Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday Game Notes
It's going to be a short one today after two long postings yesterday. Today is just some game updates and thoughts, but know that I am working on some future projects including an upcoming Draft Preview and my updated Top 50 Twins Prospects. (Again, I would encourage you all to make your own Top 50, or Top 30, Twins prospects list for 1.) fun and 2.) comparison)
The Twins bats got it going right away in the first and never looked back, beating the Rangers 11-4. It was a good night for all involved. One night after Bobby Korecky picked up his first big league win, Glen Perkins recorded his first win as a major league pitcher. Congratulations! Here are some thoughts on the game:
Despite 11 runs scored, the conversation has to start with Glen Perkins. Perkins went 6.1 innings and gave up three runs (2 earned) on six hits. Perkins really had no issues until that seventh inning. In fact, had he left the game after six innings, he would have had a shutout with just three hits allowed and no walks. He just looked good. He got ahead with first pitch strikes and mixed in all of his pitches. Very impressive!
Joe Mauer is now hitting .331 after a 3-4 game. He had a double, but he also had a sacrifice fly.
Alexi Casilla added two more hits in four at bats. Justin Morneau went 2-4.
Delmon Young had another extra base hits, a triple, and drove in two runs.
Jason Kubel had a double in two official at bats. He also walked twice.
Finally, Mike Lamb had another strong game, going 2-3 and driving in two runs.
Carlos Gomez was back in the lineup and led off the bottom of the 1st inning with a triple. That was the only hit he had, but it was good to have him back in the lineup. And with Alexi Casilla batting second, it is exciting to think of the incredible speed at the top of the order.
Tonight the Twins and Rangers play the third of four games. Nick Blackburn will hope to continue pitching well. For the Rangers, Sidney Ponson will make the start. Hopefully the Twins will be able to do more against him the second time. After three very good starts, Ponson has given up six and seven runs in his past two games.
By the way, former Twins catcher Danny Ardoin had his contract purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. In case you're interested, Luis Maza is currently hitting .455 for the Dodgers. Sure it's just 11 at bats, but still...
In case you hadn't heard, Matt Tolbert will be having surgery on his thumb.
Any other thoughts on the Twins or this game?
Twins Minor League Updates
Tuesday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Edward Ovalle, Ft. Myers Miracle
Tuesday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Tyler Robertson, Ft. Myers Miracle
ROCHESTER REPORT
Tuesday - Red Wings 2, Syracuse 3 (10 innings) – Another Francisco Liriano start to report on! Actually, Liriano had
his second good start in a row. He went seven innings and gave up two runs
on eight hits. Again, he walked just one hitter and he struck out just three
hitters. He limited his pitch count, throwing just 91 pitches total, 62 of
them for strikes. I really think something is clicking for him (and
fortunately it isn't his elbow). He is starting to throw more strikes and in
doing so, he is pitching to contact. It sounds like he has added a little
velocity, and as that comes back, the pitches will be a little harder to
hit, and the strikeouts should come. I just think that the Twins need to
remain patient. I think that Liriano needs at least another month of similar
starts, and hopefully in that time, there will be more strikeouts.
Tommy Watkins led the offense. He went 3-3 with his first double of the year. Jose Morales went 2-4 with his fourth double. Matt Macri was 2-5. Denard Span went 0-5, and is now 0-14 in his last three games.
NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Tuesday - Rockcats, Harrisburg
– Postponed by Rain
FT MYERS MEMOS
Tuesday
- Miracle 5, Jupiter 0 – Tyler Robertson
was excellent again tonight! In this game,
he went seven shutout innings. He gave up just three hits, walked three
and struck out four. Jose Lugo gave up two hits and a walk, but no runs,
in one inning. Anthony Slama struck out three in a shutout inning.
Edward Ovalle went 3-4 with his sixth triple. Danny Valencia returned
and went 2-4 with his 14th double. Yangervis Solarte is certainly making
the most of his opportunity. He went 2-4 with his first double. Danny
Berg went 1-2 and walked twice.
BELOIT BITS
Tuesday - Snappers 2, Clinton 4
– The Snappers managed just six hits in this game. Chris Cates doubled,
and Ramon Santana hit a triple. Dan Berlind fell to 3-4. He went the
first six innings and gave up four runs on six hits. He walked four and
struck out four. Charles Nolte struck out five in two shutout innings.
The story of the game for the Snappers may have been that Ben Revere went 0-4. Crazy, right? Did you know that in his previous six games, he had at least two hits. He was 15-27 (.556) over that time with two doubles and a triple. The O-fer, drops his average to .412.
That's it for today! Have a great Wednesday!
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