Managing the Twins Back to the World Series

[faithful2thecall]

We’re predicted to go 66-96 this season to finish last in the AL Central.

Goals for the season for GM Terry Ryan are:

• Don’t suck completely.
• Increase attendance to 26,000 per game (by 2019).
• End with $18 million (by 2018).
• Build the farm system to a top 6 farm (by 2020).
• Bring more drafted players to your team. (by 2020).
• Build up team to reach the playoffs (by 2020).

Coming into this season, I’m not very optimistic despite the reduced expectations. We have some pieces that could make us a good team if they stay healthy. Our main problem is likely to be pitching—in particular the bullpen again this season. Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios should be a solid 1-2 punch at the top of my rotation if they stay healthy, but beyond that the rotation is pretty shaky too. The top 3rd of my lineup: Byron Buxton, Joe Mauer, and Kennys Vargas has the potential to set me up to score a bunch of runs if the guys behind them can produce more than they did last year. Past that we need a lot of growth to be competitive. The early schedule is a reason for optimism, as we do get 2 series outside the division in April.


April 9, 2017

• The season gets underway with St. Louis beating Milwaukee 2-1.


April 10, 2017

• Terry Ryan still can’t decide how he wants my bullpen to look sending LHP RP Caleb Thielbar and RHP RP Simon Castro to AAA and calls up RHP RP Joel Hanrahan from AAA and RHP RP Luke Bard from AA.
• Cincinnati signs RHP CL Jason Motte to a 1 year, $3 million deal.

Cleveland 3 at Minnesota 4

WP: Ervin Santana (1-0), LP: Kyle Crockett (0-1), SV: Glen Perkins (1)
HR: Cle-None, MN-Alfredo Marte (1)

We catch defending division champion Cleveland at a good time as they’re already battling the injury bug. The Indians made the curious decision to send Crockett to the mound on opening day, even though he’s normally a reliever.

Francisco Lindor delivered a 2-out RBI single in the 2nd to open the scoring, though Lonnie Chisenhall was thrown out at 3rd on the play to end the inning. Marte responded with a 2-out, 2-run homer in the bottom of the inning to put us in front. Chris Herrmann provided some insurance with a 2-out blooper to right for a RBI single in the 4th. Michael Brantley hit a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center in the 5th to bring the Indians back within 1. We got the run back in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back 2-out doubles by Joe Mauer and Kennys Vargas that chased Crockett. A.J. Pollock grounded a 2-out seeing-eye single in the 6th to bring Cleveland within 4-3. Ervin Santana was injured fielding a grounder to end the 6th (elbow soreness, 6 days). Then there was a 60 minute rain delay in the 7th. The Indians got the tying run to 3rd with 1-out in the 8th, but Lester Oliveros struck out Chisenhall and Pollock to escape the jam. Perkins retired the side in order in the 9th to secure the win.


April 11, 2017

• Kyle Parker (Colorado) suffered a setback in his recovery from back soreness that will keep him out an additional week.

Off Day

• Jose Bautista (San Francisco) hit a 2-run homer in a 5-4 loss to Colorado for career homer #300.


April 12, 2017

Cleveland 9 at Minnesota 3

WP: Carlos Carrasco (1-0), LP: Jose Berrios (0-1)
HR: Cle-Marlon Byrd (1), Matt Holiday (1), MN-Kennys Vargas (1)

Vargas crushed a hanging curveball 437 feet for a 2-out solo homer in the 1st to open the scoring. An Austin Barnes throwing error allowed Cleveland to tie the game in the 4th, when Tyler Naquin lined a 2-out soft single to center to bring home the run. Alfredo Marte delivered a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the inning to put us back in front. The lead didn’t last long as Francisco Lindor grounded a 1-out RBI single between 1st and 2nd in the 5th. Lonnie Chisenhall lined a 2-out RBI single in the 6th to put the Indians in front, then Byrd followed it up by putting the game away with a 3-run homer.


April 13, 2017

Cleveland 2 at Minnesota 11

WP: Phil Hughes (1-0) , LP: Danny Salazar (0-1)
HR: Cle-None, MN-Chris Herrmann (1)

We got the 1st good scoring chance in the 3rd when Jorge Polanco led off with a double and Byron Buxton successfully sacrificed him over to 3rd. After Joe Mauer squibbed an infield single, Kennys Vargas picked him up by lining a RBI single to right. Brian Dozier followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. We capped the inning with a 2-out, 2-run double by Alfredo Marte. We blew the game open in the 4th scoring 7 runs, highlighted by a 2-out, 3-run homer by Herrmann. The Indians didn’t get on the board until the 7th on a sacrifice fly by Jake Lowery.


April 14, 2017

• Hector Olivera (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 7-8 months with a damaged elbow ligament.
• Chad Billingsley signed a 2-year, $15 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.

Minnesota 3 at Texas 4 (10 innings)

WP: Tyler Clippard (1-0), LP: Joel Hanrahan (0-1)
HR: MN-Jorge Polanco (1), Brian Dozier (1), Tex-Kellin Deglan (1), Jurickson Profar (2), Prince Fielder (1)

We travel to Texas to take on a team that swept Oakland to open the season. Deglan’s 1st MLB homer led off the 3rd to open the scoring. 2 batters later Profar doubled the lead with a solo homer. We got on the board in the 4th without a hit, after Buxton drew a walk to leadoff and stole 2nd, taking 3rd on a throwing error by Deglan, before trotting home on a sacrifice fly by Kennys Vargas. Deglan made up for his error with a 2-out RBI double in the bottom of the inning. Our 1st hit came on a 2-out single by Chris Herrmann in the 5th. Polanco hit a leadoff homer in the 6th to bring us within 1. Dozier followed it up by leading off the 7th with a homer to straightaway center that just barely cleared the top of the wall to tie the game. Fielder hit a 1-out walk-off in the 10th.

• Buck Farmer (Detroit) threw a 5-hitter against Cleveland.
• Nolan Arenado (Colorado) had a 20 game hitting streak dating to last season snapped in a 4-7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in an 0-for-5 performance.


April 15, 2017

• GM Terry Ryan was up to his usual antics of trying to get me fired with his latest slate of roster moves. RHP SP Ricky Nolasco was designated for assignment after a decent start yesterday. 2-time Gold Glove 2B Brian Dozier and RHP RP Luke Bard were sent down to AAA. RF Adam Walker, LHP RP Phil Coke, and RHP SP Andre Rienzo were called up from AAA to take their places.
• Atlanta signed Huston Street to a 1 year, $3.08 million deal.
• Darren O’Day signed a 1 year, $2.28 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.
• Mike Dunn signed a 1 year, $8.8 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.

Minnesota 3 at Texas 4

WP: Tyler Clippard (2-0), LP: Ryan Buchter (0-1)
HR: MN-Eddie Rosario (1), Tex-Kellin Deglan (2)

Rosario opened the scoring with a 2-out solo homer in the 2nd. A 2-out RBI seeing-eye single by Chris Herrmann in the 5th doubled the lead. Texas finally broke through against Tyler Duffy in the 6th on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Rua. 3 batters later, Hanser Alberto blooped a 2-out RBI single to center to tie the game. Deglan hit a leadoff homer in the 7th to give the Rangers the lead. The lead didn’t last long, as pinch-hitter Oswaldo Arcia brought in the tying run on a sacrifice fly in the 8th. Texas walked off on a 1-out, bases-loaded wild pitch.


April 16, 2017

Minnesota 4 at Texas 6

WP: Alexander Gonzalez (1-0), LP: Ervin Santana (1-1)
HR: MN-Oswaldo Arcia (1), Adam Walker (1), Tex-Kellin Deglan (3), Shin-Soo Choo (1)

The Rangers didn’t waste time taking the lead in the series finale, as Ryan Rua grounded a 1-out RBI single between 3rd and short in the 1st to open the scoring. Texas added another run in the inning on a 2-out RBI single by Michael Choice, though Choo was thrown out trying to take 3rd on the play to end the inning. Deglan hit a 2-out solo homer in the 2nd to extend the lead. Arcia finally got us on the board in the 4th with a 1-out, 2-run homer to right. Byron Buxton was injured running out an infield single in the 5th. Rua’s 2nd RBI single of the game in the bottom of the inning extended the Texas lead to 2-4. We got a chance in the 6th, after back-to-back 2-out walks helped us load the bases for Danny Santana, but he was punched out on a 3-2 fastball to end the inning. Choo then laced a leadoff homer off the right field foul post in the bottom of the inning to seemingly put the game out of reach. In desperation I sent Walker to the plate as a pinch-hitter in the 9th for Danny Santana, and Walker rewarded me with a 2-run homer in his 1st MLB at bat.

• Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox) threw a 5-hitter against Kansas City.
• Garrett Richards (Los Angeles Angels) threw a 3-hitter against Oakland.
• Victor Martinez (New York Yankees) picked up his 2,000th career hit on a single in a 2-for-4 effort in a 12-1 win over Tampa Bay.


2-4, 2 GB (5th AL Central), 1.5 GB (9th AL Wild Card)

Our early problem isn’t scoring runs for a change, it’s that we’re giving up too many runs. My biggest concerns with the offense is that we’re striking out too often (14th in the AL) and we’re not getting enough clutch hits with runners on. The pitching staff has been the worst in the AL at keeping the ball in the park. My bullpen has actually been halfway decent (6th in the AL), though it still is giving up more runs than I’d like, but my starters haven’t faired well other than Hughes (13th in the AL).

[faithful2thecall]

April 17, 2017

• In a freak accident, Anthony Bemboom (Los Angeles Angels) was hit in the temple by a wild pitch during batting practice. He was taken to a local hospital complaining of blurred vision and a bruised cheekbone. He’ll be held out for a couple of games as a precaution.
• I’m still not certain how Terry Ryan hasn’t been fired for incompetence long before now. He recalled RHP RP Luke Bard, sending SS Jorge Polanco down to AAA. Immediately afterward, he recalled Polanco along with RHP SP Chris Heston, sending RHP SP Tyler Duffey (who was decent in his start) and RF Adam Walker down to AAA. He also designated for assignment RHP SP Ervin Santana. CF Aaron Hicks also finished his recovery from injury and was added to the roster.
• The New York Yankees signed Gerardo Parra to a 1 year, $2.64 million deal.
• We’re 26th in the latest power rankings.

Minnesota 1 at Detroit 7

WP: Alex Torres (1-0), LP: Jose Berrios (0-2)
HR: MN-None, Det-Miguel Cabrera (3), Steven Moya (2)

Cabrera opened the scoring in the 3rd with a 2-out grand slam. Moya followed it up with another homer to blow the game open. Our 1st hit came on a 1-out single in the 4th by Joe Mauer. Mauer came around to score on a RBI triple by Jorge Polanco to get us on the board. My offense never got going, as we managed only 4 hits off of 3 Detroit pitchers.


April 18, 2017

• Byron Buxton is out 2 weeks with a strained abdominal muscle. RF Adam Walker was recalled from AAA to take his place.
• Louis Coleman (Kansas City) is out 7-8 months with a torn labrum.
Off Day
• Gio Gonzalez (Washington) threw a 2-hitter against Tampa Bay.


April 19, 2017

Minnesota 7 at Detroit 2

WP: Phil Hughes (2-0), LP: Johnny Cueto (0-2)
HR: MN-Hector Gomez (1), Aaron Hicks (1), Oswaldo Arcia (2), Det-Anthony Aliotti (1)

Both starting pitchers looked solid in the early innings. Gomez hammered a 2-out, 3-run homer just inside the left field foul pole in the 4th to open the scoring. Aliotti’s 1st MLB homer was a leadoff shot in the 5th to get the Tigers on the board. Hicks responded by crushing a 1-out, 3-run homer 435 feet in the 6th to give us some breathing room. Hughes put in another solid performance scattering 1 run and 6 hits over 8 innings before I brought in Glen Perkins in the 9th to get him some work.


April 20, 2017

• The Chicago White Sox trade 2B Neil Walker, CF Hugo Rodriguez, and $3 million to Tampa Bay in exchange for LHP SP Drew Smyly.

Minnesota 10 at Detroit 11

WP: Kyle Ryan (1-0), LP: Andre Rienzo (0-1), SV: Eric O’Flaherty (1)
HR: MN-Luis Mateo (1), Aaron Hicks (2), Det-J.D. Martinez (2)

The pitching matchup for the series finale wasn’t encouraging, as Buck Farmer (coming off a 5-hitter against Cleveland in his last start) matched up against Rienzo (who hadn’t pitched in MLB since 2014). Detroit exploited the matchup immediately, as Steven Moya opened the scoring on an infield single in the 1st. Martinez rubbed salt in the wound with a 2-out grand slam before the inning was over. Alfredo Marte got us on the board in the 3rd with a 2-out, 2-run triple. A clutch 2-out, 3-run double by Joe Mauer in the 4th tied the game. The game didn’t stay tied long, as Miguel Cabrera grounded a 1-out RBI single to left in the bottom of the inning, which Moya followed with a 2-run double as part of a 6 run inning. Mateo boosted our morale with a 2-out, 3-run shot for his 1st MLB homer in the 5th to bring us within 8-11. A 1-out solo homer by Hicks in the 7th gave us a little hope of a 2nd big comeback as it brought us within 2. Kennys Vargas delivered a 1-out RBI double in the 8th to make it 10-11.


April 21, 2017

Los Angeles Angels at Minnesota—Rained Out


April 22, 2017

• Nick Castellanos (Detroit) is out 6-7 weeks with an oblique strain.
• Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf passed away after a lengthy illness. His son Jerry Reinsdorf Jr. will take over the team.

Game #1: Los Angeles Angels 1 at Minnesota 2

WP: Chris Heston (1-0), LP: Shae Simmons (0-1), SV: Glen Perkins (2)
HR: LAA-None, MN-None

The Angels got on the board in the 1st on a sacrifice fly by Josh Hamilton. We tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Oswaldo Aricia ripped a 2-out RBI double off the right field wall. Both starters settled down after the 1st and a pitching duel commenced. Neither team had a serious rally until the 8th when back-to-back singles by Jorge Polanco and Joe Mauer (on a hit-and-run) to start the inning had runners on the corners. Alfredo Marte put us in front with a sacrifice fly after Kennys Vargas popped out. Heston threw a gem allowing only the 1st inning run on 5 hits over 8 innings while striking out 7 and walking 1. Meanwhile Drew Rucinski’s hard luck continued for the Angels, as he lowered his ERA to 3.00 but he’s only gotten 1 run of support from his offense in 3 starts this season.


Game #2: Los Angeles Angels 6 at Minnesota 5

WP: Garrett Richards (2-0), LP: Jason Wheeler (0-1), SV: Craig Kimbrel (2)
HR: LAA-None, MN-Eddie Rosario (2)

I got a tough match-up for an attempt at sweeping my 1st double header as Twins manager after several attempts the past 2 seasons, as we went up against Richards fresh off a 3-hitter against Oakland where he struck out 12. The Angels scored without a hit in the 2nd when an error on Luis Mateo at 3rd and a wild pitch by Wheeler allowed a run to score. We tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a 1-out opposite field RBI double by Aaron Hicks. Anthony Bemboom put the Angels back in front in the 3rd with a 2-run double. A RBI triple by Hicks in the 4th brought us within 2-4, and he came in on a RBI groundout by Austin Barnes. Pavel Quesada bounced a 2-out RBI single into right in the 5th to give the Angels some more insurance. Rosario answered by crushing a 2-out solo homer 428 feet in the bottom of the inning to get that run back. Chase Headley was injured (mild calf strain, day-to-day 4 days) on a double leading off the 6th off of reliever Luke Bard. Mike Trout drove in pinch-runner Mike Moustakas with a 1-out RBI single. We squandered a great chance in the 7th when Hicks and pinch-hitter Oswaldo Arcia struck out back-to-back with the bases loaded to end the inning. Jorge Polanco brought us back within 1 in the 8th on a 1-out RBI double on a hit-and-run. Kimbrel struck out the side in the 9th after walking Rosario to secure the win for the Angels.


April 23, 2017

Los Angeles Angels 5 at Minnesota 3

WP: Tyler Skaggs (1-1), LP: Jose Berrios (0-3)
HR: LAA-None, MN-None

Mike Trout opened the scoring in the 4th with a RBI triple. Kole Calhoun doubled the lead in the 5th with a 1-out RBI single, and Jose Berrios came undone after that. We finally got on the board in the bottom of the inning when Jorge Polanco lined a 2-out RBI single in front of a 2-run double by Joe Mauer, but Danny Santana was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

• Marcell Ozuna (Miami) and Kevin Gausman (Baltimore) were suspended 3 games each for their roles in a benches clearing brawl between their teams.


April 24, 2017

• Michael Wacha (St. Louis) is out 4 months with a torn back muscle.
• We’re ranked 23rd in the latest power rankings.

Detroit 3 at Minnesota 2 (10 innings)

WP: Jose Valdez (1-0), LP: Glen Perkins (0-1), SV: Jordan Walden (1)
HR: Det-J.D. Martinez (3), MN-None

Pitching took control in the early innings. Martinez launched a leadoff homer 419 feet in the 5th to open the scoring. Steven Moya grounded a RBI single to right in the 6th to double the Tigers lead. We finally got on the board when Joe Mauer grounded a 2-out RBI single in the 8th. Then with Kennys Vargas at the plate, reliever Bobby Parnell uncorked a wild pitch that tied the game. Hector Gomez made a great grab with 2 outs and the bases loaded in the 9th to keep the game tied. We then proceeded to load the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the inning, but we squandered the chance on a line out, strike out, and a fly out. Miguel Cabrera was injured (bruised thumb, day-to-day 2 days) running the bases in the 10th. The Tigers took the lead later in the inning on a 2-out error by Jorge Polanco.

• Will Middlebrooks (St. Louis) was suspended 4 games and Jeff Samardzija (Chicago Cubs) was suspended 6 games for their roles in a benches clearing brawl.
• Edwin Escobar (San Diego) threw a 3-hitter against Arizona.


April 25, 2017

Detroit 0 at Minnesota 2

WP: Andre Rienzo (1-1), LP: Buck Farmer (1-1), SV: Glen Perkins (3)
HR: Det-None, MN-None

Offensive fireworks were expected with the same pitching matchup from the wild 11-10 game on April 20th. We got the 1st scoring chance in the 2nd, loading the bases with nobody out for Chris Herrmann. Herrmann delivered with a 2-run single to open the scoring. Outside of that inning, neither team was able to mount a serious scoring threat. Rienzo responded brilliantly scattering 3 hits in 6.2 shutout innings. Detroit didn’t get a scoring threat until the 7th, when Rienzo walked back-to-back hitters with 2 outs as he went over the 100 pitch mark. I responded by holding my breath as I brought in Joel Hanrahan, who brought an ERA of 15.43 into the game but was the freshest reliever I had, who after walking the first hitter he faced coaxed pinch-hitter Anthony Aliotti into grounding out softly to Joe Mauer unassisted to end the inning. Detroit got the go-ahead run to the plate against Perkins in the 9th, but he slammed the door to get us a much needed win.

• Kendall Graveman (Oakland) threw a 1-hitter against Seattle. The Mariners lone hit was a leadoff single in the 2nd by Alex Jackson.


April 26, 2017

• Oakland trades 2B Jose Miguel Fernandez and RHP CL Ryan Burr to Detroit in exchange for RHP SP Johnny Cueto and $3 million.

Detroit 5 at Minnesota 6

WP: Lester Oliveros (1-0), LP: Bobby Parnell (1-2), SV: Glen Perkins (4)
HR: Det-None, MN-Adam Walker (2)

Chris Heston escaped a 2nd and 3rd with 1 out jam in the 2nd by coaxing a pair of comebackers from Jose Miguel Fernandez and Ryan Flaherty to end the inning. Pitching dominated the early innings, as the teams combined for 1 hit in the 1st 3 innings. Fernandez made up for it in his 2nd at bat by lining a 2-run single to center in the 4th to open the scoring, which Flaherty followed up with a 2-run double to blow the game open. We didn’t get a hit until Danny Santana bunted for a 2-out single in the 5th. To add insult to injury, Nick Burdi was injured (hamstring soreness, 5 days) striking out James McCann in the 7th. Lester Oliveros came in to bail out a 2nd and 3rd with 1 out jam that Burdi left without giving up a run. We finally got on the board in the bottom of the inning when I lifted a struggling Santana for pinch-hitter Walker, who rewarded me with a 1-out grand slam to bring us within 4-5. We weren’t done, as we proceeded to load the bases for Kennys Vargas still with 1 out. While Vargas fouled out, Alfredo Marte picked him up with a 2-run single to put us in front. Perkins retired the side in order in the 9th to secure our 1st series win since the season opener.


April 27, 2017

• Tyler Thornburg (Chicago White Sox) is out 3 months with a torn triceps.

Minnesota 3 at Cleveland 7

WP: Jenrry Mejia (1-0), LP: Joel Hanrahan (0-2)
HR: MN-Aaron Hicks (3), Cle-Francisco Lindor (3), Lonnie Chisenhall (1)

The Indians opened the scoring in the 3rd on a 2-out RBI single by Carlos Santana. The lead didn’t last long as Alfredo Marte and Oswaldo Arcia hit back-to-back 1-out doubles in the 4th to tie the game. Later in the inning, Chris Herrmann grounded a 2-out RBI single to left to give us the lead. We threatened to break the game open in the 5th, loading the bases with nobody out for Kennys Vargas, but Vargas struck out looking and Marte grounded into an inning-ending double play to squander the threat. Cleveland made us pay as they tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a RBI groundout by Michael Brantley. With 1 out in the 6th, Hicks hit a flyball into the right field corner and never stopped running until he was on his way back to the dugout with an inside-the-park homer to put us back on top 3-2. Lindor pulled a 1-out solo homer in the 7th to tie the game again. The Indians went back in front in the 8th on a RBI double by Jake Lowery, and then Chisenhall put the game away with a 3-run homer.


April 28, 2017

• Joey Votto (Cincinnati) is out 2 months with a fractured finger.
• Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay) is out for 4 months with a partially torn labrum.

Minnesota 3 at Cleveland 5

WP: Hisashi Iwakuma (2-1), LP: Jose Berrios (0-4), SV: Cody Allen (5)
HR: MN-Jorge Polanco (2), Cle-Jake Lowery (2), Francisco Lindor (4)

Lowery hit a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. Lindor added insurance with a 1-out solo homer in the 5th. Carlos Santana was injured on a RBI double later in the inning. Polanco lined a frozen rope 390 feet in the 8th for a 3-run homer to get us on the board and bring us within 3-5.


April 29, 2017

• Josh Johnson (Seattle) suffered a setback in his recovery from a sore shoulder that will keep him out an additional 5 days.
• Greg Bird (New York Yankees) is out 4-5 months with a concussion.

Minnesota 3 at Cleveland 5

WP: Kyle Crockett (1-2), LP: Phil Hughes (2-1), SV: Cody Allen (6)
HR: MN-Danny Santana (1), Cle-None

Mistakes by the Indians let us get on the board in the 1st, a 2-out error by Jason Kipnis extended the inning and then Crockett uncorked a wild pitch that brought in Joe Mauer with the game’s 1st run. The lead didn’t last long as Francisco Lindor and Kipnis hit back-to-back doubles leading off the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Eric Haase put Cleveland in front in the 2nd with a RBI triple. Matt Holiday added some insurance with a RBI bloop single to center that brought Haase in. Kipnis added a sacrifice fly in the 4th to seemingly put the game out of reach with my offense doing nothing. Santana tried to get us back in the game by hitting a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 8th to cut the deficit in half. We didn’t put a ball in play against Allen in the 9th as he locked down the game.

• Aaron Sanchez (Toronto) threw a 2-hitter against Tampa Bay.


April 30, 2017

Minnesota 8 at Cleveland 5

WP: Andre Rienzo (2-1), LP: Danny Salazar (2-2), SV: Glen Perkins (5)
HR: MN-Aaron Hicks (4), Cle-Michael Brantley (2)

I went into the series finale trying to avoid being swept as we’ve been terrible on the road so far this season. Salazar got himself into trouble in the 1st by hitting Alfredo Marte and walking Oswaldo Arcia with 2 outs to load the bases. Hicks made him pay by grounding a 2-run single between 1st and 2nd to open the scoring. The Indians got a run back in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Brantley. We got that run back in the 2nd on a 1-out RBI single by Kennys Vargas. Later in the inning Hicks got another chance with the bases loaded and still only 1 out, but this time he pulled a 96 MPH fastball 383 feet into the right field seats for a grand slam that made it 8-1 and sent Salazar to an early shower. Rienzo didn’t have his best stuff for us, giving up 5 runs in 5 innings before I lifted him. Cleveland squandered a chance to tighten the game in the 8th by failing to score after a leadoff triple by Tyler Naquin. A 70 minute rain delay in the top of the 9th only delayed the inevitable.


AL Player of the Month: Victor Martinez (New York Yankees) .583 BA, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 12 R, .621 OBP
NL Player of the Month: Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado) .457 BA, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 12 R
AL Pitcher of the Month: Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox) 4-0, 4 GS, 1.80 ERA, 30 IP, 26 K
NL Pitcher of the Month: T. J. House (Milwaukee) 4-0, 4 GS, 1.74 ERA, 31 IP, 18 K
AL Rookie of the Month: Kellin Deglan (Texas) .339 BA, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 7 R
NL Rookie of the Month: Orlando Calixte (Arizona) .306 BA, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R

7-12, .368, 5 GB (4th AL Central), 3.5 GB (10th AL Wild Card)

It was a strange month of contrasts which I’m not sure what to make of. We’re a pathetic 2-8 on the road, but a respectable 5-4 at home. Traditionally one of my April problems has been the lack of run production, but we’re 8th in the AL this year and 4th in homers (Joe Mauer and Austin Barnes are the only position players not on the DL currently to have failed to homer this month). We strike out too much at the plate however (15th in the AL), though we have made strides in striking out more opposing hitters (8th in the AL). Speaking of my pitching staff, at a 1.99 ERA we have the best bullpen in the AL (where did that come from?), but our starters are at a 6.06 ERA which is 14th. When opponents do put the ball in play, they’re hitting .334 against us. So even the relievers have work to do at keeping opposing runners off the bases. We keep flirting with disaster with my pitching staff. I don’t understand why Terry Ryan hasn’t sent some of my struggling young starters back to the minors in exchange for more proven starters.

[faithful2thecall]

[Note: Even though I purchased OOTP 18, since I didn't purchase OOTP 17 I will be continuing to play this dynasty in OOTP 16.]

May 1, 2017

• With CF Byron Buxton having recovered from injury, understandably (though regrettably) RF Adam Walker was sent down to AAA.
• We’re 24th in the latest power rankings.

Minnesota 1 at Chicago White Sox 4

WP: Jose Quintana (1-3), LP: Chris Heston (1-1), SV: Junichi Tazawa (4)
HR: MN-Alfredo Marte (2), CWS-None

I had to juggle my lineup some now with a struggling Byron Buxton coming back from injury. Marte impressed even the Chicago fans by pulling a 0-1 fastball 360 feet into the wind into the left field seats for a 1-out solo homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. The White Sox took the lead in the 3rd on a 2-run double by Carlos Sanchez. Salvador Perez added a 2-out RBI single in the 5th to give the White Sox some insurance. The White Sox put the game away in the 8th with a 1-out RBI double by Ruben Tejada.

• James Paxton (Kansas City) threw a 5-hitter against Detroit.


May 2, 2017

Minnesota 5 at Chicago White Sox 1

WP: Jason Wheeler (1-1), LP: Sergio Romo (1-2)
HR: MN-Oswaldo Arcia (3), CWS-None

The White Sox didn’t waste time getting on the board, courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Jose Abreu in the 1st. Pitching controlled the game in the early innings as neither team could mount much for offense. We caught a break in the 7th when a 2-out balk allowed us to get on the board and tie the game 1-1. Arcia then hammered a 2-out, 2-run homer 418 feet on a 3-2 fastball in the 8th to put us in front. We then added insurance when Luis Mateo legged out a RBI infield hit later in the inning. Wheeler was outstanding, going the distance allowing 4 hits and a walk.


May 3, 2017

• Cincinnati sends C Ramon Cabrera to Arizona in exchange for SS Orlando Calixte and SS Grant Bodison (2016 5th Round pick).

Minnesota 3 at Chicago White Sox 4

WP: Will Smith (1-0), LP: Jose Berrios (0-5), SV: Junichi Tazawa (5)
HR: MN-None, CWS-Jose Abreu (6)

The pitching matchup for this game wasn’t encouraging with facing Chris Sale (4-0, 1.80 ERA) while we had Jose Berrios (0-4, 9.90 ERA). We opened the scoring in the 4th when Aaron Hicks blooped a Texas leaguer into left field and Joe Mauer slid in under the tag at home plate. The White Sox put together their 1st scoring chance in the bottom of the 5th inning putting runners on the corners with 1 out, but Berrios rebounded to strike out Engel Beltre and Tim Anderson to end the inning. We doubled our lead in the 6th as Mauer and Kennys Vargas led off the inning with back-to-back doubles. Later in the inning Luis Mateo ripped a RBI double to add some insurance. David Robertson was injured striking out Austin Barnes as the only batter he faced. Abreu tied the game with a 3-run homer in the bottom of the inning to get the White Sox on the board. Later in the inning with 2 outs, Rob Brantly put the White Sox in front with a RBI double.

