Monday, July 21, 2008

Weekend Wrap Up

Good Monday Morning everyone! Although I didn't stray too far from home over the weekend, I chose not to post any new site updates. So today is primarily going to be a weekend update with updates on the Twins and their minor league affiliates. The purpose is just a place where you can find out what happened and who did what if you enjoyed your weekend enough to just stay away from the computer and TV and newspaper. Before starting, here are a few other notes:

• First, want to send my best wishes to The Baseball Savant, who on Thursday came out with some personal information that I can certainly understand and relate to. Maybe blogging is exactly what he needs... or maybe not. I do think that blogging about something you love and are passionate about can be very therapeutic in tough times. Whatever it takes, best wishes Savant!!

• Like him or not, Jim Souhan's article on Gardy inexplicably continuing to bat Carlos Gomez lead off is spot on.

• Went to the Mall of America on Saturday for several hours. Spent a little bit of time in Nickelodeon Universe and even got my picture taken with Sponge Bob! I wanted to get my picture taken with Dora too, but got there just a little too late.

• Anyway, also at the MOA was the youngest player in the Negro League's history, Dennis "Bose" Biddle. He wrote a book entitled Secrets of the Negro Baseball League which he signed for me. I spent several minutes just talking with him, and in doing so am no really interested in getting the book started. Moneys from the book sales and an accompanying DVD are going to Yesterday's Negro League Baseball Players Foundation, an organization whose goal is to continue educating people about the history of The Negro Baseball League.

• Over at Twins Fix, he did a Look Back on Ron Coomer, former Twin and current FSN analyst.

• On Saturday, Josh of Josh's Thoughts posted an article called Decisions, Decisions where he proposed several trades for the Twins to consider. I'm not sure how many I would do, and I can't imagine the Rangers giving up Engel Beltre and a second prospect for Boof Bonser, but it's a fun read.   

TWINS 6, RANGERS 0

• If there is a shutout, the first topic has to be the pitching, and it has to start with starter Glen Perkins. Perkins was excellent again in this game. He improved to 7-2 and dropped his ERA to 3.84 with six shutout innings. He gave up just three hits and three walks. He struck out just one. It marked the eighth straight start in which Perkins has given up three runs or less. He has gone at least six innings in six of those eight starts.
• Craig Breslow, Jesse Crain and Boof Bonser each threw a scoreless inning in relief. 
• Delmon Young went 4-4, all singles, and stole his 11th base of the year. Alexi Casilla went 3-5. Jason Kubel and Brian Buscher each went 2-4 with two RBI. Kubel hit his tenth double. Brendan Harris also went 2-4. He drove in one.
• Carlos Gomez went 0-5 to drop his batting average to .250.   

TWINS 14, RANGERS 2

• In a game in which the team scored 14 runs, I have to again start with the pitching. Livan Hernandez gave up just two runs on five hits and a walk in seven innings to improve to 10-6... and drop his ERA to 5.29.
• Brian Bass and Dennys Reyes each threw a scoreless inning.
• The Twins are not a home run hitting team, right? Well, in this game, they have four long balls. Joe Mauer got it started in the first inning with a long homer to centerfield, his sixth of the year and fifth off of a lefty. Delmon Young hit his fourth and Justin Morneau hit his 15th in the 6th inning. Brian Buscher hit his second in the 7th inning.
• Delmon Young was 3-5 in this game, and ended the game at .299 on the year. It still amazes me that there are people who think he has been a bust. Yes, he has those frustrating at bats and a couple of fairly boneheaded plays in the OF, but for the most part, at least in the last 8-9 weeks, he has been terrific and that needs to be acknowledged. It was a nice day for Young on his bobblehead day.
• Carlos Gomez went 2-4 with two doubles to break his drought. He had been 3-44 in the ten games before that... Of course, as I like to point out... it doesn't break his slump, just changes the numbers. He was 3-44 (.068), and now he is 5-48 (.104). Oh and after his 0-4 on Sunday, make that 5-52 (.096).
• Justin Morneau was 2-5 with five RBI. The homer drove in two and he cleared the bases earlier with a double.
• Joe Mauer went 2-3 with a walk and three RBI. Denard Span was 2-4 with a double. Brian Buscher was 2-4 with the homer.        

