Tuesday, July 24, 2007
This Just In...
Johan Santana is Human!
Come on (Twins Fans), dry your eyes,
Wipe your tears,
Never like to see you cry
Won't you please forgive me.
...
I'm only human,
of flesh and blood I'm made.
human,
born to make mistakes
-- Johan Santana covering Human League's Human
Yes fans, it it true. I too questioned whether Second Half Johan was, in fact, human. Last night's performance proved that he is human. Johan went five innings and gave up six runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out four. Now, if you're coming to my site, you probably already know that the big story of the game was that Santana gave up four home runs in those five innings which was a career high for him. It just started out bad with Reed Johnson leading off the bottom of the 1st with a home run. Frank Thomas added a homer in the 1st and the 5th. Alexis Rios hit one in between. That said, the home run ball has definitely been the primary thing that has hurt Santana in 2007. Yes, he is only 11-8, but he is pitching as well to this point as he has in any other year in his career. However, he has now given up 22 home runs this year in just 141 innings. Last year, he gave up 24 home runs... in 233.2 innings. In 2005, he gave up 22 homers in 231.2 innings. My thoughts? Three of the four homers were solo homers. It is alarming. That is a lot of homers, but it really isn't worth obsessing about. So honestly, I'm going to say it was one game, it was an anomaly, and I don't even want to waste any more words worrying about it. So, here are a few other thoughts on the game:
Some will think that Shaun Marcum is yet another lesser known pitcher that beat Johan and the Twins, but it isn't like the Twins didn't hit him. He gave up four runs on eight hits over seven innings. The Twins hit three home runs of their own, including two by Justin Morneau.
The Twins 3-4-5 hitters in this game went 6-12 with all three homers, all four runs and all four RBI. The rest of the offense went 8-23. Of course, I do have to credit Nick Punto who extended his hitting streak to six whole games and went 2-3 in this game.
Nice base running Tyner and Punto.
The Twins 3-4-5 hitters in this game combined for 19 total bases. The rest of the Twins offense combined for four total bases.
Quick Justin Morneau update after two home runs last night gave him 28 homers and 85 RBI... he is now on pace for 46 home runs and 139 RBI.
Rondell White returned to the lineup last night and went 0-4.
Ramon Ortiz had a very impressive outing. He was perfect for two relief innings and struck out two. Of his 21 pitches thrown, 17 of them were strikes.
This has nothing to do with the Twins, but I think it deserves note today. Sometimes a little perspective is needed, especially in the dog days of summer when we are trying to determine if the Twins are buyers or sellers. The death of former big leaguers and minor league 1B coach Mike Coolbaugh during a game the other day reminds us so cruelly again of how truly important baseball is. Then think about Rockies prospect Tino Sanchez. He is the AA hitter that hit the line drive the killed Coolbaugh. Send out some prayers for the friends and family of Mike Coolbaugh, but take a few minutes to think about how Tino Sanchez must feel. Hopefully he will psychologically and mentally be ok.
On the positive side of a negative story, Red Sox lefty Jon Lester returned to the big league mound last night for the first time since last August when he was diagnosed with cancer. He went through chemotherapy and all kinds of rehab. The Red Sox were wisely very patient with Lester and did not rush him back to the big leagues despite the fact that he may have been ready on Opening Day. Anyway, the side note is that he picked up the win for the Red Sox. The story was just that he made it back. The coolest thing was seeing his parent's reactions throughout the game. There are good people and good stories in the game too, even if the media wants to bring up the negative 90% of the time.
The only guy I want the Twins to acquire, and not for too much... Joe Christensen blogged about Dmitri Young today!
Howard Sinker discusses "the little things" on his blog today. I put the first comment in there saying that the Twins haven't done The Little Things right since the Gardenhire era started. They actually did do The Little Things in those years from 1996-1999, but what good did it do them then? I would definitely argue that The Little Things like bunting and good base running have not been done well under Gardy. The Little Things aren't a big deal to me. Bone-headed plays are. That's the difference.
Thoughts on last night's game from The Nick's, Stick & Ball Guy, and Taylor's Twins Talk.
Do you have any other thoughts on the Twins, the Blue Jays or what the Twins should do, please e-mail me or leave Comments below.
TWINS MINOR LEAGUE NOTES
SethSpeaks Player of the Day - Chris Heintz, Rochester Red Wings
SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day - Jeff Manship, Ft. Myers Miracle
If you have any thoughts on the Twins system, please e-mail me.
ROCHESTER REPORT
Monday - Game 1 - Red Wings 9, Ottawa 3 – Brian Duensing improved to 7-2 with a 3.21 ERA. He went all seven innings and gave up three runs (2 earned) on seven hits and three walks. The Red Wings 8th and 9th hitters, Trent Oeltjen and Denard Span combined to go 3-7 with six RBI. Jose Morales went 2-4 with his 21st double. Chris Heintz went 2-4 with his sixth double. Brian Buscher went 2-4 with his seventh double.
Monday - Game 2 - Red Wings 4, Ottawa 3 (8) – Jay Sawatski got a spot-start in game two. He gave up three runs on six hits in three innings. Jason Miller went two shutout innings. Julio DePaula improved to 8-5 as he too pitched two shutout innings. Bobby Korecky saved his 26th games with a scoreless ninth. Brian Buscher went 3-4. Chris Heintz went 2-3 with a walk, his first homer and two RBI. Doug Deeds went 2-4.
NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Monday - Rockcats, Connecticut – Game was rained out.
FT MYERS MEMOS
Monday - Miracle 4, Lakeland 1 - Jeff Manship just continues to amaze. In this game, he improved to 5-1 with a 2.61 ERA. He gave up one run on six hits over seven innings. He walked three and struck out 12. Armando Gabino recorded his fourth save with two perfect innings. Juan Portes provided the offense. He went 3-4 with his 18th double.
BELOIT BITS
Monday - Snappers 7, Great Lakes 6 (10) – Chris Parmelee went 3-5 with his 17th double. Steve Singleton and Yancarlos Ortiz each went 2-4 with a double. Joe Benson went 2-4 with a walk. Brian Kirwan started the game and gave up five runs on seven hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. Jose Lugo went two shutout innings. Aaron Craig gave up an unearned run in his inning. Anthony Slama then went the next 2.1 innings, giving up only one hit. He struck out four.
ELIZABETHTON UPDATE
Monday - E-Twins 0, Johnson City 3 (6) – This game was called in the 6th inning because of rain. The E-Twins had just two hits. Wesley Connor had a double. Mike McCardell took the loss. In five innings, he gave up three runs on seven hits. Remaining quite impressive, he did not walk a batter and struck out 12 hitters.
GCL TWINS UPDATE
Monday - GCL Twins, GCL Orioles – Postponed by Rain.
Do you have any further thoughts on any Twins prospects, minor leaguers, or these summaries? I would love any input, or ideas to make it better. Thanks! E-mail me, or also feel free to leave comments below.
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