• Jimmy Rollins (Philadelphia) went 1-for-4 with a double in today’s game to collect his 2,500th hit.


May 4, 2017

Kansas City 8 at Minnesota 6

WP: Christian Binford (2-1), LP: Phil Hughes (2-2)
HR: KC-Alberto Callaspo (1), MN-None

We opened a 4-game series with the Royals looking to break our tie with them for last place in the AL Central. Eduardo Nunez was injured (oblique strain, 6 days) hitting a double in the 1st. Kendrys Morales followed that up with a 2-run double to open the scoring. Before the inning was over the Royals had doubled their total to 4 runs. We got on the board in the bottom of the inning on a bases loaded wild pitch. A single and a couple of walks leading off the 2nd loaded the bases for Byron Buxton, who grounded a 2-run single up the middle to bring us back within 1. With 2 outs in the inning, Jorge Polanco lined a RBI single to center to tie the game. A Danny Santana throwing error in the 5th allowed the Royals to go back in front. Callaspo made us pay with a 2-run homer. A Joe Mauer 2-out RBI single in the 6th brought us back within 6-7. Pinch-hitter Ty Morrison added some insurance in the 9th with a RBI double.


May 5, 2017

• Devin Jones (Baltimore) left the team to be with his wife for the birth of their 1st child.
• Carlos Gonzalez (Colorado) signed an extension for an additional 2 years and $52.8 million
.
Kansas City 3 at Minnesota 6

WP: Ryan Buchter (1-1), LP: Brandon Finnegan (1-2), SV: Glen Perkins (6)
HR: KC-Alberto Callaspo (2), MN-Kennys Vargas (2), Alfredo Marte (3)

Pitching dominated the early innings. The Royals finally opened the scoring in the 6th on a 2-out solo homer by Callaspo. A struggling Vargas got us on the board in the 7th with a leadoff homer to tie the game, which Marte followed up by making it back-to-back homers to give us the lead. With 2 outs in the inning, Byron Buxton delivered a 2-run single and Joe Mauer followed it up with a 2-run double to blow the game open.


May 6, 2017

Kansas City 2 at Minnesota 3

WP: Luke Bard (1-0), LP: Edward Mujica (0-2)
HR: KC-None, MN-None

We didn’t take long to get on the board, as Byron Buxton and Joe Mauer hit back-to-back 1-out doubles in the 1st, but Mauer was injured (sprained knee, 3 days) on the play. The injury put me in an awkward position as my other 1st baseman Kennys Vargas is my DH, so I had to resort to putting Aaron Hicks at 1st base. We doubled the lead in the 6th when Alfredo Marte blooped a RBI single to left. Kansas City finally got on the board in the 8th on a 1-out RBI double by Steve Bean. With Chris Heston tiring, I went to Luke Bard with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the 8th, but he hit Jorge Bonifacio with a 3-2 fastball to tie the game. Bard had an eventful 9th that involved both a runner getting thrown out trying to steal 2nd and picking a runner off 1st to keep the game tied. In the bottom of the 9th Chris Herrmann led off with a double and came around to score on a 1-out walk-off single by Byron Buxton grounded between 1st and 2nd.


May 7, 2017

Kansas City 4 at Minnesota 5

WP: Jason Wheeler (2-1), LP: Danny Duffy (3-2), SV: Glen Perkins (7)
HR: KC-None, MN-Aaron Hicks (5)

We used aggressive base running to get on the board in the 1st, as Byron Buxton stole 3rd base after hitting a 1-out double and then scored on a ground out by Hicks. The Royals tied the game on a 2-out RBI double by Kendrys Morales in the 3rd. We retook the lead in the bottom of the inning on a 1-out RBI single grounded up the middle by Buxton. Hicks followed it up by blowing the game open by ripping a 94 MPH fastball 391 feet for a 3-run homer. The Royals wouldn’t go away though, as with a 2-out, 3-run rally in the 6th brought them within 5-4 after Hector Gomez should have been charged with an error for letting a grounder go through his wickets. Jarrod Dyson was injured (wrist tendinitis, 3 weeks) catching a fly ball for the 2nd out of the 6th. Kansas City threatened in the 9th, but Perkins coaxed Morales to ground into a 5-3 double play to end the game.


May 8, 2017

• Felix Hernandez (Seattle) is out 4 weeks with a strained oblique.
• We’re 19th in the latest power rankings.

Off Day


May 9, 2017

• Grayson Gavin (Tampa Bay) is out for 11 months with a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

Chicago White Sox 7 at Minnesota 1

WP: Chris Sale (5-0), LP: Jose Berrios (0-6)
HR: CWS-Carlos Sanchez (2), Avisail Garcia (3), Jose Abreu (10), MN-None

Sanchez led off the game by crushing a pitch 426 feet for a homer. The White Sox added to the lead when Abreu delivered a RBI ground out and Garcia hit a sacrifice fly. Garcia added a leadoff homer in the 6th to put the game away with our offense doing nothing against Sale. We finally got on the board in the 7th on a 2-out RBI triple by Danny Santana. In frustration after giving up a solo homer to Abreu in the 8th, Joel Hanrahan plunked Garcia with his next pitch instigating a benches-clearing brawl.

• Joel Hanrahan and Avisail Garcia were both suspended for 9 games for their roles in the brawl in today’s game.
• Jon Lester (Chicago Cubs) threw a 3-hitter against Pittsburgh.


May 10, 2017

Chicago White Sox 2 at Minnesota 3

WP: Lester Oliveros (2-0), LP: Sergio Romo (2-3), SV: Glen Perkins (8)
HR: CWS-None, MN-Oswaldo Arcia (4)

Wily Peralta was injured (mild hamstring strain, day-to-day 5 days) inducing an inning-ending double play in the 2nd. A 2-out RBI double by Danny Santana in the 4th opened the scoring. Arcia doubled the lead in the 6th with a 1-out solo homer that he hammered 427 feet to right-center. The White Sox responded in the 7th with a 2-out RBI double from Tim Anderson to get on the board. Oliveros dug himself a big hole in the 8th, loading the bases with nobody out. After coaxing a fielder’s choice to get the runner at home, Justin Morneau hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game. We retook the lead in the bottom of the inning on a wild pitch by Romo. The White Sox threatened against Perkins in the 9th, but he coaxed a fielder’s choice to end the game.


May 11, 2017

• Mike Dunn (Chicago Cubs) was suspended by the team for 1 game for showing up to the ballpark 30 minutes late.

Chicago White Sox 4 at Minnesota 5

WP: Andre Rienzo (3-1), LP: Drew Smyly (0-2), SV: Glen Perkins (9)
HR: CWS-None, MN-None

The White Sox got on the board 1st in the 2nd on a 2-out RBI double by Engel Beltre. We tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a 2-out RBI single grounded between 3rd and short by Hector Gomez. We took the lead in the 3rd on a sacrifice fly by Alfredo Marte to the centerfield warning track. Joe Mauer provided some insurance in the 4th by chopping a 2-out RBI single past his good friend Justin Morneau, then Kennys Vargas ripped a 2-run double down the right field line to extend the lead. The White Sox came roaring back with 3 runs in the 5th to get back within 5-4. After the 1st 2 men reached in the 9th, Perkins settled down and retired the side to secure the win.


May 12, 2017

Minnesota 10 at Kansas City 1

WP: Chris Heston (2-1), LP: James Paxton (2-2)
HR: MN-Byron Buxton 2 (2), KC-None

We wasted no time stirring up a rally against Paxton, loading the bases with nobody out in the 1st. Alfredo Marte brought home the game’s 1st run on a sacrifice fly after Kennys Vargas struck out. 2 batters later Danny Santana grounded a 2-run single to right to extend the lead. Kansas City got on the board in the 3rd on a 2-out RBI single up the middle by Jorge Bonifacio. Neither team could get much going after the 3rd inning. Heston (7 IP, 2 hits) and Phil Coke (2 IP, 1 hit) were dominant, holding the Royals to 3 hits.


May 13, 2017

Minnesota 10 at Kansas City 4

WP: Jason Wheeler (3-1), LP: Danny Duffy (3-3), SV: Lester Oliveros (1)
HR: MN-Jorge Polanco (3), KC-None

Polanco took Duffy’s 2nd pitch of the game 399 feet into the left-centerfield seats for a leadoff homer. Later in the inning with Duffy struggling with his control, Eddie Rosario lined a frozen rope to the base of the right field wall for a 2-run double which Danny Santana followed with a 2-run double of his own. Wheeler escaped a 2nd and 3rd with nobody out jam in the 2nd without allowing a run to score. The Royals scored in the 3rd on a RBI ground out by Alexis Rivera following a triple by Jorge Bonifacio. Kansas City tried to make a game of it by scraping together 3 runs in the 5th off of Wheeler to pull within 7-4, but I turned the game over to my bullpen for the last 3 innings and shut them down. Rosario added some insurance with a 2-run ground-rule double in the 9th.


May 14, 2017

• Giancarlo Stanton (Miami) is out 4 months with a broken hand.

Minnesota 11 at Kansas City 8

WP: Jose Berrios (1-6), LP: Miguel Almonte (1-2)
HR: MN-Chris Herrmann (2), KC-None

We got an early rally going in the 2nd, loading the bases with nobody out on a walk, single, and a throwing error for Herrmann. Herrmann delivered a 2-run double between 1st baseman Kendrys Morales and the line, which we followed with a RBI groundout by Danny Santana. Herrmann’s good day at the plate continued in the 3rd as he hammered a 1-out, 2-run homer 423 feet to straightaway center to make it 7-0. Morales redeemed himself to a degree with a 2-out RBI double in the bottom of the inning to get the Royals on the board. Angel Franco was injured (ankle soreness, 2 weeks) running out a 2-out double in the 6th. My bullpen had an off day, but they held on to give Berrios his 1st win of the season.

• Hisashi Iwakuma (Cleveland) threw a 3-hitter against Pittsburgh.


16-16, .500, 4 GB (4th AL Central), 2 GB (5th AL Wild Card)

That is not a misprint. We are playing .500 ball and are in the wild card race at the moment. After a 9-4 start to May we’re in good shape for a change. With an offense that is 6th in the AL in runs scored, and a bullpen that is best in the AL leading the way there are unexpected signs for optimism. If my starters would stop giving up so many runs I think we could be a legitimate contender. So far my bullpen has done a solid job bailing them out, but the use they’re getting could spell my demise later on. Granted, it’s mainly ace Jose Berrios and Andre Rienzo inflating the ERA of my starters right now. It’s definitely been a team effort, as I have only a couple of players amongst the league leaders in any stat category.

[faithful2thecall]

May 15, 2017

• We’re up to 10th in the latest power rankings, which is the highest position we’ve held since I became the manager.

Minnesota 3 at Houston 1

WP: Phil Hughes (3-2), LP: Jordan Jankowski (1-1), SV: Glen Perkins (10)
HR: MN-None, Hou-Preston Tucker (8)

Tucker opened the scoring with a 1-out solo homer in the 1st. Pitching controlled the early innings as hitters had trouble putting the ball in play (combined for 9 strikeouts in the 1st 4 innings). Neither team had another scoring chance until the 8th, when we loaded the bases with 1 out for Joe Mauer. Mauer lined a 2-run double into the gap in right-center to put us in front, which Jorge Polanco followed with a sacrifice fly to add some insurance. Perkins struck out 2 in a perfect 9th to secure the win in a game where the teams combined for 5 hits.


May 16, 2017

• Michael A. Taylor (Washington) is out 5 weeks with an intercostal strain.

Minnesota 2 at Houston 3

WP: Luke Gregerson (4-2), LP: Phil Coke (0-1)
HR: MN-Oswaldo Arcia (5), Hou-Carlos Correa 2 (3)

Correa led off the bottom of the 1st with a homer to give Houston the early lead. We tied the game in the 2nd on a 2-out RBI single by Chris Herrmann. Pitching controlled the game again. Arcia put us in front with a leadoff solo homer in the 7th. Correa hit another leadoff homer in the 8th to tie the game at 2-2. Our 6 game winning streak came to an end when Correa blooped a 2-out RBI single just beyond the infielders in the 9th for a walkoff.


May 17, 2017

• Seattle trades RHP CL Jeremy Jeffress to San Francisco in exchange for SS Christian Arroyo and RF Jose Vasquez.

Minnesota 4 at Houston 2

WP: Chris Heston (3-1), LP: David Rollins (3-2), SV: Glen Perkins (11)
HR: MN-None, Hou-Robbie Grossman (2)

Heston escaped a bases loaded, 1 out jam in the 2nd by coaxing a foul out by A.J. Jiminez and a grounder from Carlos Correa. We responded by loading the bases with 1 out in the 3rd, but Byron Buxton came through with a RBI single to open the scoring. After Joe Mauer struck out after a 10-pitch at-bat, Kennys Vargas lined a 2-run single to extend the lead. Correa made up for himself by ripping a 2-out RBI triple in the 4th to get Houston on the board. We loaded the bases with nobody out in the 7th for Buxton, who delivered a sacrifice fly for an insurance run. Grossman hit a leadoff homer in the 8th to cut the lead to 4-2. Perkins made it a little scary in the 9th, putting runners on the corners with 1 out before striking out George Springer and Nick Noonan to end the game. The win secures at least a split of a series on the road against the team with the best record in the AL so far this season.


May 18, 2017

Minnesota 6 at Houston 4

WP: Ryan Buchter (2-1), LP: James Hoyt (1-2), SV: Glen Perkins (12)
HR: MN-Oswaldo Arcia (6), Hou-George Springer (4)

We scored in the 1st on a 1-out RBI single by Jorge Polanco. Houston responded immediately with a RBI single by Carlos Correa in the bottom of the inning, and before the inning was over tacked on a RBI double by Jon Singleton to go in front. Byron Buxton’s 3rd steal of 2nd base in the game put him in position to score on a RBI single up the middle by Aaron Hicks in the 5th to pull us back within 1. Later in the inning, Arcia crushed a 2-out, 2-run homer 444 feet to put us back in front. Springer led off the 6th with a homer to tie the game. We retook the lead in the 8th on a 2-out, 2-run single by Hector Gomez.


May 19, 2017

New York Yankees 3 at Minnesota 2

WP: Mark Melancon (2-0), LP: Nick Burdi (0-1), SV: Drew Betances (10)
HR: NYY-Tyler Austin (6), MN-Chris Herrmann (3)

Oswaldo Arcia opened the scoring when he lined a 2-out RBI single to left-center in the 1st. A pitching duel commenced between Jose Berrios and Nathan Eovaldi. Herrmann provided some insurance with a 1-out solo homer in the 7th. Austin finally put a chink in Berrios’ armor with a 2-out solo homer in the 8th to get the Yankees on the board. That sent Berrios to the showers, and Phil Coke let him down by walking the 1st 2 hitters he faced before pinch-hitter Dante Bichette Jr. blooped a RBI single to center to tie the game. Austin added a sacrifice fly in the 9th to put the Yankees in front as my bullpen had a rare bad day.

• Bryce Harper (Washington) and Esmil Rogers (San Diego) were suspended 9 games each for their roles in an on-field confrontation.
• Ben Zobrist (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 6 weeks with a fractured wrist after a collision in the field in today’s game.


May 20, 2017

• Tampa Bay sends RHP RP Arodys Vizcaino to Washington in exchange for RHP SP Justin Dunn (2016 3rd round pick) and RHP SP Bailey Clark.

New York Yankees 2 at Minnesota 3 (11 innings)

WP: Ryan Buchter (3-1), LP: Drew Betances (2-2)
HR: NYY-Brian McCann (7), MN-None

Pitching dominated the game, as the 1st hit of the game for either team was a leadoff single in the 4th by Kolten Wong. We responded with our 1st hit of the game in the bottom of the inning when Joe Mauer laced a double just inside the 1st base bag past a diving Victor Martinez. Mauer later trotted in from 3rd on a RBI single by Oswaldo Arcia to open the scoring. McCann got some help from the wind to hit a 1-out solo homer in the 7th to tie the game. Luis Mateo looped a Texas leaguer over 2nd in the bottom of the inning to put us back in front. Glen Perkins then let us down in the 9th giving up a game-tying RBI single to Angelo Gumbs. We had a chance in the bottom of the 9th, getting the winning run to 3rd with 2 outs, but Hector Gomez grounded into a fielder’s choice to send the game to extra innings. We loaded the bases with 1 out in the 11th for Gomez, who grounded into a fielder’s choice against a drawn in infield leaving it up to Mauer. Mauer lined a 1-1 change up to centerfield for a soft single for a walk-off.


May 21, 2017

New York Yankees 13 at Minnesota 27

WP: Luke Bard (2-0), LP: Andy Oliver (2-1), SV: Nick Burdi (1)
HR: NYY-None, MN-Aaron Hicks (6), Jorge Polanco (4)

Looking for a series win against the Yankees even at home is an intimidating prospect, especially when Andre Rienzo has had problems keeping the ball in the park this season. Though John Denks, who made his return to MLB against Boston and was shelled wasn’t an intimidating presence for the Yankees.

Rienzo dug himself an early hole by walking 2 to load the bases with 1 out in the 1st, and Didi Gregorius made him pay with a bases-clearing double. We got on the board in our half of the inning on back-to-back-to-back 1-out RBI doubles by Joe Mauer, a struggling Kennys Vargas, and Eddie Rosario to tie the game. Aaron Hicks then lined a RBI single to left to bring Rosario in to give us the lead. The lead didn’t last as Slade Heathcott grounded a RBI single to left in the 2nd to tie the game. Kolten Wong then put the Yankees in front on a sacrifice fly. Byron Buxton responded with a RBI double in the bottom of the inning to tie the game back up, before Mauer delivered a RBI ground out to put us back up 6-5. Again the Yankees responded, this time on a 3-run triple by Jacoby Ellsbury to go up 8-7. It became an early battle of the bullpens, as neither starter recorded an out in the 3rd. We loaded the bases with nobody out in the 3rd and Luis Mateo came through with a 2-run single to put us back in front. A wild pitch in front of a sacrifice fly by Mauer plated another pair of runs to make it 11-8.

Luke Bard let the Yankees back into it by walking 4 hitters in the 4th allowing the Yankees to score 2 runs without a hit, aided by a 2-out throwing error by Polanco. Polanco made up for his error by grounding a 2-out RBI single to left in the bottom of the inning to provide a little insurance. In a game as weird as this, it was only appropriate that Joel Hanrahan (11.25 ERA entering the game) pitched the 1st scoreless inning by retiring the heart of the Yankee lineup in order in the 5th. Hicks led off the 6th by pulling a homer into the left field seats to make it 13-10. Later in the inning Polanco added a 1-out, 3-run blast to give us a relatively comfortable margin. We continued to shell the Yankees bullpen in the later innings, highlighted by the 7th when the 1st 10 hitters of the inning reached producing 8 runs before they recorded an out.

• Kyle Ryan (Detroit) threw a no-hitter at Comerica Park against Boston, walking 3 hitters and striking out 8 in a 7-0 win. Even after the game he has a 5.09 ERA on the season.
• The win moved us into a 3-way tie for the 2nd wild card spot with the Yankees and Boston.


May 22, 2017

• Jon Lester (Chicago Cubs) is out 3-4 months due to a partially torn labrum.
• We’re 8th in the latest power rankings.

Off Day (mercifully for our bullpen)


May 23, 2017

• Jeff Beliveau (Tampa Bay) is out 6 months with bone chips in his elbow.
• Atlanta trades RHP CL Aaron Kurcz and $507,500 to Tampa Bay in exchange for RHP SP Jhoanbert Cedeno.

Pittsburgh 0 at Minnesota 1

WP: Chris Heston (4-1), LP: Vance Worley (3-5)
HR: Pit-None, MN-None

Pitching dominated in a game where every run had the potential to make a difference because of threatening weather. We finally broke the stalemate in the 6th when the Pirates made the mistake of pitching to Joe Mauer with 1st base open and 2 outs with Vance Worley on the mound, as Mauer bounced a RBI single up the middle for the game’s 1st run. Heston was pitching so well I let him come out for the 9th despite the score, and despite giving up a pair of singles he completed the 5-hitter, striking out 5 and walking 2.


May 24, 2017

Pittsburgh 4 at Minnesota 5

WP: Phil Coke (1-1), LP: Arquimedes Caminero (0-2), SV: Glen Perkins (13)
HR: Pit-None, MN-Oswaldo Arcia (7)

Aggressive base running got us on the board in the 1st, as Byron Buxton tried to steal 3rd base with 2 outs and Reese McGuire threw the ball wildly allowing Buxton to trot home with the game’s 1st run. We doubled our lead in the 3rd on a 2-out RBI single by Jorge Polanco. Howie Kendrick and Andrew McCutchen hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the 4th to get Pittsburgh on the board. Later in the inning an RBI groundout by Wilmer Flores tied the game before the Pirates took the lead on a 2 out fielding error by Danny Santana. Arcia tied the game with a 1-out solo homer 422 feet to straightaway center in the 6th. Pittsburgh regained the lead in the 7th on a 2-out RBI single by McGuire. Buxton erased the lead in the bottom of the inning with a 1-out RBI triple. We took the lead with 2 outs in the 8th on a RBI single lined up the middle by Santana.


May 25, 2017

Off Day

• Danny Hultzen (Seattle) threw a 2-hitter against Kansas City.


May 26, 2017

Milwaukee 9 at Minnesota 2

WP: David Price (5-2), LP: Jose Berrios (1-7)
HR: Mil-Wilin Rosario (2), Jay Bruce (2), MN-None

Ji-man Choi was injured (knee soreness, 5 days) running the bases in the 1st inning. Milwaukee scored later in the inning on a Bruce sacrifice fly. We tied the game in the 2nd on a sacrifice fly by Chris Herrmann, which we followed by taking the lead on a RBI double by Hector Gomez. Rosario responded with a 3-run homer in the 3rd to put the Brewers back in front. The Brewers extended their lead on a RBI double by Chris O’Brien in the 4th. David Price was injured giving up a single in the 6th.


May 27, 2017

Milwaukee 0 at Minnesota 8

WP: Phil Hughes (4-2), LP: Jed Bradley (4-2)
HR: Mil-None, MN-None

Joe Mauer got us on the board in the 1st with a RBI groundout after a Jorge Polanco triple to leadoff the bottom of the inning. We padded our lead in the 2nd on a 2-out, 2-run single by Hector Gomez. The Milwaukee bullpen kept us from making the game really ugly, while Hughes didn’t need much support throwing 8 shutout innings giving up 5 hits while striking out 10.


May 28, 2017

Milwaukee 10 at Minnesota 7

WP: Taylor Jungman (5-2), LP: Luke Bard (2-1), SV: Aroldis Chapman (15)
HR: Mil-Wilin Rosario (3), Scooter Gennett (5), MN-None

Niko Goodrum put Milwaukee in front in the 2nd when he grounded a RBI single up the middle to open the scoring. Before the inning was over the Brewers had scored 4 runs. We got on the board in the 3rd on a RBI infield single by Byron Buxton. We then went to work on Jungman, who entered the game with a 1.98 ERA, as later in the inning Oswaldo Arcia delivered a 2-out RBI single to right to tie the game at 4-4. Rosario put the Brewers back in front with a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 4th to highlight a 4 run inning. My bullpen couldn’t get anybody out it seemed like. To add insult to injury, Arcia was injured legging out an infield single in the 7th. Buxton ran wild in this game, stealing 5 bases. Gennett ate us up, going 6-for-6 with 5 singles and a solo homer.


May 29, 2017

• We’re 7th in the latest power rankings.
• Pittsburgh deals LF Andrew Lambo to Philadelphia in exchange for RHP SP Davis Martin and RF Yunior Reyes.

Minnesota 3 at New York Yankees 6

WP: Masahiro Tanaka (3-3), LP: Chris Heston (4-2), SV: Drew Betances (12)
HR: MN-None, NYY-Kolten Wong (5)

Wong hit a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 1st to open the scoring. We put together a rally in the 3rd with 3 straight singles to lead off the inning loaded the bases for Joe Mauer, who delivered a RBI single to get us on the board. Jorge Polanco followed it up with a sacrifice fly to the centerfield warning track to tie the game and Aaron Hicks lined a RBI single to right to put us in front. Wong responded with a RBI triple in the bottom of the inning to tie the game, and 2 batters later Didi Gregorious lined a RBI single to right to put the Yankees back in front. In the 5th, Gregorious added to the Yankees lead with a sacrifice fly.


May 30, 2017

• David Price (Milwauke) is out 3-4 weeks with a strained triceps.

Minnesota 4 at New York Yankees 0

WP: Jason Wheeler (4-1), LP: Wade Miley (0-3)
HR: MN-None, NYY-None

We scored in the 1st on a RBI single by Joe Mauer as Jorge Polanco slid under the tag at home plate. The Yankees didn’t have a hit until Brett Gardner lined a soft single to left with nobody out in the 4th. Pitching dominated the game. We added insurance runs in the 9th on a 2-out RBI double by Eddie Rosario followed by a RBI singles by Danny Santana and Hector Gomez. Wheeler sealed the deal on a 3-hitter with 8 strikeouts.

• Zach Petrick (Cincinnati) threw a 2-hitter against San Francisco.
• Jameson Taillion (Pittsburgh) threw a 1-hitter against Arizona. Domingo Leyba hit a 1-out double in the 6th for the Diamondbacks’ only hit.


May 31, 2017

• LF Oswaldo Arcia was diagnosed with a torn posterior cruciate ligament and is out for 7 months. He hit.304 with 7 HR and 16 RBI in 27 games this season.
• RF Adam Walker was called up from AAA to take Arcia’s place on the roster.
• Jace Pederson (Atlanta) is out 4-5 weeks with a fractured thumb.

Minnesota 3 at New York Yankees 2

WP: Phil Coke (2-1), LP: Drew Betances (3-3), SV: Glen Perkins (14)
HR: MN-None, NYY-John Ryan Murphy (1)

Both Jose Berrios and Nathan Eovaldi reprised their previous showdown and provided another pitching duel. We got the 1st scoring chance of the game when Danny Santana and Hector Gomez singled to lead off the 5th, and were sacrificed up by Byron Buxton to put 2 in scoring position for Joe Mauer, whom the Yankees intentionally walked to load the bases for Jorge Polanco. The 1st pitch to Polanco barely missed his feet on its way to the backstop for the game’s 1st run. A pop up and a grounder to 1st avoided further damage. The Yankees finally got a hit on a 2-out bunt (grrr) single in the 5th by Jacoby Ellsbury. Alfredo Marte doubled the lead in the 6th on a RBI double on a hit-and-run. Didi Gregorious got the Yankees on the board with a 2-out RBI single in the bottom of the inning. Murphy tied the game with a 1-out solo homer in the 7th. An errant pickoff throw gave us a scoring chance in the 9th with runners on the corners with 1 out for Mauer, who lined a RBI single just out of the reach of Gregorious. Buxton’s tear on the bases continued as he swiped 4 more bases in this game.

• Angel Franco (Kansas City) was suspended for 2 games for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire.
• Carlos Martinez (Houston) threw a 3-hitter against the Chicago White Sox.


AL Best Hitter: Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) .352 BA, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 27 R
NL Best Hitter: Kris Bryant (Chicago Cubs) .327 BA, 9 HR, 23 RBI, 22 R
AL Best Pitcher: Mike Leake (Baltimore) 5-0, 6 GS, 2.95 ERA, 39.2 IP, 22 K
NL Best Pitcher: Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers) 4-1, 1.84 ERA, .213 Opp BA, 47 K, 44 IP
AL Best Rookie: Tyler Naquin (Cleveland) .321 BA, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 17 R
NL Best Rookie: Orlando Calixte (Cincinnati) .291 BA, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 9 R


26-21, .553, 1 GB (3rd AL Central), 0 GB (tied for the 2nd Wild Card spot)

A 19-9 month of May vaulted me into legitimate contention for both the division title and wild card places for the time being. It wasn’t like I played the cellar dwellers either, as 13 of the last 15 games of the month were against teams either currently in a playoff spot or within 1 game of a playoff spot currently. Losing Oswaldo Arcia will hurt, but Byron Buxton is on a tear on the bases (catapulting to the MLB lead in SB) as long as we can bring him around to score. Joe Mauer and Danny Santana both closed the month with active 11-game hitting streaks. My bullpen is coming back down to earth a bit, but most of my starters are starting to make up for it.

[faithful2thecall]

I figure some of you would like to see the box score for the 27-13 game, so here it is.

[faithful2thecall]

I’m still convinced GM Terry Ryan is trying to get me fired, especially with 4 of the 7 players that are making more than $1 million dollars this season languishing in AAA, including the infamous C Jake Fox and RHP SP Ricky Nolasco, who has likely played his last game for the Twins as he’s out for the season with (insert injury) and we’re highly unlikely to pick up his team option for next season.

