twins/mlb
La Velle E. Neal III has covered baseball for the Star Tribune since 1998 (the post-Knoblauch era). Born and raised in Chicago, he grew up following the White Sox and hating the Cubs. He attended both the University of Illinois and Illinois-Chicago and began his baseball writing career at the Kansas City Star. He can be heard occasionally on KFAN radio, lending his great baseball mind to Paul Allen and other hosts. Mark Rosen borrows him occasionally for WCCO-TV.
Three postgame thoughts from LEN3: Frankie, The HAMMER and THE Hammer
Posted by: La Velle E. Neal III Updated: June 20, 2012 - 10:11 PM
Here are three thoughts following the Twins' 2-1 win over Pittsburgh
1. This is more like it, Frankie: I wasn't impressed with his start against the Brewers when he frequently fell behind in the count despite throwing a no-hitter for six innings. Tonight, Frankie knew where his pitches were going. He was down in the zone most of the night. He set up hitters. He looked like a pitcher. His next start will be a big test. No more A's, Royals and Pirates offenses. He'll have to prove it against the Pale Hose.
2. How about the HAMMER? Josh Willingham is the consummate masher. His plan is simple. Look for a pitch middle in and crush it. He rarely deviates from that. He got a hold of another one in the eighth inning on Wednesday for his 14th homer. "I've been fortunate enough to be in some key situations for us," he said. "Sometimes I've come through, and sometimes I haven't. You always want to be in that situation, whether you do the job or not. I've been able to get some big hits for us this year, and it feels good."
3. Here comes THE Hammer: I can't wait to watch James McDonald pitch on Thursday. The Pirates righthander broke in with the Dodgers and throws a HUGE breaking ball. Seriously, it will leave the screen - if you're watching the game - and come back over the plate for strikes.
ADVERTISEMENT
more twins blogs
-
Souhan on Sports
Ryan says Gibson close, but not quite ready
Twins general manager Terry Ryan talked about the decision to bring up two other...
-
A Fan's View
Section 219: Watching the Twins (and their fans) melt down
The losing streak has brought out the worst from top to bottom in the...
-
TwinsCentric
TwinsCentric: Examining Arcia's recent struggles
Where's Oswaldo? (Hint: Not in the Twins lineup.)
Post By Category
ADVERTISEMENT
- Postgame: No-hit bids, baseball gods and Arcia
- Ryan says Gibson close, but not quite ready
- Section 219: Watching the Twins (and their fans) melt down
- Twins-Tigers: Deduno tonight, Walters tomorrow.
- TwinsCentric: Examining Arcia's recent struggles
- TwinsCentric: Twins take a good, hard turn with Deduno
- TwinsCentric: Draft Profile: OF Austin Meadows
- Postgame: Roster moves, Florimon and staredowns
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters