Phil Miller covered three seasons of Twins baseball, but that was at a different ballpark for a different newspaper. Now Miller returns to the baseball beat after joining the Star Tribune as the Gopher football writer in 2010, and he won't miss the dingy dome for a minute. In addition to the Twins and Gophers, Miller covered the Utah Jazz and the NBA for six years at The Salt Lake Tribune.
Posts about On the road
Baker quietly putting together a strong run
Posted by: Phil Miller Updated: May 6, 2011 - 10:17 PM
BOSTON -- The Twins had been outscored 30-9 over the first two innings this year, so Scott Baker couldn't help be thrilled to have a 4-0 lead in the second inning Friday.
"I think you’d hear any starter say ... it allows you to kind of attack guys and come right at them," Baker said.
That's what Baker did over eight innings, as the Twins cruised to a 9-2 victory. The Red Sox got home runs from J.D. Drew (second inning) and Adrian Gonzalez (fourth inning), but that was it, as Baker allowed seven hits with one walk and eight strikeouts.
"Bake was outstanding," Manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He attacked the strike zone and attacked their hitters, which is tough to do in this ballpark. They’ve got some great hitters."
After allowing four runs in each of his first two starts, Baker has quietly gone 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his past four starts. They've been fairly tough assignments, all on the road -- at Tampa Bay, at Baltimore, at Kansas City and at Boston -- and he's posted a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 25-to-4.
When a team rolls to an easy victory against Boston's Tim Wakefield, it's tough to read too much into it because his knuckleball is boom-or-bust. But Baker's success is a definite good sign moving forward.
Maybe Thome was the missing piece all along
Posted by: Phil Miller Updated: August 18, 2010 - 10:56 AMThe Jim Thome Experiment has turned into a Twins fairy tale.
Think of how the White Sox are feeling this morning after watching their guy turn the tables in the 10th inning Tuesday, taking a potential two-game separation between these teams and turning it to four with one swing.
What's unique about Thome is it's never about him. Listen to his postgame interviews and watch him spread credit around -- "What a game! What a game! ... Both teams played well. Give them credit, too. ... Let's face it, Matt Thornton is one of the best lefthanded relievers in the game," etc.
And it's never phony with Thome. He has 581 career home runs and needs three more to pass Mark McGwire for ninth on the all-time list. You'd think Thome had five homers after a 10-year wait to get to the major leagues.
Remember when the Twins wore those 1908 St. Paul Gophers throwback unis in Cleveland a couple weeks ago? Thome had an even bigger smile than usual that day. He got such a kick out of his get-up that he asked one of the Twins staffers if he'd mind snapping a quick cell phone photo.
Thome is playing on a one-year, $1.5 million contract. He'll make another $200,000 or $300,000 in incentives for plate appearances. You get the feeling he'd pay the Twins if they could help him deliver his first World Series ring.
He has been a perfect fit and perhaps the missing piece. They miss Justin Morneau dearly, but having Thome's lefthanded bat in the lineup helps make up for it. And when other Twins grumble about Target Field being a tough home run park, the team can just refer them to Thome's splits:
Home: 124 PA 9 HR .275/.395/.618
Away: 129 PA 8 HR .271/.388/.570
Not to minimize it. The Twins and their opponents have combined to average 1.28 HR per game at Target Field, compared to 2.79 HR per game when the Twins have played on the road. Target Field simply plays bigger than most parks, but it matters less for Thome, who could turn Yellowstone into a hitter's park when he connects. As a team, the Twins have adapted, finding other ways to score. They've reeled off eight home victories in a row.
Thome acknowledges it's a tough home run park but adds, "I think that’s benefited us, to be honest. Let’s face it, as you get close later in the year to the postseason -- and if we’re fortunate to get there -- that’s what ultimately wins what you want to accomplish, is pitching. Our pitchers have been wonderful. They’ve been great, and maybe the ballpark has helped. As hitters, we have to adapt to that."
Didn't realize this before deadline last night, but Elias research has Thome tied for the all-time lead with 12 walk-off home runs. Tied with Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, Frank Robinson, Mickey Mantle and Jimmy Foxx (Double X). It's fitting that he'd have the first one in Target Field history, a shot many of us will never forget.
Slowey has sore elbow; Perkins could start Wednesday in Chicago
Posted by: Phil Miller Updated: August 8, 2010 - 10:54 AMCLEVELAND -- Kevin Slowey has soreness in the back of his right elbow and won't make his start Wednesday in Chicago. Manager Ron Gardenhire hinted that Glen Perkins will come up from Class AAA Rochester and get that start, since that is his regular day to pitch.
Slowey's next start will likely be next Sunday. He said he's confidence that his issue is tendinitis. It flared up after Thursday's start at Tampa Bay. He was going to throw a bullpen session today but cancelled it because of the soreness.
The Twins considered keeping Francisco Liriano and Carl Pavano on regular rest so they could pitch Wednesday and Thursday in Chicago, but both requested the extra day of rest. Gardenhire said Liriano is dealing with a little bit of "dead arm," which might explain why Liriano labored Friday night.
