’t have to change his diapers twice a game like his critics do.
anybody notice or think there is a crazy number of bats that are shattering?
Seth,
Exactly.
Delmon not quite there on the patience thing. But almost.
Of course Hunter didn’t get there until 2006.
Seth,
Denard’s play in RF has been more funny than his jokes. I especially like the assist on the HR, but his other mistakes are pretty funny too.
It’s funny because literally two days ago, many of the people commenting here were talking about Span taking over in CF and sending Gomez down to the minors for seasoning. Two days ago.
sy?
what has Span done in 7 years since he was drafted? my answer? not much. how about the gift homerune for detroit the other day that may have been a catalyst in the loss? so far in the bigs he’s also taken consistently poor routes to ball. cuddy comes back, span goes down. everett on dl bring up buscher.
Delmon not quite there on the patience thing. But almost.
Of course Hunter didn’t get there until 2006.
Did you mean to say that Hunter still hasn’t gotten there?
seth
you’re probably talking about Craig, and if not it was probably more of a reflection on Gomez and his inconsistent play than Span being a better player.
seth,
I think the ones calling for span to play cf are the same ones defending his errors. It wasn’t me. Gomez is our CF this year and for many years to come. I am happy with that.
crawford is an idiot
Span and Gomez both look clueless at times, and at other times they look like they have promise. Obviously Gomez upside is much higher than Span’s in my opinion. I think Span is a career minor leaguer…
Gomez=CF
Crawford=stupidity.
JP,
Span will almost certainly be sent down when Cuddy comes back.
Thats fine.
Pull him out of a game after 2 errors?
That is bush, amateur, gutless, stupid and unprofessional.
Gardy won’t do it.
Only bloggers would ask for that.
The Twins should give Boof’s spot in the rotation to Humber or Mulvey. I’d like to see what they could do in the big leagues. Everybody already knows what Boof can do, and thats not much of anything.
needed just a little more Kubel
It was more than just one person who was saying Span should take over CF and Gomez should head down (I didn’t think so either). I’m not defending the errors, although if you lose the ball in the lights, there isn’t much you can do. Errors happen. It’s part of the game. Obviously not an ideal part, but it happens.
Do people really think that playing RF is as easy as playing CF? CF might be the easies position on the field to play.
FSN is sure hitting a home run with this broadcast
sy
when did i ask for that? i wouldn’t expect Gardy to do that. also there is a thing called hyperbole. but thats besides the point. point is span has stunk it up so far. which you haven’t addressed at all! stay on topic.
as a kid RF is easy, mostly right handed pull hitters
Ask Bill Hall about playing CF last year. I don’t think he would say it’s easy.
“Center field might be the easiest position on the field to play.”
C’mon Seth, you’re better than that. Center field is where the best outfieldeer plays, and there’s a reason for that.
“Ask Bill Hall about playing CF last year”
Imagine if he would have had to be in LF or RF and have to deal with slice and corners.
If Delmon could have just kept that inning going, I was smelling a big hit from Kubel coming.
Span plays the part better than he really is.
Hmmmmm, seems like someone is feeling a bit superior toward the bloggers. Nice try with Span going for that foul ball and chewing gum at the same time. Nice bubble blowing…that’s about all I can say about that play.
JP,
Someone else suggested it.(8:55PM)
“And then Span starts the next inning…”
I answered him and you jumped on me.
I AM ON TOPIC!!!!
Yeah, that’s why the Reds moved Griffey Jr out of center field, because as he ages, they want to move him to the TOUGHER position.
CF is about covering ground and range. Obviously they cover the most ground. That is a skill I’m not taking anything away from. However, LF and RF have to deal with line drives that slice away from them and corners in the OF.
Griffey lost range, to be sure. That’s why he moved away from CF.
Span starts the next inning against a leftie. What is the role of Monroe in this team according to Gardy?
Haha, I guess it doesn’t matter that normally the CF is required to cover the most ground in the OF.
Hell, let’s put Kubel in CF! Should be easy on the knees.
So you’re saying that CFers don’t have line drives that slice away from them? C’mon!
Nice hit there starting CF Gomez.
