Twins Minor League Weekly
Last night was supposed to be an episode of Twins Minor League Weekly.
Normally that podcast is on Monday and Thursday night, but co-host Travis Aune will be starting his trek back to Texas in the morning
so we could not have Twins Minor League Weekly on Monday night. We both
prepared for last night’s show. However, as 10:00 approached, it became clear that
BlogTalkRadio.com was having issues that would apparently not correct
themselves by the scheduled show time of 10:00. We tried to make it work, but
there was no way to take phone calls or really do anything. So, we cancelled
the show. We sincerely apologize to those who wanted to listen. Travis will
return for the next Twins Minor League Weekly on Thursday night. I will host
the SethSpeask.net Sunday Night Twins Podcast at 10:00 on Monday night.
But, since I did a bunch of the research,
here are the notes that would have made up Twins Minor League Weekly from me:
Rochester Red Wings
Rochester lost on Sunday 3-0 at Indianapolis.
Scott Diamond returned to the mound for the Red Wings and gave up two runs on
seven hits and two walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out four. Jeff Manship pitched in a game for the first time since he
started the Red Wings combined no-hitter weeks ago and recorded the final two
outs of the 7th. Cole DeVries then gave up
a run on three hits in his inning. The Red Wings managed just three hits. Luke
Hughes, Steve Holm and Brandon Roberts each hit a single.
The Red Wings are now at 38-63, 20.5 games
back in their division.
As you know, Luke Hughes and Kevin Slowey were optioned to Rochester this week. Pitcher Thomas
Diamond was released. Catcher Danny Lehmann, who should be playing more
somewhere (!), was placed on the 7-Day Disabled list with an ankle injury.
New
Britain Rock Cats
After losing to Altoona 7-2 on Saturday, the
Rock Cats returned the favor with a 7-2 decision on Sunday. Steve Hirschfeld started and gave up two runs on eight hits. In
six innings, he walked just one and struck out just two. Dakota Watts picked up
the three inning save. He gave up no runs on three
hits. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out two. Yangervis Solarte
wetn 3-3 on the day with a walk, his fourth home run
and three RBI. Chris Parmelee went 3-5 with
his 23rd double and fifth triple. Chris Herrmann went 2-4 with his
third triple and two stolen bases. Brian Dozier hit his fifth AA triple.
The Rock Cats are currently 51-48. They are
3.5 games back of the division lead.
Ft. Myers Miracle
The Miracle lost 6-1 on Sunday to Clearwater.
Tom Stuifbergen got the start and gave up just two
runs through the first six innings of the game. He came out for the seventh and
made quick work of the first two batters. He then gave up a double and
back-to-back singles before being replaced by Bruce Pugh. Pugh threw a wild
pitch and then served up a three-run homer before getting out of the 7th.
He also pitched a scoreless 8th frame. Danny Rams went 3-4. James
Beresford was 2-4 with his third stolen base.
The Miracle are now
14-16 in the second half. They are in 5th place in the FSL’s south
division but just 3.5 games out of first place. Jhonathan
Goncalves was put on the Disabled List, and Matt Tone
came off of it.
Beloit Snappers
The Snappers lost 6-4 to Lansing. BJ Hermsen started and gave up five unearned runs in five
innings. He gave up six hits, walked one and struck out three. Michael Tonkin
gave up one run on one hit and one walk (two strikeouts) in one inning. Bart
Carter gave up a hit and hit a batter but pitched a scoreless inning. Jose
Gonzalez gave up a hit, hit a batter and issued a walk but still didn’t give up
a run in his inning. The Snappers had just five hits. Wang-Wei Lin was 1-2 with
two walks and his 20th double. Jairo Perez
hit his ninth double and drove in three. Reggie Williams hit his first double.
The Snappers’ second-half record is now 14-15
record places them 3.5 games back in their division, tied for third place. Andy
Leer came off of the Disabled List.
Elizabethton Twins
Elizabethton lost 4-3 to Burlington. Matt Bashore got the starting nod again. He gave up one run on
two hits and a walk in three innings. He struck out five. Cesar Ciurcina gave up two runs on three hits in his 2.1 innings.
He also hit four batters. Derek Christensen went the next 2.2 innings and gave
up no runs on one hit and two walks. Steve Evans worked the ninth but gave up a
run on a walk and a hit and got only the first out before the game ended. The
E-Twins were led on offense by JD Williams who went 3-4 with his third double.
He also stole his second base. Eddie Rosario went 2-3 with a walk. Kennys Vargas hit his fifth home run.
The E-Twins are now 19-14 on their season.
They are in second place, two games back of Johnson City.
GCL Twins
The GCL Twins did not play on Sunday. They generally
do not play at all on Sundays. They are now 16-14 which puts them in second
place, one game back of the GCL Orioles. Wander Guillen
was sent back to the Dominican Summer League.
A couple of the young GCL Twins pitchers are
pitching really well. Angel Mata has an ERA of 0.90 in his 20 innings over six
starts. In his last three starts, he has worked a combined ten innings and not
allowed an earned run. Hung-yi Chen has pitched in 14
innings in his six games. He has three walks and 22 strikeouts in 19 innings.
In his past four starts, he has thrown 12 innings and gave up just one earned
run on two walks and 13 strikeouts.
TWINS
NOTES
So, the Twins had 16 games in a row against
their four AL Central opponents. They won three of four in Chicago. They won
three of four against the Royals. They split with Cleveland, but they won just
one game against the Tigers. The 9-16 record is not exactly awe-inspiring. I
didn’t expect them to win 13-14 of those games, but I was really hoping for
10+. Now the team is seven games back of the Tigers with about 60 games to go
in the season.
A lot can be credited to Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. We
know they’re good. Scott Baker came back and was solid, and as much as Rick Porcello pitched well on Sunday, Francisco Liriano was fortunate to only give up the four runs that he
was charged with. He was horrific. Lots are off the bandwagon again. I fight
with that. Seven games is not too far back .Twins fans have both 2006 and 2010
to look at to prove that. However, we can’t always continue to say that it will
just happen. It doesn’t just happen. It’s not that easy. And frankly, the Twins
aren’t playing well enough or consistent enough to believe they are capable of
it. And yet, I believe. I usually believe for a long time, but I love when I
finally give up an then they prove me wrong. Maybe
this year’s team can do that again. That would be awesome! I hope so.
Now, some games in Texas, and then the trade
deadline, or at least the July 31 portion of it. It will certainly be
interesting. I think they should sell without giving up the 2011 season. In
other words, I think that they can deal guys like Slowey,
Liriano and maybe even Young and get some young pieces
for the future.
And finally, a huge
congratulations to Bert Blyleven, Finally a Hall of Famer officially. A tremendous, well deserved honor
for him. Did you know that when he retired he was third on the all-time
strikeouts list? However, he averaged just 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings for
his career and was over 8.0 K/9 two times in his career.
Have a great week!
Any other questions on the
Twins minor leagues? E-mail
me, or leave
some Comments.