Get Out the Broom (And Send King Condolences)
The Twins just finished sweeping Boston & breaking
King's heart. This was a tense, event-filled, well played game. Make sure & stop past SCSUScholars & offer King your condolences.
Jason Kubel, who was out all of last year after tearing the same three knee ligaments that Daunte tore, hit a homer for the third straight night. Of course, Tuesday night's was a walkoff, 12th inning grandslam that just cleared the baggie in right; last night's was a two run blast off the facing of the upper deck while tonight's was a solo shot to almost the same spot as Wednesday night's shot.
Carlos Silva pitched 6 shutout innings before leaving in the 7th with a cramp in his right hamstring. Juan Rincon retired the Red Sox with a strong performance in the seventh. Unfortunately, he gave up a leadoff hit in the eighth, when the Red Sox scored their fourth & fifth runs of the series. Twins closer Joe Nathan eventually got the Red Sox out, coaxing pinchhitter Jason Varitek to foul out to end the inning.
The Twins came right back in the bottom of the eighth. Michael Cuddyer singled to center, which brought Justin Morneau to the plate and sent Julian Tavarez to the showers for newly-acquired lefthander Javier Lopez. Lopez walked Morneau on four pitches. Torii Hunter, who'd been in a mini-slump, immediately greeted Lopez with a sharp single to right, scoring Cuddyer with what would turn out to be a big run.
Nathan returned to try & close the game out in the ninth without facing Ortiz & Ramirez again. After getting Mark Loretta on a comebacker to the mound & Kevin Youkilis on a foul popup, he gave up a hit to Alex Cora, who finished the night 3 for 4. Cora scored on a single by Ortiz, setting up Nathan's second matchup of the night with RBI machine Manny Ramirez. This time, Nathan battled him hard & finally struck him out with a knee high fastball that painted the inside corner.
Notes: Jason Bartlett ignited the offense, scoring twice & going 1 for 2 with a walk...Joe Mauer went 2 for 4 & only raised his average 2 points to .378...The Twins now travel to Pittsburgh & Houston for a pair of 3 game series before returning home...The Twins face National League teams the rest of June before returning to AL play against Kansas City in Kansas City.
The Twins might have a considerably different look by then. They traded Juan Castro today & optioned Tony Batista Wednesday. It'd take a miracle for Shannon Stewart to still be playing in a Twins uniform a month from now. Ditto with DH Rondell White & RHP Kyle Lohse.
Posted Thursday, June 15, 2006 9:50 PM
May 2006 Posts
No comments.
Jason Kubel, who was out all of last year after tearing the same three knee ligaments that Daunte tore, hit a homer for the third straight night. Of course, Tuesday night's was a walkoff, 12th inning grandslam that just cleared the baggie in right; last night's was a two run blast off the facing of the upper deck while tonight's was a solo shot to almost the same spot as Wednesday night's shot.
Carlos Silva pitched 6 shutout innings before leaving in the 7th with a cramp in his right hamstring. Juan Rincon retired the Red Sox with a strong performance in the seventh. Unfortunately, he gave up a leadoff hit in the eighth, when the Red Sox scored their fourth & fifth runs of the series. Twins closer Joe Nathan eventually got the Red Sox out, coaxing pinchhitter Jason Varitek to foul out to end the inning.
The Twins came right back in the bottom of the eighth. Michael Cuddyer singled to center, which brought Justin Morneau to the plate and sent Julian Tavarez to the showers for newly-acquired lefthander Javier Lopez. Lopez walked Morneau on four pitches. Torii Hunter, who'd been in a mini-slump, immediately greeted Lopez with a sharp single to right, scoring Cuddyer with what would turn out to be a big run.
Nathan returned to try & close the game out in the ninth without facing Ortiz & Ramirez again. After getting Mark Loretta on a comebacker to the mound & Kevin Youkilis on a foul popup, he gave up a hit to Alex Cora, who finished the night 3 for 4. Cora scored on a single by Ortiz, setting up Nathan's second matchup of the night with RBI machine Manny Ramirez. This time, Nathan battled him hard & finally struck him out with a knee high fastball that painted the inside corner.
Notes: Jason Bartlett ignited the offense, scoring twice & going 1 for 2 with a walk...Joe Mauer went 2 for 4 & only raised his average 2 points to .378...The Twins now travel to Pittsburgh & Houston for a pair of 3 game series before returning home...The Twins face National League teams the rest of June before returning to AL play against Kansas City in Kansas City.
The Twins might have a considerably different look by then. They traded Juan Castro today & optioned Tony Batista Wednesday. It'd take a miracle for Shannon Stewart to still be playing in a Twins uniform a month from now. Ditto with DH Rondell White & RHP Kyle Lohse.
Posted Thursday, June 15, 2006 9:50 PM
May 2006 Posts
No comments.
