Managing the Twins Back to the World Series

[faithful2thecall]

April 16, 2018

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

Minnesota 13 at St. Louis 7

WP: Phil Hughes (2-0), LP: Adam Wainwright (0-1)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (3), St.L-None

We get the early season challenge of the pitcher having to try to hit, which is always entertaining though usually fruitless. I gave a couple of struggling starters a day off to open this series. Oswaldo Arcia rewarded me for starting him with a 2-out RBI single in the 1st to open the scoring. Jonathan Villar answered with a 2-out RBI single in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Jorge Polanco lined a 2-out RBI double into the right field corner in the 4th to put us back in front. Brian Schales delivered a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to pull the Cardinals even. After Hughes uncorked a wild pitch, Adam Ehrlich grounded a RBI single to right to up the Cardinals in front. Vargas unloaded on a 0-2 sinker in the 5th for a 2-run homer that put us back in front, and sent Wainwright to the showers. Byron Buxton provided some insurance with a 1-out bases loaded infield single in the 6th. After Vargas struck out, Aaron Hicks lined a 2-run single to left to give us some breathing room. Christian Villanueva then picked up his 1st RBI’s with a 2-run double lined down the left field line to blow the game open. Neither bullpen was particularly sharp on this day as the teams traded runs in the late innings.


April 17, 2018

• Emilio Bonifacio (New York Mets) is out 4 months with torn ankle ligaments.
• Koji Uehara signed a 1-year, $3.24 million deal with Detroit.

Minnesota 5 at St. Louis 3

WP: Chris Heston (2-0), LP: Norge Ruiz (1-1), SV: Michael Tonkin (3)
HR: MN-None, St.L-None

Villanueva opened the scoring by lacing a 2-out RBI double into the right field corner in the 1st. Villar lined a 1-out RBI single to right in the 2nd to tie the game. Chris Herrmann blooped a 1-out RBI single to center in the 4th after a fielding error by Anthony Gose to put us back in front. After Chris Heston flew out, Buxton delivered a 2-out, 2-run double that he hooked into the left field corner to provide some cushion. The Cardinals chipped away and were within 5-3 as we started the 9th. After a pinch-hit double by Vargas, they intentionally walked Buxton with nobody out to load the bases for Joe Mauer. We failed to capitalize as Iden Nazario struck out Mauer, Hicks, and Villanueva in order to escape the jam. Tonkin soothed any uneasy feelings however, as he retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to secure the win.


April 18, 2018

Minnesota 11 at St. Louis 2

WP:Bryan Mitchell (1-0), LP: Marco Gonzalez (0-1)
HR: MN-Chris Herrmann (1), St. L-Eric Hosmer (2)

Mauer sliced an opposite field RBI double with 1-out in the 1st to open the scoring, and he came around to score as Hicks followed it up by grounding a RBI single past Brian Schales at 3rd. Mitchell got off to an encouraging start in his Twins debut, retiring the Cardinals in the bottom of the inning on 4 pitches. Herrmann pulled a leadoff homer 387 feet into the right field seats in the 2nd to extend our lead. Hosmer answered by hammering a 1-0 fastball 414 feet to right-center leading off the bottom of the inning to get the Cardinals on the board. Villanueva got the run back by grounding a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 3rd to make it 4-1. Mitchell even helped his own cause by singling in the 4th and coming around to score on a 2-out double by Polanco. We then blew the game open in the 6th, sending 10 men to the plate and scoring 4 runs. Not that Mitchell needed the help, scattering 5 hits and walking only 1 as he went the distance.


April 19, 2018

• Understandably, SS Danny Santana was sent on an injury rehab assignment.
• GM Terry Ryan’s other move was more mind blowing. Sending RHP SP Bryan Mitchell to AAA and calling up RHP SP Trevor May.

Off Day


April 20, 2018

Cleveland 5 at Minnesota 1 (10 innings)

WP: Will Smith (1-0), LP: Lester Oliveros (0-1), SV: Cody Allen (1)
HR: Cle-None, MN-Kennys Vargas (4)

This series will be a good measuring stick as to how good we actually are up against the 3-time reigning AL Central champions. Both Kyle Crockett and Lewis Thorpe were dominant in the early innings. Vargas finally got just enough of a 3-2 fastball with 1-out in the 4th to hit it 390 feet to left-center for a solo homer to open the scoring. Ben Zobrist lined a 1-out RBI single to center in the 8th to tie the game. The Indians took the lead in the 10th on a 1-out bases loaded wild pitch. Lindor added a 2-out, 2-run ground-rule double to put the game away.

• Henry Owens (Boston) threw a no-hitter against Baltimore, striking out 12 and walking 1 in 10 innings in a 1-0 win. Alex Monslave, the 9th place hitter in the Orioles lineup walked on 4 pitches with 2-out in the 3rd for their only baserunner. Jackie Bradley Jr. delivered a 2-out RBI single in the 10th to walk-off for the Red Sox.


April 21, 2018

• Michael Brantley (Cleveland) suffered a setback in his recovery from shoulder soreness that will keep him out an additional week.
• Colorado trades RF Kyle Parker and 1B Shane Potter to the New York Yankees in exchange for 1B Greg Bird.

Cleveland 1 at Minnesota 3

WP: Nick Burdi (2-0), LP: J Mejia (0-1), SV: Michael Tonkin (4)
HR: Cle-None, MN-Joe Mauer (2)

Carlos Santana lined a 2-out RBI single to right in the 3rd to open the scoring. We answered in the 4th on a throwing error by Marcell Ozuna as he tried to throw out Vargas trying to go from 1st to 3rd on a Hicks single. Pitching again was the dominant story of this game, as Cody Anderson and Jose Berrios had quality outings. Mauer took advantage of a 3-1 count with Buxton on 1st in the 8th and hammered a sinker up in the zone 368 feet into the left-centerfield seats to give us the lead.


April 22, 2018

• Branden Kline (Baltimore) is out 7-8 months with shoulder inflammation.

Cleveland 0 at Minnesota 0 (9th inning—game suspended due to rain)

WP: TBD, LP: TBD
HR: Cle-None, MN-None

Starting pitching was again the story in the series finale as Hector Noemi and Hughes traded zeroes on the scoreboard, with neither offense mounting a serious threat. The game was suspended in the top of the 9th inning after a Polanco fielding error put Santana on base to leadoff in a 0-0 game.

• The game will be resumed on June 28th, which is the next time the Indians come to Target Field.
• Adam Wainwright (St. Louis) threw a 6-hitter against Cincinnati.


April 23, 2018

• In another move that makes me want to pull my hair out, Terry Ryan calls SS Danny Santana back from his rehab assignment and sends LF Eddie Rosario to AAA. Rosario has been struggling at the plate, but so has the entire left side of my infield. The move leaves me with only Oswaldo Arcia as a natural left fielder, and he can’t hit LHP, which will force me to use Aaron Hicks in left when I face southpaws.
• We’re 3rd in the latest power rankings.

Baltimore 3 at Minnesota 10

WP: Chris Heston (3-0), LP: Chase Anderson (1-1)
HR: Bal-None, MN-None

We jumped out to an early lead on a RBI double by Mauer after Buxton swiped 2nd for his 7th steal of the season in the 1st. Anderson then balked home a 2nd run later in the inning. Buxton picked up his own RBI with a 2-out RBI single in the 2nd. We hit the Orioles pitching staff like it was batting practice. Nolan Fontana chopped a RBI single to right in the 8th to break up the shutout.


April 24, 2018

• Brandon Morrow (Houston) is out 3-4 months with a ruptured finger tendon.

Baltimore 4 at Minnesota 1

WP: Yordano Ventura (1-1), LP: Trevor May (0-1), SV: A Liberatore (3)
HR: Bal-Jonathan Schoop (4), Cam Gibson (1), MN-Joe Mauer (3)

Manny Machado grounded a 1-out RBI single to left in the 1st to open the scoring. Schoop followed with a 2-run homer. Gibson added a 1-out solo homer in the 2nd. Mauer got us on the board with a leadoff homer in the 4th. We weren’t able to get much going offensively all game, and May surrendered too much damage in the 1st 2 innings for us to overcome.

• Joc Pederson (Los Angeles Dodgers) was injured making a defensive play in their game today and will miss 2 weeks with shoulder soreness.
• Marco Gonzales (St. Louis) threw a 5-hitter against Milwaukee.


April 25, 2018

• Koji Uehara (Detroit) is out 4 months with a partially torn labrum.

Baltimore 8 at Minnesota 10

WP: Hudson Boyd (1-0), LP: Anibal Sanchez (1-3), SV: Michael Tonkin (5)
HR: Bal-Alex Monsalve (1), Dominic Brown (1), MN-Christian Villanueva (1)

Lewis Thorpe got off to a strong start in this game, setting down the 1st 5 Orioles hitters on 5 pitches. Polanco opened the scoring with a RBI ground out in the 2nd, and before the inning was over we’d scored 4 runs and sent 10 men to the plate. Thorpe eased any concerns about the long rest by striking out the side in the 3rd. Schoop became the 1st Baltimore runner with a 1-out walk in the 5th. 2 batters later, Darin Ruf blooped a RBI single to center for the Orioles’ 1st hit. After Gibson struck out, Monsalve tied the game with a 3-run homer for his 1st MLB homer. We responded with back-to-back 1-out doubles by Villanueva and Hicks to retake the lead. Hicks scored easily on a RBI triple by Arcia. Brown erased my new lead with a 2-out, 3-run homer in the 6th to tie the game and send Thorpe to the showers. Buxton answered in the bottom of the inning by chopping a RBI single through the 5.5 hole to put us back in front. Later in the inning, Villanueva hit a 2-out, 2-run homer to make it 10-7. Brown picked up an RBI triple with 2 outs in the 8th. Tonkin secured the win by setting down the side in order in the 9th, striking out the 1st 2 hitters he faced before coaxing a ground out to end it.


April 26, 2018

Baltimore 1 at Minnesota 4

WP: Jose Berrios (1-1), LP: Mike Leake (0-3)
HR: Bal-None, MN-Danny Santana (1)

Baltimore ran themselves out of a 1st inning rally when Hicks (playing centerfield to give Buxton his 1st day off of the season) threw out Fontana at home to end the inning. Arcia ripped a 2-out, 2-run double in the bottom of the inning to open the scoring. Santana pulled a 2-out solo homer to right in the 2nd to extend the lead. Villanueva made it 4-0 with a 1-out RBI single grounded into right in the 5th. Berrios didn’t get into serious trouble until the 7th when a walk and hit batter helped load the bases with 1 out, but Ruf struck out and Tomas Telis grounded out to get Berrios out of the jam. An errant throw by Villanueva on what would have been the final out allowed Telis to ground a single up the middle to break up the shutout.


April 27, 2018

• Henry Owens (Boston) is out 9 months with a torn labrum. That is a major loss for the Red Sox, as Owens was 3-0 with a 0.73 ERA after leading the AL with 18 wins last season.
• Detroit trades SS Jose Iglesias to St. Louis for LF Danny Ortiz.

Chicago White Sox 1 at Minnesota 3

WP: Phil Hughes (3-0), LP: Carlos Rodon (0-2), SV: Michael Tonkin (6)
HR: CWS-None, MN-None

We welcomed the last place White Sox to town eager to rectify our only series loss so far this season. The White Sox sent Rodon to the mound, who started the season in the bullpen, and we promptly loaded the bases with 1-out for Travis Harrison. Harrison grounded into a RBI fielder’s choice where they got the out at second. The White Sox responded by putting runners on the corners with 1 out in the 2nd, but Jon Garcia showed off his arm on a fly’em out-throw’em out double play nailing Jose Abreu at the plate to end the inning. A pair of throwing errors in the 3rd allowed the White Sox to tie the game. Hicks picked up a RBI groundout in the bottom of the inning to put us back in front. Santana added a 2-out RBI double in the 6th to extend the lead. Hughes continued his hot start giving up 1 unearned runs on 3 hits in 8 innings. Tonkin pitched another perfect 9th to secure the win.

• Jose Fernandez (Miami) threw a 5-hitter against Philadelphia.


April 28, 2018

Chicago White Sox 10 at Minnesota 2

WP: Chris Sale (1-1), LP: Chris Heston (3-1)
HR: CWS-Salvador Perez (1), MN-Kennys Vargas (4)

Courtney Hawkins chopped a 2-out RBI single to right in the 2nd to open the scoring. Perez added a 2-run homer in the 3rd to extend their lead. We got on the board in the bottom of the inning as Mauer grounded into a double play. Vargas followed by ripping a solo homer 404 feet to left-centerfield to cut the deficit to 2-3. Lester Oliveros had some control issues out of the bullpen, walking in a run and before the inning was over the White Sox had scored 7 times to blow the game open.


