Monday, August 29, 2005
Twins Thoughts
Twins Minor League Report
SETHSPEAKS
at the State Fair
Good Monday morning to everyone!!
First, I see that I crossed 150,000 visitors to this site over the
weekend, so thank you to all of you to frequent the site. It's a lot
of fun and I'd love to hear from all of you. So, if you'd like, feel
free to e-mail me.
Secondly, there are a number of pictures on this page, so please be
patient as they may take a little bit to upload.
Well, last Friday, I mentioned
here that I would appear at the
Minnesota State Fair
along with the Twins Geek and the
Twins Junkie
at the WCCO-Radio booth. The three of us were live on the radio from
about 6:20 to 6:55, two segments of the Twins Talk Show with
Steve Thompson, Erik Nelson, Rita Maloney and
former Twins All-Star
Ron
Coomer. I had no less than four or five people come up to me
or e-mail me to tell me that they heard the show and thought it
sounded great. All I know is that it was so much fun. So today, I am
going to tell you all about my weekend, specifically my radio time.
I think it's a fun story that I think you'll enjoy. But, if you just
want your Twins Thoughts and/or the Twins Minor League reports, they
are further down the page. I would love to hear your thoughts, so
please e-mail me.
As I have mentioned before, I
live in a small town, way at the very top of the state, on the
Canadian border, on Lake of the Woods. I was asked by WCCO to
consider coming down for the 6:00 hour of their live show at the
state fair early last week. We were told that we would be on the
show with Jack Morris. I just kept thinking that, although it
would be seven hours of driving each way, it was such a great
opportunity that I had to make the trek. Later in the week, we were
informed that Morris had prior commitments that night so he would
not be in attendance.
Ron
Coomer would be there in his place. That in no way changed
my thoughts about going down there. I always liked Coomer when he
was with the Twins from 1995-2000. Also, I really had never met the
Twins Geek although we have e-mailed each other from time to time
the last couple of years. I was also intrigued to meet the Twins
Junkie. His writing is great, and he is just 16 years old. I also
had talked to a couple of other people who read this site that had
planned on being down there, and wanted to meet them too.
So anyway, I drove halfway
down after work on Friday night. I then drove down to my sister's
place in the cities on Saturday morning. We hung out for a little
bit, and then we drove to the Eden Prairie Mall. There, we hopped on
a bus and went in to the fair. That is the way to go. For $5 we were
able to go to and from the state fair. $10 is how much it would have
cost us to park there, but this way, we didn't have to deal with
traffic at all. We got to the fair grounds at about 3:30 and went
inside.
The first thing I wanted to do
was find the WCCO radio booth. I had been given the street that it
was on, but the streets of the state fair are packed. We got close
and I saw the WCCO-TV booth, so we walked over there, figuring it
must be close. It didn't appear to be there, but the KFAN booth was.
I listen to that station every day online. Sludge and Lake were
broadcasting live, but I felt a little guilty even being around
there. So, we went the other direction on the block and found the
WCCO radio booth. The Twins game had just gone final. We saw that
they won, and the post-game was playing there. I wanted to find out
where I was supposed to go, and I saw a man and a woman standing
inside their building, so I went up and asked if the producer who
had contacted me was there. They said no, and that's when Ron Coomer
appeared. I said, "OK, my name is Seth, and I'm supposed to be on
with Mr. Coomer at 6:00." The lady was very nice and even told me
that she reads my site every day! Maybe she was just being nice, but
if you are reading this, please write and say hi! Anyway, I shook
Mr. Coomer's hand and they basically told me just to walk around,
and have some fun, and just to be back there by 5:30. So, my sister
and I did just that.
