An inning you can take apart and put back together (and it doesn’t matter because the Twins won).
Posted on May 10th, 2008 – 12:21 AMBy Howard
A game like this one is why baseball rules. Hits sprayed all over the Metrodome… bodies falling left and right… Parts of the game when the offenses were dominant… Flashes of brilliant relief and flashes of relief that looked like they came from the escape-artist’s handbook.
And then there was the bottom of the ninth.
Review and comment:
Delmon Young leads off with a ground ball single off Jonathan Papelbon. You had to be concerned that Young was going to be overmatched and fall for split-fingered fastballs dipping into the dirt. But his plate discipline has been improving in spots, and he has been sending more balls up the middle and to right-center. His lack of power is troubling many people, but if he’s trying to figure out how to become a hitter instead of a swinger, a decrease in power may be something we’ll have to live with for a spell. Batting him seventh takes off some pressure and I think, eventually, he’s going to be a better hitter and the home runs will return. (Gotta do something about his judgment on balls hit to the wall, though. Better defense in the fifth on his part would have saved us all some angst.)
Matt Tolbert comes up. Down by a run, bottom of the ninth. Baseball wisdom: Play for the tie at home. That would call for a bunt. I’m muttering under my breath because putting a guy on second for Adam Everett and Gogomez doesn’t seem like a winning idea, or much of a tying proposition.
Gardy disagrees. Tolbert sacrifices. Young takes second. One out.
Everett is overmatched by Papelbon and hits a meek foul pop to Kevin Youkilis, who I want on my team. Two runs, runner on second.
Gogomez up. Ms. Baseball has nodded off because it’s been a long week. My anticipation of what’s going to happen next leads me not to wake her up by whispering, “Runner on second, two outs, bottom of nine, still down by 1, Gogomez batting.”
If you tell me you were oozing confidence, you’re lying.
Young steals third without the Red Sox making a fuss over him. Obviously, he knew he could make it. I think it’s a good move.
Gogomez falls behind 1-and-2 and then takes a pitch way high, a pitch outside and in the dirt and a low pitch. He draws a walk!!! That’s his fourth walk of the season in 131 plate appearances and, I suspect, a walk he wouldn’t have drawn a couple of weeks ago.
Mike Lamb, who came in after Brendan Harris’ hammy got tweaked, steps up. Dick-on-TV opines that Gogomez will probably stay at first so that Youkilis has to hold him on and Lamb has more room to swing for on the right side of the infield.
On the next pitch, Gogomez steals.
The Twins have veered from playing for a tie to playing for a win — providing Lamb gets a hit.
Papelbon throws hard and gets ahead 1-and-2. Then, he doinks a soft, looping single into shallow left. (For those of you who had to listen on the radio, the hometown call of a “line drive” was a tad overstated. Really, about 100,000 tads.) Young trots home, Gomez takes a celebratory slide into the plate and there’s a party on the field.
There is cheering. Ms. Baseball wakes up. She is thrilled, both for the winning hit and for what she likes to term the “celebratory man love” that followed.
Replays and interviews are watched. Lamb answers questions in a way that makes you want him to be the hero more often.
The night’s final hero, Lamb is now batting .213. Jesse Crain, who wriggled through the ninth while allowing two singles, got the win after Dennys Reyes gave up two singles before getting the final out in the eighth. There were 107 other things you could dissect about this one, but the bottom of the ninth is why baseball is really “the beautiful game.”
Sorry, soccer.
And to steal another phrase: We’ll see you tomorrow night!
47 Responses to "An inning you can take apart and put back together (and it doesn’t matter because the Twins won)."
Tonight’s celebratory man love (I called it “The Uber-Bromance,” myself)WAS definitely a high point.
I agree with Katie, the celebratory man love tonight was particularly loving and definitely the high point. I’m pretty sure I saw Cuddyer squeezing Gomez to death. Nice to see everyone happy again.
Fantastic game at the end. Horrible for the rest of the time.
One of my favorite games of the year
A beautiful post, Howard. Thank you.
I hugged pretty much everyone around me.
Then I was jumping up and down with my friend like I was at an nsync concert.
I missed that feeling and rush of such a close, amazing shocking win.
<3
UGH I LOVE BASEBALL!
I think the Gomez steal was probably a good idea, though as you note, Howard, there is a trade-off there. Using slightly older data, we can get the following (extremely rough and not particular to Papelbon vs. Lamb) odds:
Runners on 1st and 3rd, two outs:
71.5% — No runs, L
10.6% — 1 run, T
17.9% — 2+ runs, W
Runners on 2nd and 3rd, two outs:
72.4% — No runs, L
5.4% — 1 run, T
22.2% — 2+ runs, W
Now, the probabilities of scoring are probably all lower with Papelbon vs. Lamb compared to an average pitcher vs. an average hitter, but the differences between the two situations are probably about the same.