The key for me in the short term if I’m going to stay in the race is to get sorted out how I’m going to offset the loss of Oswaldo Arcia. The bench I have only has 1 infielder and 2 outfielders, though Eddie Rosario can play a couple of infield spots if absolutely necessary though he’s going to be starting in left field for me every day for the time being, though I may have him split time with Aaron Hicks to get Hicks’ bat in the lineup more often.


June 1, 2017

• Wade Davis (Chicago Cubs) is out 4-5 months with radial nerve compression.

Off Day


June 2, 2017

• Atlanta trades RHP SP Julio Teheran to Colorado for LHP SP Juan Hillman (2015 3rd round pick) and CF Max White.

Minnesota 9 at St. Louis 4 (10 innings)

WP: Lester Oliveros (3-0), LP: Kyle Lobstein (0-1)
HR: MN-Danny Santana (2), Joe Mauer (1), St. L-None

My pitcher gets to hit for the 1st time this season as we have our 1st road series in interleague play. Mike Papi hit a RBI triple in the 4th to open the scoring. Mauer lined a 1-out RBI single to center in the 6th to tie the game. Bold base running paid off in the 7th as on a 2-out single by Hector Gomez with Phil Hughes on deck, I sent Chris Herrmann home and he slid under the tag of Yadier Molina to give us a 2-1 lead. Jason Heyward ripped a 2-out RBI double in the 8th to tie the game. Papi followed with a RBI double to put the Cardinals in front, and Adam Ehrlich added a RBI double for insurance. I figured I’d blown the game by being inattentive to reliever Phil Coke’s pitch count in the 8th, but Santana bailed me out with a 1-out, 2-run blast 401 feet to center in the 9th to tie the game. Mauer’s led off the 10th taking a 1-2 fastball 405 feet to left-center to put us in front. We broke out the bats with 2 outs, adding 4 more runs to give Glen Perkins a comfortable margin in the bottom of the inning.


June 3, 2017

• Albert Almora (Chicago Cubs) suffered a setback in his recovery from an oblique strain that will keep him out another 1-2 weeks.

Minnesota 0 at St. Louis 6

WP: ?, LP: ?
HR: MN-None, St. L-None

Andre Rienzo didn’t take long to pitch himself into trouble, loading the bases with nobody out in the 2nd. Yadier Molina popped up in the infield, but Brian Schales hit a sacrifice fly to open the scoring, which Adam Wainwright followed with a 2-out, 2-run double. Eddie Rosario was injured (strained rib cage muscle, 2 weeks) running out a 1-out double in the 4th. We couldn’t get any clutch hits and couldn’t string hits together for big innings as Wainwright and 2 relievers strung together the shutout.


June 4, 2017

• 3B Travis Harrison was called up from AAA to take the spot of the injured Eddie Rosario.

Minnesota 3 at St. Louis. 2

WP: Chris Heston (5-2), LP: Tim Cooney (2-6), SV: Glen Perkins (15)
HR: MN-None, St. L–None

The pitching was so dominant in this game that the 1st baserunner of the game was when Anthony Gose drew a leadoff walk in the 4th, which Matt Carpenter followed up with a single to left for the game’s 1st hit. With 2 outs in the inning, Jonathan Villar ripped a 2-run double to open the scoring. Our 1st baserunner came on a 1-out double in the 5th by Alfredo Marte, who came around to score on a RBI ground out by Chris Herrmann. Joe Mauer tied the game in the 6th on a RBI single bounced between 3rd and short. With 2 outs in the inning, Marte put us in front by bouncing a RBI single through the same hole. Heston pitched himself out of a 2nd and 3rd with nobody out jam in the 7th with a soft grounder to 3rd and coaxing a double play after an intentional walk. My bullpen shut them down striking out 3 while giving up only 1 hit in the final 2 innings to secure the win.


June 5, 2017

• We’re 10th in the latest power rankings.

Off Day


June 6, 2017

Chicago White Sox 2 at Minnesota 5

WP: Jason Wheeler (5-1), LP: Wily Peralta (0-6), SV: Glen Perkins (16)
HR: CWS-Jose Abreu (18), MN-None

The White Sox opened the scoring in the 2nd on a double play. Peralta got himself into trouble in the bottom of the inning by walking the bases loaded with 1 out for Danny Santana, who ripped a sacrifice fly to the centerfield warning track to tie the game. Hector Gomez followed with a RBI single to give us the lead. Abreu tied the game with a 2-out solo homer in the 4th to extend his AL lead in round trippers. Joe Mauer extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a 2-out blooper to right for a RBI single in the bottom of the inning to put us back in front. We got a threat going in the 5th loading the bases as Santana extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single up the middle for Gomez with 1 out. Gomez struck out, but Byron Buxton picked him up with a 2-run single to make it 5-2. The bullpens took over from there, shutting down both offenses.


June 7, 2017

Chicago White Sox 8 at Minnesota 5 (10 innings)

WP: Junichi Tazawa (3-0), LP: Phil Coke (2-2), SV: Zach Putnam (1)
HR: CWS-Jose Abreu (19), MN-None

Offensive fireworks were expected to be on display with both starters having ERA’s north of 5.80 coming into the game. Kennys Vargas grounded a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 1st to open the scoring. We loaded the bases with 1 out in the 2nd for Jorge Polanco, who drew a RBI walk to double the lead, but that was all we got as Byron Buxton struck out and Joe Mauer flew out to center to end the inning. Salvador Perez got the White Sox on the board in the 3rd with a 2-out RBI single, who was foolishly picked off 1st base by Chris Herrmann to end the inning with Abreu at the plate. Abreu hammered a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 6th however to give the White Sox the lead. A Trey Michalczewski RBI double 2 batters later provided some insurance. A sacrifice fly by Luis Mateo in the bottom of the inning brought us back within 3-4. We rallied in the 7th, loading the bases with 1 out for Aaron Hicks. Unfortunately we failed to score as Hicks struck out and Alfredo Marte popped up to end the threat. After Mauer struck out with a runner at 3rd and 1 out in the 9th, Vargas picked him up by lining a RBI single up the middle just past the glove of shortstop Tim Anderson to tie the game. 2 walks and an error loaded the bases for the White Sox in the 10th with nobody out and the heart of their order coming up. Perez grounded into a fielder’s choice 3rd to home for the 1st out, but Abreu grounded a 2-run single up the middle to put the White Sox back in front. A 2-run single by pinch-hitter Josh Richmond seemed to put the game away. However we loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the inning for Hector Gomez, who fouled out. All we mustered was a pinch-hit sacrifice fly from Adam Walker.


June 8, 2017

• Kyle Seager (Seattle) is out 6 weeks with a fractured wrist.

Chicago White Sox 5 at Minnesota 6

WP: Joel Hanrahan (1-2), LP: Dan Jennings (3-1), SV: Glen Perkins (17)
HR: CWS-Tim Anderson (3), MN-Kennys Vargas (3)

Vargas crushed a fastball 425 feet for a leadoff homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. With 2 outs in the inning, Danny Santana laced a RBI double down the right field line to double the lead. A 63 minute rain delay in the 5th sent both teams scrambling to get their bullpens in action, which was a tough break for us as Phil Hughes was having a solid start. Santana added a 2-out, 2-run triple in the 6th to put the game away at 5-0. The White Sox finally got on the board in the 8th on a 1-out RBI single by Avisail Garcia. Hanrahan showed why I’d been reluctant to trust him as he got lit up in the inning, capped by a game-tying 2-out, 2-run homer by Anderson. We retook the lead in the bottom of the inning on a 1-out wild pitch that brought home Alfredo Marte from 3rd. Perkins restored order by retiring the White Sox in order in the 9th to secure the win.

• Sonny Gray (Oakland) threw a 1-hitter against Boston. Pablo Sandoval broke up the no-hit bid with a single with 2 outs in the 9th.


June 9, 2017

• 1st overall pick RF Ronald Washington was convinced by our offer and signed. Our scouts don’t think he’ll be quite as good as Byron Buxton, but he’s not far behind in a lot of areas with maybe a bit more pop in his bat with outstanding speed.

Houston 2 at Minnesota 8

WP: Andre Rienzo (4-2), LP: Dallas Keuchel (4-3)
HR: Hou-None, MN-Kennys Vargas (4)

It’s a big series for early June, as Houston are one of the teams directly behind us (2.5 GB but the 1st team out). I also made the unusual decision to bench Joe Mauer for a home game, as he’s had back-to-back hitless games with 2 strikeouts per game after a 15-game hitting streak. I called on Travis Harrison to DH while Kennys Vargas will play 1st base.

Houston didn’t take long to get something going, loading the bases with nobody out in the 1st against Andre Rienzo. Rienzo stunned everybody by coming back to strike out George Springer, Colin Moran, and Domingo Santana to escape the jam without giving up a run. Harrison rewarded me with a 2-out seeing-eye RBI single in the 2nd to open the scoring. The lead didn’t last long as Springer redeemed himself with a 2-out RBI double in the 3rd to tie the game. Harrison put us back in front with a 2-out RBI double pulled into the left field corner in the 4th. Again the lead didn’t last long, as Jon Singleton hit a sacrifice fly to center in the 5th to tie the game. We got aggressive after a leadoff single by Jorge Polanco in the bottom of the inning, as I called for a hit-and-run and Byron Buxton rewarded me by pulling a ball just inside the left field line for a RBI double to put us back in front 3-2. 2 batters later (and immediately following a double steal), Vargas pulled a 3-run homer into the left-centerfield seats to blow the game open. My bullpen was a little wild, but shut down the Astros without a hit over the final 3 innings.

• Brandon Morrow (Colorado) threw a 3-hitter against Philadephia.


June 10, 2017

Houston 4 at Minnesota 5 (12 innings)

WP: Nick Burdi (1-1), LP: Jordan Jankowski (1-2)
HR: Hou-Domingo Santana (2), Jon Singleton (9), MN-None

A pair of throwing errors allowed us to score the 1st run in the 1st. Before the inning was over we’d sent 10 men to the plate and scored 4 runs, leaving the bases loaded. Houston got on the board in the 3rd on a 2-out RBI triple by Singleton. Santana hammered a 0-2 fastball for a 1-out solo homer in the 4th to cut the lead to 4-2. Singleton continued his great day at the plate in the 5th by ripping a 2-out, 2-run homer to tie the game. Houston got the 1st 2 runners on in the 9th, but failed to score. Our offense was having a bad day after the 1st inning, with Joe Mauer’s 2-out single in the 10th being our 1st hit since 2 outs in the 4th. Finally we sent the home fans home happy after Mauer hit a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center in the 12th.


June 11, 2017

Houston 3 at Minnesota 4

WP: Nick Burdi (2-1), LP: Jordan Jankowski (1-3), SV: Glen Perkins (18)
HR: Hou-None, MN-None

Domingo Santana grounded a 2-out RBI double down the right field line in the 1st to open the scoring. Pitching controlled the game. We finally scored on a 1-out RBI single by Byron Buxton in the 5th. With 2 outs in the inning, Joe Mauer lined a RBI single to left to put us in front. Houston tied the game back up on a 1-out RBI double by A.J. Jimenez in the 7th. Jose Altuve followed it up with an infield single to put the Astros in front. We quickly responded as Jorge Polanco ripped a 1-out, 2-run double off the centerfield wall in the bottom of the inning to put us back in front. Nick Bardi came in to relieve Jason Wheeler and struck out all 5 batters he faced to get me to Perkins, who cleaned up on 2 strikeouts and a fly out in the 9th to complete the sweep.

• With the victory we passed Detroit for the 1st wild card spot going into a 3 game series in Detroit.


June 12, 2017

• Jacob deGrom (Colorado) is out 5 months with a torn rotator cuff.
• Francisco Lindor (Cleveland) is out 7-8 months with a ruptured achilles tendon.
• We’re 5th in the latest power rankings.

Minnesota 6 at Detroit 5

WP: Ryan Buchter (4-1), LP: Bruce Rondon (1-2), SV: Lester Oliveros (2)
HR: MN-None, Det-Francisco Martinez (5), James McCann (5)

Kennys Vargas opened the scoring with a 1-out, 2-run double in the 1st. I gave Adam Walker a start in right field to spell the struggling Alfredo Marte, and Walker rewarded me with a 2-out RBI single to bring Vargas around to score. Martinez responded with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the inning. McCann then tied it up in the 2nd on a 2-run homer. A sacrifice fly later in the inning by Harold Castro gave the Tigers the lead. Joe Mauer blooped a 1-out RBI single to center in the 4th to tie the game. Mauer then put us ahead in the 8th on a 2-out, 2-run triple down the right field line. With Glen Perkins exhausted I had to ask Oliveros to try to get a 4 out save. Oliveros gave up a run on a 2-out RBI single by Nick Castellanos in the 9th, but he held on to secure the win.
• Zach Greinke (Los Angeles Dodgers) threw a 5-hitter against Colorado.

June 13, 2017

• Arismendy Alcantara (Chicago Cubs) suffered a setback in his recovery from a fractured thumb that will keep him out another week.

Minnesota 1 at Detroit 6

WP: Buck Farmer (6-2), LP: Phil Hughes (4-3)
HR: MN-None, Det-Francisco Martinez (6)

We quickly got on the board in the 1st on a Kennys Vargas sacrifice fly. Martinez responded with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Jose Miguel Fernandez lined a 2-out RBI single to right in the 4th to put the Tigers in front. Tyler Collins provided some insurance with a 1-out RBI double in the 5th, which preceded a sacrifice fly from Miguel Cabrera to make it 1-4. Steven Moya was injured (back tightness, day-to-day 1 day) legging out a double following the sacrifice fly by Cabrera.


June 14, 2017

Minnesota 3 at Detroit 4

WP: Eric O’Flaherty (4-3), LP: Luke Bard (2-2)
HR: MN-None, Det-Destin Hood (4), Jose Miguel Fernandez (1)

Andre Rienzo pitched himself out of a 1st inning jam when he had runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out for Miguel Cabrera, but he coaxed a short fly out to right from Cabrera then got Steven Moya to ground into a double play to end the inning. We scored 1st in the 3rd inning on a Mat Latos throwing error on a sacrifice bunt by Hector Gomez. Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco followed it up with sacrifice flies to center. Surprisingly pitching dominated this game, as neither starting pitcher had looked good on the season despite having good records. To err on the cautious side, I lifted Rienzo after 6 shutout innings surrendering only 3 hits, but 3 walks and a pitch count in the 90’s convinced me it was time to let my bullpen try to close it out. Hood greeted Lester Oliveros with a leadoff homer in the 7th to get the Tigers on the board. Pinch-hitter Anthony Aliotti grounded a RBI single up the middle later in the inning to pull Detroit within 1. Harold Castro then lined a RBI single to center to tie the game, though a tail runner was thrown out at the plate for the 2nd out. My bullpen then completed the choke job when Bard gave up a 2-out walk-off homer in the 9th to Fernandez.

• Edinson Volquez (New York Mets) threw a 5-hitter against Pittsburgh.


June 15, 2017

• Baltimore trades RF Brenden Webb to Philadelphia in exchange for LF Darin Ruf.
• Tampa Bay sends 3B Taylor Motter and 2B Bill Pujols to Milwaukee for 1B Jorge Cantu and $3 million.

Off Day

• Jose Abreu (Chicago White Sox) hit for the cycle in a 13-7 loss to Oakland.


34-25, .576, 2 GB (3rd AL Central), 3.5 GA (2nd Wild Card)

We came back down to earth a bit in Detroit after being white hot the past month and a half. There are signs for concern as the bullpen is getting hit a bit harder and the offense is cooling off, even though the starting pitching continues to improve. An 8-4 start to June is nothing to shake your fist at though.

I’m beginning to think I may be battling a bug too, as I’m showing that we have -$15.84 million available for extensions and free agent signings. Nobody else is more than -$1.3 million and 27 of the other 29 teams are in the black.

[faithful2thecall]

June 16, 2017

• Addison Russell (Chicago Cubs) is out 6 weeks with a concussion.

Minnesota 5 at Milwaukee 4

WP: Chris Heston (6-2), LP: Jamie Garcia (2-1), SV: Glen Perkins (19)
HR: MN-None, Mil-Taylor Motter (4), Ryan Braun (5)

We scored in the 1st without a ball leaving the infield thanks to some aggressive base running. Byron Buxton led off with an infield single, then stole 2nd and 3rd on consecutive pitches before scoring on a RBI ground out by Jorge Polanco. Milwaukee caught a break in the bottom of the inning scoring on a 2 out wild pitch by Chris Heston. We regained the lead in the 4th on a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center by Aaron Hicks. Motter tied the game with a 2-out solo homer in the 5th. Braun then put the Brewers in front with a 2-out solo homer in the 6th. Heston was unfortunate, allowing only 3 hits in 7 innings of work—it’s just that 2 of them ended up in the seats. Hicks blooped a 2-out, 2-run single to left in the 8th with the bases loaded to put us back in front. Alfredo Marte followed with a RBI single of his own. The Brewers did get a run back on a 2-out wild pitch in the bottom of the inning.


June 17, 2017

• Justin Upton (Chicago Cubs) is out 5 weeks with a sprained wrist.
• Boston deals 3B Trey Cabbage (2015 3rd round pick by Pittsburgh) and RHP RP Jose Ma.Gonzalez to Detroit for RHP SP Drew VerHagen.

Minnesota 7 at Milwaukee 8

WP: Carson Smith (2-1), LP: Phil Coke (2-3), SV: Aroldis Chapman (21)
HR: MN-None, Mil-Taylor Motter (5), Orlando Arcia (1), Jaff Decker (11)

How fast is Byron Buxton? He stole 2nd base in the 1st inning on a 0-1 count despite Milwaukee pitching out. Jorge Polanco then grounded a RBI single into left for an early lead. We added another run in the inning as Alfredo Marte grounded into a bases loaded 4-6-3 double play. Decker blooped a RBI single to center in the bottom of the inning to get the Brewers on the board in front of a 3-run homer from Motter. Arcia’s 1st MLB homer was a leadoff jack in the 3rd to extend the deficit to 2-5. We put together a 2-out rally in the 7th when consecutive RBI singles by Joe Mauer, Aaron Hicks, and Marte brought us within 5-7. Then Chris Herrmann lined a 2-run double to the right-centerfield gap to tie the game. Unfortunately a 2-out wild pitch by Coke in the bottom of the inning gave the Brewers the lead back.


June 18, 2017

• With LF Eddie Rosario having now finished his recovery from injury, 2B Luis Mateo was optioned to AAA to free up a roster spot for him. Mateo was strangely immediately recalled and LF Alfredo Marte was sent down to AAA instead. I’m not sure why Marte wasn’t sent directly down in the 1st place.
• Texas trades 3B Arnoldo Brito (2016 4th round pick) to Cincinnati in exchange for RHP SP Raisel Iglesias and $3 million.

Minnesota 7 at Milwaukee 8 (12 innings)

WP: Carson Smith (3-1), LP: Ryan Buchter (4-2)
HR: MN-Hector Gomez (2), Mil-None

A 2-out RBI single by Eddie Rosario in the 1st opened the scoring. After Rosario stole 2nd on a failed hit-and-run, Danny Santana delivered a RBI single to double the lead. Chris Herrmann grounded a 2-out RBI single to right field in the 5th to provide some insurance, which Gomez followed by blowing the game open with a 3-run shot 374 feet into the left field seats. The Brewers got on the board in the bottom of the inning on a 1-out RBI single by Chris O’Brien. Milwaukee kept chipping away at the lead, as a RBI single in the 7th by Taylor Motter brought the Brewers within 6-4. A Jaff Decker RBI single in the 8th made it a 1-run game. O’Brien tied the game 2 batters later on a RBI single to center, though Byron Buxton threw out Niko Goodrum at the plate for the 2nd out on the play. We regained the lead in the 9th on a 1-out passed ball with Luis Mateo at the plate. Glen Perkins let me down though, as Ryan Braun grounded a 1-out RBI single through the 5.5 hole to tie the game again. We nearly took the lead in the 11th, but Chris Herrmann was thrown out at home on a single to left by Mateo on a great throw by Jaff Decker. Pinch-hitter Chris B. Young finally ended the game on a sacrifice fly in the 12th.


June 19, 2017

• Buster Posey (San Francisco) suffered a setback in his recovery from a sore forearm that will keep him out an additional 4 days.
• We’re 11th in the latest power rankings.
• San Diego trades CF Abraham Almonte to Seattle for 1B Justin Smoak and RF Dayton Dugas.
• The Chicago White Sox deals RHP RP Edinxon Arias to San Diego for RHP RP Kevin Quackenbush.

Minnesota at Cincinnati—Rained Out


June 20, 2017

• Philadelphia trades LHP SP Tony Cingrani and $1.42 million to Baltimore in exchange for SS Ryan Mountcastle (2015 1st round pick).

Game #1: Minnesota 7 at Cincinnati 8

WP: Chris Rearick (3-2), LP: Lester Oliveros (3-1), SV: Jason Motte (10)
HR: MN-None, Cin-Devin Mesoraco 2 (9)

The good thing about the rainout is that it means my bullpen got a chance to rest up after a rough series in Milwaukee. These 4 games (2 today, 2 the next 2 days at home) are a showcase for the 2 top base stealers in MLB—Byron Buxton and Billy Hamilton.

A throwing error on a bunt gave us runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out in the 4th for Danny Santana, who hit a sacrifice fly to open the scoring. The 2nd throwing error of the inning by Jefry Marte plated a 2nd run. Unfortunately, Hector Gomez was thrown out trying to advance to 3rd on a 2-out RBI single by Buxton which meant we had to settle for a 3-0 lead. Mesoraco’s 1-out, 2-run homer in the bottom of the inning was the Reds’ 1st hit and Phil Hughes’ last pitch as he was injured (mild calf strain, day-to-day 5 days) on the play. Eddie Rosario lined a 1-out RBI single to left in the 5th to give us some insurance back. A sacrifice fly in the 6th by Orlando Calixte brought the Reds back within 4-3. Then with 2 outs in the inning, Mesoraco chopped a RBI single over Gomez’ head to tie the game. To make things worse, Steven Selke grounded a 2-run single up the middle 2 batters later to give the Reds the lead. We loaded the bases with nobody out in the 7th for Rosario, who struck out but Santana picked him up with a RBI single to make it 5-6. After Austin Barnes struck out with the bases still loaded, Gomez coaxed an RBI walk to tie the game. In the 8th, Rosario lined a 2-out RBI single to center to give us a 7-6 lead. Oliveros let me down again, giving up a 2-run homer to Mesoraco in the bottom of the inning to put the Reds back in front.


Game #2: Minnesota 6 at Cincinnati 1

WP: Andre Rienzo (5-2), LP: Zach Petrick (4-10)
HR: MN-Hector Gomez (3), Aaron Hicks (7), Cin-Jesse Winker (12)

The injury to Hughes really ate up my bullpen in game #1, and with Rienzo on the mound for this game I was already cringing before the 1st pitch at how ugly it could get. Winker opened the scoring with a 2-out solo shot in the 5th as both starters were in control. A successful hit-and-run single by Joe Mauer gave us our 1st scoring chance in the 6th putting runners on the corners with 1 out, but Hicks struck out and Eddie Rosario flew out to quash the threat. Gomez pulled a 3-run homer to left just inside the foul post to give us the lead in the 7th. Hicks provided some insurance in the 8th with a 2-run homer that went 410 feet to center. A 75 minute rain delay later in the top of the 8th complicated matters.


June 21, 2017

Cincinnati 2 at Minnesota 8

WP: Chris Heston (7-2), LP: Homer Bailey (2-9)
HR: Cin-None, MN-Aaron Hicks (8)

Jesse Winker picked up a RBI ground out in the 1st to open the scoring. We responded in the bottom of the inning on a 1-out RBI single by Joe Mauer, which Kennys Vargas followed with a RBI double to put us in front. Before the inning was over we’d sent 10 men to the plate and scored 5 runs. Hicks pretty well put the game out of reach with a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 4th that made it 7-1.


June 22, 2017

• Tim Lincecum (Chicago White Sox) is out 4-5 months due to ulnar nerve irritation.
• Cincinnati deals 1B Chris Parmelee and $3 million to Atlanta in exchange for RHP SP Matt Vogel (2016 3rd round pick).

Cincinnati 1 at Minnesota 2

WP: Jason Wheeler (6-1), LP: Keyvius Sampson (0-1), SV: Glen Perkins (20)
HR: Cin-None, MN-None

Cincinnati’s Sampson was given his 1st MLB start on the mound. The pitchers were in solid control of the game. Sampson dug himself a hole in the 4th by walking back-to-back hitters to load the bases with nobody out for Luis Mateo, who hit a sacrifice fly to open the scoring. Eddie Rosario was injured (knee sprain, 4 weeks) being forced out at 2nd on a fielder’s choice. Adam Walker provided some insurance by drawing a 2-out bases loaded walk in the 7th to make it 2-0. Wheeler was unfortunately denied a chance to complete the shutout by a 63 minute rain delay in the 8th, giving up 2 hits in 7.1 innings (the 2nd while I was trying to warm up Nick Burdi after the rain delay), striking out 7. Billy Hamilton drew a bases loaded walk in the 8th to get the Reds on the board. Perkins made it a bit hairy in the 9th, but secured the win to move us to 10 games over .500 on the season.


June 23, 2017

• SS Luis Mateo was sent down to AAA with LF Andy Dirks was called up to provide some outfield depth.
• Allen Craig (Boston) suffered a setback in his recovery from a sore knee that will keep him out an additional 6 days.
• Baltimore fired manager Buck Showalter.

Tampa Bay 2 at Minnesota 6

WP: Jose Berrios (2-7), LP: Nate Karns (3-7), SV: Phil Coke (1)
HR: TB-None, MN-Kennys Vargas (5), Jorge Polanco (5)

Corey Dickerson ripped a 1-out RBI double off the left-centerfield wall in the 1st to open the scoring. Jordy Mercer added a sacrifice fly in the 2nd to extend the Tampa Bay lead. We loaded the bases with 1 out in the 4th for Hector Gomez, who struck out, but Byron Buxton picked him up by grounding a 2-run single through the 5.5 hole to tie the game. Polanco followed by ripping a RBI single to right to put us in front. A wild pitch in the 5th gave us another run. After a rough 1st couple of innings, Berrios settled in to give up only the 2 runs over 6.2 innings while striking out 10. Vargas provided insurance with a leadoff homer in the 7th. Polanco then added a 1-out solo homer in the 8th. Buxton was injured (back soreness, 4 days) running down a fly ball on the warning track to end the game. Coke delivered 2.1 innings of perfect relief to pick up the save.


June 24, 2017

• George Springer (Houston) is out 4 weeks with shoulder soreness.

Tampa Bay 5 at Minnesota 6 (12 innings)

WP: Glen Perkins (1-1), LP: Jerry Blevins (2-3)
HR: TB-Nick Franklin (3) Corey Dickerson (7), MN-None

We entered this game with a really shallow bench with 2/3 of my starting outfield injured and unavailable but still on the active roster. Kennys Vargas got us on the board in the 1st on a sacrifice fly to deep center. Franklin put Tampa Bay in front with a 2-run homer in the 2nd. Dickerson crushed a Phil Hughes fastball 426 feet to center for a 2-out solo homer in the 3rd to give the Rays some insurance. We kept chipping away at the Tampa Bay lead, and with Andy Dirk’s 2nd RBI single of the day in the 6th we cut the deficit to 4-5. Then with 1 out in the 8th, Austin Barnes blooped a RBI single to center that brought around Danny Santana to tie the game at 5-5. Finally in the 12th, Barnes delivered again. This time it was a walk-off sacrifice fly to send the home fans away smiling.

• Francisco Martinez (Detroit) hit 3 homers in a 11-5 win over St. Louis at Comerica Park. He had 8 RBIs and scored 4 runs on the day.


June 25, 2017

• With Rosario’s diagnosis sending him to the DL today, SS Luis Mateo was recalled from AAA.
• St. Louis trades LHP SP Tim Cooney and $507,500 to Boston in exchange for RHP SP Triston McKenzie (2015 2nd round pick).
• Atlanta deals RHP SP Cody Martin to Cincinnati for 3B Gavin LaValley and RHP SP Dominic Taccoloni.

Tampa Bay 7 at Minnesota 8 (10 innings)

WP: Lester Oliveros (4-1), LP: Alex Cobb (4-5)
HR: TB-None, MN-Jorge Polanco (6)

A sacrifice fly by Oscar Hernandez in the 1st opened the scoring. An already exhausted Tampa Bay bullpen (they had only 1 reliever listed as rested at the start of the game) suffered a blow in the bottom of the 1st when starter Jarred Cosart had to leave after giving up a 1-out double to Joe Mauer with an injury (elbow inflammation, 1 week) 3 batters into the game. Kennys Vargas greeted reliever Aaron Kurcz by grounding a 2-run single up the middle to put us in front. Vargas added a 2-out, 2-run single in the 2nd to make it 4-1. Hernandez added a RBI double in the 5th to pull the Rays back within 4-2. Later in the inning, Daniel Robertson added a 2-out RBI single to make it a 1 run game. Polanco hit a 2-out solo homer in the 6th to extend the lead to 5-3. 2 batters later, Mauer added a RBI double laced just inside the 3rd base bag. Tampa Bay threw poor reliever Jerry Blevins to the wolves since he was the last man out of their pen, leaving him in far beyond the point of exhaustion (ultimately he threw 57 pitches in the game when he was already fatigued when he took the mound). The Rays would not go quietly however, as a 2-run triple by Hernandez in the 9th made it 7-5 and made me start loosening up Glen Perkins in the bullpen, then a wild pitch made it a 1 run game. Robertson then delivered a RBI single to tie the game. After tying the game in the 9th, Tampa Bay sent starter Cobb to the mound. Vargas proved to be the hero with a 2-out RBI double following a Mauer walk in the 10th.

