Sunday, March 9, 2008

Sunday Afternoon Gameday

Hey everyone! It's Sunday late morning and the Twins and Yankees play again in less than an hour... ON TV! So, if you see this and you don't have your TV on yet, you should check it out. If you're not near a TV or an area without the game, stop by here where I will be posting throughout the game. (on the game and other things) But before we get to the game notes, here are several links for you to check out:

• Did you see Ken Rosenthal's article stating that there is a good chance that the Brewers will bat their pitchers eighth in the lineup. One of their assistant scouting directors and a statistical analyst determined that the team could score an additional 25 to 30 runs a year by doing this. I don't think that this is the case for many teams. I think the fact that Jason Kendall will be the #9 hitter for the Brewers is the reason that it could work. He is about as bad a hitter as there is in baseball, so they can spin him being a 2nd leadoff hitter all they want, but if he could hit at all, he wouldn't bat ninth.
• Nick Nelson asks if Delmon Young can deliver? I assume this to be a rhetorical question, particularly if he finds the ability to take more than two or three walks a month. The man can flat-out hit, no question about it. He will hit for power. He has some speed. And, he's just 22.
• I feel like I've been on the Free Jason Kubel bandwagon for literally five years. Hopefully he is just written in pen in the Twins lineup somewhere about 150 times this year. But with Gardy in charge, who knows. I'm still predicting that .300 season with 25 homers and 90 RBI. Anyway, Jesse from Twinkie Town asked What's Next for Jason Kubel?
• Phil Miller told us that the Twins sent 12 players to minor league camp (which is in the same facility). They are:
• Zach Day - no surprise here. Not sure why they signed him in the first place. He may go to Rochester, but even that is questionable.
• Deolis Guerra - again, no surprise, he's not going to make the team, probably will start at High-A Ft. Myers, but it was good that they got him in camp and learned more about just how good he can be.
• Oswaldo Sosa - this one is a little surprising. Not that he would make the team, but he is in the 40 man roster and by sending him down, he can not pitch for the Twins in any more spring games.
• Jose Mijares - as Phil points out, he isn't even there because of his injury.
• Armando Gabino - after an incredible 2007 season at three levels, he didn't get a lot of game opportunity with the Twins. Surprising since he is already 24.
• Brian Duensing - definitely struggled in camp, but it shouldn't affect his prospect status much. Yesterday he pitched and it didn't go well, including loading the bases on three walks. Not the last we'll hear from him.
• Jose Morales - very surprising. Again, with Mauer and Redmond, he wasn't going to make the team, but he should still be getting plenty of at bats in the spring, and now (if the rules haven't changed) he can't play in big league games.
• Jeff Christy - another catcher, he was brought to camp to catch pitchers rather than make a spot. He'll likely go to AA, maybe even back to Ft. Myers.
• Allan de San Miguel - the 19 year old catcher who hasn't done much ever was again likely just there to catch pitchers.
• Alejandro Machado - This one surprises me even more than the Morales one because I really thought Machado would be given a shot, or at least a longer look. In fact, last month when I made made my roster projections, I had him making the Twins roster as the 25th man.
• Felix Molina - no surprise. In fact, I think he has to make the AAA roster to not be released. He's been at AA the last three seasons.
• Darnell McDonald - who was taken off the 40 man roster with the Livan Hernandez signing. He didn't get much chance in the spring with a back problem.

Sosa, Morales and Machado are the three surprises for me. But there are going to be plenty of huge roster decisions made in the next three weeks.

• LaVelle gives us today's lineup which has Carlos Gomez in RF and batting second. OH, and we get to see Jose Tabata and Phil Hughes!
  

26-time World Champions: 1. Cabrera, CF. 2. Cano, 2B. 3. Matsui, DH. 4. Duncan, 1B. 5. Ensberg, 3B. 6. Lane, LF. 7. Molina, C. 8. Woodward, SS. 9. Tabata, RF. Pitching: Hughes.

