Liriano

[Irishmans Shanty]

With the DirecTV feed of Dick and Bert being blacked out, I was forced to stomach the Sox WGN broadcast. Watch a game with the sound off some time, you notice a lot more. A few observations from tonight's game.<br><br>1) Liriano is better than Good. Iguchi (swinging), Thome (looking), Konerko (check swing 4-3), Dye (swinging), Crede (swinging), AJ (knock), Ozuna (FC). Those are six tough outs during a critical time that Liriano made look easy.<br>2) AJ pats Mauer on the butt after diving back to first following Citron's errant throw. You would think he would hate the guy that prompted the trade. Nope, AJ knows the Giants gave the Twins Liriano and Nathan up to acquire him.<br>3) The Costanza look alike sitting behind the Twins dugout with the home jersey and the retro red hat is a "real fan". This dude was the only one on the first base side showing up in the TV screen who was on his feet after Liriano mows the Sox down in the seventh and eighth. This guy recognized greatness.<br>4) Tim Raines making pitching changes = TWINS WIN <p></p><i></i>

[ae42]

I think the Twins need to start Liriano and trade away Lohse soon. If we trade Lohse away now the Twins can get more value for him than if they stick him in the bullpen for a while

[Hillfan]

I was able to catch last night's game, well at least the later innings when Liriano began to relieve Radke. I must say I have NEVER been a fan of Chicago baseball announcers simply because they are so biased and have nothing better to say but anything about their team. Well, not sure if this is true, but my brother was listening while I was in the other room and he said that as Liriano started up, the announcers brought up their closer, Jenks, and randomly said something along the lines of how Jenks makes throwing harder look easier. Just another example of biased opinion (if it did occur). What's funny though is the fact that Liriano does indeed make throwing look like a piece of cake.

Well I ended up being entertained for the next two innings while Francisco brilliantly mowed down the Sox lineup and shut the announcers mouths up.

P.S. About the trade that was brought up dealing A.J. to the Giants, just how amazing and big was that for the Twins? The Giants ended up keeping A.J. for a single year while we got 3 quality pitchers out of it:

-2-time All-Star Closer Joe Nathan
-Francisco Liriano, who, if placed in the rotation soon, could be the AL's rookie of the year.
- And third, a very promising Boof Bonser. Boof, a starting pitcher in the Twins' AAA club, is sporting a 2.01 ERA with 47 K's in 49 innings. Last year he led their league in the strikeout catergory.

[boblee]

My thoughts are as follows:

1. Santana
2. Radke
3. Liriano
4. Baker
5. Lohse

LR: Eyre
LR: Lohse
MR: Guerrier
MR: Reyes
SU: Rincon
SU: Crain
CL: Nathan

[packerboy]

oI agree on the Sox announcers. Not only are they homers, but they dont really want to understand either call they were whining about.

Even if the runner was out at first, the Sox made it look like he was safe. Kinerko pulled off the base and did a sweep tag. If the ball was there and his foot was on , why does he try to tag him? You cant do that and expect to get a call.

On the Cuddyer third strike/HBP, you never get that call. Sure, his bat 'went to far' but if you do that while trying to avoid being hit, its not a strike.

Maybe ,with all starters except Santana being shaky, the team is better off with Liriano being able to come in and extend a lead or a close game to the late innings 3 times a week.

[boblee]

Liriano is in the rotation! He will start Friday night. Silva has been moved to the bullpen.

[sterfry9]

Liriano is in the rotation! He will start Friday night. Silva has been moved to the bullpen.

its about time this happen...gardy was concerned about silvas confidence what happens when silvas gains his confidence back and liriano is doing GREAT in the starting rotation hopefully itll be someone elses turn like lohse who needs to go gain some more confidence..lets just hope liriano does so good that they cant take him out of the spot

[Irishmans Shanty]

Like any good coach, Gardy is a good Spin Doctor. He made Silva's demotion sound like R&R so he could get his confidence back. Silva needs more than his confidence back, he needs that good downward movement. Silva could be just another in a long line of sinkerballer pitchers to all of sudden loose their sink. I hope I'm wrong, but he could be out of the "Bigs" real soon with his current "Mayslike" stuff.

