Game 23: Twins bats come alive in Cleveland
April 30, 2010
Minnesota @ Cleveland (Game 1 of 3)
Summary
After suffering their first shut out of the season, the Twins bats came alive this evening. Everyone in the line up got a hit except Denard Span and Delmon Young (although Span scored 2x’s in the game).
The Twins put up 5 unanswered runs in the first two innings and then added another in the top of the 5th inning before Slowey gave up three runs to Cleveland in the bottom of the 5th.
Minnesota then added another two runs in the 7th and a late run in the 9th to end the game with a 9-3 score.
Pitching
Kevin Slowey had a good outing for the Twins, but was far from spectacular. The right hander gave up 3 runs on 9 hits with 102 pitches through five innings. Slowey recorded 6 strike outs and did not walk anyone.
Ron Gardenhire went through several relievers to finish the game with Jesse Crain, Brian Duensing, Matt Guerrier and Ron Mayhay all getting an inning
Slowey gets the win and moves his record to 3-2.
Batting
The line up hit the ball all night, with only Span and Young going without a hit. Orlando Hudson was the most productive going 3-for-4 with 3 R, 2 RBI’s and 1 BB.
Span scored twice after reaching on a walk and a fielders choice and added one RBI for the night.
Notes
With the win the Twins move to 15-8 on the season and break a two game losing streak.
Attendance
14,124 (Progressive Field)
Game 22: Tigers shutout Twins 3-0
April 29, 2010
Minnesota @ Detroit (Game 3 of 3)
Summary
The Tigers handed the Twins their first shutout of the year in a 3-0 victory over Minnesota and also handed them their first series loss of the 2010 season.
Pitching
Carl Pavano threw a complete game in eight innings of work and struck out five batters but got no run support from the offense. The Tigers got three runs off of Pavano, only two earned, off of seven hits and a walk. Pavano’s complete game was the first one for the Twins this year.
Batting
The Twins’ bats fell asleep in Detroit for the final game of the series as the Twins could only muster four hits in a lineup that was without Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and JJ Hardy. Orlando Hudson, Michael Cuddyer, Brendan Harris and Luke Hughes all had singles in the game. As a team, though, they never advanced a runner past second base and struck out a total of nine times.
Notes
Carl Pavano made the history books as he gave up the 2,000 career hit to Magglio Ordonez in the fourth inning. Ordonez is the sixth Venezuelan to reach the hitting milestone. The others are Luis Aparicio, Dave Concepcion, Andres Galarraga, Omar Vizquel and Bobby Abreu.
Attendance
25,595 (Comerica Park)
Game 21: Wheels fall off for Twins bottom of 6 in Detroit
April 29, 2010
Minnesota @ Detroit (Game 2 of 3)
Summary
Minnesota and Detroit had no problems seeing the ball on this night. Thome started the night off with a two run shot to center field to put the Twins up. The Twins had a clear lead after 3 1/2 innings, but the Tigers came back at the end of the 4th inning, closing the gap to one run (5-6).
With one out in the bottom of the 6th, Johnny Damon hit a ball that looked like Denard Span caught and then dropped when trying to grab out of the glove to throw in. The third plate umpire Paul Emmel made the call that it was not a catch and the runners advanced. Gardenhire came out to complain that the Emmel wasn’t even in the proper position to make the call (as he should have) but the other umpires were not in position either and looked to Emmel who should make the call. Gardenhire continued to voice his argument and was ejected from the game.
The wheels then looked to come off for the Twins after that. Pat Neshek came in to replace Ron Mahay who was unable to retire a batter. Neshek loaded the bases and then hit a batter to tie the game. Jesse Crain became the fourth pitcher of the inning and he gave up three line drive doubles on four pitches allowing the Tigers to score five more runs. The Twins gave up 6 total runs in the 6th before they were able to stop the bleeding.
Pitching
Scott Baker went 4.0 innings giving up 5 runs on 9 hits and 1 home run. Baker gave up 3 BB and struck out 5 Tigers in 84 pitches before being replaced in the bottom of the 5th by Alex Burnett.
Burnett came into the game with no outs and a runner in scoring position, but was able to get out of the inning with the lead in tack. Burnett pitched 1.1 innings giving up 1 hit and giving 1 SO.