TWINS 0, RANGERS 1

• The Twins just have not found a way to beat Vicente Padilla. Maybe it is because against the Twins, he is allowed to throw up and in several times a game. Whatever it is, he returned from the DL to throw seven shutout innings against the Twins. Eddie Guardado threw a scoreless inning in the eighth before CJ Wilson shut the door in the 9th.
• Again, it goes back to pitching and Scott Baker was the story of this game for the Twins. He was incredible. He gave up a solo home run to Taylor Teagarden with two outs in the 6th inning that proved to be the game's lone run. The home run broke up the perfect game, no hitter and shutout in one swing. That was about the only mistake of the game by Baker. He went eight innings and gave up just the run on two hits and a walk. He struck out eight. But because life just isn't always fair, he takes the loss.
• Joe Mauer was 1-3 with a walk. Delmon Young stayed at .299 with a 1-3 game. Brian Buscher was 1-2 with a walk. Those were the only hits that the Twins could muster in the game.
• Good to hear that Justin Morneau should be alright after a scary play in the final at bat. He swung at a pitch that rode in on him and it hit his hands. It was rightfully called a foul ball. I couldn't help but wonder what the reaction in Twins Nation would have been had it been Delmon Young who swung at a pitch that hit him. He would be bashed excessively. Does anyone else remember that Justin Morneau was kind of in the same spot Young is now back in late 2005 and the first two months of 2006? He was overly aggressive and not doing a lot. Then came that June 6th date when he came on and ended up winning the league's MVP award. Did you remember that on the day before, it was Michael Cuddyer starting at 1B against a lefty, something Gardy had just started doing a few games earlier? Hopefully that gives a little bit of perspective on why I was never so down on Young. There's just too much talent there... and he started hitting on May 15th, three weeks before Morneau of 2006 did... and now, I'm not saying that we should expect Young to win the MVP in 2008!  

TWINS/YANKEES SERIES

• The Twins head to Yankees Stadium for three games against the Bronx Bombers... Here are the pitching matchups:
  • Monday - 6:05 - Nick Blackburn (7-5, 3.65, 1.27, .284) vs Sidney Ponson (5-1, 3.96, 1.58, .307)
  • Tuesday - 6:05 - Kevin Slowey (6-6, 4.26, 1.13, .255) vs Darrell Rasner (5-7, 4.97, 1.51, .303)
  • Wednesday - 12:05 - Glen Perkins (7-2, 3.84, 1.42, .292) vs Mike Mussina (12-6, 3.49, 1.24, .282)
• The White Sox are at 55-42. The Twins are at 55-43, 1/2 game behind. The Tigers are six games behind the Twins, and the Trade Deadline is ten days away. How exciting is this time?! 

Any other Twins thoughts?

Twins Minor League Updates

Friday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Steve Singleton, Ft. Myers Miracle
Friday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Robert Lanigan, Elizabethton Twins

Saturday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Nick Romero, Elizabethton Twins
Saturday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Steve Hirschfeld, Beloit Snappers

Sunday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Whit Robbins, Ft. Myers Miracle
Sunday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Michael Allen, Beloit Snappers

Be sure to check out Roger's Weekly Minor League Update for this week. Also, LaVelle pointed out many injury updates in his weekly Minor League report. 

ROCHESTER REPORT
Friday – Rochester 5, Norfolk 11 – Danny Graves had his worst start of the year. He gave up six runs on seven hits and a walk... in just one inning. Philip Humber came in and gave up a run on two hits and a walk in two innings. Mariano Gomez then gave up an unearned run in two innings and struck out three. Casey Daigle threw two shutout innings, with two walks and two strikeouts. Carmen Cali threw a perfect inning. Tim Lahey then gave up three runs on three hits and two walks in his inning. Matt Macri went 3-4 with his 16th double. Garrett Jones went 2-4. Randy Keisler, who went to camp with the Twins, was the winner for Norfolk.  