April 29, 2018

Chicago White Sox 3 at Minnesota 1

WP: Mat Latos (1-2), LP: Trevor May (0-2), SV: David Robertson (4)
HR: CWS-Jose Altuve (1), MN-None

Altuve led off the game by launching a 1-0 hanging curveball 422 feet to right-center. Altuve grounded a 2-out RBI single in the 2nd to double the lead. Perez added a RBI single with 2 outs in the 7th for insurance. A 2-out RBI double by Polanco in the 9th broke up the shutout.


April 30, 2018

• We’re 5th in the latest power rankings.

Minnesota 9 at Kansas City 4

WP: Lewis Thorpe (1-0), LP: Severino Gonzalez (1-1)
HR: MN-None, KC-None

Polanco picked up a RBI groundout in the 2nd to open the scoring. In part thanks to a fielding error by reigning AL Rookie of the Year Eric Jagielo, we loaded the bases with nobody out in the 4th for Arcia. Arcia struck out, but Polanco hit a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center to double our lead. Before the inning was over we’d tacked on 3 more runs to make it 5-0. Then came a 58 minute rain delay in the bottom of the inning. Yusnier Diaz lined a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 6th to get the Royals on the board. Jagielo followed with a 2-run double to make it a ball game again, especially after he came in to score on a RBI single by John Jaso. We got a run back on a sacrifice fly by Mauer following a Buxton triple in the 7th. Villanueva came up big by grounding a 2-out, 2-run single into left in the 9th to provide additional insurance.


AL Batter of the Month: Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) .413 BA, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 22 R
NL Batter of the Month: Jake Lamb (Arizona) .318 BA, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 13 R
AL Pitcher of the Month: Henry Owens (Boston) 4 GS, 3-0, 24.2 IP, 32 K, 0.73 ERA
NL Pitcher of the Month: Jose Fernandez (Miami) 4 GS, 4-0, 0.87 ERA, 31 IP, 31 K
AL Rookie of the Month: Ronald Guzman (Texas) .350 BA, 4 HR, 8 RBI
NL Rookie of the Month: Josh E. Bell (Pittsburgh) .292 BA, 6 2B, 2 HR, 9 R, 10 RBI


13-6, .684, 2.5 GA (1st AL Central, best record in the AL), 3 GA of the 2nd AL Wild Card

This is a welcome change from my usual slow start, though it’s somewhat owed to the apparent blackmail material I had on the schedule maker. The offense has cooled off somewhat from its torrid start, but the starting rotation is still pitching out of their minds (2.99 ERA at the end of the month). My bullpen has both good and bad things going for it. Closer Michael Tonkin has been a particular highlight (6 G, 6 SV, 6 IP, 7 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP). There was also a case to be made for Phil Hughes for AL Pitcher of the Month (4 GS, 3-0, 1.20 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 30 IP, 22 K), but it’s hard to argue with a guy who pitched a 10-inning no-hitter before going down for the season with an injury. The schedule definitely picks up in May with 7 games with Detroit, 3 games in Cleveland, and 3 games at the Los Angeles Angels.

[faithful2thecall]

May 1, 2018

• In a move that’s understandable, but creates its own frustrations RF Jon Garcia was demoted to AAA, LF Andy Dirks was called up to take his place. That means Aaron Hicks is going to have to be my everyday RF, leaving Arcia and Dirks (both who hit lefty) to share LF.
• Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado) is out 4 months with a ruptured finger tendon.

Minnesota at Kansas City—Rained Out

• Kyle Hendricks (Chicago Cubs) threw a 4-hitter against Cincinnati.
• Sonny Gray (Oakland) threw a 4-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels.


May 2, 2018

Game #1: Minnesota 3 at Kansas City 5

WP: Danny Duffy (3-2), LP: Jake Reed (0-1), SV: Joe Thatcher (5)
HR: MN-Christian Villanueva (2), Aaron Hicks (2), KC-None

The starters controlled the game early with neither team getting much going. Villanueva turned around a 97 MPH fastball and hit it 403 feet to center for a 1-out solo homer in the 4th to open the scoring. Raul Mondesi delivered a 1-out RBI double in the 5th to tie the game. After stealing 3rd, Mondesi scored on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, Steven Moya hit a sacrifice fly. Hicks got some help from the wind to hit a 2-run homer in the 7th to tie the game 3-3. Stephen Vogt lined a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the inning to put the Royals back in front. Micah Gibbs followed it up with a RBI groundout.


Game #2: Minnesota at Kansas City—Rained Out

• Game rescheduled for July 12, 2018, the start of the last series before the All-Star break.


May 3, 2018

Minnesota 0 at Detroit 7

WP: Nick Tropeano (3-1), LP: Phil Hughes (3-1)
HR: MN-None, Det-Nick Franklin (3), Nick Castellanos (2)

Pitching dominated the early innings. Castellanos lined a 2-out single to center in the 4th for Detroit’s 1st hit, and he came around to score after another single and a wild pitch. Franklin doubled the lead with a 1-out solo homer in the 6th. Things fell apart for Phil Hughes and the bullpen after that. We only managed 4 hits off of Detroit pitching.


May 4, 2018

Minnesota 0 at Detroit 3

WP: Kyle Ryan (2-1), LP: Chris Heston (3-2)
HR: MN-None, Det-Nick Castellanos (3)

Tyler Collins hammered a 1-out RBI ground-rule double in the 2nd to open the scoring. Chris Heston escaped further damage in the 4th by stranding Aaron Westlake at 3rd after a leadoff triple. Pitching was the story of the game, as both starters were in control. Castellanos put the game out of reach with a 2-run homer in the 6th. Rain became a factor, as the umpires called the game 1 pitch into the bottom of the 7th.


May 5, 2018

Minnesota 5 at Detroit 4

WP: Trevor May (1-2), LP: Danny Farquhar (1-2), SV: Michael Tonkin (7)
HR: MN-None, Det-Miguel Cabrera (6)

We finally scored our 1st run of the series in the 1st when Byron Buxton walked on 4 pitches to start the game, stole 2nd base, and proceeded to score on a RBI single by Hicks. Andy Dirks added a RBI ground out and Danny Santana blooped a 2-out RBI single, though he was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double to end the inning. Cabrera crushed a 0-1 fastball left up in the zone 491 feet for a 1-out, 3-run homer in the 3rd to get the Tigers on the board. J.D. Martinez added a 2-out RBI double later in the inning to tie the game. Villanueva bounced a 2-out RBI single through the 5.5 hole in the 7th to put us back in front. Tonkin pitched yet another perfect 9th to secure the win.

• Brett Lawrie (Oakland) extended his hitting streak to 20 games with a 1st inning grand slam against the Los Angeles Dogers.


May 6, 2018

Minnesota 4 at Detroit 1

WP: Lewis Thorpe (2-0), LP: Justin Verlander (3-3), SV: Michael Tonkin (8)
HR: MN-None, Det-None

Villanueva laced a 2-out RBI double into the right field corner in the 3rd to open the scoring. The lead didn’t last long however as Collins led off the bottom of the inning with a triple and trotted home on a RBI ground out by Chris B. Young. Buxton responded lining a 2-out RBI single to right-center in the 4th to put us back in front. Pitching was really in control throughout the game. Buxton added insurance in the 9th with a 1-out, 2-run double. Tonkin slammed the door in the bottom of the 9th to secure the series split.

• Adalberto Mejia (San Francisco) threw a 5-hitter against San Diego.
• Chase Utley (Cincinnati) picked up his 2,000th career hit on a 3-run homer off of David Price in a 1-for-4 effort in an 8-7 win over Milwaukee.


May 7, 2018

• Xander Bogaerts (Boston) is out 4 months with a torn back muscle.
• We’re 5th in the latest power rankings.

Off Day


May 8, 2018

Minnesota 2 at Cleveland 6

WP: Danny Salazar (3-3), LP: Jose Berrios (1-2)
HR: MN-None, Cle-Francisco Lindor (5), Yan Gomes (4), Marcell Ozuna (2)

Lindor led off the bottom of the 1st with a homer to open the scoring. Mauer hit a sacrifice fly in the 4th to tie the game. We were having trouble putting the ball in play against Danny Salazar however, as he racked up 8 strikeouts in the 1st 4 innings. Gomes responded with a 2-out, 2-run homer to put the Indians back in front. Salazar was injured (sprained ankle, day-to-day 1 week) coaxing a pop up to end the 5th. Pinch-hitter Travis Harrison picked up a RBI ground out in the 7th to pull us back within 1. Ozuna put the game out of reach with a 3-run homer in the 8th.

• Brett Lawrie’s (Oakland) hitting streak was ended by Houston in an 8-2 loss on a 0-for-3 day.


May 9, 2018

Minnesota 1 at Cleveland 4

WP: Ben Rowen (1-0), LP: Jake Reed (0-2), SV: Cody Allen (5)
HR: MN-None, Cle-Francisco Lindor (6)

Michael Brantley lined a 2-out RBI double in the 3rd to open the scoring. Vargas picked up an infield single for our 1st hit with 1 out in the 4th. That was followed up with a wild pitch that allowed Buxton to hustle home from 3rd (after a leadoff walk) to tie the game. Pitching dominated the game as neither offense could get much going. Lindor greeted reliever Reed in the 8th with a leadoff homer to put the Indians in the lead. Ozuna added a sacrifice fly later in the inning for insurance. It’s hard to win when you only get 2 hits.

• Zack Greinke (Los Angeles Dodgers) threw a 4-hitter against Colorado.


May 10, 2018

Minnesota 3 at Cleveland 1

WP: Simon Castro (1-1), LP: Will Smith (1-2), SV: Michael Tonkin (9)
HR: MN-None, Cle-None

We manufactured an unearned run thanks to a Brantley fielding error picking up a Texas leaguer by Travis Harrison in the 3rd, who came in to score on a RBI ground out by Jorge Polanco. Ronny Rodriguez lined a 1-out RBI single in the 5th to tie the game after Harrison committed a throwing error. Pitching dominated the game, especially the Indians pitching as we struggled to put the ball in play for most of the game (10 strikeouts in the 1st 6 innings). We squandered bases loaded chances with 2 outs in both the 7th and 8th as Buxton and Mauer failed to come through. The struggling Vargas picked up a 2-out RBI single in the 9th to put us in front. Pinch-hitter Arcia grounded a RBI single up the middle 2 batters later to provide some insurance and gave Tonkin some more time to loosen up. Tonkin then proceeded to pitch a perfect bottom of the inning to avoid the sweep.


May 11, 2018

Detroit 1 at Minnesota 2

WP: Nick Burdi (3-0), LP: Justin Verlander (3-4), SV: Michael Tonkin (10)
HR: Det-None, MN-None

Pitching was in control early as neither team had a hit until a 1-out single by James McCann in the 3rd. Trevor May got into a jam in the 6th with a pair of walks and a Danny Santana fielding error loading the bases with nobody out. Aaron Westlake then hit a flyball deep enough to center to open the scoring. We got it back when Verlander unloaded a sinker to the backstop in the bottom of the inning with Santana on 3rd. Santana then drove home Mauer when he grounded a RBI single into right field with 1-out in the 8th. Tonkin slammed the door in the 9th after J.D. Martinez worked a leadoff walk.

• Ryan Braun (Milwaukee) hit his 300th homer in a 9-5 victory over Cincinnati.


May 12, 2018

• Micah Johnson (Washington) is out 4-5 weeks with a torn meniscus.

Detroit 2 at Minnesota 1

WP: Joe Mantiply (2-3), LP: Lewis Thorpe (2-1), SV: Bruce Rondon (4)
HR: Det-Carlos Ruiz (1), MN-Oswaldo Arcia (2)

Things got tense early as Hicks was injured (bruised toe, day-to-day 1 day) getting hit by a 0-2 fastball in the 1st inning. Thorpe responded by coming out for the 2nd and striking out the side. Ruiz opened the scoring with a 2-run homer in the 3rd. Chris B. Young was injured running down a Vargas fly ball on the warning track to end the 5th. Arcia finally put us on the board with a leadoff homer in the 8th to cut the deficit in half.


May 13, 2018

• Marco Gonzales (St. Louis) is out 4 weeks with a sprained ankle.

Detroit 4 at Minnesota 3

WP: Alex Torres (3-3), LP: Jose Berrios (1-3), SV: Bruce Rondon (5)
HR: Det-Kris Negron (3), Miguel Cabrera (8), MN-Joe Mauer (4), Andy Dirks (1)

Negron led off the game with a homer on a 1-1 fastball. Mauer led off the 2nd by pulling a 1-1 changeup for a homer to tie the game. Cabrera uncorked a 2-out, 3-run homer in the 5th to put the Tigers back in front. Dirks led off the 7th by greeting reliever Jose Valdez by pulling a 94 MPH fastball 359 feet to right for a homer. Mauer lined a 2-out RBI single to center in the 8th to cut the deficit to 1.

