stringer bell

That was an easier play for Correa, but they made the play anyway.

Good at-bat for Kirilloff, not a great result.

Two straight innings, runner on second with none out, let's see if they get him home this inning.

Rangers and the Twins are tied in homers, but the Rangers have played five less games. Well, Twins have one more since Correa homered in the first.

Fixed.

I think he just moved from Texas.

Interesting to have two relief pitchers providing color commentary for a Twins broadcast.

Gio! Gio!

I wonder if the HP umpire's ball/strike calls will conform with the box from that view.

It's been really hot in Austin. My son and his family are spending their first summer there.

The TV view from behind the pitcher is different than what I'm used to seeing. Good start!! Bobble and bad throw on the same play nets Arraez on first base.

Time to win another series. The Rangers have a good lineup, but let's hope the Twins' Gray is the better pitcher. Mitch Garver is hitting eighth for the Rangers. I'm glad to see Kirilloff in the lineup for the Twins, would rather see him at first than DH.

I think and hope that this is because of the injury. The Buxton we saw on the field was among the best two or three players in the world. The Buxton we've seen has otherworldly power, but isn't a complete hitter. Beyond that, he's only playing outfield part-time and isn't a threat on the base paths.

It's pretty much a job share between the two and unless one or the other separates from the other, I presume it will continue for the year. Sanchez isn't significantly better than Jeffers and he's a pending free agent, who likely will be playing for someone else next year.

Rocco is far from faultless. However, the problem yesterday is that a succession of relievers failed to do their jobs. The 100% 20-20 hindsight that X should have thrown a second inning becomes cherry-picking. I've said it before, the rotation has been successful, but it is both brittle and fragile. That means little trust for long outings and a quick hook in close games. The bullpen has been exposed too often and they have injury excuses (currently Smith, Coulombe and Alcala on the injured list), but there isn't enough quality there, even at full strength, to cover for the additional innings the rotation puts on them. Baldelli gets the abuse for covering for and protecting his bullpen. I guess that is part of the job..

I think Jeffers would be fine in a job share with a decent defense lefty hitter. He does much better against left handed pitching and is a decent receiver. He’s taken a step of more back with his throwing and his skill as a receiver might be diminished by automatic strike zones. However, I see potential still there as an offensive player and he is relatively young. An example of a good job-share might be Tucker Barnhart a pending free agent with the Tigers.

One could argue for several of the relievers at St. Paul being better than Pagan. But the real problem with the Twins bullpen is that they need two relievers who are better than Jax and they are not to be found. The club needs to go outside the organization to acquire not one, but two quality relievers.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

I feel a GDP coming on.

I think the plan was to limit Duran to one inning to close out the game. Megill came very close to getting strike three on both Zavala and Vaughn, but didn’t do it. OTOH, if Kepler doesn’t catch the liner, the game could be over.

Gordon hasn’t hurt them at short today. I do hold my breath every time the ball is hit to him.

I don’t think anyone knows for sure. It was an awkward tumble at first base, but he didn’t look any the worse for wear.

I don’t think there’s much sentiment to DFA Thielbar.

Or maybe hit a home run.

Gio, Gio, Gio!!!!