Midwest All-stars join Miracle for 2nd half of season

The Fort Myers Miracle received some reinforcements early from Beloit in the form of 3 position players and a reliever.

All-stars infielders Greg Olson (.247, 5 home runs, 27 RBIs and 10 stolen bases) and Steve Singleton (.302 average, 37 runs, six home runs and 32 RBIs), catcher Danny Lehmann (.240 average, 13 runs, 4 doubles and 9 walks) and reliever Matt Williams (2-0, 2.09 ERA, 38.3 innings pitched and 42 strike outs) are all headed to Fort Myers.

In addition, pitchers Danny Berlind and Brad Tippett were send down to Extended Spring Training. Both will likely spend the second half of the season in Elizabethton.

To replace the outgoing Snappers for the All-star game, shortstop Chris Cates, reliever Loek Van Mil and catcher Jair Fernandez were all added to the Midwest League All-star roster.

The addition of Lehmann, a catcher, means that Wilson Ramos is likely headed to AA New Britain, although no official announcement as been made at this time.

This will be Williams second stint with the Miracle as he was here briefly in the 2005 season as part of a late season call up from the Gulf Coast league. He appeared in only one game at the time, and pitched 2 innings.

Star Tribune writer LEN3 reported in his blog that starter Jeff Manship, 2nd baseman Brian Dinkelman, 3rd baseman Danny Valencia and either closer Rob Delaney or Anthony Slama, but not both, would be headed to New Britain. Rocky Palacios was promoted to fill the spot vacated by Jeff Christy who headed to AAA Rochster to replace the injured Jose Morales on the AAA roster.

It appears now that Palacios will be switched out with Ramos and Lehmann will get the bulk of the work behind the plate. *

An eighth round pick, 272nd overall, in the 2007 draft, Lehmann spent 2007 with the Elizabethton Twins. He is the nephew of TV personality Dog the Bounty Hunter.

The new players will join the Miracle in time for their road trip to Dunedin to face the Blue Jays. It is likely that pitcher Matt Fox will come out of the bullpen to take over the starting position vacated by Manship. Fox worked part of the 2007 season as a starter for the Beloit team that progressed to the Midwest League Championship series.

---

*As of Monday morning, the Rock Cats are reporting that Manship, Dinkelman, Valencia and Delaney are going up and that Oswaldo Sosa and Jay Rainville are being re-assigned to Fort Myers.

From the Rock Cats Press Release:

RHP Jay Rainville, a 22-year-old native of Providence, RI, has been reassigned to Ft. Myers in the Florida State League. The Minnesota Twins' 2nd Round selection out of Rhode Island's Bishop Hendricken High in the 2004 Draft, the 6'2"/235-pound Rainville made 13 starts for the 2008 Rock Cats. He departs for Florida with a 5-6 record and 7.00 ERA.

RHP Oswaldo Sosa, a 22-year-old native of Tovar, Venezuela, has also been reassigned to Ft. Myers in the Single-A, Florida State League. A member of the Twins' 40-Man Major League Roster, Sosa was signed by Minnesota as a non-drafted free agent in July of 2002. The 6'4"/225-pound Sosa made 13 starts for the 2008 Rock Cats, compiling a 2-5 record and 5.81 ERA.

RHP Robert Delaney, a 23-year-old resident of River Vale, NJ, joins the Rock Cats from Ft. Myers in the FSL. Signed in June of 2006 as a non-drafted free agent out of St. John's University, the 6'3"/233-pound Delaney was one of the top Closers over the first half of the 2008 Florida State League. In 23 Ft. Myers appearances, Delaney amassed 13 Saves - tied for 2nd in the League - to go along with a 1-2 record and 1.42 ERA. His K/BB ratio was an impressive 34/4.

---

Former Miracle Scott Baker recorded a rare feat Sunday afternoon in his start against the Milwaukee Brewers. Baker struck out four batters in the 3rd inning of the game.

He would get Ryan Braun to strike out swinging for the first out of the inning. Prince Fielder then struck out swinging as well, but reached first base on the dropped catch of a wild pitch. Baker then went on to strike out Russell Branyan and Mike Cameron to end the inning.

It is the first time a Twins pitcher as ever accomplished the feat. He is also the first American league pitcher to do it since Kazhuiro Sasaki struck out four in an inning on April 4, 2003 while pitching for the Mariners.

Dodger Brad Penny was the last major leaguer to strike out four in an inning when he did so on September 23, 2006 in the second inning of a contest against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Despite Baker's heroics, the Minnesota Twins fell 4-2 to the Brewers. The Twins could only manage four hits in the game in support of Baker, who allowed 3 runs on 7 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 9 over six innings. (Press Release)

Snappers
Strib Minor League report
Toby Gardenhire

Photos from Monday's EST Game

Click HERE for pictures of Scott Baker on the mound, plus Nick Punto and some assorted Minor Leaguers from Monday's Extended Spring Training game at the Lee County Sportsplex.

I didn't have the right film with me, so the second roll didn't turn out as well as I'd have liked.

For more pictures from extended spring training, please visit gcltwins.com/photos.html

Baker's 3rd inning

Also Nick Punto's second at bat.

Baker's not quite half-dozen

GCL Pirates 8 at GCL Twins 1

I am not a big fan of extended spring training games in general, and rehab games in particular. Hosting a pitcher on rehab isn't bad, it's the batters that get to me. Winning or losing or even how you play the game is not the point. The point is getting the work in for the individual that is rehabbing, so that he'll get back up to the Twins as soon as possible.

Scott Baker pitched the first five innings of Monday's Annual Memorial Day Game (with Terry Ryan). He pitched very well and was a pleasure to watch, from the first strike out to the last line out. He allowed one run a pair of wind-fed doubles in the fifth inning, but was otherwise solid, allowing four hits and at least 3 strike outs (I missed two outs in the second inning as I was messing with the camera.)

Baker is expected to make one more minor league start, most likely on Saturday. As the Fort Myers Miracle are in Tampa, I'm going to guess it's not going be with the Twins High A Affiliate. As the GCL boys are in Bradenton on Saturday, I'm guessing it's not going to be with them either.

Most likely Baker's next start will be at Frontier Field in Rochester on Saturday.

Baker's performance was heartening from a Twins fan perspective. After Saturday's 19-3 loss to the Tigers including Bonsor's 9 run, 7 hit performance, it's clear the Twins need Baker back A.S.A.P.

The less then happy side of today's game was Nick Punto's six at bats, in which we had four fly outs, one double play and one strike out. Punto did play second base through the first six innings as well, and his defense was not part of the problem. He still has a ways to go though, and will be sticking around the Lee County Sportsplex at least for a little while longer according to Terry Ryan who said "He's not ready".

And given that the idea was to get little Nicky Punto as many at bats as possible, it was a little hard for the regular GCL boys to get anything going with the batting order disrupted.

As a result, the Twins did not get onto the board until the 9th inning, when Anderson Hidalgo doubled, then came home on a failed double play that took out Andres Diaz at second base. After tagging the base for the first out, the Pirates shortstop threw the ball into Diaz - an accident - but I'm sure that didn't make Andres feel any better. It's tough to see a player get injured anytime, but it's doubley so when his parents are watching.

