Monday, May 19, 2008

Sunday Game Notes

It was really nice taking a couple of vacation days from work and not spending a lot of time on the computer. So again today, this will be relatively short and this week, I will attempt to get back to regular programming.

Less than a week ago, many Twins fans were pretty excited. The Twins had just won three out of four games against the defending World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox. People thought I was crazy in suggesting that I still thought that the Twins were about a 75 win team. Well, since then, they have lost five out of six after being swept at home by the Blue Jays and losing two out of three to the struggling Colorado Rockies. A big key to the loss yesterday was an inability to do "the little things." As much as I think those things can be overrated, if you've got a guy on third base with less than two outs, it is inexcusable not to score that run. A simple ground ball would do it. A medium deep fly ball. But the Twins were unable to do that which kept the game close. Not having Carlos Gomez in the lineup really hurts. Not only is he a great reason to watch the Twins, but he does so much both with his bat and on the bases and with his glove. The bullpen had a bad day as well on Sunday, highlighted (or lowlighted?) by a Jesse Crain bases loaded walk to a relief pitcher taking his first at bat of the season. Just not a good game at all for the Twins, but there were a few things worth noting.

• Delmon Young had a tremendous series. In the three games, he went 7-12 to raise his batting average from .263 to .287. He also had three doubles and a triple. The Twins will need him to continue to hit and add some of those extra base hits to be successful.

• For the most part, Kevin Slowey did very well. In 5.2 innings, he gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk. However, through five innings, he gave up just one run on four hits and no walks. To me, that has to be noted, and we can not just look at the 0-4 record. However, I do think that Slowey needs to find a way to throw a zero on the board after the Twins give him a lead. In each of his past three starts, the offense has done enough to give him a lead only to give up the lead the next half-inning. Against the White Sox, he gave up three runs (on two home runs) right after the Twins gave him a 2-0 lead. Against the Blue Jays, after Carlos Gomez gave the Twins a 1-0 lead, Slowey gave up two runs. And today, after Justin Morneau's two run homer gave the Twins a 2-1 lead, Slowey gave up a solo homer to Todd Helton to tie the game and then a few batters later, a Jeff Baker single meant that the Twins were now down 2-1.

Any other thoughts on the Twins as they head into a four game series in Texas against the Rangers?

Twins Minor League Updates

Sunday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Johnny Woodard, Ft. Myers Miracle
Sunday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – David Bromberg, Beloit Snappers

Before we get started, Beloit has taken Mike McCardell off the Disabled List. In order to do that, they released IF/OF/C Ben Petsch. He had not hit real great this year, but I am somewhat surprised by this move. He was drafted by the Twins in the mid-rounds last year out of Belmont. He performed so well that he moved up to Beloit last year where he had a great game before getting hurt. That's why I am surprised that the Twins are essentially giving up on his so quickly this year.

Also, in LaVelle E. Neal's weekly minor league report, he discusses Steve Singleton, Sergio Santos, Erik Lis, Deolis Guerra and Ben Revere.

ROCHESTER REPORT
Sunday - Red Wings, Syracuse – The two teams were set to play the game in Cooperstown as part of the 125th anniversary of the International League. The game started, and in the 2nd inning, it was rained out. It means nothing, statistically, but in the short time they were allowed to play, Jose Morales and Sergio Santos each had a single. On the much more negative side, Kevin Mulvey had another rough start. In 1.2 innings, he gave up one run on three hits and three walks. Of his 52 pitches thrown (yes, in less than two innings), just 26 of them were strikes.  

NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Sunday - Rockcats 6, Portland 7 – Steve Tolleson continues his hot streak. In this game, he went 3-5 with his 11th double. Trevor Plouffe hit his 8th and 9th doubles in four at bats. Brock Peterson went 2-4 with his 13th double. Erik Lis had another double, his 15th. Anthony Swarzak started for the Rockcats in this one. He gave up four runs (3 earned) on six hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. Armando Gabino gave up one run in 1.1 innings, without allowing a hit. No, he walked four instead. Kyle Aselton then gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in, that's right, two innings.

FT MYERS MEMOS
Sunday - Miracle 12, Jupiter 10 – Danny Santiesteban's single in the 12th inning gave the Miracle the lead that they were able to hold for the win. Johnny Woodard went 4-5 with a walk, his eighth double, second triple and four RBI. Yangervis Solarte, likely only up for a few games from Extended Spring Training, took advantage of the opportunity by going 2-5 with a walk and his first home run. Yancarlos Ortiz went 3-5 with his fifth double. Edward Ovalle went 2-7 with his fourth homer. Wilson Ramos hit two home runs, his fourth and fifth, in six at bats. Based on the score, you wouldn't expect the Miracle's starter would have gone six innings, but that's what Deolis Guerra did. He had a quality start giving up three runs (2 earned) in six innings. He gave up six hits, walked one and struck out four. Danny Vais than had his first rough one. In 1.2 innings, he gave up three runs on three hits and a walk. Frank Mata gave up three runs (2 earned) on two hits. Robert Delaney gave up a solo homer in his 1.2 innings. Matt Fox was credited with the win as he went 1.1 innings without allowing a run. Anthony Slama got his eighth save by getting the final two outs. 

BELOIT BITS
Sunday - Snappers 5, Clinton 4 – Joe Benson backed up his Friday player of the day with another very good game. He went 3-4 with his 12th double, 10th stolen base and three RBI. He raised his average to .263. David Bromberg won his second decision for the Snappers. He gave up three runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six. Loek Van Mil gave up a run on two hits and two walks in two innings. Matt Williams recorded his fourth save with a perfect ninth.

Have a great week!

|

Back to Archives           Home