Twins-Tigers:Slowey is on the way
Posted on May 4th, 2008 – 12:29 PMBy La Velle
2:09 p.m. update: The Twins have announced that righthander Kevin Slowey will be called up in time to start Thursday in Chicago. He’ll replace righthander Scott Baker who continues to have problems with his right groin muscle.
The Twins have the option of pushing Baker back to Saturday - when they’ll need a fifth starter again - or to put him on the DL if they feel he needs more time to heal. If he lands on the DL, someone like lefthander Glen Perkins could be called up.
Baker on Monday will have an MRI exam on his strained right groin muscle. The Twins will have a better idea of how to proceed with the injury at that point.
Carlos Gomez is back in the lineup today. He missed Saturday’s game with a bump on his head and a headache after being hit in the head by a throw while stealing a base on Friday.
Talked to Curtis Granderson before the game. Granderson and Pat Neshek have battled each other since Neshek pitched at Butler and Granderson was at Illinois-Chicago. Granderson got the best of Neshek on Saturday with a homer.
“The first three pitches I really didn’t see that well,” Granderson said. “Then I started to see him better as the at-bat went along.”
Neshek grimaced when Granderson’s comment was relayed to him: `Argh! I knew that at-bat was taking way too long.”
Granderson: “He’s gotten me a few times and I’ve gotten him a few times. I hope we both stay in the same division because it’s a challenge to face him.”
Granderson is 2 for 4 against Neshek, including the homer on Saturday.
Right-handed hitters are batting .341 against Kenny Rogers. With that in mind, here are today’s lineups.
Detroit (14-17): 1. Curtis Granderson, CF. 2. Placido Polanco, 2B. 3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B. 4. Magglio Ordonez, DH. 5. Carlos Guillen, 3B. 6. Marcus Thames, RF. 7. Edgar Renteria, SS. 8. Ivan Rodriguez, C. 9. Jacque Jones, LF. Pitching: Kenny Rogers.
Twins (15-14): 1. Carlos Gomez, CF. 2. Brendan Harris. 2B. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Michael Cuddyer, RF. 6. Craig Monroe, DH. 7. Delmon Young, LF. 8. Matt Tolbert, 3B. Nick Punto, SS. Pitching: Boof Bonser.
102 Responses to "Twins-Tigers:Slowey is on the way"
Good to see Tolbert get a start. Surprised that Lamb is sitting after his day yesterday…though I suppose there’s nothing wrong with stacking the lineups with righties.
That explains Monroe over Kubel, though Kubel’s cooled and Monroe had a big hit yesterday.
If the idea is to get some righties in the lineup, Everett/Punto is a wash. Though I still like Lamb in there instead…regardless.
thanks La Velle
i like seeing Gomez playing today yesterday it sounded like Bert and Dick knew that Gomez wasn’t going to play today i also like seeing Tolbert playing today
lol 5 right 2 left 2 switch hitter
cool idea….
hope it works
dano, it made sense to give Gomez a day off. He took a shot to the head, and it sounded like he was still a bit sore the next day.
Head injuries are funny things, always have to err on the side of caution.
He was playing well Friday, let’s hope the day off didn’t mess with his groove.
Having Lamb and Kubel on bench to pinch hit makes this a dangerous team provided that they remember to pinch hit for Punterrible.
im so happy for monroe…he hit the ball very hard 3 times last nite, 2 for hits…if this guy is getting untracked, that would be something..it would change this lineup tremendously…a big productive rt handed bat along with cuddy would be perfect for this lineup…lets hope the good at bats continue for monroe…i think they will and it will be hard to take him out of the lineup….
get the sweep,sweep,sweep for ron and carol……
sorry, could not help it..but get a sweep anyway…
Let me be the first today to send a BIG thank you out to Hank Steinbrenner for standing firm & NOT be willing to package Ian Kennedy along with Phil Hughes. Hughes is on the DL after being a bust as a starter so far this year. Kennedy has also been a bust so far & was just sent to the minors today by the Yanks. Thank you Hank. 