Span reminds me of Garrett Anderson, only a little better athleticism defensively and running and with no power offensively.
He looks steady and smooth and professional. But there’s something missing.
Anderson plays lazy a lot, because he can get away with it because he’s an all-star type hitter. But Span wouldn’t play lazy yet because he hasn’t made a MLB club yet.
But you see glimpses of it anyway.
Arghhh,
If you meant me, I do NOT feel superior to any other blogger.
Except I may hold my water better than some, when the Twins (or a Twin) struggle.
So maybe my bladder is superior to some.
so the ball never slices away from CF’s? just left and right fielders?
how many bloggers are commenters on this site? I’m just curious because I would like to link to some of them.
sy, if having a big bladder makes you happy, then enjoy, dude.
lol well done sy. thrylos98 (8:55) was making reference to span making an error and then starting the next inning AT THE PLATE!!!!
span hasn’t played well. you defended him, pointing to his superior play the last 7 years. and I said “um what?”
this conversation is boring. span not worth it.
Seth, some people think that if they comment on a blog they are automatically “bloggers”… go figure
atleast Guerrier is finally pitching well tonight. the only good thing about this game so far.
thrylos98, I just linked to your blog on mine. So, leaving a comment on a blog makes a person a blogger? So, each comment is a blog posting?
“So you’re saying that CFers don’t have line drives that slice away from them?”
Balls slice or hook more violently when hit close to the foul lines and straighter when hit toward center.
There are exceptions, but that is generally true.
Don’t believe me?
Ask all the players you know that have played corner OF (or IF) and CF. (or middle IF)
They might have to put Everett on the DL and bring up a pitcher for the Cleveland series. No Guerrier or Bas tomorrow if Frank struggles.
Tolbert’s a dandy!
Why hasn’t he been groomed as a SS?
There ya go Tolby!
I couldn’t tell, was that throw slicing there?
more a commentor than blogger
the twins are ok…were on pace to hit at least another 55 homeruns this season….all is good…not to worry..
For Wild fans only:
Wild still 1-1 after 2. Wild with a great 2nd period; completely dominated the period; but no goals.
ON-FIELD DEMONSTRATION AFTER THE GAME TONIGHT! STAY TUNED!!
“leaving a comment on a blog makes a person a blogger?”
I didn’t know commenters were not bloggers. I was ignorant of the differences in terms. My bad!
I wish i could watch the Wild…. can’t afford the NHL package too, No Versus….
Right field is tough in the Dome, especially for center fielders. I remember when Kirby moved over there. He made several errors early. It took him a half a season to get comfortable out there.
But Span is clearly pressing. It’s not just the errors, or turning a double into a homer. He’s taken some funny angles. That liner in the gap by Pudge that he tried to cut off and it got past him for a triple comes to mind.
I think it’s time for Gardy to put Kubel out there and use Monroe in the DH spot, just to give Span a couple of nights off to relax a little.
Crain, Rincon, Reyes and Nathan are all available tomorrow (maybe even Neshek) so the team would be ok. Glad to see that Guerrier got his curve and his command back.
i was referring to myself
sy - good point on asking players who have played at least high school varsity or college baseball, and played all three outfield positions which is the toughest in terms of making plays.
joe vavra should be gone…im not sure what his philosophy in hitting is, but i for one am tired of the way the twins go out and the unbelievable amount of double plays they hit into…ill bet anything we lead the league in double plays…
Neshek replaces meat in his diet with Mexican jumping beans.
Yikes!
So, Span defenders, still an unanswered question and now another one…
Which of his errors were due to the ball being sliced or a more difficult play than in CF?
What superior qualities did he exibit in the last 7 years?
Just curious, cause I missed some of it.
zwiefz, still there? You’re lucky.
7-3 Rays, Bot 9th
monroe has to be in the doghouse-why not give him an at bat against the lefty….im very confused….
lol Carlos G. good one.
SETH:
You have a great blog. I tire of beach balls and the wave also. You said “if I catch a home run ball,I could not throw it back it’s just not worth it.” I think it’s not worth killing yourself or someone else fighting for a $5 baseball but that’s just my opinion.