We walked. And we walked. And
we walked. We had no plan. Neither of us go on rides. I didn't
want to get my shoes dirty so we stayed out of the barns. So what
else do people go to a fair for? That's right! Fair food! We kept
walking by all the foods. Cheese curds. Corn dogs. Cotton candy. We
just kept walking. Cookies. 18 inch hot dogs. I kept walking by the
onion rings, and another place that had teriyaki ostrich. So, what
did we eat? Well, we were disappointed almost that we didn't eat
more. If you plan on attending the fair, I would encourage everyone
to get a turkey sandwich at Turkey to Go! I'm not a big fan of
turkey sandwiches in general. However, this was really, really good!
My sister got a deep fried snickers bar. I had a bite and it was
excellent. Later, I would have a raspberry malt of homemade ice
cream.
Anyway, at about 5:00, we went
back to the WCCO-radio booth. I needed ot use the facilities, so I
walked toward them. As I was nearing them, I saw Mr. Coomer walking
out back toward the radio booth. I didn't know what to do. Should I
just say Hi? Should I try to have a conversation? Would I see if he
remembered me from an hour earlier? Well, as I was approaching, I
just said, "They still don't have you on the air?" He just again
mentioned that because the game went long, they were just behind
schedule, but that was fine. He then said that he had just gone to
my site and was impressed by just how much was in it. He liked the
content but was mainly impressed by the length of it. I'm never
really sure how to take that. Is that a compliment? I don't know,
but coming from a former Major League All-Star, I will take it!
When I got back to the booth,
they were airing the Twins Magazine Show at the time, so that was
interesting to listen to. The Twins Junkie did the Blogger's Moment
this week, and it was very interesting. I saw Rita Maloney come out,
and I went up and introduced myself to her. It was nice to meet her
in person after being on her radio shows a few times and recording
the blogger's minutes the last four or five months. She's obviously
very good at what she does, very professional, yet very good in
dealing with amateurs like myself. She made it easy and relaxing for
us.
Soon later, I heard, "Are you
Seth?" I turned and there was "Roger." Roger had helped out on this
site so much. He also writes his Weekly Minor League Report, which
is great. He and his wife were great. We talked baseball and other
topics for quite awhile, and it was very interesting.
(L-R: Rita Maloney, Twins Junkie, Seth,
Twins Geek, Ron Coomer)
At about 5:30, the Twins
Junkie came over and said Hi. We talked for a little while, and then
the Twins Geek showed up and the three of us talked. Rita Maloney
came over and the four of us talked baseball and joked around. She
went over and introduced us to a few more people. About 6, she
introduced us to Steve Thompson, Erik Nelson and
Ron Coomer. We found out that Bob Nightengale, who writes
for USA Today's Sports Weekly, would be on for the first
segment, but then we would be brought out and introduced. Rita would
be talking to us since she had worked with us all season.
(L-R: Rita Maloney, Twins Junkie, Seth, Twins Geek)
When it was our turn to be on,
it was really exciting. Steve Thompson introduced the segment and
Rita Maloney took over. We knew that she was going to ask us a
couple of questions, and then we would each be able to ask Ron
Coomer a question. Rita was very kind in introducing us, very
complimentary, thanking us for helping out on the Twins Magazine
Show. She started then by asking the Twins Junkie a couple of
questions about himself and his site. Next, it was my turn (The
following is the unofficial transcript that I jotted down from
listening to it on a digital camera):
Rita: Next up is Seth Stohs. You'll want to check out his blog
as well. Now, you made the trip down from where again?
Seth: I live up in Warroad, Minnesota, which is up by the
Canadian border. It is a bit of a drive down here, but it's a
great opportunity.
Rita: And are you guys still driving your snowmobiles up there
at this time of the year?
Seth: Yeah, the snow is now melted. I think we have a couple
more weeks of summer left. I hope!
A short time later, it was my
turn again:
Rita: And Seth, when did you start to write?
Seth: I started in May of 2003, and like The Junkie said, it's
all because of The Twins Geek right here. He was kind of the,
uhh, the godfather, so to speak, of the blogging community, for
the Twins, at least. We all looked up to him really, and, uh, we
only wish we could be half as good. But it's a lot of fun. Like
we said, we get to talk about baseball and follow the game
thoroughly, and we have a little community.
