Sunday Night, June 1, 2008

Sunday Night Notes

Alright, we've got a lot here for you to get caught up on. First, if you missed it over the weekend, I posted my thoughts on the Friday night games. Then on Saturday afternoon, I posted Part 3 of the Top 50 Twins Prospects list (Prospects 21-30), so be sure to check that out and leave you comments. Tonight, I've got thoughts on the Twins and Yankees games from Saturday and Sunday. And hey, I get to sit in the first row of Section 220 for tonight's Nationally Televised series finale against the Yankees at 6:30. I've also got minor league updates including details on the Beloit/Clinton brawl on Saturday night that led to the ejections of eight players. There was a Francisco Liriano start. Scott Baker made a rehab start with Ft. Myers. Ben Revere continued a very impressive streak! I went to the zoo. I watched Charlotte's Web twice (The original, not the remake with Dakota Fanning!)... I was watching and thinking, "Man, Wilber really struggled to just say his name, and then all of a sudden, he breaks into song in which he uses a bunch of huge words like loquacity. That's a pretty fast learning curve!" Crazy!

Saturday Night - Twins 6, Yankees 7 (12 innings)

• It was a big start for Boof Bonser, and he gave up five runs in five innings. Not good, but not as bad as you may think. A two out Nick Punto error led to three runs. Also, he left the game with two runners on base and both were allowed to score. His runs, and we don't know what would have happened has he stayed in, but again, just pointing out that it wasn't as bad as it looked. I'm one who has always said that unearned runs need to be pointed out, and yet the pitcher needs to make pitches after that point to pick up his fielder. That is true and yet, he did make the pitch to get out of that inning without any runs scoring and can't get that back.
• Anyone else find it funny that media, coaches and others were talking about Nick Punto as if he was a savior of this team or something, like his presence would make the team better. Again, based on all you've said or thought about Punto in the last year or more, does this make any sense? It is funny, in my mind, that his error on a routine play was what cost the Twins three runs. Punto is very solid defensively and I fully understand that errors are part of the game. I just hope that we don't have to have too much Punto the rest of the way. I really hope he is used in moderation.
• Craig Breslow, the genius from Yale who the Twins claimed off of waivers from Cleveland, made his Twins debut and I don't think it could have gone any better. He faced five batters, got them all out and three of them were on strikeouts. He doesn't throw terribly hard. Looks like a couple of solid pitches. My personal thought was this was a fairly minor move, and I am sure it is. In my mind, it was more of a statement of how the Twins feel about Carmen Cali, Ricky Barrett and Mariano Gomez. Hopefully it works out.
• I like the idea of using Joe Nathan in the 9th inning at home, but Matt Guerrier had thrown just three pitches in the top of the 8th, I would also have no problem with Guerrier getting that ninth inning. In retrospect it didn't matter, but I think Nathan could have throw the 10th inning. The idea of a pitcher going just three pitches about kills me.
• Juan Rincon - He took the loss in this one. I hate to belabor a point, but in my mind, the choice for who to take off of the active roster when Scott Baker comes off the DL is very obvious. Boof Bonser is out of options, but he is young enough and talented enough that it is worth sending him to the bullpen. Brian Bass is out of options and he has done his job most of the time this season. He can stay up. Matt Macri would be an option now that Nick Punto is back, and Brendan Harris can be the right-handed 3B. It would mean there would be 13 pitchers and that the Twins would be very short-handed on the bench, but in the AL that isn't a big deal. The Twins have been loyal to Rincon and that is admirable. They were loyal to him when they inexplicably offered him arbitration last fall and then gave up $2.8 million for this year. Their loyalty to him should not mean a roster spot all year too.
• Alexi Casilla is just looking like a different player. In this game, he was 1-3 with three walks. He has taken a lot of great at bats for hits, homers and walks. He runs the bases fairly well. He plays a very good 2B. He has a lot of range and a very strong arm. He is a web gem waiting to happen. It's hard to understand how he did so poorly in Rochester last year and this year before his call up. It's crazy that the coaching staff seemed to have given up on him. But as I've pointed out before, when he was called up and put on the post season roster in 2006, he began that season in Ft. Myers and only had maybe six weeks at New Britain. He was brought up to fit a speed role. I was one of many people who seemed to forget that in 2007 when we anointed him as the team's 2B. We forgot that he probably needed a little more time in AA, and some time in AAA, to really be ready to contribute. Maybe now he is ready. Oh, and how about that diving play he made while keeping a foot on 2B for a force out?!
• Delmon Young went 3-6 with a double and a stolen base in this game.
• Mike Lamb went 3-5 as well. He hit a triple in the 11th inning that I thought had won the game for the Twins. He drilled a shot that I was certain was a walk off homer. But instead it hit the top of the fence, and with two outs, he was stranded. He has really been impressive of late. He hit .300 in May. It's amazing to me how quick some fans are willing to give up on a guy who has a slow start. Meanwhile, some of these same people still think that Matt Tolbert is a better option at 3B.