• Kolten Wong (New York Yankees) strained his hamstring while running the bases during today’s game and will be out 3 weeks.


May 14, 2018

• Joe Kelly (Pittsburgh) is out 7 months with radial nerve compression.
• We’re 11th in the latest power rankings.
• San Francisco trades C Hector Sanchez to Toronto for RHP SP Reggie Lawson (2016 3rd round pick).

Off Day


May 15, 2018

• R.A. Dickey (Milwaukee) is out 7 months with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament.
• Brandon Belt (Philadelphia) is out 6 weeks with a fractured thumb.
• Taijuan Walker (Seattle) is out 3 months due to forearm strain.
• Milwaukee deals 1B John Mayberry Jr. to Baltimore in exchange for RHP SP Kevin Gausman and $1.14 million.
• Oakland trades RHP SP Arnold Leon and $507,500 to Seattle for RHP SP Dakota Donovan (2017 3rd round pick).

Kansas City 5 at Minnesota 3

WP: Jacob deGrom (3-1), LP: Phil Hughes (3-2), SV: Joe Thatcher (9)
HR: KC-Eric Jagielo (8), MN-Kennys Vargas (6)

With both deGrom and Hughes having sub 2.00 ERAs entering this game it had the potential to be a classic pitching duel. Steven Moya lined a 2-out RBI single to left in the 1st to open the scoring. Vargas responded in the bottom of the inning by unloading on a 2-1 sinker hammering it 411 feet to right for a 1-out, 2-run homer to put us in front. Hicks grounded a 2-out RBI single between 1st and 2nd in the 2nd to extend our lead. Jagielo responded with a 2-out solo homer in the 3rd to bring the Royals back within 1. Angelo Gumbs hit a RBI double in the 5th to tie the game. 2 batters later, Ryan O’Hearn lined a RBI double into the right field corner to put the Royals in front. Moya added a 2-out RBI single up the middle. The pitchers finally took over after that as neither team had a serious threat the rest of the way.


May 16, 2018

• Tom J. Murphy (Colorado) is out 6-7 months with a ruptured achilles tendon.

Kansas City 0 at Minnesota 3

WP: Chris Heston (4-2), LP: Brandon Finnegan (0-3)
HR: KC-None, MN-None

Our division lead was on the line in this game, which we’ve held since opening day. Finnegan had control issues in the 1st, walking Mauer and Villanueva, and we made him pay as Hicks and Dirks lined 2-out RBI singles to open the scoring. Finnegan settled down after the 1st, but Heston was styming everyone other than Jagielo. The Royals threatened in the 6th when Gumbs and Raul Mondesi led off the inning with singles, but Heston coaxed an inning-ending double play from Jagielo to escape the jam. Herrmann added a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 8th for some insurance. With Tonkin loose in the bullpen as an insurance policy I let Heston try to close it out, and despite an infield single by Jagielo and a wild pitch, Heston completed the 6-hitter as we held on to 1st place. Heston struck out 4 without walking a hitter on 102 pitches in the shutout.


May 17, 2018

Kansas City 9 at Minnesota 5

WP: Severino Gonzalez (2-3), LP: Simon Castro (1-2)
HR: KC-Stephen Vogt (4), MN-None

We got a threat going in the 2nd on singles by Hicks and Arcia to open the inning before Santana reached on an error by Gumbs to load the bases. Herrmann then grounded a RBI single up the middle to open the scoring. An RBI single by Buxton and a wild pitch provided additional runs before Gonzalez got out of the inning. Mondesi responded with a RBI triple in the 3rd to get the Royals on the board. Jagielo continued to pester us with a RBI single to cut our lead to 3-2. Micah Gibbs then hit a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game. Villanueva and Hicks hammered back-to-back 1-out doubles in the 5th to put us back in front. I wasn’t thrilled with what I was seeing from May, so I yanked him after 5 innings. Mondesi made me pay as he hammered a 2-out, 3-run double to put the Royals in front. No matter who I called on from the bullpen didn’t seem to matter on this day, as they got hammered.


18-15, .545, 0.5 GA (1st AL Central), 0.5 GA of the 2nd AL Wild Card

We’ve been floundering our way through May so far with a 5-9 record. That was all against divisional foes, and we don’t see another game in our division this month. Right now our biggest problems are the bullpen and the lack of a #3 hitter in the order. I have Kennys Vargas hitting there right now, but he’s hitting .223 this season. On my current roster, Aaron Hicks might be my best candidate but he struggled when I put him there for a couple of games so I had to move him back down the order. The entire offense has struggled this month (as a team we’re hitting .201 this month), which certainly hasn’t helped matters.

[faithful2thecall]

May 18, 2018

• Atlanta trades C Christian Bethancourt to Washington for SS Austin Davidson and RHP SP Parker Bean (2017 2nd Round pick).

Minnesota 5 at Pittsburgh 3

WP: Nick Burdi (4-0), LP: Justin De Fratus (0-2), SV: Michael Tonkin (11)
HR: MN-Danny Santana (2), Chris Herrmann (2), Kennys Vargas (7), Pit-Matt Joyce (1)

We return to interleague play after a mid-April sweep in St. Louis when we were playing well. Pitching controlled the early innings as neither team could get much going at the plate. The Achilles’ heel for Lewis Thorpe continued to be his wildness, as he walked 5 hitters while surrendering only 1 hit in 6 innings. Santana finally broke the ice in the 7th with a 2-run homer to open the scoring. 2 batters later, Herrmann golfed an 0-1 sinker 366 feet into the right field seats for a solo homer to extend our lead. A Hector Gomez throwing error in the bottom of the inning put Pittsburgh on the board. Pinch-hitter Howie Kendrick grounded into a RBI fielder’s choice later in the inning to cut my lead to 1. Joyce led off the 8th with a homer to tie the game. With Gomez on 2nd with 1 out in the 9th I called on Vargas to pinch-hit and he rewarded me by pulling a 2-2 slider 350 feet into the right field seats to put us back in front. Reese McGuire blooped a 1-out single to left off of Tonkin in the 9th for the 1st hit he’d given up all season.

• Madison Bumgarner (Houston) threw a 3-hitter against Toronto.


May 19, 2018

• Felix Hernandez (Seattle) is out 4 weeks with a fractured shoulder blade.
• Milwaukee trades 1B Ji-man Choi to the New York Yankees for LHP RP Jacob Lindgren and LF Carl Chester (2017 8th Overall pick by Kansas City).
• Colorado deals RHP RP Dominic Leone and $930,000 to Toronto for RF Anthony Alford and RHP RP Tyler Keysor.

Minnesota 5 at Pittsburgh 1

WP: Jose Berrios (2-3), LP: Jameson Taillon (1-3)
HR: MN-None, Pit-None

Neither team could mount much of a threat in the early innings. Taillon worked himself into a jam in the 4th with an errant pickoff throw then back-to-back walks to Oswaldo Arcia and Santana to load the bases with 1 out for the struggling Jorge Polanco. Polanco hit a ball to the warning track in left field that allowed Aaron Hicks to trot home from 3rd base to open the scoring. We loaded the bases with nobody out in the 7th for Byron Buxton, who singled up the middle to bring home a run. Joe Mauer followed with another RBI single up the middle. With 2 outs in the inning, Arcia grounded a 2-run single up the middle to blow the game open. Cole Tucker grounded a RBI single into right in the 8th to get the Pirates on the board.


May 20, 2018

Minnesota 5 at Pittsburgh 1

WP: Phil Hughes (4-2), LP: Nick Greenwood (0-1)
HR: MN-Jorge Polanco (2), Joe Mauer (5), Pit-None

Pitching largely controlled the game into the late innings as neither team could mount a serious threat. The struggling Travis Harrison came up clutch, grounding a 2-out RBI single into right field in the 8th for the game’s 1st run. Polanco followed him to the plate and got some help from the wind, which carried a fly ball 410 feet to center for a 3-run homer that blew the game open. Mauer added a 1-out solo, opposite field homer in the 9th for an exclamation mark on the sweep. Andrew McCutchen, who entered the series an early contender for the NL Triple Crown but had been held silent all series (0-for-11 up to this point), lined a 1-out RBI single in the 9th to get the Pirates on the board.


May 21, 2018

• We’re 7th in the latest power rankings.

Cincinnati at Minnesota—Rained Out


May 22, 2018

Game #1: Cincinnati 3 at Minnesota 9

WP: Chris Heston (5-2), LP: Cody Martin (1-5), SV: Simon Castro (1)
HR: Cin-None, MN-None

Hicks opened the scoring by blooping a 1-out RBI single to right in the 1st. Villanueva added a RBI single 2 batters later to double our lead. Buxton laced a RBI double down the right field line in the 2nd to add to our lead. After Mauer walked, Hicks lined a 2-run double down the right field line to blow the game open early. By the time the Reds got out of the inning we’d batted around, scoring 5 more to make it 7-0. Cincinnati didn’t get their 1st hit off Heston until Jesse Winker led off the 5th by lining a double to right-centerfield. Matt Davidson followed it up by grounding a RBI single up the middle to get the Reds on the board. Barrett Kleinknecht was injured (fractured knee, 6 months) running out a double in the 8th inning. The Reds didn’t help themselves by committing 4 errors in the game. Castro came in for the floundering Heston and pitched the final 3 innings to get credit for the save.


Game #2: Cincinnati 5 at Minnesota 7

WP: Trevor May (2-2), LP: David Holmberg (3-5), SV: Michael Tonkin (12)
HR: Cin-Jesse Winker (5), MN-Andy Dirks (2)

Personal history didn’t bode well for this game, as I haven’t swept a double header as manager. Things looked a little brighter in the 1st when Brian Navaretto threw out Billy Hamilton trying to steal 2nd after drawing a leadoff walk off of Trevor May. Buxton’s speed got us on the board in the bottom of the inning, as he stole 2nd and 3rd to put himself in position to score on a RBI single by Vargas. We squandered a chance to expand our lead in the 2nd after loading the bases with 1 out for Mauer, who struck out, and Hicks, who fouled out to end the threat. Dirks made the most of his chance to start, pounding a 3-run homer in the 3rd after Vargas and Villanueva walked to leadoff the inning. Chase Utley lined a 1-out single up the middle in the 4th for the Reds 1st hit. Winker led off the 7th with a homer to break up the shutout. May couldn’t survive the inning as the Reds pounded seemingly everything he threw, and I finally lifted him for Ryan Buchter after he gave up 4 runs to cut our lead to 6-4. Utley lined a RBI double into the right field corner off of Buchter to score Hamilton to cut our lead to 1. Buxton got the run back by ripping a 2-out double over Hamilton’s head in the 8th. Tonkin slammed the door in the 9th, despite Hector Gomez dropping a routine pop up with 2 outs, to secure the sweep of the double header.


May 23, 2018

• Washington owner Ted Lerner passed away after a brief illness. His son Shawn Lerner will take over the team.
• Baltimore dealt LHP RP T. J. McFarland to the Chicago White Sox for C Miguel J. Guzman.

Cincinnati 2 at Minnesota 1

WP: Matt Wisler (2-3), LP: Lewis Thorpe (2-2), SV: Jim Johnson (11)
HR: Cin-Aristides Aquino (5), MN-Oswaldo Arcia (3)

I gave Mauer a rare day off at home for the series finale. Edward Salcedo opened the scoring by lining a 2-out RBI single over Polanco’s head in the 3rd. Arcia gave our struggling offense a jolt by leading off the 5th with a 409 foot blast to right on a 1-1 fastball. Aquino responded with a leadoff shot of his own in the 6th to put the Reds back in front. We got runners to 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs in the 9th, but Arcia struck out to end our winning streak.

• D. J. Peterson (Seattle) and Dominic Leone (Toronto) were each suspended 10 games by MLB for their roles in a benches-clearing brawl between their teams.


May 24, 2018

Texas 3 at Minnesota 9

WP: Lester Oliveros (1-1), LP: Phil Klein (0-1), SV: Nick Burdi (1)
HR: Tex-None, MN-Aaron Hicks (3)

Buxton’s speed proved to be a weapon again in the 1st, as he caused a wild throw to 2nd on a stolen base attempt after a leadoff walk that advanced him to 3rd. He then trotted home as Mauer blooped a RBI single to left to open the scoring. Texas tied the game in the 3rd on a 2-out wild pitch by Berrios. Herrmann sliced a 1-out RBI double into the left field corner in the 4th to put us back in front. The Rangers defense let them down again in the 5th when centerfielder Nick Williams threw a ball into the dugout trying to get Vargas at 3rd on a single by Villanueva, which made the lead 3-1. Williams atoned for his mistake with a sacrifice fly in the 7th to cut the lead to 3-2. Then Pat Cantwell dumped a 2-out RBI double down the right field line to tie the game. We threatened in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with 1 out for Arcia, who hit a sacrifice fly to put us back in front. Buxton provided some insurance by ripping a 1-out RBI triple down the left field line in the 8th. Hicks followed 2 batters later by letting Tonkin sit down after drilling a 3-run homer to put the game away.

