Ron Gardenhire Loses Another Game for the Twins

Sunday afternoon I was looking forward to watching my first-place Twins go for the sweep against the Kansas City Royals.

I got my can of peanuts and can of Coke ready and turned on my high definition 46" LCD...I was ready!

First disappointment.....The game isn't in HD. Oh well I think, it still looks better than the 13" tube TV upstairs.

I turn the TV on just in time to see the starting lineups.

Second disappointment.....Kubel is in right field, Lamb is at first, Adam Everett and Nick Punto are in the game together at the same time.

Third disappointment.....Why in the heck is Punto batting second?

We just take over first place and this is the lineup? 

I know that the players need a rest from time to time, but why is Morneau DHing? Is first base that strenuous? 

Oh well I figure, lets see what happens. All of a sudden Everett comes up with a couple of clutch base hits. WOW! Gardenhire is a genius! What a divine puppet master he is!

Then I watch as Punto comes up time after time in crucial run producing situations. Four strike outs! This is why you cannot bat a ninth place batter second.

What is the attraction with Punto? Defense? OK, fine, he is the best defensive second baseman we have on our team. I don't have a problem with him playing second, but not with Everett in the game. Why isn't Harris playing SS? Defense?

I looked up the numbers and found that Harris has a .974 fielding percentage vs. Everett's .962.

But Everett has more range you say.....Yes, but Harris will make the routing plays. Everett has no arm left. The team got into first place with Harris as the main SS, so why did he lose playing time to Everett?

Harris' hitting excelled while playing SS. Why screw with that?

Then there is the outfield situation.....Kubel and Young cannot play the field at the same time. It is questionable that Kubel should ever be out in the field. Span has been doing an awesome job in the field and at the bat when playing right field. Why screw with that?

I know Gomez is struggling, but he plays a great centerfield. I would just have him bunt every time at bat.

The Lamb at first move reared its ugly head when he didn't get back to the bag in time for an easy play, and two runners scored on the error.

Then there is the bullpen issue. Why did Nathan not come in for at least one inning? I don't care which inning, but why leave your best reliever sitting on the bench? The book says to only use your closer in save situations on the road.

Well, with this bullpen you need to throw that book out the window.

Good one Gardy! You lost another one due to your stubborn by-the-book, play everyone in every position, screw with the lineup ways.

Now the Yankees come in just being swept by the Angels and their season on the line, a team that works the count like no other and will be into our bullpen by the fifth in every game. Not to mention our hitters can't hit against anyone who puts the NY pinstripes on, not even Ponson.

Punto needs to play second and bat ninth. Gomez needs to play CF and bat eighth and Harris needs to play SS and bat seventh. Brian Buscher needs to bat second. Span stays in right field. Lamb and Everett need to be emergency defensive replacements and pinch hit/run situations only! Morneau doesn't get a break, sorry!

Hurry back Alexi Casilla! We need ya!

And please get some bullpen help!