Tagged: Twins
Trying for the brooms: Twins vs. Tigers 9/2
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins will try to capture their sixth series sweep of the season tonight when they close out their three-game set with the Tigers.
It’s pretty quiet out here at the ballpark today in terms of media. Of course, that likely has a lot to do with the fact that the Twins and Vikings are playing at the same time — marking the first time that’s likely happened in the two teams history since for most of the last 50 years they shared facilities. The University of Minnesota Gophers are also playing tonight, although they are on the road to face Middle Tennessee State. And tonight is also the high school football opener for many schools. Certainly a lot of sports in the Twin Cities tonight.
The Twins will be facing Justin Verlander, who is 1-1 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts vs. MIN this year.
Below is one great stat thanks to Dustin Morse, the Twins manager of baseball communications. You can follow him on twitter @Twins_morsecode
Joe Mauer is career .357 hitter off Detroit’s
Justin Verlander…for Mauer, Verlander is the only pitcher he has hit 3
home runs against.
INJURY UPDATES:
Jason Kubel’s left wrist is still sore and swollen. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Kubel will likely undergo further testing on the wrist due to the soreness he’s still experiencing.
Orlando Hudson’s right foot is feeling better and he was out taking part in all of batting practice with the team, but Gardenhire said he’s still a day away. Brian Fuentes’ back is feeling better but he’s still likely a couple days away.
Jim Thome could possibly be back as the DH on Friday. He took swings out on the field during BP and said his back was feeling better as well.
Tigers (65-68)
Austin Jackson, CF
Will Rhymes, 2B
Johnny Damon, DH
Miguel
Cabrera, 1B
Brennan Boesch, RF
Jhonny Peralta, 3B
Don Kelly, LF
Alex Avila, C
Ramon Santiago,
SS
Pitching: RHP Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.58 ERA)
Twins
(77-56)
Denard Span, CF
Alexi Casilla, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon
Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Jose Morales, DH
Jason Repko, RF
J.J.
Hardy,
SS
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker
(12-9, 4.55 ERA)
A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Liriano tries to shut down Detroit: Twins vs. Tigers 9/1
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS — It’s September and scoreboard watching now will become a daily occurrence. But tonight, the Twins already know what they need to do.
The White Sox closed out their series with the Indians this afternoon with a 6-4 win thanks to Paul Konerko’s three-run homer in the eighth inning. That means that the Twins’ lead in the AL Central currently stands at 3 1/2 games and they need a win tonight over the Tigers to bring that back to four games.
Pre-game for the Twins today was injury central and perhaps the key phrase of manager Ron Gardenhire’s session was “day-to-day”. Jim Thome was originally in the lineup as the Twins DH but he was scratched and replaced by Jose Morales. Thome’s back was feeling OK when he took some early swings, but it tightened up on him when he tried to run on the field. So he’s still considered day-to-day.
Orlando Hudson had an MRI on his right ankle. It showed some inflammation and a little swelling in the ankle, but “nothing big” according to Gardenhire. Hudson is taking some medication to help with the inflammation and he’s also considered day-to-day.
Jason Kubel was icing his left wrist in the clubhouse. He said that the swelling has gone down and his wrist is feeling better after getting by a pitch. But he won’t take any swings today and it will be a couple days before he’s ready to return.
Brian Fuentes said that his back was feeling better but he’s still waiting for the medicine to really kick in. So he likely will be a couple days as well. And I bet you can guess that he’s also “day-to-day”
Also, I blogged it earlier but the Twins finalized their trade for Fuentes by sending right-hander Loek Van Mil to the Angels. Van Mil, 25, had been designated for assignment on Saturday to make room for Fuentes on the 40-man roster.
Tigers (65-67)
Austin Jackson, CF
Will Rhymes, 2B
Casper Wells, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Jhonny Peralta, DH
Brandon Inge, 3B
Ramon Santiago, SS
Brennan Boesch, RF
Gerald Laird, C
Pitching: RHP Max Scherzer (10-9, 3.60 ERA)
Twins
(76-56)
Denard Span, CF
Alexi Casilla, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon
Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Jose Morales, DH
Jason Repko, RF
J.J. Hardy,
SS
Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano
(12-7, 3.41 ERA)
A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Van Mil to Angels to finalize Fuentes trade
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS –The Twins sent right-hander Loek Van Mil to the Angels on Wednesday, finalizing their trade for left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes.