• Pedro Alvarez (San Francisco) hit for the cycle in a 4-for-5 effort in his team’s 15-4 win over Washington, singling in the 9th to complete the feat.


May 25, 2018

• Toronto trades LF Adam Eaton to the Chicago White Sox for RHP SP Ian Anderson (2016 2nd round pick).

Texas 3 at Minnesota 4

WP: Simon Castro (2-2), LP: Anthony Bass (1-2)
HR: Tex-Ryan Rua (11), MN-Kennys Vargas (8), Travis Harrison (1)

Rua hit a leadoff homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. Prince Fielder added a 2-out RBI single in the 3rd to extend the Texas lead. Vargas responded by slicing a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 4th to tie the game. A throwing error by Arcia in right field in the 8th trying to throw out Nomar Mazara at 3rd on a single by Rua, allowed the Rangers to retake the lead. On a hunch, I used Harrison as a pinch-hitter with 1-out in the 9th and Villanueva on 2nd. Bass hung a 2-2 changeup, and Harrison slugged it 390 feet into the left field seats for a walk-off homer.

• Shelby Miller (Philadelphia) threw a 4-hitter against Atlanta.


May 26, 2018

Texas 10 at Minnesota 3

WP: Anthony DeSclafani (6-1), LP: Chris Heston (5-3)
HR: Tex-Todd Frazier (1), Michael Choice 2 (4), Rougned Odor (8), Jorge Alfaro (3), MN-None

Hanser Alberto picked up a RBI groundout in the 1st to open the scoring. Heston unloaded a wild pitch in the 3rd, allowing Prince Fielder to score to double the Rangers’ lead. Rua provided some additional insurance with a 1-out RBI single in the 5th. Frazier and Choice went back-to-back to blow the game open. Texas just teed off on our pitching, though fortunately most of their homers were solo shots. We finally got on the board in the 8th inning on a wild pitch.


May 27, 2018

Texas 5 at Minnesota 10

WP: Trevor May (3-2), LP: Jerad Eickhoff (1-2), SV: Jake Reed (1)
HR: Tex-None, MN-Kennys Vargas (9), Chris Herrmann (3)

Odor grounded a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 1st to open the scoring, and Nick Williams followed by drawing a bases loaded walk. Vargas responded by destroying a 1-1 sinker 448 feet into the right field seats with 2-outs in the bottom of the inning for a 2-run homer to tie the game. Hicks put us on top by lining a 1-out RBI single to right in the 3rd. Later in the inning, Arcia chopped a 2-out, 2-run single through the 5.5 hole to extend our lead. Not even a 64 minute rain delay could slow our momentum. Texas rallied for 3 in the 8th, but Reed came in and got the final out leaving the bases loaded.


May 28, 2018

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

Minnesota 4 at Los Angeles Angels 1

WP: Lewis Thorpe (3-2), LP: Cory Luebke (1-4), SV: Michael Tonkin (13)
HR: MN-None, LAA-Kentrail Davis (3)

A double steal by Buxton and Mauer helped us open the scoring in the 1st, as Vargas lined a 1-out, 2-run double into the left-centerfield gap. Buxton scored again in the 3rd on a wild pitch to extend the lead. Davis hit a 2-out solo homer to right in the 5th for the Angels’ 1st baserunner. Hicks provided some insurance with a 1-out RBI double over the centerfielder in the 8th, bringing Buxton in for his 3rd run of the day (aided by 4 stolen bases). Thorpe was outstanding, scattering 4 hits over 8 innings, striking out 7 and walking none. Tonkin gave up a pair of singles in the 9th, but coaxed a double play to squash the Angels momentum.


May 29, 2018

• Jesse Winker (Cincinnati) is out 7 months due to a broken bone in his elbow.

Minnesota 6 at Los Angeles Angels 3

WP: Jose Berrios (3-3), LP: Lance Lynn (3-5), SV: Michael Tonkin (14)
HR: MN-None, LAA-Peter Van Gansen (2), Francisco Martinez (5)

Both Berrios and Lynn brought their good stuff on this day as neither offense could get much going into the middle innings. We didn’t have a baserunner until Harrison grounded a 1-out single into left in the 5th. After an Arcia double, Santana lined a RBI single up the middle to open the scoring. 2 batters later Polanco added a RBI groundout to double our lead. The Angels then made the head-scratch worthy move of intentionally walking Buxton (in a righty-righty match-up) to get to Mauer, who promptly made them pay by dumping a 2-2 fastball into left field for a 2-run single to cap a 4 run inning. Van Gansen put the Angels on the board in the bottom of the inning with a 2-out, 2-run homer that just barely got out in right field. Herrmann got the runs back by lining a 2-out, 2-run double just out of the reach of Mike Trout in left-centerfield in the 6th. Antonio Bastardo was injured (sore ankle, day-to-day 1 day) striking out Polanco, who was the only batter he faced. Martinez responded with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the inning. Tonkin was injured coaxing a fielder’s choice to end the game.


May 30, 2018

• Giancarlo Stanton (Miami) is out 3-4 weeks with an elbow sprain.
• The New York Yankees deal SS Didi Gregorius and 1B Kevin M. Gonzalez to Toronto for LHP SP Daniel Norris.

Minnesota 1 at Los Angeles Angels 2

WP: Drew Rucinski (5-4), LP: Phil Hughes (4-3), SV: Shae Simmons (10)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (10), LAA-None

Both Hughes and Rucinski were in control into the middle innings, as neither team could mount much of a threat. Van Gansen lined a RBI single to left in the 5th to open the scoring. Trout followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center to double the Angels’ lead. Vargas put us on the board with a 2-out solo homer to right in the 7th. It’s hard to win when your offense produces only 3 hits over 9 innings however.


May 31, 2018

Minnesota 2 at Oakland 3

WP: Sean Doolittle (1-1), LP: Ryan Buchter (1-1)
HR: MN-None, Oak-None

Both Heston and Johnny Cueto were in control in this game. Oakland had the 1st scoring chance in the 4th, but Cory Spangenberg grounded into a 3-6-3 double play with runners on the corners to end the inning. We didn’t get a hit until Dirks lined a leadoff single to right in the 6th. After a failed sacrifice by Polanco, who then stole 2nd on a missed hit-and-run, Herrmann (hitting leadoff with Buxton getting a day off) lined a single into left which Caleb Gindl overran allowing Polanco to score the game’s 1st run. We then loaded the bases with 1 out in the 7th for Dirks, who delivered a sacrifice fly to left for some insurance. Gindl drove home a run with a RBI ground out in the bottom of the inning to get Oakland on the board. Rob Brantly lined a RBI single to center in the 8th to tie the game. Buchter then unloaded a walk-off wild pitch in the 9th to throw away the game.


AL Hitter of the Month: Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay) .314 BA, 9 HR, 32 RBI, 19 R
NL Hitter of the Month: Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh).327 BA, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 21 R
AL Pitcher of the Month: Tommy Kahnle (Seattle) 2-0, 11 SV, 14.1 IP, 14 G, 16 K, 1.26 ERA
NL Pitcher of the Month: Kyle Hendricks (Chicago Cubs) 4-1, 6 GS, 45.1 IP, 30 K, 8 BB, 1.99 ERA, .222 Opp BA
AL Rookie of the Month: Jake Bauers (Tampa Bay) .278 BA, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 17 R
NL Rookie of the Month: Josh E. Bell (Pittsburgh) .302 BA, 32 H, 6 HR, 20 RBI


28-19, .596, 3.5 GA (1st AL Central), 3.5 GA of the 2nd AL Wild Card

We rallied in the 2nd half of May once we got outside the division to finish the month 15-13. There is still cause for serious concern, as we’re being carried by our starting pitching right now. Our offense is 8th in the AL in runs scored, with only Byron Buxton hitting .300 or better and Joe Mauer (.243) and Kennys Vargas (.231) in particular struggling. My bullpen is 12th in the AL in ERA, and with Michael Tonkin out for an undetermined length of time it could get worse.

[faithful2thecall]

I forgot to include the screenshot of the standings earlier. It's earlier than I'd normally include the standings, but I wanted to preserve this moment.

[faithful2thecall]

June 1, 2018

• Michael Tonkin is out 4 months with bone chips in his elbow, RHP SP Yorman Landa was called up to take his place. SS Hector Gomez was also placed on waivers, with 3B Amaurys Minier called up to take his place.
• Ian Kennedy (Boston) is out 4-5 months with shoulder inflammation.
• Jay Bruce (Toronto) suffered a setback in his recovery from ankle soreness that will keep him out an additional 1-2 weeks.
• Milwaukee trades LF Michael Saunders to the Chicago Cubs for 2B Arismendy Alcantara

Minnesota 6 at Oakland 3

WP: Trevor May (4-2), LP: Bobby Wahl (0-3), SV: Nick Burdi (2)
HR: MN-None, Oak-None

Josh Whitaker blooped a 2-out RBI single to left in the 4th to open the scoring. A passed ball on Rob Brantly in the 5th allowed us to tie the game, with Chris Herrmann scoring from 3rd on the play. Byron Buxton grounded the next pitch into left field to put us in front, as Amaurys Minier (who had walked in his 1st 2 MLB plate appearances at this point) trotted home from 3rd. Hicks doubled our lead by lining a 2-out RBI single to center later in the inning. Trevor May was throwing a lot of pitches, so I lifted him after 5 innings and 94 pitches and brought in Yorman Landa to make his MLB debut. Kennys Vargas provided some further insurance with a 2-out RBI single in the 7th to make it 4-1. Danny Santana then blew the game open by grounding a 2-run single to left 3 batters later with the bases loaded. With the win we take over as the team with the best record in the AL for the moment.


June 2, 2018

• The Chicago White Sox trade CF Engel Beltre and RHP SP Blair Henley (2016 4th Round pick) to the Los Angeles Angels for 3B Chase Simpson.
• St. Louis deals 2B Leury Garcia and RHP SP Tristin English to Washington in exchange for RHP SP Joe Ross.

Minnesota 2 at Oakland 4

WP: Chris Bassitt (1-2), LP: Jake Reed (0-3), SV: Sean Doolittle (10)
HR: MN-None, Oak-None

Herrmann lined a RBI double of the left-centerfield wall after Buxton stole 2nd in the 1st to open the scoring. Vargas promptly followed by lining a RBI double into the right field corner to double our lead. Andy Dirks was injured (fractured finger, 6 weeks) breaking up a double play in the 2nd. Oakland didn’t have a scoring chance until the loaded the bases with nobody out in the 4th, thanks to a pair of walks by Lewis Thorpe to start the inning. Thorpe miraculously escaped by striking out Mark Canha and Whitaker before coaxing a ground out from Cory Spangenberg to end the inning. Jon Jay lined a 2-out RBI single to right in the 7th to get Oakland on the board, after Jake Reed made an errant pickoff throw to 1st base. Reed then walked 3 straight batters to tie the game. Pinch-hitter Rob Brantly then lined a 2-run double down the right field line to put Oakland in front. Reed had been one of my more reliable relievers before this game.


June 3, 2018

Minnesota 3 at Oakland 7

WP: R. J. Alvarez (1-1), LP: Jose Berrios (3-4)
HR: MN-Christian Villanueva (3), Oak-Miguel Sano 2 (5)

Sano crushed a 1-out, 2-run homer 424 feet in the 1st to open the scoring. Villanueva hit a 1-out, 3-run homer in the 6th to get us on the board and take the lead. Sano responded by hammering a 1-out solo homer 404 feet to right-center in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Berrios uncorked a 2-out wild pitch in the 7th that put Oakland back in front. Brantly lined a 2-out RBI single to center later in the inning for insurance.


June 4, 2018

• SS Hector Gomez cleared waivers and was assigned to AAA.
• We’re 11th in the latest power rankings.
• Colorado traded 3B Nolan Arenado and $3 million to Miami in exchange for C Brendan Illies, RF Luis Alvarado, RF Sleyter Soto, and LF Erwin Almonte.

Off Day


June 5, 2018

• RF Jon Garcia was called up from AAA to replace the injured Andy Dirks.

Los Angeles Angels 3 at Minnesota 0

WP: Drew Rucinski (6-4), LP: Phil Hughes (4-4), SV: Shae Simmons (12)
HR: LAA-Francisco Martinez (6), MN-None

Chris Davis opened the scoring in the 1st with a 2-out infield single when he beat Hughes to the bag. After that another pitching duel between Hughes and Rucinski commenced, with neither offense able to get much going. Martinez added a 1-out solo homer in the 6th that got some help from the wind for some insurance.


