ALDS Game 1: Oakland 3, Twins 2
For the first time in 36 years, the Twins lost the first game of a playoff series. Hard to imagine the Twins winning 8 straight openers, but they did. Yesterday, though, they were "hurt" bad by the Big Hurt, Frank Thomas. 2 HRs including a 9th inning blast that ended up being the difference in the game.
Great pitching performances by both Zito and Santana. Zito comes out on top for only giving up one run in 8 innings. Santana looked great even with giving up two runs, but the offense wasn't able to capitalize on good opportunities.
During lunch, I was able to watch 3.5 innings. The first thing I saw was a wasted opportunity. Punto swung on a 2-1 count at a pitch at his head, putting him at 2-2 instead of 3-1. On the next pitch, Castillo took off and was caught at second. Punto was elminated on the first pitch.
The other thing I saw too much of was Twins swinging at the first pitch. The reason Zito was able to go so long was because we kept making it easy for him. He walked Castillo twice and has had a habit of doing it. 99 walks during the regular season. Knowing that, the Twins should have been patient and waiting on the right pitch. Notice the Yankees/Tigers game went almost 4 hours. Why? Because the Yankees take 4-5 pitches before they see what they want and they usually do something good with it.
The big Twins highlight was Santana's pitching and Rondell White's homerun. Punto also made a fantastic catch in foul territory that could've been the Twins "Bartman" incident. But instead, Punto comes up with the ball and the Twins got a much needed out.
Today, they play other day game with Boof Bonser going against Esteban Loaiza. I'm not too worried about the 0-1 start. The Twins know all too well that winning the first game does not mean the series is over. Heck, the A's should know that as well. They've been up 2-0 twice and failed to close the series. The Twins also shouldn't feel out of it just because Johan lost. When the Twins went 7-3 on their latest road trip, two of those losses were Johan starts, the rest of the team went 7-1.
I'm not worried about the pitching (much). I am a little concerned, and have been for some time, about this offense. They do create lots of opportunities (singles and such) but many times fail to capitalize with a 2-out RBI, or a big home run. I think it's time to clear the sinuses and "smell that RBI."
Go Twins!
P.S. I freakin' hate the Yankees.
Great pitching performances by both Zito and Santana. Zito comes out on top for only giving up one run in 8 innings. Santana looked great even with giving up two runs, but the offense wasn't able to capitalize on good opportunities.
During lunch, I was able to watch 3.5 innings. The first thing I saw was a wasted opportunity. Punto swung on a 2-1 count at a pitch at his head, putting him at 2-2 instead of 3-1. On the next pitch, Castillo took off and was caught at second. Punto was elminated on the first pitch.
The other thing I saw too much of was Twins swinging at the first pitch. The reason Zito was able to go so long was because we kept making it easy for him. He walked Castillo twice and has had a habit of doing it. 99 walks during the regular season. Knowing that, the Twins should have been patient and waiting on the right pitch. Notice the Yankees/Tigers game went almost 4 hours. Why? Because the Yankees take 4-5 pitches before they see what they want and they usually do something good with it.
The big Twins highlight was Santana's pitching and Rondell White's homerun. Punto also made a fantastic catch in foul territory that could've been the Twins "Bartman" incident. But instead, Punto comes up with the ball and the Twins got a much needed out.
Today, they play other day game with Boof Bonser going against Esteban Loaiza. I'm not too worried about the 0-1 start. The Twins know all too well that winning the first game does not mean the series is over. Heck, the A's should know that as well. They've been up 2-0 twice and failed to close the series. The Twins also shouldn't feel out of it just because Johan lost. When the Twins went 7-3 on their latest road trip, two of those losses were Johan starts, the rest of the team went 7-1.
I'm not worried about the pitching (much). I am a little concerned, and have been for some time, about this offense. They do create lots of opportunities (singles and such) but many times fail to capitalize with a 2-out RBI, or a big home run. I think it's time to clear the sinuses and "smell that RBI."
Go Twins!
P.S. I freakin' hate the Yankees.
posted by Joe at 10/04/2006 04:40:00 AM
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