Part of me is enjoying the struggles of Lohse, Silva, and Radke only because I think they played the victim card all last year. Their continuous belly-aching about no offensive support last year is starting to bite them in the tail this year. Carlos, you're getting your runs now...and what are you doing with them? Let this be a lesson to athletes everywhere...close the hole in your face when you believe you are surrounded by inferior help and be careful what you wish for.

[boblee]

Liriano time is only 3 games away. I cannot wait until Friday night. I hope he can hit a little too.

[Blue Breeze]

Liriano starts on Friday, and it's now offical that Boof Bonser will make his first major league start Sunday. Kyle Lohse is finally out of the rotation, being sent down to Triple A Rochester. Yesterday was most likely the last we have ever seen of Lohse in a Twins' uniform.

[boblee]

A new look:

Santana
Radke
Liriano
Bonser
Baker

[Irishmans Shanty]

Breeze's statement that this is the last we have seen of Lohse couldn't be more accurate. The decision to move out Lohse was 90% done when Baker slid ahead of him in the rotation on Monday afternoon. Lohse made the decision unanimous with his outing last night.

I don't think the organization is calling it quits on this season yet, however, they are putting a lot on some young arms to keep them competitive. As they say in the coaching ranks, "If you are going to be bad, at least be young."

Twins have dropped two in two nights. Though I'm not proud of it I see myself as the eternal anti-optimist. Although, what the past two games have shown me are that the Twins are inches from being much better. WHAT IF (sorry, I know what ifs could go on all night) in the Tiger's 3rd last night Shelton pops out and Rondell's rocket to Polanco in the 7th finds the gap instead, that's a 7-4 Twin's win. And tonight, Morneau's long single travels ten more feet and a backup catcher doesn't get lucky, that's a 2-0 Twins' win. Last July, Aug, and Sept the Twins were just plain old bad, this team is much better than that. The reality is the Twins are going to play .333 ball against the Tiger, Sox, and Indians this year, regardless if it seems like they are improved.

[koren808]

It will be interesting to see what Boof can do. He will be better than Lohse (not that hard), but who knows how he will do. He pitched well in the minors, but once you get to the majors, it's a whole new ballgame.

I also don't think the Twins year is over yet. They can still get back into the race if they play like they are capable of. But if we can't turn it around by the end of July or so, I would like to see a youth movement begin. I want to see players like Denard Span and Matt Moses called up, just to see what we have for the future.

[ChrisK]

I do have to say I am surprised at how quickly the Twins moved, demoting Lohse and bring Bonser up. It's the right move, Lohse has been stuck at mediocrity for awhile and maybe this will be a wakeup call for him though I'd have to agree with Breeze. I didn't think Ryan would be comfortable with three rookies in the starting lineup especially after the experience last year with a young starting lineup. The difference I guess is that the Twins didn't have any batting equivalent to Johan.

Radke starts today, I have heard pitching coach Anderson on the radio saying he feels Brad's close to turning it around but I'll believe it when I see it. As I've said ad nauseum he's been through this before but the tough question will be when to pull him if things don't get better. Based on how quickly they've moved with Silva and Lohse, Radke may be on a short leash also but there's really noone right now they can replace him with.

[packerboy]

It doesnt look good for our boys right now. They waisted a great start by Santana and they find a different way to lose nightly.


Let the Boof Bonser era began.

I agree IS but thats what seperates the good teams from the not so good. Cuddyer could have made that catch 2 nights ago. Morneau could have hit it a little further, Santana could have made a better pitch...etc etc. but the good teams do it.

[boblee]

lets be completely honest: the twins have played brutal baseball 95% of the early season. They still sit at 17-23 through 40 games anyway. That isn't that bad. Hopefully the pitching staff shakeup can make a difference and the twins can get back to winning 2 out of 3 every series. Then, who knows what could happen.

[packerboy]

As far as I am concerned, Radke can join Lohse in Rochester. And take his buddy Chris K with him

5 runs on 10 hits in 6 innings.......... and thats an improvement.

