Aug. 7th Red Wings Game Thread
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 6:43 PM EDT
22 comments
I know this site mainly focuses on the Major League club but I know there's also a fair amount of interest in what goes on in the minors. Since the Rochester Red Wings have been gracious enough to fight on without the likes of Span, Casilla, Tolbert, Perkins, Liriano and Ruiz this season, I thought it would be kind of fun to check into how things are going down there. After all the Twinkies are off tonight enjoying a little play time in Kasas City. For anyone who hasn't been paying attention to our minor league system, our AAA club as certainly had to deal with it's fair amount of fluctuation. The current roster hosts a decent amount of veterans still holding some spaces, maybe waiting for an off chance to get a call up to the big club. An example of this might be our current right-handed platoon DH, Mr. Randy Ruiz. Also some other guys hoping Rochester is just another step on their way to the majors. Guys like Anthony Swarzak, Trevor Plouffe, Luke Hughes and of course a whole host of others.
Tonight's game is kind of special. Pitching tonight is Philip Humber. Acquired in the Santana trade before the start of the season, Humber had a solid if unspectacular year at the Mets AAA affiliate in 2007. He is now 2 full years removed from TJ surgery and still hoping at a shot at the majors. Unfortunately is stuff hasn't been quite the same from his glory days at Rice University. He's struggled most of the year posting a 7-7 record with a 5.05 ERA. However, after spending some time in the bullpen recently, something has clicked. In the interest of Twins fans, it would be nice if he's reacquainted himself with his once 94 mph fastball. If so, that in conjunction with his still potent curveball will give him an opportunity to compete for the 5th spot in the rotation in 2009 or even help the Twins in their stretch run should something unspeakable happen to one of the current starters. Anyways, he's 3-0 in his last 3 starts with 1.74 ERA and a 24/6 K/BB ratio in 20 2/3 innings.
Offensively, featured tonight is the 2nd rehab game for our starting RF Michael Cuddyer who has pretty much been MIA the entire season. Also in tonight's lineup is the unlikely power source known as Luke Hughes who might be in a position to help the Twins as soon as September. Finally, Jason Pridie was a possibility for the CF job this season after being acquired with Delmon Young from Tampa Bay. He's been on a tare lately hitting .330/.343/.670 in July and .500/.577/.545 in 22 August at bats. Look for him to continue to work on his plate discipline in his quest to become an all-around player.
Rochester Lineup:
Pridie CF
Machado DH
Cuddyer RF
Jones 1B
Clark LF
Hughes 3B
Macri SS
Plouffe 2B
Christy C
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Humber
Probably not the start he was hoping for…
1st inning:
18 pitches
2 hits
1 run
3 pop outs
*Was told his groundball rate had also been improving so we’ll see what happens.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 7:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cuddyer 1st At bat
GIDP… Duh!
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 7:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Through 2 innings
Humber not really trusting his stuff:
30 Pitches
17 Strikes
13 Balls
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 7:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
3 Line drive singles started by Hughes
Wings tied 1-1
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
3rd
Better inning for Humber, 11 pitches, 3 up, 3 down, 1 K
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 7:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pridie
Now with 15 triples… wow!
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He's really turned it around
to make himself into a prospect again. He had a horrific May but other than that he’s been pretty good. I understand he’s a more than capable defender as well.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
by halfchest on Aug 7, 2008 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
2009
It’ll probably get tough on him if he’s not in the majors by next year, whether with the Twins or not.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cuddy Power!
Puts one off the wall in center for a double.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
3-1 Wings
Scratch that 5-1, Garrett Jones with a monster HR. Would be having a great year had he not been hampered by injuries early on.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
Looks like their pitcher is throwing batting practice. Hughes goes yard for first AAA HR.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oops!
Back to back shots of Humber
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 8:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Quick hook for Humber
3 1/3 innings, 4 runs, 7 hits, 1 walk, 2 HR’s
Only 39 of 69 pitches were strikes.
If Humber was turning the corner he unfortunately took a step back tonight. Obviously he wasn’t trusting his stuff whether or not he had the same pitches he had his past 3 starts.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cuddles
Another shot of the wall, looks like he’s ready to provide some support against the lefties
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Fellow Aussie on the mound, lefthander Travis Blackely
Not having a terrible season but cries mercy tonight. Actually a potentially dangerous lineup on the Rochester side tonight to be fair. 10 runs and 15 hits so far with 5 XBH’s.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Around the minors
Elizabethton game delayed
Beloit locked up 2-2, Revere without a hit as yet
Fort Myers finished game from yesterday won 2-1, also won second game 1-0
New Britain winning 5-2, Martin jacks number 8 to back up beleaguered righthander Rainville
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 8:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Manchado been DHing quite a bit lately
I thought this guy was supposed to be a defensive whiz, but in limited time back from injury he’s destroying the ball. 4-4 tonight but .340/.347/.546 before tonight.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bummer
Cuddy had an opportunity there, bases juice vs a lefthanded reliever. Oh well, still 2-4 (both doubles) with a walk.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Recap
The Rochester relief corp did a formidable job cooling things down after Humber’s departure. Julio DePaula, Casey Daigle, Carmen Cali and Bobby Korecky combine for 5 2/3 innings of 3 run ball, though all were charged to Cali who had to be bailed out after recording only 1 out in the 9th. Apparently nobody really was interested in pounding the strikezone as all 5 pitchers combined to throw 177 pitches only 105 were strikes (59%).
It was an offense barrage however, as the Wings combined to score 11 runs on 19 hits and 6 walks, notable performances from:
-Michael Cuddyer going 2-4 with 2 doubles and a walk
-Luke Hughes went 3-4 with a walk and his first AAA HR
-Garrett Jones went 2-5 with 4 RBI and a HR
-Jason Pridie continues to rack up XBH with a another triple and a walk, 2-5 overall
-Alejandro Manchado also had a big night reaching base all 6 times with 2 walks and 4 singles
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 10:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Final MiLB Update
New Brittain lose 5-7:
Looks like Jay Rainville is falling off the prospect map after throwing together some decent numbers in Fort Myers last year after his 2006 injury season. Is ERA is now at 6.50 after giving up 7 earned tonight. Nobody had more than 1 hit in this one, Martin had a HR though.
Beloit win 5-3:
Another big night for Mike McCardell he goes 8 strong with 2 earned and 7 k’s. Revere finally got a hit and went 1-4 with another SB.
Elizabethton still playing 0-0 after 5 innings:
Big Bobby Lanigan has a 1 hitter going thus far.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 7, 2008 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Awesoe job, Case
Feel free to do this at your leisure, anytime you want. I’m always happy to indulge a bit more focus onto our minor leagues.
by Jesse on Aug 7, 2008 11:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thought there'd be some more interests...
Try again sometime soon. There were some interesting story lines to follow for the Twins relatively immediate future. Those being Cuddy, Humber (ended up being kind of a bummer last night), Hughes, Pridie and even Trevor Plouffe before long.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 8, 2008 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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