Which is to say that allowing Youkilis to play off the line increases the chances of a loss by about 1%, but putting Gomez in scoring position increases the chance of a win by about 5%.
If the Twins had even odds to beat the Sox in extras, then I could maybe see a case for playing for the tie, but with all that power in the Red Sox lineup and a Neshek-less bullpen that had already been mostly emptied…I think that’s an appropriate place to put the game on the line and make the riskier choice of putting Gomez in scoring position.
Love it - using the blog to analyze the details of the ninth inning. I thought that it was a mistake for Gomez to steal second too until after he made it. The winning run was at second and that had to put more pressure on Papelbon. Howard, I am surprised you didn’t bring up the type of pitch he threw to Lamb. The winning hit came on an offspeed pitch. Lamb wasn’t getting around on the 95+ mph fastball. Lamb then is able to direct the pitch into left. Quite the inning indeed.
Can you repeat the stuff where you said all about the, uh, things?
I think “key” to last night’s win and the future of this Twins team is the obvious signs that Gomez wants to be a great player, he wants to learn, he is willing to listen, he can put into practice what he is told, and he appears to be a pretty quick learner.
No way he laid off any of those last 3 pitches in April. To take all 3 in that situation showed a lot of progress for him. (By the way, the former Twins’ centerfielder would not have taken those three pitches). Tough to be the hero when you draw a walk… but he was one of the heroes last night.
He still has a long way to go to get to where his ceiling is… and that is a good thing and a bad thing. What an exciting player he is and is going to be.
Great to see Lamb come through. I would like him to find some success. Maybe this will give him some confidence at the plate. He needs it as I don’t think he has a lot of time to turn it around with Tolbert banging on the 3b door.
Everett gave us some good defense last night and a couple doubles. Good for him also.
Sucks about all the injuries. Feel really bad for Pat’s diagnosis. Hope he can make a full recovery. Great guy.
I see the Strib chose “Lamb Chop” as its Headline of the winning hit.I would have offered “Lamb Shank” but no matter what you call it,it was a beautiful sight. I choose not to dwell on the rash of injuries today, and what Gardenhire might do to the bullpen over the next three and a half months,and enjoy an improbable victory.
I was “watching” the game on CBSSportsline.com. With two outs and Young at third and Gomez at first, they showed
Gomez out at second on an attempted steal. Game over, Twins lose 6-5. WTF, I thought. What in the H is Gomez thinking trying to steal in that situation? I went to bed pissed. Woke up this morning and found out they won and Gomez’ steal was successful. Thanks CBSSportsline.com, you ruined my night.
PS. Did anyone else get hoodwinked by cbssportsline?
Great post, Howard. Baseball does indeed rule.
I used that same term to describe Lamb’s single to my daughter, who called from college as the ninth was unfolding.
“Doinked?”
I couldn’t think of anything better. A flare’s hit harder, a bloop’s hit higher. It wasn’t slapped, slashed, or poked.
“Yeah, doinked.”
Also, my thanks to Ms. Baseball. I will never again watch a game-ending winning run score without thinking of the great phrase “celebratory man love.”
“Lamb Chop”, that’s good. The Boston Globe had a better one, though. “Sox Silenced By Lamb”.
CBSsportsline was really messed up. First they said Gomez was caught stealing. But they didn’t post it as “Final”, so I waited. Then they said Lamb swung and missed with 2 strikes. But again, no “Final”. I waited it out and “saw” the hit. Of course I waited awhile to make sure that wasn’t another mistake. It’s tough watching Twins games via the internet, but I can’t get them on TV.
Great win on a day with a lot of bad news (Neshek). On the ball over Delmon’s head, he took his eye off the ball near the warning track which of course as we all know is a “no-no” at the Dome. I think he lost it for a split second. Hopefully Jerry White works on correcting that. Howard, I couldn’t agree with you more on your assessment of Young at the plate. I hope he gets hot and starts to hit the ball out of the ballpark soon.
Brian, Joe:
The networks elect Gore over Bush, CBSsportsline gives the Red Sox a win over the Twins … This is why we need newspapers and newspaper-based Internet journalism, right?*
(*Dewey beats Truman, 1948, not included)
Today’s headline should have read:
“Red Sox silenced by the Lamb”
Steve,
We could change it, but the Boston Globe’s web site already used it!
Remember, Young is just that, young. His defense will improve as he grow more accustomed to LF, remember he played mainly RF in TB.