Carlos G:
You’re right about Span. He’s another Canseco.
Hey, wait a minute…………………
gardy must have just given up tonite…what the hell is wrong with him….lamb against a lefty in the 9th
i like lamb but there is a time when there is an advantage to pinch hit for him… nice loss gardy …..
“Which of his errors were due to the ball being sliced or a more difficult play than in CF?”
I’m actually not a Span supporter, but… I’ll play along. Neither of the two errors were tonight. The Pudge HR ball was slicing away from him though (not an error, but a blooper)
“What superior qualities did he exibit in the last 7 years?”
Not one. He didn’t hit for average. His Isolated Discipline was anything but spectacular for a leadoff hitter. I do think he is a better than average defensive CF with an average at best throwing arm. Speed is his game yet he has never been a very good base runner. The lone thing I have really been impressed with him in 2008 is his ability to take a lot of pitches, work some walks, foul off some pitches. In other words, I think he has had several good at bats (regardless of the results). That’s it.
So, another L. Great.
Game over.
Big unanswered question — Where was Boof’s curve? Never seen him without a curve before.
span has done pretty well out there considering how little hes been out there….no need to get on him…good lord , give the kid some time….
Carlos G,
I am not defending Span’s errors tonight.
Some days you’re the dog.
Some days you’re the hydrant.
I am saying that in the minors, he has been a good defensive OF with an average arm and a sometimes below average bat.
I have never read a scouting evaluation that said he was a poor defensive OF. (arm excluded)
I just think it is kind of like the Punto thing last year. At some point, it’s not worth bashing Punto anymore. He is the player that he is. Gardy is the one that writes up the lineup. It just gets old to bash every little thing. Someone bashed him for that foul pop that he just didn’t quite get to. There was no reason for that. That was all out effort, and with his speed, if he couldn’t get to it, there is no reason to point it out. Just gets old reading the same stuff over and over. That’s my only point.
“Where was Boof’s curve?”
Then the assumption is that he just didn’t have it tonight and in his next start he will again.
Good question romer on Boof’s curve.
Maybe LEN III can find out…?
Oops… I was actually responding to the second part of the Where was Boof’s curve question…
“Never seen him without a curve before.”
that’s why I say it’s not worth making too much out of it. Just a bad game. That happens too.
its a poor evening when the high spot for the twins is tolberts two singles–i love tolbert and wish him the very best so this isnt a knock on him..just the sad commentary on the state of the twins at this time…..weakest hitting team in baseball….when will people start looking at joe vavra..what will it take….
I agree about Punto, certainly. Span, not so much lately. He seems cocky to me, and if you’re going to be cocky, you better have something to be cocky about. That blowing the bubble thing while he was going for that foul ball catch and missed was not lame…it was SUPER LAME.
Wild fans: Bad start to the 3rd period… avs PP (after a dive) and then another goal to make it 3-1 Avs with 12:00 left.
Wolves…Wild…Vikings…Twins…Minnesota pro sports…catch the fever! Should you wish to avoid the fever, do not get your hopes up foolishly high about any of the teams doing well.
Most Span defenders focus on his improved play in spring training. Last year he had a great spring as well. Then he started off like 2-20 and he didn’t get above .280 until September. And his OBP and SLG numbers are worse. When you look at his track record, he’s had two good half seasons in his five years in the minors (he didn’t play the year he signed).
He started his career slowly until he got to the FSL in 2005, where he played very well for a half season, and earned a promotion to AA, where he struggled. He repeated AA in 2006, and struggled again, but they moved him up to AAA in 2007, where he had a horrible season until he suddenly woke up in August and finished strong.
Adding the first half in 2005 and the second half in 2007, he’s had one full good year out of five in his minor league career. That doesn’t warrant the kind of blind faith in him people are showing on this board.
The only thing that stands out is that a lot of posters fixate on the here and now. “Oh, Gomez went 0-4 and Span went 2-4. Span should stay and Gomez should go down when Cuddyer comes back.” This won’t be determined in one night or even one month. Gomez would have to totally fall apart before Span gets his job. Until then, Span should just go down and do his job and hope he doesn’t get passed up by Jason Pridie or Dustin Martin.
bullpen did an awesome job tonite- too bad the offense went to sleep again…
buscher hits another one tonite…mulvey ks 9 guys…good nite for them…maybe buscher should be up soon….