So the likely rotation when for the Chicago series will be: Scott Baker (Tuesday), Perkins (Wednesday) and Liriano (Thursday).
* The Twins need to make a roster move this morning, with Orlando Hudson set to come off the disabled list. The MRI exam on Alexi Casilla's left ankle looked good. The Twins think Casilla will be healthy in a couple days, so they are looking for someone else to clear from the roster, possibly a pitcher.
Update: The Twins optioned RHP Anthony Slama to Rochester to clear a spot for Hudson. This spares Trevor Plouffe, who will provide infield depth while Casilla heals.
* Joe Mauer returns to catcher for the first time since July 31. His right shoulder has been feeling better, and he's been on fire at the plate. Saturday's 4-for-5 effort left Mauer's average at .322, the highest it's been since May 30. Mauer has been gaining ground on AL batting leader Josh Hamilton, who is at .354, so a fourth batting title isn't out of the question.
* This is an important swing game for the Twins, who are 3-3 on the road trip. A series victory would put the Twins in a perfect frame of mind as they fly to Chicago, where they'll enjoy an off day Monday before starting their three-game showdown with the White Sox.
TWINS (62-49)
1. Jason Repko, CF
2. Orlando Hudson, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Delmon Young, LF
5. Jason Kubel, RF
6. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
7. Jim Thome, DH
8. Danny Valencia, 3B
9. J.J. Hardy, SS
Starting pitcher: LH Brian Duensing (4-1, 2.10 ERA)
INDIANS (47-64)
1. Michael Brantley, CF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
3. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
4. Shelley Duncan, DH
5. Matt LaPorta, 1B
6. Andy Marte, 3B
7. Trevor Crowe, LF
8. Jason Donald, SS
9. Lou Marson, C
Starting pitcher: LH David Huff (2-10, 5.97 ERA)
Progressive Field. First pitch: 12:05 p.m (Central). TV: WFTC (Ch. 29). Twins Radio Network
Morneau closer to a return; Twins sign first-round pick
Posted by: Phil Miller Updated: August 6, 2010 - 6:00 PMCLEVELAND -- The Twins have six games remaining on this road trip and Francisco Liriano will start two of them -- tonight against the Indians and next Thursday against the White Sox.
Liriano has pitched 21 consecutive scoreless innings after having a 23-inning scoreless streak earlier this season. He might be the hottest pitcher in baseball, at 4-0 with a 0.63 ERA and 33 strikeouts in his past four starts.
The Indians will counter with Jeanmar Gomez, who is making his third major league start. I'm told he's one of Cleveland's top pitching prospects. Fastball will range from 90-92 with good movement. He threw a perfect game last year in Class AA but was 8-8 with a 5.20 ERA this year in Class AAA.
Joe Mauer is getting another DH assignment and likely won't catch Saturday, since Carl Pavano is starting. Drew Butera keeps getting starts behind the plate.
Update: Orlando Hudson (strained right oblique) had no problem swinging from both sides of the plate today and is expected to come off the DL on Sunday, as scheduled.
Justin Morneau (concussion) had another good day working out at Target Field. Plan is to have him take BP with the Twins on Tuesday and Wednesday in Chicago and, if all goes well, head out on a minor-league rehab stint. Gardy says he's champing at the bit, but team wants to make sure he can make it through a full day's activities. It will be a step for Morneau just to take BP and then watch the entire game on the bench.
The plan for Mauer (right shoulder tendinitis) now is to have him catch Sunday, allowing him a day of rest with Monday's off day, and then resume catching against the White Sox.
Jon Rauch (skin issue) is available to pitch tonight. Jesse Crain is getting the night off. Twins also would like to avoid using closer Matt Capps.
Update: The Twins announced that they have signed first-round draft pick Alex Wimmers to a $1,332,000 bonus. Wimmers was the 21st overall pick in the June draft. He went 9-0 with a 1.60 ERA for Ohio State and was named the National Pitcher of the Year by the College Baseball Foundation.
The Twins assigned Wimmers to the Class A Fort Myers Miracle.
"I just wanted to get this on the road," Wimmers said. "I've had the summer, but I miss pitching too much."
TWINS (61-48)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Delmon Young, LF
5. Jason Kubel, RF
6. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
7. Danny Valencia, 3B
8. J.J. Hardy, SS
9. Drew Butera, C
Starting pitcher: LH Francisco Liriano (10-7, 3.18 ERA)
INDIANS (46-63)
1. Michael Brantley, CF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
3. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
4. Shelley Duncan, DH
5. Matt LaPorta, 1B
6. Jason Nix, 3B
7. Trevor Crowe, LF
8. Jason Donald, 2B
9. Lou Marson, C
Starting pitcher: RH Jeanmar Gomez (2-0, 1.50 ERA)
Progressive Field. First pitch: 6:05 p.m. TV: FSN. Twins Radio Network
Liriano looks to extend Twins seven-game winning streak
Posted by: Phil Miller Updated: August 1, 2010 - 12:14 PMJustin Morneau took batting practice in the indoor batting cage, instead of on the field, mostly because the Twins didn't want to make a spectacle of it, and they have a family game this morning. Regardless of where he's hitting, Morneau is finally making notable progress in his recovery from a July 7 concussion.