June 6, 2018

• Jake Thompson (Texas) is out 6 weeks with a strained triceps.

Los Angeles Angels at Minnesota—Rained Out


June 7, 2018

• The New York Yankees traded 1B Chris McGuiness to the Los Angeles Angels for RHP SP Lance Lynn.
• The Chicago Cubs dealt C Michael Amditis (2016 4th Round pick) to San Diego in exchange for RHP RP Ernesto Montas.

Game #1: Los Angeles Angels 9 at Minnesota 7

WP: Cam Bedrosian (2-1), LP: Nick Burdi (4-1), SV: Shae Simmons (13)
HR: LAA-Peter Van Gansen (3), Chris McGuiness (4), MN-None

Desperate to get some sort of offense going I juggled my batting order before this game. Chris Heston struggled to settle in, loading the bases with nobody out in the 1st. A Kevin Plawecki sacrifice fly opened the scoring, and the Angels added 2 more runs in the inning. Buxton caused a little chaos in the bottom of the inning, drawing a wild throw to 2nd on a stolen base attempt by Plawecki that allowed Buxton to advance to 3rd. He then scored on a RBI ground out by Villanueva. Van Gansen added a 2-out solo homer in the 4th to make it 1-4. Down 2-5 in the 5th, we loaded the bases with 1 out for Villanueva, who was hit by a 1st pitch fastball to force in a run and bring Mauer to the plate. Unfortunately, Mauer struck out and Vargas grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the rally. Mauer redeemed himself in the 7th by lining a 2-out, 2-run double just past the diving Mike Trout to tie the game at 5-5. After a head-scratching decision to intentionally walk the struggling Vargas to get to Hicks, Hicks made them pay by ripping a 2-run double off the top of the wall in straightaway center to put us in front. Burdi made things scary in the bottom of the 9th loading the bases with 1-out for Plawecki, who struck out. However McGuiness then hit a hanging slider 410 feet into the right field seats for a grand slam to put the Angels back in front. We responded valiantly by loading the bases with 1-out in the bottom of the inning for Santana, who struck out. Herrmann then flied out to end the game.


Game #2: Los Angeles Angels 7 at Minnesota 5

WP: Cam Bedrosian (3-1), LP: Simon Castro (2-3)
HR: LAA-None, MN-Byron Buxton (1)

Davis ripped a 1-out, 2-run double off the right-centerfield wall in the 1st to open the scoring. Trout lined a 2-out RBI double down the left field line in the 2nd to extend the Angels’ lead. Jorge Polanco got us on the board in the bottom of the inning when he lined a 1-out RBI single to left. 2 pitches later, Buxton sent a 1-0 sinker 426 feet over the centerfield fence for a 3-run homer to put us in front. Back-to-back 2-out doubles by Kole Calhoun and Jeff Bandy tied the game in the 3rd. A throwing error by May allowed the Angels to load the bases with 1 out in the 4th, but May rallied to strike out Davis and get McGuiness on a fly ball to Buxton to escape the jam. Martinez grounded a 1-out RBI single past Vargas at 1st in the 6th to put the Angels back in front. Villanueva hit a sacrifice fly to center in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Asdrubal Cabrera lined a 2-out RBI double in the 7th to put the Angels in front again. Van Gansen followed it up by blooping a RBI single to center for some insurance.


June 8, 2018

• Hunter Renfroe (San Diego) is out 6 weeks with a herniated disc.

Minnesota 9 at Cleveland 7

WP: Lewis Thorpe (4-2), LP: Corey Kluber (3-4)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (11), Cle-Marcell Ozuna (7)

Cleveland was the last team I want to see right now, as they’ve cut our lead in the division from 4 to 1.5 games during our 5 game losing streak. Having a tired bullpen from yesterday’s double header isn’t going to help matters. Both offenses have struggled this season. Arcia lined a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 2nd to open the scoring. Hicks blooped a 2-out RBI single to right in the 4th to double our lead. Arcia and Villanueva followed with singles to bring Hicks around and extend our lead. Ozuna hit the 1st pitch of the bottom of the inning 375 feet into the left field seat to put the Indians on the board. Buxton’s speed again created chaos in the 5th as Yan Gomes heaved a ball into center trying to throw out Buxton stealing 2nd, and Santana lined a RBI single into left-center 2 pitches later to get the run back. Santana blew the game open in the 7th lining a 2-run double into the right-centerfield gap to make it 6-1. A Vargas 3-run homer 2 batters later piled on the misery against the Cleveland bullpen. Reed tried to let the Indians back into the game by surrendering 3 runs in the 8th. Oliveros surrendered 2 more runs in the 9th, but finally put the game away with Burdi warming up behind him.

• Roberto Osuna (Toronto) threw a 1-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels. Peter Van Gansen hit a 2-out single in the 6th for the Angels’ only hit.


June 9, 2018

• Shin-Soo Choo (Texas) suffered a setback in his recovery from a sore achilles tendon that will keep him out another 4 days.

Minnesota 3 at Cleveland 9

WP: Hector Noesi (4-4), LP: Jose Berrios (3-5)
HR: MN-Oswaldo Arcia (4), Cle-Jose Ramirez (4), Yan Gomes (10), James Ramsey (1)

We put together a threat in the 1st, loading the bases with 1 out for Hicks, who unfortunately grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat. Arcia lined a 1-0 fastball 347 feet to right leading off the 2nd, just clearing the wall to open the scoring. Later in the inning Buxton picked up a RBI groundout to extend our lead. Ramirez got some help from the wind to hit a 2-run homer in the 3rd to get the Indians on the board and cut our lead to 3-2. Ozuna lined a 1-out RBI single to left in the 5th to tie the game. Gomes followed with a 3-run homer to put the Indians in front. Ramsey then blew the game open with a 2-run blast.


June 10, 2018

• Dustin Pedroia (Boston) suffered a setback in his recovery from a strained oblique that will keep him out an additional 5 days.

Minnesota 8 at Cleveland 0

WP: Phil Hughes (5-4), LP: Kyle Crocket (5-2)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (12), Christian Villanueva (4), Cle-None

The pitching matchup of Hughes against Crocket had all the makings of an epic pitcher’s duel on paper, as they entered the game as the top 2 pitchers in the AL in ERA. Vargas opened the scoring by taking a 3-2 hanging changeup and depositing it 386 feet into the left-centerfield seats for a 2-run homer in the 4th. Villanueva greeted reliever Bryan Price with a 1-out, 3-run homer in the 5th to blow the game open. Hughes had his best stuff going completing a 4-hitter without walking a batter.


June 11, 2018

• Shin-Soo Choo’s (Texas) injury continues to plague him as his recovery time is now 5 days.
• Michael Brantley (Cleveland) pushed himself too hard in his attempts to recover from a partially torn labrum, and it will keep him out another 3-4 weeks.
• Michael Ohlman (Atlanta) suffered a setback in his recovery from a sprained ankle that will keep him out at least 4 days.
• We’re 12th in the latest power rankings.

Off Day

• Brett Oberholtzer (Miami) threw a 3-hitter against Colorado.


June 12, 2018

• Atlanta trades RHP SP Alex Cobb to Seattle for 3B D. J. Peterson.
• The Chicago White Sox dealt RHP SP Tyler Thornburg to Toronto in exchange for CF Brayan Hernandez and 3B Bryan Lizardo.

Milwaukee 1 at Minnesota 2

WP: Simon Castro (3-3), LP: Craig Kimbrel (0-2)
HR: Mil-None, MN-None

Worst in MLB Milwaukee then came to Target Field for a pair of rivalry games. Mauer and Vargas hit back-to-back 2-out doubles in the 3rd to open the scoring. Lots of deep counts meant I had to lift Heston after 6 shutout innings. In the 6th we had a scoring chance with runners on the corners with nobody out for Harrison, who grounded out, but then David Price intentionally walked Villanueva to load the bases and get to Herrmann. Herrmann fouled out on a 3-2 pitch for the 2nd out. Both teams then made a move, as the Brewers brought in Carson Smith and I responded by bringing Arcia off the bench to hit for Polanco. Smith won the battle by striking out Arcia on a 96 MPH fastball on 3-2 to squash our threat. Reed soothed my fears a little by coming in and striking out the side in the 7th. Unfortunately a sacrifice fly by Ryan Braun in the 8th off of Reed tied the game. Kimbrel was brought in to start the 9th and walked Herrmann. Arcia then lined an 0-1 fastball into the right-centerfield gap for a walk-off triple.


June 13, 2018

Milwaukee at Minnesota—Rained Out

• Ardys Portillo (Tampa Bay) threw a 1-hitter against Washington. Bryce Harper singled to lead off the 5th for Washington’s only hit. Portillo’s ERA was 8.23 entering the game in 11 starts on the season.


June 14, 2018

• Tom Windle (Philadelphia) is reportedly older than he’s claimed. His native country is being rather uncooperative because of his illegal emigration (which is rather funny for reasons in the pictures below ).
• Sean Gilmartin (New York Mets) is out 4-5 months with bone chips in his elbow.

Off Day


32-25, .561, 3.5 GA (1st AL Central), 1.5 GA (of the 2nd AL Wild Card)

My offense looks like it’s finding it’s groove again, but my bullpen is in shambles without the injured Michael Tonkin. It wasn’t a great start to June, as we went a mere 4-6, but the rest of the division is struggling as well.

[faithful2thecall]

June 15, 2018

Chicago White Sox 4 at Minnesota 14

WP: Trevor May (5-2), LP: Carlos Rodon (4-3)
HR: CWS-Jacob May (3), MN-Byron Buxton (2), Kennys Vargas (13), Travis Harrison (2)

Buxton got some help from the wind in hitting a 424 foot 2-out, 3-run homer to center in the 2nd to open the scoring. Trayce Thompson responded with a 1-out RBI single in the 3rd to get the White Sox on the board. Aaron Hicks was injured (concussion, 3 weeks) when he was hit by a 94 MPH fastball to load the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the inning. Harrison grounded into a double play to score a run. Amaurys Minier then ripped a RBI double to further pad our lead.

• Yovani Gallardo (Boston) threw a 3-hitter against Cleveland.


June 16, 2018

• LF Eddie Rosario was called up from AAA to replace the injured Aaron Hicks.

Chicago White Sox 2 at Minnesota 4

WP: Lewis Thorpe (5-2), LP: Chris Sale (3-7), SV: Nick Burdi (3)
HR: CWS-Jose Abreu (14), MN-None

A pair of southpaws created an intriguing pitching match-up with Lewis Thorpe going up against Chris Sale. Joe Mauer lined a 1-out RBI double in the 1st to open the scoring. We ran ourselves out of a potential rally in the 2nd when Brian Navarreto was thrown out at home on a single by Buxton to end the inning. Jorge Polanco grounded a 1-out, 2-run single to right in the 4th to extend our lead. Abreu answered with a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 6th to get Chicago on the board. Christian Villanueva provided some insurance with a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 7th.

• Brett Oberholtzer (Miami) threw a 5-hitter against the New York Mets. It was his 2nd straight complete game shutout. Oberholtzer’s shutout streak is at 23.2 innings.


June 17, 2018

• Jose Fernandez (Miami) is out 6-7 months due to a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. Fernandez was 9-2 with a 2.37 ERA this season. He’s led the NL in wins the past 2 seasons.

Chicago White Sox 8 at Minnesota 7

WP: Wily Peralta (3-7), LP: Jose Berrios (3-6), SV: David Robertson (11)
HR: CWS-Chase Simpson (5), Jose Abreu (15), MN-Jon Garcia (1), Chris Herrmann (4)

Alex A. Rodriguez grounded a 2-out RBI single past Mauer in the 1st to open the scoring. Vargas responded by lining a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Simpson hit a 1-out, 2-run homer 421 feet to center in the 2nd to put the White Sox back on top. Both starters settled down and got into a groove after that. Salvador Perez provided some insurance with a 1-out RBI single in the 6th. We responded in the bottom of the inning by loading the bases with nobody out for Villanueva, representing the tying run. Villanueva lined right back to the pitcher. Arcia walked on 4 pitches to force a run in. After Garcia struck out, Wily Peralta uncorked a wild pitch with Herrmann at the plate to bring us within 3-5. Abreu then seemingly put the game away with a 2-out, 3-run homer just inside the left field foul pole in the 7th. Garcia tried to make it interesting with a 2-out, 3-run homer of his own in the 8th. Herrmann then made it back-to-back homers by hitting a 0-1 fastball 387 feet into the right field seats to make it a 1 run game.