Curtis Leavitt would take over from Baker and would work the 6th and 7th innings. He faired well enough in the seventh, although I had made my way over to the first base side to talk to my buddies.

"Hey, where are you going?" Ryan asks me.

"I occasionally like to go to the English speaking side of the park so I can have a conversation," I explain.

And Winston Marquez wasn't around to translate for me today, as he suffered an ACL tear and will be headed up to Minnesota for surgery. He is done for the season.

It was in the 8th with two outs that Leavitt got into trouble allowing 4 hits, including a double and a triple and a walk for five runs - all earned. I was considering whining to Jake to please, please, please roll the inning, when Leavitt finally got the last out, striking the batter out looking.

Chris Anderson, the new little lefty from New Hampshire, worked the 8th inning, allowing only 1 base hit and striking out 1. Lee Martin pitched the ninth. The first batter would reach on a fielding error (E6) and the second Pirates' boy would put one over the fence.

Note that the Pirates had new uniforms which did not have their names on the back and as I do not have a roster for them I have no idea who was who on their team. He would also allow a single before getting the fourth batter he face to hit into a double play and the final out on an outfield fly.

As for our guys, Jeanfred Brito was 0-for-4, James Beresford was 0-for-2, and reached on a throwing error in the fifth inning. Angel Morales was 0-for-2 with a walk and a pair of strike outs, Danny Rams was 0-for-3, Hidalgo was 2-for-2 with a double, Alex Soto was 0-for-1 with a walk, Hyun-Wook Choi (the outfielding Choi - we have two) was 0-for-2 with a walk and Reggie Williams was 1-for 2.

And Eli Tintor...well...Eli was our new first baseman and he went 1-for-3 with one strike out. He hit into a very controversial triple play in the bottom of the the fifth, fueled by a terrible call by the umpire, who made several questionable calls in the game. I also got my first look at Tim Atherson, the new Aussie infielder, who was 0-for-1. He would be hit by a pitch in the 6th inning. Nick Papasan would take a walk for him in the 8th.

So while we didn't win, and the game was certainly a let down from that aspect, we did get a good outing from Baker, so I'll take the positive from the experience.

Hurry back Scotty, Minnesota needs you!

Video of Baker's third inning is currently uploading and will be available a little later today. Photos are also in the works. We are very multi-media friendly around here.

Liriano, Wings snap skid

Buffalo 2 at Rochester 3

W: R. Barrett (2-2, 2.53); L: B. Buzachero (1-2, 4.91); SV: D. Graves (1)
HR: ROC: R. Ruiz (2).

The Rochester Red wins finally snapped their losing skid, rallying past the Buffalo Bisons to win 3-2 in front of a home town crowd at Frontier Field.

The Wings got on the board first, in the bottom of the second inning, courtesy of Randy Ruiz's second home run of the season.

Buffalo would get to Francisco Liriano in the fifth when former Twins farm hand Jason Tyner singled on a bunt, then advanced to 2nd when Liriano thew the ball into the first base dugout. Wyatt Toregas doubled out to left to score Tyner. Following a Josh Barfield fly out, Danny Sandoval would drive Toregas in with a ground ball to center. Sandoval would make things interesting by stealing 2nd and progressing to 3rd on a wild pitch by Liriano, but Michael Aubrey ground out to end the inning before further damage could be done.

Liriano would give up the 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5 over six innings for a quality start. I don't think he's ready for Minny quite yet, but he's getting closer.

Darnell McDonald drew a walk in the bottom of the sixth, then moved to 3rd on Brian Buscher's line drive single to Bronson Sardinha in right. Ruiz would then sacrifice McDonald in to tie up the game.

With Bubbie Buzachero on the hill for the Cleveland farm in the bottom of the 7th, Jose Morales singled his way onto the bags. Howie Clark then tripled him in. Clark would try to go home on the play, but was take out at the plate. Still it was a good piece of work for the game winning run. Despite a Denard Span double one out later, the Wings couldn't find the insurance marker, but the Rochester bull pen did the trick.

Ricky Barnett picked up his 2nd win of the season, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 1 over 2 innings. Newly promoted closer Danny Graves picked up his first save at the Triple-A level, blanking the Bisons over the ninth inning.

Morales was 2-for-3 with a run, Buscher was 2-for-4 with a double.

The teams rematch on Sunday at 1:35 for a Mother's Day Special including a post game "Catch with Mom" in the outfield. The first 1,000 kids 14 & under also score a free baseball from Basch & Nicerson.

The Wings will be wearing pink jerseys to raise awareness for Breast Canter with the proceeds of a silent auction for the game worn apparel going to benefit the Pluta Cancer Center.

Boxscore
Log
Red Wings
Bisons
R News
B-News


Before the game, former Miracle infielder Alexi Casilla was told that he was called up to the Minnesota Twins and pulled from the lineup. Chris Basak replaced him.

Fort Myers native Tommy Watkins came up slowly in his second inning at-bat after he legged out an infield hit and dove for first. He stayed in the field but was replaced by Howie Clark for his next at-bat in the fifth inning because he jammed his left thumb and couldn't hold a bat.



Boston 5 at Minnesota 2

Speaking of Minny, former Miracle Glen Perkins allowed 3 runs (earned) on 9 hits while striking out 3 over six inning, but still suffered the loss as the Twins fell, 5-2 to the Red Sox.

Carlos Gomez drew a walk with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 2nd that forced in a run. Justin Morneau would single into center in the bottom of the fifth to plate Matt Tolbert.

Inspired by Kevin Slowey's performance earlier in the week, Perkins would allow back-to-back home runs to Cocoa Crisp and Jed Lowrie in the top of the 7th inning before being replaced by Dennys Reyes. Perkins allowed a solo shot home run in the bottom of the 2nd to Kevin Youkillis as well.

Boxscore
Log
Twins
PiPress
Strib

Miracle take game one from Mets

Fort Myers 7 at St. Lucie 2

W: D. Guerra (3-1, 4.32); L: D. Gee (2-3, 4.54); SV: M. Fox (1)
HR: FTM: W. Ramos (2), W. Robbins (2).

Deolis Guerra held his former teammates to only 5 hits over 6 innings, giving up 2 runs and striking out 1, while Wilson Ramos and Whit Robbins both hit their second home runs of the season as the Miracle overcame the Mets 7-2.

St. Lucie got on the board first, when Luis Rivera doubled, then was brought home on Lucas Duda's double. A Joshua Petersen single served to score Duda, giving the Mets an early 2 runs lead.

But it was short lived though. With 2 outs on the board in the top of the 2nd, Ramos singled his way onto the bags. Robbins double moved him to 3rd, and Juan Portes fly ball to center brought the pair home to tie up the game.

Met's starter Dillon Gee would surrender two more runs in the fifth, although only one was earned. Back-to-back-to back singles by Portes, Yancarlos Ortiz, and Brian Dinkelman loaded the bags. Rene Tosoni would reach on a fielding error by Rivera, scoring Portes. After Danny Valencia was called out on strikes, Johnny Woodard sacrificed in Ortiz to make it 4-2 Miracle.

