MIN 8, LAA 7: Twins Squeak Out Victory

Calling the bullpen a little shaky is being incredibly generous.

Calling the bullpen a little shaky is being incredibly generous.

Sure, but you gotta give credit to Morin for battling in a tough situation.    Did you see the part about 12 games without a run except for Hildenberger?   I'll accept a clunker every once in a while, especially when they escape with a win.

I think it's time to get on the phone with some teams who can trade relievers for prospects. 

Bullpen will be the death of this otherwise good team and that really drives me up the wall. Front office  must be banking on us limping through with what we have until after the draft so we can try and sign some help with out giving up draft capitol or at least draft capitol we are okay with parting with. A win is a win, but man the pen made it not feel like one. 

I listened to the Angels announcers bemoaning the fact that the Angels left 14 stranded.   I thought only the Twins had that problem.     

That Cron play should make highlight reels for years to come.     It is hilarious.     I wish I could see the replay of Odorizzi's reaction.

Hildenberger needs a mental vacation in Rochester. The bullpen is pretty ugly on days when Rogers, May, and Parker are limited.

Except that Harper, Magill, Morin, and Duffey have 7 ER in 27 IP this season. 

The problem with the bullpen was almost exclusively Mejia to start the season (plus the dynamic De Jong + Vasquez duo). Now Hildenberger is completely melting down. But it's not really a bullpen-wide issue, it's basically been just two guys, and two disastrous call-ups.

Rogers, Parker, Harper, May, Magill, Morin, and Duffey: 17 ER in 87 IP. Between those seven pitchers, that's a 1.76 ERA. 

I thought Rocco's bullpen management today was poor. I don't know why Magill came out. I don't know why Harper came in after working yesterday. I would've liked to see Duffey pitch, preferably at the start of an inning. I would've liked to see Morin start an inning. I would've liked to not see Hildenberger at all. We had three reasonably rested pitchers available, and instead of putting them in positions to succeed, we had the entire bullpen running around putting out fires instead.

Don’t players talk on the field? Can’t Odorizzi call out Cron’s name?

Nice to see the Twins win in a variety of ways.  That ability to keep moving ahead despite a break down or two is what leads to championships. 

Whew. This is just the start of the second quarter of the season. I hope this continues to be a meaningful season in terms of a pennant race. I know, I know...one game at a time.

All's well the wins well.  Or even wins ugly.  Someone commented in the game thread that that end game stuff could be season defining, and I scoffed to myself.  In hindsight, perhaps it will be--a relatively unheralded member of the team got out of an icky jam.  Things break bad in baseball all of the time.  They didn't roll over, this time--and they haven't been this year.  I like it.

As far as putting Hildy in there--obviously, glad they didn't lose, so I'm actually glad he got one more chance.  If this doesn't happen now, maybe they're forced to go to him in a closer game and the DO lose.  At least now, there's a chance for someone else.

I'd sure love to be shocked and see them dip down to AA for Stashak or Graterol.

27 and 15 - unbelievable.

Like with the Vikings and their offensive line, we all knew what the problem was with this team coming into the year, and also like the Vikings this is going on two or three years now.

Let's see if this team can figure it out before imploding and get some help. There is no shame in bringing in more talented players.

Tomorrow night. Pineda for 6. Duffey for 2. Rogers for 1. Probably.

This game was nerve-wracking.

I don’t particularly care for nerve-wracking games in mid-May.

It's early training for October.  

Just about 10 days late sending Hildenberger down. It was so obvious, but they just had to let it get worse and worse. I was surprised that he was on the roster out of spring training after the end of last year and this ST. To give him the 9th today.... what is Baldelli thinking? That he will miraculously change in a day or two? At least he had a few games that he shined to have hope for the remake of his game.

This series, it's not just the bullpen. Starters were getting tagged. 9 hits against Odorizzi in 5.1 (18 total against for the game), 12 against Berrios in 5.2 (15 total), and Gibson, who gets the most crap from the boards, 6 against in 5.2 (11 total). The whole staff was pretty bad. Pretty amazing they won two of the 3 one run games.

Um..Hildy has been sent to Rochester..the boys are 25-0 when leading in 8th..that is not a stat that trends with a weak pen. Harper, Morin, May, Parker, Rodgers, and Duffey are fine..no we do the Minor league shuffle for last spot..25-12 gents..not much to bitch about...and oh yeah, Buck is closing on .280, leading the league in doubles..and nothing hits the ground in the outfield but rain!! Go Teins!

Twins!! Doh..ack ack..

Another Hindenburger sighting today..... sigh...Oh the humanity....

The best thing that can happen is to have a fresh bullpen, and these guys go up and down on the option train. This could be good, or as good as one can hope for at least, given the personel.

I respect the heck out of Sid Hartman, he'll be a legend for a long time and should get his own statue on Nicolett Mall. That said....I dunno, man. Kinda hard watching him struggle to even get a question out there. I know, I know, I'm sorry.

Speaking of struggling. Happy trails, Hildy.

This Buxton guy might be finally living up to his potential. I'd love to see him getting more ABs but then again maybe the Twins are paranoid about anything that might seem like a "push". I'll take his .280 and league-leading doubles any day. Nice HR today too, he might hit 15-20 this year.