Thursday, May 1, 2008
Thurday Morning Notes
Top of the mornin' to ya!
I've got very little in terms of energy this morning, so this is going to be a real quick update. I wasn't going to write, but then one of my favorite Twins prospects from about three or four years ago had a headline type of a game, so I figured I would link to that and post a couple of quick thoughts on some games.
So, just some notes today, but expect a bunch in the coming days. There are a couple of bigger reports coming, plus I just got some Q&A answers back from a Twins minor leaguer, so you'll be seeing that in the near future as well. What I'm saying is... forgive me for a quick day today, but keep coming back!
TWINS 4, WHITE SOX 3
The Twins got a ground rule double to left center off the bat of Justin Morneau in the bottom of the 7th which scored Carlos Gomez with what proved to be the game winning run. The win gave the Twins the sweep of the short, two game series and moves them back to a game of .500, and just a game and a half behind the division leading White Sox.
Good to see Carlos Gomez have a good game. He went 3-4 with a double and a stolen base to bring his average up twenty points, to .265. The stolen base was his 11th.
Nick Blackburn improved to 2-1. The rookie righty went seven innings. He gave up three runs on eight hits. He walked two and struck out four. But even when he gives up a few runs, he does it with limited pitch count. In the seven innings, he threw just 88 pitches. Had the game not been tied after seven innings, it is quite possible he could have gone another inning, if not two. His innings have been pretty important to the Twins the last two outings and deserves to be noticed.
The game wasn't on TV, but I am guessing the bullpen work looked as impressive visually as it does in the box score. Dennys Reyes came in and struck out Jim Thome. Then Pat Neshek came in and struck out Jermaine Dye and Carlos Quentin.
Joe Nathan made it interesting in the ninth. He gave up a one out single and a walk to AJ Pierzynski, who was pinch hitting. But he got a fly out and then ended the game with a strikeout for his ninth save.
Interesting information to show how perception isn't always truth:
Carlos Gomez - .265/.279/.373 - OPS of .652
Jason Kubel - .237/.257/.381 - OPS of .639
Delmon Young - .265/.306/.314 - OPS of .620
I'd say Carlos Gomez isn't doing so horribly, is he? And Jason Kubel is finally getting every day playing time, which is a good thing, but if not for his four home runs, how would his numbers really look? Whereas Gomez and Young's inability to draw a walk is constantly discuss, not the Kubel has not walked much so far this year either. This is not typical of Kubel over his career though. Young actually has more walks (6) than Gomez (2) and Kubel (3) have combined. He just has not hit for any power to this point. He has just three doubles and a triple. In each case, the Twins just have to keep them in the lineups, let them work through their struggles because they each have immense talent.
Of course, there is also a perception that Nick Punto is hitting better so far this year too, and he is hitting .256/.326/.256, an OPS of .582. No extra base hits so far, but at least a solid Isolated Discipline.
For some reason, the Twins will be enjoying their second off day of the week today before starting a three game set at home tomorrow against the Tigers.
Twins Minor League Updates
Wednesday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Steve Tolleson, New Britain Rockcats
Wednesday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Santos Arias, Beloit Snappers
Be sure to check out Roger's Weekly Minor League Update at Twinkie Town.
ROCHESTER REPORT
Wednesday - Red Wings 2, Pawtucket 4 – Francisco Liriano made his return to the Red Wings, and
although the numbers weren't great, it was another step forward. The lefty
went 4.1 innings and gave up four runs, all earned, on five hits and five
walks. He struck out three. 51 of his 94 pitches were strikes. Not a good
outing, but again, so many people thought he would come back at 100% of what
he was before, but that just isn't fair. He just needs this time, and the
Twins and their fans need to be patient. Think of it this way, by letting
him rehab in the minors, rather than the big leagues, they're saving
valuable arbitration and free agency time, meaning that they can keep him
for longer when he is recovered. Ricky Barrett came in and walked two
but gave up no runs in 1.2 innings. Mariano Gomez gave up three hits
and walked a batter, but no run in 1.2 innings. Julio DePaula
finished the final four out and gave up just one hit. The offense managed
just two runs off of knuckleballer Charlie Zink on just four hits and
two walks. Jason Pridie was the lone Red Wing with a two hit game.
NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Wednesday - Rockcats 11, Binghampton 2 –
Steve Tolleson led this big offensive attack. He went 4-5 with a walk
and his fourth double. Toby Gardenhire went 3-5 with a double and two
RBI in his first AA game. Luke Hughes went 2-5 with a walk. David
Winfree had a double in four at bats, but he drove in four runs in the
game. Yohan Pino was the beneficiary of all the run support. He gave
up two runs on seven hits and a walk in five innings to record his first win
of the year. Zach Ward and Danny Graves each threw two shutout
innings.
FT MYERS MEMOS
Wednesday
- Miracle 4, Clearwater 2 – The Miracle scored four first inning runs and held
on for the win. The big blow was a bases clearing triple by Wilson
Ramos. Juan Portes went 2-3 with a walk and a double, his
fifth of the year. Brian Dinkelman and Edward Ovalle each
went 2-4. Cole DeVries started and gave up two runs on seven hits
and a walk in 5.1 innings. He struck out six. Zach Day came in
and held on for 1.2 innings before Anthony Slama closed the door
with two shutout innings for his fourth save. Slama struck out four.
BELOIT BITS
Wednesday
- Snappers 4, South Bend 2 –
Santiago Arias made his first start for the Snappers and was very
impressive. He went six shutout innings, allowing just two hits. He walked
none and struck out five. Loek Van Mil came in and gave up a
game-tying run on three hits in 1.1 innings for the blown save, but Van Mil
also picked up the win. Spencer Steedley gave up a run in 1.2 innings
for the Save. Ben Revere went 2-4 with two RBI and his first stolen
base. Ramon Santana hit a solo homer. Joe Benson went 1-3 with
a walk.
Like I said, please keep coming back. There is plenty in the works! Have a great day!
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