Since I’m kind of in the mood to update you on people you haven’t seen in awhile, I thought I would start with an unjury update! Carl Pavano is starting for the Miracle at 7:05 tonight at Hammond Stadium. Interestingly enough, he got his start down there with the Red Sox! I’m sure there are those of you who follow the minor leagues much closer that knew that already but I know I’m not the only one for whom this is new information.
As for the game in Cleveland, I think this will be another interesting outing from Samuel Deduno. However, his odd style definitely depends on having a solid defense behind him. Let’s hope that the new middle infield arrangement is able to gel quickly. That’s all I’m going to say about that.
| Minnesota |
@ |
Cleveland |
| Span, CF | Kipnis, 2B | |
| Revere, RF | Cabrera, A, SS | |
| Mauer, C | Choo, RF | |
| Willingham, DH | Santana, C, C | |
| Morneau, 1B | Brantley, CF | |
| Doumit, LF | Kotchman, 1B | |
| Nishioka, 2B | Duncan, DH | |
| Dozier, SS | Hannahan, 3B | |
| Carroll, 3B | Carrera, LF | |
| Deduno, P | Kluber, P |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Minnesota | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 1 |
| Cleveland | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 3 |
I’d call that a genuine team win. Obviously, Sam Deduno didn’t have it going tonight, but at least he didn’t completely blow up after giving up four early runs. Jeff Manship and Tyler Robertson weren’t perfect out of the pen, but they kept the game close enough to allow the offense to take advantage when the Tribe pitchers inevitably started faltering.
Cleveland has not only lost 11 straight (five of them to the Twins), but have given up at least 5 runs in each game. Gotta say they remind me a bit of the 2011 Twins, having played just well enough to be pretenders through the All Star break, but collapsing in to a heap soon after.
Ben Revere ran his hitting streak to 21 games and the bottom of the order, Brian Dozier and Jamey Carroll each came through with two hits. There was plenty of timely hitting in the 7th and 9th innings, but Ryan Doumit’s three hits (including 2 doubles) and a pair of RBI earn him BOD honors. – JC
