The Off Day - Too Much Time To Think

MINNEAPOLIS - The day after a 12 inning 7-6 loss to the Yankees gives time to think about the game over and over. It gives time to picture that home run in the 12th by Hunter and thinking how the Twins are going to win.

The day after allows you to talk with fellow Twin fans about the game and listen to their takes from it. The majority of people I talked to were extremely disappointed in the split in New York. I think that, right there speaks wonders for the Twins this year. In a years time we have gone from hopping to get out of New York with a split to being very disappointed with a split.

Gardenhire said later that he left Nathan in too long. But considering what his options were I think 9 out of 10 of us would have done the same thing. J.C. Romero has been shaky once again. Even during his scoreless streak Romero allowed inherited runners to score. So in a situation with the tying run at first, why go with Romero? Maybe to start an inning, but not when a runner is on base.

The question that we still don't really know the answer to is why Jesse Crain was not used. He had gotten up in the bullpen but took a seat in favor of Romero. Was it because he is indeed a rookie? Gardenhire said he didn't want to go with his younger players, but isn't this why they are here? After all, Kubel did go 0-6.

As fans we can say all the "what ifs" and "should haves" we want but it wont change much. We wont know what would have happened if Romero or Crain is used to start the 12th. We wont know what would have happened if Ford pinch hits for Kubel, we wont know what might have caused Jones to throw to LeCroy instead of home in the 12th. But I do know the Twins were in that game and the Yankees were scared for a while of going down 0-2. You could see that on Torre's and other Yankee faces. This year should be different!