Game 34: Twins 2, Tigers 1
Kurt Klutch does it again. Suzuki has had a reputation for getting important hits. It's difficult to find stats that will back up that "clutchiness" is a repeatable skill, but Suzuki has had this reputation when he was in college, I remember Oakland commentators talking about it when he was with the A's and now he's carried that through so far with the Twins.
Of course, it could be just a guy that isn't a good enough hitter to expect anything from, so when he does get a hit in an important situation, it's a pleasant surprise. So far, pretty much everything about Suzuki has been a pleasant surprise other than the fact that his daily presence in the lineup is stunting Josmil Pinto's development as a catcher. Oh, well.
The real story of the game was the continued excellence of Phil Hughes. On the season, he has a 5.33 K/BB ratio and in his last 4 starts, all wins, he has an incredible 15/1 K/BB ratio. He hasn't been dominating, but he has a respectable (for Twins standards anyways) 7 K/9 rate. With extremely good control so far, he's done a pretty good Brad Radke impersonation.
Hopefully, the Twins can get healthy and start scoring runs like they did at the beginning of the season. The Twins managed to win three games while Mauer has been out, but two of those victories were 1-0 and 2-1, so that won't last long at all.
Danny Santana continues to smack the ball around, so hopefully Gardy will continue to play him most of the time and let him learn through his mistakes in the field because he has the skills to more than make up for them.
The Jesus And Mary Chain – Just Like Honey
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNHLQ_xD4oQ
1985
2014 Game 35: Twins at Tigers
We've already got a comedy of errors going, down 3-0 in the second as everyone from Santana to Joe West bumbles around, but I suppose I'll put this up anyway.
Never mind. Cabrera jacks one out to make it 6-0. I'll be bailing as I post this, I suspect.
This Week in Twins Transactions
Your other weekly update.
This Week in Ex-Twins
Your weekly update.
Minor Details: Games of May 9
Still few runs for Rochester. A big inning sinks Fort Myers, aided by their own defensive ineptitude. Lots of offense for Cedar Rapids.
May 10, 2014: Not Over Yet
The long layoff between games made me forget about last night's, but the Wild have won at Xcel again to tie the series with the Blackhawks. I haven't given up on a MN title in one of the big four for the first time since '91.
Happy Birthday–May 10
Chippy McGarr (1863)
Ed Barrow (1868)
Klondike Douglass (1872)
Harry Salsinger (1885)
Allan Roth (1917)
Hideo Fujimoto (1918)
John McMullen (1918)
Herb Carneal (1923)
Jim Hickman (1937)
Ken Berry (1941)
John Cumberland (1947)
Chris Berman (1955)
Joey Meyer (1962)
Robby Thompson (1962)
Pete Schourek (1969)
Ed Barrow was the manager of the Boston Red Sox from 1918-1920, and is credited with making the decision to make Babe Ruth and outfielder, rather than a pitcher. He was then general manager of the New York Yankees from 1921-1944.
Harry Salsinger was the sports editor of the Detroit News for forty-nine years.
Allan Roth was the first full-time statistician employed by a major league team, being hired by Branch Rickey in 1947. He is credited with promoting the idea that on-base percentage is more valuable than batting average and with providing the first evidence that right-handed batters hit better against left-handed pitchers and vice versa.
Hideo Fujimoto holds the Japanese records for lowest career ERA and lowest one-season ERA.
John McMullen was the owner of the Houston Astros from 1979-1992.
For some of us, Herb Carneal will always be the Voice of the Twins.
It is rumored that Chris Berman has also been a baseball broadcaster, but no evidence supporting this rumor could be discovered.
2014 Game 34: Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers
Philip Hughes
v
Justin Verlander
The Twins are tied for fourth place, a half game behind the third place Royals. The Tigers have increased their division lead. I suspect it will be insurmountable when the Twins leave town. Insurmountable for the other three teams of course. It was impossible starting in mid-2011 for the Twins.