Ron Mahay replaced Burnett with a runner on and one out. Mayhay was unable to retire any batters and was quickly replaced by Pat Neshek. Neshek struggled as well and with bases loaded Neshek hit Miguel Cabrera to tie the game.
Jesse Crain became the fourth pitcher of the inning and the Twins still only had one out with the bases loaded. Crain gave up 3 doubles in 4 pitches.
Max Scherzer was only able to go 3.2 innings against the hot hitting Twins. He gave up 6 runs on 10 hits (2 home runs) while striking out 3. His ERA went up to 4.23.
Batting
Jim Thome hammered a 93 mph 4-seam fastball over the center field fence for two runs at the top of the first to put the Twins up 0-2. The Tigers answered with a single by Magglio Ordonez which scored a run at the bottom of the first to make the score 1-2 after the first.
In the third inning, Luke Hughes made his first major league plate appearance and on the 5th pitch he belted a 92 mph 4-seam fastball over the right field wall to put the Twins up 1-3.
The fourth inning saw the Twins add some more runs to the scoreboard as Michael Cuddyer started the inning with a double and then Jason Kubel hit a single to score Cuddyer from 2nd base. Delmon Young followed that up with a single and moved Kubel to 3rd.
With two outs, Denard Span singled to score Kubel and move Young to 2nd base. Orlando Hudson singled to score Young and move Span to 3rd base and put the Twins up 1-6 after 3 1/2 innings.
Detroit responded at the bottom of the fourth as Baker ran into trouble. Brandon Inge started the inning with a home run off Baker. Baker then ended up loading the bases with only one out when Johnny Damon grounded out, but scored the runner from third. Maggilo Ordonez lined a shot to right field and scored another two runs before Baker was able to record the last out. The Tigers closed the gap to one run with a score of 5-6 after four.
JJ Hardy doubled to start the 6th, but the Twins were unable to bring him across the plate in three outs.
Notes
The Twins have the worst conversion of runners in scoring position in the league and also have the worst numbers for converting runs out of bases loaded. Although they are still winning games, they will need to fiind ways to convert the RISP.
Luke Hughes added his name to the list of players that have hit a home run in their first major league at bat. He is the 106th player on the list and the second player to it this year (Jason Heyward of the Braves hit his on opening day). The last Twin to hit home run in their first major league at bat was Andre David 06-29-1984.
Although Baker let the Tigers back into the game, the bullpen (with the exception of Burnett) looked aweful. Jesse Crain looked as if he was throwing batting practice to the Tigers, giving up 3 doubles in his first 4 pitches.
Attendance
19,900. (Comerica Park)
Game 20: Liriano motors through Detroit
April 27, 2010
Minnesota @ Detroit (Game 1 of 3)
Summary
This wasn’t just a strong outing by Francisco Liriano, this was a domination. The young left hander went another 8 full innings of shut out baseball.
Liriano has went back to throwing his fastball a lot and when he mixes it with his slider, he is causing fits for the opposing batters. His control has been good and he has continued to use the fastball to setup the slider.
The Twins benefited this game from three Tiger errors. Although Verlander struggled a little, his defense failed to pick him up in his 5.2 innings pitched.
Pitching
As was mentioned before, Liriano was outstanding. He allowed only 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 10. Liriano now has a 0.93 ERA and has pitched 23 scoreless innings.
Jon Rauch came in for the first time since his blown save Saturday and gave up a hit to the first batter Johnny Damon. He was able to Magglio Ordonez to ground into the force at second base for the first out. From there he switched a gear. He finished the game striking out the last two batters on 5 pitches a piece.
With the save, Rauch leads the league with 7 saves.
Batting
The Twins continued to leave runners in scoring position this game, going 1-for-10. Unlike the last week, the Twins were unable to score a run until the 6th inning.
With two outs, Jim Thome drew a walk. JJ Hardy then hit a fly ball to the gap between left and center field that should have been caught, but it caught the heel of left fielder Ryan Rayburns glove and dropped to the field. Thome scored on the play to give the Twins a 0-1 lead.
In the seventh, with two outs and a base runner at first, Kubel drew a walk to move the runner over to scoring position. Thome singled on a deep ground ball to second baseman Scott Sizemore who rushed his throw and threw the ball away. The error allowed Kubel to score giving the Twins a 2-0 lead.