Sunday Afternoon - Twins 5, Yankees 1

• For his second straight start, the story of the game he pitched was Nick Blackburn. Last time it was because of how well he pitched against the Royals. Today, it was working its way to being about how well he pitched against the Yankees, but instead it was about his health and status. With one out in the top of the 5th inning, holding a 3-1 lead, Blackburn threw a pitch to Bobby Abreu who lined the ball right back and Blackburn. The ball glanced off of his glove, but still struck his nose, creating a lot of blood. He fell to the mound in pain. I'm sure it was as much shock of what happened as anything else. Abreu wasn't even out of the batter's box when he put his hand over his head in concern. Fortunately, it appears that Blackburn is a very lucky guy. There is really little damage. His eye is fine. No broken bones. Just a lot of swelling and bruising. In fact, it appears that he may not even miss a start. Since that is the case, I bet he is wishing he would have plugged up his nose and been able to get two more outs so he could get a win!
• Michael Cuddyer went 3-4 in the game and drove in three runs. I know he's still hitting just .245, but in his last ten games, he has gone 14-44 (.318) with 11 RBI. Something to build on... now his goal should just be to stop looking so bad on some of those strikeouts.
• Justin Morneau went 2-4 with his ninth double and his Little League style inside-the-part home runs... officially called a triple with an error, but maybe should have been a double. Either way, it was a fun, exciting play.
• The bullpen deserves a lot of credit for this one. Brian Bass came in and got five outs for the win. Jesse Crain them threw two scoreless innings. Then Joe Nathan finished the job. It was interesting that Gardy was so vocal about Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins both being available out of the bullpen today. I mean, I realize that was the case, but when you say it, and your young starting pitcher knows it, is that giving him any confidence that you think he can get the Yankees hitters out? That alone makes the Blackburn quality performance for his 4.1 innings more impressive. 

Any Twins thoughts?

Twins Minor League Updates

Saturday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Jose Morales, Rochester Red Wings
Saturday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Francisco Liriano, Rochester Red Wings

Sunday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Ramon Santana, Beloit Snappers
Sunday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Tyler Robertson, Ft. Myers Miracle

ROCHESTER REPORT
Saturday – Rochester 2, Scranton/Wilkes Barre 5 (10 innings) – Francisco Liriano had struggled in his previous start, but he was again in solid form on this night. In 6.1 innings, he gave up just one run on three hits. He walked just one and struck out seven. Bobby Korecky returned to the Red Wings (undeservingly... meaning, he should still be in Minnesota) and gave up one run on two hits and a walk in 1.2 innings. Julio DePaula then gave up three runs on four hits in 1.1 innings to take the loss. Mariano Gomez had to get the final two outs. Jose Morales's hot streak continues. He went 3-5 with his 11th double. Darnell McDonald went 2-4 with a walk and his seventh homer.

