The Minnesota bats failed to show up this past series as well... they went a combined 24-99 (.242 BA) while leaving an eye-popping 45 men on base. FORTY-FIVE. Makes my stomach turn just to think about it.
Meanwhile, the three likely candidates to be sent to the bullpen to make room for Liriano each failed to make a case for their respective rotation spot. Perkins, Slowey and Blackburn were pretty bad at Yankee Stadium, which further muddles the situation... which one is going to move? All I know is I'm sick of writing about it, and a decision needs to be made.
The Twins send embattled starter Livan Hernandez to the hill to face AL All-Star starter Cliff Lee on Friday night in what could prove to be a decisive series for the Domers. Hopefully they can snap this awful four-game slide.
It's a short entry today, but there were some fun minor league rumbles last night:
-- The Rochester Red Wings, a day after Liriano went nuts on Toledo, got an offensive explosion from CF Jason Pridie and C Ryan Jorgenson. Both players smacked a pair of homers to lead the Twins' Triple-A affiliate to a 9-6 victory. Keep your eye on Pridie as well - he's got 11 home runs and 19 steals, and has been one of the better speed/power guys in the minors over the past two seasons. In fact, he finished with 14 homers and 26 steals in AA and AAA action last year. This 24-year-old has been on fire in June and July with 10 homers and 10 SB with 23 RBI while batting .293 in 46 games. Pridie could certainly be a September call-up.
-- Staying in Triple-A, Philip Humber has started to get going after a largely terrible year to date. He had a brief three-week stint in the bullpen after stinking it up on July 1 (eight earned runs in 1 2/3 innings), and bounced back with five scoreless innings last night. Humber allowed just five hits while striking out five, and hopefully is ready for a nice run of good outings.
Thanks again for reading, and enjoy the off day!
