Carlos Silva pitched a terrific game last night, handing a 2-0 lead to the bullpen after seven innings, only to watch Pat Neshek and Dennys Reyes give up four runs in the eighth inning in an eventual 4-3 loss to the Angels. While it was a rough night for the bullpen, the blame must once again be placed on the Twins' offense, which scored three or fewer runs for the eighth time in nine August games.
Despite facing a very tough starting pitcher in John Lackey, the Twins had a ton of opportunities to score runs in this game and they repeatedly failed. Whether it was Torii Hunter wasting a lead-off double with a stupid baserunning mistake or Nick Punto failing to execute even a simple sacrifice bunt, the Twins' hitters humiliated themselves time and time again, much like they have all month. This team is in really bad shape right now.
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6 comments:
If Punto wasn't so versatile with his ability to play second, short, and third, I'd say he ran out of chances to stay with the Twins a long time ago.
He's hitting .206/.296/.269 this season in 108 games. That's unacceptable. I'd say bring Tolbert up despite not being "mentally ready" except he'd just end up platooning with Casilla and that wouldn't help anyone.
Punto's playing time will be going down to zero once September call-ups hits.
In case you can't tell, he makes me angry.
I think he makes a lot of people angry. As Gleeman has noted a few times, Punto is the worst hitter in the major leagues right now, as he qualifies for the batting title (not that he would get that). He has some competition in Richie Sexson, who's been awful at a more important offensive position (though not as bad), as well as Josh Barfield, Bubba Crosby (former MVP candidate), Craig Monroe, Julio Lugo, and Juan Uribe.
What kills me is that Punto's offense isn't just bad, but his defense hasn't been as spectacular and he hasn't done any of the things on offense he's suppose to, like sacrifice bunts. That bunt pop-up yesterday was a last straw to me. I'm not sure how Ron Gardenhire watches that and then puts Punto back out there the next day.
About two thirds of your game recaps have been labeled 'offensive ineptitude. I couldn't agree more.
Nick Punto's season last year was an abberation. He's not a big league ball player, period. The Twins could call up pretty much anybody in the system and at the very least it would be a wash.
The reason Gardenhire keeps putting him out there is some sort of Freudian thing about Gardy's own crappy major league utility infield career.
About two thirds of your game recaps have been labeled 'offensive ineptitude. I couldn't agree more.
To be exact, we've used the "offensive ineptitude" label 20 times this season. Sadly, it doesn't appear that it's going to stop.
Nick Punto's season last year was an abberation. He's not a big league ball player, period.
Punto isn't as good as he was last year, but he's not as bad as he's been this year. At his core, I think he's a replacement level hitter who can field well at several different positions. I think he belongs in the major leagues as a utility man, because that's a role he can excel in. As a starter though, he's nothing short of horrid.
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