Let’s go Boof! White Sox losing 4-0 in Toronto, bottom of third and Halladay pitching for the Jays.
was reading the detroit paper on the internet today and found out just how much the tiger fans hate jacque jones and are really tired of g.sheffield also…would just as soon see both of them gome…alot think the tigers are fat and lazy…
hope you twins fans in the cities pack the dome today…nice to be excited in may and the best yet to come as this team improves each and every month, and stay healthy
I noticed yesterday that Scotty Ulger switched up the batting order a bit, and it seemed to work pretty darn good. Makes me kinda wonder if he made this decision on his own, or he and Gardy communicated on it??
if slowey pitches monday like the plan is he wouldnt be available until saturday. they will need someone else for thursday my guess is perkins who would be on his normal rest
boof must have read the comment about his hair…lol….hope it works for him…damn he looks different…
Good start by Boof.
So who’s going to relieve Bonser today?
stop the bleeding please…
And the blow out is in progress.
Two out of three is a good series. At least this gives me something to do with my afternoon now.
So apparently Boof’s hair is the source of his power.
Let’s hope he’s got some Miracle-Gro back home.
I don’t want to hear another word about Boof not getting run support. Nice job taking a dump on the mound today. Just like last Sunday - at least I can get some other things done today. Nice line-up today with Punto at SS.
Brasky…are we seriously going to complain about the lineup in a game where they’re down 5-0 before the first AB?
Is there a deal at an all you can eat restaurant? Bonser is doing his best Fransisco Liriano impression today.
Yes. Punto does not deserve a spot on this team.
See, here’s the problem I’ve got. You’re down 5-0 already, and have the hitter at a 1-2 count.
Why on God’s green earth are you throwing to 1st and trying to stop a steal?
Get the out at the plate and end it.
Boof, Boof,
“Those aren’t boos you’re hearing…”
It looks like the threat of shaking up the line-up is all it takes.
At least bonser is working on his inner s. ponson
Okay, I hope they can at least do enough to get to the bullpen. Though I dunno if I’d even want to swing a bat after that mess of an inning.
Reminds me when they had a chance to sweep Boston a few years back and Joe Mays not only meltdown, but nuked the Dome in the process.
Stewart also chucked a ball into the stands with 2 outs.
But at least the series is a guaranteed 2-1, with a 4-1 homestand.
That’s not bad when you’re playing in the division.
And there’s the story for the rest of the game.
Down 6-0, the offense is going to go otu there looking to knock one out with every pitch.
Let’s not go 1,2,3 after that!
I think this game could take 4.5 hours with Kenny Rogers pitching–making it especially painful.
I just don’t get it. This team has won 4 in a row and the line-up is really clicking - yet Tolbert is playing 3B (for the first time ever according to Jim Rich) and Punto is at SS. Why did Everett and Lamb needs a day off already? Mauer is playing today. I realize Lamb is a lefty but there’s no consistency. I do think Tolbert needs more AB’s so I can live with that, but Punto in for Everett makes zero sense, especially when Punto is even worse from the right side (I think).
Well, could be worse?
Silva: 3 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 SO, 2 HR
Thats the Carlos i remember
Slowey is coming up to start on Thursday. Just updated up top….
Bert Blyleven on Boof in the fifth inning:
“Other than that first inning, Boof has pitched really well.”
Yeah, and other than that SIX RUN third inning today, Carlos Silva looked like Cy Young.
The Tigers don’t need to score anymore runs. That’s why Boof looks good; because they don’t care at this point–they just want to get out of here.
Just like Slowey wins no matter what his ERA (He’s a combined 12-2 over the past two spring trainings and MLB seasons last year), Boof is a loser. After today, he’ll be 7-12 with an ERA in the neighborhood of 5.50. It’s time to pull him from the rotation once and for all, and call up a guy like Glen Perkins, who has proven he can get guys out at this level.
Boof if just another Joe Mays or Kyle Lohse. He’s a perennial loser.
Sorry. That 7-12 record is for the past two years.
good job poon
three cheers for punto!!!
Too bad they couldn’t have driven LNP in…
Oh, good call on Lohse. His last game yesterday:
6 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 8 ER 2 BB 0 K, 1 HR.
At least we’re good at putting out some consistent pitchers.
Why isn’t punto at 3rd and tolbert at short? Anyone? I’d take Punto over Lamb at 3rd anyday.
“Why isn’t punto at 3rd and tolbert at short?”