I get so sick of watching baseball tonight and seeing every team hit home runs except for the Twins. Does anybody know the record for the fewest homers hit in a season? i bet this team will get close to breaking that record.
lol arghhhh…
of those Mn teams, the wolves are the completely inept franchise. there is no clue there in any of the people running that team.
wild and twins still have a chance for championships this season… even if the chances appear slim at this time.
“The only thing that stands out is that a lot of posters fixate on the here and now”
I agree.
I thought (perhaps mistakenly) that some posters were calling for Span to be pulled after the two errors.
I objected to that.
I am not a Span supporter.
But Carlos Gomez is the CF of the future and I am a big fan of that.
“He seems cocky to me”
I have no idea what this is based on. I guarantee he didn’t even know he was blowing a bubble when he was running. That’s not cocky at all.
twinsfan … i dont know, but i do know were on a pace to beat it….it cant get much worse than it is…downright sickening…and we lose games… its just that simple…
“The only thing that stands out is that a lot of posters fixate on the here and now. “Oh, Gomez went 0-4 and Span went 2-4. Span should stay and Gomez should go down when Cuddyer comes back.” This won’t be determined in one night or even one month. Gomez would have to totally fall apart before Span gets his job. Until then, Span should just go down and do his job and hope he doesn’t get passed up by Jason Pridie or Dustin Martin.”
Exactly!
Crud… Avs 3-Wild 2. Gotta go get one in denver now.
OK posters. Who was it Mr Rourke on fantasy island when the plane was landing and the little guy was sayingthat said… “OK, everyone smile now”
Ok that got messed up… the little guy was saying da plane, da plane and mr. rourke was “OK, everyone smile now”. Sheesh error on Carlos G…. I’m outta here.
mj1- i agree, it really is sickening. Do you think any team would want to trade us a hitter with some power for Boof?
I mean i doubt anybody would trade anything for Boof, but its fun to think about.
“We need some Wild mentality on this pitching staff. Knock a few guys off the plate!”
How did that work for the Wild?
Seth says:
“It’s funny because literally two days ago, many of the people commenting here were talking about Span taking over in CF and sending Gomez down to the minors for seasoning. Two days ago.”
Then JP responds:
“seth
you’re probably talking about Craig, and if not it was probably more of a reflection on Gomez and his inconsistent play than Span being a better player.”
Nope. It wasn’t me. When folks were calling for Gomez’ head, I defended him. I said Gomez deserved to stay in CF through the end of May. If, by the end of May, he was hitting below the Mendoza line with a big pile of K’s, then, at that point, I said he should be sent down. The end of May is a long way off.
I like Gomez, and I still like Span a lot. Span is a fine young player, and eventually, I expect a bright future for him as an everyday player with the Twins, along with Gomez.
The current Twins OF of Young, Gomez and Span is an excellent one, but they are all a bit raw.
I’ve seen enough of Kubel and Monroe in the OF, to last a lifetime. I’d be happy if I never had to see either one play in the OF again. In fact, I wouldn’t mind seeing Cuddyer come back as the DH, until his finger heals. Then, at least for awhile, I wouldn’t have to watch Kubel or Monroe at all.
The Twins play National League style baseball and for that season with very little power in the lineup, they have no chance of competing this year in the AL Central.
err: for that reason…
Bufftwins i disagree they can win playing smallball but then they need to play flawless defense and the whole pitching staff needs to be above average.
Do they have the hitters to play anything but little ball?
I think they do what they have to do.
They don’t have the big boppers to out-slug the Tigers, Indians, and White Sox in their own division, much less the Yanks, Sox, Blue Jays and Angels.
Repeating-they do what they have to do.
OK Boof bashers, let’s look at the facts. Boof has 3 quality starts in 4 games. Tonight was his only bad outing, with more than 3 ER in fewer than 5.2 innings. Yes, tonight he pitched a bad game and deserved to lose. You’re ignoring the fact that he was absolutely solid in his first 3 starts.