Saturday – Rochester 6, Norfolk 7 – Jason Pridie led the offense in this game, going 3-5. Jeff Christy went 2-3. Garrett Jones knocked his 11th homer. Kevin Mulvey started and gave up five runs (4 earned) on six hits and a walk in six innings. Ricky Barrett took the loss. He gave up two runs on three hits in his inning. Bobby Korecky struck out two in two innings.

Sunday – Rochester 7, Norfolk 6 – Brian Duensing scattered ten hits over five innings and somehow just gave up one run. Mariano Gomez got two outs and gave up a run on two hits and a walk. Casey Daigle walked a guy, then got the final out of the sixth. Tim Lahey gave up a run on two hits in 1.2 innings. Carmen Cali gave up an unearned run and didn't get anyone out. Bobby Korecky blew the save and then got the win. He gave up two runs on four hits in 1.1 innings. Trevor Plouffe went 3-5 with his seventh and eighth doubles. Randy Ruiz also went 3-5. Alejandro Machado went 2-5 with his first homer and three RBI.

NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Friday – New Britain 2, New Hampshire 3 – Anthony Swarzak put together a very solid, quality start. He gave up just two runs on four hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out five. Rob Delaney gave up the losing run in the ninth. He gave up the run on one hit and two walks in 1.1 innings. Erik Lis went 2-3 with a walk and his 33rd double. Danny Valencia went 2-5 with his ninth double.

Saturday – New Britain 3, New Hampshire 6 – Dustin Martin had a nice day at the plate. He went 2-3 wit ha walk and his 22nd double. Felix Molina went 2-4 with his 14th double and first home run. Brock Peterson went 1-4 with three strikeouts... and his 11th homer. Kyle Aselton started and gave up three runs on seven hits and two walks in five innings. Ryan Mullins came in and gave up three runs on four hits and a walk in three innings.

Sunday – New Britain 1, New Hampshire 8 – Yohan Pino started and gave up six runs on eight hits and two walks. He gave up three homers. Jason Miller gave up a run over the next two innings. Frank Mata gave up a run (and struck out two) in his inning. Armando Gabino threw a scoreless inning. Danny Valencia and Toby Gardenhire each went 2-4.

FT MYERS MEMOS
Friday – Miracle 10, Daytona 4 – Deolis Guerra won for the 10th time this season. In five innings, he gave up four runs on eight hits. He walked none and struck out one. Jose Lugo struck out three in two scoreless innings. Blair Erickson and Spencer Steedley each threw a scoreless inning. Yangervis Solarte went 2-5 with his third homer and three RBI. Steve Singleton went 2-4 with a walk, his second triple and four RBI. Wilson Ramos was 2-4 with a walk. Danny Santiesteban was 2-4. Cubs starter Rich Hill gave up six runs (5 earned) on six hits and three walks in just 4.1 innings.

Saturday – Miracle/Daytona – Game Cancelled by Wet Conditions.

Sunday – Miracle 9, St. Lucie 7 – Oswaldo Sosa got the win in this one thanks to a lot of run support. Sosa went five innings and gave up five runs (3 earned) on seven hits and two walks. Carlos Gutierrez came in and gave up two runs on four hits, a walk and two wild pitches in an inning. Jose Lugo threw a scoreless seventh. Anthony Slama got save number twenty with two shutout innings of work. He struck out three. Edward Ovalle went 3-4 with his 13th stolen base. Whit Robbins went 2-4 with a walk, his tenth double, his third homer and four RBI. Wilson Ramos went 2-4 with a walk. Juan Portes went 2-5. 