• Blake Swihart (Boston) was injured with a strained abdominal muscle while running the bases in today’s game and will be out 5-6 weeks.
• John Danks (New York Yankees) threw a 6-hitter against Kansas City.


June 26, 2017

• We’re 4th in the latest power rankings.

Minnesota 10 at Oakland 1

WP: Chris Heston (8-2), LP: Johnny Cueto (3-8)
HR: MN-Adam Walker (3), Oak-None

We’re catching Oakland at a good time, as they’ve lost 6 straight coming into this series. Chris Heston had a dream 1st inning throwing 3 pitches to retire the side. Aaron Hicks laced a RBI triple into the right field corner in the 2nd to open the scoring, who came in to score on a RBI groundout by Danny Santana. Hicks added a 2-out RBI single in the lead to provide more insurance. Josh Whitaker got Oakland on the board with a 2-out RBI single in the 4th. We got the run back on a 1-out RBI double by Kennys Vargas in the 5th. Walker seemed to put the game away with a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 6th that made it 6-1. The Oakland bullpen continued to struggle after that as we added to our lead in the late innings


June 27, 2017

Minnesota 6 at Oakland 0

WP: Jason Wheeler (7-1), LP: Jesse Hahn (6-6)
HR: MN-Byron Buxton (3), Oak-None

Jason Wheeler squirmed his way out of a bases loaded 1-out jam in the 1st by coaxing Matt Olson to ground into a double play. Buxton delivered a 1-out RBI single in the 3rd to open the scoring in his return from injury. 2 batters later, Joe Mauer grounded a 2-out RBI single through the 5.5 hold to double the lead. Andy Dirks added some insurance with a RBI sacrifice fly in the 4th. Buxton then added a 1-out solo homer in the 5th to seemingly put the game away. Only a high pitch count prevented Wheeler from getting a chance to complete the shutout, as I lifted him after 8 innings where he gave up 6 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 1, on 109 pitches.

• With the win we move into a tie with Detroit and Cleveland for the AL Central lead and both wild card spots.


June 28, 2017

Minnesota 1 at Oakland 0

WP: Jose Berrios (3-7), LP: Kendall Graveman (6-5)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (6), Oak-None

Both starters were dealing in the series finale as Graveman and Berrios traded zeroes. Vargas didn’t get the fat part of the bat on a 90 MPH fastball with 2 outs in the 5th, but he got just enough of it to send it 399 feet into the right-centerfield bleachers for a solo homer to open the scoring. Berrios completed the 2-hitter, striking out 8 while issuing no walks (but 1 HBP), facing 1 batter over the minimum thanks to 2 double plays, while throwing 106 pitches. It was a very unlikely shutout as Berrios had entered the game with a 6.11 ERA. Combined the teams only accumulated 5 hits.


June 29, 2017

Off Day


June 30, 2017

Minnesota 2 at Los Angeles Angels 5

WP: Trevor Rosenthal (2-2), LP: Ryan Buchter (4-3), SV: Craig Kimbrel (14)
HR: MN-None, LAA-Matt Joyce (11)

After a dominating series in Oakland, we traveled to Anaheim for the 2nd series of a 9 game west coast swing to face the AL West leading Angels. Kennys Vargas provided a 1st inning spark this time with a 2-out RBI double over the right fielder’s head. 2 batters later, Andy Dirks lined a RBI single up the middle to double the lead. Joyce hit a 2-out solo homer in the 5th to get the Angels on the board, and was the 1st run we’d given up in 28 innings. Both pitchers were dominant again. A sacrifice fly by Edwin Encarnacion in the 8th tied the game. A throwing error by Hector Gomez gave the Angels the lead, and by the time the 8th was over the Angels had scored 4 runs on 1 hit as Ryan Buchter struggled with his control. We couldn’t get anything going in the 9th as our 9 game winning streak came to an end.

• Prince Fielder (Texas) and R. J. Alvarez (Oakland) were each suspended 7 games for their parts in a benches-clearing brawl involving their teams.

AL Batter of the Month: Joey Gallo (Texas) .365 BA, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 20 R, .470 OBP
NL Batter of the Month: Bryce Harper (Washington) .327 BA, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 21 R
AL Pitcher of the Month: Buck Farmer (Detroit) 4-1, 6 GS, 2.35 ERA, 31 K, 38.1 IP
NL Pitcher of the Month: Kyle Hendricks (Chicago Cubs) 4-0. 6 GS, 1.28 ERA, 42.1 IP, 30 K
AL Rookie of the Month: Eric Jaglielo (Kansas City) .375 BA, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 15 R
NL Rookie of the Month: Taylor Motter (Milwaukee) .317 BA, 3 HR, 15 R, 16 RBI


44-29, .603, 1.5 GB (2nd AL Central), 5.5 GA (1st wild card)


An 18-8 June to back up a 19-9 May has us playing some of the best baseball in MLB right now. My bullpen hasn’t been as dominant, but our offense has usually been picking up the slack. I’m beginning to believe that this roster with no more than a couple of guys signed to minor league deals after being the worst team in MLB last season is a legitimate playoff contender.

[faithful2thecall]

I just posted the 2nd half of June in case you missed it.

Here's the info on the #1 overall pick. It's not likely that he'll be of use to me in this dynasty, but I figured some of you would like to see him anyway.

[faithful2thecall]

July 1, 2017

• C Austin Barnes was sent down to AAA. C Stuart Turner was called up from AAA to take his place.

Minnesota 1 at Los Angeles Angels 7

WP: Drew Rucinski (6-7), LP: Andre Rienzo (5-3)
HR: MN-None, LAA-Mike Trout (16), Edwin Encarnacion (7)

Rienzo dug himself a big hole early loading the bases in the 1st on 2 hit batters and a soft single with nobody out. Josh Hamilton hit a little squibber about 20 feet for a RBI single to open the scoring. Before the carnage was over the Angels had scored 5 runs and batted around. In frustration at his horrible outing Rienzo plunked Trout with a pitch and the benches emptied. Our offense was floundering too, as we didn’t have a scoring chance until we got runners to 2nd and 3rd with 1 out in the 6th with Joe Mauer coming to the plate, but Mauer could only muster a RBI groundout to get us on the board.

• Trout (4 games) and Rienzo (6 games) were suspended for their roles in the fracas that broke out during today’s game.
• Zack Wheeler (New York Mets) threw a 1-hitter against Washington. C.J. Cron led off the 5th with a single for the Nationals’ only hit.


July 2, 2017

• Carlos Santana (Cleveland) signed a 3-year, $28.5 million extension.

Minnesota 4 at Los Angeles Angels 2

WP: Chris Heston (9-2), LP: Tyler Skaggs (5-6), SV: Glen Perkins (21)
HR: MN-Chris Herrmann (4), LAA-Kole Calhoun (8)

Calhoun opened the scoring with a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 1st. We finally got on the board in the 4th on a RBI single by Kennys Vargas. Later in the inning, Danny Santana grounded into a RBI fielder’s choice with the bases loaded and 1 out, where they were unable to turn the double play which allowed us to tie the game. In the 5th Byron Buxton and Joe Mauer hit back-to-back triples to give us the lead. Herrmann provided some insurance with a leadoff homer in the 8th. Heston settled down after the 1st inning, setting down the final 18 Angels hitters he faced after allowing a leadoff double in the 3rd to Jason Martinson. Perkins didn’t allow a ball to be put in play in the 9th striking out the side around a 2 out walk to secure the win.

• Brandon Finnegan (Kansas City) threw a 6-hitter against Cleveland.


July 3, 2017

• Robbie Grossman (Houston) is out 4-5 months with a torn labrum.
• We’re 3rd in the latest power rankings, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona.

Minnesota 3 at Seattle 1

WP: Jason Wheeler (8-1), LP: Jon Niese (4-8), SV: Glen Perkins (22)
HR: MN-None, Sea-Andy Wilkins (1)

Wilkins led off the 3rd with a homer he crushed 420 feet to open the scoring. Byron Buxton got our 1st hit with a line drive single to right to open the 4th. Both starting pitchers were in control of the game as they dueled into the late innings. Finally Jorge Polanco blooped a 2-out, 2-run double down the right field line in the 8th inning to put us on the board and give us a 2-1 lead. Buxton followed it up with a RBI double to provide some insurance. Perkins pitched around a leadoff triple in the 9th by getting a strikeout and 2 pop ups to himself to secure the win.


July 4, 2017

• Jameson Taillon (Pittsburgh) is out 6 months with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament.
• Miami trades 2B Leury Garcia to St. Louis in exchange for CF Randal Grichuk and C Cole Jackson (2016 2nd round pick).

Minnesota 7 at Seattle 2

WP: Jose Berrios (4-7), LP: Felix Hernandez (5-5)
HR: MN-Danny Santana (3), Sea-Guillermo Pimentel (8)

On paper it was a horrible pitching matchup for us with Berrios going up against Hernandez, but King Felix has looked fairly ordinary (5-4, 3.02 ERA) and Berrios was coming off a 2-hitter in his last start. The roof was closed for this game due to rain outside. Santana pulled a 3-2 changeup 400 feet to right-center for a 2 out solo homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. Hernandez was fighting control issues, highlighted by the 3rd inning where we loaded the bases with nobody out without hitting the ball out of the infield on 2 walks and an infield hit by Byron Buxton with Joe Mauer coming to the plate. Only a spectacular catch by Pimentel kept Mauer from extra bases, but it was still a sacrifice fly to double our lead. Kennys Vargas followed with a RBI single to make it 3-0, though Jorge Polanco was thrown out trying to score on the play for the 2nd out. Stuart Turner’s 1st MLB hit was a RBI single in his MLB debut in the 4th to make it 5-0 and sent Hernandez to a very early shower as he didn’t record an out in the inning. Turner’s nerves were showing however as a throwing error on a stolen base attempt set up Seattle getting a run in the 5th on a Chris Taylor RBI double.

• Rusney Castillo (Boston) extended his hitting streak to 20 games in a 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox with a 1-for-4 outing where he got a double in the 9th to keep the streak alive.
• With the win and a 7-3 loss to Milwaukee for Cleveland, we moved into sole possession of 1st place with the best record in the AL. Quite a turnaround with minimal turnover from last year’s team that was the worst in MLB.


July 5, 2017

• Texas deals CF Jake Skole and C Samuel Favela to Miami in exchange for LHP SP Brad Hand.
• Oakland trades RHP SP Kendall Graveman and $507,500 to Atlanta for RHP SP Christifer Andritsos (2015 3rd round pick of the Los Angeles Angels).

Minnesota 6 at Seattle 7 (19 innings)

WP: Danny Hultzen (3-3), LP: Luke Bard (2-3)
HR: MN-Joe Mauer (2), Chris Herrmann (5), Sea-Ike Davis (11), Andy Wilkins (2), D.J. Peterson (10)

Under a closed roof, Mauer crushed a 2-out solo homer 420 feet to center in the 1st to open the scoring. Davis responded with a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 3rd to put Seattle in front. 2 batters later Wilkins added his own 2-run homer. Danny Santana responded with a 2-out RBI single in the 4th to pull us back within 2-4. Jorge Polanco added a 1-out RBI single in the 5th to make it a 1-run game, and a sacrifice fly by Kennys Vargas 2 batters later tied the game. Jim Johnson was injured striking out Hector Gomez for the 1st out of the 9th. The bullpens took over and forced extra innings. We loaded the bases with nobody out in the 10th for Andy Dirks, who lined a RBI single to right. However that was the only run we got in the inning, leaving Glen Perkins to protect a delicate 5-4 lead. Peterson hit a leadoff triple, and came in to score on a 2-out infield single by Gabriel Guerrero. Herrmann hit a 2-out solo homer in the 12th to put us back in front. However Peterson responded with a 1-out solo homer in the bottom of the inning to tie the game again. Alex Jackson ended the marathon with a walk-off RBI single in the 19th.


July 6, 2017

• Milwaukee trades SS Will Toffey (2016 4th round pick) and C Bismar Nunez to Detroit for RHP SP Buck Farmer.
• Philadelphia trades SS Jimmy Rollins to Tampa Bay in exchange for LHP SP Travis Ott, SS Victor Contreras, and CF Randhi Balcazar.

Detroit 9 at Minnesota 1

WP: Mat Latos (6-3), LP: Chris Heston (9-3)
HR: Det-J.D. Martinez (8), MN-None

The marathon yesterday couldn’t have come at a worse time with Andre Rienzo’s spot in the rotation due up today. Ultimately I decided to have Chris Heston pitch on short rest instead of trying to cobble the game together with my bullpen. Nick Castellanos grounded a 2-out, 2-run single up the middle in the 3rd to open the scoring. Harold Castro provided some insurance with a RBI fielder’s choice in the 4th. Heston was serviceable, though not as sharp as I would have liked as he surrendered 4 runs in 6 innings, though he did strike out 10 batters. We finally scored on a 2-out RBI single by Aaron Hicks in the 6th to get within 1-4. Phil Coke let the game get completely out of hand in the 9th giving up 5 runs to put the game away.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer moved within 10 hits of career hit #2,000 in a 2-for-4 performance.


July 7, 2017

• C.J. Peterson (Texas) is out 5-6 months due to shoulder inflammation.
• Jace Peterson (Atlanta) is out 6 weeks with biceps tendinitis.

Detroit 1 at Minnesota 8

WP: Jason Wheeler (9-1), LP: Joe Mantiply (2-3)
HR: Det-None, MN-Byron Buxton (4)

Kennys Vargas opened the scoring with a 2-out RBI double in the 1st. Aaron Hicks delivered a 2-out, 2-run single in the 3rd to extend the lead. A 4th inning sacrifice fly by Travis Harrison gave us a seemingly comfortable 4-0 lead. The Tigers got on the board on a sacrifice fly by Harold Castro in the 5th. Buxton made a fine running grab at his ankles to keep the rally at 1 run with the bases loaded to end the inning. Chris Herrmann got the run back on a 1-out RBI double in the 6th. Buxton blew the game wide open later in the inning with a 2-out, 2-run homer that made it 8-1. Not even a 59 minute rain delay in the top of the 7th was going to derail me on this day.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer remained 10 hits shy of 2,000 career hits after an 0-for-4 day.
• Rusney Castillo’s hit streak came to an end at 21 games in a 0-for-3 effort against the New York Yankees in an 8-1 loss.


July 8, 2017

• George Springer (Houston) suffered a setback in his recovery from shoulder soreness that will keep him out another 3 weeks.
• Cincinnati deals 3B Gabriel Rosa and C Mitch Trees to Colorado for CF Angel Pagan.

Detroit 7 at Minnesota 2

WP: Alex Torres (6-2), LP: Nick Burdi (2-2)
HR: Det-Miguel Cabrera (15), Steven Moya (8), Ryan Flaherty (4), MN-Byron Buxton (5)

To compound my already tired pitching staff, Jose Berrios had to leave after 2 innings due to injury (finger blister, day-to-day 5 days). Then there was a 39 minute rain delay in the bottom of the 3rd. There wasn’t any scoring until the 6th, when Cabrera ripped a 1-out, 2-run homer. 2 batters later, Moya added a solo homer to add to my misery. Buxton finally got us on the board with a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 8th but it was far too little, far too late.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer went 1-for-3 to close to within 9 hits of 2,000 for his career.


July 9, 2017

Detroit 6 at Minnesota 5

WP: Bobby Parnell (3-3), LP: Phil Coke (2-4), SV: Eric O’Flaherty (18)
HR: Det-J.D. Martinez (9), Miguel Cabrera (16), MN-Danny Santana (4), Kennys Vargas 2 (8)

Detroit starter Chad Green was making his MLB debut. Santana hit a 2-out solo homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. Vargas extended the lead with a 2-out, 3-run homer in the 3rd. Martinez responded with a 2-out, 2-run homer of his own in the 4th to get the Tigers on the board. Cabrera pulled Detroit within 1 with a leadoff homer in the 6th. Vargas responded by crushing a leadoff homer 439 feet just inside the right field foul pole to lead off the bottom of the inning, which chased Green. Cabrera and Nick Castellanos delivered 2-out RBI singles in the 7th to tie the game. Pinch-hitter Tyler Collins lined a 2-out RBI single to right in the 8th to give the Tigers the lead. Byron Buxton stole a homer from Cabrera for the 2nd out of the 9th. We got a rally going in the 9th, as a successful sacrifice bunt by Jorge Polanco put runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out for Joe Mauer. Mauer was called out on strikes however, and Vargas grounded out to end the game.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer went 1-for-5 to close to within 8 hits of 2,000 in his career.


July 10, 2017

• Brett Anderson (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 8 months with a torn rotator cuff.
• We plummeted to 10th in this week’s power rankings.

Boston 7 at Minnesota 1

WP: Drew VerHagen (5-5), LP: Andre Rienzo (5-4)
HR: Bos-Mitch Moreland (1), MN-None

Boston opened the scoring in the 2nd on a ground ball double play hit into by Pablo Sandoval. Moreland followed it up with a solo shot to double the lead. Pitching was the story of this game outside of the one bad inning. VerHagen got help from his defense, as they turned a pair of inning-ending double plays behind him. Aaron Hicks was injured (strained oblique, 5 weeks) running down a fly ball for the 1st out of the 7th. Allen Craig added insurance in the 9th with a RBI single. We only avoided being shutout on a 2-out RBI single in the 9th by Chris Herrmann.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer went 1-for-3 to close to within 7 hits of 2,000 for his career.


July 11, 2017

• LF Alfredo Marte was called up from AAA to fill Aaron Hicks’ roster spot.
• Carlos Gonzalez (Colorado) is out 8 months with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow.
• Cody Asche (Philadelphia) suffered a setback in his return from illness and will be out another 6 days.

Boston 3 at Minnesota 13

WP: Joel Hanrahan (2-2), LP: Yovani Gallardo (7-5), SV: Phil Coke (2)
HR: Bos-None, MN-Adam Walker (4), Kennys Vargas (9), Andy Dirks (1)

The tension didn’t take long to ramp up in this game, as Chris Heston hit Brett Phillips with a 1-2 fastball on the 4th pitch of the game, forcing Phillips from the game injured (knee contusion, 5 days). Allen Craig was injured (strained back, day-to-day 1 week) running out a leadoff double in the 2nd. Pablo Sandoval followed it up by ripping a RBI double into the right field corner to open the scoring. 2 batters later, Josmil Pinto added his own RBI double to double the Red Sox lead. Walker pounded a fastball 391 feet for a 1-out solo homer in the bottom of the inning to get us on the board, cutting the deficit to 1-3. Vargas hit a 2-out, 2 strike, 2-run homer to the opposite field in the 3rd to tie the game. Dirks crushed a leadoff homer 431 feet to center in the 4th to put us in front and send Gallardo to an early shower. There was a 43 minute rain delay later in the bottom of the 4th. Danny Santana lined a RBI single to center and Jorge Polanco added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 6-3 before the inning was over. We feasted on the Boston bullpen, while my bullpen pitched 4.2 shutout innings between Hanrahan and Coke.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer went 1-for-3 to move within 6 hits of 2,000 in his career.


July 12, 2017

• Salvador Perez (Chicago White Sox) is out 4 months with a broken kneecap.

Boston 3 at Minnesota 5

WP: Jason Wheeler (10-1), LP: Tim Cooney (4-11), SV: Glen Perkins (23)
HR: Bos-Rusney Castillo (17), MN-Andy Dirks (2)

Castillo hit the 2nd pitch of the game for a leadoff homer to open the scoring. With 2 outs in the inning, Allen Craig added a RBI double to add make it 2-0. We got on the board in the 3rd on a RBI ground out by Byron Buxton. Pablo Sandoval got the run back in the 4th on a sacrifice fly. A Kennys Vargas sacrifice fly in the 6th brought us back within 2-3. 2 batters later, Dirks crushed a hanging slider 411 feet for a 3-run homer to put us in front and chase Cooney. My bullpen did the job from there, not allowing a hit over the last 3 innings to secure the win.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer went 1-for-4 to continue inching his way towards 2,000 hits as he now stands at 1,995.


July 13, 2017

Boston 9 at Minnesota 10

WP: Ryan Buchter (5-3), LP: Heath Hembree (1-2), SV: Glen Perkins (24)
HR: Bos-Allen Craig (10), Rusney Castillo (18), Xander Bogaerts (14), MN-None

Jose Berrios got himself into trouble in the 1st, loading the bases with 1 out for Hanley Ramirez, who grounded a RBI single up the middle to open the scoring. Boston added 3 more runs in the inning. Joe Mauer picked up a RBI ground out in the bottom of the inning to get us on the board. Kennys Vargas followed it up with a RBI single to get us back within 2-4. An eventful 1st inning continued as Chris Herrmann grounded a 2-out, 2-run single to left to tie the game. Craig led off the 4th with a homer to put the Red Sox back in front. We tied the game back up in the bottom of the inning on a RBI fielder’s choice by Mauer. Castillo hit a 1-out solo homer to center in the 5th to put Boston back in front 6-5. Jorge Polanco lined a 1-out RBI double to right in the 6th to tie the game again. Bogaerts responded with a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 7th and Boston had the lead back and added another run before the inning was over, seemingly putting the game away. We kept battling however, and when Mauer grounded a 1-out RBI single to center in the 8th we were within 8-9. Andy Dirks then completed the comeback by blooping a 2-out, 2-run single to center to give us our 1st lead of the game.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer’s 1-for-5 day at the plate pulled him within 4 hits of 2,000 for his career.


July 14, 2017

• Cincinnati trades RHP SP Anthony DeSclafani to Texas for RHP SP Austin Smith (2016 3rd round pick) and RHP SP Nick Gardewine.

Baltimore 4 at Minnesota 2

WP: Yordano Ventura (5-10), LP: Phil Hughes (4-4), SV: Brad Brach (17)
HR: Bal-Alex Gordon (7), MN-None

Rey Navarro and Gordon lined back-to-back doubles in the 1st to open the scoring. Joe Mauer hit a sacrifice fly to left in the bottom of the inning after Byron Buxton stole both 2nd and 3rd. Ventura got himself into early trouble, walking 3 hitters in the 1st. David Peralta responded with a sacrifice fly in the 2nd to put Baltimore back on top. Neither team mounted much of a threat after that until the 5th, when we loaded the bases with nobody out for Buxton. However Buxton grounded into a 1-2-3 double play and Jorge Polanco flew out to end the inning. Gordon then hammered a fastball 440 feet inside the right field foul pole for a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 6th to make it 1-4. We responded with a RBI ground out by Andy Dirks to get a run back.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer went 1-for-3 to close to within 3 hits of 2,000 hits in his career.
• Cory Luebke (San Francisco) threw a 5-hitter against the New York Mets.


July 15, 2017

• The New York Mets send 2B Josh Rutledge and CF Claudio Geraldo to Oakland for 3B Rangel Ravelo.
• Detroit trades RHP SP Mat Latos to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for RF Micker Adolfo and 3B Nick Basto.

Baltimore 4 at Minnesota 5

WP: Andre Rienzo (6-4), LP: Chase Anderson (5-10), SV: Glen Perkins (25)
HR: Bal-Tomas Telis (6), MN-Chris Herrman (6)

A Joe Mauer sacrifice fly opened the scoring in the 1st, which Kennys Vargas followed with a RBI double into the right field corner. Herrmann doubled the lead in the 4th with a 2-run homer pulled just inside the right field foul pole. A 50 minute rain delay later in the bottom of the 4th was cause for concern. David Peralta got the Orioles on the board in the 5th with a 2-out, 2-run double. Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco hit back-to-back 2 out doubles in the 6th to give us an insurance run. Telis got some help from the wind hitting a leadoff homer in the 8th to make it a 5-3 game. The Orioles made a game of it in the 9th, with a 1-out RBI single by Christian Walker getting the go-ahead run to the plate, but we held on to win.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer went 0-for-3 to remain 3 hits shy of 2,000 for his career.


July 16, 2017

• SP Andre Rienzo was optioned to AAA, with SP Simon Castro being called up to take his place.
• For the 1st time in this dynasty we had 2 players named to the AL All-Star team. Glen Perkins (1-1, 25 SV, 1.25 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 1.1 WAR) and Byron Buxton (.312 BA, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 44 SB, 3.9 WAR). Both were named to the roster as reserves.
• Justin Upton (Chicago Cubs) suffered a setback in his recovery from a sprained wrist and will miss another 1-2 weeks.
• Brett Lawrie (Oakland) is out 4 weeks due to a strained posterior cruciate ligament.
• J.T. Realmuto (Miami) is out 7 months with a broken kneecap.
• Seattle trades LHP SP Danny Hultzen to the New York Yankees in exchange for SS Bo Bichette (2016 4th round pick).

Baltimore 2 at Minnesota 3

WP: Chris Heston (10-3), LP: Wei-Yin Chen (4-9), SV: Glen Perkins (26)
HR: Bal-Dustin Ackley (9), MN-None

On a relevant side note, Manny Machado was out injured for this series though he wasn’t on the DL. Some aggressive base running set us up to get on the board in the 1st as I had Jorge Polanco and Byron Buxton execute a double steal with Joe Mauer at the plate, and Mauer promptly brought both of them in with a double to the base of the centerfield wall. Kennys Vargas continued his hot month with a RBI double to bring Mauer in. A Danny Santana throwing error allowed the Orioles to get on the board with 2 outs in the 2nd. Pitching took control of the game after that with neither team generating many chances. Ackley greeted Perkins in the 9th with a leadoff homer to make it a 1 run game.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer went 1-for-3 to draw within 2 hits of 2,000 for his career.


July 17, 2017

• We’re 6th in this week’s power rankings.

All-Star Break


July 18, 2017

National League 2 at American League 3

WP: Craig Kimbrel , LP: Ken Giles, SV: Sean Doolittle
MVP: Miguel Cabrera 2-for-2 with a solo homer in the 2nd and 2 runs scored.

• The game was played at Yankee Stadium.
• Byron Buxton walked in his only plate appearance pinch-hitting for Mike Trout in the 8th inning. Glen Perkins did not play.
• The AL won on a RBI single by Dustin Ackley in the 8th inning.


July 19, 2017

• With Eddie Rosario recovered from injury, SS Luis Mateo was optioned back to AAA.

All-Star Break


July 20, 2017

• Stephen Piscotty (Philadelphia) is out 5 weeks with shoulder tendinitis

All-Star Break


53-36, .596, 0.5 GB (2nd AL Central), 4 GA (1st AL Wild Card)

I entered the All-Star break a half-game behind 2-time defending division champion Cleveland for the division lead as well as the best record in the AL. Honestly, while we’re still listed as rebuilding, I’m not sure what move I’d want to see GM Terry Ryan make to try to strengthen the team. If he can off-load one of our big contracts down in AAA (Ervin Santana or Brian Dozier) for somebody that can help our team this season—particularly a starter or a top-flight reliever to compliment Glen Perkins, that would probably be our best move. Now watch him trade our 4th outfielder for another 3rd string catcher.

It’s really a team effort that has gotten us where we are. We have players scattered all over the league leaderboard. Byron Buxton still leads MLB in stolen bases (he has more than 2nd and 3rd in the AL combined), his WAR is also 2nd in the AL to Mike Trout, and he’s 5th in runs scored. Joe Mauer, Kennys Vargas, and Jorge Polanco are the top 3 players in the AL in doubles. Glen Perkins has a share of the AL lead in saves again after a down year last season. Maybe most surprising is that Jason Wheeler and Chris Heston (my 4th and 5th starters) have a share of the AL lead in wins with 10. As a team our offense leads the AL in BA, OBP, and runs scored.

We will be challenged right out of the break with a trip to Cleveland followed by the Chicago Cubs with the best record in MLB coming to town.

[faithful2thecall]

July 21, 2017

• In a move that made more sense than the original move, SS Luis Mateo was recalled from AAA and LF Alfredo Marte was sent back down to AAA.

Minnesota 0 at Cleveland 5

WP: Corey Kluber (1-1), LP: Jason Wheeler (10-2)
HR: MN-None, Cle-Yan Gomes (6)

Kluber took the mound for the Indians in only his 2nd appearance of the season after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament last October. He pitched respectably in a loss to St. Louis. Opposing him is one of the hottest pitchers in MLB in the 1st half of the season, Wheeler, who has won his last 10 decisions after being rather mediocre last year.