Notes
With the win, Francisco Liriano should be the new American League leader for ERA. Before the game he was tied with Andy Pettitte of the New York Yankees who also had a 1.29 ERA. Liriano lowered his ERA to 0.93 and has pitched outstanding as of late.
Many Twins fans seemed to be warm to a trade of Liriano in the off-season. Now with 23 consecutive scoreless innings, Liriano has some of the TwinsDigest.com staff thinking he has a shot of Orel Hershiser’s record of 59 consecutive scoreless innings (I hope you are right J. Graening).
Justin Morneau left the game with back stiffness. The post game said the move was just precautionary. Morneau missed the end of the 2009 season with a fractured back.
The strike zone opened up late in the game. The calls were consistent for both teams, but the zone seemed to open up by as much as 6 inches. Home plate umpire called strike 3 on Brendan Harris on a ball that was way outside the strike zone and then he rung up the next batter Denard Span on a pitch that was questionable. Span must have said the magic word(s) and was immediately ejected from the game.
With Morneau already out of the game, Brendan Harris was moved to 1st base and Alexi Casilla to 3rd base in the infield. Delmon Young came into the game at left field, moving Jason Kubel to right field and Cuddyer moved to center. Cuddyer started in right field, moved to first base with Morneau leaving the game and then moved to center with the Span ejection.
Another fun stat from todays game… Delmon Young was walked twice. Young has failed to deliver the last two years, but this year, he has impressed us and is continuing to show signs that he is improving.
The Twins are now 14-6 on the year. Tomorrows match up should be Detroit’s Max Scherzer (1-1) versus Minnesota’s Scott Baker (2-2). Game time is 6:05 pm CST.
Attendance
22,008 (Comerica Park)
On this day: April 27, 1994
April 27, 2010
Scott Erickson through the first no-hitter in the Metrodome in front of 17,988 fans. The feat was the first for the Twins in 27 years when Dean Chance through a no-hitter in the second game of a double header on August 25, 1967 against the Indians.
Erickson did not have a particularly flawless outing with only five strike outs and giving up four walks as well as hitting a batter.
The 26-year old right-hander kept his cool in the 9th after walking two batters with two outs. He was able to get Brewer’s left fielder Greg Vaughn to fly out for the last inning of the game. It wasn’t without it’s drama, as shortstop Pat Meares and leftfielder Alex Cole converged on the play and very nearly collided before Cole made the grab.
Erickson played with the Twins from 1990 to 1995 when he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. In 2000, Erickson was named to People Magazines 50 Most Beautiful People at the age of 32.
In 2004 Erickson married sportscaster Lisa Guerrero. He retired from baseball at the beginning of the 2007 season after being released by the New York Yankees.
Game 19: Twins come up short
April 25, 2010
Minnesota @ Kansas City (Game 3 of 3)
Summary
Hoping to finally take their first sweep of the season, the Twins came into the final game at a half empty Kauffman Stadium.
Kevin Slowey took the mound to start the bottom of the 1st inning and gave up a double to the first batter David DeJesus. The next batter was league leader Scott Podsednik who singled on a line drive to center field to move DeJesus to 3B. With one out, Jose Guillen hit a sac-fly to left field to score DeJesus and put the Royals up 1-0.
Top of the 2nd inning, the Twins answered the Royals when Justin Morneau cracked a 90 mph 4-seam fast ball over the right field wall. With two outs and a full count, Delmon Young doubled on another 90 mph 4-seam fastball, lining it out to center field.
JJ Hardy drove Young in from 2nd base with a single to left field, putting the twins up 1-2 after 1.5 innings played.
The Twins were unable to get convert runners in scoring position again, going 1-11 in the game total. Meanwhile the Royals chipped away at the Twins, scoring on run in each of the 4th, 5th and 6th innings, leaving them ahead 4-2 after 8 innings.
The Twins made a brief run in the 9th inning, when Justin Morneau doubled to score Mauer with only one out in the inning. That was as far as the Twins would get though, as both Cuddyer and Jim Thome struck out to end the game.
Pitching
After 8 great innings in his last outing, Kevin Slowey ran into some problems with a good hitting Royals team. Slowey gave up 4 runs on 8 hits in 5.1 innings (104 pitches). He was able to get 2 K’s, but uncharacteristically gave up 3 BB.