Punto is a better SS, and SS is a key defensive position. If you are giving up defense for offense (with Tolbert in this case), don’t do it at SS.
I don’t think Detroit will be printing any World Series tickets soon. They look old & lazy. Their only players that looked inspired & giving 100% today are Granderson & Rogers. Hopefully bOOF learned today that it is important to pitch at least 6 innings, but that INCLUDES the 1st inning.
The Twins are playing like a 1st place team with this comeback rally!
Way to go, Joe. Who would have seen this coming with 2 outs?!
What a comeback!
I turned it off in the 2nd…then checked back when it was 6-3.
Then I turned it off for a bit, came back to see Harris GRD and then Mauer’s hit.
What the HECK happened? Did Boof settle down or did the bullpen take over?
And what happened to Rogers?
Wow this is fun to watch!
Well, Neshek and Nathan to close it out I guess.
Like I said yesterday…whodathunkit?
sweeeeeeeeeeet caroline
BAH
BAH
BAH!
Great game
Glad Guerrier is still in there.
T, I hope you will show a little more faith in the boys.
I have to say, this division is going to be tighter than I thought.
So far all 5 teams have been beating up on each other…there doesn’t seem to be any one team really dominating.
But that could be because the first month and change has seen series being played within the division for the most part.
If “pudge” was still juicing, he would have beat out that grounder in the 8th.
Guerrier’s curve ball command is unbelievable today!
T, I hope you will show a little more faith in the boys.
I don’t think you realize who you’re saying that to.
This is only the second game this season I’ve “given up on” (the other being the 10-0 schlacking in Texas)
Big D for the Twins!!
Tigers allow 2 unearned runs (Dick/Bert said 3).
Did I hear DnB correctly? A 2-run double by Punto?
Not a good play by Harris. Eat it, young guy.
I bet Granderson goes.
Gee Whiz this is great
Here comes the Tigers’ big boys. Nathan has to earn this save.
Granderson is the Tiger’s best player.
Outstanding by Granderson.
Have to pitch to Cabrera.
Well, I most certainly did not expect that.
Closers are SOOOOO overrated.
Overrate this!
SWEEP!!!
great win…gotta hand it to boof for recovering after the rough start
This series was a delicious piece of revenge for that 2-game series back in Detroit.
Granderson steals 2nd, so Cabreara promptly strikes out so he can get to the buffet table! This makes up for the games we lost in Detroit.
I only checked the score on my phone today and saw it was 6-0 after 1. Then later I saw it at 6-5 then 7-6. Great job by the guys.
I hope the Twins can figure out a way to keep hitting like this.
Well, that was a nice, little trip to the HHH for the Tigers. Hopefully a little demoralizing after sweeping in NY.
Gotta love a day when the Twinkies and Royals win and the rest of the division doesn’t.
I think this Twins team is for real
Twins should have taken the series in Detroit. I blame it on the cold weather.
Morneau is the anchor of this team (as he should be). Nothing terrific from him today, but the last couple weeks he’s been playing like an all star.
That has to lift Mauer. And when M&M are strong and steady, the Twins will be hard to shut down.
12 and 6 against the Central. Can this be real!?
Twins are ready to fight…
When they get her in their sight
Boof, Boof, out go the lights
Tip of the hat to Boof. After that first inning he was pretty unhittable. Nice discipline at the plate for the batters for the most part. They just continued to chip away and not give up. Very nice homestand, 5-0.
When is the last time any pitcher gives up 6 runs in the first–and then gets credit for the win. Boof can win ugly (”shows a lot of class” says Gladden), and it can’t hurt.
Guerrier got the win.
Glen, the Twins were winning 7-0 against Burhle in the Dome last season after an inning…and Silva collapsed to give it right back.
Burhle eventually got the win.
Nice win! Go Twins!!
after the 1st 6 hitters boof was almost unhittable…what a performance by him to come back and shut them down for 6 and the bullpen shuts em down…beautiful comeback- this team matured one hell of alot today as a team…now its on to chicago and i hope they can grab 2 of 3 there…hats off to punto and tolbert today….great defense and key hits-every player on this squad is extremely important and all will play key roles along the way…thats why i hate all the punto haters and all the negative people out there –get behind this team and support them as they are all young and doing one hell of a job for us the fans…today was just a start…
Huge win! I’m beginning to believe the Tigers may only win 88-90 games this year. Rock on Twins.
