also available at www.SethSpeaks.net –
During the Twins telecast on FSN today, I will be hosting a Live Chat throughout the Twins/Yankees game on Saturday afternoon. To sign up for an e-mail reminder, to “watch” the chat live, or to read the transcript later, click here. I will be happy to answer your questions on the Twins, their minor league system and players, blogging, fantasy baseball, the AL Central, or really anything baseball related. It should be a lot of fun.
The Twins lost another tough one at the hands of the New York Yankees. Here is my Game Recap which you can also find at the Twins Page of BaseballDigest.com:
The Minnesota Twins led this game the entire way… until the final pitch of the game. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, Joe Nathan served up a meatball to Melky Cabrera who slashed a single to left center two drive in two runs and give the Yankees the 5-4 win.
This game was about missed chances, missed opportunities. The Twins walked ten Yankees hitters. The Yankees walked seven Twins batters (Denard Span three times). The Twins had nine hits. The Yankees had ten hits. For the most part, the pitchers worked out of tough situations.
Francisco Liriano was on the hill to start for the Twins. The lefty gave up four hits and six walks in six innings, and yet somehow, he gave up just one run. Jesse Crain came in for the seventh inning. He got the first two outs, but then Brett Gardner was credited with an inside the park home run on a blooper down the left field line that Span played lazily. Jose Mijares came in and got the final out of the 7th and worked an easy eighth inning.
The Twins offense, despite all of the walks, scored three of its four runs via the long ball. Justin Morneau, on his 28th birthday, hit two solo home runs, his 10th and 11th of the season. Joe Mauer hit his fifth home run of the year. Jason Kubel went 2-4. Denard Span was 1-2 with three walks.
Joe Nathan is generally believed to be the best closer in baseball, but on this night, he was pitching in his fourth straight game. He got two outs in the ninth. Unfortunately he came in with a two run lead and walked off the mound having given up three runs on three hits and two walks.
The Twins fall back to .500, at 18-18. The Yankees improve to 18-17. Joe Crede left the game with back spasms and tightening hamstrings. On Saturday, these same teams will play again at noon central. The Twins will send Nick Blackburn to the mound against Joba Chamberlain.
Any thoughts on the game, or this afternoon’s tilt?
MINOR LEAGUE REPORT
Friday – SethSpeaks.net Hitter of the Day – Whit Robbins, New Britain Rockcats
Friday – SethSpeaks.net Pitcher of the Day – Ryan Mullins, New Britain Rockcats
More Transactions – With Jose Morales temporarily back with the Twins, several catchers moved locations again. Allan de San Miguel was back on the move. He started the year in New Britain. Soon after, he was sent down to Beloit. But a week ago, he was promoted to Ft. Myers where he got into a couple of games. And now, he reported to Rochester and last night, the 21 year old made his AAA debut. Four teams within about a month. He did tell me that when he flew to Ft. Myers from Chicago, he got to ride first-class. However, his flight to join the Red Wings was back in the economy section. The Twins must have tremendous confidence in “de San’s” abilities behind the plate. Although still so young, he has caught most pitchers in the organization. He’s a very good defensive catcher. He was replaced on the Ft. Myers roster by Danny Rams. This makes sense as it will likely be just a matter of days, or a week, before he gets to walk right back across the parking lot in Ft. Myers to Extended Spring Training. Rams has a ton of potential, but don’t think this is really a promotion that he is ready for. Remember last week that it was Jeff Lanning who was promoted to Beloit ahead of Rams.
ROCHESTER REPORT
Friday –Rochester 3, Indianapolis 8 – Kevin Mulvey had a rough start. In 4.1 innings, he gave up seven runs on five hits. He walked five and struck out five. He left the game with the bases loaded in the fifth and Tim Lahey proceeded to allow all of the runners to score, three of them on a home run. Lahey got out of that fifth inning finally and went two more innings. Armando Gabino struck out two in two scoreless innings. The Red Wings managed just five hits. Justin Huber was 2-4. Matt Macri and Dustin Martin each hit a double.
ROCKCAT RECAP
Friday – Completion of Suspended Game – New Britain 8, Portland 10 – This game was suspended yesterday due to rain with Portland leading 8-1 in the fourth inning. The Rockcats tried to get back into the game, but fell short. As you recall, Jay Rainville started and gave up seven runs (6 earned) on five hits and two walks in just 2.2 innings. Frank Mata gave up a run on four walks in an inning when the game was suspended. Yohan Pino came in to start day two. He went 3.1 innings and gave up two runs on three hits. He struck out five and walked none. Jose Lugo struck out two in two scoreless innings. Brian Dinkelman led the comeback charge. He went 3-5 with his seventh doubles, second homer and five RBI. Rene Tosoni was 2-3 with his fourth homer. Steve Tolleson went 2-5 with his fifth double. Whit Robbins was 2-5. Jeff Christy went 2-4.
Friday – Game 2 – New Britain 6, Portland 0 – Ryan Mullins was the story in the regularly scheduled game. The tall lefty threw five shutout innings. He gave up six hits, walked none and struck out seven. He improved to 1-5. Rob Delaney pitched a perfect sixth. Anthony Slama struck out two in a perfect seventh. Whit Robbins went 3-3 with his sixth double. Matt Moses hit his third homer. Steve Tolleson was 2-4 with his sixth double to raise his average to just over .200.
MIRACLE MEMOS
Friday –Ft. Myers 4, St. Lucie 3 – Mike McCardell gave up two runs in the first inning, but that was it. The righty went seven innings and gave up just those two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out seven. Spencer Steedley came in and struck out two in his inning. Blair Erickson recorded his four save despite giving up a run on three hits in the ninth. Ben Revere is back up to .333 with his 3-4 game. He stole his 16th base. Steve Singleton went 2-5 with his fifth triple and two RBI. Mark Dolenc hit his second triple.
SNAPPERS SNIPPETS
Friday – Beloit 2, Clinton 7 – Michael Allen was a sleeper choice for me in 2009. Well, he is now 0-5 after this game. He gave up four runs (2 earned) on eight hits and a walk in six innings. He struck out seven. Shooter Hunt came out of the bullpen. He gave up three runs on three hits. He walked three and struck out three in two innings. The Snappers managed just four hits. Jonathan Waltenbury and Jeff Lanning each hit a double.
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