Two-time World Champions: 1. Span, CF. 2. Gomez, RF. 3. Young, LF. 4, Morneau, 1B. 5. Monroe, DH. 6. Buscher, 3B. 7. Redmond, C. 8. Punto, 2B. 9. Everett, SS. Pitching: Bonser, then Guerrier, Nathan, Bass, Cali and others. 

• Travis Talks has been busy! In the last two days, he has posted his projected Twins lineup, Rochester lineup, New Britain lineup, Ft. Myers lineup, and Beloit lineup. Travis is fairly new to the Twins blogosphere, and today he has asked readers for input on his site. So please take a few minutes and look at his site and please give him some feedback. I enjoy posting links to other people's sites. I think Travis will continue to do a great job of blogging, so please let him know what you think. Thanks!
• Joe Christensen wrote a great little posting called All Gomez All the Time. I think it's just entertaining. He certainly has confidence and I think that can be a very good thing!

ALRIGHT, we are now 15-20 minutes from game time. I've got to get something to eat and set myself up to watch some spring training baseball and blog! Please use the comments to post your thoughts on what you watch, or ask questions.

PREGAME THOUGHTS

It will be good to see Bonser pitch. He's been good in his first couple of outings. We know he's lost weight. I want to see his pitching though. I want to see Span. I think he's worked hard and deserves this opportunity. Gomez and Young are very exciting players. Morneau is Morneau. Monroe has been hitting the cover off the ball so far. So has Buscher. The rest of the lineup can't hit much but will be around all season in all likelihood. I really like Melky. Matsui hasn't played much, if at all this spring. Shelly Duncan has been a monster so far. Ensberg and Lane were both one year wonders. Tabata is very young and talented. And hey, who cares about the lineups and the results or really anything. As I said on Wednesday, it's more about the season getting closer and actually getting to watch baseball on TV!!

FIRST INNING is coming!

1^st Inning (Top)

Melky Cabrera – Fly out to RF on 1-2 pitch. Shows all three pitches with his first three pitches.

Robinson Cano – Bonser fell behind 2-0, then 3-0. Then walked on 3-1.

Hideki Matsui – This is his first at bat this spring. First pitch change up that Matsui was way out in front of. Next pitch was a shot right at Morneau who turned a perfect 3-6-3 which is such a tough play.

1^st Inning (Bottom)

Phil Hughes, who has a really good blog of his own, starts for the Yankees.

Denard Span – drilled a 1-1 pitch for a one hopper to 1B. Hard hit, but once Duncan caught it, it was an easy out.

Carlos Gomez – On a 1-1 pitch, Gomez tried to bunt for a hit a slow curve. He made contact, but the ball hit him outside the batters box, in fair territory for the 2^nd out.

Delmon Young – guessed fastball on the first pitch, got it, and … fouled it straight back. Second pitch was nice slider down that he missed. He then took a fastball just off the outside corner for a ball. He then fouled off three curveballs before grounding to third base for the third out.

Dick & Bert Thoughts – I’m always interested in how these two will spin everything. So far, they have talked about Boof’s weight, Span’s chances (don’t give up on him!), Gomez’s blazing speed and tools, the phrase ‘but you can’t steal first’ has been mentioned. They’ve also talked about the “correct” decision to keep Cuddyer in right field with Young in left. I am certain I will be annoyed by them and watching to the game on mute later! OK, I actually can’t wait to hear what they tell us about some of the minor leaguers that they know nothing about.

2^nd inning (top)

Shelley Duncan – drilled a one hopper that bounced over Buscher at 3B. Young showed off his rocket of an arm.

Morgan Ensberg – Boof fell behind 3-0 before Ensberg fouled off a fastball, but then next pitch was low.

Jason Lane – Although the second pitch appeared to be right down the middle, somehow the ump called it a ball. For some reason Lane swung at a lower pitch then next pitch and fouled it off. On 3-1, he missed outside to load the bases.

Jose Molina will be the Yankees backup catcher this year. He can’t hit, but he drove a double to left centerfield on a 1-0 pitch to drive in two runs.

Chris Woodward, who will likely be their backup at three infield positions, and maybe even in the outfield a little, fell behind 0-2. He then hit a slow bouncer to 3B and Buscher, no run scored.

Jose Tabata, the young’n, got an RBI.

Melky Cabrera grounded out to 2B on a ball that hit Bonser and caromed to Punto who made the play.

Yankees 3, Twins 0.

2^nd inning (bottom)

Justin Morneau – took a fastball down the middle, then fouled off another. Then his contract was brought up. Then he took a curveball in the dirt. Then he somehow took a fastball right down the middle again for strike three.

Craig Monroe was really nice and talked to me at Twins Fest. He’s also been hitting well since recovering from his leg injury early in camp. On a full count, he popped up to 3B after a quality at bat.

Brian Buscher – On 1-0, he grounded to 1B.

Dick & Bert Thoughts – Dick said everyone loved Torii. Ha! Contracts mentioned on Cuddyer and Morneau. Bremer says the Twins can pay anything to have Monroe for the simple reason that then he can’t hit against the Twins.

3^rd inning (top)

Robinson Cano – grounded out to 2B on the first pitch.

Hideki Matsui – flew out to RF on a 2-1 pitch.

Shelley Duncan – took a pitch that looked pretty good (But low) on a full count for ball four.

Morgan Ensberg – ground out to 3B for the third out.

NOTE – Bert says he is making it a goal to not discuss pitch count this year. Bremer suggests some sort of fine system!

3^rd Inning (bottom)

Bill Smith is in the booth, so I’ll try to post some of what he says.

Mike Redmond – fly out to RF.

Nick Punto – weak grounder to 3B.

(Smith is happy with all the new acquisitions and their scouting reports on those players have been accurate)

Adam Everett – flew out to CF.

(Smith was thrilled with Everett becoming availablility. Gardy wanted him. He said that reports are telling him that Everett is as good as any SS ever.)

4^th Inning (top)

Randy Keisler is now pitching.

(Smith has happy with the bullpen and how veteran they are.)

Jason Lane – singled the first pitch to RF.

(Update on Joe Nathan – very quiet, he’s one of the best in the game, his agent is coming in later in the spring. They will keep it quiet and let him worry about pitching.)
Jose Molina – slow roller to SS, but Putno threw the ball into the 1B seats… OK, full disclosure, Jason Lane barreled into him as he was throwing.

Chris Woodward – On 2-0, Keisler threw a nice changeup. Same thing on 2-1. On 3-2, Woodward, blooped a single to center, Molina advanced to 3B because he’s slow, but Span played it well)

(Jose Morales was told that he needs to go get his at bats in minor league camp because if there is an injury, he needs to be ready.)

Jose Tabata – On 2-0, he singled in a run through the hole between SS and 3B.

(Smith’s thoughts on Philip Humber. He’s gotten better, a lot of the young guys are pressing too much. Mentioned Gomez. Mentioned Slowey. They will separate themselves, and if some go to Rochester, they will keep working. Never have enough pitching.)

Melky Cabrera – walked on five pitches, none particularly close.

(Discussion on how the Yankees, Red Sox are hanging on to their young pitchers. Cashman talked about the Twins. Smith mentioned the A’s.

Robinson Cano – first pitch, grounder to SS, perfect pitch to Punto and an OK throw to first for the double play.

Yankees 4, Twins 0.

4^th Inning (bottom)

(Boof Bonser is being interviewed)

Denard Span took a four pitch walk.

(Boof says he’s feeling good, but he’s getting more movement than he’s used to, something he has to adjusted to. He feels stronger in the legs and everywhere. Nutritionist told him to eat five times a day, smaller portions, no fast food.)

Carlos Gomez – it looked like it killed him to take three pitches, likely trying to give Span a chance to steal 2B. Span didn’t go. Gomez got behind 1-2 and then fouled off two pitches before popping up to SS.

