stringer bell

I like Escobar and think he should get a chance to be the regular SS, but I think his drawback is lack of great speed and range for a guy without much power. He's hit pretty lustily this year, so maybe he has a bit more than a little power.

That was my point of "oh wait!"

Gardy going with Perk for a four-out save? Sacrilege! Oh, wait!

Well, if the Twins keep the lead this half inning, it will be an accomplishment.

Fien gets Torii, Miggy and V-Mart, Perk gets the bottom of the order. Sounds fair enough.

Is there any doubt that the call-ups are better hitters than the guys sent down (and Hicks)?

A tie is nice, but score that go-ahead run!

C'mon Plouffe!

Please Esco, hit a gapper. I want to see if Santana can catch Parms.

I don't care if there is no backup. You have to hit for Hicks here, right?

Pretty much agree, but the options are really limited. I think, for now, Mauer needs to hit #3 (move Plouffe down), but I really don't know who should bat #4.

Well, if that is all for Deduno, he finished with a flourish.

He's hit the ball harder than Kubel has lately, but has even less to show for it..

I'm starting to believe that if Santana has any type of instincts in center, I'd put him there and ride with Esocobar at short. My patience with Aaron Hicks is nearly "E" for empty.

Deduno strikes out Miggy and V-Mart. One more inning for Sam?

Bases loaded, double play grounder hit right at Escobar, the runner on second got hit by the ball. Gardy's asking for them to rule a double play. I don't know if they even can, but if they can I imagine it would be similar to allowing a runner to score from first on fan interference or a ground rule double--very rare. Crew Chief (Country) Joe West got in the argument and quickly thumbed Gardy.

With Avila's knee!

Regarding lineup choices: I heard Gardy's radio show. He said that Pinto will get DH at-bats and that he likes Santana. Santana looks better from the left side, so if he's going to miss a game today is probably a good one to miss. Gardy also said that they are serious about using Santana in center and they like what they've seen of him in batting practice. Any outfield with Colabello in it isn't a good outfield. I'd rather run with Nuñez in left 10 times out of ten than have Colabello in right.

The ruling of FC/E-4 made all the runs against Gibson to be earned runs. Tough break for him.

How many steps has Hunter lost? I know his defensive ratings in right field have plummeted, but not taking second when Kinsler swipes third?

While stolen bases against haven't been much of an issue, I believe Twins catchers were something like 1-18 throwing out base stealers. Not good, no matter whose fault it is.,

Not exactly how you want to start out a game. Put two on for Miggy and V-Mart with none out.

With the day game after a night game, I thought we might see Pinto today, but Suzuki (at this point) is the better alternative. Pinto looks like he is out of his offensive funk, but with improved options at DH, he isn't going to get many ABs there. Should he be sent down? If he doesn't hit in his next few starts, I would agree.

2. Wasn't one of the Royals pitchers also a Tiger (Mizzou)?

I'll go there. I am thinking that Tonkin would be attractive to a couple clubs, but don't most teams have several guys under 30 that can throw around 95? To my knowledge, the Twins have .......Tonkin.