Rita: Now we were talking off to the side before we came on the
air. You, far and away, have the most content on your site. Do
you sleep?
Seth: No. Well, you mentioned that we all eat, sleep and
whatever Twins baseball. But I, I eat, but I don't sleep a whole
lot.
We then went to a commercial.
I thought we might be done after just the first segment. It was
good, but I was hoping for a little bit more. But then we were told
that all three of us could ask Mr. Coomer a question. When we came
back on air, The Twins Geek asked him a question about the
circumstances when he left the Twins, specifically tying in the
point that Terry Ryan does not really do a good job of communicating
and dealing with free agents. It was a very good, very
thought-provoking question, and one that, frankly, Coomer answered
honestly and yet, politically correct. The Twins Junkie ended the
questions by asking him about the transition from player to media
and the others joked that based on his previous answer, he was
learning very well. In between, however, I had a question to ask.
I didn't spend any time trying
to figure out what I was going to be asked. I didn't want to sound
like I had anything planned. And, well, it is live radio, so you
never really know where the conversation is going to lead. You never
know what to expect. If you read the following, I think you'll see
exactly what I mean...
Rita: Alright Seth, do you have a question for Ron?
Ron: Hold on, I've got a question for Seth first.
Rita: OK
Ron: I get to ask a question. Seth, are your fingers straight
and balanced because I was on your site today, and you have more
information! But I'm, no offense, I'm no computer geek. I know
nothing about computers. I get on them just for my personal
business and then I'm off. I don't know much about it. My wife
knows everything about the computer. I ask her questions. She
does it for me. How in the world do you get all that information
- all of you guys - into the computer? And who do you correspond
with? That... That's UNbelievable! You guys should be general
managers in the league is what you should be.
Seth: We like to think we should be too!
But to answer your question, I guess, I'm worried mainly about
carpal tunnel syndrome.
Ron: I can see that!
Seth: It does take a lot of time. It does take a lot of research
around the web.
Ron:
Now, I did get to meet your girlfriend today. She seemed happy
with you and everything is fine. But with all that information,
you can't see her that much.
Seth: Thats, actually, my sister. So, So...
Ron: Maybe that's why she's happy!
Erik: How far up north is he?
Seth: I don't really know where to go from there.
Steve: Seth, Seth, maybe you want to get to the question.
Seth: I think that's a good idea. I was actually given the right
to ask two questions, and after these questions, it sounds fair.
The first question is, Ron, where to you buy your socks??
Ron: Well, where do I buy my socks? Well, for years, I never
bought socks because I had a contract with Mizuno and they sent
them to me for free. How's that?!
Rita: For those who aren't here,
Ron: Right now, I've got the invisible socks on. It's summer...
Rita: So, no socks involved. Seth, do you have another
one?
Seth: Yeah. I know that you played in one All-Star Game. I
guess, what are some of your memories from that, the
relationships, the people you talked to, and things like that???
Ron: Um, you know, that was probably the highlight of my career.
To be able to play in one postseason with the New York Yankees.
But to make an All Star Game for the Minnesota Twins was
unbelievable. I played in the '99 All-Star Game when Ted
Williams was brought out to the field and he threw the first
pitch. The home run contest was unbelievable, with McGwire, Sosa
and Griffey. And I just think just walking into the locker room
and seeing your name. And my locker mates were Cal Ripken and
Ken Griffey Jr, were my locker mates in the, in the home locker
room of Fenway Park. And I just remember walking in thinking,
"Is this me? Do I belong here?," ya know? As a kid growing up,
as a fan all your life, going to Wrigley Field, that was just
something that I'll never forget.