• Norge Ruiz (St. Louis) threw a 5-hitter against Philadelphia.


June 18, 2018

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

Chicago Cubs 5 at Minnesota 3

WP: Shane Greene (5-2), LP: Phil Hughes (5-5), SV: Addison Reed (17)
HR: ChC-Kris Bryant (12), Albert Almora (6), MN-Kennys Vargas (14)

Now we get a home-and-home pair of 2 game series with the team from the opposite side of Chicago. We’re catching the Cubs at a good time as they’re floundering right now. Bryant hit a wind-aided 2-out, 2-run homer in the 1st to open the scoring. Vargas got us on the board in the bottom of the inning with a RBI ground out, which scored Buxton after he stole 3rd base. Vargas then tied the game in the 3rd with a 2-out RBI single lined up the middle. Javier Baez lined a RBI double down the left field line in the 4th to put the Cubs back in front. Later in the inning, Jorge Soler added a sacrifice fly to make it 2-4. Almora got some help from the win for a 1-out solo homer in the 7th to put the game away.


June 19, 2018

• LF Eddie Rosario was sent down to AAA, with CF Max Murphy being called up to take his place.

Chicago Cubs 13 at Minnesota 4

WP: Jake Arrieta (10-2), LP: Chris Heston (5-4)
HR: ChC-Javier Baez 2 (6), Anthony Rizzo (15), Dan Vogelbach (2), MN-Max Murphy (1)

On paper it was a good pitching matchup with Heston (5-3, 2.88 ERA) against Arrieta (9-2, 2.36 ERA). Baez hit a 2-out solo homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. Addison Russell grounded a RBI double down the left field line in the 3rd to extend the lead. Both offenses were having trouble putting the ball in play against Heston and Arrieta. Baez put the game out of reach with a 2-run homer in the 6th. We finally got on the board in the 6th on a 1-out RBI single by Danny Santana. With the game out of hand I gave some bench guys who don’t play much a chance in the later innings, and after Minier singled for Polanco I brought Murphy in to hit for Buxton for his MLB debut. The ball went 371 feet into the left field seats for a 2-run homer in his 1st MLB at bat.

• Edwin Escobar (San Diego) threw a 3-hitter against Seattle.


June 20, 2018

• Hector Olivera (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 2 months with a sprained ac joint in his shoulder.

Minnesota 1 at Chicago Cubs 3

WP: Jon Lester (5-4), LP: Trevor May (5-3), SV: Addison Reed (18)
HR: MN-None, ChC-None

Now the series shifts to Chicago for the other 2 games. After the way they hit my 2 best starters this season the last 2 days I wasn’t optimistic going into these games. Back-to-back doubles by Almora and Justin Upton in to leadoff the 1st opened the scoring. Darrell Ceciliani grounded a 1-out, 2-run single up the middle in the 4th to extend the Cubs’ lead. Santana got us on the board when he grounded a RBI single up the middle in the 6th. We had plenty of chances in the game, but we stranded 15 runners.


June 21, 2018

• Bobby Parnell (Philadelphia) suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring strain that will keep him out 7-8 weeks.

Minnesota 5 at Chicago Cubs 3

WP: Lewis Thorpe (6-2), LP: Chad Billingsley (2-7), SV: Nick Burdi (4)
HR: MN-None, ChC-None

After having yesterday off after 3 straight 0-fors, Mauer responded by lining a 1-out RBI single to left in the 1st to open the scoring. We put a rally together in the 4th with singles by Mauer, Villanueva, and Arcia to lead off the inning and load the bases for Garcia. Garcia fouled out to Bryant, but Polanco hit a sacrifice fly to double our lead. Herrmann then lined a RBI single, but Arcia was thrown out at the plate to end the inning. With the pitcher due up next I felt I had to take a chance in sending him. Rizzo lined a 2-out RBI single to left in the 5th to get the Cubs on the board. Bryant followed with a RBI double to cut our lead to 3-2. We caught a break in the 7th when on a Buxton single, Upton committed a throwing error trying to get Herrmann at 3rd allowing us to add an insurance run. Buxton legged out a 2-out RBI infield single in the 9th to provide some additional cushion.


June 22, 2018

• Michael Brantley (Cleveland) suffered yet another setback in his recovery from a partially torn labrum that is expected to keep him out another 3 weeks.

Minnesota 6 at Baltimore 3

WP: Hudson Boyd (2-0), LP: Adam Liberatore (0-4), SV: Nick Burdi (5)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas 2 (16), Bal-None

Vargas lined a 1-out RBI single to left-center in the 1st to open the scoring. Baltimore threatened in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with 1 out. Berrios responded by striking out Cam Gibson before walking Takuma Maruyama on 4 pitches to tie the game. Vargas hit a sacrifice fly to center in the 5th to put us back in front. In the bottom of the inning John Mayberry Jr. blooped a 2-out RBI single down the left field line to tie the game again. In the 7th Manny Machado dropped a 1-out RBI double down the right field line to put the Orioles in front. Vargas responded by hitting a 1-1 hanging slider 389 feet into the right field seats leading off the 8th to tie the game. We then proceeded to load the bases with 1 out in the inning helped by a passed ball, intentional walk, and catcher’s interference with Polanco due up. Polanco struck out looking, leaving it up to Buxton. Unfortunately Buxton also struck out to end the threat. Mauer lined a RBI triple in the 9th to put us back in front. Mauer then hustled home on a wild pitch to provide some insurance. Vargas took the next pitch 389 feet into the left field seats to homer from both sides of the plate.


June 23, 2018

• Matt Kemp (San Diego) is out 5 weeks with a fractured hand.
• J. P. Crawford (Philadelphia) is out 4 weeks because of a strained quad.

Minnesota 1 at Baltimore 4

WP: Chase Anderson (5-3), LP: Phil Hughes (5-6), SV: Adam Liberatore (12)
HR: MN-None, Bal-None

Adam Jones grounded a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 2nd to open the scoring. Mauer hit a sacrifice fly in the 3rd to tie the game. Mayberry was injured running down a fly ball in the 3rd. Hughes stranded Jonathan Schoop after a leadoff triple in the bottom of the inning. Nolan Fontana lined a 2-out RBI single to left in the 4th to put the Orioles back in front. Maruyama provided some insurance with a 2-out RBI single in the 7th.


June 24, 2018

Minnesota 4 at Baltimore 2

WP: Chris Heston (6-4), LP: Wei-Yin Chen (3-6), SV: Nick Burdi (6)
HR: MN-None, Bal-Cam Gibson (6), Takuma Maruyama (7)

More Buxton created chaos opened the scoring as with 2 outs in the 1st I had him try to steal 3rd and Jonah Heim unloaded the ball into left field, allowing Buxton to trot home with the game’s 1st run. Murphy and Garcia extended our lead with back-to-back RBI doubles in the 4th. Gibson responded with a 1-out solo homer in the bottom of the inning to get Baltimore on the board. Villanueva responded with his 3rd double in 3 at-bats with 2-out in the 5th to bring home Vargas to make it 4-1. Maruyama hit a 2-out solo homer in the 6th to cut into our lead. Simon Castro and Burdi combined to shut down the Orioles over the last 3 innings and secure the win.

• Andrew Lambo (Philadelphia) hit 3 homers in a 17-21 loss to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh scored 13 runs in the 8th inning of that game to erase a 8-12 deficit.


June 25, 2018

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

Minnesota 6 at Chicago White Sox 3

WP: Trevor May (6-3), LP: Carlos Rodon (4-5), SV: Jake Reed (2)
HR: MN-Joe Mauer (6), CWS-Tracye Thompson (2)

Mauer hit a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 1st to open the scoring. Thompson hammered a 1-out, 2-run homer 423 feet to center in the 3rd to tie the game. A wild pitch by May with 1-out in the 4th allowed Abreu to race home to put the White Sox in front. Harrison came through with a 1-out, 2-run triple in the 6th to put us back in front and send Rodon to the showers. Garcia greeted Drew Smyly with a RBI single grounded up the middle to bring home Harrison and make it 5-3. Mauer provided some insurance in the 7th with a 2-out RBI double on a run-and-hit with Buxton on the move with a 2-0 count. After 8 good innings from May, I called on Reed to give Burdi a day of rest and Reed responded by striking out the heart of the White Sox order in the 9th to secure the win.


June 26, 2018

• For a change I’m not shaking my fist at GM Terry Ryan for a move. Ryan traded LF Oswaldo Arcia to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for 2B Tommy La Stella and SS Francisco Garay. Arcia had a lot of power, but never could hit LHP so I had to platoon him. La Stella has proven himself a consistent performer at the MLB level and with Jorge Polanco floundering at 2B this season, La Stella will move right into my starting lineup.

Minnesota 2 at Chicago White Sox 0

WP: Lewis Thorpe (7-2), LP: Chris Sale (3-8), SV: Nick Burdi (7)
HR: MN-None, CWS-None

Villanueva came through with a 2-out RBI single to left in the 1st to open the scoring, with Murphy trotting home in place of Buxton. Both teams had chances to score, but neither was generally getting the clutch 2-out hit. Vargas then doubled our lead with a 2-out RBI double down the left field line in the 5th. Thorpe was a bit wild (walking 3 hitters) so I had to lift him after 7 shutout innings and 115 pitches. Oliveros and Burdi came through to close the door and preserve the win. Tommy La Stella was a solid 2-for-4 at the plate and cleanly handled 5 chances in the field.

• Wil Meyers (San Diego) was helped off the field after fracturing a hand and will miss 5 weeks.


June 27, 2018

Minnesota 8 at Chicago White Sox 4 (14 innings)

WP: Yorman Landa (1-0), LP: Brad Boxberger (2-1)
HR: MN-Jorge Polanco (3), Kenny Vargas (17), Travis Harrison (3), CWS-Salvador Perez (8), Jose Abreu (18)

Peralta had a fit of wildness in the 2nd loading the bases with nobody out on a pair of hit batters and a single for Polanco. Polanco got around on a 1-2 slider and hit it 426 feet to center for a grand slam to open the scoring. Perez responded with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the inning to put the White Sox on the board. Carlos Sanchez hit a sacrifice fly in the 3rd to cut our lead to 4-2. Jackson Willeford blooped a 2-out RBI single to center in the 6th to cut our lead to 1. Abreu tied the game with a leadoff homer in the 8th. We put together a threat in the 11th with runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out for Murphy. Unfortunately, Murphy struck out and pinch-hitter Santana grounded out to end the threat. The White Sox put together the same threat in the bottom of the inning, but Oliveros escaped by coaxing Avisail Garcia to ground out with a drawn in infield and striking out May to end the inning. Vargas greeted Juan Nicasio by hitting a 2-2 slider 380 feet into the right field seats for a 1-out, 3-run homer in the 14th. Harrison put the game away 2 batters later by smashing a 0-1 fastball over the heart of the plate 407 feet into the left-centerfield seats for a solo homer.

• Preston Tucker (Houston) fractured his thumb while running the bases and will be out for 4 weeks.


June 28, 2018

Game #1: Cleveland 2 at Minnesota 3 (16 innings)

WP: Jake Reed (1-2), LP: Bryan Price (4-3)
HR: Cle-James Ramsey (2), MN-None

Yesterday’s marathon came at a bad time for us because we have 4+ games against Cleveland in 4 days. The 1st game is the continuation of a game that was suspended on April 22nd after the leadoff hitter reached in the top of the 9th inning of a 0-0 game. The Indians also come to town on a roll, having won 7 straight. It’s an important series as our lead over them is only 1.5 games.
Injuries and roster moves reeked havoc before play ever started, as I had to empty my bench and move Herrmann out to left field to be able to field a full team. Ironically, Hughes was scheduled to be my starter when he was on the mound in April when the game was suspended (frustratingly it continued his pitch count from that point even though he was pitching on full rest). Not wanting to risk game mechanics burning me, I had to lift Hughes after 11 shutout innings because it said he was exhausted after throwing 43 pitches on this day (140 total, going back to April). Cleveland was generating 2 out rallies, but we couldn’t get a hit off the Indians bullpen. Garcia (who entered the game at the start of play on this day) finally chopped a single between 1st and 2nd to leadoff the 13th. Ramsey finally opened the scoring with a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 16th, which was made possible by a Harrison fielding error earlier in the inning. In the bottom of the inning we loaded the bases with nobody out for Buxton. Buxton flared an 0-1 fastball into right field for a 2-run single to tie the game. Mauer then chopped a single past Santana and Navarreto (who had reached on a bunt single to load the bases) raced around 3rd and scored uncontested to send the home fans into a frenzy.