The Twins had until Oct. 15 to send the Angels a player to be named or cash. Typically in that type of trade, a club gives up a mid-level prospect and Van Mil falls into that category.
Van Mil, 25, had been designated for assignment on Saturday to make room for Fuentes on the 40-man roster.
The 7-foot-1 pitcher was 1-2 with a 6.37 ERA in 23 games for Double-A New Britain this season after beginning the year with Class A Fort Myers, where he went 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three outings. Van Mil also was invited to the Twins Major League Spring Training prior to this year, but soreness in his shoulder prevented him from being able to take part in most of the drills. And while Van Mil was considered to have a strong arm, injuries have hampered his development since the Twins signed him as a non-drafted free agent in 2005.
Bring on the lefties: Twins at Rangers 8/25
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
ARLINGTON — The Twins added a lefty to their bullpen on Wednesday, claiming left-hander Randy Flores off waivers from the Rockies.
Flores was 2-0 with a 2.96 ERA in 47 games with Colorado this season. He was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Friday. Opponents are hitting just .224 off of Flores this season, but he has allowed 22 hits
and 13 walks in 47 appearances.
To make room for Flores on the 40-man roster, the Twins transferred left-hander Ron Mahay to the 60-day disabled list. Flores isn’t expected to join the Twins in time for Wednesday night’s game so a corresponding roster move to put Flores on the 25-man roster will be made after the contest. It’s likely that reliever Anthony Slama will be headed back to Triple-A Rochester.
The Twins are set to face left-hander C.J. Wilson tonight. It’s the first of four left-handed starters the club will see in the next five games — Cliff Lee on Thurs., Mariners’ lefty Jason Varags on Fri and Luke French on Sun.
Jim Thome had originally been slotted as the DH in tonight’s contest but he’s still sore after getting hit with a 97 mph fastball from Rangers closer Neftali Feliz in the ninth inning on Tuesday. Thome said he tried to run this afternoon and his leg was just too sore. So Jason Kubel will DH and Jason Repko is playing right field tonight.
Twins
(72-54)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon Young, LF
Jason Kubel, DH
Danny Valencia, 3B
Jason Repko, RF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Pitching: LHP Brian Duensing
(7-1, 1.92 ERA)
Rangers
(71-54)
Elvis Andrus, SS
Michael Young, 3B
Josh Hamilton, LF
Vladimir
Guerrero, DH
Bengie Molina, C
Mitch Moreland, RF
Jorge Cantu, 1B
Andres Blanco, 2B
Julio Borbon, CF
Pitching: LHP C.J. Wilson (12-5, 3.02 ERA)
A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
A little mustache magic? — Twins at Rangers 8/24
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
ARLINGTON — After nearly getting no-hit by the Rangers pitching staff on Monday night, the Twins will try to see if they can get the bats going at the Ballpark in Arlington tonight against right-hander Colby Lewis.
With Carl Pavano on the mound, Drew Butera is catching tonight and Joe Mauer is in the DH slot. That leaves Jim Thome on the bench. Thome is 4-for-6 with a home run off Lewis in his career. Still, there are very few numbers against Lewis. The only other that stands out is Orlando Hudson who is 4-for-7 off the right-hander.
Twins
(72-53)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, DH
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon Young,
LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Alexi Casilla, SS
Drew Butera
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano
(15-8, 3.52 ERA)
Rangers
(70-54)
Elvis Andrus, SS
Michael Young, 3B
Josh Hamilton, LF
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
David Murphy, RF
Bengie Molina, C
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Andres Blanco, 2B
Julio Borbon, CF
Pitching: RHP Colby Lewis (9-10, 3.37 ERA)
A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Bring on the Heat: Twins at Rangers 8/23
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
ARLINGTON — There is only one way to describe the weather here in Texas — HOT.
As you can see in the picture, when I drove to the ballpark today the temperature in my rental car read 110 degrees. So yes, it will be a steamy one tonight when the Twins square off against the AL West-leading Rangers.