Sunday – Rochester 8, Scranton/Wilkes Barre 7 – Philip Humber won his second straight start, despite not exactly pitching well. He went the mandatory five innings, but he gave up five runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out four. Ricky Barrett then worked two shutout innings. Tim Lahey came in and gave up two runs on three hits and only got two outs, so Mariano Gomez came in for the final out of the 8th inning. Bobby Korecky then came in and got his sixth save with a scoreless ninth. Ryan Jorgensen actually contributed. He went 2-3 and was hit by a pitch. Tommy Watkins went 2-4. Brian Buscher was 1-2 with two walks. Chris Basak hit his fourth homer.

QUICK NOTE - Since Korecky came up to the Twins and got so many days actually off and the Twins were very careful with using him in the bullpen any more than necessary, I am certain that the Cliburns will do their best to use Korecky pretty much every day, over and over again, regardless of how much he threw the day before.

NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Saturday – New Britain 3, Trenton 13 – Errol Simonitsch had another horrific start for the Rockcats. This time, he went just 2.2 innings and gave up six runs on eight hits. Fortunately for him, there was a rain delay which allowed him to not take the mound for any longer. Jason Miller came in and gave up two unearned runs on six hits in 3.1 innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out five. Kyle Aselton gave up five runs (3 earned) on seven hits and a walk. Armando Gabino got the two batters he faced to keep the damage to Aselton's ERA to a minimum. Luke Hughes had a home run, his 12th, before the delay, so he was glad it counted. He was 2-4 with a walk as well. Steve Tolleson went 2-3 with a walk. Brock Peterson knocked his fifth home run. Erik Lis hit his 20th double.

Sunday – New Britain 3, Trenton 9 – Oswaldo Sosa was again non-good. In five innings, he gave up six runs on five hits. He walked seven and struck out five. Sosa gets a lot of movement on his pitches, much like Carlos Silva, who I have compared him to before. It's great if he basically starts the ball over the plate and let's it move around, but right now he is really struggling with controlling it enough to keep from walking hitters. Jay Sawatski then came in and gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in one innings. Zach Ward and Armando Gabino each threw a scoreless inning. Ben Julianel gave up a run in the 9th. Trevor Plouffe had a great game. He went 2-3 with his 13th double and third homer. David Winfree went 2-4 with his 12th double. Matt Moses went 2-4.

QUICK NOTE - Simonitsch and Sosa are really struggling right now. Yohan Pino could be back from the DL shortly to take one of those spots. Is there one starting pitchers at Ft. Myers right now who might be about ready for AA? I don't know... maybe a starter who went to Notre Dame? Oh, and between Kyle Aselton and Jay Sawatski giving up hits and walks and runs like crazy, are there any relievers in Ft. Myers who are dominating that level of competition? Hmm... Maybe any 23 or 24 year old late round or undrafted college types?

FT MYERS MEMOS
Saturday – Ft. Myers 8, Tampa 6 – Scott Baker won this game, a rehab start for him. He gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings. He walked none and struck out four. And all that is nice, but really the only thing that matters is that he left the game with his groin intact (Yup, that reads as funny as it sounded in my head). Jose Lugo then struck out two in an inning. Blair Erickson is with the Miracle and he gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in 1.1 innings. Anthony Slama then gave up inherited runners plus one of his own in 2/3 of an inning. Rob Delaney came on for the 9th and got his 12th save with a perfect ninth. Wilson Ramos went 2-5 with his eighth homer and three RBI. Yancarlos Ortiz appears to have brought his bat with him this year. He went 3-4 and after this game, he was hitting .299. Not bad for a great glove, great arm guy! Danny Santiesteban went 2-5 with his seventh double. Whit Robbins and Edward Ovalle each had two hits.

