Royals 4 Twins 3 (13-6)
- The Twins came up short yesterday in the series ending game at Kansas City in a 4-3 loss to the Royals. The Twins had many chances, but could not come through and had to settle for taking 2 out of 3 and winning their sixth straight series of the year. Kevin Slowey got the start for the Twins and he was not sharp in this one. Slowey battled through 5.1 innings even though he did not have his good stuff. Slowey went 5.1 innings and gave up four runs including a go ahead homerun by Jose Guillen on eight hits along with three walks and two strikeouts to raise his era up to 3.42 and drop his record to 2-2. Slowey has been up and down so far this year as his last start was really good and this one was so so. The only thing about his line that concerns me is his walk total as he has already walked nine guys. Compared to last year when he walked 15 guys the whole season really makes you wonder is there something mechanically that he can change to throw more strikes. Ron Mahey then came on and got two outs with a strikeout. Alex Burnett then came on and bounced back from his last rough outing to pitch two shutout innings on one hit along with a walk and two strikeouts to lower his era on the year to 2.45. Burnett is a young guy as he won't be 23 until July as he will have some rough outings, but more good ones than bad as he develops.
- The Twins had their season long habit of leaving a ton of guys on base continue and for the first time it cost them a victory. The Twins had 12 hits along with drawing four walks, but were only able to push three runs across thanks to leaving twelve guys on base. The Twins were led offensively by Justin Morneau who went 2-4 at the plate with his fourth homerun along with his fifth double and rbi's 14 and 15 to bring his average up to .368. Delmon Young went 2-4 at the plate with his fourth double of the year to bring his average up to .245. Orlando Hudson went 2-5 at the plate to bring his average up to .276 on the year. Joe Mauer went 2-5 at the plate to bring his average up to .381 which is second best in the American League. Brendan Harris went 1-2 at the plate with his second double of the season. Jim Thome went 1-4 with his third double of the year. Michael Cuddyer and J.J. Hardy each contributed a base hit in the losing cause for the Twins yesterday in Kansas City.
- The Twins have today off before beginning a three game series in Detroit starting tommorrow night. Pitching matchups are as follows. Tuesday: Francisco Liriano vs Justin Verlander, Wednesday: Scott Baker vs Max Scherzer, and Thursday: Carl Pavano vs Dontrelle Willis.
Rochester Wrap
Syracuse 4 Rochester 2 (6-11) 13 innings
- The Red Wings suffered a heartbreaking loss their fourth in a row to Syracuse yesterday 4-2 in 13 innings. Ryan Mullins got the start for Rochester in this one and was very effective. Mullins went six innings and gave up a run on four hits along with one walk and two strikeouts to lower his era on the year to 5.12. Jose Lugo then came on and got drilled afer giving up a run on three hits along with three strikeouts in 1.1 innings of work to raise his era up to 9.31. Matt Fox then came on and got an out along with a walk to lower his era to 2.25. Next up was Anthony Slama who pitched 2.1 scoreless innings along with two walks and a strikeout to lower his era to 1.46. Rob Delaney then came on and pitched two scoreless innings on one hit along with two strikeouts to lower his era on the year to 5.06. Tim Lahey lost the game giving up a two run homerun in the 13th to take the loss and saw his era rise to 6.92
- The Red Wings struggled offensively as they were only able to score two runs on ten hits along with drawing eight walks. They were done in by leaving 13 guys on base in this one for Rochester. The Red Wings were led by Danny Valencia who went 2-5 at the plate with his third double and fifth rbi to bring his average up to .196. Matt Tolbert went 2-5 at the plate to bring his average up to .234. Jason Repko went 2-5 at the plate with his fourth rbi to bring his average up to .325. Trevor Plouffe, Erik Lis, Wilson Ramos, and Dustin Martin each contributed a hit in the losing cause for the Red Wings.
- Today, the Red Wings finish off their series with Syracuse as Jeff Manship gets the start for Rochester. Gametime is at 11am in Syracuse.
New Britain Business
- The Rockcats had their game with Harrisburg rained out yesterday and will begin a series with Richmond tonight in New Britain with Tyler Robertson scheduled to pitch for the Rockcats.
Fort Myers Minutes
Palm Beach 10 Fort Myers 3 (5-11)
- The Miracle lost again to Palm Beach last night as they not only couldn't hit, but they were unable to pitch or play defense. Last night was one of those games that Manager Jake Mauer would like to throw away and come back today with a better effort. Michael Tarsi got the start for Fort Myers and was not very good in this one, but his defense did not help him out as Fort Myers had two errors which led to six unearned runs. Tarsi went five innings and gave up six runs although only two of them were earned on eight hits along with a walk and three strikeouts to actually lower his era to 4.74 and drop his record on the year to 1-2. Blake Martin then came on and gave up two unearned runs on one hit along with two walks to lower his era to 4.91. Tony Davis then came on and gave up two runs on two hits along with two walks in one inning of work to raise his era to 4.50. Billy Bulluck finished the game pitching the last inning and not giving up a run on one hit to lower his era on the year to 5.79.
- The Miracle could not get a lot going on offense either as they only scored three runs on eleven hits along with taking three walks. The problem was they left an incredible 13 guys on base in this one. An offensively challenged team like Fort Myers can not leave 13 guys on base and expect to win the game. The Miracle were led offensively by Drew Thompson who went 3-5 at the plate with his fourth double and sixth rbi of the year to bring his average up to .294. Nick Romero went 2-4 at the plate to bring his average on the season to .200. Nathan Hansen went 2-4 at the plate to bring his average up to .130. Chris Hermann, Michael Harrington, Jair Fernandez, and Dan Rohlfing added hits in the losing cause for the Miracle.
- Tonight, the Miracle continue their series with Palm Beach as Bobby Lanigan is scheduled to pitch for Fort Myers. Gametime is at 6:05 in Fort Myers.
Beloit Beat
- The Snappers had their game with Wisconsin rained out yesterday and will begin a series with Burlington tonight with Miguel Munoz scheduled to pitch for Beloit. Gametime is at 6:30 in Burlington.
- Due to an unforseen occurance I have to cancel the Travis Talks Minnesota Sports Podcast for tonight. I will be back on the air next monday May 3rd so tune in next week for another edition of the Travis Talks Minnesota Sports Podcast next Monday, May 3rd at 9pm.