BELOIT BITS
Friday – Beloit 3, West Michigan 4 – David Bromberg had a really good start. He gave up a run on six hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six. Henry Reyes threw a perfect inning. Loek Van Mil gave up three runs (but just one earned) on a hit and a walk in his inning. Chris Anderson gave up a hit and a walk, but no runs in his inning. Mark Dolenc went 1-3 with his second homer and three RBI. The Snappers managed just five hits.

Saturday – Beloit 7, Wisconsin 2 – Steve Hirschfeld started the year in the bullpen but has done very well as a starter too. In this game, he gave up one run on four hits and a walk in seven innings. He struck out eight. Danny Hernandez struck out two and walked two in his scoreless inning. Charles Nolte gave up a run on a hit in his inning.

Sunday – Beloit 4, Wisconsin 8 – Michael Tarsi started and gave up seven runs (6 earned) in just 4.1 innings. He gave up nine hits and a walk. Michael Allen came in and threw 3.2 shutout innings, striking out four. Blake Martin gave up a run on two hits in his inning. Estarlin de Los Santos went 2-5. Yangervis Solarte came down from Ft. Myers and went 1-3. Juan Richardson, up from Elizabethton, went 0-3 with two walks.

Injury Update - On Friday night, Deibinson Romero broke his fibula falling into the dugout and is out for the year. This is another in a long line of unfortunate injuries for the Snappers. La Velle also mentioned that both Chris Parmelee and Joe Benson are now out for the season. No timetable on the return of Jair Fernandez.

ELIZABETHTON EXTRAS
Friday – E-Twins 9, Pulaski 0 – Robert Lanigan was the story in this one. The 2008 draft pick went seven shutout innings. He gave up just three hits and didn't walk a batter. He struck out eight. Kyle Carr and Mark Hamburger each threw a scoreless inning. Hamburger struck out two. Evan Bigley went 2-4 with his fifth double and fourth homer. Angel Morales went 2-3 with his seventh double. Dominic de La Osa went 1-4 with a walk and his second homer. Michael Harrington was 2-4.

Saturday – E-Twins 3, Pulaski 15 – Brad Tippett got rocked in this one, something that had not happened to him with the E-Twins. In just 4.2 innings, he gave up seven runs (5 earned) on eight hits. He didn't walk any and struck out five. He also allowed three home runs. Tom Wright came in and got just one out. He gave up six runs on four hits and two walks. Nathan Fritz gave up two in two innings. Lee Martin threw a scoreless inning. Steve Blevins struck out two in his scoreless inning. Nick Romero went 2-4 with a walk, his fourth double, fourth homer and two RBI. Angel Morales went 1-1 with three walks and his fourth stolen base. Danny Rams hit his second triple.

Sunday – E-Twins 3, Johnson City 11 – Dan Berlind has another horrible start. In just 2.1 innings, he gave up seven runs on nine hits and a walk. Kyle Carr then gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in 2.1 innings. Danny Rondon gave up two runs on two hits in 1.1 innings. Michael Harrington went 2-4 with his fourth double.   

GCL TWINS TALK
Friday – GCL Twins – No Game Scheduled

Saturday – GCL Twins 2, GCL Pirates 1 – Edgar Ibarra started this game and went five innings. He gave up one run on four hits and a walk while striking out five. Mauro Schiavoni struck out three in two perfect innings. Khol Nanney got the win with a scoreless inning. Kelvin Mota recorded his sixth save with a perfect ninth. Aaron Hicks went 2-4 with what proved to be the game-winning RBI. He also stole his second and third bases.  

Sunday – GCL Twins 4, GCL Orioles 5 – Michael Munoz gave up two runs on four hits in six innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out four. Andrei Lobanov gave up three runs on three hits in his inning to take the loss. Bruce Pugh threw a perfect eighth frame. Anderson Hidalgo went 2-3 with a walk and his second double. Dan Rohlfing went 2-3 with his third double. Herbert Lara went 2-4.

Have a great week!

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