So Lohse shows a little firey emotion and frustration and we ship him out. Radke gives up 4 in the first 2 innings but we like him because he can yawn about it and cash his 9 million dollar paycheck. Great.

[larsey]

Nice post Packerboy! You took the words right out of my oral orafice.

[sterfry9]

had a semi decent outing yeah 5 runs check how many of those were earned runs...im not jumping on the radke wagon because hes been horrible he is horrible but those 5 runs werent all earned...

[Blue Breeze]

I was defending Radke earlier this season, but right now I would be more inclined to throw a pitching machine out there and see how that fairs against opponents. He gives up way too many hits and is just getting shelled right now. The season is a wash so I will let him finish out the year, hopefully with some grace. Santana and now Liriano gives us 2 solid starters, hopefully Bonser can be better than average in his stint and Baker will take his lumps but has the potential to be a good # 3 starter someday. The Twins are starting 3 rookie pitchers this weekend, that has to be a record.

[Irishmans Shanty]

Carlos Silva gives up 6 runs on 9 hits in 3 1/3 innings to cement yet another loss. With two on and one out in the bottom of the 3rd, Silva finally let his early three run lead evaporate when he hung a slider that Carlos Lee belted for a three run homer. Brewers' fans were heard chanting "bring him back Sunday" as a dejected Silva..............wait, this didn't happen, because Silva's not there anymore.

I didn't tune in until the 8th, so I didn't see Liriano throw a single pitch. I didn't need to, when I saw the score 2-1, I had my answer. Nice job management, nice job Gardy, and most of all, nice job Francisco. I'm not going to trumpet Liriano as the AL rookie of the year because of tonight. After all, Baker looked pretty good against the Yankees that night. Nevertheless, Liriano did tonight what the Twins' so desperately needed from that slot in the rotation.

[jimjackjohnmmmm]

Bonser gives up 1 and strikes out 8 in six innings. Pretty darn good, hopefully this new rotation can start gettin us some wins, this team has some pontential guys!

[ChrisK]

Finally got to see the team again on Sunday. In between the ceaseless jabbering about the new stadium, Boof Bonser pitched great for his major league debut and would've had a win if Jesse Crain hadn't served up batting practice to the Brewers. I thought Gardie should've pulled Crain two batters before he did, the first three batters just pounded him but he stayed in for two more. I saw Morneau have a really nice at bat, fouling off several pitches before pulling a high tight pitch down the first base line for a double. Mauer and Batista had good series, Batista appears to be in one of his home run grooves. Corey Koskie made a spectacular play on a Luis Castillo high chopper, knocking it down and throwing a strike from the foul side of third base.

I'd love to see Radke get back into a groove just so he and I don't get shipped to Rochester per Packerboy's wish, but he's a tenuous fifth starter at best right now. I don't know who they'd replace him with though.

I am happy that the Twins'll have a new stadium but I am a bit leary of an open air stadium. It'll be great in July, but as packerboy has pointed out, the weather can be quite rough in April and October. They built the dome on the cheap, I hope they're not doing the same thing with this stadium.

[packerboy]

They should have won on Sunday for a sweep.

But it seems like they find different ways to lose. They get a good start and a timely HR and then Crain puts the ball on a tee for the Brewers. That is disturbing because its like...you plug one hole and another leak starts some where else.


ChrisK, from what I have read, they will not build a cheap ballpark. The comments I have read are that they will try to do an Xcel kind of structure. First class all the way.

I hope thats true because if you have been to any of the new ball parks around the country, they are really something else. if they do it right, any doubts people had about it will disappear the minute they walk in.

The weather...... it sucks but you betcha we Minnesotans will have to tough it out. Yah thats for sure.

[goldy313]

Crain hasn't piched well all year with his ERA bouncing between 6-7, but his shortcomings have been overshadowed by the rest of the staff so he kind of went unnoticed until yesterday. I think Gardy blew it Saturday night by putting Reyes in during a blowout while Crain sat on the bench.