Monday

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Wednesday Night Update

The Twins just completed a 9-3 win over Greg Maddux and the San Diego, so their win streak increases to eight straight. They are now just 1/2 game behind the Chicago White Sox. A night after back-to-back homers gave the Twins a win, the Twins got two more home runs in this game. Brendan Harris hit another one, this one a two run homer. Craig Monroe had a late game, two run pinch hit homer. Some say that Maddux is not the pitcher that he once was, but coming into the game, he had an excellent 3.17 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, despite the 3-5 record. Glen Perkins had to throw 91 pitches in the game's first fine innings. He gave up three runs, but that was still enough to get credited with the Win. Then Brian Bass threw two shutout innings before Craig Breslow and Boof Bonser each threw a scoreless inning. Nine runs, some power, some walks, some doubles... and all while their #3, 4 and 5 hitters, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer combined to go 1-14. Of course, that one hit was a big, two-run double by Joe Mauer early in the game. Carlos Gomez has really struggled in June, but he went 3-4 and was hit by a pitch. He stole two bases. Brian Buscher scored three runs in going 1-2 with two walks. Just a good team win in this game, and the streak continues. On Thursday, the teams will play the third and final game of the series with Scott Baker heading to the mound to take on the surprising Josh Banks. It would be nice to get a sweep, but it will be interesting to see how, or if, the lineup changes. Will Joe Mauer get a day game off after a night game? Will Delmon Young again be on the bench, or will Gardy give Kubel or Cuddyer a day off, or maybe let Morneau DH. If that happens, maybe Mike Lamb can get a game at 1B. Or, will he play 3rd... or sit... again? Will Gardy get Nick Punto back on the field?

Jim Mandelaro reports that former Twins and Red Wings OF Josh Rabe has decided to retire from baseball. He was playing for an independent team, the Camden Riversharks. He was hitting well, but back pain was just too much. As was evidenced in a Q&A he did on this site, he is a very smart person who has a career in law ahead of him, and we certainly wish him the best!
The Twins Geek asks if we will start hearing the cries of "Free Span." It is possible. I know I answered it a week or so ago, but here are my thoughts. Span has done what he needs to at Rochester. He has hit for average, shown some pop and most importantly, he looks like and acts like a leadoff hitter. He deserves another opportunity with the Twins. I would have no problem with him being promoted. If that were to happen, I would have no problem with him playing a game or two in LF and CF each week, and maybe once every couple of weeks in RF. The question becomes, who do you send down or release to make it happen? Craig Monroe has shown some pop from time to time when playing limited games. Mike Lamb provides a quality veteran, left-handed bat with some pop off the bench. Obviously Nick Punto and Mike Redmond aren't going anywhere. Delmon Young hasn't lived up to expectations, but take a lot at his numbers that are not in the HR column, particularly in the last month, and they don't scream demotion in any way.
I have also been asked quite frequently if I think that the Twins should be buyers or sellers come trade deadline time. Well, reality says that we really can't make that decision until a week to ten days before the end of July. However, I am comfortable with a couple of general thoughts. I happen to think that the Twins can do both. First and foremost, they need to remember that despite the results this year so far, this is a rebuilding year for the Twins. They should not give up the farm for any player that will only be with them for two months. Also, you don't do anything right now because what they are, is working right now. I also believe that they can act like Sellers and trade off a few veterans for prospects and not be any worse off. Now, I don't know that there is much market for Mike Lamb or Craig Monroe. In each case, it would be a team looking for a veteran bench bat, either right-handed or left-handed. There is no way that the Twins could get anything for Nick Punto. Livan Hernandez could maybe fetch a mid-level prospect. The Twins brass will have to determine whether they can get decent value for him or if he will be a Type A or Type B free agent (And would then get compensation in next year's draft). They can deal the veterans that aren't contributing a lot while bringing in young players.
Any other thoughts or questions on the Twins?

Twins Minor League Updates

Wednesday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Darnell McDonald, Rochester Red Wings
Wednesday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Henry Reyes, Beloit Snappers

ROCHESTER REPORT
Wednesday – Rochester 10, Louisville 8 – Francisco Liriano had a rough one. He's been doing much better, so I really only consider this a hiccup. He gave up six runs (5 earned) on nine hits in 5.1 innings. H walked just one and struck out just three. He gave up two home runs. Tim Lahey gave up two runs on a hit and a walk in one inning. Bobby Korecky came in and got his 10th save with 2.2 scoreless innings. Darnell McDonald led the offense by going 4-5 with his 16th stolen base. Denard Span went 3-5 with his 10th and 11th doubles. Randy Ruiz was 2-3 with two walks. Trevor Plouffe was 2-5 with his third double and a big three run homer. Tommy Watkins was 2-5 with his seventh double.

NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Wednesday – New Britain 1, New Hampshire 3 – Ryan Mullins pitched well and yet fell to 6-6 on the season. He gave up three runs (2 earned) on seven hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out five. Armando Gabino gave up just one hit over two shutout innings. He struck out two. Erik Lis went 2-4 with his 28th double. Danny Valencia was also 2-4.

FT MYERS MEMOS
Wednesday – Miracle 6, Palm Beach 10 – Tyler Robertson was back on the mound and had his first rough outing in over six weeks. In 4.1 innings, he gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out four. Oswaldo Sosa came in and gave up two runs on four hits and a walk in two innings. Jose Lugo then gave up four runs on three hits and three walks in just 2/3 of an inning. Blair Erickson walked two in a scoreless eighth inning. Yancarlos Ortiz went 3-4 with three RBI for the Miracle. Steve Singleton went 1-3 with two walks and a double. Edward Ovalle went 1-3 with a walk and his sixth home run.

BELOIT BITS
Wednesday – Beloit 5, Clinton 8 – After beating Clinton 8-5 in the last two games, Clinton returned the favor in this one. Much of the reason was the performance of David Bromberg. He gave up eight earned runs on 11 hits in just four innings. He walked none and struck out four. Henry Reyes came in and threw three scoreless innings, striking out three. Danny Hernandez pitched a scoreless eighth. Deibinson Romero went 2-4 with his sixth double and two RBI. But the Snappers managed just six hits. They actually accumulated seven walks, two by Eric Santiago.

ELIZABETHTON EXTRAS
Wednesday – E-Twins 5, Bluefield 13 – Robert Lanigan started and gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks. In 5.1 innings, he struck out six. Omar Alcala then gave up three runs on two hits and three walks. Lee Martin gave up five runs (4 earned) on four hits and a walk in two innings. Michael Harrington went 2-4 with his third homer and three RBI. Nate Hanson went 2-3 with a double. Angel Morales was 2-4 while Andrew Schmiesing went 2-5.

GCL TWINS TALK
Wednesday – GCL Twins 6, GCL Orioles 5 – Andres Diaz continues to hit. In this game, he went 2-4 with a walk and his second homer. Michael Gonzalez went 2-4 with a double. Aaron Hicks went 1-3 with two walks and two strikeouts. Alex Curry started the game and gave up one run on two hits in four innings. He struck out three. Elliot Biddle gave up a run on two hits and two walks in 1.2 innings. Mauro Schiavoni gave up three runs (just one earned) on two hits and a walk in 2.1 innings. Steve Blevins got one out to start the 9th inning. Then Kelvin Mota got the final two outs to end the game.

Have a great day!!

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