St. Lucie's Brandon Nall ran into to trouble in the top of the 8th. Edgar Alfonzo would hit Woodard with a pitch before he was lifted from the game in replace of Nall. Ramos and Robbins then hit back-to-back home runs one out later, to score 3 more runs.

Jose Lugo and Matt Fox would finish off the game for the Miracle, combining to allow only 1 run over the final 3 innings. Fox struck out 5, giving a very good accounting of himself despite a wild pitch in the 8th.

Portes would finish up 3-for-4 at the plate with 1 run and 2 RBIs, Ramos and Robbins were both 2-for-4 with 2 runs, Ramos with 2 RBIs, Robbins with 1. Dinkelman would go 3-for-5 at the top of the order.

The series continues tomorrow at Tradition Field with Alex Burnett (2-1, 2.28) getting the start against St Lucie's Nicholas Carr (0-3, 5.34). First pitch is set for 7:00 PM.

The Miracle return home Wednesday, May 14th when the Sarasota Reds will be in town for Island Night at Hammond Stadium.

Boxscore
Log
Miracle
News PRess
Breeze
TC Palm
NDN

Left handed pitcher Errol Simonitsch was added to the Miracle Roster Thursday from Extended Spring Training replacing Zach Day who was released on Tuesday. When I talked to him at Extended last weekend, he said it was not the same injury as the one he suffered last season that had him on the DL. He has pitched well in several outings during extended. The move is not unexpected, and although Simo did indicate he was quite sick of Florida already, he did allow that pitching for the Miracle would be nicer than throwing in Extended Spring Training as he continues his rehab. (NDN)




Minnesota 2 at Chi White Sox 6

WP: J. Danks (3-3), LP: K. Slowey (0-2)
HR: CHI: J. Dye (6), J. Uribe (3)

Kevin Slowey returned to the Minnesota mound, giving up 3 runs including 2 home runs on 4 hits while striking out 4 over 5 innings.

The Twins picked up a pair of runs in the second when former Miracle Matt Tolbert singled in Brendan Harris and Joe Mauer, another Fort Myers Alumni, singled in Adam Everett.

That would be all the Twins would get. Slowey kept them in the game, but the bull pen gave up three runs late to make the score 6-3 and prevent a Minnesota rally.

Mauer was 2-for-3 in the game, while Delmon Young was 2-for-4.

The Twins begin a four game series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, with Boof Bonsor (2-4, 4.29) going to the mound against Jon Lester (2-2, 3.94).

Boxscore
Log
Recap
Twins
PiPress
Strib

Former Miracle Pat Neshek left the game in the 9th inning with a postential serious right elbow strain. The injury occurred after Neshek had allowed a single to Jermaine Dye and struck out Nick Swisher to start the inning. But it was on a slider he threw to the third batter he faced, Joe Crede, that Neshek appeared to hurt his elbow. Neshek immediately grabbed his arm after making the pitch. He will see team physician Dr. Dan Buss on Friday and be re=evaluated at that point. (Twins)

New Britain scratches Bowie late

Bowie 6 at New Britain 7

Record 19 - 12 (2nd Place, Northern Division)

W: A. Gabino (3-1, 0.93); L: G. Casadiego (0-3, 4.95)
HR: BOW: F. Bynum (1). NBR: S. Tolleson (3).

There was very little action around the Twins Minor League system Wednesday, as Beloit and Fort Myers had off days, and Rochester's game was postponed by rain.

The Wings will play two games on Thursday, starting at 11:00 AM

Former Miracle Steve Tolleson hit a home run in the 8th inning that tied up the game between New Britain and Bowie, sending it into extra innings.

Tolleson would then single his way onto base in the 10th inning, move to 2nd on Dustin Martin's sac bunt, then steal 3rd. Brock Peterson's fly ball to right then drive in Tolleson for the game winner.

Bowie would get on the board first, with Breddie Bynum going yard off Anthony Swarzak in the first inning. New Britain took it back however as Luke Hughes extended his hitting streak to 16-games with a line drive single. Martin then singled as well. Hughes would move to 3rd on a wild pitch by Bowie starter David Hernandez. Peterson then doubled the pair in, to make it 2-1 Rock Cats.

Ryan Finan would single for Bowie in the top of the 4th, then come home on a Brian Peterson double, to tie up the game.

Carlos Rojas doubled to start the 5th, then moved to 3rd on a Mike Rodriguez sac-bunt. Luis Montanez singled him home. Following a pop out to Jeff Nettles, Nolan Reimold singled and Finan doubled to drive in 2, giving the Baysox a 3-run lead.

New Britain's Peterson would single in the bottom of the fifth, then move to 3rd on an Erik Lis double. Trevor Plouffe's ground out drove in Peterson, a fly-ball single to right off the bat of Felix Molina brought Lis across the plate.

With Danny Graves on the mound in the top of the 7th, Montanez singled with one out on the board, then stole 2nd. Reimold's double to left brought him in to give the Baltimore farm team a 2-run lead.

New Britain began their rally in the bottom of the 7th, when Lis singled, moved to 2nd on Trevor Plouffe's sac-bunt, 3rd on a Molina ground out, and passed the plate on Toby Gardenhires' fly ball single to right.

Hughes was 1-for-2 in the game, with 1 run before being replaced by Tolleson, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and 2 runs (including the home run) and 1 RBI. The reigning Eastern League Player of the Month fouled a ball off his foot in the 3rd inning, and left the game thereafter.

Lis was 3-for-3 at the plate with a walk and 2 runs, Martin was 2-for-4 with a run.

Peterson, a former Miracle 1stbaseman, provided much of the offense, going 4-for-6 with 1 run and 3 RBIs.

Swarzak was less than sharp on the mound, allowing 5 earned runs on 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3 over 4.2 innings. Armando Gabino picked up the win in relief, allowing only 2 hits over 2 innings.

Having won their last 9, the Rock Cats play early tomorrow to finish off the series against Bowie with a 10:35 AM educational day game before heading out on the road.

Boxscore
Log
Rock Cats
Baysox
Courant

Minnesota 13 at Chicago White Sox 1

WP: L. Hernandez (5-1) LP: M. Buehrle (1-4)
HR: MIN C. Gomez (2), CWS J. Dye (5)

One day after Gavin Floyd nearly no-hit the Twins, Livan Hernandez would nearly shut out the Chi Sox, allowing a home run in the 9th to Jermaine Dye to spoil his bid.

Carlos Gomez looked good at the plate for the Twins, going 4-for-6 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs and hitting for the cycle. The Twins pounded out 16 hits, with Craig Monroe, Justin Morneau and Mike Cuddyer all 2-for-5 through the heart of the order as was Nick Punto hitting last. Monroe had 2 runs, Morneau, Cuddyer and Punto a run each while Cuddyer drove in 1 and Punto drove in 5 (yes! five!)

Mike Redmond was 2-for-4 with a run and 3 RBIs.

Gomez, who appeared in 58 games for the Mets last season, homered in the first, tripled in the fifth, doubled in the sixth and singled in the 9th to complete the cyle - backwards it would seem.

