Big Jim Thome returns to Target Field tonight, but now he’s wearing a Phillies uniform and we’re all hoping he doesn’t take aim at that flag pole on Target Plaza again.
The Twins’ first draft pick, Byron Buxton took some batting practice swings this afternoon and reportedly managed to launch a ball in to the bullpens. It sounds like he’s all but signed, pending a physical, so he’ll be getting some playing time on one or both of the Twins’ short season teams yet this summer.
Nick Blackburn takes the mound tonight against the Phils, who are coming off a couple of extra-inning losses to the Orioles in a row. Let’s hope they just keep right on losing!
| PHILLIES |
@ |
TWINS |
| Rollins, SS | Span, CF | |
| Pierre, LF | Revere, RF | |
| Pence, RF | Mauer, C | |
| Thome, DH | Willingham, LF | |
| Victorino, CF | Morneau, 1B | |
| Wigginton, 1B | Doumit, DH | |
| Ruiz, C | Plouffe, 3B | |
| Fontenot, 3B | Dozier, SS | |
| Martinez, M, 2B | Carroll, 2B | |
| _Kendrick, K, P | _Blackburn, P |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Philadelphia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 1 |
| Minnesota | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | x | 11 | 17 | 0 |
Well that was an interesting game. From the moment Denard Span opened things up with a leadoff home run in the first inning to the point where Matt Capps completed the first 1-2-3 inning by a Twins pitcher, you never really had the feeling the game was in hand.
We won’t mention most of the rest of the pitchers, but there was certainly enough offense spread up and down the line up. Span walked three times to go with his HR and scored three runs. Ben Revere had three hits and 2 RBI, Jamie Carroll added three hits and a pair of RBI, as well, and added a couple of runs scored. Ryan Doumit had three hits and scored a pair of runs. Joe Mauer had a pair of hits and two RBI. And Josh Willingham added his 12th home run of the season.
But even with all of that competition, Trevor Plouffe is adding yet another Boyfriend of the Day award to his collection. Plouffe had three hits, including a double and a home run, scored three runs and drove in three more!
