Oh. Joe. Come home soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VigOzx_8BbU
No Miles video of this one online or I'd of gone with that.
Oh. Joe. Come home soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VigOzx_8BbU
No Miles video of this one online or I'd of gone with that.
Twins record: 17-34
Fangraphs
MLB Game Wrap
Not a lot to say. Dan Haren, even when he's not great, is pretty good. The Twins, this year, are not, and their infield defense today especially was not.
I feel kind of bad for Jim Hoey. I can't hate him. It's not his fault someone thought he was a decent trade return for a salary dump of a bona fide major league shortstop. It's not his fault someone thinks he's a major league quality relief pitcher, and it's not his fault that he keeps being asked to perform as one when it seems clear, right now, that he's not. When he came in the game in the top of the 9th today, the score was 5-3, and I figured that after he did his damage, the Twins were about to make it closer in the bottom of the 9th. They did, scoring two runs after Hoey gave up a home run to Mark Trumbo, the first batter he faced. It's been that kind of year.
Hitter of the Week: Denard Span
Pitcher of the Week: I ought to be more selective, but I can't, because suddenly it's the majority of the starting rotation that's keeping the Twins' heads anywhere close to above water. Nick Blackburn pitched a good game that he won, and Scott Baker and Anthony Swarzak pitched possibly even better games that they didn't win, earning them the undying ire of Twins broadcasters, but hopefully some respect from Twins fans.
Dan Haren vs. Pavano.
Of the 53 pitchers in the AL that qualified for the ERA title, Pavano is dead last with a 75 (through Friday's games). Haren is sixth in the AL at 174, so this could very well be a worse matchup than Saturday's game. Of course, the Twins won that game.
But who cares? Chuck James is here!!! OK, I doubt he'll be anything close to dominant, but his numbers certainly warrant him being called up before this. Who knows, maybe he can get the save. Matt Capps was battling a sore arm and pitched last night, so who knows about his availability in a day game after a night game. Also, no Jim Thome most likely as he was expected to get a cortisone shot in his shoulder last night. But I hear Jim Hoey is available!!
So, once again the Twins have an opportunity to win a three-game series for the first time this season. They can't lose them all, can they?
The good news is the Twins are now .500 against the AL West (6-6). Of course, that means they are 11-27 against everyone else.
They're due, right? Go, TWINS!!!
Lehigh Valley 4, Rochester 3 in Lehigh Valley. Tagg Bozied’s homer in the sixth broke a 3-3 tie. Ray Chang hit two home runs, his first two homers of the year, driving in all of the Red Wings runs. Eric Hacker allowed all four runs on eight hits, walking none. Carlos Gutierrez pitched two shutout innings of relief.
New Hampshire 4, New Britain 0 in New Hampshire. The Fisher Cats scored three in the first, which was more than they needed. The Rock Cats had only two hits, both singles. Steve Hirschfeld allowed all four runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out six in five innings.
Clearwater 7, Ft. Myers 2 in Ft. Myers (Game 1—9 innings—Scheduled 7 innings). The Threshers scored five in the ninth. Reggie Williams homered and singled. Danny Rams homered. Logan Darnell gave up two runs on six hits and a walk in 5.1 innings. Bruce Pugh surrendered the five ninth inning runs, but it was his fourth inning of work and two of the runs were unearned.
Clearwater at Ft. Myers (Game 2). Postponed. Game will be made up today.
Clinton 6, Beloit 4 in Clinton. The LumberKings scored five in the fifth to overcome a 4-1 deficit. Danny Ortiz had two doubles, Michael Gonzales singled and homered (his seventh), and Lance Ray had two hits. B. J. Hermsen allowed all six runs (only two earned) on seven hits and a walk in 4.2 innings, striking out four. Clinton Dempster pitched 2.1 scoreless innings.
DSL Twins 4, White Sox 3 (12 innings) at Twins. Victor Arias came around from second on an infield out to score the winning run. Adonis Pacheco had two singles and a double. Erick Gonzalez and Joel Polanco each had two hits. Sterling Bonilla struck out four in three shutout innings, giving up just one hit and no walks. Randy Rosario followed with two perfect innings. The win went to Francisco Nunez, who struck out five in 4.1 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and no walks.