The Twins did not get good news from the MRI on Ron Mahay’s right shoulder today. Mahay has a torn rotator cuff that he suffered in the awkward fall he took in Saturday’s game when the lefty stumbled off the mound trying to field a squibbler in the infield. It’s not Mahay’s pitching shoulder but he could need surgery to fix the problem and that means his 2010 season may be over. The Twins are still determining their next course of action for Mahay.
Better news for the team when it comes to Kevin Slowey, who just has a mild strain of the triceps muscle in his right arm. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that the MRI on Slowey’s right triceps didn’t show too bad of a strain so that’s positive news. But they’ll take their time with Slowey’s recovery as they’ve got two weeks while he’s on the DL.
Here are the lineups:
Twins
(72-52)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon Young,
LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
J.J. Hardy, SS
Pitching: RHP Nick Blackburn
(7-7, 6.66 ERA)
Rangers (69-54)
Elvis Andrus, SS
Michael Young, 3B
Josh Hamilton, LF
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
David Murphy, RF
Matt Treanor, C
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Andres Blanco, 2B
Julio Borbon, CF
Pitching: RHP Rich Harden (4-4, 5.45 ERA)
A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Sunday night baseball: Twins vs. Angels 8/22
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
Angels (62-62)
Bobby Abreu, LF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Torii
Hunter, RF
Hideki Matsui, DH
Erick Aybar, SS
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jeff Mathis, C
Peter Bourjos, CF
Pitching: RHP Jered Weaver (11-8, 3.11 ERA)
Twins
(71-52)
Jason Repko, CF
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Jason
Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon
Young,
LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Alexi Casilla, SS
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker
(10-9, 4.85 ERA)
A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Torii and Target Field: Twins vs. Angels 8/20
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS — There are only 41 games remaining in the regular season but the Angels are making their first ever trip to Target Field.
So this is Torii Hunter’s first glimpse at the new ballpark and he sure is loving it.
I’ll have more on that later on the site. For now, here are the lineups.
Angels (61-61)
Bobby Abreu, DH
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Torii Hunter, RF
Juan Rivera, LF
Mike Napoli, C
Erick Aybar, SS
Brandon Wood, 3B
Peter Bourjos, CF
Pitching: RHP Dan Haren (1-3, 3.44 ERA)
Twins
(70-51)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Jason
Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon
Young,
LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
J.J. Hardy, SS
Pitching: LHP Brian Duensing
(6-1, 2.00 ERA)
A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Punto to the DL; Tolbert recalled
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS — Twins infielder Nick Punto has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring and the club has recalled infielder Matt Tolbert from Triple-A Rochester to take his spot on the roster.
The move comes just three days after Punto came off the DL for the same injury.
Punto re-injured his hamstring during Thursday night’s game against the White Sox. It initially appeared that Punto dived into second base while trying to break up a double play. But manager Ron Gardenhire said after the game that Punto didn’t actually attempt a dive but rather fell into the base after he “blew out” the muscle while running to second base.
Tolbert is batting .283 in 42 games with the Red Wings. In 23 games with
the Twins this season, Tolbert is batting .217.
Going for the sweep: Twins vs. White Sox 8/19
By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS –The Twins will try for their sixth sweep of the season on Thursday night when they close out this three-game set with the White Sox.
The Twins have won 21 of their last 27 games against Chicago. Wednesday night’s win pushed the the Twins’ lead in the American League Central to a season-high five games and a victory tonight would certainly give them a big cushion over the White Sox with 41 games remaining in the season.
Drew Butera is catching tonight with Carl Pavano on the mound. Joe Mauer, who hit his first HR at Target Field last night, is the team’s DH.
White Sox
(65-53)
Juan Pierre, LF
Omar Vizquel, 3B
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Mark Teahen, RF
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Mark Kotsay, DH
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Gordon Beckham, 2B
Pitching: LHP Mark Buehrle (11-9, 4.05 ERA)
Twins
(70-50)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, DH
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon Young,
LF
Jason
Kubel, RF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Nick Punto, SS
Drew Butera, C
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano
(15-7, 3.27 ERA)
A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter @kellythesier
Kelly's Corner 