Twins Talk
Tampa Bay 5 Minnesota 3
- The Twins came out on the short end of a very competitive game last night with the Rays 5-3. The Twins had their chances early in the game, but could not get runners in as they left 8 guys on base for the game. Scott Baker was once again solid for 5 innings only giving up a solo homerun to Carl Crawford. However, once again as his pitch count rose so did his pitches and he gave up a backbreaking 3 run homerun to Evan Longoria to would supply all the runs the Rays would need in the game. In all Baker allowed 4 runs on 7 hits in 5.2 innings of work and drop his record to 2-6 on the year. Baker was masterful for 5 innings and then the roof collapsed the Twins will need to figure why that is happening because it happens almost every start. Sean Henn came in for Baker and got an out. Jesse Crain then came into the game and pitched 1.1 innings and gave up a run on 2 hits while walking a batter and getting a strikeout. Jesse Crain has been one of the more disappointing players on the Twins as his 7.36 era will attest to. Hopefully, Crain can get it going as the Twins really need him to pitch effective innings. Jose Mijares and Matt Guerrier combined to get 2 outs in the 8th to keep us close but it was not meant to be on this night.
- The Twins had many chances against Rays starter James Shields especially early in the game as they left 5 guys on in the first 3 innings of the game. Shields then got into a groove and they didn't hit him much until the 8th inning when they scored 2 runs to pull within 4-3. They then had a guy on 2nd with 1 out, but then Joe Crede and Brendan Harris struck out to end the rally. Joe Mauer got back on track after a Joe Mauer type of slump as he went 3-5 in the game to bring his average up to .417. Justin Mourneau had another big game with a 2-4 night to bring his average up to .346 and drove in his 45th run of the year. Michael Cuddyer hit his 9th homerun of the season in addition. Joe Crede and Brendan Harris also added hits.
- Today, the Twins face the Rays in game 2 of the series as the Twins send Francisco Liriano to the hill to face Rays phenom David Price.
- Transaction: After the game the Twins placed SS Nick Punto on the Disabled List with a sore groin and recalled 2b Alexi Casilla from AAA Rochester. The plan is for Casilla to play 2nd and Brendan Harris to play SS with Matt Tolbert moving to a utility role in Punto's absence.
Rochester Wrap
Rochester 5 Lehigh Valley 3
- The Red Wings got back on the winning track with a big 5-3 victory over Lehigh Valley last night. Matt Macri was the hero blasting a game winning 3 run homerun in the top of the 9th for the Red Wings. It was Macri's 4th homerun of the season and drove in his 14th, 15th, and 16th runs of the year. Justin Huber also contributed 2 hits including his 4th homerun of the year a two run shot in the top of the first inning. David Winfree also contributed two hits to bring his average up to .267 on the year. Jason Pridie, Tommy Watkins, Jose Morales, and Dustin Martin also contributed a hit.
- Brian Duensing continued his role of good pitching as of late as he pitched his 3rd straight quality start. In those starts in 21 innings Brian has only given up 4 earned runs which is a 1.71 era in those games. In this outing Duensing went 7 innings and only gave up 3 runs and scattered 10 hits along with a walk and 3 strikeouts. With the 3 runs allowed Duensing's era is down to 4.09 on the season. This is the Brian Duensing we are used to seeing in that he keeps the team in the game and allows the team to come back and get a win. Mike Gosling came in relief to pick up the win for the Red Wings. Unbelievably his record right now is 7-1 on the season. Part of that is luck and part of that is when you come in the game you are allowing the team time to come back to give yourself a chance to get the win. In this one Gosling went 2 innings and gave up no runs on no hits and struck out 3 batters. With the 2 perfect innings Gosling now has an era of 4.22
- Tonight, the Red Wings continue their series with Lehigh Valley with Jason Jones getting the start for Rochester.
- Transaction: With Alexi Casilla being promoted by the Twins Rochester filled his spot on the team by promoting 2b Steve Tolleson from the New Britain Rockcats.