The Rays altered their rotation for this week's series in Tampa Bay, slotting Jeremy Hellickson to pitch Monday, and moving their other starters back. So Matt Garza will not get the chance to face his former team.
Those matchups will be: Pavano vs. Hellickson on Monday, Duensing vs. Niemann on Tuesday, Baker vs. Price on Wednesday and Slowey vs. Davis on Sunday.
First things first. The Twins will put their seven-game winning streak on the line today against Seattle, with Francisco Liriano opposing Luke French in a battle of lefthanders.
Update: Nick Blackburn is scheduled to make his first start for Class AAA Rochester on Monday.
Gardenhire said Morneau won't travel with the team to Tampa after the game and will remain in Minnesota, working out daily at Target Field. Orlando Hudson (strained oblique) will travel on the road trip. He is eligible to come off the DL on Aug. 8.
MARINERS (39-66)
1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Chone Figgins, 2B
3. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
4. Russell Branyan, DH
5. Casey Kotchman, 1B
6. Josh Wilson, SS
7. Matt Tuiasosopo, 3B
8. Michael Saunders, LF
9. Rob Johnson, C
Starting pitcher: LH French (0-2, 6.39 ERA)
TWINS (58-46)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Delmon Young, LF
4. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, RF
6. Danny Valencia, 3B
7. Jason Repko, RF
8. J.J. Hardy, SS
9. Drew Butera, C
Starting pitcher: LH Francisco Liriano (9-7, 3.35 ERA)
Target Field. First pitch: 1:10 p.m. TV: WFTC (Ch. 29). Twins Radio Network
Morneau has setback, likely headed to DL
Posted by: Phil Miller Updated: July 15, 2010 - 5:47 PMTwins first baseman Justin Morneau tried working out today and felt woozy. He said he's probably headed to the 15-day disabled list.
Morneau, who has been out since July 7 with a concussion, said he has felt progressively better in recent days, so he's encouraged. He'll be eligible to come off the DL on July 23.
"Hopefully when it’s time to come off, we’ll be 100 percent ready to go without there being any questions -- what happens if I dive? what happens if I go in to break up a double play? -- you don’t want that," Morneau said. "You want to be able to go out there and play and not have those thoughts and be able to be aggressive."
The Twins plan to activate Matt Tolbert (bruised right middle finger) from the DL on Friday, so he'll likely swap spots with Morneau.
Morneau described what he's feeling as "Fogginess. Things aren’t working right. It’s not registering right, just walking around. When that’s not right, trying hit a 90-mph fastball makes it a little difficult. Just error on the side of caution. See what the plan is. The good thing is it’s been getting better every day, and I think we’ve been handling it the right way, and we’ve been pretty cautious with it."
Morneau said he'll likely use the new style of protective batting helmet players wore during Tuesday's All-Star Game.
"I don’t think it’s something that would have really made a difference in this case," he said. "You never really know, but for safety sake I guess we’ll try and use that new helmet. It didn’t look as bad in the All-Star Game so we’ll see how it goes."
NOTES
The White Sox are 25-5 in their past 30 games and riding an eight-game winning streak that has vaulted them into first place.
Kevin Slowey will try to cool down Chicago's offense tonight. Like most Twins starters, Slowey has been markedly better at home, going 5-3 with a 3.54 ERA at Target Field, compared to 3-2 with a 5.98 ERA on the road. Pitching coach Rick Anderson was encouraged by what he saw from Slowey in a two-inning relief appearance Saturday. Slowey retired all six batters he faced and did a good job changing speeds, Anderson said.
Brian Duensing has the flu, and Manager Ron Gardenhire said he'd have to see how he feels during the game.
Clay Condrey is having doctors check his injured right elbow. "Not good," Gardenhire said.
Alexi Casilla has moved up to Class AA New Britain in his rehab from right elbow surgery.
WHITE SOX (49-38)
1. Juan Pierre, LF
2. Omar Vizquel, 3B
3. Alex Rios, CF
4. Paul Konerko, 1B
5. Carlos Quentin, RF
6. Mark Kotsay, DH
7. A.J. Pierzynski, C
8. Alexei Ramirez, SS
9. Gordon Beckham, 2B
Starting pitcher: LH John Danks (8-7, 3.29 ERA)
TWINS (46-42)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Hudson, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, RF
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Jim Thome, DH
8. J.J. Hardy, SS
9. Nick Punto, 3B
Starting pitcher: RH Kevin Slowey (8-5, 4.74 ERA)
Target Field. First pitch: 7:10 p.m. TV: FSN. Twins Radio Network
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