Minnesota got the first run of the game off a Joe Mauer home run (11) in the fourth inning and things were looking good. They looked even better in the top of the seventh when Rondell White hit a linedrive bomb (6) to left off of [winning] Tampa Bay reliever Shawn Camp (7-2, 4.14). Jason Hammel (0-2, 5.61 ERA) pitched 6 decent innings, giving up only 1 run on 3 hits with 4 strikeouts and three walks, but didn't get the win without added run support. Now, when one of your relievers has more wins than most of your starters, there's something awry in the clubhouse. Just an observation.
Rondell hits his 6th home run of the year
Carlos Silva (8-13, 6.30 ERA) was in the midst of his best start of the year with 6 scoreless innings behind him when he had to exit the game due to an upset stomach. He went six innings, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk, striking out two batters. It's a shame.Silva was replaced by Pat Neshek (3-1, 2.33 ERA) in the seventh, who blew the game and earned his first loss of the year. This seemed rather uncharacteristic of the talented submariner, as his ERA was 0.92 less than a month ago. After Delmon Young reached on a fielder's choice with one out, first baseman Greg Norton homered (13) to right, tying the game just like that. The next batter, Ty Wigginton hit his 20th longball to left centerfield, giving Tampa their first lead of the night. Neesh was replaced by Denny Reyes to get lefty DH Kevin Witt and Jesse Crain finished the inning without allowing anyone else to score.
After two straight singles in the eighth with Juan Rincon on the hill, the D'Rays tacked on an insurance run with a (who else?) Delmon Young single. It sounded like runs in the top of the ninth with Torii Hunter, White and Mike Redmond due up, but all they managed to get was a Redmond single followed by a Jason Bartlett fly out.
The Twins go down with a final score of 4-2 to the second-to-worst team in baseball, but take the series. With Detroit losing another one-run heartbreaker to Seattle, Minnesota remains 4 games behind the division leaders, but lose a whole game lead over Chicago, after an 8-1 blowout over Boston Wednesday, leaving our boys only a half a game ahead in the Wild Card.
VS. 
The Twins head back home Thursday with Scott Baker (4-7. 6.55 ERA) on the hill against Justin Verlander (15-7, 3.27 ERA) for the series opener versus division rival Detroit. This could be the beginning of something beautiful for the Twins.
Michael Cuddyer has been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award, which acknowledges the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and individual contribution to his team. "I take more pride in that than an on-the-field award," Cuddyer says. "To be able to be associated with an award for somebody like Roberto Clemente, the humanitarian that he was, it's awesome. Words can't describe how it feels personally to have something like that." Way to go Cuddy!
Francisco Liriano threw around 50 pitches during a simulated game on Wednesday, still feeling no pain in his throwing arm. If all goes as planned, he will be pitching in a rehab start on Saturday - a playoff game for the Wild Card winner Rochester Red Wings. Complete game shutout, anyone? Take it easy on 'em, Franchise. We might be seeing him back up in the Bigs (where he belongs) sooner than expected, maybe as early as mid-September.
Michael Cuddyer has been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award, which acknowledges the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and individual contribution to his team. "I take more pride in that than an on-the-field award," Cuddyer says. "To be able to be associated with an award for somebody like Roberto Clemente, the humanitarian that he was, it's awesome. Words can't describe how it feels personally to have something like that." Way to go Cuddy!Francisco Liriano threw around 50 pitches during a simulated game on Wednesday, still feeling no pain in his throwing arm. If all goes as planned, he will be pitching in a rehab start on Saturday - a playoff game for the Wild Card winner Rochester Red Wings. Complete game shutout, anyone? Take it easy on 'em, Franchise. We might be seeing him back up in the Bigs (where he belongs) sooner than expected, maybe as early as mid-September. 
3 comments:
Among other things, I was disappointed. The fact Silva took himself out of the game, while pitching his best performance of the year, makes me think he has lost maybe some of his love for the game. I understand his stomach hurt. But you've got to want it. Really want it. I'm not sure many other pitchers doing that well would dare come out unless forced. Then again, I don't know how bad his stomach hurt. But I do know this was HUGE. We could have gained needed ground on Detroit and stayed 1.5 games ahead of Chicago. Just makes this series with Detroit that much more important. Now, I love Silva, am just worried. I'm also sad to see our man Pat was the one with the loss. Never would have guessed, but it had to happen. We have to move on though because this series is thee most key series for us at the moment. I'll be watching!
Key is an understatement. Man, this is serious business. It's time for the Twins to show baseball that they have what it takes to win a championship.
I'm still waiting to hear that Silva had appendacitis or something. I mean, it better be that serious. Although, I'm sure in his eyes, he was handing the game over to the best bullpen in baseball without worry...
Okay, I'll admit key was a huge understatement, lol. For me, at least right now, this is the make it or break it time. Because no matter the outcome of our game, the White Sox have the ability to sneak up and gain ground either in the division or the wild card. It's up to us. And I'm so nervous! Haha. I'm excited though for Sunday when I get to go to the game!
And as for Silva, I agree with you...it better be serious. Although, yes, I would give the ball to our bullpen with the smallest amount of worry.
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