2013 Game 15: Twins at Hosers

Like most of you, when this team lost five in a row to run their record to 4-7, I figured we'd seen .500 for the last time. Well, here we are again, after getting there with a tenth inning victory in unfriendly US Cellular Field. So, what are the chances we rise above .500?

Scott Diamond, who doesn't seem quite ready to go through the lineup three times yet, faces Gavin Floyd, who's been a thoroughly predictable pitcher for about four years now. He's having a bit of a disastrous season, but it looks to be due to bad luck (.404 BABIP; 25 percent of flies have been homers).

The last time the Twins went through a rough spell, I eventually tuned out. Yes, my life was a mess then, as I was tampering with stupid things at the time that took up most of what would have been my "focus," but I ignored baseball in every sense outside of checking the standings now and then to see that, yes, the Twins were still terrible and looked like they would be for the rest of eternity. I about gave up when they announced Butch Huskey as an important free agent signing, but as the fog in my brain cleared, the Twins started putting a decent product on the field again and thankfully, hooked me anew.

The last two years have been brutal, but - and here's my point, if it qualifies as one - I have elected not to tune out for more than a couple of days because of this community. So do I thank you for keeping me interested in baseball, or blame you for forcing me to watch bad baseball?

I choose the former. Cheers, Citizens!

Happy Birthday–April 21

Hardy Richardson (1855)
Germany Smith (1863)
Ken Strong (1906)
Gary Peters (1937)
Dick Green (1941)
Al Bumbry (1947)
Jesse Orosco (1957)
Les Lancaster (1962)
Ken Caminiti (1963)
Kip Wells (1977)
Terry Tiffee (1979)

A member of the pro football Hall of Fame, Ken Strong played minor league baseball from 1929-1931 and played very well.  He hit 41 home runs and had 130 RBIs in 1930 in what is now the Eastern League and hit .340 in 1931 in the International League.

In addition, we would like to wish a very happy birthday to twayn and to Mrs. freealonzo.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–April 21

Game 14: Twins @ White Sox

Baseball's back! Again!

Did you miss it? I'll bet you did.

Worley takes on Jake Peavey today. The Vanimal has been pretty dreadful so far, but that .455 BABIP will probably come down at some point. Even if it doesn't, he's only affecting one game out of five. The guy we traded him for isn't doing a lot better, and he's in every game.

I'm predicting a 13-0 away team victory.

Twins on Leaderboards

WAR (position players) - Mauer, 10th (0.9)Batting Average - Mauer, 4th (.386)
Hits - Mauer, 7th (22)
Triples - Plouffe & Dozier, t-7th (1)
Base on Balls - Willingham, t-3rd (10)
Strikeouts - Hicks, t-6th (20)
Singles - Mauer, t-10th (15)
OPS+ - Mauer, 10th (176)
Runs Created - Mauer, t-9th (14)
Hit By Pitch - Plouffe, 2nd (3)
Hit By Pitch - Willingham, t-3rd (2)
Sacrifice Hits - Dozier & Florimon, t-6th (1)
Sacrifice Flies - 5 tied for 10th (1)
Caught Stealing - 5 tied for 5th (1)

Pitchers bWAR - Correia, 8th (1.1)
Wins - Pelfrey, t-10th (2)
BB/9 - Correia, 4th (1.266)
Saves - Perkins, t-7th (3)
Hits Allowed - Worley, t-7th (25)
Losses - Worley, t-7th (2)
Earned Runs - Worley, t-4th (14)
Wild Pitches - Burton, t-3rd (2)
Games Finished - Perkins, t-7th (5)

 

This Week in Twins Transactions

Scott Diamond was activated from the disabled list.

Liam Hendriks was optioned to Rochester.

Wilkin Ramirez was placed on the paternity list, then activated from the paternity list two days later.

Oswaldo Arcia was recalled from Rochester, optioned to Rochester the next day, and recalled again the next day.

Tim Wood was assigned to Fort Myers on a rehab assignment, then promoted to Rochester.

Darin Mastroianni was placed on the fifteen-day disabled list.

Bruce Pugh was sent from Rochester to New Britain.

Evan Bigley was promoted from New Britain from Rochester.

Nelvin Fuentes was sent from New Britain to Fort Myers.

Jonathan Goncalves was promoted from Fort Myers to New Britain.

Aaron Thompson was activated from the disabled list by New Britain.

Matt Tomshaw was placed on the seven-day disabled list by Cedar Rapids.

Drew Leachman was activated from the disabled list by Cedar Rapids.

Jose Berrios was promoted to Cedar Rapids from Elizabethton.

Josue Montanez was sent from Cedar Rapids to extended spring training.

This Week in Ex-Twins

Arizona places Jason Kubel on the fifteen-day disabled list.

Baltimore organization (AAA Norfolk) activates Alex Burnett.

Baltimore organization sends Rob Delaney from AAA Norfolk to A Frederick

Baltimore organization promotes Lew Ford from AA Bowie to AAA Norfolk.

Baltimore organization promotes Allan de San Miguel from short-season Aberdeen to Class A Frederick.

Boston activates David Ortiz from the disabled list.

Camden of the Atlantic League activates Armando Gabino.

Cincinnati organization promotes Yohan Pino from AA Pensacola to AAA Louisville.

Cincinnati organization sends Ray Chang from AAA Louisville to AA Pensacola.

Cubs send Matt Garza to Class A Kane County on a rehab assignment.

Oakland organization promotes Tyler Ladendorf from AA Midland to AAA Sacramento.

New Jersey of the CanAm League releases Jeff Lanning.

Pittsburgh sends Francisco Liriano to Class A Bradenton on a rehab assignment.

Pittsburgh organization promotes David Bromberg from the GCL Pirates to AA Altoona.

St. Paul of the American Association signs Mark Hamburger.

Toronto selects the contract of Ramon Ortiz from AAA Buffalo.

Toronto organization (AAA Buffalo) activates Bobby Korecky from the disabled list.

Washington places Wilson Ramos on the fifteen-day disabled list.