Likewise, my trip to the WCCO
booth at the state fair, and being on Live radio with the
Twins Junkie,
The Twins Geek, Rita
Maloney, Steve Thompson, Erik Nelson and Ron
Coomer, is something that I'll never forget. Yes, I was in the
car for more than 14 hours this weekend, but it was definitely worth
it! Ron Coomer was great. He talked to us, answered
questions, and spent some time talking to me. He obviously knows
baseball and is very good on the radio. He obviously was an
incredible baseball player. But from what I saw, and from subsequent
stories that people have told me since, he may be an even better
person.
Here is a picture of the whole
scene. Maybe after seeing this, my question to Coomer about his
socks will make more sense. As you can see, a lot of fun was had by
all!
After the show, I was on such
a high. We walked around the fair one more time. We were impressed
that we didn't eat too much. But that is because there is a Buffalo
Wild Wings near where my sister lives. So I had to make a trip
there!!! Gotta love those wings!
If you have any questions or comments, or if you
heard it on the air, please
e-mail me. Mr.
Coomer, if you happen to read this, please send me a quick e-mail. I
have just one more question to ask you, if you don't mind. Thanks!
TWINS THOUGHTS
The Twins lost two out of three to the previous reeling Texas Rangers in
incredibly hot Dallas, but let's start with some positive news.
Tonight, the Twins will take on the Kansas City Royals at Kaufmann Stadium in a
three game series. That should be good news, but the Royals are now playing the
role of spoilers. The good news is that Scott Baker will officially be
taking over Joe Mays' spot in the rotation. Mays was moved to the
bullpen, and Luis Rodriguez was sent to AAA to make room on the roster.
Of course, those who have read this site know that I think that Luis
Rodriguez should have been getting more playing time instead of Nick
Punto because when he played, he actually contributed. However, to get Baker
on the roster, it was the right move. Rodriguez likely will just return to the
Twins on September 1st anyway. Here are the pitching matchups for these
three games:
Monday - 7:10 - Scott Baker (1-1, 2.77, 1.08,
.234) vs DJ Carrasco (5-7, 4.88, 1.56, .285)
Tuesday - 7:10 - Carlos Silva (8-6, 3.26, 1.15,
.288) vs Jose Lima (5-12, 6.43, 1.63, .304)
Wednesday - 12:10 - Kyle Lohse (8-12, 4.32,
1.45, .305) vs Mike Wood (4-5, 4.12, 1.49, .276)
Now to a brief overview of the Twins and Rangers series. Ready?? Here it is...
"The Twins can't hit!"
That's it! I mean, really, that summarizes this series, and the Twins 2005
season. Sure, the Twins get a few hits. They even scored seven runs on Saturday
in their win. Of course, they didn't score until the eighth inning, and then
exploded for five innings in the 11th. They haven't scored a run in the first
six innings of a game in six games! That is astonishing. Sure, on Friday night,
Kyle Lohse had his first poor outing in a month. He gave up five runs on
three innings. The Twins got no runs on six hits against the duo of Kameron
Loe and CJ Wilson! The Rangers can really, really hit. However, in
saying that, it makes you appreciate what Brad Radke and Johan Santana
did in the past two games. Radke gave up a run in six innings. Santana gave up a
run in seven innings. And for what? Another no-decision. Radke is being called a
average, .500 pitcher and why? Not because he's pitching poorly, but because the
Twins offense just can't put together any offense. Johan Santana's
numbers are as good as anyone in the American League. He should be talked about
as a Cy Young candidate. If he played for most other teams, he would likely be
about 19-2, but with the Twins he is 13-6.
Now, in saying that the Twins can't hit, I am in no way saying that the Twins
don't have good hitters. Shannon Stewart has been a solid hitter in the
past. Torii Hunter and Jacque Jones can be frustratingly
aggressive at times, but can also provide some power from time to time.