Average Joe, I feel terrible for you. To wake up after a disappointing night to learn that it was an online mistake is rotten!! Suggestion..have you tried mlb.com Gameday as an option. The Audio costs a few bucks per year but I think that you can get the Gameday portion gratis. Just a thought.
Baseball…what a game. I spent the entire game jawing at a Red Sox fan one row below me…the last thing he said to me with Lamb at the plate was Papelbon was going to “Silence the Lamb”…..when Lamb made contact I could quickly see the flare to left was going to get over Lowell’s head and that Manny “All bat no glove” Ramirez had no shot at getting to the ball. At that point Go Go had already passed Lowell (who’s head just fell in disbelief)and was on his way home! I was having some sort of out of body experience at that point when I looked at my Red Sox buddy and screamed at the top of my lungs “how does that feel” while giving the choke sign on my throat…..he looked like he had just seen a ghost and failed to even muster up a single word…he then stuck his plastic popcorn bucket on his head trying to escape the onslaught of Twins fans that were giving him some serious budiness. The last I saw of him was his backside running up the steps as fast as legs would carry him…..In a weird kind of way I am going to miss the Dome-
mlb.com’s Gameday IS indeed free.
The day’s games are listed at the left side of the home page. Click on the baseball diamond icon by the game you want to keep tabs on.
I couldn’t watch the game (had to pick up wife from airport) but I must’ve watched the replay 10 times online. Reminds me of the Morneau’s GW single against Mariano Rivera some years back. It’s just extra sweet against NY/BOS and their premier closers. It wouldn’t feel like this were it the Tampa Bay Rays (and whoever their closer is). It could only be better against the CHI, DET, and CLE (sorry, KC. Not there yet).
“If you tell me you were oozing confidence, you’re lying.”
Actually, I was pretty confident with Gomez up. Lately he’s layed off of pitches that he would swing at not too long ago. He’s hitting a lot better since his benching.
When Lamb stepped up I became only half confident. I thought he’d be doing better a month into the season. Hopefully this hit has helped him in the confidence and result department.
Not to take anything away from Gomez, but I think Young’s steal of third is the key play in this sequence. It’s a play that goes against the ‘book’ (never make the first or last out of the inning at third), but that Varitek didn’t even attempt a throw tells me that the Sox were in ‘let’s get the hitter out and the runner doesn’t matter’ mode.
If Gomez walks with Young at second, I don’t think the Twins can attempt a double-steal, and thus Lamb’s single only makes it a tie. Granted, Mauer would be coming up next, but I have to think the odds were still better than 50-50 that the Sox could get the third out and send it to extra innings even with our best hitter at the plate.
Gomez’s steal of second certainly set up the win, but no team in baseball is going to try to throw Gomez out with the tying run standing at third; that’s why I say Young’s steal is the key, even if traditional analysis doesn’t necessarily agree.
What an amazing game. Alex, I also thought, “Two out with a chance to rally and we have to turn to Mike Lamb?!” I was pleasantly surprised. The Twins have really been playing great baseball lately — except that one time Gavin Floyd stuck a horseshoe up his rear — and it’s awesome to watch.
And Gogomez!!! Yikes, that kid is something else.
I can’t help but be devastated by the news on Neesh, though. What a special arm we’ve lost for a while. His confidence is reassuring, but I can’t help but feel worried and a bit apprehensive.
I swear, I’m not buying anymore jerseys. I bought Cuddy’s during the opener series and his finger almost fell off, and Neshek’s a few weeks later… bad juju!
That was a great inning. Coming back this way against one of the best closers in the league, against the world champions, against the team with the best record in the AL, can do tons for the confidence of this young team. Supreme irony that the hero of this game was a guy who have been a goat (pun intended) for most of the season.
I hope that the Twins will show patience in the plate with Dice-K, who has been Dontrelle Willis wild, starting and win again today…
Average Joe, geeze that must have sucked to get the wrong news from CBSsportsline. In case you haven’t seen or heard, DY stole 3b and later Gomez stole 2b and in neither case was a throw even made. They had great jumps and no chance of being out. Papel-bum was focused on getting the last out.
Besides game day, you could have this site open… We are sure to give you up to date news, somewhat biased. Plus, then you will know who to blame for losses (Vavra, Punto, Kubel, no roof, Mauer’s no HR’s are a few of the regularly nominated things from folks on this blog for our disappointments — even when they don’t play and in fact, even when we win, they will be blamed). Although, the bashers must have headaches this morning; it’s been awfully quiet from that crowd.
Hey Sooze…May I suggest you purchase a Manny Ramirez jersey???
