More Fun with Dick & Bert

Transcripting some choice commentary by the Twins TV broadcast team Thursday night:

2nd inning

BERT: The Twins have a very good hitting team, but when you're always 3 runs behind, it put a lot of pressure on the offense in April.

Tony Batista up to bat...

DICK: Through 2 months of the season, I think it's safe to say, Bert, that Batista has probably given the Twins what they were anticipating. (Pitch:) A pop-up to short Center. In fact, it's behind the 2nd base bag.

Frank Thomas up to bat in the bottom of the inning...

DICK: As the Twins were in the market during the offseason for some help in the DH spot, Thomas was one of the names considered. And Thomas has hit some home runs, he's hit 11 of them, but that's about all he's done. (Two pitches later:) Thomas with 34 hits, 11 home runs, 3 doubles. That's hit a long way. Number twelve for Frank Thomas.

3rd inning, after Torii Hunter has caught a ball on the warning track

BERT: Well, a lot of room in Oakland. We talked about the foul territory, 400 feet to straightaway Center.... (Note: 400 feet is the standard minimum distance to the fence in straight Centerfield in the majors. It's 408 feet in the Metrodome. So at home, Hunter would have tracked down the fly before stepping within 5 feet of the warning track.)

4th inning

DICK: We were talking about Scott Baker and his start the other night. Bonser works at such, more of a rapid pace. We talked about Baker and his lack of tempo; Bonser seems to have it.

BERT: I think that goes with a lot of confidence too, Dick. Sometimes when you feel like you're struggling out there, you may take a little more time. And that's one thing that Scott Baker needs to do, going back to Rochester, is find that confidence again.

I don't suppose it's occurred to either one of them, how Baker's confidence might have been undermined.

5th inning

DICK: Talking about Batista before... He came to the Twins and, I think, has delivered as advertised. He's fielded his position to the point where, if it's hit at him, he almost always makes the play. (Quick aside:) Does not have much range. And is on a pace now to hit 15 home runs and drive in 60-some runs. And the average coming into the game at about .250, about, I think, what the Twins were expecting.

BERT: Yeah, consistency playing 3rd base, and occasional power. And that's what Batista provides.

6th inning

After Bonser began the inning by hitting Jason Kendall with a pitch and then grooving a fastball which Mark Kotsay smacked over the Rightfield wall, there was a curious lack of criticism of Bonser for giving a free pass to the leadoff batter or leaving a meatball over the plate for Kotsay to savor. After a decent period of mourning had passed, however...

DICK: I don't know... In trying to summarize what Bonser has done here, I guess the word that comes to my mind is that he's been aggressive. He's thrown strikes, he's gotten ahead of hitters, he hasn't dawdled on the mound at all. He looks very much like a guy who belongs in a major league rotation.

BERT: Well, he wants to be here....

Oh, so that's the secret!

7th inning, picking up the theme

DICK: He just looks like he belongs, his expression and the way he carries himself out there.

BERT: He took a little walk right there, a little upset at himself, maybe, but right back on that rubber.

DICK: And he delivers a strike to fill the count on Johnson. It's a matter of pride if you're coming through the Twins system, if you can pitch this deep into a ballgame and not issue a walk. I'm sure that's the last thing he wants to do here in the 7th. (Pitch:) Johnson touches one off. It's high, and it's deep, and it's gone. The third home run allowed by Boof Bonser.....