First things first – we extend our heartiest congratulations to Josh Willingham and his family on their newest addition! Per twitter earlier today:
Congrats to #Twins OF Josh Willingham and his wife Ginger on the birth of son #3. Rogan Jaynes born at 1:39 pm. 8 lbs, 6 oz, 21 inches.
Given the paternity leave that Josh is taking to spend time with the youngest Willy Jr, we are granted the pleasure of the return of Ben Revere. Also according to twitter today, he’s been told that his length of stay is completely unknown – could be three days, could be the season. I’m curious to know what the will do when Josh comes back..
At any rate, do I think Revere is the key to beating the BoSox? yeegods, no. But whatever the key to beating them is, I hope the boys figure it out tonight. I really don’t relish the thought of being swept at home, especially by the Sox and I most definitely don’t really want to watch it.. I hope someone is able to do something about that.
| Boston |
@ |
Minnesota |
| Aviles, SS | Span, CF | |
| Sweeney, RF | Carroll, SS | |
| Pedroia, 2B | Mauer, C | |
| Gonzalez, Ad, 1B | Morneau, DH | |
| Ortiz, DH | Parmelee, 1B | |
| Youkilis, 3B | Plouffe, RF | |
| Saltalamacchia, C | Burroughs, 3B | |
| Ross, C, LF | Revere, LF | |
| Byrd, CF | Casilla, A, 2B | |
| Buchholz, C, P | Hendriks, P |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Boston | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 |
| Minnesota | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 0 |
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…
The Twins starting pitcher struggled to miss bats and even get outs, giving up six runs in the first three innings as the Twins found themselves in a deep hole. The bullpen did a good job and the bats finally woke up… and fell just short of the win.
Tonight’s failed starting pitcher was Liam Hendriks. Anthony Swarzak, Glen Perkins and Jared Burton kept the game from getting totally out of hand and the Twins put together a big inning, scoring five run in the 6th. But they left runners in scoring position that inning and again in the ninth. Was the third base coaching extremely conservative? Yes. But the bottom line is that players failed to deliver when it was needed.
That completed the Red Sox sweep.
Chris Parmelee was beaned by a 93 mph fastball, but after a few scary minutes, walked off the field. He’ll be reevaluated on Thursday.
Thursday is an off day, by the way… so the Twins shouldn’t lose another game at least until Friday. Then again, if it’s possible for a team to find a way to lose a game on an off day, this team will figure out how to do it.
An interesting note… paid attendance was just 32,254… for a game with the Red Sox. Ouch. – JC