Twins 6, Rays 2

by Jesse on Mar 20, 2010 7:34 PM EDT in Game Recaps

Twins pound out 15 hits; Liriano shines again.

Francisco Liriano continues to impress in spring training action, as he struck out four over three innings without walking a batter or allowing a run. Also on the mound Anthony Slama continued his strikeout binge, ringing up a pair in his inning of work.

At the plate, Ben Revere continues to see more time than anybody else and picked up another couple hits in five at-bats. His start in left field seemed to confuse some, but it was a pretty straight-forward maneuver: Gardy obviously wanted to give Michael Cuddyer some innings in center. Cuddles even made a nice running catch in the first inning.

Jacque Jones continues to play like he means it and like he wants to make the team, running into Rays catcher Dioner Navarro and sending him to the hospital for x-rays in the process. I haven't read anything on Navarro yet, but hopefully he's alright.

Plus One
Ben Revere (2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R, K)
Orlando Hudson (2-for-3)
Jacque Jones (2-for-3, running into the catcher, 2B)
Brendan Harris (2-for-3, R)
Alexi Casilla (2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R)
Francisco Liriano (3 IP, 4 K, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB)
Jesse Crain (1 IP, 2 K, 1 BB)
Anthony Slama (1 IP, 2 K)

Minus One
Delmon Young (0-for-3, BB)
Brian Duensing (3 IP, 4 H, 1 K, 2 R)

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Comments

Young better not turn-around

Jones,Portes and Rever are right on his tail!!!

by b1 on Mar 20, 2010 7:38 PM EDT reply actions

He walked again

I’m thinking he’s working on selectivity… I’m quite fine with that.

by diehardtwinsfan on Mar 20, 2010 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions

so let me get this straight

we are now cheering against our players…classy.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by BCTwins on Mar 20, 2010 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Competition is not cheering against

a player, May the BEST player Play. I’ve backed Delmond, but now he’s got Competition for LF. If Jones is in LF, I’ll pull for him just like I’ve done for Young for the last 2 years.

by b1 on Mar 20, 2010 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Anthony Slama

This spring: 4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 8 K

He’s still a longshot to make the club out of spring training, but he’s looking great. The big thing is when he pitches. The Twins need to give him some opportunities to pitch earlier in games from here on out. So far most (if not all) of his work has been late-game appearances.

Oh, and he’ll need to be added to the 40-man roster.

by Twins Territory on Mar 20, 2010 8:19 PM EDT reply actions

I Wonder

I wonder if the reason Anthony Slama is working late innings is because the Twins are seriously thinking of naming him the closer. The current way he is pitching, he is certainly headed for that spot on the team.

by Jessy S on Mar 20, 2010 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

except

Late innings in spring training means you’re facing more backups though.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Mar 20, 2010 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes

However, those backups have something to prove and usually try to do so.

by Jessy S on Mar 21, 2010 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions

So does EVERYONE

I would also try to play well given the opportunity. I wouldn’t play well, however, because I’m an awful baseball player.

I think the same applies here. The more the team expects the player to make the club, the more appearances they get against MLB quality opposition.

by snolls on Mar 21, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

He is pitching great, but it's in so few innings that it doesn't mean much.

4.0 innings just isn’t enough to figure a guy out. For reference, last season in Bobby Keppel’s first 4 games he pitched 11.1 innings with 0 ER. They aren’t the same pitchers and don’t have the same expectations I know, but keep in mind just how small a number of innings we’re talking about.

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Mar 20, 2010 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes but

did Keppel have 8K’s in 4 inning and Nathen out? Just kidding. Portes has 3 HR’s and he might not start in AAA. It’s nice to think if Nathen is out, we can fill that hole. Slama has pitched so well in the minor that we what to know if it can carry up to the Big League. Could he be the next Neshek?

by b1 on Mar 20, 2010 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions