Nightly Notes: Game #20
Well folks, there's no denying that things are starting to get ugly. Here are tonight's notes:
1.) Johan went 7 innings, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits with 1 walk and 7 K's. That sounds like a winning line to me, and it's again unfortunate that the Twins couldn't buckle down and put some runs on the board. This was not vintage Santana, but it's not like he got rocked either.
2.) Matt Guerrier continues to throw the ball well, even though he allowed a run tonight. I have far more confidence in him this year than I ever have before, and that's nice to see. If tonight's game did nothing else, it at least gave the other 6 relievers in the bullpen a breather, and that could play a role over the next 5 days against the Royals and Tigers.
3.) You knew it had to happen eventually -- Torii Hunter has been having so much success at stretching singles into doubles, it was almost inevitable that he would take a ridiculous risk one of these games. Tonight, after hitting a solid single, he decided to push it for two and got absolutely nailed. I like the aggressiveness, Torii, but you've got to be a little smarter about it.
4.) It was very nice to see Jason Kubel have a solid game tonight. Hopefully that can carry over -- the Twins need someone other than the big 3 to start driving in runs, and Kubel could be that guy.
5.) Sounds like Rondell is just a couple of days away from returning. The Twins will either send Josh Rabe or Glen Perkins down when White is activated (unless Luis Castillo has to go on the DL, which seems unlikely). My guess is it will be Rabe, despite what Ron Gardenhire said recently about not being to certain about White's abilityt o move around.
6.) Very important series for the Twins starting tomorrow against the Royals. They badly need to get back on track. Of course, that means that Sidney Ponson is going to have to have a good start, and frankly I'm not so optimistic about that.
1.) Johan went 7 innings, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits with 1 walk and 7 K's. That sounds like a winning line to me, and it's again unfortunate that the Twins couldn't buckle down and put some runs on the board. This was not vintage Santana, but it's not like he got rocked either.
2.) Matt Guerrier continues to throw the ball well, even though he allowed a run tonight. I have far more confidence in him this year than I ever have before, and that's nice to see. If tonight's game did nothing else, it at least gave the other 6 relievers in the bullpen a breather, and that could play a role over the next 5 days against the Royals and Tigers.
3.) You knew it had to happen eventually -- Torii Hunter has been having so much success at stretching singles into doubles, it was almost inevitable that he would take a ridiculous risk one of these games. Tonight, after hitting a solid single, he decided to push it for two and got absolutely nailed. I like the aggressiveness, Torii, but you've got to be a little smarter about it.
4.) It was very nice to see Jason Kubel have a solid game tonight. Hopefully that can carry over -- the Twins need someone other than the big 3 to start driving in runs, and Kubel could be that guy.
5.) Sounds like Rondell is just a couple of days away from returning. The Twins will either send Josh Rabe or Glen Perkins down when White is activated (unless Luis Castillo has to go on the DL, which seems unlikely). My guess is it will be Rabe, despite what Ron Gardenhire said recently about not being to certain about White's abilityt o move around.
6.) Very important series for the Twins starting tomorrow against the Royals. They badly need to get back on track. Of course, that means that Sidney Ponson is going to have to have a good start, and frankly I'm not so optimistic about that.
Labels: Nightly Notes
posted by JST @ Tuesday, April 24, 2007
2 Comments:
At Wed Apr 25, 09:13:00 AM ,
Anonymous said...
What's all this doomsday talk people are yapping about in Twins Territory? It's like people have never experienced a 3-game losing streak. Sure, the offense is lagging but, as we saw last year, it is entirely capable of throwing out duds here and there that make it look completely inept. We are far from from being in any sort of crisis.
So Tyner goes 0-4 in one game...is it really necessary to remind everyone that he was riding a 6-game hitting streak and is still batting over .300?
I'm glad you aren't freaking out in late April like many other folks, T.
At Wed Apr 25, 09:32:00 AM ,
JST said...
Steve,
Doomsday talk has been the norm for a lot of fans since the Twins lost to the A's in the playoffs last year. Very few moves made by the Twins since that time (picking up Torii's and Carlos's option, signing Ramon Ortiz and Sidney Ponson, not taking Matt Garza or Glen Perkins or Kevin Slowey north with the team after spring training) have gone without significant criticism.
I suspect that part of it is simply the need to let off a little steam, and for some people it's the compulsive need to feel smarter than the GM who's actually running things. For me (and apparently for you), though, it's more fun to be patient and give things a chance to work out before you get upset.
This is NOT to say that I agree with everything that Terry Ryan does. Heck, if Sidney Ponson struggles tonight and the Twins don't immediately designate him for assignment, I'll undoubtedly be asking "what is TR thinking" along with everybody else. I just don't see a need to panic after only 3+ weeks of the season.
Thanks for the comment, Steve, and anyone who disagrees with this position, please feel free to let me know about it with a comment of your own.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home