The two teams rematch tomorrow with former Miracle Kevin Slowey (0-1, 8.10) making the start for Minnesota.

Boxscore
Log
Recap
PiPress
Strib

Rock Cats stay hot, Twins, Red Wings fall

Bowie 3 at New Britain 5

Record: 18 - 12 (Second place, Northern Division)

W: Z. Ward (2-0, 0.46); L: K. Mickolio (0-1, 3.50); SV: B. Julianel (6)
HR: None.

New Britain rallied back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Baltimore farm team 5-3 in New Britain.

Matt Moses as 2-for-3 at the plate with 1 run and 2 RBIs to lead the offense. Luke Hughes was 5-for-2, extending his hit streat to 15 games, with a walk. He struck out twice.

Drew Butera drew three walks during the game, and finished with a run and an RBI despite going 0-for-0 at the plate. Former Miracle Steve Tolleson was 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk.

Ryan Williams allowed 3 runs - all earned - on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6 over 6 innings. Zach Ward picked up the win in relief, his second of the season.

Moses doubled in the bottom of the 7th to drive in Brock Peterson for the game winning run. Moses would come hom on a wild pitch for the insurance marker.

Boxscore
Log
Rock Cats
Baysox
NB Herald

Rochester 1 at Columbus 3

Record 14 - 19 (5th place, North Division)

W: G. Mock (2-1, 3.77); L: R. Barrett (1-2, 2.79); SV: C. Schroder (3)
HR: COL: R. Olmedo (1).

The wing were clipped by the Clippers again, 3-1 after taking an early lead in the 3rd.

Chris Basak doubled, stole 2nd base and then scored on a Denard Span single to center for the load Red Wings run.

Span would go 3-for-4 at the plate with 1 RBI, former Miracle catcher Jose Morales was also 3-for-4 at the plate. Basak was 2-for-3 with a walk and 1 RBI.

Ricky Barrett suffered the lose, his 2nd of the season in relief of Phil Humber who lasted only 4 innings.

Boxscore
Log
Clippers
R&D

Minnesota 1 at Chicago White Sox 7

Record 16 - 15 (1st place, Central Division)

WP: G. Floyd (3-1) LP: N. Blackburn (2-2)
HR: CWS: J Dye (4)

Two former Fort Myers Miracle figured into the scoring in Tuesday's loss as Jason Kubel drove in Joe Mauer for Minnesota's lone run.

Another Fort Myers alumni, pitcher Nick Blackburn, gave up 4 runs (3 earned) on six hits and 3 walks while striking out 1 over 6. It was not a great outing for the former Miracle All-star, who has otherwise been pretty solid for the Twins.

To make matters worse, Gavin Floyd held the Twins to only 1 hit and 3 walks in the game.

The Twins will need to make a showing tonight if they want to hang on to first place. The Chi-Sox trail them by only 1 game after last night's loss.

Boxscore
Log
Recap
Strib
PiPress

Who was that masked man?

Did I see, or do I have any good pictures of, Carlos Gomez? I'm sure I saw him. I was watching outfielding drills. However, they were WAY out there in the outfield and I was up at the top of section 115 hoping for a bullpen session.

So unless he's the guy in the red sleeves - and there was a good deal of speculation on that point - I don't know. Put a warm up jacket on and you might as well be wearing mask as no one can see the numbers on your jersey and therefore, tell who you are.



Interestingly enough, there wasn't as much speculation on Kevin Mulvey, Deolis Guerra or Philips Humber, the other three players that came over in the Johan Santana trade. Nor did I, to the best of my knowledge, see any of them - at least at spring training.

I did see the other two candidates for the position...Jason Pridie, whose picture I posted yesterday, and Denard Span...



Span is the guy in the middle with his hands on his knees. I was keeping an eye on Span for several reasons, not the least of which was that he does have fans hoping he'll land the job this year.

Someone - maybe Gomez, maybe Span, maybe someone else - was making some nice saves during outfield drills. The problem with outfield drills being that their held in the outfield and unless you can catch the jersey numbers, it's too far away to figure out who is who.

And batting practice is, to my mind, pointless in trying to rate a hitter. He's facing a coach throwing balls that a batter is supposed to hit. I'd be more concerned about a guy that wasn't hitting during batting practice.

That means I likely won't have a good report on him until the Blue Jays game when I - hopefully - can see him in a game situation.

While I won't discount the battle for center, I'd say given his reputation, it will be Gomez's to lose.

The other two outfielding pics I have are Cuddy and Kubel mulling around in the "garden"...





The rest of the shots are on Photobucket or will be once I've finished editing them.

Spring Training Sunday

If you haven't been over to Hammond Stadium for Minnesota Twins spring training, you'll find some new trappings aside from the new seats and lights. Shade has been added over the SRO and Drink Rail area, and the stadium as had some bling-bling added:





Unlike the bling-bling on the Reds Stadium in Sarasota, I know what these numbers mean!



Owen doesn't, yet, but he's only three and getting read to start Bitty-Ball.



Twins Field Manager Ron Gardenhire was his usual jolly self. Here he was watching what turned out to be catching drills. Virtually everyone in the park left Justin Morneau alone to infielding drills to watch catching drills.



Not that Justin minded.



Jose Morales looks like he'll be the first catcher called up should an injury happen to either of Twins main catchers, Joe Mauer and Mike Redmond, but Eli Whiteside was gathering a lot of attention from the staff as well.



Australian catcher Allan De San Miguel will likely start the season in High A with the Fort Myers Miracle.



There was no bullpen session on Sunday (bummer) but here we see former Miracle Kevin Slowey taking fielding drills.



Newly acquired outfields Delmon Young...



and Jason Pridie await their turn for batting practice.

Spring Training was lightly attended on Sunday, but don't expect it to remain that way. The Twins open their Grapefruit League season on the road Thursday, February 28 in Sarasota against the Reds. The first home game is Friday night against the Boston Red Sox. Tickets to select games are still available at the Hammond Stadium box office, but games are selling out fast!

Tigres lock up winter league championship

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 9 at Lara 2

W: J. Silva (1-2, 3.18); L: G. Gonzalez (2-3, 4.19)
HR: None.

Boosted by late player additions, los Tigres de Aragua wrapped up their second straight Venezuelan Winter League Championship with a 9-2 trouncing of los Cardenales de Lara. It was the Tigres fourth championship in the last five years.

With one out in the top of the second inning, Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) and former Miracle Alex Romero (Arizona) hit back-to-back singles to get onto base. A Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) ground out and a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) single plated the pair giving Aragua its first two runs.

In the top of the sixth, an Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas) double lead to another run. Alfonzo moved to 3rd on a Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) ground out. Following a pair of walks to Romero and Maza, Cedeno singled to drive him in, making it 3-0, Tigres.

Jesus Silva (Florida) kept Lara off the board through five innings. Cesar Izturis (St Louis) doubled in the bottom of the inning, moved to 3rd on a Luis Ugueto (F/A) ground out, and scored on a Marco Scutaro ground out. A walk to Jose Lopez (Seattle) would bring Yohan Pino (Minnesota) up to the mound. Pino, who is recovering from bronchitis, did not appear to be on his game. He'd walk Robert Perez (F/A) to load the bags and allow a single to Selwyn Langaigne (F/A), however, Lopez would be taken out at home for the 3rd out.

Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) singled in the top of the 7th, then moved to second on a Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) sac bunt. Following a ground out to Alfonzo, Cabrera would be intentionally walked by Lara's Ivan Blanco (Seattle). A pitching change to Roger Luque (F/A) also saw Gimenez draw a walk, loading the bases. Martin Prado (Atlanta) would come into the game to pinch hit for Romero, and yet another pitching change saw Marcos Carvajal (Florida) take over the mound for Lara. Prada would triple to clear the bags, making it 6-1 Tigres.

Pino would stay in the game to start the bottom of the 7th, allowing a walk to Guillermo Rodriguez (San Francisco) before being removed in favor of Kevin Tolar (F/A). Tolar would put up two outs before allowing a double to Isturis what plated G-Rod, giving Lara their second run of the game.

An Alex Delgado (F/A) single and a walk to L-Rod paid dividends when Alfonzo doubled the pair in to tack two more runs onto the Cat's total.

Delgado would bring in Prado with a line drive in the top of the 9th to finish off the Tigre's scoring.

Cabrera was 0-for-3 with 2 walks and a run for the Cats. L-Rod was 0-for-4 with a walk and a run, Romero was 1-for-2 with a walk and a run, and Maza was 0-for-4. The last three were all former Twin prospects. Victor Moreno, currently with Baltimore, was also in the Twins system at one time, throwing 1.2 innings for Aragua and allowing a single during that period. Only Ugueto, 0-for-4 for Lara, represented a former Twin prospect on the Lara team.

The game finishes off the Caribbean Winter League season. I have received the minor league spring training schedule from Brad Steil in the Twins office, and will get that posted in the next day or so.

Boxscore
Log
MLB

The Twins traded lefty Johan Santana to the Mets for outfielding prospect Carlos Gomez and pitchers Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey. Minnesota will receive New York's Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 7 prospects, according to Baseball America's ranking.

Humber, a 25-year-old right-hander, has made one start and four relief appearances for the Mets during the past two years, and went 11-9 with a 4.27 ERA last season for Triple-A New Orleans. The 22-year-old Gomez batted .232 in 125 at-bats with New York last year and .275 with 19 steals in the minors.

Guerra, who turns 19 in April, was 2-6 with a 4.01 ERA at Class A St. Lucie, and Mulvey, who will be 23 in May, was 12-10 with a 3.20 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Binghamton and one at New Orleans.

New York and Santana have until 5 p.m. EST Friday to reach an agreement. If the Mets and Santana strike a deal, the players would have to pass physicals and the pitcher would have to formally waive his no-trade clause in order for the deal to be finalized.

Tigres regain control of series

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Lara 4 at Aragua 5 (13 innings)

W: R. Garcia (2-0, 2.12); L: R. Luque (0-1, 1.42)
HR: None.

It took 13 innings, but los Tigres de Aragua managed to take back the lead in the best-of-seven Championship series with a 5-4 win over los Cardenales de Lara Friday at Jose Perez Colmenarez Stadium.

The Cats opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Back-to-back singles by Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) and Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) got things rolling. A fly ball single to right by Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas) plated Callaspo, while Rodriguez came home during Miguel Cabrera's (Detroit) double play ground out.

Lara took one back in the top of the 4th when Robert Perez (F/A) and Selwyn Langaigne (F/A) both doubled. Perez would only go to 3rd on Langaigne's fly ball, but would score when Jose Lopez (Seattle) reached on a fielder's choice.

Aragua would add to their lead in the bottom of the sixth when Cabrera lead off with a walk, then moved to second on a wild pitch by Marcos Carvajal (Florida). Martin Prado (Altanta) would also walk before Lara brought Ivan Blanco (Seattle) onto the mound. Willie Romero (F/A) would ground into a double play which took Cabrera out at 3rd, but a Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) single would bring in Prado.

The top of the 8th proved big for Lara, as Guillermo Rodriguez (San Francisco) singled and Cesar Izturis (St Louis) reached on a force attempt when Cabrera miss-threw the ball. Luis Ugueto hit into a sac bunt that brought in G-Rod, but a second throwing error by Cabrera saw Ugueto safe at first. Frank Butto (F/A) would come onto the mound for the Cats to replace Yohan Pino (Minnesota) who would end up being charged for 3 runs on 1 hit while striking out 1 in .2 innings worth of work. Marco Scutaro (Toronto) would be walked, and Adam Jones (Seattle) would be hit by a pitch to force in Izturis. After Perez struck out swinging, Langaigne was walked to bring in Ugueto. Victor Moreno (Baltimore) would be called to the mound to get the final to outs in the inning, but the Cardenales had taken the lead.

Los Tigres answered back though in the bottom of the ninth when Maza singled, moved to 2nd on a sac-bunt by Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs), and scored on Hector Gimenez's (Tampa Bay) fly ball single to right, tying the game and forcing the contest into extra innings.

In the bottom of the 13th, with one out, Cedeno would double, and Gimenez would be intentionally walked. Callaspo would single to center to score Cedeno, breaking the deadlock and handing the victory to the Cats.

Juan Rincon (Minnesota) pitched one inning for the Red Birds, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1.

The series rests on Saturday and the two teams will play Sunday and Monday in Aragua before the series reverts back to Lara (if necessary).

Boxscore
Log
Tigres de Aragua

Pino developed a case of acute bronchitis and was removed from the roster following the game. Reports say he should be available to the team on Tuesday again.

The Twins locked up Justin Morneau with a six-year, $80 million deal Friday, the longest and richest contract in franchise history. The Twins also signed right fielder Michael Cuddyer to a 3-year, $24 million deal with a club option for 2011. Meanwhile, the Pioneer Press is reporting that the trade involving Johan Santana is likely to occur within the next 10 days. Right now it appears the Mets are the fore-runners in the Santana sweepstakes.

Tigres finish off Margarita, arm for Finals

Photo courtesy of los Tigres de Aragua

Bravos 5 at Aragua 6

W: J. Karnuth (1-0, 4.63); L: L. Ramirez (1-1, 2.45); SV: F. Butto (4)
HR: ARA: M. Prado (2).

Los Tigres de Aragua defeated los Bravos de Margarita in a relatively meaningless game to end the round-robin portion of the playoffs. The Tigres will take on los Cardenales de Lara on Wednesday for the start of the best of seven series final for the Venezuelan Winter League Championship.

Albero Gonzalez (NY Yankees) lead off for the Bravos with a single to start the game. William Bergolla (San Francisco) doubled him. Following a fly out to Frank Diaz (Washington), Rene Reyes (F/A) reached on a fielding error by Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) that also allowed Bergolla to score. One out later back-to-back singles by Raul Escalona (Florida) and Ray Olmedo (Toronto) allowed Reys to cross the plate, giving the Braves a 3-0 lead.

They would pick up another run in the second in nearly the same way: a single to Gonzalez and a double to Bergolla. This time however, a sac-fly by Diaz was need to plate the run.

