Game 54: Twins at Tigers

Didn't see one up, so have at it.

TWINS (17-36)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, SS
3. Justin Morneau, 1B
4. Michael Cuddyer, 2B
5. Jim Thome, DH
6. Danny Valencia, 3B
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. Jason Repko, RF
9. Drew Butera, C

Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker (2-3, 3.65 ERA)

TIGERS (28-26)

1. Don Kelly, LF
2. Ramon Santiago, 2B
3. Brennan Boesch, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Andy Dirks, CF
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Brandon Inge, 3B

Starting pitcher: RH Rick Porcello (4-2, 3.08 ERA)

Mango Chicken Sauté

The Twins have lost so many games that I've turned my attention back into the kitchen, and with the burn ban in effect here in Hades  I've had to search out some new recipes. Last week the Good Dr. and I made a rash purchase of mangoes which were on sale two for .88¢. I set out to find a savory use for these mangoes and happened upon this recipe for pan fried chicken thighs with mango, cashews, and rum. I was totally impressed with the complexity of flavor that this dish has with so few ingredients. You'll need to set aside about 40 minutes for prep work the first time out of the gate, but after the chopping is done the actual cooking only took about 20 minutes. Continue reading Mango Chicken Sauté

Minor Details: Games of 5/31

Toledo 5, Rochester 0 in Rochester.  The Mud Hens scored three in the seventh to put things away.  The Red Wings actually out-hit Toledo 7-6, but the Mud Hens hit three home runs while Rochester hit seven singles.  Aaron Bates had three of them, raising his average to .317, and Toby Gardenhire had two.  Only two of the five runs were earned.  They were all given up by Andrew Baldwin who allowed four hits and no walks in seven innings.

New Britain 2, Portland 0 in New Britain (Game 1—Scheduled 7 innings).  The Rock Cats scored single runs in the first and sixth.  Steve Singleton and Mike Hollimon each had two hits.  Brett Jacobson pitched five innings, giving up two hits while walking three.  Tyler Robertson retired all four batters he faced to get the save.

New Britain 5, Portland 3 in New Britain (Game 2—Scheduled 7 innings).  The Rock Cats scored in four of the six innings they batted.  Joe Benson had two doubles and a single.  Deibinson Romero had two hits.  Mike Hollimon hit a two-run homer.  Tony Davis threw 3.2 innings of scoreless relief to get the win, allowing just one hit and no walks while striking out three.  Michael Tarsi gave up a run on a hit and two walks in the seventh inning, but was still credited with the save.

Lakeland 13, Ft. Myers 2 in Lakeland.  The Flying Tigers scored in each of the first six innings, scoring multiple runs in three of those innings.  Danny Rams and Anderson Hidalgo each singled and doubled.  Matt Schuld was hammered for six runs on nine hits and four walks in three innings, and the first two relief pitchers did no better.

Beloit 11, Dayton 10 in Beloit.  The Snappers scored six runs in the ninth to overcome a 10-5 deficit.  A pinch-hit grand slam by Lance Ray capped the inning.  Daniel Santana had two singles and a home run.  Danny Ortiz had two doubles.  Michael Gonzales singled and doubled, driving in five, and Kyle Kundson had two hits.  Starter Pat Dean surrendered five runs on eleven hits and a walk in 4.2 innings.  Ben Tootle got the win despite allowing two runs on a hit and two walks in two innings.  Clinton Dempster pitched a perfect ninth for the save.

DSL Cubs1 at Twins.  Postponed.

Game 53: Detroit Tigers 8, Minnesota Twins 7

I almost think it was better when the team was getting blown out. It is very frustrating to have the bullpen rip the team's guts out over and over. Kevin Slowey needs to man up and pitch 300 innings out of the 'pen, and the Twins should send their 5 best prospects to the Angels for Torii Hunter who could play in the middle infield and the outfield and close. If they made these moves, I'm sure the team would win their next one hundred and nine games in a row.

I apologize, but between their poor play and stuff in my life I have very little to say about this game or this team right now. I assume you all understand. Now I will return to listening to "Let's Get This Paper" by Rich Boy (Warning: Explicit Lyrics, absolutely bananas beat) on repeat for the rest of the evening.

