Twins Fix

Back in first. Feels good, doesn’t it? Here are some thoughts:

-The obvious story of the game is Glen Perkins. He went an awesome eight innings giving up only four hits. While it looks amazing in the box score, this Yankee offense has been reeling lately. They have huge problems of their own, but Perkins’ start tonight shouldn’t be undervalued by any means. He did spectacular and fans should be proud.

I also heard that he had a baby girl yesterday – well, his wife did. It always seems to happen that way, doesn’t it? I’m not sure this bodes well for him or the Twins. His wife can’t give birth every five days. He needs to find some other kind of motivation that will keep him pitching like this.

I’m not proud, however, by the decision to take him out of the game and insert Nathan for the ninth inning in a non-save situation. While I would normally be the first to support stretching Nathan out and letting him pitch more often and for more outs, I disapprove of him coming out tonight.

It’s not often a pitcher has the chance to pitch a complete game, especially in today’s baseball world (more on that at a later date). Perkins is not the best pitcher and his chances at a shutout come far and few between. I know, I know, if you give a fan a blog he rules the world and knows everything…but still, I think Perkins should have gone out for the ninth. Please try and persuade me otherwise.

-To Nathan’s credit, he did come into the game in the ninth and struck out the side, although it took him 17 pitches. He faced the 3-4-5 hitters of this New York lineup; Bobby Abreu, A-Rod, and Xavier Nady. Nathan’s ERA is now down to 1.09. With just a few more starts like this he will be under the great one line.

-The offense was sparked today from a highly irregular source – Adam Everett. I was calling for his head a few weeks ago, but if he can do this a few times a week I will be forced to eat crow. Everett hit a two-run shot that barely cleared the left field wall. I’m not sure left fielder Justin Christian would have caught it, but he would have made it close if he had more Dome experience. Everett was lucky to hit it past a rookie, and I’m sure Kirby would have gotten to that ball.

-In the bottom of the eighth inning Carlos Gomez – remember, he is the fast guy – found himself on first base after he bunted a curve ball from Sidney Ponson. The Twins were up 3-0 and were looking to add an insurance run. With Denard Span at the plate, it was a perfect opportunity for him to steal, right? If not that, at least a hit and run, right?

I guess not. Span grounded to A-Rod who threw Gomez out at second. To the Twins’ credit, they did eventually score on a Morneau chopper up the middle to get that insurance run they needed, but I thought Gomez would attempt to steal for sure.

Gomez has only three stolen bases since July 1st. How pathetic is that? What a waste of his speed! The difference between having a runner on first and having a runner on second is crucial. While it may only be 90 feet, it could be the differnce between a runner at home and a runner at third should the next batter get a hit. That is one hole run! Stop me if I’m wrong, but I’m sure Gomez isn’t allowed or capable yet of stealing at his own discretion. I’m sure he has to get the signal from the dugout. The bottom line is that the Boink-O-Meter to the right just went up to 8.

-Apparently Joe Nathan is donating $500,000 to Stony Brook University in New York, his alma mater, for them to build a new baseball field. That field will be appropiately named “Joe Nathan Field.”

-On a final note, I can’t help but touch on the Olympics. Phelps is the obvious storyline. Pat Forde of ESPN has even handicapped all the races he is swimming in. Check it out if you have the chance.

I didn’t get to watch the men’s 4×100 meter freestyle live, but I have watched it three times since on NBC.com and am convinced that it was the best relay of all time. Feel free to show others, but even veteran Jason Lezek didn’t think they could overcome a full body-length.

It was very fun to watch in it’s entirety, but I recommend the final 50 meters and the replays of the celebrations. I won’t lie, I felt like going out and running ten miles right then and there. My adrenaline was pumping like crazy. I just hope those four weren’t doping…

-I’m sorry I missed this yesterday, but welcome back to the NL Livan Hernandez. (Insert evil snicker.)

The Twins do it again tomorrow night at the Dome as Nick Blackburn (9-6, 3.60) takes on New York’s Moose (15-7, 3.27). Be sure to tune in!