Delmon Young – Bert says he should have been the AL Rookie of the Year last year, but Dustin Pedroia got it because he’s from a bigger market… OR.. maybe Pedroia had FAR BETTER numbers! Anyway, on an 0-1 pitch, Young drilled a one-hopper to 3B where it was bobbled. Span was forced out at 2B, but Young beat the throw to 1B.

Justin Morneau – On 2-0, Young stole 2B (which makes little sense, but he was safe). In a regular season game, however, the Yankees probably would have just intentionally walked Morneau. Instead, Hughes threw a pitch low for ball four.

Craig Monroe – First pitch curveball made him look silly. Second pitch curveball made him look silly. Third pitch curveball hung a little and Monroe lined one foul down the 3B line. Next pitch, a fourth curveball, in the dirt for ball one. Finally got a fastball, but it was down in the zone so Monroe fouled it back. A high fastball was bounced slowly to 3B for the third out.

(Note – Phil Hughes – no hits through four… I’m sure he’s done, but don’t forget his last start, he was the first pitcher in what ended up being a perfect game for the Yankees.)

5^th Inning (Top)

Keisler remains in.

Hideki Matsui – took a fastball for strike one, then slowly grounded a slow curveball to 1B.

Shelley Duncan – On 3-1, Keisler wasn’t close on a fastball.

Morgan Ensbeg – on the first pitch, Ensbeg hit a fastball right down the middle and just above the belt that hit the top of the fence (or maybe a tree?) for a double that scored a run. (Nick Green runs for him)

Jason Lane – walked on a 3-2 pitch. (Brett Gardner running.)

Jose Molina – Keisler threw a nice changeup low and got a grounder to SS for an easy 6-4-3 double play.

Yankees 5, Twins 0

5^th Inning (Bottom)

Kei Igawa is now pitching for the Yankees. He replaced Hughes in that perfect game.

Brian Buscher – Buscher got ahead 3-0, took a strike and then was late a fastball. On a full count, he took a fastball up and in for a walk.

Mike Redmond – Redmond did what Redmond does most, and on a 1-2 pitch, he flew weakly to right field.

Nick Punto – On a 2-0 pitch, Punto lined out to left field for the second out.

Adam Everett – I’m sure Igawa fears Everett. He walked him on four pitches.

Denard Span – You can hear Gardy in the background, “Come on Span Man, get a good pitch!” On a 3-1 pitch, he nearly hit Span for ball four to load the bases.

Carlos Gomez – Gomez missed a fastball on the first pitch for strike one. It was a strike, and I’m glad he swung. On the second pitch, Gomez grounded weakly to 3B for the third out.

Still no hits.

6^th Inning (top)

Matt Guerrier is now pitching.

Chris Woodward – on the first pitch, he singled to center.

Jose Tabata – Struck out on a slow curveball. Two pitches earlier, he was way behind a fastball.

(Michael Cuddyer is now being interviewed. Who is filling the leadership role? Cuddyer says that there are plenty of leaders who were leaders all along. Just as good a leader as any of the guys that were gone. Cuddy is the best!! I’m already tough of the Torii if Missed crap! Cuddyer says he is working a little on everything. )

Melky – slow roller to the right side of the infield that Guerrier flipped to Morneau for the second out.

Robinson Cano – lined a single to right field. Gomez made a good, strong throw that Morneau cut off and they easily got Cano in a rundown. Had Morneau thrown home, they may have got the out, but the key was Gomez hitting the cutoff.

Yankees 6, Twins 0.

6^th Inning (bottom)

Delmon Young – swung at the first pitch from Igawa and fouled it off. On a full count, Young lined out to CF.

Justin Morneau – On the first pitch, Morneau was jammed and grounded out lazily to shortstop.

Craig Monroe – Monroe popped up the 2^nd pitch.

Still No Hits!

(By the way, did you note the new Marvin Windows & Doors commercial?)

7^th Inning (top)

Joe Nathan is pitching. Eli Whiteside is catching. Randy Ruiz at 1B. Howie Clark is at 2B.

Greg Porter is hitting for Matsui. On 3-2, fouled off a couple of pitches before walking him.