Game #2: Cleveland 5 at Minnesota 2

WP: Danny Salazar (6-5), LP: Chris Heston (6-5), SV: Ben Rowen (13)
HR: Cle-Jason Kipnis (5), MN-Travis Harrison (4)

With a bullpen that was spent after the last 2 games, I needed Heston to come out and be on top of his game for this start. Harrison hammered a 3-2 fastball 374 feet into the left field seats for a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. Marcell Ozuna lined a 2-out RBI double into the left field corner in the 3rd to put the Indians on the board. Ronny Rodriguez tied the game in the 4th when he sliced a 2-out RBI double into the right field corner. Ozuna hammed a 1-out RBI triple in the 5th to put Cleveland in front. Tyler Naquin followed it up by flaring a RBI single down the left field line. Kipnis seemingly put the game away with a leadoff homer in the 8th. Greg Holland was injured (torn labrum, 11 months) walking Vargas to bring the tying run to the plate with 2 outs in the bottom of the inning. Harrison was injured (separated shoulder, 4 weeks) breaking up a double play in the 9th.


June 29, 2018

• Jose Altuve (Chicago White Sox) suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring strain that will keep him out an additional week.

Cleveland 4 at Minnesota 7

WP: Ryan Buchter (2-1), LP: Bryan Price (4-4), SV: Nick Burdi (8)
HR: Cle-None, MN-None

Ozuna lined a 1-out RBI double into the left field corner in the 1st to open the scoring. Naquin followed it up with a RBI single to bring in Ozuna. Mauer grounded into a RBI fielder’s choice in the bottom of the inning to bring home Buxton to make it 1-2. Naquin added another 1-out RBI single in the 3rd to extend the Cleveland lead. Bradley Zimmer was injured (sore hamstring, day-to-day 3 days) scoring on a 2-out RBI single by Kipnis in the 5th. With my offense struggling to make anything happen I got a bit over-aggressive on the bases, but it paid off as while trying to double steal with Navarreto and Buxton with 1-out in the bottom of the 5th, Tony Wolters airmailed the ball down the left field line to allow Navarreto to score and make it 2-4. 2 pitches later, Santana chopped a RBI single between 1st and 2nd to make it a 1-run game. In the 6th, La Stella picked up his 1st RBI as a Twin when he ripped a 2-out RBI double to the right-centerfield gap to tie the game. Garcia made the Indians pay for intentionally walking La Stella to face him in the 8th by grounding a 1-out RBI double down the left field line to put us in front. Buxton provided some insurance by grounding a 2-out, 2-run single to right after Navarreto grounded out. Burdi then retired the side in order in the 9th to secure the win.


June 30, 2018

• LF Eddie Rosario was called up from AAA to replace the injured Travis Harrison.
• Boston traded LHP RP Tim Collins and $3 million to Philadelphia for RHP SP Yadier Alvarez.
• Toronto deals CF Juan Tejada to San Diego in exchange for RHP CL Seth Lucio

Cleveland 4 at Minnesota 5

WP: Jake Reed (2-3), LP: Kyle Crockett (8-3)
HR: Cle-Marcell Ozuna (10), MN-None

I took a risk with a still fairly fatigued bullpen, but it looked like scheduled starter Thorpe could use an extra day of rest, so I started Landa. Hector Noesi was injured (back spasms, day-to-day 1 week) coaxing a groundout from Vargas for the 1st out of the 2nd inning. Ozuna hit a 2-out, 2-run homer 427 feet to center in the 3rd to open the scoring. We responded by loading the bases with 1 out in the bottom of the inning for Santana. Santana grounded a 1-1 fastball up the middle for a 2-run single to tie the game. I then got aggressive on the bases again and sent Buxton and Santana on a double steal and Yan Gomes threw the ball into left field, allowing Buxton to score to give us the lead. The Indians loaded the bases with 1-out in the 7th for Ozuna. Oliveros came in to relieve Buchter and coaxed a pop up to Buxton in very short center. Naquin chopped a 2-run single through the 5.5 hole however to put the Indians in front. Villanueva picked up a RBI groundout in the 8th to tie the game. Cleveland got so desperate that they sent their ace, Crockett, to the mound in the 9th. Garcia drew a 1-out walk and after Herrmann struck out, he stole 2nd with Buxton at the plate. Buxton then grounded a 3-2 fastball up the middle for a walk-off single.


AL Hitter of the Month: Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) .378 BA, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 27 R
NL Hitter of the Month: Andrew Lambo (Philadelphia) .408 BA, 13 HR, 21 RBI, 20 R
AL Pitcher of the Month: Lewis Thorpe (Minnesota) 5 GS, 4-0, 34 IP, 31 K, 1.59 ERA, .238 oBA
NL Pitcher of the Month: Brett Oberholtzer (Miami) 5 GS, 4-0, 0.47 ERA, 38 IP, 27 K
AL Rookie of the Month: Thorpe (Minnesota)
NL Rookie of the Month: Josh E. Bell (Pittsburgh) .355 BA, 4 HR, 24 RBI


43-31, .581, 3.5 GA (1st AL Central), 3.5 GA (of the 2nd AL Wild Card, Cleveland)

A strong 2nd half of June saw us rally to a 15-12 month for our 3rd straight winning month to start the season. If we can ever get fully healthy, we’d be really scary to face. The offense is improving, though there is room for improvement. Our rotation continues to be the best in the AL this season, and our bullpen has climbed from 15th to 12th in ERA in the past week. The possibility of our going wire-to-wire to win the division is still in play.

[faithful2thecall]

July 1, 2018

• Lucas Sims (San Diego) is out 7 months with a fractured elbow.
• Matt Barnes (Houston) was forced to retire at age 28 after a career-ending injury during recovery from a partially torn labrum.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers trade 2B Jed Lowrie and RF Marquise Doherty to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for LHP SP Tyler Skaggs.

Cleveland 1 at Minnesota 5

WP: Lewis Thorpe (8-2), LP: Cody Anderson (7-5)
HR: Cle-None, MN-None

With the newly minted AL Pitcher and Rookie of the Month for June on the hill in Thorpe, signs were encouraging that we could win 4 of the 5 games in this series and create some distance between us and Cleveland. We loaded the bases with nobody out in the 2nd for Tommy La Stella, who drew a 5 pitch walk to force in the 1st run of the game. Jon Garcia followed with a sacrifice fly to left to double our lead. Buxton added a 2-out RBI single before Anderson could get out of the inning. Thorpe didn’t surrender a hit until Bradley Zimmer hammered a 2-out double to center in the 6th. Marcell Ozuna then lined a RBI single to center to get the Indians on the board. We loaded the bases with 1 out in the bottom of the inning for Garcia. Unfortunately Garcia struck out and Chris Herrmann grounded out to end the threat. Kennys Vargas provided some insurance with a 2-out RBI double in the 7th.

• Micah Johnson (Washington) suffered a knee sprain running the bases and will be out 6 weeks.
• Nick Kingham (Pittsburgh) threw a 3-hitter against Milwaukee.
• Madison Bumgarner (Houston) threw a 2-hitter against Oakland. It was his 2nd shutout of the season.


July 2, 2018

• Oswaldo Arcia (Chicago Cubs) is out 5 months with a broken bone in his elbow.
• We’re 4th in the latest power rankings.
• The New York Mets send RF Cory Vaughn to Oakland for C Robert Mullen.

Off Day


July 3, 2018

St. Louis 2 at Minnesota 0

WP: Michael Wacha (7-4), LP: Jose Berrios (3-7), SV: Iden Nazario (21)
HR: St.L-None, MN-None

We have confidence coming into this series both because we’re playing well and because we swept a 3 game series in St. Louis back in April. Vargas was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the 2nd after being rung up looking and made contact with the umpire. Eddie Rosario was then injured (bruised finger, day-to-day 1 day) diving into 3rd for a 2-out triple 2 batters later. Berrios and Wacha locked up in a tense pitcher’s duel. Adam Ehrlich led off the 8th with a triple, but Berrios coaxed a shallow fly out from Charlie Tilson and struck out Jason Heyward. Just when it looked like Berrios was going to escape the jam, Mike Papi lined a RBI single into right for the game’s 1st run. Rudy Karre got a 1-out RBI single in the 9th when the umpire ruled that Amaurys Minier trapped the ball in left. It’s hard to win a game when we get 2 hits in 9 innings.


July 4, 2018

St. Louis 2 at Minnesota 5

WP: Phil Hughes (6-6), LP: Stephen Kohlscheen (8-2), SV: Nick Burdi (9)
HR: St.L-None, MN-Jon Garcia (2)

Phil Hughes got himself in some uncharacteristic trouble in the 1st, walking Heyward and Papi with 2 outs, and Eric Hosmer and Jonathan Villar made him pay with RBI singles. Garcia went down and golfed a 0-1 fastball 366 feet into the left field seats for a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 2nd to tie the game. Danny Santana was injured (ankle soreness, 2 weeks) making a diving grab to rob Hosmer of another hit in the 3rd. The home plate umpire had a narrow strike zone on this day, as both starters were uncharacteristically walking several hitters. Christian Villanueva lined a 1-out RBI single down the right field line in the 3rd to give us the lead. After Rosario struck out, Garcia lined a RBI single up the middle to extend our lead. Burdi provided a few anxious moments in the 9th, loading the bases with 2 outs after a pair of walks, but coaxed a ground out from Brett Wiley to end the game.


July 5, 2018

• Matt Garza (Seattle) is out 8 months with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow.

St. Louis 19 at Minnesota 2

WP: Norge Ruiz (9-7), LP: Chris Heston (6-6)
HR: St.L-Adam Ehrlich (6), MN-None

Papi picked up a RBI ground out in the 4th to open the scoring after a fielding error by Rosario. Ehrlich doubled the lead with a 1-out solo homer in the 6th. Papi added a 2-run single later in the inning to blow the game open. We finally got on the board on a 1-out Rosario double in the 7th, but the game was already over by then. My bullpen couldn’t get anybody out on this day, and my defense didn’t help matters by committing 3 errors. Things were so out of hand that I brought in backup catcher Brian Navarreto to pitch the 9th.


July 6, 2018

• Predictably with RF Aaron Hicks now healthy, LF Eddie Rosario got sent back down to AAA.
• Oakland trades LHP SP Drew Pomeranz and $3 million to the Chicago Cubs for SS Jon Hansen.

Tampa Bay 3 at Minnesota 4

WP: Nick Burdi (5-1), LP: Aaron Kurcz (3-7)
HR: TB-Neil Walker (8), MN-None

Garcia picked up a RBI groundout in the 2nd to open the scoring. Walker led off the 5th with Tampa’s 1st hit—an 0-1 fastball he sliced 359 feet into the left field seats to tie the game. La Stella came through with a 2-out RBI single lined into left in the 6th to put us back in front. Jose Bautista made me pay for intentionally walking Evan Longoria to get to him by grounding a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 8th to tie the game. 2 batters later, Justin O’Connor lined a RBI single up the middle to put Tampa in front. Down to our last strike, Buxton grounded a RBI single to right to tie the game. Buxton then proceeded to steal 2nd on a 1-1 fastball off the plate for his 45th stolen base of the season. That became important when Jorge Polanco grounded the next pitch through the same hole Buxton had, allowing Buxton to sprint home for the walk-off win.

• Rowdy Tellez (Toronto) hit 3 homers for 4 RBIs in Toronto’s 5-4 win over Texas.
• In the same game, Prince Fielder (Texas) collected career hit #2,000 on a single to leadoff the 5th.


July 7, 2018

• Arismendy Alcantara (Milwaukee) suffered a setback in his recovery from a torn meniscus that will keep him out at least 2 weeks.
• Rougned Odor (Texas) was found to have injured his sore shoulder worse than originally thought and will have to rehab for at least 6 days.
• Washington deals LHP SP Gio Gonzalez to Pittsburgh for LHP SP Hogan Harris (2015 5th round pick) and C Ryan Lidge.
• The Chicago White Sox traded C Brett Austin to Baltimore in exchange for RF Domonic Brown and 1B Paul DeJong.

Tampa Bay 1 at Minnesota 5

WP: Lewis Thorpe (9-2), LP: Nate Karns (7-6)
HR: TB-None, MN-None

We loaded the bases with nobody out in the 2nd for La Stella, who was rung up looking at a 3-2 changeup. Garcia followed with a sacrifice fly to open the scoring. Juremi Profar chopped a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 3rd to tie the game. Hicks was injured (mild abdominal strain, day-to-day 1 week) rounding 2nd base on a 1-out double in the 4th. Thorpe was uncharacteristically wild, walking 5 , throwing a wild pitch, and committing a throwing error in 6 innings. Villanueva blooped a 2-out, 2-run double down the right field line in the 5th to put us back in front. Max Murphy, in his 1st AB for the injured Hicks, and La Stella added RBI singles before Karns escaped the inning. After that the bullpens took over and neither offense could get much going the rest of the way.