Justin Morneau has shown in the past how good he could become, he just has
really struggled to adjust this season. Michael Cuddyer hasn't been as
bad as most want to think. Sure, he's not hitting many homers, but he isn't
doing poorly. Joe Mauer has been great, even though some seemed to think
he would suddenly turn into a 30 home run guy. As is a .300 hitter with a great
batter's eye is not good enough. Mike Redmond has been all a team can ask
for from a backup catcher. Matthew LeCroy has shown some power and an
ability to drive in runs, at times. Lew Ford has not been as good or as
consistent as he was in 2004, but the effort is still there, and the results
have been there since he started playing in the field. Jason Bartlett had
a good weekend in Texas, including a four hit game on Saturday. He will be fine!
Brent Abernathy has shown an ability to make things happen by simply
putting the ball in play! OK, so Nick Punto doesn't do much of anything,
and gets called out on third strikes at least once a game, but he's an
exception. OF course, he's still hitting first or second in the lineup EVERY
DAY!
There is plenty to complain about with the Twins offense. But look at the
roster. What more can be done? The talent is there, but the talent is very
young. By 'the talent', I mean Mauer, Morneau and Bartlett. I eagerly anticipate
the return of Jason Kubel next season. I would love the Twins to find a
leadoff hitter who can get on base 36% of the time. Who on the current roster
besides Lew Ford and Joe Mauer can do that? It would be nice to
have a guy on the roster who can hit 30 home runs. Torii Hunter was on pace for
that before his injury. We all thought Justin Morneau would hit 30 (maybe
even 40) this year, but that doesn't appear to be happening. But I still think
he can do it.
In other words, many of the pieces are in place. A little supplementing could be
done in the offseason and the offense could be much better next year just
because the young guys will have another year of experience. That is one option
I could fully support. Terry Ryan could also decide to make some massive
overhauls. Maybe he can find a taker Shannon Stewart and couple him with
a pitching prospect to get a power hitter. Maybe the team will determine that,
although he isn't quite as good defensively as Torii Hunter, Lew Ford
is well above average in centerfield. He also will hit as much as Hunter. He
will also cost $9 million less than Hunter. Maybe the Yankees need a a new
centerfielder and Torii Hunter is that guy. Then the Twins can use that
$9 million to pick up a true, proven power hitter. When the Twins season is
over, which will hopefully be late in October, I will again to a Discussion
Question to get your thoughts on what direction the Twins need to go for 2005.
So, since there is now a very good chance that the season will be over after
September, you may want to start thinking about that question.
FORMER TWINS UPDATE - It was pretty quiet, but late Friday night, the
Yankees acquired OF Matt Lawton from the Cubs in exchange for a minor
leaguer. I think that this is a great pickup for the Yankees. Lawton has always
had the ability to get on base. He is a career .270 hitter, but his career
on-base percentage is .370. He actually could hit leadoff for the Yankees,
allowing Jeter to drop to #2. Great, even more runners for A-Rod and
Sheff to drive in! After six and a half season with the Twins, Lawton was
traded to the NY Mets for Rick Reed. After the season 2001 season, the
Mets traded him to Cleveland as part of the Roberto Alomar trade. Lawton
had some injury-filled seasons in Cleveland, but when he played, he was very
good. In 101 games with the Pirates to start this season, Lawton hit .273, but
he was on base an impressive 38% of the time! He went from the Pirates to the
Cubs in exchange for Jody Gerut before the July 31 deadline, and now he's
a Yankee. Although I believe that it is pitching, not hitting, that the Yankees
need to go anywhere, Lawton does make the team better. My only question is this
though. Lawton will be playing left field for the Yankees, with Hideki Matsui
shifting back to center. Matsui is an average-at-best defensive left fielder. He
is a horrible centerfielder (although better than Bernie!). Lawton is an average
defensive left fielder and an average centerfielder. Why wouldn't Matty Law play
CF?!
Do you have any additional thoughts on Scott Baker, Joe Mays, the
Twins, the Royals, the Rangers, Matty Lawton, or anything else baseball?