The loss brought his record to 2-2 and moved his ERA back up from 2.45 to 3.42.
Batting
Justin Morneau tied the game in the 2nd inning with a solo home run. The home run was his 4th of the year and puts him in the lead for the club. At the top of the 9th, Morneau doubled to score Mauer and make it a 1 run game.
Delmon Young doubled in the 2nd inning and scored on a single from JJ Hardy.
Notes
Although not his best game, Slowey pitched well to a good hitting Royals ball team. The Twins had a lot of opportunities to score runs, but as they have done most this season, they failed to score potential runs on the base paths.
The loss moved the Twins record to 13-6 and the Royals to 7-11. The Twins have not lost more then 1 game in a series and have not had back to back losses this season.
Minnesota will have a day off tomorrow and then will be in Detroit for a 6:05 Tuesday start. Projected pitchers for that first game: Justin Verlander for Detroit and Francisco Liriano for Minnesota.
This should be a good match up as Verlander is still Detroits ace and Liriano has been lighting batters up with his slider and fastball.
Attendance
15,601 (Kauffman Stadium)
Game 18: Twins edge Royals in 12
April 24, 2010
Minnesota @ Kansas City (Game 2 of 3)
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Summary
After falling behind four runs on a cold and wet day in Kansas City, the Twins worked their way back to tie the game in the 7th inning 6-6.
Minnesota went into extra innings and looked to have the game won in the 11th when Michael Cuddyer hit a fly ball to right field to score Orlando Hudson.
Jon Rauch came in lost the save after giving up a double to Jose Guillen, scoring the runner from 1st.
The Twins were able to add two more runs at the top of the 12th to seal the deal and move their record to 13-5.
Pitching
Nick Blackburn did not have a good start after taking some extra time off to give his ailing elbow a short break. He gave up 6 runs (5 earned) on 10 hits in 4.1 innings. He was unable to strike anyone out, gave up 2 walk and hit a batter with a pitch.
Batting
The Twins didn’t get the bats going until the top of the 3rd. Down 0-4, Brendan Harris doubled to start the 3rd. Span moved him over to 3rd base on a single, before Orlando Hudson scored Harris on a fielders choice.
Kansas City scored again in the bottom of the third to make the score 1-5 Royals.
Justin Morneau and Cuddyer both doubled to start the 4th inning (Morneau scored). Then Kubel reached on an error and Cuddyer scored leaving the Twins back 2-5 against the Royals.
Both teams scored in the 5th. Joe Mauer singled to score Hudson from 2nd base and Yuniensky Betancourt singles in a run to make the score 4-6 Royals.
The Twins added two more runs in the 7th. With two outs, Mauer doubled and Morneau followed that up with a 2-run dinger to deep center field and tying the game 6-6.
Both teams would not score again until the 11th when both teams scored.
Coming out in the 12th, Delmon Young doubled to left field on a 2-2 pitch. JJ Hardy then earned a 4-pitch walk to put a runner in scoring position. With no outs, Alexi Casilla was asked to bunt and move the runners over, which he did and he actually beat the throw to first.
Denard Span came up up with the bases loaded and popped the ball to second baseman Alberto Callaspo who was unable to catch the ball and Delmon Young was able to score. Two batter later with the bases full, Mauer hit a sacrifice fly ball to center field and Hardy was able to score from 3B.
Rauch came in to finish the game for the win. He was able to get the first two batters to fly out, but gave up a single to Podsednik, before getting Willie Bloomquist to ground into a force out at second base.
Notes
The Twins moved their record to 13-5 and are again knocking on the door for a sweep for the series. The Twins continue to struggle to convert runners in scoring position.
Mauer went 5-for-6, scoring a run and 2RBI’s. His average jumped from .333 to .381. Morneau belted his 3rd home run of the seaon, putting him in a 4-way tie for team lead with Cuddyer, Jim Thome and Hardy.
Attendance
26,649 (Kauffman Stadium)
Punto placed on DL
April 24, 2010
The Twins have placed Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list due to a right hip flexor strain. As of late, Punto has been on the bench and listed day-to-day with a sore groin muscle. He played his last game on April 15th in an 8-0 thrashing of the Boston Red Sox where he went 3-for-4 with two runs. Punto’s stint on the DL is retroactive to April 16th and he will be having an MRI to make sure it is nothing more serious.
