Wednesday Night, September 12, 2007

Tough Day for Twins/Snappers

The Twins and the Beloit Snappers both lost today. The Twins game actually wasn't all that close. The Snappers game, as was the case in Game 1, ended in a one run loss for Beloit.

The Twins lost 6-3 to the Kansas City Royals this afternoon. The loss meant that the Twins lost the season series to the Royals nine to eight. Carlos Silva started and gave up three runs in two innings. He pulled his groin in the first inning and left the game after the second inning. Before the game, it was announced that Boof Bonser was being removed from his Sunday start and Kevin Slowey would start in his place... if he did not have to be used in this game. Well, he had to be used in relief in this game. He gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, but then went three more innings without allowing a run. In his fourth inning of work, he gave up a single followed by a David DeJesus home run that gave the Royals a 6-0 lead. Slowey got an out before Julio DePaula came in to get the final two outs of the 6th inning. Glen Perkins came in and pitched a scoreless inning, striking out two. Carmen Cali pitched a perfect 8th.

It was an interesting lineup for the Twins. Jason Tyner led off, which is never a good thing. Jason Bartlett batted 2nd. Jason Kubel batted third after a couple of good days in the 2 spot. Torii Hunter was DHing. I was happy to see that Matthew Lecroy got into the game. It was strange that after the Twins got back to back doubles from Kubel and Hunter to score their first run, and then Lecroy batted for Morneau. I realize they were down 6-1 still at that point, but it was only the 6th inning, and a big fly from Morneau would have cut the lead to three. So I can't help but wonder if something else is going on there. Lecroy got out in that at bat, but he did single in his next at bat. Brian Buscher drove in a run with a pinch hit single. He was pinch hitting for Chris Heintz, who also had an RBI single two innings earlier.

The fact that Slowey had to pitch in relief likely means that either Boof Bonser will pitch on Sunday or we will see Nick Blackburn get a start. I think the Blackburn option is more likely. Sounds like Kevin Slowey will likely start on Monday in place of Carlos Silva if he is unable to go.

The Twins now have an off day Thursday before starting a three game series at home on Friday night against the Detroit Tigers.

The Beloit Snappers sent lefty Tyler Robertson to the mound against West Michigan in Game 2 tonight. Garrett Olson gave the Snappers a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning when he drilled a home run. The Whitecaps scored a run in the bottom of the 2nd to cut the lead to 2-1. Then in the fifth, Robertson gave up two unearned runs and the team fell behind 3-2. That was enough to drop the Snappers to down 0-2 in the championship series. You see, the Snappers managed just one more hit after the Olson homer. Joe Benson had a single. When your team commits more errors (3) than it has hits (2), it doesn't bode well.

Robertson pitched well. He gave up the three runs (just one earned) on six hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out nine. Aaron Craig went 1.2 innings without allowing a run, and Jose Lugo got the final out.

Danny Santiesteban, after struggling with the bat much of the season, has been terrific in the playoffs. With a lefty on the mound, Rene Tosoni was out of the lineup and Santiesteban batted in the third spot. Now, he didn't get a hit, but he continued to play stellar defense. He threw one runner out at the plate and another out at 2nd base.

Game Three will be tonight, but the remaining games (hopefully three) will be in Beloit. The Snappers will send Cole DeVries to the mound.

Any thoughts on the Snappers or the Twins, please e-mail me or leave some Comments below. 

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