Juan Miranda – popped up to 2B.

Nick Green – took a called third strike for the 2^nd out.

Brett Gardner – lined to 1B for the out.

7^th Inning (Bottom)

Alan Horne is now pitching for the Yankees. His name was one mentioned in potential Santana deals.

(Delmon Young is being interviewed now. Biggest adjustment is remembering all the names. Discussed having Hall of Famers around. Discuss the regimen that his dad used to prepare Delmon and Dmitri including 250 swings a day by the age of eight. Was excited about the trade, wanted a change of scenery, low-key, great manager, good situation. Doesn’t care where he hits, just wants to play… anywhere on the field and anywhere on the lineup. Switch to left field is going good. One ‘banana route.”)

Tommy Watkins received a huge ovation! On the first pitch, Watkins broke up the no-hit bid with a line drive up the middle.

Eli Whiteside hit a fly ball to medium deep center on the first pitch.

Howie Clark took a ball in the dirt and even though the ball didn’t go too far away, Watkins advanced to 2B. Clark walked on four pitches.

Alexi Casilla took the first two pitches out of the strike zone. On a 2-1 pitch, he flew out lazily to left field.

Denard Span took a five pitch walk, the Twins 7^th walk of the day. It filled the bases.

Jason Pridie took two balls before taking a strike. He then grounded out to 2B to end the inning.

8^th Inning (Top)

Carmen Cali is now in for the Twins. Tommy Watkins came into 3B last inning. Casilla to SS. Pridie in RF.

Kyle Ansen – grounded to 2B on a hard-hit ball.

Alberto Gonzalez was the SS sometimes mentioned in Twins/Yankees trade talks. He singled on a 3-2 pitch.

Colin Curtis, a lefty, struck out easily, something that matters to the lefty Cali.

#95 – Cick & Bert didn’t give us a name! Anyway, he grounded out to 2B for the third out.

8^th Inning (Bottom)

Jeff Marquez is now pitching. He was mentioned in talks all winter as well. The Yankees allegedly offered Marquez in place of Ian Kennedy.

Garrett Jones – hit a dribbler down the first base line. A head first slide beat the play to first for a single. Along with Wednesday’s long homer against Joba, that play will be remembered by Gardy when they determine if Jones will be kept on the roster.

Randy Ruiz – Walked on four pitches.

Jon Knott – On a 1-1 pitch, Knott flew out to the wall in deep left field. Jones advanced to 3B on the play.

Tommy Watkins – On a 1-0 pitch, he got jammed big time and popped up to short first base, failing to get Jones in from 3B.

Eli Whiteside – doubled down the right field line. Jones scored and when the throw got away from 2B, Ruiz took off for home and scored.

Howie Clark – ground out to 3B on a nice play.

Yankees 6, Twins 2.

9^th Inning (Top)

Brian Bass is pitching now.

Bernie Castro is now up for the Yankees. This is a guy who I kind of followed a couple of years ago because he put up some big numbers. He’s never really gotten a chance. He swung at the first pitch and grounded to Watkins at 3B for the out.

Greg Porter – double down the left field line.

Juan Miranda – swung at the first pitch and fouled down the left field line, foul. He struggled with it and dropped it. Not pretty. Several pit

Nick Green struck out too.

9^th Inning (Bottom)

Chase Wright is in now for the 9^th.

Alexi Casilla grounded a 1-1 pitch to 3B for the first out.

Denard Span took a five pitch walk, his fourth walk of the game!!

Jason Pridie grounded to first, with the out at 2B on the force.

Garrett Jones walked on five pitches.

Randy Ruiz lined the first pitch to center, scoring Pridie from second. Ruiz is certainly making an impression.

Jon Knott comes up with a chance to tie the game with one swing. Instead, he grounds to the SS, who booted it into center, which scored one more run and Ruiz advanced to third.

Pitching Change – now Scott Patterson is in, Matt Tolbert running for Knott

Tommy Watkins flew to CF on the first pitch

Final Score - Yankees 6, Twins 4

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