Jose Ramirez blooped a RBI single to right in the 3rd to open the scoring. Cleveland added 3 more runs in the inning, highlighted by a 2-out, 2-run homer for Gomes. Jorge Polanco grounded a single up the middle for our 1st hit to leadoff the 4th. Kluber was absolutely dominant as he allowed 1 hit in 8 innings.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer went 0-for-4 to remain stuck on 1,998 hits for his career.


July 22, 2017

Minnesota 1 at Cleveland 6

WP: Danny Salazar (10-8), LP: Jose Berrios (4-8)
HR: MN-None, Cle-Jose Ramirez (4)

Joe Mauer grounded a RBI single up the middle in the 1st to open the scoring. Ramirez led off the bottom of the inning by taking Jose Berrios’ 1st pitch into the left-centerfield seats to tie the game. A rare Mauer error with 2 outs extended the inning, and the Indians capitalized by scoring 2 more runs. Lonnie Chisenhall provided some insurance in the 4th with a blooper into right for a RBI single and things deteriorated from there as Cleveland added 2 more runs in the inning to make it a 1-6 deficit. It didn’t help that all of a sudden our offense has reverted to the form of the past 2 seasons where we can’t get a rally going to save our lives.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer’s RBI single in the 1st was his only hit in a 1-for-4 day that leaves him 1 hit shy of 2,000 hits in his career.


July 23, 2017

• Addison Russell (Chicago Cubs) suffered a setback in his recovery from a concussion that will keep him out 6 days.
• Detroit trades RF Steven Moya and 2B Malik Collymore to Tampa Bay in exchange for 2B Nick Franklin.
• The New York Mets deal RHP SP Matt D. Koch to Cincinnati for 3B Matt Mervis (2016 3rd round pick).

Minnesota 11 at Cleveland 9

WP: Phil Hughes (5-4), LP: Hector Noesi (6-7)
HR: MN-None, Cle-Michael Brantley (10), Tyler Naquin (8)

Joe Mauer finally got his 2,000th career hit in the 1st inning on a RBI double off the left-centerfield wall. Adam Walker added a RBI double of his own and Eddie Rosario hit a sacrifice fly to the right-centerfield wall later in the inning. Brantley hit a 1-out solo homer in the 2nd to get the Indians on the board, but we were still up 6-1. Rosario tried to squelch any momentum Cleveland was building with a 2-out, 2-run single in the 4th that made it 8-3. The Indians’ bullpen came into the game as the best in the AL, but we lit them up on this day. I brought Glen Perkins in to get him an inning since he hadn’t pitched in a week and Cleveland lit him up for 4 runs, highlighted by a 2-out, 3-run double by Brantley but we escaped to avoid the sweep.

• Milestone Watch: Joe Mauer ended up going 3-for-6 once the pressure of seeking his 2,000th hit was off.


July 24, 2017

• Anthony Gose (St. Louis) is out 3 weeks with a bruised wrist.
• Dallas Keuchel (Houston) is out 13-14 months with a damaged elbow ligament. Keuchel was 6-5 with a 4.15 ERA this season.
• We’re 7th in the latest power rankings.

Chicago Cubs 3 at Minnesota 10

WP: Simon Castro (1-0), LP: Chad Billingsley (8-5)
HR: ChC-Arismendy Alcantara (5), MN-Kennys Vargas (10)

We returned home for our 1st home series after the All-Star break to take on the MLB leading Cubs with Castro making his season debut on the mound for us in the opener. The Cubs didn’t have a hit until Kyle Schwarber grounded a 1-out single to right in the 4th. Alcantara made us pay later in the inning with a 2-out, 3-run homer to open the scoring. Vargas responded with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the inning to get us on the board. The rally wasn’t over as we loaded the bases with 1 out for Hector Gomez, who lined a RBI single to center to tie the game. Byron Buxton followed it up with a RBI single to put us in front and send Billingsley to an early shower. By the time the Cubs got off the field we’d scored 7 times, sending 12 men to the plate. Joe Mauer added some insurance with 1 out in the 6th when he blooped a RBI double down the left field line.


July 25, 2017

• The Chicago White Sox traded 2B Asdurbal Cabrera to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for RHP SP Jake Elliott (2016 2nd Round pick) and LHP RP Jonah Wesley.
• Seattle deals RHP SP Sam Gaviglio to the New York Yankees for SS Thairo Estrada.
• The Chicago White Sox sent RHP CL Sergio Romo and $3 million to Boston for 3B Parker Kelly, SS Errol Robinson, and RHP RP Andrew Mendoza.
• The Los Angeles Angels trade LF Matt Joyce to Pittsburgh for 3B Chase Simpson and RF Nick Buckner.
• Atlanta trades RHP RP Evan Marshall to Tampa Bay for C Tres Barrera (2016 4th Round pick) and CF Eleardo Cabrera.

Chicago Cubs 6 at Minnesota 4

WP: Shane Greene (5-3), LP: Chris Heston (10-4), SV: Mike Dunn (17)
HR: ChC-Dan Vogelbach (1), MN-Byron Buxton (6)

Buxton led off the 1st by pulling Greene’s 3rd pitch just inside the left field foul post to open the scoring. We added another run in the inning as Joe Mauer came home on a 2-out wild pitch. Vogelbach’s 1st MLB homer was a leadoff homer in the 4th to get the Cubs on the board. Later in the inning, Anthony Rizzo worked a 2-out RBI walk to tie the game, which Kyle Schwarber followed with a 2-run single to put the Cubs in front. Kris Bryant then added some insurance with a RBI single to center before Heston could get out of the inning. We tried to start a rally in the 6th as Eddie Rosario lined a 2-out, 2-run single to left to bring us within 4-6.

• Eric Jagielo (Kansas City) hit for the cycle in a 7-6 victory over Oakland.


July 26, 2017

• Tampa Bay deals CF Mikie Mahtook to Miami in exchange for RF Marcell Ozuna.
• San Francisco trades RF Jose Bautista and $3 million to Tampa Bay for RHP CL Luis C. Gonzalez, RF Jacob Cordero, C Armando Araiza, and C Daniel Comstock.
• The Chicago White Sox continued their selloff by sending C Rob Brantly and $507,500 to Oakland for C Miguel J. Guzman.

Chicago Cubs 18 at Minnesota 10

WP: Pedro Strop (1-4), LP: Ryan Buchter (5-4)
HR: ChC-Kyle Schwarber (17), Dan Vogelbach (2), Darrell Ceciliani (2), Albert Almora (5), MN-Kennys Vargas (11)

We had an early rally in the 2nd, loading the bases with 1 out for Chris Herrmann, who drew a 5 pitch walk to open the scoring. A wild pitch and a fielding error by Arismendy Alcantara plated 2 more runs on our way to a 4 run inning. Schwarber responded with a 2-out, 3-run homer in the 3rd on a full count to end a 9 pitch battle that cut our lead to 4-3. We put together a 2 out rally in the bottom of the inning as Danny Santana and Herrmann hit RBI singles in front of a RBI double by Travis Harrison in a rare start to chase Jake Arrieta, as the anticipated pitcher’s duel between Arrieta and Jason Wheeler fizzled into a slugfest. Vogelbach and Ceciliani hit 2-run homers in the 4th to tie the game, before Almora made it back-to-back homers to give the Cubs the lead and send Wheeler to an early shower. Vargas got tired of watching the Cubs lightweights flex their muscles and responded with a 3-run homer in the bottom of the inning to put us back on top 10-8. Jorge Polanco then dropped a pop up in the infield in the 5th that plated a run that shrunk our lead back to 1. Corey Hart then ripped a 2-run single that put the Cubs back on top 10-11. Anthony Rizzo blooped a 2-out RBI single to center to cap the rally and give the Cubs some insurance. Alcantara gave the Cubs a comfortable lead with a 2-out, 2-run double in the 7th to make it 10-14. Byron Buxton was then injured (concussion, 5 months) tracking down a fly ball to end the inning.

• Jason Heyward (St. Louis) strained a rib cage muscle on a defensive play today and will be out 3 weeks.
• Danny Duffy (Kansas City) threw a 3-hitter against Oakland.


July 27, 2017

• With Buxton’s breakout season cut short by injury and with it potentially any playoff hopes I had, LF Alfredo Marte was called up from AAA.
• Clay Bucholz (San Francisco) is out 7-8 months due to shoulder inflammation. He went 6-10 with a 4.46 ERA this season.
• Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 2-3 weeks due to elbow inflammation.
• Hisashi Iwakuma (Cleveland) suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring strain that will keep him out for 2 months.
• The Chicago White Sox traded SS Ruben Tejada to Washington for RHP RP Jose Morales and RHP SP Brett Hanewich (2016 3rd Round pick).
• Toronto deals 2B Jonathon Berti and 1B Enmanuel Moreta to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for LF J.B. Shuck and $772,500.
• Tampa Bay sends RHP SP Alex Cobb and $3 million to Miami for RHP SP John Pomeroy (2016 3rd Round pick) and C Samuel Favela.
• Word from inside the Seattle clubhouse suggests the players don’t like Manager Lloyd McClendon’s dictatorial managerial style.

Off Day


July 28, 2017

• The Los Angeles Dodgers trade RF Nick Markakis and RHP RP Matthew Sellers to Arizona for 1B Mark Trumbo.
• San Diego deals RHP SP Adys Portillo to Tampa Bay for CF Yerson Santana and 3B Will Craig (2016 2nd Round pick).
• Atlanta trades RHP SP Tyrell Jenkins to Seattle in exchange for 1B Alberto Velasquez.

Seattle 2 at Minnesota 4

WP: Joel Hanrahan (3-2), LP: Taijuan Walker (9-6), SV: Glen Perkins (27)
HR: Sea-None, MN-None

Tyler Marlette hit a 1-out RBI double in the 5th to open the scoring. We didn’t have a legitimate scoring threat until the 6th, when we put runners on the corners with 1 out for Adam Walker, who struck out. Andy Dirks was then hit by a pitch before Danny Santana struck out to end the threat. Seattle doubled its lead in the 7th when Abraham Almonte did what we couldn’t by getting a 2-out RBI single up the middle. We finally got on the board in the bottom of the inning on an infield RBI single by Eddie Rosario. After a deep fly ball advanced another runner to 3rd, a wild pitch while Joe Mauer was at the plate tied the game. Then Kennys Vargas hit a 2-out RBI double to give us the lead. Walker then dumped a RBI single to center to make it 4-2.


July 29, 2017

• Ryan Braun (Milwaukee) is out 5-6 weeks with a fractured rib.
• The Los Angeles Angels send 3B Jason Martinson to Atlanta in exchange for LF Dian Toscano.
• The New York Mets trade LF Danny Ortiz to St. Louis for 2B Matt Carpenter and $3 million.
• Seattle trades CF Austin Jackson and RHP SP Chase Shugart to Cincinnati for RHP SP Michael Lorenzen.
• The New York Mets dealt RHP SP Ricky Knapp to Cincinnati in exchange for CF Cristian Pache.
• The New York Mets trade RHP RP Jeurys Familia to Arizona for 3B Tyler Humphreys and RHP SP Gilbert Suarez.
• St. Louis sends LHP CL Tim Collins to Houston for RHP RP Donnie Everett (2016 5th Round pick).
• The Los Angeles Angels deal 2B Alex Yarborough to Colorado for 1B Josh Vitters.

Seattle 5 at Minnesota 4

WP: Jon Niese (6-8), LP: Nick Burdi (2-3), SV: Logan Bawcom (4)
HR: Sea-None, MN-None

Robinson Cano ripped a RBI double off the left-centerfield wall in the 1st to open the scoring, and 2 batters later Gabriel Guerrero added a RBI triple to double the lead. Cano added another RBI double with 1 out in the 5th to add some insurance. We finally got on the board in the bottom of the inning on a RBI double by Adam Walker. Hector Gomez and Eddie Rosario lined 2 out RBI singles later in the inning to tie the game. In the 6th, Danny Santana came through for a 2-out RBI single to put us in front. Abraham Almonte responded by lining a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 7th to tie the game again. Cano continued to pummel us on this day with a 2-out RBI single in the 9th to give Seattle the lead.

• Drew Pomeranz (Oakland) threw a 1-hitter against Baltimore. Jonathan Schoop led off the 2nd with a single for the Orioles only hit.
• Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) hit for the cycle in a 13-2 win over Arizona with a 4-for-4 performance, driving in 6 runs.


July 30, 2017

• Dellin Betances (New York Yankees) is out 4-5 months because of bone chips in his elbow. He was a rather mediocre closer going 3-4 with 19 saves and a 3.93 ERA. Opponents were hitting him at a .289 clip.
• St. Louis trades RHP RP Kevin Munson to Pittsburgh for RHP SP Adonis Pichardo.
• Pittsburgh deals RHP SP Juan Rodriguez to Colorado for RHP RP Devin Burke and $507,500.

Seattle 9 at Minnesota 3

WP: Michael Lorenzen (2-2), LP: Simon Castro (1-1)
HR: Sea-D.J. Peterson (14), Nelson Ward (1), MN-Kennys Vargas (12)

Peterson hit a 2-out solo homer in the 1st to open the scoring. Ward added a 2-run shot to right for his 1st MLB homer in the 2nd to extend the Seattle lead. I quickly got tired of Castro, lifting him after 2 innings and 5 runs, turning the game over to my bullpen. Hector Gomez and Eddie Rosario ripped back-to-back 2 out doubles in the 5th to get us on the board. Vargas hit a leadoff homer in the 6th that landed in the 1st row in right-centerfield to pull us within 3-5. Kyle Seager then hit a 2-out bleeder into right in the 7th for a RBI single to give the Mariners some insurance.


July 31, 2017

• We’re 9th in the latest power rankings.

Minnesota 2 at Chicago White Sox 7

WP: Mat Latos (7-7), LP: Chris Heston (10-5)
HR: MN-Joe Mauer (3), CWS-Jose Abreu (28), Trey Michalczewski (8)

Abreu extended his AL lead in homers with a 2-out solo shot in the 1st to open the scoring. Mauer pulled a 1-out solo homer in the 4th for our 1st hit to tie the game. Hector Gomez grounded a 2-out RBI single to left in the 5th to give us the lead. Avisail Garcia responded with a 2-out RBI single to right in the 6th to tie the game before Michalczewski hit a 3-run homer to put the White Sox back in front.

• Julio Teheran (Colorado) threw a 5-hitter against Oakland.


AL Batter of the Month: Dalton Pompey (Toronto) .364 BA, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 17 R
NL Batter of the Month: David Dahl (Colorado) .383 BA, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 18 R
AL Pitcher of the Month: Brandon Beachy (Toronto) 4-0, 5 GS, 40.1 IP, .158 Opp BA, 1.34 ERA, 35 K
NL Pitcher of the Month: T. J. House (Milwaukee) 5-0, 5 GS, 2.41 ERA, 29 K, 33.2 IP
AL Rookie of the Month: Eric Jagielo (Kansas City) .380 BA, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 19 R
NL Rookie of the Month: Ricky Oropesa (San Francisco) .299 BA, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 9 R

56-43, .566, 2.5 GB (3rd AL Central), 2.5 GA (2nd Wild Card)

I knew we couldn’t keep playing .600 ball every month, but it’s still frustrating to be struggling like we are right now. Primarily it’s that we’re giving up too many runs right now. The only game we’ve won in the last 6 is the only game where we’ve given up less than 5 runs. A 12-14 month and a patch job outfield has me feeling discouraged right now. Aaron Hicks might be able to help us salvage the season if we can hang on until he gets back and he hits like he did early in the season, but that’s still 2 weeks away.

[faithful2thecall]

August 1, 2017

• In an interesting roster move, GM Terry Ryan has called up 2B Brian Dozier, sending SS Luis Mateo down to AAA.

Minnesota 3 at Chicago White Sox 5

WP: David Robertson (1-5), LP: Nick Burdi (2-4), SV: Junichi Tazawa (19)
HR: MN-Danny Santana (5), CWS-None

Santana hit a 2-run homer into the bullpen in right in the 1st to open the scoring. Carlos Sanchez got the White Sox on the board in the 3rd on a sacrifice fly. Santana provided more insurance in the 6th on a RBI hit-and-run double. Matt Wieters hammered a RBI double to the base of the centerfield wall in the 7th and a sacrifice fly by Jose Abreu tied the game. A 2-out wild pitch in the 8th allowed the White Sox to take the lead, and the White Sox added a run on a Wieters RBI single later in the inning.

• Jose Reyes (Toronto) joined Joe Mauer in the 2,000 hit club with a 3-for-5 performance in a 5-4 loss to Miami. Reyes reached the mark with a 5th inning single.


August 2, 2017

Minnesota 2 at Chicago White Sox 3

WP: Junichi Tazawa (6-3), LP: Lester Oliveros (4-2)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (13), CWS-None

Joe Mauer followed a 1-out triple by Jorge Polanco in the 1st with a RBI single to open the scoring. Vargas hammered a 2-out solo homer in the 4th to double our lead. Engel Beltre hit a soft single into right to leadoff the 4th for the White Sox 1st hit, and he came around to score on a wild pitch. We kept getting chances to score, but not getting the clutch hit. Trey Michalczewski then made us pay with a 2-out RBI single in the 6th to tie the game. Nick Delmonico then completed the sweep on a walk off sacrifice fly.


August 3, 2017

• Garrett Richards (Los Angeles Angels) is out 13 months with a torn rotator cuff. He was 8-2 with a 3.05 ERA and 2.7 WAR this season.

Minnesota 8 at Baltimore 9

WP: Devin Jones (2-3), LP: Phil Coke (2-5)
HR: MN-None, Bal-Alex Gordon (9)

We entered a 4 game series in Baltimore having lost 5 straight and watching our hold on the 2nd Wild Card spot shrink to 1.5 games over Boston. It didn’t take us long to crack the ice as Jorge Polanco came in to score from 3rd on a wild pitch in the 1st. The lead didn’t last long however, as David Peralta ripped a RBI double in the bottom of the inning to tie the game, which was followed by Manny Machado lacing a RBI triple down the right field line. Peralta and Machado added 2-out RBI singles in the 2nd to provide some insurance. We loaded the bases for Danny Santana with 1 out in the 5th. While Santana struck out, Joe Mauer drew a RBI walk. Gordon responded by crushing a hanging fastball 434 feet for a 2-run blast that seemingly put the game away. However we responded by rallying for 5 runs in the 6th of the Baltimore bullpen to take the lead when Joe Mauer lined a 2-out RBI single. The Orioles responded again in the bottom of the inning with a 2-out RBI single by Machado to tie the game. A sacrifice fly by Hector Gomez in the 7th put us back in front. Gordon was injured when he was hit by a pitch to load the bases with 2 outs in the 8th. Christian Walker then walked on 4 pitches to tie the game. Machado capped a 5-for-5 day with a walk off double.


August 4, 2017

• Brett Cecil (Boston) suffered a setback in his recovery from an elbow strain that will keep him out for 4 days.

Minnesota 2 at Baltimore 3

WP: Yordano Ventura (6-10), LP: Simon Castro (1-2), SV: Brad Brach (21)
HR: MN-Hector Gomez (4), Bal-Manny Machado (16), Eric Young Jr. (1)

Machado hammered a 2-out solo homer 402 feet in the 1st to open the scoring. Young got a fly ball to left just up into the wind enough to carry it out for a 1-out solo homer in the 3rd to double the Orioles’ lead. Our 1st baserunner didn’t come until Kennys Vargas hit a leadoff double in the 5th. Both starting pitchers were dealing. Adam Jones provided some further insurance with a 2-out RBI single in the 6th. Gomez crushed a fastball 426 feet for a 2-run homer in the 8th to get us on the board. Castro pitched admirably, going the distance and giving up only 6 hits but we didn’t get him the run support he needed.


August 5, 2017

Minnesota 11 at Baltimore 6

WP: Chris Heston (11-5), LP: Chase Anderson (5-12)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (14), Alfredo Marte (4), Hector Gomez (5), Bal-Adam Jones (15), Rey Navarro (1)

Brian Dozier’s 1st hit since his recall from AAA was an RBI single in the 1st to open the scoring. Hector Gomez blooped a 2-out RBI double down the left field line in the 2nd to double the lead. Vargas added a 2-out solo homer in the 3rd to provide some additional insurance. Jones finally got Baltimore on the board in the 6th with a 2-out, 3-run homer to cut our lead to 4-3. Dozier came through again in the 7th with a RBI double to get us a run back, which was followed by Joe Mauer drawing a walk to load the bases with nobody out for Vargas. Vargas struck out, but Marte followed with the ultimate pick up taking a 3-2 high fastball 368 feet into the left field seats for a grand slam that blew the game open.


August 6, 2017

• David Dahl (Colorado) is out 4 months due to a ruptured finger tendon.

Minnesota 7 at Baltimore 5

WP: Jason Wheeler (11-2), LP: Dan Runzler (0-2), SV: Glen Perkins (28)
HR: MN-Adam Walker (5), Bal-Eric Young Jr. (2)

Walker destroyed a 3-2 fastball in the 1st with 2 outs and sent it 436 feet into the centerfield seats for a 3-run homer to open the scoring. Christian Walker responded with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to get the Orioles on the board. A Danny Santana fielding error allowed a 2nd run to score in the inning. Both pitchers settled down after the 1st and a pitching duel commenced. Jorge Polanco lined a 2-out RBI single to right off of Kevin Gausman in the 7th to provide some insurance. That run was important when Young hit a 2-out solo homer in the bottom of the inning to bring Baltimore back within 1. 2 batters later, Manny Machado lined a RBI double to tie the game, which pinch-hitter Adam Jones followed with a RBI single to put the Orioles in front. Santana made up for his earlier error by lining a 1-out RBI double in the left-centerfield gap in the 8th to tie the game. With 2 outs in the inning, Hector Gomez ripped a 2-run double into the left field corner to put us in front.


August 7, 2017

• We’re 10th in the latest power rankings.

Off Day


August 8, 2017

• Albert Pujols (Los Angeles Angels) suffered a setback in his recovery from an intercostal strain that will keep him out another 2 weeks.
• Carlos Correa (Houston) is out 5 weeks due to shoulder bursitis.

Minnesota 9 at Kansas City 4

WP: Jose Berrios (5-8), LP: Brandon Finnegan (4-9), SV: Ryan Buchter (1)
HR: MN-Eddie Rosario (3), Adam Walker (6), KC-Dominic Smith (2)

Joe Mauer laced a 1-out RBI double to left-centerfield in the 1st to open the scoring. Rosario and Walker led off the 2nd with back-to-back homers to extend the lead. AI logic helped me pad the lead in the 4th as it opted to intentionally walk the struggling Alfredo Marte following a 2 out double by Kennys Vargas to pitch to Rosario, who had added a sacrifice fly to the warning track in his previous plate appearance, already down 4 runs. Rosario promptly ripped a 2-run double to the warning track in centerfield. Smith hit a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 6th to get the Royals on the board.

• The victory was my 200th as the Twins’ manager.
• Taijuan Walker (Seattle) threw a 5-hitter against Houston.


August 9, 2017

• Stephen Piscotty (Philadelphia) suffered a setback in his recovery from shoulder tendinitis that will keep him out another 3 weeks.

Minnesota 3 at Kansas City 4 (10 innings)

WP: Brandon League (3-6), LP: Joel Hanrahan (3-3)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (15), KC-Eric Jagielo (16)

Adam Walker lined a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 3rd to open the scoring. Vargas hit one just far enough to get out to centerfield leading off the 5th to double our lead. Steve Bean responded by grounding a 1-out RBI single to right in the bottom of the inning to cut our lead to 2-1. Hector Gomez responded with a RBI triple in the 6th to give us some insurance back. Jagielo finally seemed to figure out how to hit my pitching with a 1-out solo homer in the 6th to cut our lead back to 1 run. Jagielo then added a 1-out RBI single to center in the 8th to tie the game. Dominic Smith lined a 1-out walk-off RBI single in the 10th.

• Francisco Martinez (Detroit) is out 4 weeks with a strained hamstring suffered while making a defensive play.
• Alex Wood (Atlanta) threw a 3-hitter against Philadelphia.


August 10, 2017

• Jason Wheeler (Minnesota) is out 4 days with a stomach virus.
• Albert Almora (Chicago Cubs) is out 4 months with a broken kneecap. He hit .324 with 6 HR and 25 RBI this season.

Minnesota 9 at Kansas City 7 (11 innings)

WP: Lester Oliveros (5-2), LP: Edward Mujica (0-6)
HR: MN-None, KC-Kenny Diekroeger (2)

Joe Mauer lined a RBI single in the 1st to open the scoring. 2 batters later, Alfredo Marte hit a sacrifice fly to deep left to double the lead. Eric Jagielo responded with a 2-run triple in the bottom of the inning to tie the game, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Alexis Rivera to give the Royals the lead. Mauer lined a 2-out RBI ground-rule double to left in the 2nd to tie the game. Felix Pie blooped a 2-out RBI single to right in the bottom of the inning to put Kansas City in front. Danny Santana delivered a 1-out, 2-run double in the 6th to put us in front, and he came in to score 2 batters later when Kennys Vargas grounded a RBI single up the middle to provide some insurance. Glen Perkins then blew the lead surrendering a 2-run homer to the pinch-hitter Diekroeger in the 9th to tie the game. Pinch-hitter Andy Dirks came through in the clutch by lining a 1-out RBI single to left-center in the 11th to put us back in front. Adam Walker delivered his own RBI single 2 batters later to extend the lead. Rivera was then injured (wrist soreness, day-to-day 2 weeks) running down a fly ball that turned into a sacrifice fly by Chris Herrmann. The Royals did get an unearned run in the bottom of the inning after we made 2 errors, but we held on to get the win.


August 11, 2017

Cleveland 3 at Minnesota 4 (10 innings)

WP: Nick Burdi (3-4), LP: Cody Allen (1-2)
HR: Cle-Yan Gomes (9), MN-Andy Dirks (3)

We came back home for a crucial 3 game series against the division-leading Indians. A 2-out RBI double in the 2nd by Danny Santana opened the scoring as we exceeded our hit total against Corey Kluber from our previous meeting in the 1st 7 batters of the game. Chris Heston pitched himself into a mini-jam in the 4th by hitting and walking the 1st 2 batters of the inning, before coaxing a double play grounder from Yan Gomes and getting Tyler Naquin to pop out to end the inning. Santana hit a sacrifice fly down the left field line in the bottom of the inning where Kennys Vargas slid in under the tag at home to double our lead. Jesus Aguilar broke up the no-hit bid by Heston by grounding a single up the middle with 1 out in the 7th. Jake Lowry followed it up by lining a RBI single to left to break up the shutout bid. Ronny Rodriguez then hit into a RBI groundout to tie the game. A brilliantly executed hit-and-run by Eddie Rosario, slapping the ball right past a drawn in Aguilar in the bottom of the inning put runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out for Brian Dozier. We squandered the chance however as Dozier flew out to shallow center and Joe Mauer struck out to end the inning. However we did not squander our chance in the 8th as Adam Walker and Dirks hit back-to-back 1-out doubles to put us back in front. Gomes greeted Glen Perkins by hitting a 1-1 fastball into the 1st row of the right field seats to tie the game. The Indians made a surprise move in the 10th, bringing closer Cody Allen into a tie game with 1 out. He got behind Dirks 3-1, then watched Dirks rip a 96 MPH fastball 404 feet the opposite way into the left-centerfield seats for a walk-off.


August 12, 2017

• LF Alfredo Marte was optioned to AAA. RF Jon Garcia was called up to take his place on the roster. It’s really just a placeholder probably, as Aaron Hicks is only a couple days away from finishing his recovery from injury.
• Brad Brach (Baltimore) is out 4 months with a ruptured finger tendon. He was 2-4 with 21 saves and a 4.17 ERA this season in 42 games.

Cleveland 7 at Minnesota 2

WP: Ben Rowen (7-2), LP: Phil Coke (2-6), SV: Angel Nesbitt (2)
HR: Cle-A.J. Pollock 2 (2), Ronny Rodriguez (5), MN-None

We were in a tight spot before this game ever started, as we don’t have a long reliever, and with Jason Wheeler out sick I had to start Jose Berrios on short rest. Neither Berrios nor Cleveland starter Danny Salazar have fared well against the opposing team this season. Things got even tougher when Joe Mauer was injured (hamstring strain, 2-3 months) running out the 1-out RBI double in the 1st that opened the scoring. Instead of giving up the DH so early in the game, I inserted Jorge Polanco in to play 1st. An error by Michael Brantley loaded the bases with 1 out in the 2nd for Brian Dozier, who grounded into a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning. Pollock hit a leadoff homer in the 3rd to tie the game. Polanco delivered a sacrifice fly in the 5th to put us back in front. Rodriguez hit a 1-out solo homer just inside the left field foul pole in the 7th to tie the game, sending Berrios to the showers. Pollock’s 2nd homer of the game was a 2-out solo shot 2 batters later to give the Indians the lead—all of them wind-aided shots to left. Jesus Aguilar laced a 2-out RBI triple in the 8th to give the Indians some insurance.