E-mail me.
TWINS MINOR
LEAGUE REPORTS
Roger posted his
Weekly Minor League Review over at
Twins Territory. I
had the wonderful opportunity to meet Roger and his wife Bonnie at
the state fair on Saturday night. They were a pleasure to talk to
and to talk baseball with. Roger is very knowledgeable about the
Twins minor league system.
I'm thrilled to see that it is
Scott Baker who was called up and will be starting tonight
for the Twins. David Gassner returned to the rotation and
really struggled. The Gulf Coast League Twins did not make their
playoffs so their season is done. Yohan Pino contineus to
role while Jay Rainville finally struggles a little. David
Winfree continues to hit... while he and Trevor Plouffe
each reach 34 errors on the season.
ROCHESTER RED WINGS
Friday - RED WINGS 4, Ottawa 1- Boof Bonser finally picked up
his 11th win of the year. He went six innings and gave up just a run
on three hits and two walks. He struck out five.
Willie Eyre threw the next two innings without giving up a run.
Beau Kemp then recorded his 5th save with a perfect ninth. Seven
Red Wings hitters each had one hit.
Todd Dunwoody and
Luis Maza each had a double.
Saturday - RED WINGS
5, Pawtucket - Not a good day for the Red Wings. Henry
Bonilla started and gave up five runs (4 earned) on eight hits
and two walks in just 3.1 innings. Jason Miller came in and
threw 2.1 shutout innings. Ricky Barrett gave up a run in an
inning. Beau Kemp threw 1.1 shutout innings. Travis Bowyer
struggled again. He gave up two runs on a hit and three walks in an
inning. Jason Tyner went 2-5. Brian Buchanan, Luis
Rivas, Corky Miller and Augie Ojeda each had a
double.
Sunday - RED WINGS
8, Pawtucket 10 - David Gassner's return to the
starting rotation did not go as he would have hoped. In two innings,
he gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks. Brent Schoening
then came in and gave up four runs (3 earned) in 1.2 innings.
Willie Eyre, Ricky Barrett and Travis Bowyer
combined for 4.1 shutout innings before Beau Kemp gave up a
run in his inning. Kevin West led the offense with a 4-5 day.
It included his 19th homer. Luis Rivas went 3-5 with his 13th
double and first home run. Chris Heintz and Brian Buchanan
each had two hits.
NEW BRITAIN ROCKCATS
Friday
- ROCKCATS 6, Norwich 3 - Glen Perkins needed a good
start, and he got it. The lefty went seven innings and gave up three
runs on seven hits and two walks. Pat Neshek came in and
struck out three hitters in two innings for his 23rd save. Danny
Matienzo went 3-4 with his 23rd home run. Gabby Torres
was 3-4 with his eighth double and second homer. Luis Jimenez
went 2-4 with his 16th homer.
Saturday
- ROCKCATS 8, Norwich 5 - Matienzo had another strong
game on Saturday going 3-4 with his 34th double. Gil Velazquez
was also 3-4 and that included his 12th double. Luis Jimenez
was 2-4 with his 27th double. JR Taylor and Doug Deeds
each had two hits. Jim Abbott started this game and gave up
five runs on eight hits and two walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out
four. Daylon Childress then came in and struck out seven in
4.2 one-hit innings to record his 3rd win. Kevin Cameron
picked up his sixth save with a perfect ninth.
Sunday
- ROCKCATS 2, Norwich 5 - Nick Blackburn fell to 1-4, but
pitched well again. In 6.1 innings, he gave up three unearned runs
on six hits and walked three. Of course, one of the errors that lead
to the unearned runs was a bad throw by Blackburn himself. Justin
Olson got two outs, striking out one. Matt Yeatman had an
error of his own that led to his one run in one inning. John
Thomas pitched a scoreless inning. Luis Jimenez went 2-4
with both RBI. Gil Velazquez had a double.
