CIN 7, MIN 2: Twins Lose Game, Donaldson, Buxton

[AceWrigley]

 

I understand some of the grumpiness after a game like that, but it gets to be a little over the top around here sometimes, especially considering this team is is still playing at a 98-win pace.

But we want them to win E-V-E-R-Y game don't ya know.

[tony&rodney]

Bottom line - in a short season the Twins have done well. Th record is outstanding.

Like Mikelink 45, I wonder about several items that seem concerning as we head into the final days before the playoffs. My mirror of his comments:

* Berrios does lose focus and suffers the consequences, yet is capable of great outings.

* Situational hitting is necessary in the playoffs. The Reds played their infield all the way back on the grass inviting a ground ball or just a sacrifice bunt that easily scores runs. Inexplicably, the Twins swung from their heals on pitches well outside the strike zone, high and/or outside.

* Man, it is tough to watch Buxton go down. Feed Donaldson bananas or something; the Twins really really need both players in the lineup.

* Rosario is a lightning rod for some reason, like Mauer. He is the best player on the team. I find myself glued to watching Buxton, Sano, Donaldson, and Cruz. Picking a team on the sandlot, i would choose Buxton, but it is Eddie that leads this team, for sure.

* My wife hates sports and i commented to her about Bailey's release. No response. So it was obvious to someone else that disconcerting words were passed leading to his release. It has no importance at all but it is curious.

I'm looking for a few line drives in the next few games.

Finally, I cannot help but believe that the players have done a remarkable job amongst all of the strict protocols and limitations that  they face in their everyday life and I have admired and appreciated those efforts immensely.

[twinbythebay]

 

Rocco sits Cruz down for a week because of a "knee injury" (wink wink) and the guy's so rusty he couldn't even make contact. Yeeps.

What makes you think it would've been better to keep playing Cruz when he had a sore knee? He wasn't looking right for the week or two before Rocco sat him, and the Twins won all four of the games he sat anyway. I'm a little nervous about Cruz at this point too, but I'm hoping his experience helps him get back on track for the playoffs.

[insagt1]

Twins are playing 'whiff'-le ball bigtime. Last nights game was very poor for sure. This is not the time to drag out what kind of pace we are on, or how good we HAD been. A 2 of 3 series is deadly and you have to be at your best.

 

Here is the crappy news on 4 of our good hitters...Bux, Sano, Cruz and Garver. In their last combined 47 AB's they have 25 whiffs. In their last 100 AB's they have 48 whiffs. Bux has fanned 7 of his last 12; Garver 9 of his last 13; Cruz 5 of his last 10 and Sano 4 of his last 12, but 14 of his last 27. This is completely unacceptable as playoffs near. Twins are getting men on and leaving them there by swinging wildly and missing.

I wouldn't mind benching Sano quite frankly and letting Wade or Gonzo or anyone else play 1st. If he is hitting .100 he isn't going to help us in a short series.

Cruz sadly is looking 40 now. He has not contributed much in September and over the past 10 days he just looks totally out of it at the plate.

Garver isn't making contact at all...except for the rare mistake. And even Buxton has not looked sharp lately...flailing away at those low outside pitches he was laying off for most the season.

 

Our offense will have to be much better to win a short series. Right now, they look very beatable. Very little time to fix. They still control their destiny but it won;t be good if they continue to play like last night.

For fans to be a bit grumpy right now is warranted. Teams that are hot and have their players ready to go are teams that win in post season. We haven't won even a game in post season in so long most of us have forgotten how it feels.  Time to bucklle down.

[curt1965]

 

Incredibly poor game from our Twins, with the added bonus of missing a chance to put a stranglehold on the division, a couple really worrisome injuries, continued mediocrity from Berrios, and more bullpen follies from the manager.

Just to build upon what Chief said, I will never understand what Baldelli is thinking about in his bullpen usage. Twins down only 2 going to the 9th, and he brings in a reliever who has never pitched in the big leagues! Just a total give up!

I’m obviously happy the Twins will be in the playoffs, but the hitters are hard to watch. All 9 players swinging for the fences or every pitch-they don’t understand situational hitting.  So many times with runners in scoring position with less than 2 out, and it’s strikeout, strikeout.

Apparently the game has passed me by.

 

[joefish]

Maybe Donaldson could buy all of us fans robes too.

[Trov]

I hope Buck is okay, the ball seemed to glance off the helmet than hit flush.  I think they took him out for caution.  Donaldson is more concerning and hopefully it was just a cramp he felt come on and they pulled him to rest it up.  Both will be needed in post season.  

[SoDakTwinsFan4]

Mitch Garvers at bat in the 8th with runners on 2nd & 3rd pretty much sums up his performance dating back to last years ALDS. IMPOTENT. And Mitch, its NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE HR. He fouled back a pitch right down the middle with a huge swing.You have got to score the guy from 3rd with less than 2 outs. I also believe that he has an inflated sense of his skills at the plate.

[Twodogs]

Buxton is reported to have mild concussion symptoms. Looks bad, who knows about Donaldson.

[akmanak]

Buxton is reported to have mild concussion symptoms. Looks bad, who knows about Donaldson.

That is not good news at all.