2011 Game 137: Twins at Angels

Pavano v Weaver Tyler Chatwood.

The Twins have a one game lead over the Royals for last place of the annual worst division. At 57-79, they are just three losses from guaranteeing a losing year. Averaging each entry for the poll, I get ~70 wins as the expected number. That means they'll win 13 out of their final 26 games. Nope, not happening. Extrapolating their current record out nets them 10 wins, which means a top five draft pick next year. Here's to a strong draft class next year and loose purse strings. It may be our only hope.

Where They Stand

Minnesota is 57-79, fourth in the AL Central, 17.5 games behind Detroit.  The Twins are on a one game winning streak and are 2-8 in their last ten games.

New Britain is 70-67, second in the EL East, 3.5 games behind New Hampshire, 0.5 games ahead of Reading for the last playoff spot.  The Rock Cats are on a one game winning streak and are 6-4 in their last ten games.

Ft. Myers is 26-39 in the second half, sixth in the FSL South, 15 games behind Bradenton.  The Miracle is on a one game winning streak and is 5-5 in their last ten games.

Beloit is 30-35 in the second half, fourth in the ML West, 9 games behind Quad Cities.  The Snappers are on a three game winning streak and are 4-6 in their last ten games.

Elizabethton finished the regular season 42-26, second in the AL West, 3 games behind Johnson City.  The Twins finished on an eight game winning streak and were 9-1 in their last ten regular season games.  They are currently tied 1-1 with Bluefield in the first round of the playoffs.

The GCL Twins ended their season 31-29, second in the GCL South, 7 games behind the Orioles.  The Twins finished on a one game winning streak and were 8-2 in their last ten games.

This Week in Twins Transactions

Jason Repko was activated from the disabled list by Minnesota.
Rene Rivera was promoted from Rochester to Minnesota.
Matt Tolbert was sent from Minnesota to Rochester.
Scott Diamond was promoted from Rochester to Minnesota.
Jim Hoey was promoted from Rochester to Minnesota.
Tom Stuifbergen was promoted from Ft. Myers to Rochester.
Michael Tarsi was placed on the seven day disabled list by New Britain.
Pat Dean was promoted from Ft. Myers to New Britain.
Clint Dempster was activated from the disabled list by Ft. Myers.
Alexi Casilla was sent to Ft. Myers on a rehab assignment.
Sam Spangler was placed on the seven day disabled list by Beloit.
Ben Tootle was activated from the disabled list by Beloit.

This Week in Ex-Twins

Arizona organization (AAA Reno) places Michael Restovich on the seven day disabled list.
Boston organization (AAA Pawtucket) activates Matt Fox from the disabled list, then places him on the temporarily inactive list.
White Sox send Philip Humber to AAA Charlotte on a rehab assignment.
White Sox send A. J. Pierzynski to AAA Charlotte on a rehab assignment.
Colorado options J. C. Romero to AAA Colorado Springs.
Milwaukee sends Carlos Gomez to A Wisconsin on a rehab assignment.
St. Louis sends Nick Punto to AAA Louisville on a rehab assignment.
San Diego designates Pat Neshek for assignment.

Minor Details: Games of 9/1

Rochester.  No game scheduled.

New Britain 8, Richmond 0 in Richmond.  The Rock Cats scored in each of the first four innings, building a 7-0 lead in that time.  Yangervis Solarte singled and homered, raising his average to .322.  Brian Dozier had two hits, raising his average to .315.  Joe Benson hit a home run, his sixteenth.  The Rock Cats had eleven hits and drew eleven walks.  Andrew Albers worked eight innings, giving up five hits and no walks.  Reading beat Akron, so the Rock Cats remain a half game ahead in the race for the last playoff spot.

Ft. Myers at Jupiter.  Postponed.

Beloit 6, Peoria 5 in Beloit.  The Snappers trailed 5-1 after seven, then scored two in the eighth and three in the ninth.  The tying and winning runs scored on an error.  Jon Goncalves singled and doubled.  Jairo Perez had two hits to raise his average to .343.  Pedro Guerra made it through five innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five.  Nelvin Fuentes struck out two in two shutout innings, giving up one hit.  Jose Gonzalez worked a perfect ninth for the win.

Elizabethton 5, Bluefield 2 in Bluefield.  The Twins scored three in the fourth to take a 5-0 lead and stay alive in the playoffs.  The Twins pounded out thirteen hits.  Nick Lockwood had two singles and a double.  Rory Rhodes singled and tripled.  Niko Goodrum singled and doubled.  Matthew Koch and Brandon Henderson each had two hits.  David Hurlbut struck out seven in six innings, giving up just an unearned run on four hits and a walk.  Matthew Summers retired all four batters he faced to get the save.  The deciding game of the series will be played in Bluefield tonight at 6:00 p.m. Central.  Derek Christensen (5-2, 2.84) will face Ajay Meyer (4-2, 3.02).