Sunday – Ft. Myers 6, Tampa 1 – Tyler Robertson continues to impress. He improved to 4-2 with a 2.76 ERA with a complete game today. In nine innings, he gave up one run on five hits. He walked one and struck out five. He induced 17 ground balls in the game. Danny Santiesteban went 3-5 with his eighth double. Wilson Ramos was 2-4 with a walk and his tenth double. Brian Dinkelman went 2-5 with his ninth steal. Edward Ovalle went 2-5.

BELOIT BITS
Saturday – Beloit 6, Clinton 8 – Ben Revere is on a downward spiral. In Game 1 on Friday, he went 3-3. In Game 2, he went 3-4. In this game, he fell to 3-5 (GASP!). He hit his 11th double and drove in three runs. In case you missed my sarcasm, you should note that makes three consecutive three hit games for Revere. His batting average was up to .427 following this game. Chris Cates went 2-3 with a walk. Joe Benson was 1-3 with a walk and his 14th stolen base. Mike McCardell started and gave up four runs on five hits and three walks in five innings. Loek Van Mil gave up a run on three hits in his inning. Spencer Steedley went 1.2 innings and gave up two runs on three hits and two walks. Steve Hirschfeld came in and gave up a hit... and then came out of the game (more on that in a minute). Brad Tippett came in and got the final out.

So... What Happened?!!  Alright, you know I had to try my best to find out what happened. It isn't easy to find this type of information, but I have been able to hear from a couple of people that were either there or close to the situation or heard the feed online on the Clinton feed to find out what happened. In reality, the situation was building up for awhile. Clinton and Beloit have played each other so much already this year including 12 games in the last 19 days. That's just too much and the Midwest League should really look into that. A few things happened in the second game of the doubleheader on Friday night. If you notice the box score, Jair Fernandez had to be replaced in the game by Danny Lehmann because Fernandez was hit with a cheap shot by a Clinton base runner. An inning later, Garrett Olson went spikes high into the Clinton shortstop on a steal attempt. In this game, the starting pitcher threw a fastball behind Olsen early in the game. Then came the play at the plate in the bottom of the 8th inning. The Clinton base runner tried to punch the ball out of the glove of Lehmann. Lehmann took exception and pushed him back. The base runner threw a punch at Lehmann and then things got really ugly! The benches cleared, the bullpens emptied, many punches were landed. Eight players were ejected, four from each team. It took the umpires almost 45 minutes from the time the brawl started until the situation was settled. For the Snappers, Ozzie Lewis, Lehman, Charles Nolte and Greg Yersich were ejected. This is the second game that Yersich has been ejected from in which he didn't even play. It is very likely that there will be fines and suspensions handed out to several players. One interesting side note that I didn't even notice until hearing about the Jair Fernandez injury and then going back and looking at the box score... With Fernandez out, Yersich and Lehman ejected, Joe Benson had to catch for the first time since high school. Fortunately, Tippett was able to get that final out on a fly ball to Mark Dolenc, who replaced Ozzie Lewis in left field. Matt Williams, the Snappers closer, was put into right field to take Benson's spot. Is it ironic that after the game in Clinton, there was a fireworks display? Extra security and police helped the Snappers get out of the facility among the obscenities and yelling from the Clinton fans.

Sunday – Beloit 10, Quad Cities 5 - Ozzie Lewis was back in the lineup in this game, and he went 3-4 with his second double. Although his average is still well below .200, he has been much better since coming off the DL. Ramon Santana went 3-3 with his eighth double, three RBI and ninth stolen base. Joe Benson was 2-3 with two walks. Chris Parmelee went 2-5 with his third triple. The biggest hit of the game was a grand slam by Garrett Olson, his third homer of the year. Dan Berlind improved to 4-4 on the season. In five innings, he gave up four runs on eight hits and four walks. So, not exactly a stellar performance. Danny Hernandez came in and walked four batters, one scoring, in 0.2 innings. Matt Williams came in and got the save by going 3.1 innings of scoreless relief. 

Be sure to check back later for Part 4 of the 2008 midseason Top 50 Twins Prospects list.

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