Final Score: Detroit Tigers 8, Minnesota Twins 7
Twins Record: 17-36, 15.5 GB in the AL Central. This may as well be 115.5 GB.
WP: Al Alburqerque (3-1) | LP: Kevin Slowey (0-36)

2011 Games Logs: Game 53 Minnesota @ Detroit

Brian Duensing

@

Max Scherzer

 

Alright, let's hope the Twins put 17 or 18 on the board tonight before the basketball game starts. Because, honestly, if the Twins keep it close and ultimately lose late or in extra innings causing me to miss hoops I am going to be bummed out.

Yep. That is what I've got for right now. It is 90 degrees out in Buffalo and I am going to soak up some sun.

Minor Details: Games of 5/30

Toledo 7, Rochester 3 in Rochester.  Two ninth-inning Red Wings runs made the score seem closer than the game was.  Rene Tosoni singled and homered, Ben Revere homered, and Aaron Bates had two hits.  Scott Diamond allowed four runs on six hits and two walks in 5.2 innings, although he did strike out seven.  Carlos Gutierrez surrendered three runs in one inning of work.

New Hampshire 7, New Britain 6 in New Hampshire.  The Fisher Cats scored five runs in the ninth to take the comeback victory.  The runs were scored off Tyler Robertson, who took the loss.  Bobby Lanigan pitched 6.2 innings, giving up two runs on six hits and three walks.  Evan Bigley had two singles and a double, Daniel Rohlfing and Chris Cates each had two hits, and Joe Benson homered.

Ft. Myers—No games scheduled.

Beloit 7, Clinton 1 in Clinton (Game 1—Scheduled 7 innings).  The Snappers scored two in each of the second, fifth, and sixth innings.  Lance Ray singled and doubled.  Adrian Salcedo got the complete game victory, giving up four hits and two walks.

Beloit 2, Clinton 1 in Clinton (Game 2—8 innings—Scheduled 7 innings).  Nate Roberts’ single scored Jamaal Hawkins with the winning run.  Wang-Wei Lin had three hits.  Starter Ryan O’Rourke pitched three innings, giving up a run on four hits and a walk.  Andrei Lobanov followed with two shutout innings, and Jose Gonzalez then worked 2.2 scoreless innings to get the win.  Michael Tonkin struck out the only man he faced to get the save.

DSL Orioles 3, Twins 0 (ended in eighth inning—rain).  The Twins had only two hits.  Starter Junior Subero took a tough loss, allowing an unearned run on a hit and a walk in three innings.

2011 Game 52: Tigers 6, Twins 5

Weather: 85°F, sunny
Wind: 9 mph
Attendance: 30,198
Time: 3:09

Twins record: 17-35 (last in AL Central, 14.5 GB)
Fangraphs boxscore | MLB wrap

Highlights:

  • Highest WPA, hitter: Kubel .140 (2-3, R, RBI) | Highest WPA, pitcher: Dumatrait .236 (0.2 IP, K)

Lowlights:

  • Lowest WPA, hitter: Delmon, -.188 (0-4, saw only 10 pitches in 4 AB) | Lowest WPA, pitcher: Blackburn, -.509 (6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 HR 5 ER, BB, 3 K)
  • Kubel is listed as day-to-day with a sprained right foot
  • Rene Rivera is whiffing in 40% of his at bats. Over his career Jim Thome has gotten on base in more than 40% of his at bats.

In case you didn't read it elsewhere already, Francisco Liriano was placed on the DL. Kubel is day-to-day. Meanwhile, according to the 4ltr's recap, Mauer is now able to throw from home to second. I didn't know bilateral leg weakness affected the arms, too.

Usually I watch Monday's game so I can write a recap, but this week I was down at my mother-in-law's place in Chicagoland, where the connection speed isn't particularly great. If the Twins were playing well I might have been tempted to watch the game anyway, but I figured I didn't need the frustration of the spotty DSL connection, plus terrible baseball. I suppose I could watch it now that I'm home, but I've decided not to waste my time. In the limited time I have on this earth, going back to watch yet another Twins loss isn't high on my list of priorities. Thus concludeth the game wrap.

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Let's be honest: If you're even reading this, the View from the Ballpark is probably why you are here. Well, let's dispense with the pleasantries (if that's the appropriate word for recapping another loss) and get right down to it:
photo by Flickr user rjcox

photo by Flickr user rjcox

Remember, no embiggening.

Remodeled basement. Same half-baked taste.