Margarita extended their lead in the top of the third with Julio Cordido (San Francisco) finding his way onto base with a ground ball single, then coming home on J.C. Boscan's (Atlanta) double.

The Tigers finally found their scoring stroke in the bottom of the fourth when Cabrera took advantage of a fielding error by Olmedo to get on base. Martin Prado (Atlanta) went yard over the left field wall to give the Tigres their first 2 runs.

Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) singled in the bottom of the 5th and came home on a Ronny Cedeno (Chicago Cubs) double. Singles by Raul Chavez (Pittsburgh) and Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) saw Cedeno home to make it 5-4 Braves.

Prado singled to put the tying run on base in the bottom of the sixth. Hector Gimenez (Tampa Bay) drew a walk and Maza moved the pair on a sac bunt. Cedeno was then intentionally walked. Chavez singled out to right to bring in Prado to even the game, then Callaspo singled to center to score Gimenez for the go ahead run.

Horacio Estrada (F/A) took the start for the Tigres allowing 5 runs (3 earned) on 11 hits while striking out 5. Jason Karnuth (Detroit) picked up the win, pitching 2.2 innings of relief, allowing 1 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2.

Cabrera went 1-for-4 in game with a run, Maza as 1-for-3 with a run and former Miracle Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) was 0-for-3.

The Tigers travel to Lara for the first two games of the finals on Wednesday and Thursday, both set for 7:30 PM AST. They return home on Friday, and then will play Sunday and Monday (if necessary) at Jose Perez Colmenarez Stadium before returning to Lara for the final two games of the series.

Jesus Silva (Florida) and Juan Carlos Gutierrez (Arizona) joined the Tigres pitching staff and will start the 2nd and 3rd games of the playoffs respectively. Silva had been pitching for los Bravos in the playoffs while Gutierrez joins the team from La Guaira.

Boxscore
Log
Tigres de Aragua

The Twins exchanged figures with outfielder Michael Cuddyer and reliever Matt Guerrier on Friday in preperation of upcoming arbitration. Cuddyer is looking for $6.2 million for the upcoming season, $1.5 more than the Twins have offered him. Guerrier is seeking $1.15 million while the Twins are offering $750K.

Cuddyer and Guerrier are the last two players eligible for arbitration. The Twins settled with Juan Rincon on Friday, signing him a $2.475 million one-year deal.

There has been some speculation that Ron Gardenhire is thinking of playing Cuddyer in centerfield to replace Torii Hunter. My personal feeling is irregardless of what the Twins say, we'll see Delmon Young in center field by the end of the 2008 season.

Spring is on the way!

Hammond Stadium was closed for renovations, so the fans that usually went inside to check their seats couldn't. If they did, they'd be shocked to find out there weren't any seats to check!

"We're thinking of doing a bring your own seat promotion," one of the staff members told me with a laugh.



The seats are in those brown boxes and yes the crews are frantically trying to get them all bolted in place in time for the start of spring training.



The field is showing winter colors and could use some work before the start of spring training as well.



The waterfall out in front is also getting cleaned out and spruced up. It's only one month more and pitchers and catchers will be here.



The line for single game was extensive this year, probably longer than anything we've seen in the past. It started up a the boxoffice and went all the back past to the training complex .



More the line, as it winds it's way backwards....



A shot from another angle. Look at all those people!



Still, it was orderly with all of the ticket windows open and there weren't any fist fights.



Oh, here's T.C. Bear with refreshments for those waiting in line.



For the little one, the Twins where holding their Free Youth Clinics. The Clinics run every Saturday through February 16th.



Grandpa Mauer was on hand to demonstrate Joe's Quickswing machine and to help the kids with their batting. It was a great day to be out at the stadium and everyone enjoyed themselves!



Especially T.C. Bear, the very best mascot of any sports team, anywhere!

In other news, the Twins released their minor league invitees to major league camp. New Britain's Drew Butera and Fort Myers Allan de San Miguel will be helping out with the catching duties, as will Eli Whiteside who was signed as a free agent on November 21, 2007. Whiteside is expected to start the 2008 season with the Rochester team.

Infielders Chris Basak, Howie Clark, Alejandro Machado, Randy Ruiz and former Miracle Felix Molina and Tommy Watkins were invited. Jon Knott, a free agent who was signed on Nov. 23, 2007 is the only outfielder that was invited to camp.

Former Miracle Brian Duensing, Ricky Barrett and Armando Gabino were three of seven pitchers invited. The other four were all recent free agent signees: Mariano Gomez, Randy Keisler, Casey Daigle and Zach Day.

Tom Kelly, Tony Oliva, Phil Roof and Terry Steinbach , as well as National Baseball Hall of Famers Rod Carew, Harmon Killebrew and Paul Molitor will be on hand to help the major league staff during spring training.

Twins' pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Fort Myers, Florida Sunday, Feb. 17 with workouts beginning Feb. 18, while the balance of the squad reports on Friday, Feb. 22 with the first full-squad workout taking place Saturday, Feb. 23. The Twins annual photo day will be held Monday, Feb. 25 at 8 am.

The Twins, who have a 31-game Grapefruit League exhibition schedule, will open their spring home season on Friday, Feb. 29 vs. the Boston Red Sox at 7:05 pm (EST). For more information on individual tickets to Twins Spring Training home games, call 33-TWINS or 1-800-33-TWINS or by visiting the Twins website at twinsbaseball.com.

Cats blank Sharks, 5-0

Photo courtesdy of los Tigres de Aragua

Aragua 5 at La Guaira 0

W: J. Santiago (1-1, 5.00); L: W. Collazo (1-1, 4.63)
HR: ARA: W. Romero (1), R. Salazar (1).

Los Tigers de Aragua bounced back from the their loss on Monday to blank los Tiburones de La Guaira on Tuesday.

Jose Santiago (NY Mets) worked 5.2 innings allowing only 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1 to pick up the win. Bobby Korecky (Minnesota) worked 1.1 innings in relief, walking 3, and Jose Mijares (Minnesota) struck out 3 in the 8th inning.

The Cats would not get on the board until the 5th inning when Willie Romero (F/A) went yard over the center field wall. Romero then tripled in the 7th, and following Raul Chavez (Pittsburgh) getting plunked by a pitch, he'd be plated by an Alberto Callaspo (Kansas City) single.

A walk to Luis Rodriguez (San Diego) would load up the bases. Following a pitching change and a line out to Edgardo Alfonzo (Texas), Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) clobbered a double out to left that brought in 2 more runners, making the score 4-0 Tigres.

Ruben Salazar's (F/A) home run in the 8th finished off the scoring.

Cabrera finished up 2-for-3 with a walk, a pair of doubles and 2 RBIs in the contest. L-Rod was 0-for-4 with a walk, Luis Maza (LA Dodgers) was also 0-for-4.

The Tigres host los Cardenales de Lara Wednesday night at 7:30 PM AST before taking a night off on Thursday.

