Postgame: Florimon and Casilla put on a defensive show

Twins shortstop Pedro Florimon and second baseman Alexi Casilla were all over the field on Monday night, helping the Twins defeat Cleveland.

September 11, 2012 at 5:47AM

Alexi Casilla served as a translator for Dominican countryman Pedro Florimon after the Twins defeated Cleveland 7-2 on Monday.

When asked which play was tougher -- the play in the hole or the backhand play -- Casilla jokingly launched right into his answer without relaying the question to the shortstop. After all, the same question could have been posed to Casilla about his defense at second base.

"For me, I think the barehanded play is more difficult," Casilla said.

Casilla then posed the question to Florimon, who gave a long answer in Spanish.

"He agreed with me," Casilla said, drawing chuckles from the media.

Anyway, click this link and take a look at the highlights yourself. I circled six Twins defensive plays on my scorecard. Not all were saved as highlights in the above link, but I'll rank them like this:

1) Casilla's barehanded charging play in the ninth inning. (Punto-esque)
2) Florimon's barehanded play in the seventh. (Quickness and athleticism)*
3) Revere's diving catch in the second. (Nothing he does surprises)
4) Florimon's one-hop throw from the hole in the sixth. (Tough play made easy)*
5) Mauer's catch over Cleveland's dugout railing. (Rangy for a catcher)
6) Casilla's diving stab of Brantley's eighth-inning liner. (Honorable mention)

* Though it's often overlooked, Justin Morneau scooped balls out of the dirt to complete both of Florimon's plays at first base.

about the writer

about the writer

Joe Christensen

Sports team leader

Joe Christensen, a Minnesota Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.

See More