Well, it appears as if Monday's post regarding the Twins' predicted frustration against rookie Rick Porcello was precient, as the Twins managed only four measly hits off of the 20-year old Detroit hurler. Nick Blackburn gave up a run in the first, five runs in the second and three in the fourth, including home runs by Curtis Granderson and Miguel Cabrera. What Ron Gardenhire will tell you is that the positive thing about the game is that his bullpen did not allow a run over the final four and 2/3 innings. If there ever was a manager who was willing to take positives out of a 9-0 thrashing, it's Ron Gardenhire.
Not to be overlooked is the continued pitiful play of second baseman Alexi Casilla, who went 1-4 with a scratch single and whose error in the second inning led to three unearned runs. Casilla has proven in the first month of the season that he does not belong in the big leagues. Look at the guy's stance at the plate -- it's not exactly what you would teach your eight year old who's watching the game on TV.
SON: Yaaaaay!
Postscript: Ron Gardenhire did it! He acquired the brains and/or the nads to send this piece of crap Casilla down to the minor leagues where he belongs! Matt Tolbert (who's not much of an upgrade, mind you) was recalled from Rochester. Though it's unclear who is going to play the bulk of the time at second, my vote is for Brendan Harris, whose bat dictates he deserves an everyday spot. Most likely, however, Gardenhire will give the minor leaguer more at-bats because he's a Gardy kind of guy -- a weak hitter and a strong gloveman. Gosh, if Harris could just improve his range a tad -- he'd be a Gardenhire All-Star.
Twins at Baltimore tonight, with Kevin Slowey trying for 5-0. At the start of the season, I saw great potential in Slowey winning 15-18 ballgames this year, and he's certainly on pace for a high win total, but the record is deceiving. Slowey has been dreadfully average for most of the season and deserves to be 2-2. He's like a really-hittable Brad Radke, and that's not exactly a good thing. Retread southpaw Mark Hendrickson goes for the O's; that sounds like trouble for the Twins.
Blackburn didn't do much "pitching" as much as it was simply throwing batting practice to the Tiger lineup, which included Clete Thomas hitting third in the lineup for Jim Leyland. It was Thomas' first game this season in the majors following a month at Triple-A during which Thomas hit a scalding .236. As is expected, he tore the Twins up, going 3-4 with a triple and two RBIs. It was the type of performance that we're getting used to from Blackburn, who has failed to prove any sort of consistency in his brief major-league career. One good start will be followed up by a poor outing such as Tuesday's performance. During the fateful second inning, Blackburn retired the first two batters only to surrender five runs after that.
Not to be overlooked is the continued pitiful play of second baseman Alexi Casilla, who went 1-4 with a scratch single and whose error in the second inning led to three unearned runs. Casilla has proven in the first month of the season that he does not belong in the big leagues. Look at the guy's stance at the plate -- it's not exactly what you would teach your eight year old who's watching the game on TV. DAD: Hey son, what do you want to be when you grow up?
SON: A baseball player in the major leagues, Daddy!
DAD: OK, well, just crouch down low like you're taking a deuce, rest your bat on your shoulder, and then wave at the ball like you're twirling a baton. You'll be a STAR! Or at least a starting second baseman for the Twins.
DAD: OK, well, just crouch down low like you're taking a deuce, rest your bat on your shoulder, and then wave at the ball like you're twirling a baton. You'll be a STAR! Or at least a starting second baseman for the Twins.
SON: Yaaaaay!
Postscript: Ron Gardenhire did it! He acquired the brains and/or the nads to send this piece of crap Casilla down to the minor leagues where he belongs! Matt Tolbert (who's not much of an upgrade, mind you) was recalled from Rochester. Though it's unclear who is going to play the bulk of the time at second, my vote is for Brendan Harris, whose bat dictates he deserves an everyday spot. Most likely, however, Gardenhire will give the minor leaguer more at-bats because he's a Gardy kind of guy -- a weak hitter and a strong gloveman. Gosh, if Harris could just improve his range a tad -- he'd be a Gardenhire All-Star.Twins at Baltimore tonight, with Kevin Slowey trying for 5-0. At the start of the season, I saw great potential in Slowey winning 15-18 ballgames this year, and he's certainly on pace for a high win total, but the record is deceiving. Slowey has been dreadfully average for most of the season and deserves to be 2-2. He's like a really-hittable Brad Radke, and that's not exactly a good thing. Retread southpaw Mark Hendrickson goes for the O's; that sounds like trouble for the Twins.
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