“But his plate discipline has been improving in spots, and he has been sending more balls up the middle and to right-center.”
Howard, do you feel like maybe taking a walk over to Reusse’s desk and telling HIM that. It was kind of wonderful to see Young throw that it his face the day his article was published.
Howard,
I was listening to the Red Sox feed on MLB Gameday audio Friday night. Their
play by play guy also described Lamb’s game winning hit as a line drive to left.
Carlos G.,
actually the fact that Punto was unavailable did probably contribute to the win:
a. Everett started at his place and had 2 hits and scored a run and made 3 plays on the field that Punto could not make
b. After Harris’ injury, if Punto was available he would have been in instead of Lamb and the 9th inning wouldn’t have happened…
here is your Punto comment of the day 
Karlee - NSYNC? hmmm.
I was at the Megadeth Concert last night so I didn’t get to see the game, but I was listening to Bob Valvano talk about it a little bit last night on ESPN radio.
Anytime that the East Coast loses it’s such a tragedy out there, and he loves to rub it in because I don’t think he likes the Boston/New York love affair with ESPN…
I was very happy for Lamb, and I’m glad that Young and Gomez are taking better at bats… if they can continue to do that… I might stop demanding someone lose their job, and have their jersey burned at home plate to appease the baseball gods.
Jerry,
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
thrylos98, Thanks. Been looking forward to the first Punto comment. Of course, conjecture is just that… It is also possible that Nicky would have driven in 5 like his last game and we would have won easily.
But, I am not a Punto promoter. I like Everett at SS, as long as he keeps playing good defense. I am one that believes the only other qualified SS on the team is Nicky if Everett should fail or need a break. I know there are those who have an equally strong opinion that Tolbert should be at SS. Having seen Tolbert there, I just don’t think that is his spot. I love Tolbert at 3b and am ok with him at 2b. My ideal lineup at those spots is Harris, Everett, Tolbert (2, SS, 3). But, that is mostly because I want the left side of the infield really solid. And Tolbert has looked super at 3, albeit, in just a few games there.
I like Lamb, but he sure needs to pick it up at the plate to remain in the lineup and overcome is mediocre glove. Maybe last night is his start.
I am happy with spot starts for Nicky at those 3 spots to give a break and to cover for injury.
Jerry, yes, that ball wouldn’t have left a mark on a grass field it was so softly flipped out there.
Howard, but 3 lefts make a right.
Also, I think that David Wintheiser makes a good point that Delmon’s steal was especially important to the whole sequence. I’ve been impressed at how efficient Delmon has been at stealing bases. He doesn’t look like he’s all that fast out there, but he’s fast enough and seems to have good feel for when he can make it. I wasn’t watching during that sequence, but if, for instance, Papelbon wasn’t using a slide step and no one was close to the base holding him to second, then he very well could have gotten a big lead and a good jump, in which case stealing the base isn’t necessarily that much of a risk. (But you’d better be darned sure you’re going to make it, because it’ll be your head on a platter if you end the game that way.)
The other aspect of Delmon’s attempted steal is that if Varitek does make a throw, it could go into the outfield, in which case Delmon has just tied the game. It didn’t happen that way, but that’s certainly a possibility.
Carlos G
Since you seem to be the stats guy do you know the average runs scored on the road vs at home this season?
Just thinkin it must be dramatic.
Shameless, thanks, although I just look for the interesting stats… not so much tracking things every day. Your question is one of those interesting stats…
Twins have scored 147 runs (11th of 14 American League teams) (given up 150 runs)
69 runs at home in 18 games(12-6 record); avg. 3.83 runs
78 runs on the road in 16 games (6-10 record); avg 4.87
A little bizarre, but we’ve had some big scoring games on the road to warp the numbers. (13 and 12 at White Sox, 12 in TX, 9 in Detroit)
4.9 runs/game away
3.8 runs/game home
Punto to the 15 day DL.
Carlos G
Not at all what I expected!
It just seems like we hit because we win!
Maybe the home scoring average is scewed do to Shutouts the angels and indians come to mind.
ubelmann,
I think that was the similiar situation with Gomez’s steal. They could’ve tried to throw him out, but the risk there is Delmon breaks for home or the throw goes into the outfield.
The baserunning moves in the 9th made up for sending Delmon earlier.
shameless, yes, the scoring isn’t what you would expect. If you take out those 4 big road games of 13, 12, 12, and 9, then the other road game runs are just 32 in 12 games. That is a mere 2.67 average.
More like what we would have expected.
What is the deal with Kubel?
He looked great early, and had a bit of a slump, and then is riding the pine.
Does he need glasses, or just a fresh start with a manager other than Gardy and a real hitting coach?
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