FT MYERS MIRACLE
Friday - MIRACLE
1, Dunedin 7 - Jay Rainville finally had a rough start in
the Florida State League, but it really wasn't even that bad. He
gave up six runs, but just three were earned, in three innings. Of
course, he did give up two home runs. Tristan Crawford gave
up a run in 1.2 innings. Jose Mijares struck out three in his
2.1 perfect innings. Julio DePaula struck out one in his
inning. The Miracle were only able to muster five hits.
Saturday - MIRACLE 4, Dunedin 1
- Justin Jones improved to 6-3 with another strong outing. He
gave up just a run on 7.2 innings. He allowed three hits and four
walks, and he walked five.
Jay Sawatski got the final four outs.
Kyle Geiger,
Luke Hughes and
Ron Perodin each went 2-4.
Sunday - MIRACLE - No Game.
BELOIT SNAPPERS
Friday - SNAPPERS 6, Dayton 2 - Eduardo Morlan has really
been pitching well of late. On this night, he gave up two runs on
five hits and two walks in six innings. Kevin Culpepper then
pitched a scoreless seventh inning to pick up his seventh win. JP
Martinez picked up save number 20 with two innings of work.
Javi Sanchez led the offense by going 2-4 with his 12th double
and two RBI. Deacon Burns hit his 11th homer, and Steven
Tolleson hit his third.
Saturday - SNAPPERS 13, Dayton 3 - Deacon Burns knocked
his 12th homer on this day. He went 3-6 and also hit his 13th triple
and drove in five runs. Terrance Patterson went 2-4 with two
walks and his 14th double. Dwayne White went 2-5 with his
11th double. Kyle Aselton gave up two runs on seven hits in
five innings to pick up his fifth win and drop his ERA to 2.65. Two
surprising things about his outing though; first, he struck out just
one, and second, he walked none! Josh Hill gave up a run in
his three innings. Jose Cordero pitched one scoreless frame.
Sunday
- SNAPPERS 3, Dayton 4 - Kyle Waldrop was really great on
this day, but JP Martinez gave up three unearned runs in the
8th to take the blown save and the loss. Waldrop gave up just one
run over seven innings. He gave up three hits and a walk, and struck
out eight. David Winfree went 2-4 with his 31st double, but
he also committed his 34th error of the season to tie him with
Trevor Plouffe. Paul Rutgers had a double.
ELIZABETHTON TWINS
Friday - E-Twins 2, Bluefield 1 - Alexander Smit made the
Appalachian League's All-Star team, and deservedly so. He was the
only E-Town member to do so, which is incredible considering they
won the league by about 15 games! For instance, Yohan Pino
should have made it. He improved to 9-2 in this game. He went all
nine innings and gave up just a run on four hits. He walked none and
struck out 11. Caleb Moore went 3-4 with his third homer.
Matt Betsill was 2-4 with the second RBI.
Saturday - E-Twins - Rained Out.
Sunday
- E-Twins 7, Princeton 4 - Adam Hawes is another that
should have made the team. In this game, he gave up a run on two
hits in three innings. He struck out four and his ERA is 1.53.
Danny Vais improved to 6-1 by throwing four strong innings. He
gave up two unearned runs and struck out four. Danny Powers
gave up a run on three hits and a walk in his inning. How about
Tim Lahey? He pitched a scoreless inning, striking out two, to
record his 15th save. Edward Ovalle had a strong season. In
this game, he was 3-4 with his 12th double. Erik Lis was also
3-4 with his 8th home run and deserved consideration.
What about Juan Portes? How about
Yancarlos Ortiz? I'm sure there are others. I don't know why Smit was the
lone player representing the best team in the league!
On that note, I am
going to call it a day! I hope everyone has a good one! As always, please feel free to
e-mail me your thoughts on the
Twins, the minor leagues, or anything you would like to discuss.
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