Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday Game Notes
Well, the big event yesterday was the MLB Draft which started at about 1:00 and went until about 8... and they only got six rounds in. Friday, they will attempt to draft the final 44 rounds. But, did you know that there were also baseball games played yesterday? That's right, the Twins and all four of their full-season affiliates played. I thought I would give some highlights and thoughts.
Twins Thoughts (Twins 2, Orioles 3)
Scott Baker was back on the mound, and although the numbers are very adequate for a return start, there are things to improve. He gave up two runs on five hits and a walk. The big hit was a two-run homer by Nick Markakis. He struck out three. However, he also threw 99 pitches in five innings, so that was enough for his day.
Brian Bass came in and gave up a solo homer to Adam Jones before going the next two innings. Craig Breslow got two outs and walked one. Then Jesse Crain struck out two of the four batters he faced.
Mike Redmond played in the day game after the night game against a lefty. Makes complete sense. What doesn't make sense is that he batted third. But, that's what Gardy does and on this day, it worked just fine. Redmond went 3-4 with an RBI double.
Alexi Casilla with another strong game. He went 3-5 with a double.
Nick Punto had a very good game. He went 2-3 with a walk and two doubles. And after the game, he was put on the Disabled List because of his hamstring. However, it just makes me wonder... I mean, since he hit a double in the bottom of the 9th inning, why wasn't he pinch run for? When did he pop it again? Nick Punto was healthy much of 2007 and almost all of 2006. However, before that, he was an injury waiting to happen, and it appears that he is there again. Matt Macri, who had boarded a plane back to AAA, had to retrieve his bags and stay with the team.
This 13 pitcher thing has already come back to bite the Twins, and I can't help but wonder if Gardy was trying to make a point a little bit. Late in the game, Mike Redmond got on base and Gardy used Kevin Slowey to pinch run for him. I actually don't have a problem with a pitcher pinch running. That doesn't hurt in any way. However, When Jason Kubel pinch hit for DH Craig Monroe and then Joe Mauer pinch hit for Delmon Young, and then Mauer came into the game to replace Redmond, the Twins had lost their designated hitter. Now, in my mind, that really isn't a big deal, even in the American League. Done this late in the game, it shouldn't have much affect on a game. But what if the Twins would have tied it up? In later innings, pitchers would have had to hit because there were not options on the bench. I wouldn't blame Gardy for being upset. This is an administrative decision. The Twins just are not willing to make the tougher, more correct, decision.
The Twins will now travel to Chicago for a four game series with the Chicago White Sox. These are obviously fairly big games if the Twins hope to contend in 2008.
Minor League Updates
Here are the Twins updates from last night, including game reports of their minor league affiliates.
Thursday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Chris Parmelee, Beloit Snappers
Thursday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Errol Simonitsch, New Britain Rockcats
ROCHESTER
REPORT
Thursday - Red
Wings
8, Buffalo 3 –
Francisco
Liriano
picked up his first win of the season yesterday. He gave up three
runs on four hits in six innings. He walked four and struck out
seven. Ricky Barrett gets credit for the save with three
perfect innings, including five strikeouts.
Randy Ruiz went 2-5 with his sixth homer. Jose Morales
went 2-3 with a walk and his seventh double. Jason Pridie,
Darnell McDonald and Garrett Jones each went 2-5.
NEW BRITAIN
NEWS
Thursday - Rockcats
4, Altoona 2
– Errol Simonitsch finally had
a good start since his return. In six innings, he gave up one run on
three hits and three walks. Jason Miller then threw two
shutout innings. Ben Julianel recorded his 11th save despite
giving up a run in the 9th. The offense came from the bat of
Steve Tolleson. Leading off, and playing CF, Tolleson went 1-4
with a three run homer. Drew Butera went 1-2 with a walk.
FT MYERS MEMOS
Thursday - Miracle 6, Brevard
County 4–
Alex Burnett improved to 5-2 in this game. He gave up four runs
on six hits and three walks in six innings.
Anthony Slama
came in and gave up two hits and two walks, but no runs, in 1.2
innings.
Rob Delaney
came in to close the 8th and got three more outs in the 9th
inning for his 13th save.
Wilson Ramos, who earlier in the day was added to the Florida
State League All-Star team, went 3-4 with a walk and three RBI.
Brian Dinkelman
was 1-3 with two walks.
Whit Robbins
had two more walks.
BELOIT
BITS
Thursday - Snappers 8, Kane County
6
– Chris Parmelee had a huge
game in this one. He went 3-4 with his ninth and tenth home runs and
four RBI. Ben Revere was 2-5. Mike McCardell
improved to 2-1. He gave up four runs on six hits in 5.2 innings. He
walked one and struck out five. Matt Williams struck out
three in 2.1 shutout innings. Steve Hirschfeld gave up two
unearned runs in 0.2 innings, but Spencer Steedley came in
and got the final out for his sixth save.
Do you have any further thoughts on any Twins prospects, minor leaguers, or these summaries? E-mail me, or also feel free to leave comments below.
A little later, I will post a blog providing a place to post and discuss the remainder of the Twins draft picks.
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