Tonight the Twins will try to win their second in a row in Tampa:

 

Twins Lineup:

 

Denard Span CF

Jamey Carroll SS

Joe Mauer 1B

Josh Willingham LF

Justin Morneau DH

Ryan Doumit C

Danny Valencia 3B

Clete Thomas RF

Alexi Casilla 2B

 

SP: Carl Pavano

Glad Morneau is back...

Clete Thomas again? I gotta say, if we're looking for a reason to get worked up about Gardy's lineup, forget this 3rd catcher crap - this is the topic we should be focusing on. Thomas has STARTED in right field six of the seven games he's been with the Twins. What the hell?

 

I can understand it a couple of times. For instance, his first game, he gets a pass. His second game he gets a pass because he had the big first game. And I can understand the two starts when the lefties were on the mound and Gardy was protecting/resting Morneau. But that still doesn't explain Game 3 in NYY and tonight. Parmelee is getting screwed here.

Parmelee should be in Rochester, not in RF. I have no problem with them playing Thomas. First, they see what they've got, and second, he's not so bad. I have no problem with him being the Left-handed hitting RF in a platoon. The four-K game was one game. A game to move on from.

Parmelee should be in Rochester, not in RF. I have no problem with them playing Thomas. First, they see what they've got, and second, he's not so bad. I have no problem with him being the Left-handed hitting RF in a platoon. The four-K game was one game. A game to move on from.

There are at least four things in that quote I want to talk about. I've started a Clete Thomas thread, because this is going to drive me crazy.

 

http://twinsdaily.com/showthread.php?931-Clete-Thomas-Is-The-Twins-Starting-Right-Fielder-Really

I choose Parmelee over Thomas. When Terry Ryan acquired Thomas through the waiver wire last weekend he mentioned something to the tune of Thomas projects as a good 4th Outfielder. If Morneau eventually works his way into being the almost everyday first baseman again. Wouldn't it make sense to have Parmelee get a fair amount of action in RF? At this juncture in time he has done nothing to convince me that he needs more "seasoning". I really think he adds an element of offensive fear to our line-up and RF is where he is going to have to play if Morneau is in the field. I like Thomas, he can play all 3 OF positions, he has a nice arm, he has some pop, but is very susceptible to LH pitchers - but he is what TR calls him... a 4th Outfielder.

I'd rather see Parmelee but this lineup can get it done.....Win Twins!!!

Lots of Strikeouts early by Pavano . . . that's promising!

We need Pavano to pitch 7+ innings tonight....

nice work to turn two there, keeping the Rays off the board.

pitcher's duel.

REALLY nice work to turn two there, keeping the Rays off the board.

great double play! defense is working!

great at bat for Morneau - come on Doumit!

Could have used a big hit by Doumit there....cmon!

bases loaded, and out he goes...

He hit it pretty well, battled hard after going 0-2. Nice little rally, too bad it came with 2 out

if there is such a thing, this has been a vintage Pavano performance so far.

I always have to ask... what more was Ryan Doumit supposed to do there? He took a great AB against one of the league's best pitchers, and he hit a very hard line drive. I would have liked a couple of runs there too, but what was he supposed to do there instead?

Some good ABs for the Rays hitters. Pavano can't finish them off after getting a lot of Ks early.

Do you walk this guy in this situation?

 

edit: .... yeah. you can't predict that outcome, but why give them a free baserunner in that situation?

Edited April 22, 201214 yr by Kirby_Waved_At_Me

A couple of bad decisions by Span cost the Twins 2 runs.

Well that was about as frustrating an inning as you can get. Doumit, with the bases loaded, couldn't have hit that ball any harder, unfortunately it was hit right at someone.

 

Then in the bottom of the inning, a bunch of close plays, close pitches and close calls all go the home team's way, and it's 3-0 Rays.

Ok, I've almost had enough of Thomas, get a clue.

..........and Casilla.

Well this is getting ugly....

Valenica looks like he needs a night off.

Valenica looks like he needs a night off.

He's already taking the night off....brutal.

Ok, I've almost had enough of Thomas, get a clue.

Yeah. He's fine as a 4th or 5th outfielder, but this had better be the end of this little experiment of regularly putting him in the lineup.

One double play ball too late