New Britain Business
Binghamton 6 New Britain 0
- The Rockcats had a stinker after winning 9 of their last 11 against Binghamton last night as they lost 6-0. Jeff Manship was good once again as he had his 2nd straight quality start for the Rockcats. With the hitters shut down he needed to be perfect and he wasn't quite that but still very good. Manship went 7 innings and gave up 3 runs on 8 hits along with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Jeff Manship needs to be the ace of this staff and it looks like he is starting to get it together and with the hitting for New Britain if he puts an outing like this every time he will win his fair share of games. Jose Lugo came in after Manship and gave up 3 runs in only 1/3 of an inning. Anthony Slama then came on and his struggles continued even though he did not give up any runs he gave up 2 hits and a walk although he did have a strikeout in only 2/3 of an inning. Zack Ward finished it off with a scoreless inning. Hopefully that is the start of some better pitching by Ward who was so good last year and has been so bad this year.
- The Rockcats could not do a lot with the bats last night as they only mustered 3 hits on the night. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the pitcher who is sometimes better than the hitters. Last night was one of those nights were there was nothing the Rockcats could do offensively. All they could get was singles by Brian Dinkelman and Jeff Christy along with Rene Tosoni's 7th double of the year. With Tosoni's hit his average now is .252 on the season.
- Tonight, the Rockcats try to get the bats going as they continue their series with Binghamton as Jay Rainville gets the start for New Britain.
Fort Myers Minutes
Fort Myers 3 Tampa 0
- The Miracle got back on the winning side of things after an embarrasing loss the night before the Miracle played much better winning the game 3-0 over the Tampa Yankees. Deolis Guerra was the story as he pitched 6 shutout innings for the Miracle. In his 6 innings Guerra gave up 5 hits along with a strikeout. After that strong outing Guerra's era for the year is now 4.47. Those are the kind of outings that we expect out of Guerra every time and if he can string a few of them together he may get promoted to New Britain before the year is out. Steve Hirschfeld came in relief and did what he normally does for the Miracle pitching 2 perfect shutout innings along with a strikeout. Hirschfeld's era is now a very good 1.07 on the season. I would really like to see Hirschfeld get some starts in the second half after the June callups to see what he can do. Alex Burnett came in relief and pitched the ninth to pick up his 4th save of the year.
- The Miracle hitting attack were once again led by 2 guys that have gotten it done all year long and that is Chris Parmalee and Ben Revere. Parmalee went 2-4 with his team high 27th rbi. Revere did what he always does and thats get atleast 2 hits. He went 2-4 with his 21st rbi of the year along with 21st stolen base of the year. He should steal 40 bases for the second consecutive year and eventually he will be doing that for the Twins. Chris Cates also had a hit and drove in his 13th run of the year. Deibinson Romero once again went 0-4 to bring his average down to .201 on the year. This slump is unlike anything I have ever seen in the month of may he is hitting .155. If you look deeper he is 1 for his last 35 at the plate to bring his average from .269 down to .201. Hopefully he can figure this out and fast.
- Tonight, the Miracle begin a series against fellow first place Brevand County with David Bromberg scheduled to pitch.
Beloit beat
Beloit 15 Kane County 2
- The Snappers won their season high 2nd game in a row with a big victory over first place Kane County 15-2. The Snappers also put up a season high 18 hits in the win. The Snappers were led by Ozzie Lewis who went 3-5 with his 3rd homerun of the year along with a career high 6 rbi's to bring his season total up to 18. James Beresford went 3-4 at the plate to bring his average up to a very good .314 on the season. Juan Richardson added 3 hits to get his average up to a very good .294. Alex Soto also had a big game as he had 2 hits including his team leading 5th homerun of the year along with his 18th and 19th rbi's of the year. Angel Morales, Ramon Santana, and Michael Harrington all contributed 2 hits apiece.
- If not for all the hitting the story of the game would be Brad Tippett who was awesome on the mound once again. Tippett had his 2nd consecutive quality start and brought his record to a very good 5-1 on the year. Tippett went 6 strong innings giving up a run on only 5 hits along with no walks and 7 strikeouts. The 6 strong innings brought his team low era down to 2.79 on the season. Brad Tippett is overlooked by way to many people but he is been Beloits best starter all year long and continued that once again. Steve Blevins came into the 7th and went 1 solid inning giving up an unearned run on 2 hits along with a strikeout. Blake Martin and Danny Rondon pitched the last 2 innings without giving up a run to finish the game.
- Tonight, the Snappers continue their series with Kane County as Michael Allen tries to send the Snappers to their 3rd straight victory.