August 13, 2017

Cleveland 5 at Minnesota 2

WP: Hector Noesi (9-8), LP: Phil Hughes (5-5)
HR: Cle-None, MN-Kennys Vargas (16), Adam Walker (7)

Michael Brantley hit a sacrifice fly in the 3rd to open the scoring. A Phil Hughes wild pitch in the 6th let the Indians double their lead. Ronny Rodriguez delivered a 2-out RBI single later in the inning to put the game away since our offense wasn’t doing anything. James Ramsey was injured (hamstring tightness, day-to-day 5 days) running out a leadoff double in the 9th. Vargas finally got us on the board with a leadoff homer in the 9th.

• With the loss we fell behind Boston and out of the wild card spots.


August 14, 2017

• LF Alfredo Marte was recalled to take the place of the injured Joe Mauer.
• CF Aaron Hicks was sent to AAA on an injury rehab assignment.
• Hector Rondon (Chicago Cubs) is out 11 months with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament.
• We’re now 12th in the latest power rankings.

Kansas City 1 at Minnesota 3

WP: Simon Castro (2-2), LP: Miguel Almonte (3-7), SV: Glen Perkins (29)
HR: KC-None, MN-None

A Kennys Vargas sacrifice fly following a 1-out triple by Brian Dozier opened the scoring. Jon Garcia took advantage of his 1st MLB start with a RBI triple in the 2nd to double the lead, and he trotted home on a sacrifice fly by Chris Herrmann. Dominic Smith responded with a 1-out RBI double in the 3rd to get the Royals on the board. Both starters were brilliant on the whole, it’s just that both offenses had been opportunistic with the chances they got. Ryan Buchter and Perkins combined to strike out 5 of 6 hitters over the last 2 innings to secure the win.


August 15, 2017

Kansas City 4 at Minnesota 7

WP: Luke Bard (3-3), LP: Danny Duffy (7-11), SV: Glen Perkins (30)
HR: KC-Alexis Rivera (6), MN-Adam Walker (8)

Rivera opened the scoring with a 2-run homer in the 3rd. A Chris Heston wild pitch in the 4th gave the Royals some insurance they didn’t need with our bats not doing any damage. With Heston pitching on short rest after a 114 pitch outing in his last start, I gave him a quick hook after 4 innings because the Royals were working a lot of deep counts. Hector Gomez lined a RBI double in the left-centerfield gap in the 5th to get us on the board. A Duffy throwing error provided another run to cut the deficit to 2-3. Danny Santana then followed it up with a RBI infield single to tie the game. After Kennys Vargas grounded into a double play by hitting the ball about 5 feet in front of the plate, Andy Dirks picked him up with a soft RBI single to left to put us in front. Walker then capped a 6-run outburst with a 2-run homer a few rows into the left-centerfield seats. A throwing error by Hector Gomez in the 7th let the Royals cut the lead to 6-4. A sacrifice fly by Stuart Turner in the 8th got the run back.

• Michael A. Taylor (Washington) is out 4 weeks with shoulder tendinitis suffered making a defensive play.


August 16, 2017

Kansas City 3 at Minnesota 5

WP: Jason Wheeler (12-2), LP: Christian Binford (3-10), SV: Joel Hanrahan (1)
HR: KC-Eric Jagielo (17), MN-Jon Garcia (1)

A RBI fielder’s choice by Emilio Bonifacio in the 2nd where he barely kept the inning alive by hustling down the line plated the game’s 1st run. Garcia’s 1st MLB homer was a 2-out, 3-run shot that went 387 feet into the left-centerfield bleachers in the 4th to give us the lead. Garcia followed it up by lining a 1-out RBI single to center in the 6th to provide some insurance. Hector Gomez added a 2-out RBI single in the inning to chase Christian Binford. Jagielo led off the 9th with a homer to make me sweat a bit. Jared Hoying then grounded a RBI single up the middle to cut the lead to 1. Desperate to give Glen Perkins a day off, I brought in Hanrahan to put out the fire and secure the series sweep.


64-50, .561, 5.5 GB (3rd AL Central), 1 GA (2nd AL Wild Card)

I’m not optimistic about my chances at holding on to a playoff spot without Joe Mauer and Byron Buxton, but I’m going to give it my best shot. On the surface it may seem like I’m starting to get my mojo back with an 8-7 start to August, but 10 of those 15 games have been played against last place teams. Regardless, to be only 3 wins from tying last season’s total in mid-August is something to be proud of.

[faithful2thecall]

August 17, 2017

• Dominic Leone (Colorado) is out 9-10 months due to a torn flexor tendon.

Texas 9 at Minnesota 4

WP: Roman Mendez (5-5), LP: Jose Berrios (5-9)
HR: Tex-Prince Fielder (20), Michael Choice (17), MN-Chris Herrmann (7)

Joey Gallo lined a 2-out RBI double to center in the 1st to open the scoring. We put together a rally in the 2nd loading the bases with 1 out for Brian Dozier, who grounded into a fielder’s choice to the pitcher where they got the out at home. Kennys Vargas picked him up by drawing a RBI 4-pitch walk to tie the game. Adam Walker followed it up by lacing an opposite field 2-run double to put us in front. Fielder hit a 2-out, 2-run homer just inside the right field foul post in the 5th to tie the game. Ryan Buchter came in for Berrios in the 8th after a leadoff single and walked the next 3 hitters to force in a run to give Texas the league. We then coaxed Roderick Shoulders to ground into a 4-2-3 double play. Choice then hammered a hung fastball 440 feet for a 3-run homer to put the game away.


August 18, 2017

• CF Aaron Hicks completed his rehab and rejoined the team. LF Alfredo Marte was optioned to AAA.

Texas 2 at Minnesota 3

WP: Lester Oliveros (6-2), LP: Alex Claudio (6-8)
HR: Tex-None, MN-Andy Dirks (4), Adam Walker (9)

There was a 43 minute rain delay in the 4th, but neither starter had to leave the game, which was good for the fans as Phil Hughes and Raisel Iglesias were dueling. Dirks finally opened the scoring with a leadoff homer in the 5th. My bullpen let me down as Rougned Odor blooped a 1-out, 2-run single in the 8th to put Texas in front. After Hector Gomez hit a 2-out triple in the bottom of the inning, Danny Santana brought him in with a RBI single to right. With 1 out in the 9th, Walker stepped up to the plate with a 2-1 count he stayed back on a changeup and hit it 377 feet into the left field seats for a walkoff.


August 19, 2017

Texas 2 at Minnesota 1 (12 innings)

WP: Jason Stoffel (2-0), LP: Luke Bard (3-4)
HR: Tex-Shin-Soo Choo (5), MN-None

I nearly turned my 1st triple play in the 1st inning, with Ryan Rua barely beating the throw to the bag after hitting a grounder to Hector Gomez at 3rd. Simon Castro kept wiggling his way out of jams to keep the game scoreless, as our offense wasn’t doing much against Anthony Desclafani. We finally opened the scoring in the 4th when Aaron Hicks ripped a RBI double off the wall that brought the slow-footed Kennys Vargas in all the way from 1st base. I finally had to lift Castro after 7 shutout innings where he gave up 7 hits and walked 1, while striking out 5 on 110 pitches. Ryan Buchter got burned for a 1-out RBI triple by Rua to tie the game in the 8th. Michael Choice was injured (oblique strain, 1 week) running down a Stuart Turner fly out to start the 9th. Choo led off the 12th with a homer to give the Rangers the lead. It’s hard to win a game when we only get 5 hits.

• Jordan Lyles (Philadelphia) threw a no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs. He walked 1 and struck out 7. The opposing starter, Jeff Samardzija drew a 1-out walk in the 6th for the Cubs only base runner.


August 20, 2017

Texas 1 at Minnesota 6

WP: Chris Heston (12-5), LP: Brad Hand (6-6)
HR: Tex-None, MN-Aaron Hicks (9)

Hicks hit a 1-out solo homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. We weren’t done, loading the bases with 1 out for Hector Gomez. Gomez hit a sacrifice fly to add some cushion before Jorge Polanco laced a 2-run triple into the left field corner. The Rangers got on the board when Jorge Alfaro grounded a 2-out RBI single to right field in the 5th. A wild pitch by Chris Archer in the 6th with the bases loaded gave us some insurance.


August 21, 2017

• We’re 8th in the latest power rankings.

Off Day


August 22, 2017

Minnesota 4 at Pittsburgh 7

WP: Kevin Munson (4-1), LP: Phil Coke (2-7), SV: Justin De Fratus (31)
HR: MN-Eddie Rosario (4), Pitt-Andrew McCutchen (18), Gregory Polanco (13), Starling Marte (4)

Chris Herrmann lined a 2-out RBI double into the right-centerfield gap in the 2nd to open the scoring. Gerrit Cole appeared rattled by allowing a leadoff double to Jason Wheeler in the 3rd, as 2 pitches later Rosario crushed a slider 415 feet to center to make it 3-0. McCutchen responded by drilling a 2-out solo homer 433 feet to left-centerfield to get the Pirates on the board in the bottom of the inning. Brian Dozier picked up Rosario in the 5th by lining a 2-out RBI single to right after Rosario struck out. Polanco struck back in the bottom of the inning by destroying a slider 454 feet for a 1-out, 3-run homer to tie the game. Marte got some help from the wind in hitting a 3-run homer off of Coke to give Pittsburgh the lead.


August 23, 2017

Minnesota 3 at Pittsburgh 1

WP: Jose Berrios (6-9), LP: Vance Worley (9-11), SV: Glen Perkins (31)
HR: MN-None, Pitt-Wilmer Flores (6)

I made a bold move in the 3rd inning to set up the game’s 1st run when I had Brian Dozier bunt with 1 out to move Berrios and Eddie Rosario into scoring position for Kennys Vargas. Vargas made Worley pay for walking Berrios by grounding a 2-run single up the middle. NL rules made me lift Berrios an inning earlier than I was hoping to because we put together a 2-out rally that got us to his place in the order, so he came out after 6 shutout innings scattering 4 hits. Jon Garcia came up with a RBI single as the pinch-hitter to give us some additional insurance. Flores greeted Joel Hanrahan with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the 7th to get the Pirates on the board. That was the only hit my bullpen allowed however, as we secured the split and matched our win total for last season.

• Nick Markakis (Arizona) and Max Scherzer (Washington) were both suspended 6 games for their roles in a benches-clearing brawl between their teams today.
• Cole Hamels (Philadelphia) threw a 5-hitter against Toronto.


August 24, 2017

Minnesota 7 at Tampa Bay 6 (13 innings)

WP: Glen Perkins (2-1), LP: Adys Portillo (7-5), SV: Nick Burdi (2)
HR: MN-Adam Walker (10), Andy Dirks (5), Jorge Polanco (7), Eddie Rosario (5), TB-Justin O’Conner (7)

O’Conner hit a leadoff homer in the 5th to open the scoring, as both starters were dominant early on. A Polanco throwing error set up more damage later in the inning as Tampa Bay scored 4 times before the inning was over, 2 of them unearned runs. We finally got on the board when Stuart Turner drew a 2-out, bases loaded walk in the 7th. Walker cut the deficit to 1 with a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 8th. Lester Oliveros didn’t do himself any favors in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with nobody out on 2 walks and a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt, but he redeemed himself by coaxing a fly out to short centerfield and 2 pop ups to escape the jam without giving up a run. Dirks hammered a 3-2 hanging slider for a leadoff homer in the 9th to tie the game. Polanco gave us the lead with a 2-out solo homer in the 11th. Unfortunately Glen Perkins let me down, surrendering a 1-out RBI single to Marcell Ozuna to tie the game, though we escaped the inning on a strike’em out-throw’em out double play. Rosario put us back in front with a leadoff homer in the 12th. Again Perkins couldn’t secure the win, surrendering a bloop 1-out RBI single to O’Conner. Rosario came through again with a 2-out RBI double in the 13th to give us another lead. This time Burdi retired the side in order to finally end the game.

• Sean Gilmartin (New York Mets) threw a 6-hitter against Atlanta.


August 25, 2017

Minnesota 0 at Tampa Bay 3

WP: Wilfredo Boscan (2-0), LP: Simon Castro (2-3)
HR: MN-None, TB-Corey Dickerson (11)

Marcell Ozuna lined a 2-out RBI single to right in the 1st to open the scoring. Tampa Bay was turning in sparkling play after sparkling play on defense behind Boscan. Danny Santana finally broke up the no-hit bid with a 2-out double down the right field line in the 7th. With the way we were hitting, Dickerson’s 1-out, 2-run homer in the 8th put the game away. Santana’s hit was the only hit we got against 3 Tampa Bay pitchers.


August 26, 2017

• Abraham Almonte (Seattle) suffered a setback in his recovery from an intercostal strain that will keep him out an additional 1-2 weeks.

Minnesota 4 at Tampa Bay 3

WP: Chris Heston (13-5), LP: Evan Marshall (5-9), SV: Glen Perkins (32)
HR: MN-Eddie Rosario (6),Kennys Vargas (17), TB-None

Rosario pulled the 3rd pitch of the game 346 feet down the right field line for a leadoff homer to open the scoring. Daniel Robertson laced a 1-out RBI double in the 3rd to tie the game. Vargas put us back in front with a 2-out solo homer in the 5th. Marcell Ozuna laced a RBI double in the 6th to tie the game again. Later in the inning, Jose Bautista blooped a RBI double to left to put Tampa Bay in front. Chris Herrmann put us back in front with a 2-out, 2-run double in the 8th against an exhausted Tampa Bay bullpen.

• The victory moved Chris Heston into the outright AL lead in wins.


August 27, 2017

• Yasiel Puig (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 3-4 months with a ruptured finger tendon. He went .290 on the season with 15 HR and 65 RBI, good for a 4.5 WAR.

Minnesota 2 at Tampa Bay 11

WP: Nate Karns (7-13), LP: Jason Wheeler (12-3)
HR: MN-None, TB-Kevin Kiermaier (10), Neil Walker (14)

Andy Dirks lined a soft RBI single to right in the 2nd to open the scoring. Adam Walker was injured (shoulder soreness, day-to-day 1 week) trying to throw out Evan Longoria at 3rd on a ground ball single by Walker in the 3rd. Jorge Cantu and Kiermaier followed it up by lining a RBI singles to put Tampa Bay in front. By the time Wheeler got out of the inning he’d given up 2 more runs putting us behind 1-4. The game got completely out of hand after that. About the only thing we did right was enact some old fashioned justice for violating the unwritten rules of baseball when Daniel Robertson ran with a big lead. Luke Bard put one in his ribs the next time he came to the plate, and Robertson decided to express his displeasure by paying Bard a visit on the mound. Marcell Ozuna then committed the same violation and I brought in Phil Coke specifically to dish out the same penalty. Ozuna laughed at him and pointed to the scoreboard before taking his base.

• Luke Bard and Daniel Robertson were both suspended 10 games for their parts in the brawl during today’s game.
• Felix Hernandez (Seattle) threw a 2-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers.


August 28, 2017

• Adam Eaton (Toronto) suffered a setback in his recovery from a separated shoulder that will keep him out an additional 3 weeks.
• We’re 10th in the latest power rankings.

Toronto 1 at Minnesota 2

WP: Jose Berrios (7-9), LP: Marcus Stroman (10-11), SV: Glen Perkins (33)
HR: Tor-Rowdy Tellez (27), MN-None

Both starters were dominant early in the 1st meeting between these teams this season. The Blue Jays didn’t get a base runner until Devon Travis grounded a 1-out single up the middle in the 4th. The 1st run of the game came on a 2-out infield hit by Danny Santana in the bottom of the inning. Tellez responded with a leadoff homer in the 5th to tie the game. Brian Dozier promptly grounded a 1-out RBI single through the 5.5 hole in the bottom of the inning to put us back on top. Jose Berrios pitched himself into a jam, loading the bases with 1 out in the 6th, but struck out Tellez and coaxed an infield pop up from Josh Donaldson to escape with the lead. My bullpen came through to secure the win, only having to deal with a minor threat.

• Sonny Gray (Oakland) threw a 5-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels. It was Gray’s 2nd shutout of the season.


August 29, 2017

• Anthony Gose (St. Louis) is out 6-7 weeks due to a fractured thumb.
• Devin Mesoraco (Cincinnati) suffered shoulder soreness after playing golf and is out 1-2 weeks.

Toronto 3 at Minnesota 5

WP: Phil Hughes (6-5), LP: Brandon Beachy (11-4), SV: Glen Perkins (34)
HR: Tor-Rowdy Tellez (28), MN-Eddie Rosario (7)

Tellez got some help from the wind hitting a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 1st. Kenny Vargas ripped a RBI double in the bottom of the inning to get us on the board. After Adam Walker struck out, Aaron Hicks laced a 2-run double to put us in front. Rosario got some help of his own from the wind to hit a 2-out solo homer in the 2nd to make it 4-2. Phil Hughes settled down after the 1st inning, setting down 13 straight Toronto hitters. Vargas blooped a RBI double down the right field line in the 5th to provide further insurance. Jose Reyes lined a RBI double in the 7th to cut the lead to 5-3.


August 30, 2017

• Kris Bryant (Chicago Cubs) is out 2 weeks with a mild shoulder strain.
• Texas trades LF Roderick Shoulders to Tampa Bay for RHP SP Jamie Schultz and RF Kep Brown (2015 2nd Round pick).
• Tampa Bay deals 1B Alex A. Rodriguez to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for RHP SP Sam Dyson.

Toronto 5 at Minnesota 9

WP: Simon Castro (3-3), LP: John Axford (3-1)
HR: Tor-Rowdy Tellez (29), MN-Eddie Rosario (8), Chris Herrmann (8)

Rosario crushed a 1-out solo homer 424 feet to center in the 3rd to open the scoring. We ran ourselves out of another scoring threat in the 4th when Jon Garcia was thrown out at the plate to end the inning on a fly ball by Andy Dirks. Herrmann destroyed a 2-1 fastball left up 440 feet to center for a 2-run homer in the 5th to provide some insurance. J.B. Shuck got the Blue Jays on the board with a 1-out single to right in the 6th. 2 batters later, Tellez hit a 3-run homer to put Toronto in front. We responded by loading the bases with 1 out in the bottom of the inning for Herrmann, who struck out on 3 pitches. However Hector Gomez picked him up by lining a 2-run single to center to put us back in front 5-4. A throwing error by Jarrod Saltalamachia allowed us to score an insurance run. We then put the game away on a 1-out, 2-run single by Herrmann in the 8th.

• Chris Coghlan (New York Mets) was suspended for 2 games for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire and for his comments after the game.
• Gio Gonzalez (Washington) threw a 5-hitter against San Diego for his 2nd shutout of the season.


August 31, 2017

Toronto at Minnesota—Rained Out


• Buster Posey called a players only meeting to clear the air in the locker room.


AL Hitter of the Month: Preston Tucker (Houston) .376 BA, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 15 R, .438 OBP
NL Hitter of the Month: Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado) .316 BA, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 19 R
AL Pitcher of the Month: Henry Owens (Boston) 4-1, 6 GS, 0.72 ERA, 45 K, 37.2 IP
NL Pitcher of the Month: Zack Greinke (Los Angeles Dodgers) 4-0, 43.1 IP, 40 K, 1.66 ERA, .167 Opp BA
AL Rookie of the Month: Trey Michalczerski (Chicago White Sox) .350 BA, 4 HR, 17 RBI
NL Rookie of the Month: Brian Schales (St. Louis) .280 BA, 1 HR, 14 RBI


72-55, .567, 4 GB (3rd AL Central), 5 GA (2nd AL Wild Card)

We righted the ship after a rough start to the month to finish August at 16-12. With Boston struggling, we’ve pulled away in the AL Wild Card race and look to be poised to make the playoffs for the 1st time under my leadership, a season after we were the worst team in MLB. If we don’t collapse down the stretch, I have to be the heavy favorite for AL Manager of the Year—especially after losing both Byron Buxton and Joe Mauer to season-ending injuries.
Being legitimately in the playoff race as the calendar turns to September this season means that updates will come on a weekly basis for the balance of the regular season.

[faithful2thecall]

September 1, 2017

• With neither our AA or AAA teams in the playoff race, GM Terry Ryan called up a number of players which will give me more flexibility in strategy moves down the stretch. RHP RP Tyler Duffey (AA), RHP RP Michael Tonkin, RHP RP Taylor Rogers (AA), RHP SP Andre Rienzo, RHP SP Trevor May, RHP SP Alex Meyer, RHP SP Kyle Gibson, C Austin Barnes, LF Alfredo Marte, C Mitch Garver, SS Luis Mateo, C Lazaro Herrera, RF Peter Hissey, and LF Brock Peterson were called up from AAA (unless noted).

Minnesota 4 at Boston 9

WP: Henry Owens (13-7), LP: Chris Heston (13-6)
HR: MN-Jon Garcia (2), Bos-Rusney Castillo 2 (22), Mike Morse 2 (5), Blake Swihart (8)

Swihart lined a RBI single to center in the 1st to open the scoring. Castillo lifted a leadoff homer over the Green Monster in the 2nd to double their lead. Morse followed up with his own solo homer over the Monster 2 batters later. Garcia hit a far-too-little-far-too-late homer with 2 outs in the 7th to get us on the board, but we were still down 2-7. My bullpen didn’t do me any favors on this game.

• Asher Wojciechowski (Houston) threw a 3-hitter against Toronto.


September 2, 2017

Minnesota 9 at Boston 10

WP: Drew VerHagen (6-12), LP: Joel Hanrahan (3-4), SV: Sergio Romo (8)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (18), Bos-Xander Bogaerts (23), Clint Robinson (1)

Bogaerts hit a 1-out RBI double in the 1st to open the scoring and came around to score on Blake Swiharts RBI single. Andy Dirks responded by lining a soft RBI single up the middle in the 2nd to get us on the board. Mookie Betts was injured on the following play on a hard slide by Dirks as part of a fielder’s choice. Stuart Turner then surprisingly came through with a RBI single to tie the game. Aaron Hicks put us in front with a RBI groundout in the 3rd. Bogaerts responded with a RBI groundout of his own in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 3-3. With 2 outs in the inning, Jackie Bradley Jr. lined a RBI single up the middle to give the Red Sox the lead. A sacrifice fly by Eddie Rosario in the 4th evened the score again. Vargas showed off his strength leading off the 5th by hitting a ball into the wind just barely into the right field seats to give us a 5-4 lead. A wild pitch later in the inning allowed us to add another run. Bogaerts then continued plaguing me today in the bottom of the inning with a 2-run homer to center to tie the game. We loaded the bases with nobody out in the 7th for Hicks. Hicks struck out and Dirks popped up on the infield fly rule, but Danny Santana picked them up by grounding a 2-run single to left to put us back in front. Hector Gomez added a RBI single of his own before Boston got out of the inning. Robinson then lined a grand slam with 2 outs in the bottom of the inning to put the Red Sox back on top.

• Jace Peterson (Atlanta) is out 2-3 weeks because of a hamstring strain he picked up running the bases.


September 3, 2017

Minnesota 1 at Boston 4

WP: Tim Cooney (9-15), LP: Jose Berrios (7-10), SV: Jandel Gustave (1)
HR: MN-None, Bos-None

With how the last 2 games have gone, we can’t get out of Boston soon enough. Fortunately for me I have Jose Berrios, coming off 3 consecutive player of the game awards on the mound for the series finale. Hanley Ramirez lined a RBI single up the middle in the 2nd to open the scoring. Rafael Devers added a 2-out RBI double later in the inning to double the Red Sox lead. A Blake Swihart 1-out RBI double in the 3rd made it look like the sweep was likely. Alfredo Marte smashed a 2-out RBI triple to left-centerfield in the 6th to get us on the board, but we were still down 1-3. Devers got the run back grounding a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the inning.

• Jarred Cosart (Tampa Bay) threw a 1-hitter against Philadelphia, striking out 6 and walking 1. J.P. Crawford lined a double with 2 outs in the 9th to break up the no-hitter.


September 4, 2017

• We’re 12th in the latest power rankings.

Off Day

• Gio Gonzalez (Washington) threw a 4-hitter against Milwaukee for back-to-back shutouts and his 3rd of the season.


September 5, 2017

• Mookie Betts (Boston) suffered a setback in his recovery from an oblique strain that will keep him out another 3 weeks.

Kansas City 3 at Minnesota 4

WP: Phil Hughes (7-5), LP: Miguel Almonte (5-9), SV: Glen Perkins (35)
HR: KC-None, MN-Adam Walker (11), Luis Mateo (2)

The good news is that not only have we returned home for this series, but we’re 11-2 against the Royals this season. Andy Dirks grounded a 1-out RBI single to left in the 2nd to open the scoring. Both starters had their best stuff as they traded out for out for the most part into the late innings. Walker led off the 7th by going golfing for a 2-2 changeup and hitting it centimeters inside the left field foul post to double the lead. Mateo added a pinch-hit 2-out, 2-run homer in the 8th to give Hughes some breathing room to pitch for the shutout. 3 singles brought me out of the dugout however with the bases loaded and 1 out with Stephen Vogt scheduled to come to the plate representing the tying run. Upon my move to bring Perkins into the game, they called back Vogt to send up Chestor Cuthbert. Cuthbert delivered a RBI single to get the Royals on the board. After Perkins struck out Alexis Rivera, Whit Merrifield came through with a 2-run single to cut the lead to 1. We finally recorded the final out to escape with the win.

• Tyson Ross (San Diego) threw a 4-hitter against Houston.


September 6, 2017

• Seattle trades RHP SP Noah Murdock and CF Angel Tejada to Philadelphia for 3B Cody Asche and $1.82 million.

Kansas City 6 at Minnesota 4

WP: Danny Duffy (10-12), LP: Simon Castro (3-4), SV: J.P. Howell (14)
HR: KC-Eric Jagielo (20), MN-Adam Walker (12)

Walker took advantage of some control issues Duffy was having in the 1st, sitting on a fastball after watching Duffy throw 7 balls in 8 pitches, Walker hammered a 2-out, 2-run homer to open the scoring. Chris Herrmann added a 1-out RBI double in the 2nd to extend the lead. Lorenzo Cain hustled down the line in the 3rd to avoid hitting into an inning-ending double play and picked up a RBI for his effort to get the Royals on the board. Jagielo brought the Royals within 1 with a leadoff homer in the 4th. A 1-out infield single for Cain in the 5th tied the game. Kendrys Morales then lined a RBI single to center to give Kansas City the lead. The weather was also a factor on this day with 2 rain delays plaguing the game (lasting 47 and 32 minutes). The bullpens were the other story, with each bullpen throwing 4 shutout innings.


September 7, 2017

Kansas City 1 at Minnesota 5

WP: Chris Heston (14-6), LP: Brandon Finnegan (6-11)
HR: KC-Hunter Dozier (2), MN-None

We caught a break in the 5th when Kendrys Morales dropped the throw at 1st for what would have been the 3rd out, allowing Jon Garcia to score for the 1st run of the game. Eddie Rosario grounded a RBI single to left in the 6th to double the lead. Before the inning was over we’d scored 4 times to make it 5-0. Dozier hit a consolation 1-out solo homer in the 9th off of Michael Tonkin to get the Royals on the board after Heston surrendered only 4 hits in 8 shutout innings.


September 8, 2017

Cleveland 3 at Minnesota 4
WP: Jason Wheeler (13-3), LP: Kyle Crockett (12-6), SV: Glen Perkins (36)
HR: Cle-Yan Gomes (13), Carlos Santana (6), MN-None

Cleveland comes to town with the best record in the AL, plus they’ve won 6 straight games entering this series. Crockett had a rare bout of wildness with 2 outs in the 2nd, walking and hitting consecutive batters before a single by Chris Herrmann loaded the bases where Hector Gomez was grazed by a 1-2 changeup to open the scoring with a RBI hit by pitch. Jorge Polanco then made him pay by lining a 1-2 hanging slider into the left field corner for a 3-run double. Gomes responded by hammering a 2-out, 2-run homer 423 feet to center in the 3rd to get the Indians on the board. Santana hit a 1-out solo homer in the 8th to cut the lead to 1.

• J.P. Crawford (Philadelphia) is out for the season after suffering plantar fascitis while running the bases. Crawford hit .275 on the season with 12 HR, 36 RBI, and a 2.7 WAR.


September 9, 2017

• To make official what had long since been known, Kansas City became the 1st team eliminated from postseason contention this year. At 47-88 they are the worst team in MLB by 7 games right now.
Cleveland 7 at Minnesota 1
WP: Hector Noesi (12-8), LP: Jose Berrios (7-11)
HR: Cle-None, MN-None
Jesus Aguilar hammered a 2-out RBI double off the right field wall in the 1st to open the scoring, and he came in to score on a RBI single by James Ramsey. Chris Herrmann lined a 2-out RBI single to center in the 2nd to get us on the board. Carlos Santana got the run back grounding a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 3rd. Michael Brantley added further insurance grounding a 1-out RBI single up the middle of his own in the 5th. It wasn’t that Berrios pitched poorly, it was that Cleveland was efficient in turning their 7 hits in 5 innings off of him into 5 runs.


