Game 37: Rays @ Twins

Trevor May takes the mound for the Twins today. I'm hoping he has a "progression to the mean" type start, so that his ERA can eke its way out of the abyss, and we can start talking about what to do with Nolasco (and Pelfrey, once he completes his transformation back into a pumpkin). Those seem like better places to trim rather than looking for excuses to not find out exactly what we have in May. If he's a reliever, that's fine, but it would be nice to actually, you know, find out for sure.

The Rays, meanwhile, are sending out Alex Colome, a pitcher who seems to be running low on chances to really catch on with the team.

I'm sort of expecting a bloodbath. Fearful prediction: Twins 8, Rays 2. May pitches like he ought to, and the top of the lineup comes through.
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Happy Birthday–May 16

Cy Rigler (1882)
Watty Clark (1902)
Earl Halstead (1912)
Stubby Overmire (1919)
Dave Philley (1920)
Rube Walker (1926)
Billy Martin (1928)
Rick Reuschel (1949)
Rick Rhoden (1953)
Jack Morris (1955)
Tack Wilson (1956)
Mark Funderburk (1957)
Bob Patterson (1959)
Mitch Webster (1959)
Doug Brocail (1967)
Jim Mecir (1970)

Cy Rigler was a National League umpire from 1906-1935.

Earl Halstead was a scout, a minor league general manager, and a minor league umpire.  He also invented the first pitching machine that could throw curve balls.

Dave Philley played five of his eighteen major league seasons in Philadelphia, three for the Athletics and two for the Phillies.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–May 16

Game 36 recap: Twins 3, Rays 2.

It looked like it was going to be one of those games where a Twins starting pitcher goes strong but the offense cant score enough runs.  But, thats not what happened as the Twins rallied in the 7th to win 3-2 at Target Field Friday night.

The Rays took the lead in the 2nd on a David DeJesus solo home run. The Twins answered back  in the 3rd with a Brian Dozier birthday blast. In the 5th is where things got frustrating. 2 outs and a runner on second and Kevin Keirmaier hits a soft pop up to left field. Eduardo Escobar looks like he had a play on it, then pulled up and let the ball fall in and Joey Butler easily scores. Im pretty sure Delmon Young makes that play.

I like Double E, but is it worth having a guy whose career batting slash line of .254/.297/.365/.662 and playing wobbly, but average defense out there when the potential future mainstay Eddie Rosario is up and sitting on the bench (although he made a pinch hitting appearance tonight)? I suppose if the team is winning more games than losing you dont want to rock the boat too much and keep the same guys out there.

Anyway, the Twins took the lead in the 7th on a Aaron hick single, Danny Santana triple, and Brian Dozier sac fly. Blaine Boyer pitched a scoreless 8th and Glen Perkins saved it in the 9th.

 

NOTES

- Glen Perkins now has 100 career saves. Joe Nathan, Rick Aguilera, Eddie Guardado,  Ron Davis, and Jeff Reardon are also in the 100+ Save as a Twin Club.

-The Twins have hit at least 1 triple in 3 of the last 4 games (5 total in that span)

-Phil Hughes was credited with a win, his 19th as a Twin. Other Twins players with 19 wins include Keith Atherton, Matt Guerrier, Ron Davis, Roy Smith, and Scott Diamond.

-Did Brian Dozier score a run? Yes. He is now at 26 for the season. A little bit behind last years pace where he had 34 runs scored after 26 team games.

Game 36: Twins hosting Rays. 7:10pm.

The Twins are coming of a disappointing series in Detroit, only winning 1 of 3 games. Overall I would say the season is a bit surprising on the good side. It just may by one of those deal where Detroit is a real bad matchup for us and they are going to win 14 games against us ever year.

The Twins come home to play Tampa. Phil Hughes starts for the Twins. Jake Odorizzi throws for the Rays. Odorizzi has an interesting transaction history as he has been part of two mega deals in 5 years. First the Zach Grienke to the Brewers trade (a trade decidedly in favor of the Royals) and the second trade was the Wil Myers/Ordorizzi to the Rays and the Royals get James Shields/Wade Davis. That trade seems to have worked out for both teams (Myers being spun off tot he Padres this past off season). Further down the road, it will be interesting to make a Odorizzi Trade Tree.

Go Twins Go.