In has place the Twins have called up Luke Hughes from Triple-A Rochester and will join the team on Saturday in Kansas City. The Australian born Hughes has had a hot start with the Red Wings hitting .267 with eight of his 12 hits being doubles. Although Hughes is a third baseman, he has spent most of the season at second base, but he has the ability to be shuffled around the infield.
For the time being, Brendan Harris will take over Punto’s starting position at third base.
Game 17: Pavano reprisal of the Royals
April 23, 2010
Minnesota @ Kansas City (Game 1 of 3)
Summary
The Twins scored at the top of the first and continued to score throughout the game.
Justin Morneau scored Orlando Hudson in the first with a single to right field and the Michael Cuddyer then doubled on a line drive to left field to score Justin Morneau and putting the Twins up 2-0.
In the third inning with the bases loaded, Cuddyer hit a grounder to the short stop. The hit scored Span from third.
Kansas City answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the third inning.
Minnesota scored again in the fourth when Hudson hit into a fielders choice, scoring Brendan Harris from third. Then in the fifth, Jim Thome rocketed the ball just over the left field fence for a solo home run.
Bottom of the 6th, David DeJesus hit a home run that the 2nd base umpire did not see clear the fence. The ball landed in center field and Cuddyer (seeing the ball had cleared the fence) was late in throwing the ball in. DeJesus who never stopped running, was given an in the park home run even though replays showed the ball cleared the right field fence.
Minnesota and Kansas City both scored again in the 8th. JJ Hardy hit and 85 mph slider for a solo home run to left field. Scott Posednik hit into a fielders choice to drive in a run at the bottom of the 8th.
The Twins added two more runs in the 9th when Thome doubled on a line drive to right field scoring both Cuddyer and Jason Kubel.
The Twins finished the game 8-3 with a 12-5 record.
Pitching
It was a chance for redemption on Friday night for the veteran Carl Pavano. After giving up seven runs in just 3 and one third innings a week prior to the Royals, Pavano returned to pitch a gem against the Royals in Kansas City.
Pavano went seven innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits. He struck out five and did not give a walk. Pavano moved his record to 3-1 with an ERA of 4.24.
Batting
Jim Thome had a big impact in the line up, driving in 3 runs for the Twins. Michael Cuddyer also added to his RBI totals, knocking in another 2 runs.
Justin Morneau continues to get on base one way or another and has a nice streak going since the beginning of the year.
Notes
Hard to believe it, but Hardy has the same amount of home runs at this point as both Thome and Cuddyer who all have three a piece.
Mauer made an attempt to break out of a small slump, going 1-for-5, but ended up leaving 5 runners stranded.
Attendance
16,605 (Kauffman Stadium)
Game 16: Tribe routs Twins 8-1
April 22, 2010
Cleveland @ Minnesota (Game 3 of 3)
Summary
The Twins failed to sweep the series as the Indians teed off on Scott Baker for six runs off 10 hits on way to an 8-1 victory over Minnesota.
Pitching
Scott Baker got off to a rough start as the Tribe would get on the board with back-to-back ground rule doubles in the first to take a 1-0 lead. Baker would give up a 2-run homer to Andy Marte in the fourth and left in the sixth after giving up three runs on five consecutive hits. Baker pitched 5.2 innings and struck out three while only walking one.
Alex Burnett came in for relief and got out of the sixth inning, but ran into problems in the seventh. Burnett loaded the bases with a double and two walks before being pulled from the game. Ron Mahay came in with the bases loaded and let two runs score off a sacrifice fly and a ground out. Matt Guerrier and Jon Rauch each pitched a flawless inning while picking up a strike out each.
Batting
The bats were asleep during the afternoon game with the Twins only pulling out a total of four hits. Drew Butera was the first Twin to get a hit on the afternoon for his first ever Major League hit. Justin Morneau would knock in the only run for the Twins in the fourth inning with a double that scored Orlando Hudson. Morneau got two hits for the Twins with Denard Span getting the other one.
Notes
Doubles would be a theme for the Indians who would hit six doubles, three of them ground rule doubles, during the afternoon. Drew Butera was given the ball that he hit and plans on giving it to his father, Sal Butera, who played with the Twins in the 1980s.
Attendance
38,810 (Target Field)