September 10, 2017

Cleveland 3 at Minnesota 1
WP: Danny Salazar (11-11), LP: Phil Hughes (7-6), SV: Cody Allen (35)
HR: Cle-None, MN-None

Yan Gomes picked up a RBI ground out in the 1st to open the scoring after a Michael Brantley 1-out triple. Chris Herrmann grounded a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 2nd to tie the game. Jason Kipnis grounded a 2-out RBI single in the 4th through the 5.5 hole to put the Indians back in front. Jesus Aguilar provided some insurance with a sacrifice fly in the 5th. The bullpens shut the game down in the late innings, the best chance being squandered when Kennys Vargas grounded into an inning-ending double play with runners on 1st and 2nd in the 8th.

• Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers) is day-to-day for a week after coming down with shoulder soreness while pitching.


75-61, .551, 9 GB (3rd AL Central), 4 GA (2nd AL Wild Card)


We’re only 0.5 games behind Detroit for the 1st AL Wild Card and the Pennant Chase has us listed at a 83.7% chance of making the playoffs. Boston is leading a tight group following us, but they’re 4 games back. The schedule doesn’t do us any favors, as we have the toughest remaining schedule of the teams in the AL playoff race.

[faithful2thecall]

September 11, 2017

• We’re 11th in the latest power rankings.

Detroit 4 at Minnesota 1

WP: Chad Green (5-1), LP: Simon Castro (3-5), SV: Eric O’Flaherty (31)
HR: Det-J.D. Martinez 2 (21), MN-Adam Walker (13)

A tense 3-game showdown with major playoff race implications followed with Detroit’s arrival in town with the teams 0.5 games apart in the standings. Miguel Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly in the 1st to open the scoring. Walker hit a leadoff homer 432 feet to straightaway center in the 2nd to tie the game. Martinez answered with a leadoff homer 427 feet to straightaway center in the 4th to put the Tigers back in front. Martinez added a 1-out solo homer in the 6th to double their lead. Miguel Cabrera added a 2-out RBI double in the 7th to provide some insurance. Joel Hanrahan was injured (hamstring strain, day-to-day 1 week) coaxing a fly ball to end the 8th. We got a rally going in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with nobody out for Danny Santana. Unfortunately, Santana struck out and pinch-hitter Jon Garcia grounded into a double play to squander a golden opportunity.


September 12, 2017

Detroit 9 at Minnesota 4

WP: Jeff Ferrell (1-0), LP: Chris Heston (14-7)
HR: Det-Anthony Aliotti (3), MN-None

Alex Torres entered the game 2nd in the AL in ERA at 2.53, but dug himself an early hole by loading the bases with nobody out after walking back-to-back hitters following a leadoff single by Jorge Polanco. However Torres pulled off a miracle by striking out Adam Walker, Aaron Hicks, and Eddie Rosario in order to escape the jam. Grayson Greiner lined a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 2nd to get the Tigers on the board. Detroit blew the game open with 2 outs in the 3rd, scoring 5 times before we could get off the field, highlighted by Aliotti’s 3-run homer. Hicks redeemed himself by grounding a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the inning to get us on the board. We couldn’t get the clutch hits with runners on base to get us back into the game.

• D.J. Peterson (Seattle) was lost for the season while running the bases today with a torn meniscus that will take 5 weeks to heal. Peterson hit .252 with 16 HR and 68 RBI this season.


September 13, 2017

Detroit 4 at Minnesota 3 (11 innings)

WP: Eric O’Flaherty (10-6), LP: Alex Meyer (0-1)
HR: Det-Nick Franklin (8), MN-None

Even with a day off looming I gave a few struggling starters a day off hoping it would kick start my team. Adam Walker grounded a 2-out RBI single just past the diving Franklin in the 1st to open the scoring. Franklin got his revenge with a 2-run homer in the 2nd to put Detroit in front. After failing to convert a couple of opportunities with runners on, we finally delivered when Danny Santana ripped a 2-out RBI double down the left field line in the 5th to tie the game. Franklin hit a 2-out RBI triple to center in the 8th to put the Tigers back in front. Pinch-hitter Alfredo Marte, who hasn’t seen much action since his recall laced a 2-out RBI double into the right field corner in the bottom of the inning to tie the game again. Ryan Flaherty ripped a 1-out RBI double in the 11th to put the Tigers in front.


September 14, 2017

• Jose Ramirez (Cleveland) suffered a setback in his recovery from an intercostal strain that will keep him out another 2 weeks.

Off Day


September 15, 2017

• Ji-Man Choi (Milwaukee) is out for 5 weeks with a strained anterior cruciate ligament.

Game #1: Toronto 1 at Minnesota 2

WP: Michael Tonkin (1-0), LP: Alberto Cabrera (3-3), SV: Glen Perkins (37)
HR: Tor-Anthony Alford (1), MN-Brian Dozier (2)

Time for another split-city double header with this being the make-up of our originally scheduled August 31st meeting. Both starting pitchers were dominant in the early innings. We played small ball to finally break the scoreless deadlock in the 4th as Andy Dirks led off with a single, moved around to 3rd on a ground out and a deep fly ball before trotting home on a RBI single grounded just past a diving Devon Travis by Aaron Hicks. Alford tied the game with a 2-out solo homer to right in the 8th, which sent Jose Berrios to the showers. I played a hunch and sent Dozier up as a pinch-hitter with 1 out in the 9th, and he rewarded me by hammering a 1-2 changeup 401 feet just over the centerfield wall to put us back in front. Perkins slammed the door against the heart of the Blue Jays’ lineup in the bottom of the inning to break our 5-game losing streak. It was a tough break for Berrios, as Tonkin got the win for throwing 2 pitches.


Game #2: Minnesota 1 at Toronto 9

WP: Aaron Sanchez (13-7), LP: Phil Hughes (7-7)
HR: MN-None, Tor-Dalton Pompey (18), Josh Donaldson (5)

The setting magically moved to Toronto’s Rogers Centre for the 2nd game. Things got chippy early as Jose Reyes was injured on a hard slide into 2nd by Aaron Hicks on a fielder’s choice in the 1st. B.J. Boyd hammered a 1-out RBI double in the 2nd to open the scoring, which Jarrod Saltalamacchia followed with a 2-run single. Tensions boiled over in the 5th as Andre Rienzo followed up a leadoff homer to Pompey by hitting Rowdy Tellez in the knee with a fastball on the next pitch, and after hesitating for a moment Tellez charged the mound. Our bullpen did little to stem the flood of Toronto offense in this game. It didn’t help our bats couldn’t get anything going either. A 2-out RBI single by Danny Santana in the 9th was the only thing that prevented us from getting shutout.

• Andre Rienzo and Rowdy Tellez were both suspended for 4 games for their parts in the benches-clearing brawl in the 2nd game. We got the better of that since Tellez is the key hitter in their lineup.


September 16, 2017

• San Francisco was officially eliminated from the playoff race.

Minnesota 9 at Toronto 2

WP: Simon Castro (4-5), LP: Daniel Norris (9-11)
HR: MN-None, Tor-Devon Travis (12)

Travis hit a 1-out solo homer in the 1st to open the scoring. Jon Garcia responded with a 2-out RBI double in the 2nd to tie the game. A struggling Kennys Vargas pulled a 2-out RBI double of his own down the 3rd base line in the 3rd to put us in front. Both starters were faring well. We loaded the bases in the 6th with 1 out for Stuart Turner who popped into an infield fly rule out. A wild pitch with Hector Gomez at the plate provided insurance, which was a good thing since Gomez struck out swinging on a 3-2 fastball to end the inning. We loaded the bases again with 1 out in the 7th for Aaron Hicks, who grounded a RBI single to right. We added 1 more run in the inning on a fielder’s choice by pinch-hitter Eddie Rosario. We lit up the Toronto bullpen to put the game away.


September 17, 2017

• Nick Ciuffo (San Diego) suffered a setback in his recovery from a fractured hand that will keep him out another 6 weeks.

Minnesota 2 at Toronto 5

WP: Brandon Beachy (14-4), LP: Chris Heston (14-8)
HR: MN-None, Tor-None

Russell Martin ripped a 1-out RBI double in the 2nd to open the scoring. Martin was later injured (groin tightness, day-to-day 6 days) running out a 2-out double in the 4th. Anthony Alford followed it up with a 2-run double to extend Toronto’s lead, which Devon Travis followed up with his own RBI double to blow the game open. It didn’t help that we didn’t have a baserunner until Luis Mateo led off the 6th with a double down the right field line. We finally got on the board in the 8th when pinch-hitter Travis Harrison ripped a 1-out double in the right-centerfield gap. We actually got the tying run to the plate with the bases loaded and 2 outs, but Adam Walker grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the threat.


77-66, .538, 11.5 GB (3rd AL Central), 3 GA (2nd AL Wild Card)

We maintain a 3 game lead on Boston for the 2nd wild card spot after a tough stretch of games. Next week is when we have to make hay with 4 games against the White Sox and 3 games against the Royals. We’ve already had a personal best season, exceeding our 74 wins in 2015. Securing post-season baseball is our aim now however. That seemed beyond our wildest dreams when we reported for spring training this season after having the worst record in baseball last season.

[faithful2thecall]

September 18, 2017

• Atlanta was officially eliminated from the playoff race.
• We’re 12th in the latest power rankings.

Minnesota 1 at Chicago White Sox 5

WP: Tyler Thornburg (6-3), LP: Jason Wheeler (13-4)
HR: MN-Adam Walker (14), CWS-Aaron Altherr (1)

Walker hit a leadoff homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. Altherr responded with a leadoff homer of his own in the bottom of the inning to nearly the identical spot to tie the game. Hector Gomez had to leave the game injured (thumb contusion, 6 days) after getting hit by a pitch leading off the 3rd. Trey Michalczewski grounded a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 6th to give the White Sox the lead. Later in the inning Matt Wieters drew a 2-out bases loaded walk to provide some insurance.

• Joe Ross (Washington) threw a 3-hitter against the New York Mets.
• Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) hit for the cycle in a 6-for-8 performance in a 8-7 win in 15 innings against Cleveland.


September 19, 2017

Minnesota 7 at Chicago White Sox 2

WP: Jose Berrios (8-11), LP: Mat Latos (10-10)
HR: MN-Jorge Polanco (8), Andy Dirks (6), CWS-Danny Hayes (5)

Polanco hit the 2nd pitch of the game 398 feet into the right-centerfield bleachers to open the scoring. Adam Walker was injured (back spasms, day-to-day 5 days) running out a 1-out double later in the inning. Aaron Hicks followed by blooping a RBI single to left-centerfield to double our lead. The White Sox then compounded their deficit when Matt Wieters tried to throw behind Hicks to pick him off, but threw the ball into right field to allow another run to score. By the time the damage was done, we’d sent 10 men to the plate and scored 5 runs. Latos went to the showers after recording only 4 outs after giving up a pair of singles in the 2nd. Hayes got the White Sox on the board with a 1-out solo homer in the 2nd. Dirks provided some insurance, after we’d struggled to get baserunners against the White Sox bullpen for a few innings, with a leadoff homer in the 7th that made it 6-2.


September 20, 2017

• Baltimore and the New York Mets were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Minnesota 2 at Chicago White Sox 4

WP: Chris Sale (14-6), LP: Phil Hughes (7-8), SV: Junichi Tazawa (27)
HR: MN-Jorge Polanco (9), CWS-Tim Anderson (10), Jose Abreu (35), Trey Michalczewski (14)

Anderson opened the scoring with a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 3rd. We didn’t have a baserunner until Jorge Polanco grounded a leadoff single up the middle in the 4th, and he came around to score on a throwing error by Engel Beltre as Polanco was trying to take 3rd on a single by Kennys Vargas. Abreu got the run back with a 1-out solo homer in the bottom of the inning. Polanco didn’t miss a 2-0 fastball leading off the 6th which he pulled 382 feet into the left-centerfield seats to cut the deficit to 1. Michaelczewski responded with a 1-out solo homer in the bottom of the inning.


September 21, 2017

• The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a playoff berth despite a 2-8 drubbing at the hands of Arizona.
• Anthony Rizzo (Chicago Cubs) came to the aid of a woman being mugged and sustained a broken kneecap that will keep him out for 5 months. Rizzo hit .255 with 32 HR and 95 RBI, good for a 3.8 WAR.
• Toronto traded C Max Stassi and $507,500 to Miami for SS Jalen Miller (2015 5th round pick).
• Kansas City deals LF Jarrod Dyson to San Francisco for SS Jameson Henning and CF Johneshwy Fargas.

Minnesota 2 at Chicago White Sox 4

WP: Drew Storen (1-0), LP: Simon Castro (4-6), SV: Carlos Rodon (1)
HR: MN-Travis Harrison (1), Jon Garcia (3), CWS-Nick Delmonico (3)

Harrison ripped a 1-0 fastball 391 feet into the left field seats to take advantage of his playing time due to the Hector Gomez injury and open the scoring. A RBI single by Jonathon Berti in the bottom of the inning tied the game. Garcia crushed a 2-0 hanging sinker 438 feet to straightaway centerfield with 2 outs in the 7th for a solo homer that put us back in front. Delmonico hit a 1-out, 2-run homer in the bottom of the inning to put the White Sox in front. Berti added a 2-out RBI double later in the inning to add insurance.


September 22, 2017

Minnesota 6 at Kansas City 1 (7 innings)

WP: Chris Heston (15-8), LP: Danny Duffy (10-14)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (19), KC-None

The Royals are hopefully the best possibly cure to our 6-14 start to September. We’re 13-3 against them this season and they were part of our rebuilding momentum after we struggled out of the all-star break. If we don’t win at least 2 games in this series (ideally we’d sweep them), then we don’t belong in the playoffs anyway.

The pitching matchup for the series opener is also in our favor with Heston going up against Duffy. Vargas, who has been experiencing a power outage of late, opened the scoring with a 1-out, 2-run homer to left-center in the 1st. The Royals put together a 2-out rally in the 3rd, with 3 straight singles capped with a RBI for Jared Hoying. We got the run back in the 5th on a sacrifice fly by Travis Harrison. Aaron Hicks added a 1-out RBI double in the 6th to provide some insurance, which Eddie Rosario followed by blowing the game open pulling a 2-run double down the right field line to greet reliever Eric Skoglund. The game was called with us at the plate in the top of the 8th due to rain.

• Matt Barnes (Houston) threw a 3-hitter against Oakland.


September 23, 2017

• In frustration after yesterday’s loss, Samuel Deduno (Kansas City) took out his frustrations on his locker and fractured his hand and sprained his wrist. Deduno will be out for 6 weeks.

Minnesota 4 at Kansas City 5

WP: Eric Skoglund (1-0), LP: Nick Burdi (3-5)
HR: MN-None, KC-Eric Jagielo (21)

Aaron Hicks grounded a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 1st to open the scoring, and to add insult to injury for the Royals, starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan was injured (ruptured bicep tendon, 6 months) on the play. The Royals got a sacrifice fly from Ryan O’Hearn in the 2nd to tie the game after loading the bases with nobody out. Kendrys Morales lined a 2-out RBI single to right in the 5th to give the Royals the lead, which Hunter Dozier and Micah Gibbs followed up by lining RBI singles of their own to provide insurance. Austin Barnes ripped a RBI double in the left-centerfield gap in the 9th to get the tying run to the plate with nobody out. After Travis Harrison struck out, Jorge Polanco and Danny Santana hit back-to-back RBI doubles to tie the game. It was all for naught however, as pinch-hitter Jagielo hit the 1st pitch of the bottom of the 9th 435 feet to center for the walk-off.


September 24, 2017

• Hak-ju Lee (Kansas City) will be out another 4 weeks due to a setback from a fractured finger.

Minnesota 1 at Kansas City 3

WP: James Paxton (11-11), LP: Jose Berrios (8-12), SV: J. P. Howell (20)
HR: MN-None, KC-None

Both starting pitchers were dominant in the early innings, with neither team able to generate a scoring threat. Ryan O’Hearn grounded a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 5th to open the scoring. Micah Gibbs added a 1-out RBI single in the 6th to seemingly put the game away with how we were hitting. Hector Gomez finally got us on the board in the 8th with a RBI groundout that cut the deficit to 1-3.


79-71, .527, 12.5 GB (3rd AL Central), 1 GA (2nd AL Wild Card)

After losing 2 of 3 to the worst team in MLB this season I no longer feel we deserve a playoff spot, but I’m going to keep fighting until the bitter end to see us try to get there anyways. My best guess as to what’s going on is that we’re just not getting the big hits with runners on base. In 10 of our 16 losses in September thus far we’ve scored 2 or fewer runs.

[faithful2thecall]

September 25, 2017

• We’re 18th in the latest power rankings.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the NL West with a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.
• The Cincinnati Reds were also officially eliminated from postseason contention.

Off Day


September 26, 2017

• Good riddance to bad rubbish. C Jake Fox decided to retire after spending all season trapped in AAA this season.
• Cleveland clinched a playoff berth with a 6-5 victory against Kansas City.

Oakland at Minnesota—Rained Out

• Danny Salazar (Cleveland) threw a 4-hitter against Kansas City.


September 27, 2017

• Brad Miller (Miami) is out 6 weeks with a rotator cuff strain. Miller hit .311 with 20 HR and 53 RBI, good for a 5.7 WAR this season.
• St. Louis and Colorado were eliminated from the postseason race.

Game #1: Oakland 2 at Minnesota 4

WP: Phil Hughes (8-8), LP: Jesse Hahn (8-11), SV: Nick Burdi (3)
HR: Oak-Josh Whitaker (16), MN-None

Given my history with doubleheaders on this save yesterday’s rainout was bad news for me since I’m yet to sweep a doubleheader, though Boston and the Los Angeles Angels both lost which brought me a little good news. We got the 1st real scoring chance in the 3rd, loading the bases with nobody out on 3 straight singles for Andy Dirks. Dirks struck out, but Kennys Vargas picked him up by lacing a RBI single into left-centerfield to open the scoring. Before the inning was over we’d added 2 more runs to extend the lead. Eddie Rosario added a 2-out RBI single he lined into centerfield in the 5th. Whitaker broke up the shutout bid with a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 9th that sent Hughes to the showers.


Game #2: Oakland 5 at Minnesota 0

WP: Arnold Leon (5-2), LP: Simon Castro (4-7)
HR: Oak-None, MN-None

Matt Olson hit a sacrifice fly to the left-centerfield warning track in the 3rd to open the scoring. Miguel Sano picked up a RBI later in the inning on a ground out. Desmond Jennings added a sacrifice fly of his own in the 4th to extend the Oakland lead.

• Magic Number 9 with 10 games left in the season. We lead the Los Angeles Angels by 2, and Boston by 2.5 games. We’re given a 60.9% chance to make the playoffs.


September 28, 2017

• Toronto clinched the AL East, while the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs secured a playoff berth.

Oakland 5 at Minnesota 3 (12 innings)

WP: Sean Doolittle (2-3), LP: Michael Tonkin (1-1), SV: Hunter Strickland (4)
HR: Oak-Josh Whitaker (17), MN-None

Whitaker hit a 1-out, 3-run homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. Pitching dominated this game. We didn’t have a hit until Chris Herrmann grounded a single into right field with 1 out in the 6th. Hector Gomez followed it with a RBI double to get us on the board. Eddie Rosario picked up a RBI groundout in the 7th to pull us within 1. Herrmann then delivered a game-tying RBI single with 2 outs in the inning. We loaded the bases with 1 out in the 9th for Herrmann, who flied out to left and then watched Aaron Hicks be thrown out at the plate on a great throw by Mark Canha. Then we had runners on the corners with 1 out in the 11th, but Jon Garcia and Herrmann struck out to let that chance get away. Franklin Barreto lined a 1-out RBI single to left in the 12th to give Oakland the lead, which Marcus Semien followed up with a RBI single of his own.

• Magic Number 9 with 9 games left in the season. We lead the Los Angeles Angels by 1, and Boston by 2.5. It’s also worth noting that the Angels are 0.5 games behind Houston in the AL West. We’re given a 50.5% chance of making the playoffs.


September 29, 2017

• Julio Urias (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 4-5 months with a torn back muscle.
• The Cleveland Indians clinched the AL Central.

Chicago White Sox 4 at Minnesota 7

WP: Jason Wheeler (14-4), LP: Alex Colome (0-1), SV: Glen Perkins (38)
HR: CWS-None, MN-Adam Walker (15)

The final home series of the regular season comes against a White Sox team that’s 10-6 against us on the season. With road series in Cleveland and Detroit to close the regular season it’s important that I win at least 2 out of 3 here if I want to make the playoffs.

The pitching matchup of Mat Latos against Wheeler is interesting, as both starters got torched by the opposing offense just a week and a half ago when the two teams met. Aaron Hicks got the scoring going early with a 2-out RBI single in the 1st when Andy Dirks slid in just under the tag at the plate. Jorge Polanco grounded a 1-out, 2-run single past a diving Carlos Sanchez into right field in the 2nd to expand our lead. Jose Abreu blooped a 2-out RBI single down the right field line in the 3rd to get the White Sox on the board. After Wheeler hit Melky Cabrera, Trey Michalczewski lined a RBI single to left to bring the White Sox within 1. Walker got a run back with a wind-aided leadoff homer in the bottom of the inning. Abreu ripped a 2-out, 2-run double when we were trying to pitch around him in the 4th to tie the game 4-4. We loaded the bases for Polanco in the 6th on 3 straight singles to leadoff the inning. Polanco grounded into a fielder’s choice where they got the force at the plate. Dirks picked him up by lining a RBI single off the glove of Sanchez to put us back in front. After Kennys Vargas struck out, Walker lined a 2-run single into left to give us some insurance. My bullpen took over after that, surrendering only 1 hit over the last 3 innings to secure the win.

• The victory guarantees the Twins will go .500 for the 1st time since 2010.
• Magic Number 8 with 8 games left in the regular season. The Los Angeles Angels won again to remain 1 game back, while Boston lost their 8th straight to drop 4 back and effectively out of the race. We’re given a 56.2% chance of making the playoffs.


September 30, 2017

• Miami clinched the NL East, while Milwaukee secured a playoff berth.
• Philadelphia, Oakland, and the New York Yankees were all eliminated from postseason contention.

Chicago White Sox 4 at Minnesota 2

WP: Zach Putnam (1-0), LP: Kyle Gibson (0-1), SV: Junichi Tazawa (29)
HR: CWS-None, MN-Adam Walker (16)

Jose Berrios was injured (mild calf strain, day-to-day 5 days) walking Melky Cabrera on the 3rd batter of the game. Walker opened the scoring with a leadoff homer in the 2nd. Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly in the 3rd where Jonathon Berti bowled over Chris Herrmann, jarring the bar loose to tie the game. Jose Abreu picked up a RBI groundout in the 5th to put the White Sox in front. Walker pulled a 1-out RBI double in the 6th to tie the game. Carlos Sanchez pulled a 2-out, 2-run double into the right field corner in the 8th to put the White Sox back in front. Joel Hanrahan was injured (back spasms, day-to-day 5 days) on a double by Cabrera in the 9th. We had runners on the corners with 2 outs in the 9th, but Cabrera laid out to rob Hector Gomez of extra bases to end the game.

• David Wright got his 2,000th career hit against Washington in a 6-4 loss. The hit came on a leadoff single in the 7th on a 1-for-4 day.
• Magic Number remains at 8 with 7 games to play. The Los Angeles Angels won pass Houston for the AL West lead, and our lead over Houston is only 0.5 games. We’re given a 45.6% chance to make the playoffs.


AL Batter of the Month: Nick Castellanos (Detroit) .333 BA, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 15 R, .405 OBP
NL Batter of the Month: Joc Pederson (Los Angeles Dodgers) .340 BA, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 22 R
AL Pitcher of the Month: Logan Bawcom (Seattle) 12 G, 13 IP, 4-0, 7 SV, 2.77 ERA, 15 K
NL Pitcher of the Month: Tyson Ross (San Diego) 5 GS, 4-0, 0.76 ERA, 35.2 IP, 34 K
AL Rookie of the Month: Rafael Devers (Boston) .298 BA, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 15 R
NL Rookie of the Month: Brian Schales (St. Louis) .328 BA, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 12 R


October 1, 2017

• Tampa Bay was eliminated from the playoff race.

Chicago White Sox 3 at Minnesota 1

WP: Chris Sale (15-7), LP: Trevor May (0-1), SV: Junichi Tazawa (30)
HR: CWS-None, MN-None

This has effectively become a must-win game for us to maintain a realistic shot at making the playoffs. I decided to take advantage of the expanded roster by instead of having Phil Hughes start, who was pretty tired yet after throwing 123 pitches against Oakland in game #1 of a double header, giving a start to Trevor May. Chris Sale is a daunting opponent however. I looked like a fool as May loaded the bases with nobody out in the 1st on 2 walks and a hit batter. Trey Michalczewski hit a sacrifice fly to the warning track in right, but that was all he gave up in the inning. Alfredo Marte, in a rare start, delivered a 2-out RBI double to tie the game. Justin Morneau grounded a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 7th to put the White Sox back in front. May gave me more than I could have asked for (since he was also a bit tired), allowing only 2 runs on 3 hits in 7 innings. Michalczewski provided insurance with a 2-out RBI triple in the 8th. Adam Walker was injured (mild hamstring strain, day-to-day 6 days) running out a double in the 9th.

• Houston and the Los Angeles Angels both won, so we fell 0.5 games behind Houston for the 2nd Wild Card.
• Jonathan Lucroy (Philadelphia) was suspended for 2 games for bumping an umpire arguing balls and strikes


81-75, .519, 15 GB (3rd AL Central), 0.5 GB (3rd AL Wild Card)

With the choke job we look like we’re in the closing stages of, this season has become a bitter disappointment. There’s not really much more that can be said at this point. Letting a 5 game lead in the Wild Card race get away in September is inexcusable. We’ll need a miracle, as we probably need to win 4 or 5 out of 6 on the road against playoff bound opposition to have a chance.

[faithful2thecall]

October 2, 2017

• We’re 17th in the latest power rankings.

Off Day

• Asher Wojciechowski (Houston) threw a 6-hitter against Kansas City.
• Houston’s win combined with a Los Angeles Angels loss means Houston retakes the AL West lead, and we’re 0.5 games behind the Angels.


October 3, 2017

• Kansas City fired manager Don Wakamatsu. It came as no real surprise, since the Royals are 58-99 this season and are the worst team in MLB by 2.5 games.

Minnesota 1 at Cleveland 3

WP: Corey Kluber (8-3), LP: Phil Hughes (8-9), SV: Cody Allen (42)
HR: MN-Andy Dirks (7), Cle-Lonnie Chisenhall (10), Jason Kipnis (7)

Chisenhall and Kipnis hit back-to-back leadoff homers in the 3rd to open the scoring. We didn’t have a hit until Danny Santana grounded a 2-out single up the middle in the 5th. Dirks broke up the shutout with a 1-out solo homer in the 9th to make it 1-3.

• Houston and the Los Angeles Angels both lost, leaving us still 0.5 games behind the Angels for the 2nd Wild Card.
• Micah Johnson (Washington) is out 5 weeks with a fractured thumb.


October 4, 2017

• Detroit secured the 1st AL Wild Card spot.
• Texas and Seattle have been eliminated from playoff contention.
• San Francisco fired manager Bruce Bochy. The Giants are an NL-worst 60-97 this season.

Minnesota 3 at Cleveland 4

WP: Ben Rowen (12-6), LP: Simon Castro (4-8), SV: Charlie Furbush (3)
HR: MN-None, Cle-Carlos Santana 2 (12)

Santana led off the 2nd with a homer to open the scoring. Santana added a 2-out, 3-run homer off the top of the wall in the 3rd to seemingly blow the game open. Hector Gomez picked up a 2-out RBI single in the 5th to get us on the board. Jorge Polanco followed it up with a RBI double off the left field wall to cut the deficit to 2-4. Danny Santana then made it a 1 run game with a RBI single and chased Kyle Crockett. We missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 6th with runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1 out, but Alfredo Marte and Chris Herrmann struck out to squander the threat.

• Houston won to move a game ahead of the Los Angeles Angels, who were rained out and will have to make up the game against Texas on October 9th. The Angels move a full game ahead of us.


October 5, 2017

• San Diego was officially eliminated from postseason contention.

Minnesota 1 at Cleveland 2

WP: Cody Anderson (3-2), LP: Chris Heston (15-9), SV: Cody Allen (43)
HR: MN-None, Cle-Michael Brantley (17)

Some miscommunication on defense allowed Tyler Naquin to bloop a 1-out RBI single down the left field line in the 1st to open the scoring. We loaded the bases with nobody out on a hit batter and 2 singles (the 2nd was a bunt single by Hector Gomez) for Jorge Polanco. Unfortunately, Polanco struck out and Andy Dirks grounded into an inning-ending double play to squander the threat. We kept having chances to score, but weren’t getting the big hits we needed. Brantley hit a 1-out solo homer in the 6th to double the Indians’ lead. Aaron Hicks lined a 2-out RBI double to center in the 7th to get us on the board.

• Joe Mantiply (Detroit) threw a 4-hitter against the Chicago White Sox.
• Houston won to go 1.5 games up on the idle Los Angeles Angels who are now 1.5 games ahead of us.