Boxscore
Log
Tigers de Aragua

The Minnesota Twins today announced the team's annual Winter Caravan will include several community appearances in Southwest Florida this week. Twins pitchers Jesse Crain and Carmen Cali, Twins infielder Tommy Watkins, along with Twins Radio Network play-by-play announcer John Gordon are scheduled to appear Wednesday, January 9 through Friday, January 11 throughout the Fort Myers area. A brief description of this week's events is listed below.

Wed., Jan. 9
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Caloosa Harbour Seniors Residence
2525 1st Street, Fort Myers

Thurs. Jan. 10
10 a.m.
Lee Cancer Care, Lee Memorial Health System
2776 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers

1:30 p.m.
Health Park Medical Center
9981 Health Park Drive, Fort Myers

Fri. Jan. 11
10 a.m.
Royal Palm Exceptional Center
3050 Indian Street, Fort Myers

The Southwest Florida Youth Clinics schedule begins Saturday, January 12 at Lee County Sports Complex. You can find a complete schedule of the clinics HERE.

Tickets for individual Minnesota Twins Grapefruit League games also go on sale Saturday morning at Hammond Stadium, online at www.twinsbaseball.com, or by calling 1-800-33-TWINS. The Twins' 2008 Spring Training home opener will take place at Hammond Stadium on Friday, February 29 (7:05 p.m. EST) against the 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.

The Lewfie Matinee

The GCL Twins defeated the GCL Reds 3-2 in an extended spring training game at the Lee County Sportsplex this afternoon. A great pitching effort by Mike Allen, Ricky Barrett, Brian Kirwan and Danny Rondon carried the day.

Major leaguers Lew Ford and Ken Harvey made rehab starts in the game, with Ford going 2-for-4 at the plate and Harvey 0-for-4 with one strike out. Harvey played first base for part of the game, Ford was out in left field during the same part.

Esterlin De Los Santos opened up the scoring for the Twins when he got on base with a single and stole over to second. Ford ground out and Harvey struck out before Juan Richardson singled De Los Santos home. The Twins would nurse that one point lead into the sixth inning when Yangervia Solarte singled with two outs and then moved to second on a balk by the Reds pitcher. Jakub Hajtmar from the Czech Republic singled him in, giving the Twins two. Mark Dolenc struck out to end the inning.

Wang-Wei Lin doubled to open the bottom of the eighth, and was singled home by Solarte to make it 3-0 Twins. During this time period, the Reds never made it as far as second base...that's how good the pitching was. That came to an end though in the ninth inning when closer Aaron Craig suffered control problems and allowed 2 runs on three hits, with two additional runners reaching on a fielder's choice with the ground outs going to second, instead of first. Still, Craig managed to get the third out on an outfield fly, and get the save.

Of note, Wilson Ramos hit a home run in the first inning that fell fair, hit the retaining fence and bounced back onto the field, at which point the umpire ruled it foul. I believe coach Prada nearly ate the umpire from lunch on that one, but there were some seriously questionable rulings that went against the Twins and I was wondering if the PBL on their caps stood for Professional Bowling League, as they sure didn't seem to know how to call a baseball game.

Eric Santiago had the play of the game on a put out in shallow right field. Unfortunately, he was injured during the play, but was able to make it off the field under his own power. He appeared to have injured the ankle he hurt last season during GCL. Hopefully it's not serious and he was removed more as a matter of precaution. Santiago will likely go to Elizabethton when the camp breaks in June.

Wesley Conner nearly had a home run with the Twins doing extra batting at the bottom of the ninth. A stiff wind from left field kept the ball in the park, otherwise it would have been over the fence.

De Los Santos was 1-for 2 in the game, Richardson was 2-for-3 with a double, Ramos - the disallowed home run aside - was 0-for-3 with one strike out, J. W. Wilson was 1-for-2, Lin was 1-for-2 with a walk, Santiago was 0-for-2, Solarte - who hails from Valencia Carabobo, Venezula - was 3-for-3 with a double, Conner was 0-for-2, Hajtmor was 1-for-2, Mark Dolenc was 1-for-2 with a strike out, Rene Leveret from St. Maarten was 0-for-1 with a walk, and Rodolfo Palacios was 0-for-1.

The Twins take on Pittsburgh tomorrow in Bradenton and face Baltimore in Sarasota on Saturday before returning home to take on the Red Sox on Sunday. All games are at 12:30 pm.



Off the cuff: Listening to Kyle Edlich explain me to one of the new guys was kind of um...odd. Discussions on the bench today included a Lewfie special - how to iron your shirt while wearing it.

David Bromberg says he's been hitting 92-93 on the speed gun and hopes to see 95 by the time camp breaks in June. He is expected to go to Elizabethton. Do not expect Mike Allen in Betsy however, I hear he's been earmarked for Beloit. Bromberg will be pitching on Saturday, so we'll have a look at him then.

Matt Fox was not pitching today so he was back to his usually witty, charming and incredibly silly self. He said he roomed with Kyle Aselton for Instructs once and twice for spring training and was going to stay with him this year, but David Shinski needed a place to stay and moved into the apartment with Aselton, Tintor and Ward instead.

He also accused me of not seeing Kyle Aselton as Aselton is pitching out of the bullpen and I said that was not the case, which he would find out if he actually bothered to read my blog. Kyle has been semi-randomly assigning "boy"friends to me, I believe to get back at me for calling him "Pookie" in public.

Candian first baseman Jon Waltenbury does fit the right-handed hockey shot/left-handed batter profile that was theorized by Everblades president Craig Brush. Waltenbury was a center prior to starting his baseball career. Beyond that, he didn't add much and I understand now where is camp nickname comes from. He did like his photos however, as did Fox, Bromberg and Kevin Harrington.

My friend Ed made a comment at the Miracle game on Tuesday night that I really need to get a professional digital camera and put the old film based Nikon out to pasture. "It will totally change the way yout take pictures." He's right. It would totally change my lifestyle. I'd never get any sleep then, I'd be too busy uploading, editing and printing shots.

When asked what he thought of Wednesday's Education Day Miracle game, Loek Van Mil answered "It was loud!"

Video
Mike Allen told me his mom liked the last video, so I got her another one...
Lew Ford and Ken Harvey
Ricky Barrett
Brian Kirwan - 6th Inning
Brian Kirwan - 7th Inning
Danny Rondon

Still Photos

No frills baseball

The Extended Spring Training Twins dropped this afternoon's game 5-2 to the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Lee County Sportsplex. It was a game that would see Twins pitching give up 13 hits, while the Minnesota offense only generated 4 hits.

Wilson Ramos opened the scoring with a solo shot home run in the bottom of the first. We saw quite a few of the balls go deep right to about where Wilson's shot went over the wall, and I would say that at least three hits could have been saved if the outfielders had been playing for the wind. That wasn't done however.

Michael Allen turned in a quick first inning, but got into trouble in the second. After striking out the first batter, he allowed a walk and a single. A second single into the gap allowed the runner on second to score with out and put a runner on third, who came home on the next play, a sac-fly. The put the Pirates up 2-1.

Ricky Barrett made a rehab start in the third inning. He was supposed to pitch two, but threw too many pitches while he was on, allowing a single and a double while striking out 2. The runner he allowed the single to stole second and come home on the double, making it 3-2 Pirates.

