Thursday Game Notes

also available at www.SethSpeaks.net -

• Justin Murphy writes for seamheads.com, but he also writes for the Twins page of BaseballDigest.com. He was at all three games of the Cleveland series, and posted his Game Recaps. Here is his recap of the Twins 11-3 win on Thursday afternoon. Then to top off his week, he joined me as the co-host of last night’s MNGameNight.com podcast, so be sure to listen in to that as you have time.
• Just a few notes:
  • I didn’t realize what a slump Jason Kubel had been in. In his previous six games, he went 1-17 which dropped his batting average from .340 to .311. He also had not homered since May 13^th and that was his only home run in his previous 30 games, since he hit two home runs against Cleveland on April 25^th.
  • The 2-3-4 hitters came through big time in this game. Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel combined to go 9-11 with four walks, a double, three home runs, nine runs scored and nine RBI. I have not received confirmation yet that they also picked up all the groceries in the morning and made everyone pancakes, eggs, hash browns and various juices for breakfast, or that they piloted the team charter to Seattle after the game.
  • Scott Baker earned his third win with seven solid innings. He gave up three runs (2 earned) over seven innings. He had excellent control and movement. He struck out ten hitters. He did not allow a hit until the fifth inning.
• Alright, I now need to finish up my Top 50 Twins Prospects ranking by posting my Top 10. So please check back in a little bit to see how they rank.

Here are the minor league game notes for Thursday:

MINOR LEAGUE REPORT

Thursday – SethSpeaks.net Hitter of the Day – Brock Peterson, Rochester Red Wings

Thursday – SethSpeaks.net Pitcher of the Day – Armando Gabino, Rochester Red Wings

RETIREMENT – I heard from Nick Papasan on Thursday afternoon. He was the Twins 24^th round pick in 2006 out of Granbury (TX) high school. He fell in the draft because many teams believed he was headed to Texas A&M. He signed with the Twins, and when he was able to play, he could certainly hit. Unfortunately, he has fought injuries since signing. The most recent was a hand injury that kept him from being able to grip a bat. He told me that he suffered yet another injury on Thursday and decided to pull the plug. I’m sure he was very frustrated by the injuries. Obviously we with Nick the best in his future endeavors, whatever they may be.

ROCHESTER REPORT

Thursday –Rochester 5, Gwinnett 12 – Jason Jones had his worst start yet. In just three innings, he gave up eight runs (7 earned) on 11 hits and two walks. He didn’t strike anyone out. Armando Gabino continued to pitch well. He gave up just one run on one hit over four relief innings. Juan Morillo came in and gave up three runs on two hits and two walks in an inning. He did strikeout three. Finally, Rob Delaney pitched a scoreless inning in his AAA debut. Brock Peterson went 3-4 with his fifth double. Steve Tolleson hit his first AAA home run.  

ROCKCAT RECAP

Thursday – New Britain 4, Connecticut 8 – In a game that started in the morning, the Rockcats fell 8-4 to Connecticut. Jay Rainville started and gave up four runs (3 earned) on seven hits and a walk. Zach Ward came in and gave up two runs on three hits in 1.1 innings. Frank Mata gave up two unearned runs on two hits in an inning. Yohan Pino threw a shutout inning. Rene Tosoni went 2-3 with a walk and his ninth double. Wilson Ramos was 2-4. Juan Portes went 1-3 with a walk and his second home run, a two run shot that tied the game in the middle innings. 

MIRACLE MEMOS

Thursday – Ft. Myers 9, Clearwater 8 (10 innings) – Glen Perkins made his first rehab appearance. He was on a 70 pitch limit. In four innings, he gave up five runs (3 earned) on six hits and a walk. He struck out five. After the game, he told me that his arm felt good, but he was a “little rusty.” He will likely make at least one more rehab start before getting back with the Twins. Steve Hirschfeld threw two scoreless innings. Santos Arias gave up a run to blow the save, but he went 2.2 innings and that was the only run he gave up, so when the Twins scored in the bottom of the tenth, he got the win. Deibinson Romero went 3-5 with his 12^th double. Evan Bigley was 3-5 with his second double. Chris Cates was 3-5. Nick Romero and Rene Leveret were each 2-5.    

SNAPPERS SNIPPETS

Thursday – Beloit 1, Peoria 4 – Another game and the Snappers bats managed just four hits. Ramon Santana hit his first triple. Brad Tippett started and gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out four. Blake Martin came in and struck out the two batters he faced. Steve Blevins and Bruce Pugh each gave up two hits in a shutout inning.  

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