Why then, you ask, is Boof 1-3? Let’s take a look at the Twins VERY streaky offense. Thus far in 2008, Twins have a better median and mean runs/game than they did in 2007 (Mean in 08 = 4, Mean in 07 = 3). That’s good news. But because they’re streaky, there’s still too many games with 3 or fewer runs scored - 7 of 16 games thus far, and not surprisingly we’ve lost 5 of those 7(that’s not much better than last year’s abysmal percentage). Anyone want to guess how many of those lackluster offensive performances have come with Boof on the mound? Indeed, in all 4 of his starts, our offense has been unable to produce 4 or more runs, and if you can’t produce 4 or more runs you’re simply not going to win many games (see: 2007 - 46% of games with 3 or fewer runs scored - thus far this year, at 7 of 16, we’re at 44%). So, Boof’s W/L record should be 2-2 or 3-1 based on his performances. But the W/L stat for pitchers is far less than meaningful, though it’s used against them repeatedly. Bottom line: Boof’s had only 1 bad outing this year, 3 solid ones. Please pay attention to statistics that actually matter before you bash any player or team.
Boof Light Booser should be in at MR at best. Sorry Boof maybe I would respect a guy a bit more if he wasn’t so dumb that he has to change his name to Boof
What do we do with Mulvey? I have been keeping an eye on him and he’s had 3 strong outings.Take a look at his numbers:
2-1 W-L, 1.02 ERA, 17.2 IP, 15 H, 3 BB,
20 K, 0 HR, 1.02 WHIP, 1.36 GO/AO,
.221 BAA.
He had solid numbers last year in AA and statistically they would translate well to the majors.
He will be turning only 23 in May and appears to be ready to give it a shot in the majors.
Problem is the Twins starting pitchers have done a decent job, for the most part, but how long can you keep Mulvey down in AAA if he continues to pitch well.
Columbo with so may strong arms in the system the Twins really need to think about making a trade for another good bat.
Columbo I would like to see both Mulvey and Humber called up. On a side note look up the definition of Boof in the Urban Dictionary. If you don’t know how to get there here is a link below
BC of ND,
I agree. The Twins will need to decide which pitchers they want to keep and then trade some of the surplus pitching for a third baseman or shortstop?
I think Mulvey could be the gem of the Santana trade and I hope they keep him.
He is the Twins type of pitcher…he has good control and gives up few home runs.
The thing that surprised me about him, so far this year, is his strikeout rate has risen to above his IP.
If he keeps that up and in combination with his ability to induce groundballs it could be a precursor of good things to come.
jimmy bee,
I liked what I saw from Humber in Spring training.
His ball seemed to have good movement, but his stats at AAA, so far, have not been impressive.
jimmy bee that definition of boof was right on.
I’ve been a boof supporter for the last 2+ years but what i’ve seen this year isn’t good.
If this thing with Bass turns out bad and he has to go on the DL I hope that the twins will give Humber a chance to come out of the BP.
If Liriano and boof continue to stink Mulvey will get his chance. He’s good!!
I think was pitcher of the year last year in the Mets org. We don’t want to waste Perkins or Mulvey in any BP but Humber just throws hard stuff so he’s better suited for the BP in the majors anyway.
Remember Humber was perfect in all his 1-2 inning RELIEF appearances in Spring
And did pooly starting!!
Nathan Rincoln Guerrier and I’m sure others in our BP were starters before getting to the bigs
I agree he does show a lot of promise and i think we could get a 3B with some real power like say 20-30 hr power for a couple of our pitching prospects. I’m really starting to get on board the Tolbert bandwagon and if he keeps playing as well as he has and Mr Everett is on the DL for awhile he may not find a job when he comes back.
BC of ND - How many players these days will actually reach 30 HR’s in a season is all to be seen now because I think 1/2 - 2/3 of the players were on the juice
jimmy bee
Thats a good point so maybe in the post juice era a guy like Koskie is more the ideal 3B. I’m not giving up on Lamb yet i still think he was the best signing the Twins made this off season i just hope he doesn’t disapoint me.