Twins lead by 1 1/2 after 30 games.
Twins magic number is 131.
hmm. big comeback. five straight. first place. where are all the nattering nabobs of negativism?
mickey mental,
“where are all the nattering nabobs of negativism?”
One loss and the will ALL be back.
Make that:
One loss and THEY will ALL be back.
sane,
no doubt you’re right but i’m sure enjoying the roaring silence today!
mickey,
Amen!
Offensive patience unrewarded?
Padres 32 games, 112 BB, 106 runs scored
Twins 29 games, 63 BB, 124 runs scored
sane and mickey… I am with you. Nothing like a big comeback and a 5 game streak, to give the bashers nothing to talk about for a few hours.
I thought one of the keys was letting Boof work through that rough 1st inning. First 5 batters tagged him good, but the next 5 all could have been outs. Glad Ulger stuck with him. Who knows what would have happened if we go the pen in the 1st. Plus, this is a huge confidence booster for Boof. And, we really need him now.
Carlos G,
And it proves there is justice in baseball…………occasionally.
The offense has abandoned Boof a few times this season - Today they got him off the hook from a loss.
3-0.
You idiots still want me fired?
Ulger
You are a fine manager (even proved that in the minors). You stink as a 3rd base coach.
(Puts up stop sign)
Scott Ullger,
“3-0. You idiots still want me fired?”
NO-NO, not NOW.
BEFORE, when you were the hitting coach!
NOW, the sharks want Vavra fired.
When you become manager and Vavra is promoted to 3B coach, the NEW batting coach will get HIS rear end chewed on.
To Mike and Bill Brasky. Yee of little faith. Hope you enjoyed your afternoon boys after you gave up. You missed a hell of a game. That’s why they play 9 innings. The offense is starting to come around and they took advantage of a huge error by Guillen. Why did Boof cut his hair after his best start in a long time? I would never do something like that. (LOL) Great homestand and this team may actually surprise some people this season.
Just read all the comments. Thoroughly enjoyed reading all the negatives 1/9th into the game, especially the Punto bashing BEFORE the Twins even got up to bat in the 1st inning. It’s quite easy to see that certain people are only happy when they are able to complain. It makes them feel smarter to say they know more than the manager, yet that just doesn’t seem to be true. What happened to all the jack asses after the Twins and Boof hung in there and played the whole game? I guess they went off to look for something else to try and complain about. I don’t begrudge somebody for seeing the Twins down 6-0 and deciding they should spend a nice Sunday afternoon doing something else, but if you are going to open your big mouth and be negative at least have the balls to come back and say you were wrong. I didn’t think the Twins would come back either, but I watched the whole game just in case, and I was rewarded with a great pitched game by Boof and some clutch hits by Punto, Gomez, and Mauer. Good times…..
Macleod the Hero! Thanks for the shaming Macleod. I kind of feel like I’m 8 and I just spilled a bowl of milk onto the kitchen floor. You can’t fault the passionate Twins fans on this board that debate the game, positive or negative. Believe it or not, being down 6 to 0 after 1/2 innings is pretty bad. Besides, Punto earned his bashing prior to the game with 0 RBI’s in 19 games played. But now…he’s a hero! From zero to hero in just one game, that’s why baseball is so great. The Twins defied the odds and came back to win this game. Defiance is the sweetest thing in sports. Believe it. But don’t bash the fans for debating the entire game, start to finish. Chiming in at the end of the game is kind of shameful in itself. Now go be a hero somewhere else.
ajpesh,
“You can’t fault the passionate Twins fans on this board that debate the game, positive or negative.”
I couldn’t agree with you more and your post took some thought and is thought provoking.
I’m speaking for myself and not Macleod when I say that some of the commenters who flash in after a loss and say “Punto sucks!”, “Gardy is an idiot!” and “fire Vavra!” and then disappear like a fart in the wind are not saying anything thoughtful or thought provoking.
I feel the same about those who say nothing but “Go Twins!” or “Rah! Rah!” after a win and then disappear until the next win.
I would say both groups can be faulted for adding nothing to the threads.