Bob Hope (1903)
George McQuinn (1910)
Loel Passe (1917)
Fred White (1936)
Fay Vincent (1938)
John Kennedy (1941)
Blue Moon Odom (1945)
Jamie Allen (1958)
Mike Stenhouse (1958)
Eric Davis (1962)
Charlie Hayes (1965)
Trever Miller (1973)
Jerry Hairston (1976)
Matt Macri (1982)
Comedian and actor Bob Hope was a long-time part-owner of the Cleveland Indians and was on their Board of Directors.
Loel Passe broadcast Houston Astros games from the team’s inception through 1976. Along the way, he worked with two Hall of Fame broadcasters, Gene Elston and Harry Kalas.
Third baseman Jamie Allen was drafted by Minnesota with the tenth pick of the 1976 draft, but did not sign.
One in a row!
Just when you think you're out, they pull you back in!
In all seriousness, this is why I love this sport. Moments like these. This is a historically bad baseball team right now and yet we still will have great memories from this season. You have Sizzlepop's amazing spot start that ends with a walkoff win Saturday night and then Francisco Liriano's no-hitter. Plus ... hmm ... well, that's all I can think of at the moment, but you get the idea.
What really made Saturday fun was Snapcracklepop seems like a guy that is really easy to root for. Pitchers are really taught to not show any emotion on the mound, but Swivelhips let it show through on occasion and you could really feel for him. You could tell he knew he got away with a bad pitch to the FOTF when he jerked his head around to see where it went (easy catch to Span) and then he let out a big sigh of relief when Cuddyer caught a ball on the warning track. He even showed a little frustration when the no-hitter was broken up on a hanging breaking ball. I feel for you, Slamdance!
I think it was fitting that he was filling in for Liriano, who had his no-hitter earlier this month. The Twins now have four extra-inning wins and Danny Valencia has walk-off hits in two of them. He also had a go-ahead RBI hit in an extra-inning game, but the bullpen blew it (shocking, I know). Valencia is quickly becoming one of my favorite Twins, probably because Gardy seems to love to bag on him plus he's exceeded my original expectations for the most part. Plus, he's active on Twitter making himself more accessible to fans.
It was pretty ingenious of the Twins to figure out a way to win without forcing the bullpen to protect a lead. The bullpen has lost the last four games it has been given a lead to protect. The last Twins win before this one was Nick Blackburn's complete game.
But, for a night, it was fun to forget all about that and enjoy a well-played game and an exciting win.
i already see hitman's dust way up ahead, but i'll at least try not to embarrass myself.
here's oscar peterson tickling the ivories in italy with a couple of hacks backing him up.
1961
At least I got to watch a good start last night. I'm guessing we won't be so lucky today.
Sleestak vs. Weaver
To anyone watching this game tonight; you have my pity in advance. If Smokestick pitches a perfect game or something, consider this some sort of reverse Spookying of said event.
Glen Perkins was placed on the fifteen day disabled list by Minnesota.
Kevin Slowey was placed on the fifteen day disabled list by Minnesota.
Jim Thome was activated from the disabled list by Minnesota.
Dusty Hughes was recalled from Rochester to Minnesota.
Jim Hoey was recalled from Rochester to Minnesota.
Luke Hughes was optioned from Minnesota to Rochester.
Ben Revere was optioned from Minnesota to Rochester.
Ryan Mullins was promoted from New Britain to Rochester.
Jake Stevens was promoted from New Britain to Rochester.
Jeff Manship was placed on the seven day disabled list with a sore right shoulder.
Tony Davis was promoted from Ft. Myers to New Britain.
Dakota Watts was placed on the seven day disabled list by Ft. Myers.
Brad Stillings was activated from the disabled list by Ft. Myers.
Derek McCallum was promoted from Beloit to Ft. Myers.
Kane Holbrooks was placed on the seven day disabled list by Ft. Myers.
Aaron Hicks was placed on the seven day disabled list by Ft. Myers.
Kyle Knudson was activated from the disabled list by Beloit.
Martire Garcia was released by Beloit.
A.J. Achter was promoted from Elizabethton to Beloit.
Angel Mata was placed on the reserve list by the DSL Twins.