- The Twins continued their hot streak as of late as they defeated the Brewers again last night 6-3 to complete the sweep and run their winning streak to 4 games and pull within 3.5 games behind first place Detroit. Scott Baker really rebounded from a really bad start of the season. Baker went 8.1 strong innings to pick up his 2nd win of the year. After giving up only a run on 5 hits through 8 innings they tried to reward him for his great start to give him a chance at a complete game. A seeing eye base hit and then a nice pitch to Prince Fielder that was done and away, but that was deposited into the seats for a 2 run homerun. It was a good pitch its just good hitters hit good pitches some times. He then gave way to Joe Nathan who picked him up and got the last 2 outs for the win. Baker was masterful at one time retiring 11 straight batters. With the 3 runs he lowered his era to a still very high 6.34 on the year, but its the first step on him regaining his stuff.
- The Twins offense continued their onslaught on opposing pitchers. In the Twins 4 game winning streak they have scored an unbelieveable 43 runs. The M&M boys did it again last night as Joe Mauer had 2 hits and his 10th homerun of the year. I just don't get it why he is hitting all these homeruns and the fact is I don't think anyone can put a tangible reason behind him hitting all these homeruns. In 536 at bats last year he hit 9 homeruns and has 10 in only 77 at bats this year. Justin Mourneau was not going to be outdone as he hit a grandslam to put the game away in the 7th inning going from a 2-1 lead to a 6-1 lead. It was Mourneau's 13th homerun of the year and now he has 40 rbi's so he is having just as good of a year as he has ever had. Joe Crede also homered his 8th of the season before having to leave with a hand injury.
- Today, the Twins begin a pivotal 4 game series at the Metrodome against the Boston Red Sox with Francisco Liriano getting the start as the Twins try to extend their winning streak to 5 games.
Rochester Wrap
- The Red Wings jumped all over Norfolk starter David Pauley for 6 runs in the top of the first inning and that ended up being enough as the Red Wings beat Norfolk 6-2 yesterday. Brian Duensing was the story picking up his 3rd win of the year in by far his finest outing of the season. Duensing pitched 7 shutout innings and scattered 7 hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out 4 on the day. With the no runs allowed he lowered his era to a modest 4.14. This was a big start for Duensing because he really has been struggling as of late for the Red Wings.
- Trevor Plouffe supplied all the offense the Red Wings would need in this one with a grand slam in the first that put the Red Wings up 4-0. The homerun was his 3rd of the year. Alexi Casilla continues this hot streak as he had 2 more hits and his 5th stolen base of the year. Tommy Watkins got a rare start in left field and supplied 2 hits to bring his average up to .233 on the season.
- Today, the Red Wings finish off their series with Norfolk before coming home to take on Durham. Jason Jones is scheduled to pitch today for Rochester.
New Britain Business
- The Rockcats continued to pound on Binghamton as they defeated them 10-1 to pick up their 8th consecutive win and pull within 1.5 games of first place Connecticut. Jeff Manship was the story of the game putting in his finest start of the season. Manship went 8 terrific innings and only gave up a run on 4 hits to pick up his 4th win of the season. Manship has really struggled this year and this was a big outing for him to get his confidence back and pitching the way we all know he can. With the only 1 run it lowered his era to a still too high 5.55 on the season. Yohan Pino cam in relief to get the last 3 outs in New Britain's big win.
- Matt Moses was the offensive hero in this game going 3-5 with his 7th double of the year and 2 rbi's to bring his total to 21 on the year. Brian Dinkelman and Danny Valencia combined to go 5-7 with 3 more walks. On the year Dinkelman is hitting .343 and Valencia is not too far behind at .341. I really believe that both of them are ready for AAA. Dinkelman should go first because of his age, but both are definatly ready for AAA.
- Today, the Rockcats finish off their series with Binghamton with Jay Rainville getting the start for the Rockcats as they try to extend their season high winning streak to 9 games.
Fort Myers Minutes
- The Miracle continued their streak of winning the close games as they defeated Port Charlotte again last night 3-2. David Bromberg was the story pitching fabulously again going 5 innings and only giving up a run on 3 hits. He only walked one while striking out 3. With the one run it lowered his era down to an awesome 2.00 on the season. Steve Hirschfeld came in relief and pitched 2 solid innings only giving up a run on a hit. Santos Arias finished the game with 2 shutout innings to pick up his 2nd save of the year.
- Rene Leveret made his anticipated return to the lineup for the Miracle and he did not dissapoint. He went 3-3 with his 2nd homerun of the year and driving in 2 runs and also scoring 2 runs. With the 3 hits his average is up to an awesome .397 on the season. Chris Parmalee continued his recent hot streak as he had 2 more hits to bring his average up to .267. In Parmalee's last 10 games he is hitting .324 to get his average up to .267. Deibinson Romero broke out a little bit by getting an rbi single to put the Miracle ahead. Talk about a slump in his last 10 games Romero is 2 for 37 to lower his average from .268 down to .211. Hopefully that basehit will get him going because he is a much better hitter than this and everyone goes through slumps its how you come out of them that is a key.
- The Miracle are off today before beginning a series with Tampa tommorrow night.
Beloit Beat
- The Snappers finally got off the schnide by finally winning a game. They defeated Wisconsin yesterday 4-0 to get back on the winning track. The key to the win was the quality pitching by Joe Testa and Brad Tippett. Testa went the first 3 innings and only gave up 1 hit to lower his era to 1.80 on the season. It is so obvious that Testa is ready for Fort Myers, but I don't think he will get up there until Spencer Steedley goes up to AA which will happen after the all star game. Brad Tippett came in relief for some reason and pitched 6 shutout innings and only gave up 1 hit also. He walked 1 batter while striking out 5. Tippett should be starting all the time on this roster and I can't figure out why he was in relief.
- Ramon Santana continues to hit the heck out of the ball going 2-4 with 2 rbi's. With the 2 hits its average is up to .429 on the season. His rbi total is up to 19. James Beresford also contributed 2 hits to bring his average up to a very good .293 on the season. Jon Waltenbury also drove in a run for the Snappers as they try to break out of this hitting slump.
- Today, the Snappers finish off their series with Wisconsin with Micheal Allen getting the start for Beloit.
