Keeping Track

Minor Details: Games of 5/8

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Gwinnett 5, Rochester 1 in Rochester.  The Braves scored four in the third and were never threatened.  Toby Gardenhire had two hits.  Scott Diamond lasted 3.2 innings, surrendering five runs on eight hits and a walk.  Jeff Manship pitched two scoreless innings.

New Britain 4, Portland 1 in Portland.  The Rock Cats scored three in the sixth to overcome a 1-0 deficit.  Joe Benson singled and doubled and Danny Rohlfing has two hits.  Bobby Lanigan got the win, giving up a run on six hits and a walk in six innings, striking out five.  Tyler Robertson threw three shutout innings to get the save.

Ft. Myers—No game scheduled.

Cedar Rapids 9, Beloit 2 in Cedar Rapids.  The Kernels scored three in the fourth, two in the sixth, and two in the seventh.  Gunner Glad hit a home run.  Logan Darnell allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and four walks in 4.2 innings.

2011 Twins Game Recaps

Game #32: Red Sox 9, Twins 5

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Twins record: 12-20
Fangraphs
MLB Game Wrap

The Twins are consistently running out a lot of players who are either just very bad (the catchers, most of the bullpen, Casilla/Tolbert) or some combination of pretty limited and in over their heads (Hughes, Revere, Tosoni, probably Plouffe - although he's been great offensively in all of three games, that will come down to earth, and I'm not sold on his defense at all). Those are all pretty frustrating, but they can only concern me to a point. If all of those guys get lots of playing time because others are hurt, the Twins are probably not going anywhere this season. If, however, many of those guys get replaced by the proper starters, the Twins are still going to most likely need contributions towards success from two guys I am a little more concerned about: Carl Pavano and Justin Morneau.

Pavano went a second straight entire game without striking anyone out today. I harp on this a lot, but it's just a lot less likely to be successful as a pitcher without getting strikeouts. He seems to be getting a little over-hammered - I have his FIP right now at about two runs less than his ERA, but a 4.6-ish FIP still isn't quite where he was at the past couple of years. Morneau, on the other hand, has me concerned that he's not physically back together yet. I have his line after today at .202/.269/.293 so far. I'm a little reminded of the beginning of 2006, when there was much gnashing of teeth over how lost he looked at the plate over the first month, before Gardenhire famously gave him "The Talk" that turned him into a (not-quite-worthy) MVP. His line over March/April that year was .208/.274/.416 - basically the same, except back then he still hit a few homers.

At least one other guy whose physical state/all-the-way-back-ness has been a concern, Joe Nathan, had a pretty good outing today.

Hitter of the Week: Jason Kubel is still pretty close to the only horse in this race.
Pitcher of the Week: Duh.

2011 Twins Game Logs, Minnesota Twins, MLB

Game 32: Twins at Red Sox

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Pavanostache (2-3, 5.84 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) vs. Dice-K (2-3, 4.33, 1.33)

Happy Mother's Day, all! MLB marks the day with breast cancer awareness. Any batters who want can use a pink bat. Plus, you'll see pink armbands and cleats, and possibly even gloves. This subject is near and dear to my family as both of my boys' grandmothers have had breast cancer. Fortunately, both were caught early and both are in remission.

Still, this is a worthy cause and not one to be taken lightly. Plus, it's a good reminder to make sure to give your mom a hug (or a call if like me you can't be with her today).

As for the game, Carl Pavano needs to get rid of the beard. He needs to return to the Pavanostache that intimidated hitters into submission last year.

The Twins need to show patience at the plate. Dice-K alwayshas been prone to control problems in the major leagues and the Twins need to take advantage of that. Maybe this can be a breakout game for Justin Morneau. He's 6-for-12 with a home run and two doubles against Dice-K.

This game would have been a media circus if Nishi hadn't gotten hurt. Oh well. At the very least, the Twins can improve to .500 in their last 14 games with a win today. Plus, it would guarantee a split in the series with a chance to win it tomorrow. Let's get er done. Go Twins!!!!

Keeping Track

Minor Details: Games of 5/7

Gwinnett 6, Rochester 3 in Rochester.  The Braves scored once in the eighth and twice in the ninth to break a 3-3 tie.  The Red Wings had only three hits in the game.  Kyle Gibson allowed three runs on six hits and a walk in six innings, striking out six.  Kyle Waldrop surrendered two runs on a hit and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.

Portland 15, New Britain 7 in Portland.  The Sea Dogs scored five runs in each of the first two innings.  Deolis Guerra surrendered ten runs on eight hits and three walks in just 1.2 innings.  Michael Tarsi and Jake Stevens each threw two shutout innings of relief.  Evan Bigley singled and homered and Chris Parmelee singled and doubled.

Jupiter 20, Ft. Myers 2 in Ft. Myers.  The Hammerheads scored five in the second, six in the fourth, and seven in the fifth.  They hammered five Miracle pitchers:  Tom Stuifbergen allowed five runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk in 1.2 innings; Shooter Hunt gave up six runs on five hits and three walks in two innings; Brad Tippett surrendered four runs on three hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning; Blake Martin allowed three runs on four hits and two walks in 2.2 innings; and Dakota Watts gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in two innings.  James Beresford had three hits and Brian Dozier had two.

Cedar Rapids 5, Beloit 3 in Cedar Rapids.  The Kernels scored three in the fifth to overcome a 3-2 Snapper lead.  Wang-Wei Lin had two hits.  Michael Gonzales hit a two-run homer.  B. J. Hermsen allowed five runs (four earned) on ten hits and a walk in six innings, striking out five.  Martire Garcia pitched two shutout innings.

Cup of Coffee

May 8, 2011: Mom

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Susanne Carol Spookymilk has been a smart, poised, and encouraging mother to me since the beginning. She had four rotten teenagers, but she learned from each and all four of us admire her for what she went through; it's to her credit that we all ended up being solid adults. Cheers, mama Milk.

Don't forget to call your own today.

Keeping Track

Happy Birthday–May 8

Dan Brouthers (1858)
Edd Roush (1893)
Turkey Stearnes (1901)
Mike Cuellar (1937)
Steve Braun (1948)
Orestes Destrade (1962)
Todd Greene (1971)
John Maine (1981)

Mike Cuellar pitched in AAA in the Twins’ organization in 1961.  He does not seem to have belonged to the Twins, however.  It may be that he was temporarily loaned to them, a practice which was not uncommon in the 1960s.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–May 8 →

Remodeled basement. Same half-baked taste.