Twins Notes

Published: Jun 24, 2009 7:05 AM

The Twins won the opening game of their series against the NL Central leading Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday. All 7 of their runs came in the first 3 innings, and were helped considerably by Milwaukee errors and miscues in the field.

Francisco Liriano's struggles continued. He got the win, but struggled to get through 5 innings with 117 pitches thrown. He allowed 7 hits and 5 walks to Brewer hitters. He came up with big inning-ending strikeouts in the 4th and 5th innings, which prevented what could have been more damage.

Twins make pointless bullpen move

Published: Jun 22, 2009 11:14 PM

The Twins on Monday designated RHP Luis Ayala for assignment and called up 27 year-old RHP Bobby Keppel from AAA Rochester. In the grand scheme of things, the move is probably pointless. They've basically swapped one bad pitcher for another one. Still, the move raises a few questions in my mind.

I'm not sure what the Twins were expecting when they signed Ayala to a 1-year $1.3 million contract in the offseason. His numbers this year have been almost perfectly in line with his career marks, but apparently Bill Smith and Company have decided that's not what they're looking for. If they expected the 31-year old to somehow defy numbers posted in over 350 career big league innings, they're absolutely insane.

Finding Encouragement in Liriano's Start

Published: Jun 18, 2009 7:04 AM

The Pittsburgh Pirates turned the tables on the Twins Wednesday night. One night after they lost 8-2, they beat the Twins by the same score. 5 of their 8 runs came by way of the homerun. For a team that entered the game tied for last in baseball in home runs (37), getting 3 in one night is an unusual accomplishment.

Francisco Liriano allowed 2 of the home runs and took his eighth loss of the season. However, there were some encouraging signs from the start. Liriano had allowed 34 walks in his 13 previous starts this season, which is above his career average. On Tuesday he allowed just 1 walk and didn't get deep into counts with as many hitters. In fact, he was able to get through 7 innings of pitching for just the 3rd time all season, and first time sine May 4th.

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Roster Updates

Published: Jun 17, 2009 7:00 AM

The Twins have been shuffling things around a bit the past few days as they deal with injuries and struggling players. Here's a rundown of what's happened.

On Friday the Twins activated Nick Punto from the DL and optioned Alexi Casilla to AAA to make room. It was the second time this season that Casilla has been demoted.

On Saturday the Twins optioned Anthony Swarzak to AAA right after his 7 shutout innings against the Cubs. The Twins recalled catcher Jose Morales to take his place. With several hitters on the DL and the fact that Joe Mauer is often being used as DH on his offdays, Ron Gardenhire wanted to have a 3rd catcher. The move brought the Twins' pitchers down to just 11. Morales has not played in either of the 2 games since being recalled.

The Young, Cuddyer, Kubel Outfield

Published: Jun 11, 2009 7:05 AM

The Twins won their second consecutive game against the Oakland Athletics thanks to a 9th inning comeback sparked by the bottom of the Twins' lineup. The inning started with the score tied 3-3 and a Joe Crede triple. 2 singles, 2 walks and 2 wild pitches later the Twins had a 3-run lead with Alexi Casilla (pinch runner for Crede), Delmon Young and Matt Tolbert all scoring.

Jason Kubel had hit a pinch-hit home run for Carlos Gomez in the eighth inning to tie the game. With Denard Span out of the game with illness, it made for an interesting defensive alignment in the final two innings. Delmon Young started the game in LF. Michael Cuddyer had started the game in RF, and was moved over to CF to replace Gomez defensively. Kubel played in RF. Could that possibly be the worst defensive OF the Twins have ever put on the field?

Great until the 9th

Published: Jun 10, 2009 7:08 AM

Just about everything went right for the Twins on Tuesday night against the Oakland Athletics...until the 9th inning. The Twins scored 10 runs and Scott Baker had allowed just 2 hits and 0 walks through 8 innings. He came back out for the 9th inning, and things fell apart.

Baker loaded the bases with 2 hits and a walk with no outs. Jesse Crain was called upon to relieve him. Crain allowed a hit and a walk, then an Alexi Casilla error allowed another run to score. Crain wasn't able to retire a batter before Jose Mijares had to be called upon. Mijares struck out Jason Giambi, but then walked the next two batters.

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  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation I would liked to have seen Mauer bat with runners on 1st and 2nd there. Too bad he was moved to 3 and Tolbert made the last out. #twins
    Jun 10, 2009 at 1:33 AM

  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation Gardy wedged Tolbert into the 2-hole tonight. Perhaps just trying to mix things up? That's the only explanation that makes sense #twins
    Jun 10, 2009 at 1:23 AM

  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation #twins end Ichiro's hit streak at 27 and manage to get back to a .500 record with a win.
    Jun 6, 2009 at 4:18 AM

  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation At least Detroit, Chicago and KC all lost tonight too. #weakALCentral
    Jun 4, 2009 at 3:19 AM

  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation RT @TwinsTerritory: See the seats and some other new cool pictures at this Flickr page: http://bit.ly/RB0Po
    Jun 3, 2009 at 9:08 PM

  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation New twins logo for 2010? http://bit.ly/JOXe6 #mntwins
    May 27, 2009 at 9:17 PM

  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation Blackburn has a personal season high 7 strikeouts (so far) tonight. #twins
    May 27, 2009 at 0:59 AM

  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation Morneau 3-run homer. Twins up 5-1. I can't remember that last time I felt so good about the Twins offense. Can you? #twins
    May 27, 2009 at 0:51 AM

  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation Poor Delmon. He finally makes good contact and Ellsbury makes a great diving catch.
    May 27, 2009 at 0:50 AM

  • TwinsTerritory profile picture TwinsTerritory @mntwinsnation He is exactly what I like to see out of a leadoff hitter with his ability to work a count.
    May 26, 2009 at 11:42 PM

  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation @TwinsTerritory Yeah..he can hit, draw a walk and has great speed. I'm not sure what else Stevey wants in a leadoff hitter.
    May 26, 2009 at 11:40 PM

  • TwinsTerritory profile picture TwinsTerritory @mntwinsnation That Steve Phillips thing baffled me. Saying he is a number seven hitter? His numbers are better if not the same as Ellsbury.
    May 26, 2009 at 11:31 PM

  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation Denard Span works a walk after a 1-2 count...and Steve Phillips said he wasn't a good leadoff hitter.
    May 26, 2009 at 11:29 PM

  • TwinsTerritory profile picture TwinsTerritory @mntwinsnation Awesome stat. What he's doing right now is incredible.
    May 26, 2009 at 1:12 AM

  • mntwinsnation profile picture mntwinsnation Joe Mauer would have to go 0 for his next 40 to drop his batting average below .300 #twins
    May 26, 2009 at 0:16 AM

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