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October 6, 2004

Links of the day, Twins edition

• Yanks baffled by Santana
  

  Interesting quotes
  Posada on Hunter's throw to nail him at the plate:
  

  "That's why he's got a Gold Glove," Posada said. "We tried to get on a little run there, make him be accurate. There's not much you can do."

  A-Rod on Hunter's defense:
  

  "Torii saved two runs for them," Rodriguez said. "The throw home and the leadoff double -- or whatever that would have been -- in the eighth. Pitching and defense usually wins, so you just tip your cap. We played a good, sound game. We didn't beat ourselves."

  That is true, the Twins just plain beat you.



• Closer Look from CNNSI.com
  Interesting quotes

  On El Duque making a start:
  

  "The news on Orlando Hernandez wasn't good for the Yankees. Joe Torre said El Duque didn't have a bullpen session Tuesday and is a 'fingers-crossed proposition' to make a start in the Division Series."

  People, we just saw the only "ace" the Yankees will throw at us in Mussina.

  On the Twins chances:
  

  "Truth be told, Minnesota toed the line between victory and disaster all night. If any of those double-play ground balls had found a hole, if Sierra's fly ball had not been ruled foul, if Torii Hunter hadn't made two sensational plays in center field -- throwing out Jorge Posada on a sac fly and robbing Alex Rodriguez of a home run -- the Yankees easily could have erupted for one of their trademark big innings. Brad Radke and Carlos Silva, the Twins' starters for the next two games, might not prove nearly as evasive."

  Hmmm ... very interesting. No comment. We'll see what happens in game 2.



• Twins all about team from ESPN.com
  Interesting quote
  

  "Perhaps best of the all, Santana only threw 93 pitches, leaving Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire with the option of bringing him back Saturday in Game 4 at the Metrodome.

  'I think he's going to pitch the fourth game,' Twins catcher Henry Blanco said. 'That's why they got him out after seven -- to give him a little breather. I think he's going to be fine.' "

  I don't think there is any question he will pitch game 4 if necessary. Wow. I like the sound of that.



• Cudd-iary: ALDS Game 1
  Interesting quote

  "Compared to last year being up, 1-0, just remembering what happened last year will help us out a lot. Knowing we were feeling good about ourselves last year and they came and took it to us the next three games. We've got that feeling. We'll go out Wednesday with the same intensity level and try to take [it] to them."

  Good to hear, Cuddyer.



• Nothing Is Easy for Yanks, and This Series Won't Be Either
  Interesting quotes

  "'This game is over with,'' Jeter said. 'You have to have the approach that every game you play is the last game of the season. If you have that, it doesn't matter if you're up or down.''

  Jeter might want to be careful about mentioning the potential last game of the season because that could arrive much faster than the Yankees expected."

  Indeed.

  On the Yankees hopes to score early:
  

  "Jeter said the Yankees had hoped to score early off Santana, but that fizzled in dramatic fashion in the first two innings. Rodriguez was nabbed by about 20 feet breaking for third as Bernie Williams struck out on a hit-and-run play to end the first inning, and center fielder Torii Hunter nailed Jorge Posada at the plate as he tagged up on a fly ball to end the second."

  Sheffield on the Yankees performance:
  

  "'We don't have anything to hang our heads about,'' Sheffield said. 'We hit the ball hard. They made the plays behind him. That's baseball.'

  The Yankees kept reiterating how they hit the ball hard, as if the mere recounting of the grounders that turned into double plays and the shots to the warning track that became outs would suddenly change them into hits. But nothing was changing about how the Yankees looked on a lost night."

  Yep, that just isn't going to cut it against the Twins, Sheffield.



• Series Page: Minnesota vs. New York. Everyone at CBS Sportsline is picking the Yankees for game two. Here is hoping Radke proves them wrong.
• Escaping From New York. If you haven't read Will Young's experience at Yankee stadium last night, you are missing out. It is a very enjoyable read. I'm hoping he gets the chance to elaborate more when he gets home.

Posted by snackeru at October 6, 2004 8:55 AM | Links of the day | Twins

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