Henry Reyes turned in a quick fourth inning, but the Twins could find no offense whatsoever in either the third or the four as it was three up/three down with Jon Waltenbury striking out in the third and both Esterlin De Los Santos and Mark Dolenc posting Ks in the fourth.

Reyes allowed a walk and a single in the fifth, but ended the inning on an outfield fly. Catcher Alexander Soto struck out to start the bottom of the fifth, but Waltenbury singled. Wang-Wei Lin lined out, before Wesley Conner hit what should have been a ground out. However, the Pirates short stop overthrew their first baseman, and Waltenbury jumped on the chance, making a tremendous run around the bases from first. I have to say, they beat him by like 10 feet with the play at the plate ("Oh, no," he insists, "I got in there.") and was way out, but the umpire called him safe, saying the Pirate catcher did not have the tag on him.

("No, really, I was in there.")

That would pretty much be it for the Twins offense, although Lin got a hit in the eighth, De Lo Santos got hit by a pitch in that inning, and Yangervis Solarte took a walk in the sixth.

Matt Fox pitched in the sixth, allowing a double and a single and striking out one. I was hoping for two innings out of him and Jesus Carnevale, who pitched the ninth, but there are too many kids in camp and most of the guys are only getting one inning every few days.

I should point out that the Twins also played an inner-squad match in the morning which I just caught the tail end of, to allow everyone some work.

Omar Alcala allowed a walk and a double single in the seventh. Fireballer Aaron Craig allowed two doubles in the eighth for one run, and Carnevale, who pitched very well the last time I saw him, allowed two doubles and a single in the ninth for the Pirates fifth and final run.

Lew Ford has played twice in rehab. He's having some soreness in his legs and is not expected to play again until Thursday. This happens to coincide with Tyler Robertson's next start and makes an extremely strong case for me requesting Thursday off so I can go watch the game.

I very much want to get Tyler on video so you call watch that flakey delivery of his, which he claims he has toned down some since he started playing for the Twins. (David Bromberg walks by and helpfully interjects that he is pitching tomorrow. Yes, but WHEN are you rapping for me, Mr. Bromberg?)

The boys are all in a state of disbelief over Anthony Swarzak's suspension. No one knows for sure, of if they know for sure, are not saying, but the general concesses seems to be that the was smoking pot. But to be 21 years old, have the kind of talent and potential he has, and then do something like that, is completely inconceivable to most of the players. That fact that Anthony is well liked and respected by most of his fellow players makes it even more difficult for them to deal with.

I met aussies Liam Hendriks, who served as our bat boy, today and Matt Ryan.

"No, I'm the kid who was an infielder that turned himself into a pitcher," Ryan tells me.

"You were a pitcher before," I point out.

"When I was sixteen!"

"Howie wanted to sign you as a pitcher before the Angels took you."

"How do you know all of this?"

"She knows EVERYthing," Tyler tells him.

"When you signed we got on the internet and looked you up," I explained to him. "We're nosey." We, refering of course, to the minor league message board at DTFC.

Elliott Biddle, another aussie, was our ball boy.

Anyway, video clips:

Mike Allen
Henry Reyes
Omar Alcala
Aaron Craig
Jesus Carnevale

I should note that I've only got the vaguest idea of what I'm shooting while I'm taking them, because the sun is much too bright to get any kind of clear resolution on that little screen. Additionally, since I'm shooting through a fence, there is almost no way for me to follow the play on the ball.

As with the video clips of the Miracle, this is an experiment in progress, so do not expect professional results in the first outings - or even very good results.

Still pictures are now uploaded, most of which are of Matt Fox. (This will make his girlfriend very happy.)

The Miracle program proved a great distraction to the boys. "You're right," Tyler says. "They really messed this up." I will discuss the Miracle program in more detail later on. We're still discovering errors.

Despite the loss, I was, on the whole, very pleased to be able to watch a game which did not include free food, fly t-shirts, dogs dancing on the dugout, and fun being rammed down my throat. It was a very pleasant afternoon, all things considered.

I believe I will put in a request to take Thursday off.

Spring!

"You can't wear that hat," John says.

I pull my Miracle hat off my head and look at it. "What's wrong with this hat?"

"No Miracle stuff at spring training. They want you to wear Twins Cities stuff only."

"Yeah, at least until 4:00," Chuck chimes in helpfully.

I shrug. "I'm not on the Twins payroll," I point out. "I can wear any hat I want. I can even where my Everblades hat if it pleases me.

"Where is my Mike Cudyer bat?"

"They don't make them," John says.

"Yes, they do, and Skippy was going to get me one."

"Skippy left," he says helpfully.

"I know. Probably out of fear of reprecussions for not get me a Mike Cudyer bat."

Ah...the joys of start of Spring Training. There is grass on the berm. Not all of the seats are in yet. You can jump off the patio into the trash compactor there is no fence there yet. They were bolting green padding onto the walls even as the players were taking the field.

As always, it's a bit of a three ring circus and I can't be at all the rings at the same time. This bothers me.

"I need to be cloned," I tell one of my friends.

"You need a posse," he counters as he attempts to stop his six year old from braining another kid with an aluminum bat.

Players running back and forth, especially Santana who seemed to be trying to run over as many people as possible; a long term game of "Find Frankie" which was not proving difficult, just follow the autograph seekers; kids saying "Mister, can I have an autograph," even when they don't know who the "mister" in question is.

Corey turns one kid down with a "later". He seems unhappy with that. "But I said 'sir'". Another kid is on his cell phone telling everyone back home in Minnesota that "Joe Mauer flipped me a ball!"

I find Kevin Slowey. I lose Kevin Slowey. Anna finds me.

"Where's Santana?"

"That field I think," pointing to the one behind my back as I try to find Slowey again. "Just look for the path of mown down people."

"Where's Torri Hunter?"

Dear god, I can't even find my boys and she wants me to keep track of her boys too?

"Where's you son?" I counter.

"Over there, why don't you take a picture of him?"

"I already did, he's in the second base cluster shot."

"Oh..."

I found Justin Morneau in the batting cage, first thing. This saved him from having to find me. I found Justin, my season ticket rep, in the gift shop. I told him where I wanted to sit, he told me he'd see what's available and get back with me. I had to rearrange my initial idea because they've moved the netting.

I find Slowey again the bullpen.

"Kevin, I need an autograph."

"Yeah, okay, after we're done." Except he snuck out through the dugout while I was trying to change film. I really need to get a digital.

I think the autograph seekers who are taking whoever they ran into instead of trying to get the guys they wanted were having better luck. I mean given that the same four guys were chasing Frankie around the whole time...

The weather was a nice sunny 82 degrees, if was amusing talking to everyone again, and I guess I did rather enjoy tailing Slowey all over the park.

Ah well...

In any case...Pictures, pictures, pictures:

American League MVP

How many second basemen do we need on this team?

Carlos Silva

Catching prospect Jose Morales

The Real Deal, whose new spring training job appears to be driving Francisco Liriano around in the golf cart.

Batting practice with Joe Mauer

Found! Kevin Slowey

You left me home alone to go to spring training?

Duh!