October 6, 2017

• The Chicago White Sox have been eliminated from the playoff race.

Minnesota 5 at Detroit 3

WP: Tyler Duffy (1-0), LP: Jordan Walden (5-2), SV: Glen Perkins (39)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (20), Det-Nick Castellanos (15)

If you had told me before the season started that we’d be mathematically in the playoff race going into the last weekend of the season I’d have called a psychiatrist to get your head examined. The way the last 5 weeks have played out however, it will leave a very bitter taste in my mouth if we can’t pull out a miracle and make the playoffs.

Dixon Machado lined a soft RBI single up the middle with 2 outs in the 2nd to open the scoring. Castellanos added a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 3rd to provide some cushion. Vargas displayed his strength by going down for a pitch low and inside and taking a fastball 380 feet into the right field seats for a 2-run homer in the 4th to get us on the board. Hector Gomez and Danny Santana hit back-to-back 2-out doubles in the 7th to tie the game. Jon Garcia led off the 8th with a triple and 2 walks surrounding a grounder to a drawn in infield had the bases loaded with 1 out for Austin Barnes. Barnes drew a 5-pitch RBI walk to put us in front. Gomez added a RBI ground out for insurance. Nick Burdi and Perkins shut down the Tigers over the last 2 innings to secure the win.

• The win secures our 1st winning record since 2010, and the 1st winning season of my managerial career.
• Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco) threw a 4-hitter against Arizona.
• The Los Angeles Angels lost to Oakland 2-0 in the opener of their series to pull us within 0.5 games of the 2nd Wild Card spot.


October 7, 2017

• Houston secured a playoff spot.
• Boston was eliminated from playoff contention.
• Michael Brantley (Cleveland) is out 4 months with a fractured ankle. Brantley hit .268 with 17 HR and 68 RBI this season, good for a 3.0 WAR.

Minnesota 1 at Detroit 5

WP: Warwick Saupold (5-5), LP: Jose Berrios (8-13)
HR: MN-None, Det-Nick Franklin 2 (15)

Luis Mateo lined a soft RBI single to center with 1 out in the 2nd to open the scoring. Franklin hammered a 2-2 hanging curveball 378 feet into the left field seats for a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 3rd to put the Tigers in front. Franklin added a 2-out solo homer in the 5th to add some insurance.

• Robbie Erlin (Miami) threw a 5-hitter against Milwaukee.
• The Los Angeles Angels beat Oakland 6-0 to clinch a tie for the 2nd Wild Card spot.


October 8, 2017

• Matt Joyce (Pittsburgh) is out 4 months with a torn back muscle.
• Jeurys Familia (Arizona) is out 3-4 weeks after fracturing his thumb during an argument with a news reporter about a television interview.
• The Chicago Cubs clinched the NL Central.
• Pittsburgh was officially eliminated from postseason contention.

Minnesota 7 at Detroit 3

WP: Phil Hughes (9-9), LP: Alex Torres (8-6)
HR: MN-Jon Garcia (4), Kennys Vargas 2 (22), Det-Tyler Collins (11)

This was a must-win game if we had any prayer of forcing a 1-game playoff, and even with a win we’d need a lot of help. Garcia stayed back on a 0-1 changeup and hit it 397 feet for a 1-out solo homer in the 1st to open the scoring. Vargas gave us some breathing room with a 3-run blast in the 3rd. The Tigers didn’t have a hit until Miguel Cabrera hit a soft line drive just out of the reach of Danny Santana for a single with 1 out in the 4th. The murmurs started in the dugout after the 4th as the players started to notice that Oakland had jumped out to a 4-0 lead on the Los Angeles Angels in the 1st inning of their game. The Tigers got 3 straight singles with 1-out in the 8th, Nick Franklin’s got the Tigers on the board and brought Cabrera to the plate representing the tying run. Hughes escaped the jam by coaxing a 5-3 double play to end the inning. Meanwhile Oakland was clinging to a 5-3 lead in the 4th against the Angels. Bruce Rondon was injured (mild shoulder inflammation, 5 days) striking out Garcia in the 9th. Vargas greeted reliever Ian Krol with his 2nd 3-run homer of the game, this time with 2 outs to put the game away. Taking no chances however, I brought Glen Perkins in to close it out. Despite giving up a 2-out, 2-run homer to Collins we did our part and could only wait and watch the events unfold in Oakland.

• Desmond Jennings, hitting 9th for Oakland may have earned himself free drinks on his next visit to Minnesota with a 2-out, 2-run walk-off homer to beat the Angels 7-5 to cut our deficit to 0.5 games.


October 9, 2017

• Nick Gordon (Los Angeles Dodgers) suffered a setback in his recovery from a strained hip that will keep him out another 5 days.
• Justin Upton (Chicago Cubs) suffered a strained hamstring that will put him out of action for 6-7 weeks.
• Marc Rzepczynski (Toronto) is out 5-6 months with a torn rotator cuff.
• We’re 17th in the latest power rankings.
• Houston clinched the AL West, while Arizona nailed down the 2nd NL Wild Card spot.
• Washington was eliminated from postseason contention.

Off Day

• There were 2 games on the schedule, but the only one that mattered was the Los Angeles Angels visiting Texas in a make-up of a game from last week that was rained out. When Texas couldn’t rally in the 9th and lost 3-2 we became the last team to be eliminated from postseason contention.


83-79, .512, 17 GB (3rd AL Central), 1 GB (3rd AL Wild Card)

It’s hard to stomach choking on a 5 game lead in the Wild Card at the start of September. Going 11-24 in September/October didn’t help. As I predicted at the time, losing Byron Buxton and Joe Mauer for the season to injuries was significant. No team would have an easy go of it having to replace 2 of the top 3 hitters in their lineup midseason.

• After losing Joe Mauer for the season: 22-30
• After losing Byron Buxton for the season: 28-39

I should still be a contender for Manager of the Year after taking the worst team in MLB last season to 1 game from the playoffs with largely the same roster.

This should be a very interesting offseason to see what GM Terry Ryan does. Next season is the final season of my contract, and I suspect he’ll look to address that during the winter. We still don’t have money for free agents, but supposedly we now have about $3 million for contract extensions. Arbitration will be the key to our offseason it looks like.

Free Agents: Phil Coke, Joel Hanrahan (I don’t expect either of them back)

Team Options: Ricky Nolasco (I expect it to be declined), Glen Perkins (I’m sure we’ll pick it up)

Arbitration (my thoughts) [current-projected salaries]:
• Kyle Gibson (uncertain, spent most of the season in AAA) [$910k-$1.5m]
• Danny Santana (probably comes back) [$900k-$1m]
• Oswaldo Arcia (uncertain, I wouldn’t mind us letting him go since I platoon him anyway since he can’t hit LHP) [$890k-$3.2m]
• Kennys Vargas (we’d better bring him back) [$518k-$2.8m]
• Aaron Hicks (uncertain, might be a bit expensive for a 4th outfielder) [$515k-$4m]
• Chris Herrmann (probably comes back, though he could be a bit expensive) [$510k-$3.2m]
• Andy Dirks (uncertain because of our outfield depth) [$508k-$800k]

With Santana, Vargas, and Herrmann all being starters for me this season you can see why I feel arbitration will be crucial for our team this winter. Arcia, Dirks, Eddie Rosario, and Alfredo Marte are all regular left fielders so it wouldn’t surprise me if at least one of those guys departs.

[faithful2thecall]

AL Wild Card:

Los Angeles Angels (84-78) 4 at Detroit (89-73) 3

WP: Trevor Rosenthal, LP: Kyle Ryan, SV: Craig Kimbrel

The Angels scored a run in each of the last 4 innings to overcome an early 0-2 deficit.


NL Wild Card:

Arizona (85-77) 10 at Milwaukee (93-69) 1

WP: Archie Bradley, LP: T.J. House

Arizona hit 3 2-run homers while Bradley pitched a gem allowing 1 run on 3 hits in 8 innings.



AL Division Series:

Los Angeles Angels defeats Cleveland (100-62) 3-1

G1: Los Angeles Angels 9 at Cleveland 7
G2: Los Angeles Angels 2 at Cleveland 6
G3: Cleveland 5 at Los Angeles Angels 7
G4: Cleveland 1 at Los Angeles Angels 6

Series MVP: Albert Pujols (Los Angeles Angels) .400 BA, 1 HR, 5 RBI


Houston (85-77) defeats Toronto (95-67) 3-1

G1: Houston 7 at Toronto 1
G2: Houston 10 at Toronto 6
G3: Toronto 3 at Houston 0
G4: Toronto 4 at Houston 8

Series MVP: Preston Tucker (Houston) .389 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI



NL Division Series:

Los Angeles Dodgers (104-58) defeats Arizona 3-1

G1: Arizona 4 at Los Angeles Dodgers 5 (11 innings)
G2: Arizona 4 at Los Angeles Dodgers 5
G3: Los Angeles Dodgers 4 at Arizona 5
G4: Los Angeles Dodgers 3 at Arizona 1

Series MVP: Corey Seager (Los Angeles Dodgers) .529 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 4 R


Miami (96-66) defeats Chicago Cubs (94-68) 3-0

G1: Chicago Cubs 0 at Miami 1
G2: Chicago Cubs 4 at Miami 7
G3: Miami 4 at Chicago Cubs 2

Series MVP: Justin Nicolino (Miami) 1-0, 7 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K



ALCS:

Houston defeats Los Angeles Angels 4-1

G1: Los Angeles Angels 5 at Houston 2
G2: Los Angeles Angels 2 at Houston 5
G3: Houston 8 at Los Angeles Angels 1
G4: Houston 7 at Los Angeles Angels 0
G5: Houston 10 at Los Angeles Angels 6

• Mike Moustakas (Los Angeles Angels) was injured during Game 5 and will be out 8 months due to a damaged elbow ligament.

Series MVP: George Springer (Houston) .364 BA, 2 HR, 4 RBI


NLCS:

Miami defeats Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3

G1: Miami 2 at Los Angeles Dodgers 1 (13 innings)
G2: Miami 6 at Los Angeles Dodgers 1
G3: Los Angeles Dodgers 7 at Miami 2
G4: Los Angeles Dodgers 0 at Miami 2
G5: Los Angeles Dodgers 1 at Miami 0
G6: Miami 1 at Los Angeles Dodgers 3
G7: Miami 5 at Los Angeles Dodgers 1

Series MVP: Justin Bour (Miami) .333 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R



World Series:

Houston defeats Miami 4-2

G1: Miami 7 at Houston 2
G2: Miami 4 at Houston 5 (10 innings)
G3: Houston 4 at Miami 3
G4: Houston 7 at Miami 4
G5: Houston 2 at Miami 6
G6: Miami 4 at Houston 7

Series MVP: Jorge Martinez (Houston) .435 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI

Both of Martinez’ homers came in the Game 6 clincher.

[faithful2thecall]

Post-Season Awards:

AL MVP: Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) .327 BA, 24 HR, 86 RBI, 113 R, 9.7 WAR
AL Cy Young: Drew Rucinski (Los Angeles Angels) 16-13, 2.89 ERA, 221.1 IP, 244 K, 1.12 WHIP, 6.6 WAR
AL Reliever of the Year: Sean Doolittle (Oakland) 3-3, 32 SV, 2.34 ERA, 73 IP, 107 K, 0.82 WHIP, 1.7 WAR
AL Rookie of the Year: Eric Jagielo (Kansas City) .316 BA, 23 HR, 78 RBI, 5.1 WAR
AL Manager of the Year: John Gibbons (Toronto)

Gibbons was a deserving MOTY. He led the Blue Jays from 69-93 last season to 95-67 this season. We didn’t contend for any awards.



NL MVP: Kris Bryant (Chicago Cubs) .280 BA, 39 HR, 91 RBI, 109 R, 6.9 WAR
NL Cy Young: Kenley Jansen (Los Angeles Dodgers) 10-4, 44 SV, 1.60 ERA, 73.1 IP, 105 K, 0.74 WHIP, 1.5 WAR
NL Reliever of the Year: Kenley Jansen (Los Angeles Dodgers)
NL Rookie of the Year: Jimmie Sherfy (Arizona) 4-6, 34 SV, 2.26 ERA, 75.2 IP, 103 K, 1.20 WHIP, 1.1 WAR
NL Manager of the Year: Don Mattingly (Los Angeles Dodgers)



November:

• Season Score—73
• GM Terry Ryan declined the team options for 2018 on both RHP SP Ricky Nolasco and LHP CL Glen Perkins. Ryan did make arbitration offers to all of our arbitration eligible players.
• San Francisco fired GM Brian Sabean and Manager Angel Escobar. Escobar had gone 1-2 after replacing Bruce Bochy late in the season.
• Baltimore traded CF Roderick Bernadina to Tampa Bay for RHP SP Jake Woodford and SS Daniel Castro.
• Apparently our players like the perceived direction of the team as Kenny Vargas (1 year, $4.84 million), Aaron Hicks (5 years, $36.84 million), Andy Dirks (1 year, $1.82 million), Chris Herrmann (1 year, $3.12 million), Oswaldo Arcia (1 year, $3.76 million), Danny Santana (1 year, $1.12 million), Kyle Gibson (1 year, $1.7 million), and Austin Barnes (1 year, $860k) all signed deals on the same day to avoid arbitration. Personally I think we overpaid for some of them. Curiously, Gibson’s deal increased fan interest slightly though he spent most of last season in AAA.
• Cincinnati deals RHP SP Matt D. Koch to San Francisco in exchange for RF Ryan McKenna (2016 5th Round pick, after failing to sign with the Giants as a 9th Round pick in 2015) and 3B Anthony Gomez.
• Kansas City trades LF Willie Abreu (2017 1st Supplemental Round pick) to Colorado to re-acquire RHP SP Jacob deGrom.
• GM Terry Ryan deals RF Adam Walker and CF Ronald Washington (2017 1st Overall pick) to the Chicago Cubs for 3B Christian Villaneuva. Including Washington in the deal makes it a huge price tag to get Villaneuva. Walker was 2nd on our team in HR’s last season, but he only hit .243 in a crowded outfield. Hector Gomez started 142 games for us at 3rd base last season and was serviceable, though he faded towards the end of the season. Another perk of Villaneuva is that he has a ring from his time with the Cubs, though he didn’t play in the postseason. I’m going to have to take a wait-and-see approach on this deal to see how good it was for us.
• Atlanta trades RHP SP Mike Foltynewicz and $507,500 to Oakland for 3B Matt Kroon and 1B Jacob Corso.
• San Diego traded RHP SP Aaron Blair to Cincinnati in exchange for SS John Devine (2016 5th Round pick) and LF Dalton Carter.
• Baltimore deals C Jose Herrera to Toronto for LHP SP Tony Cingrani.
• Cincinnati trades RHP SP Zach Petrick and $507,500 to Seattle for RHP SP Ronald Dominguez.
• Philadelphia sends RHP RP Severino Gonzalez to Kansas City receiving LHP SP Kyle Muller (2016 3rd Round pick) and CF Michael Strait in return.
• LHP RP Caleb Thielbar was awarded $1 million in arbitration. I don’t know why we even extended him an offer since he pitched so poorly for us before spending all of last season in AAA.


December:

• Atlanta trades 2B Barrett Kleinknecht to Cincinnati for RF Steven Selsky and SS Hidekel Abreu
• Philadelphia deals RHP SP David Buchanan to Seattle in exchange for LHP SP Tyler Watson.
• San Diego traded LHP SP Brandon Alger to Detroit for LF Brandon Dudley (2017 3rd Round pick).
• Cleveland sends RF Emmanuel Tapia and C Logan Koch to Tampa Bay for RF Marcell Ozuna.
• Colorado trades RHP RP Matt Carasiti to Texas for RF Kep Brown (2015 2nd Round pick by Tampa Bay, was traded to Texas in August 2017) and CF Luis Barahona.
• CL Addison Reed signed a 2 year, $25.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. Reed has recorded 31 saves each of the last 2 seasons for Washington.
• RHP SP Brandon Morrow signed a 2 year, $32 million deal with Houston.
• Colorado traded LHP RP Luis Avilan to Seattle in exchange for RHP SP Connor Darling (2016 5th Round pick) and SS Bo Bichette (2016 4th Round pick by the New York Yankees, was traded to Seattle in July 2017).
• 1B Brandon Belt signed a 7 year, $29 million deal to play for Philadelphia.
• Detroit signed CL Danny Farquhar to a 2 year, $5.28 million deal.
• Miami trades CF Randal Grichuk and $1,412,500 to Cincinnati for SS Orlando Calixte and LF Jordan Prendiz.
• The Winter Meetings got underway with a couple of major trades.
• Washington sends RHP SP Max Scherzer and $3 million to the Los Angeles Dodgers for LF Scott Schebler and C Dylan Lester.
• San Francisco deals LHP SP Madison Bumgarner to Houston in exchange for SS Tyler Malone, CF Kevin Collard, RHP CL Bryan Abreu, RHP SP Adrian Houser, and 1B Felix Lucas. It’s a bit weird, as none of the prospects really grade out to anything special.
• Seattle trades SS Thairo Estrada and RHP SP Raffi Vizcaino to Colorado for RHP CL Tommy Kahnle.
• Kansas City traded LHP SP Scott Kazmir and LF Carl Chester (2017 8th Overall pick) to the New York Yankees in exchange for 2B Angelo Gumbs.
• RF Logan Morrison signed a 3 year, $8.8 million deal with Philadelphia.
• San Diego deals 3B Cory Spangenberg and $507,500 to Oakland for SS Jack Labosky (2017 2nd Round pick).
• Tampa Bay sends RF Steven Moya and $507,500 to Kansas City receiving SS Grayson Byrd (2017 2nd Round pick) and RHP SP Jefferson Vergara in return.
• Detroit trades 3B Francisco Martinez to the Los Angeles Angels for RHP SP Nick Tropeano and SS Ryan Lillard (2017 4th Round pick).
• Atlanta deals LHP RP Andrew McKirahan and SS A.J. Simcox to Arizona in exchange for LF Zach Borenstein.
• Tampa Bay sends RHP RP Mike Franco to the New York Yankees for RF Brayan Emery.
• Atlanta trades RHP SP Matt Wisler and $507,500 to Cincinnati for RHP SP Evan Giles (2016 3rd Round pick) and C Chadwick Tromp.
• Detroit deals 2B Jose Miguel Fernandez and $1.94 million to Boston for 3B Kris Negron.


January 2018:

• Chipper Jones (94.9%), Jim Thome (88.1%), and Curt Schilling (77.2%) were elected to the Hall of Fame. Jones and Thome were in their 1st year on the ballot.
• San Diego trades LHP SP Taylor Aikenhead to Detroit for C Riley Adams (2017 2nd Round pick).
• Atlanta deals LHP RP Frank Garces to St. Louis in exchange for C Bryce Carter (2017 2nd Round pick).
• RHP SP Anibal Sanchez signed a 1 year, $3.6 million deal with Baltimore.
• RHP SP Nathan Eovaldi signed a 1 year, $1.76 million deal to play for the New York Mets.
• San Francisco signed RF Josh Reddick to a 1 year, $3.24 million deal.
• The Los Angeles Angels signed 1B Steve Pearce to a 1 year, $4.48 million deal.


February:

• Kansas City trades 3B Hunter Dozier and $507,500 to Toronto for LHP SP Mac Marshall (2015 4th Round pick) and RHP SP Taylor Goshen.
• Boston signed RHP SP Tyson Ross to a 7 year, $170.8 million deal.
• Milwaukee signed RHP CL Craig Kimbrel to a 3 year, $54.6 million deal.
• Adam Wainwright re-signed with St. Louis inking a 1 year, $19.5 million deal.
• RHP RP Shawn Kelley signed a 2 year, $22.4 million deal with the New York Mets.
• The Chicago White Sox signed 2B Jose Altuve to a 1 year, $1.6 million contract.
• Atlanta signed RHP RP Alex Cobb to a 1 year, $3.44 million deal.
• RHP CL Jason Motte penned a 3 year, $11.52 million deal with St. Louis.


March/April:

• Tampa Bay signed LHP CL Eric O’Flaherty to a 1 year, $4.52 million deal.
• LHP CL Marc Rzepczynski was forced to retire due to a rotator cuff injury.
• The Chicago White Sox inked LHP SP Chris Sale to a 6 year, $127.2 million extension
• SS Danny Santana is out 6 weeks with a fractured finger.
• Robinson Cano (Seattle) is out 8 months with a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament.
• Chris Reed (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 7-8 months due to shoulder inflammation.
• Adam Miller (Arizona) is out 11 months because of a stretched elbow ligament.
• Chris Owings (Los Angeles Angels) is out 4 months with shoulder inflammation.
• Cincinnati signed LF Alex Gordon to a 2 year, $6.08 million deal.
• RHP SP Aaron Slegers suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament that will keep him out for 11 months.
• Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 5 months with a torn labrum.
• Miguel Gonzalez (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 8 months due to a torn rotator cuff.
• LHP CL Tim Collins signed a 1 year, $5.4 million deal with Boston.
• David Dahl (Colorado) is out 4 weeks with a torn ligament in his thumb.
• Toronto signed RF Jay Bruce to a 1 year, $14.5 million deal.
• Matt Joyce (Pittsburgh) is out 3 weeks because of a torn ligament in his thumb.
• Jose Alvarez (Los Angeles Angels) is out 4 months due to a torn labrum.
• Daniel Hudson (New York Yankees) is out 5 months because of a bone spur in his elbow.
• Mike Papi (St. Louis) fractured his foot running the bases and is out 5 weeks.
• Detroit signed RHP CL Darren O’Day to a 1 year, $1.96 million deal.

[faithful2thecall]

The Goals for GM Terry Ryan this season are:

• Play close to .500 ball.
• End with $18 million.
• Build a top 6 farm (target 2020).
• Bring more drafted players to your team (target 2020).
• Build up the team to reach the playoffs (target 2020).


It is also worth noting that both Terry Ryan and I are both in contract years.


We’re predicted to go 90-72 and be the 1st AL Wild Card this season.



April 8, 2018

• The season gets underway with Pittsburgh travelling to Milwaukee for the season opener. The Brewers won 4-2.

Off Day


April 9, 2018

• We’re 17th in the way too early power rankings.

Kansas City 4 at Minnesota 5 (11 innings)

WP: Ryan Buchter (1-0), LP: Christian Binford (0-1)
HR: KC-Eric Jagielo (1), MN-Joe Mauer (1)

The early schedule is actually fairly kind to us this season, so we need to capitalize early and build some momentum. We only see Cleveland once and miss Detroit in April. My bullpen and my depth are my biggest concerns entering the season.

The Royals opened the scoring in the 2nd on a double play after Jose Berrios walked the 1st 2 batters of the inning. Jagielo added a 3-run homer in the 3rd to blow the game open. Byron Buxton got us on the board in the 5th with a 1-out RBI triple, and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Joe Mauer to cut the deficit in half. Eddie Rosario lined a 1-out RBI triple to center in the 6th inning to pull us within a run. Mauer came through in the 9th with a 2-out RBI double that scored Jorge Polanco from 1st base. Mauer then completed the comeback when a 1-1 fastball got too much of the plate with 2-outs in the 11th, and he hit it 359 feet inside the right field foul pole to send the fans home happy. Welcome back Joe! My bullpen came through with 6 shutout innings, the last 4 of those were hitless.


April 10, 2018

Off Day


April 11, 2018

Kansas City 1 at Minnesota 8

WP: Phil Hughes (1-0), LP: Miguel Almonte (0-1)
HR: KC-Eric Jagielo (2), MN-Kennys Vargas (1), Aaron Hicks (1)

Vargas teed off for a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 1st after a Buxton’s 2nd triple in 2 games to leadoff the inning. After Christian Villanueva singled for his 1st hit for us, Hicks crushed a 2-1 changeup 435 feet to center to double our lead. Vargas grounded a 2-out RBI single up the middle to bring around Buxton, who had picked up his 1st steal of the season after working a walk. That also sent Almonte to the showers early. Jagielo broke up the shutout bid with a leadoff homer in the 9th, but Hughes finished out the 5-hit, 10 strike out performance.


April 12, 2018

• Terry Ryan continues to make me want to pull my hair out, as on the day before he was scheduled to start Ryan decides to DFA RHP SP Trevor May and call up RHP RP Jake Reed.

Kansas City 1 at Minnesota 2

WP: Chris Heston (1-0), LP: Jacob deGrom (0-1), SV: Michael Tonkin (1)
HR: KC-None, MN-None

Hicks hit a sacrifice fly to center in the 1st to open the scoring. The Royals didn’t have a baserunner until Raul Mondesi lined a leadoff single to left in the 4th. We doubled our lead in the bottom of the inning when backup catcher Brian Navarreto grounded a 1-out RBI single through the 5.5 hole in his MLB debut. Hicks dropped a 2-out flyball in the 8th that put the Royals on the board, and also sent Chris Heston to the showers having surrendered only 4 hits and no walks, while striking out 9. After Terry Ryan decided not to pick up the option on closer Glen Perkins I decided to tab Tonkin for the role, and he made me look smart in spring training going 7-for-7 in save opportunities without allowing a run. After hitting Jagielo with a pitch, Tonkin coaxed to groundouts to Mauer before striking out James Robbins for the final out.

• We are the only undefeated team left in MLB this season.


April 13, 2018

• Jake Peavy (Chicago Cubs) is out 4-5 months with a torn rotator cuff.

Minnesota 2 at Chicago White Sox 3

WP: Brad Boxberger (1-0), LP: Simon Castro (0-1), SV: David Robertson (2)
HR: MN-Oswaldo Arcia (1), CWS-None

Jose Altuve opened the scoring by grounding a 2-out RBI single to left in the 2nd. Hudson Boyd had major control problems in his MLB debut, walking 6 in 5 innings before I turned to the bullpen. Arcia came off the bench and came through in a clutch moment with a 2-run, pinch-hit homer in the 7th to put us in front on our 2nd hit of the game. The lead didn’t last however, as Jonathon Berti hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Avisail Garcia followed it up by grounding a RBI single to left to put the White Sox back in front.

• Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) hit for the cycle in an 8-7 loss to Houston. Trout was 4-for-5 on the day.


April 14, 2018

• Jake Thompson (Texas) is out 3 weeks with a strained calf muscle.

Minnesota 7 at Chicago White Sox 5 (10 innings)

WP: Nick Burdi (1-0), LP: Drew Smyly (0-1), SV: Michael Tonkin (2)
HR: MN-Jorge Polanco (1), Kennys Vargas (2), CWS-Jonathon Berti 2 (2)

Chris Sale was injured (sore back, day-to-day 1 week) coaxing a ground out from Mauer for the 2nd out of the game. Berti ripped a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. Polanco pulled a 2-out, 2-run homer to right in the 5th to tie the game. Berti answered with a 2-out, 2-run homer of his own after a 24 minute rain delay in the bottom of the inning to put the White Sox back in front. Garcia added some insurance by drawing a 2-out bases loaded walk in the 8th. With us down to our last strike, Vargas got just enough of a 2-2 hanging curveball for a 3-run homer to tie the game. Chris Herrmann got us into trouble in the bottom of the inning by throwing away a ball on a steal attempt by Altuve, letting Altuve take 3rd base with nobody out. We escaped however, stranding Altuve at 3rd and sending the game to extra innings. With the White Sox bullpen exhausted, they had to send starter Smyly to the mound for the 10th. We looked to capitalize, with Travis Harrison dropping a sacrifice bunt down to put 2 runners in scoring position with 1-out. Herrmann redeemed himself by lining a 2-run single up the middle to put us in front. Tonkin slammed the door in the bottom of the inning, striking out Berti and Garcia to end the game.


April 15, 2018

• Yadier Molina signed a 1-year, $1.54 million deal with Washington.
• Mark Melancon signed a 1-year, $1.9 million deal with Seattle.

Minnesota 4 at Chicago White Sox 5

WP: Jose Quintana (1-0), LP: Jose Berrios (0-1), SV: C Rodon (1)
HR: MN-None, CWS-None

Salvador Perez opened the scoring in the 1st with a RBI ground out, and a wild pitch by Berrios allowed a 2nd run to score in the inning. Buxton grounded a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 2nd to get us on the board. After Mauer’s early season struggles continued by striking out on a pitch well off the plate, Vargas picked him up by blooping a 2-run single to right to put us in front. Herrmann committing a passed ball on a strikeout in the 4th allowed the White Sox to tie the game later in the inning on a sacrifice fly. Berrios helped dig his own hole in the 5th sandwiching 2 walks around a single all with 2 outs before his defense let him down again, with Hector Gomez committing a throwing error that scored a pair. Mauer delivered a 2-out RBI single in the 7th to pull us within 4-5, but he was still hitting under .200 on the season so far.



4-2, .667, 0 GB (tied for 1st AL Central), 0 GB (tied for 1st AL Wild Card)

For a team that normally starts slowly this was a somewhat encouraging start. Our pitching has at least had us in every game. Though our offense has the typical early season surprises, none bigger than Mauer’s .192 batting average during the opening week. The concerning part is that neither the Royals nor the White Sox are expected to contend and we had to struggle to win 3 of the 4 games we won.