July 8, 2018

• LF Eddie Rosario was recalled to replace the injured SS Danny Santana.
• Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) is out 3 weeks with chronic back soreness.

Tampa Bay 3 at Minnesota 6

WP: Jose Berrios (4-7), LP: Adys Portillo (5-8), SV: Nick Burdi (10)
HR: TB-None, MN-Jon Garcia (3)

Oscar Hernandez hustled down the line for a RBI fielder’s choice in the 1st to open the scoring and narrowly avoid being doubled up to end the inning. Hicks lined a 2-out RBI double down the right field line in the 4th to tie the game. 2 batters later, Garcia ripped a RBI double over Corey Dickerson in left to give us the lead. Daniel Robertson grounded a 2-out RBI single through the 5.5 hole in the 5th to tie the game. We loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the inning, in part due to a pair of walks by Portillo, for Vargas. Vargas grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, but that allowed Buxton to cross the plate to put us in front 3-2. Villanueva followed it up by lining a 2-2 pitch up the middle for a RBI single. Roderick Shoulders answered with a 2-out RBI double to cut our lead back to 1. Garcia provided some breathing room by hammering a 1-0 hanging slider 371 feet into the left field seats for 2-run homer to make it 6-3. Bautista was ejected for arguing balls and strikes after being rung up on a 3-2 fastball to end the 8th.

• Jose Bautista was suspended for 3 games for lingering on the field after his ejection in our game and for disparaging post-game remarks about the umpire.


July 9, 2018

• We’re up to 3rd in the latest power rankings.
• Seattle trades 3B Kyle Seager to Cleveland in exchange for RHP SP Danny Salazar. It’s an interesting deal as the teams are separated by 1 game in the AL Wild Card standings with Cleveland being 0.5 games behind Texas for the 2nd Wild Card spot at present.
• Colorado deals RHP SP Eddie Butler to Milwaukee in exchange for 1B Justin Bellinger (2017 Supplemental Round 1 pick) and LF Luke Bonfield.

Minnesota 8 at Houston 3

WP: Phil Hughes (7-6), LP: Asher Wojciechowski (4-5), SV: Simon Castro (2)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (18), Byron Buxton (3), Hou-None

It’s an interesting series on paper with the Astros’ AL leading offense against our AL leading rotation. This also starts the 2nd half of our season with our 1st games of the season against the reigning World Series champions.
Hicks grounded a 2-out, 2-run single to right on a 3-2 fastball with the bases loaded in the 1st to open the scoring. Both teams were getting hits, but failing to get the clutch run-producing hits as both starters were able to pitch out of jams. Mauer finally provided some insurance grounding a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 7th. Vargas followed by hitting a good 1-2 slider 380 feet into the right field seats to seemingly put the game away. Brian Holberton and Sean Coyle hit back-to-back 1-out doubles in the bottom of the inning to get Houston on the board. Jon Singleton added a 2-out RBI single in the inning. We responded with 3 more runs in the 8th, highlighted by a 2-run homer by Buxton pulled just inside the left field foul pole.


July 10, 2018

Minnesota 13 at Houston 7

WP: Ryan Buchter (3-1), LP: James Hoyt (5-4)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (19), Hou-Brian Holberton (4)

Mauer lined a 1-out RBI single to right in the 1st to open the scoring. With 2 outs in the inning, Hicks grounded a RBI single to right of his own to add to our lead. However, Colin Moran responded by grounding a 2-out, 2-run single up the middle in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Holberton smashed a 3-2 hanging changeup 415 feet into the right-centerfield seats for a grand slam in the 4th to put Houston in front. We got right to work against the Astros’ bullpen in the 5th, scoring 4 runs of our own, highlighted by a crushed 434 foot 3-run homer by Vargas. We loaded the bases with 1 out in the 7th for Hicks. Hicks worked a 5-pitch walk to force in a run and give us the lead. Our offense then exploded for 4 more runs before the inning was over, highlighted by a 2-out, 2-run triple by pinch-hitter Murphy.


July 11, 2018

• The New York Mets traded RHP SP Matt Harvey and $3 million to Cleveland for RHP SP Liam Jenkins (2015 5th Round pick) and CF Manuel Dominguez.
• Colorado deals LF Carlos Gonzalez to Kansas City in exchange for CF Johnny Youngblood, SS Oscar Mercado, RHP SP Anthony Holubecki, SS Ricky Aracena, and RHP RP Kevin Gowdy. It’s a strange deal with both clubs out of playoff contention.

Minnesota 4 at Houston 5 (10 innings)

WP: Josh D. Fields (2-0), LP: Lester Oliveros (1-2)
HR: MN-Tommy La Stella (1), Jon Garcia (4), Hou-George Springer (20)

We’re looking to complete a sweep on the road of the reigning World Series Champions as this game gets under way. At the start of play today we also have the largest lead of any division leader at 8 games over Cleveland and Detroit. Hicks hammered a 2-out RBI double off the wall in center in the 1st to open the scoring. Trevor May uncorked a 2-out wild pitch in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Moran ripped a 2-out, 2-run double over Garcia’s head in the 3rd to put Houston in front. La Stella may not have much pop, but he got around on a 1-2 94 MPH fastball with 1 out in the 8th and crushed it 449 feet to center for a 2-run homer to tie the game 3-3. After Minier popped out, Garcia turned a 2-2 95 MPH fastball around and sent it 417 feet into the left-centerfield seats to put us in front. Jorge Martinez was injured (back tightness, day-to-day 4 days) delivering a pinch-hit 2-out RBI double that got between Mauer and the bag at 1st into the right field corner on a 1-2 pitch in the 9th. Springer, who we had kept from hurting us all series then proceeded to hit a walk-off homer with 2 out in the 10th.


July 12, 2018

• Jon Lester (Chicago Cubs) is out 8-9 months with a torn rotator cuff.
• Preston Tucker (Houston) suffered a setback in his recovery from a fractured thumb that will keep him out at least 3 weeks.
• Milwaukee deals RHP RP Tyler Wagner to Toronto in exchange for RHP SP Clinton Hollon

Game #1: Minnesota 2 at Kansas City 0

WP: Lewis Thorpe (10-2), LP: Jacob deGrom (4-9), SV: Nick Burdi (11)
HR: MN-None, KC-None

Our final series before the All-Star Break is our 2nd 5 game series in less than a month. This game was due to a weird weather phenomenon on May 2nd where we played our makeup game from our rainout the night before, but then our regularly scheduled game was rained out. Kansas City may be last in our division, but they’ve played us well so far, taking 3 out of 8 games against us.
Both Thorpe and deGrom looked strong in the early innings, as neither offense could mount a serious threat. Where Thorpe got into trouble was by walking 6 batters and striking out 8 in 7 shutout innings, allowing only a 1-out double to Yusnier Diaz in the 1st. We finally got a scoring chance in the 8th when Garcia led off with a double and was successfully sacrificed over to 3rd by Herrmann. Murphy then came through, grounding a 2-0 changeup back up the middle for a RBI single for the 1st run of the game. A 1-out wild pitch in the 9th by reliever Tony Watson doubled our lead. Reed and Burdi shut down the Royals offense out of the bullpen to complete the combined 2-hitter.


Game #2: Minnesota 2 at Kansas City 3

WP: Miguel Almonte (7-7), LP: Hudson Boyd (2-1), SV: Tony Watson (4)
HR: MN-None, KC-None

A successful hit and run pulled off by Polanco and La Stella in the 4th set the stage for Vargas to open the scoring with a RBI single lined to left. Hicks provided a sacrifice fly 2 batters later to double our lead. Cheslor Cuthbert responded by grounding a RBI single to left in the bottom of the inning to get the Royals on the board. John Jaso lined a 2-out, 2-run single to left in the 8th to put Kansas City in front.


July 13, 2018

• Jose Ramirez (Cleveland) suffered a setback in his recovery from a strained oblique that will keep him out 4 days.

Minnesota 2 at Kansas City 3

WP: Severino Gonzalez (5-6), LP: Phil Hughes (7-7), SV: Miguel Almonte (1)
HR: MN-None, KC-None

Diaz picked up a 2-out RBI infield single in the 2nd to open the scoring. Vargas responded with a sacrifice fly in the 4th to tie the game. Hak-ju Lee pulled a 2-out, 2-run double down the right field line in the bottom of the inning to put the Royals back in front. Murphy hit a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center in the 5th to bring us back within 2-3. La Stella was thrown out at home trying to score on a 2-out single to center by Herrmann to end the 7th. We didn’t threaten again, wasting another solid outing by Hughes, who is 3rd in the AL in ERA.

• Drew Hutchison (Arizona) threw a 5-hitter against Miami.


July 14, 2018

• Andy Dirks completed his recovery from a fractured finger and was sent out on a rehab assignment.
• St. Louis traded SS Jonathan Villar to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for RHP RP Junichi Tazawa and C Jose Colina.

Minnesota 5 at Kansas City 2

WP: Chris Heston (7-6), LP: James Paxton (7-7), SV: Nick Burdi (12)
HR: MN-None, KC-None

Cuthbert ended up on blooper reels after tripling to lead off the 2nd when Villanueva got him to fall for the hidden ball trick to erase a scoring threat. Micah Gibbs was injured (quadriceps soreness, day-to-day 6 days) legging out a 2-out double later in the inning. We loaded the bases with nobody out in the 3rd without putting a ball in play as Paxton walked the bases loaded (with a double steal for Minier and Buxton thrown in for good measure) with Mauer coming to the plate. Mauer squibbed a 0-1 fastball into right field for a 2-run single to open the scoring. Before the inning was over we’d sent 11 men to the plate and scored 5 runs. Ryan O’Hearn pounded a 1-out RBI double off the left field wall in the bottom of the inning to get the Royals on the board. Buxton was injured (intercostal strain, 2 weeks) running down a fly ball in deep center for the 1st out of the 8th.


July 15, 2018

• LF Eddie Rosario was sent down to AAA. 2B Brian Dozier was called up from AAA, and CF Jean Carlos Arias was called up from AA to take the place of the injured Byron Buxton.
• Starting pitchers Phil Hughes and Lewis Thorpe were selected to the All-Star Game. Surprisingly Buxton was not named, in spite of his injury, despite being the 2nd place vote getter in CF.
• Arizona trades RF D.J. Peters (2015 4th Round pick by the Yankees) and LF Joey Armstrong to the Chicago White Sox for RHP RP Robin Leyer.
• Arizona also dealt SS Nick Ahmed to Atlanta in exchange for CF Todd Cunningham.

Minnesota 4 at Kansas City 3

WP: Jake Reed (3-3), LP: Joe Thatcher (0-4), SV: Nick Burdi (13)
HR: MN-None, KC-None

O’Hearn lined an opposite-field RBI single to left in the 1st after a Raul Mondesi leadoff triple to open the scoring. Mondesi blooped a RBI single to left in the 2nd to double the Royals’ lead. Jared Hoying added a 2-out RBI double lined into the left field corner in the 3rd to keep the Royals rolling. There was a 41 minute rain delay after the 3rd. We didn’t have a hit until Vargas lined a 1-out double just over the glove of Mondesi in the 4th. Villanueva then walked on 4 pitches to load the bases for Hicks. Hicks hit a chopper where the only play Cuthbert had was at 1st, allowing Mauer to score to get us on the board. Navarreto then blooped a 2-run single into right on a 2-2 pitch to tie the game. The Royals loaded the bases with 1-out in the 5th for Kendrys Morales. Morales popped up to Brian Dozier at short and then Diaz hit a deep fly ball to right-center that Garcia hauled in with his back against the wall to end the threat. Kyle Zimmer was injured (mild oblique strain, day-to-day 6 days) coaxing a ground out from Hicks to end the 6th. La Stella came through in the clutch with a 2-out RBI single grounded between 1st and 2nd in the 9th to give us the lead. Other than a 1-out walk, Burdi shut the Royals down in the bottom of the inning to secure the win in a game we stole with our offense producing only 4 hits.

• Matt Moore (Arizona) is out 2-3 months with elbow tendinitis.


July 16, 2018

• Terry Ryan seems insistent on making us into the Chicago Cubs. This time he dealt 2B Brian Dozier and C Darling Cuesto to the Cubs in exchange for RF Jorge Soler. Soler may have been the 2016 World Series MVP, but he hasn’t played well the past couple of seasons, so he’s likely to come off my bench since he’s not really any better than my starting RF Jon Garcia.
• Correspondingly, LF Eddie Rosario was called up from AAA and CF Jean Carlos Arias was sent down to AAA after 1 day in MLB without playing.
• We’re 4th in the latest power rankings.

All-Star Break


July 17, 2018

• Rumors are that the New York Yankees have told LF Ji-Man Choi to quit having pre-game tailgate parties with the fans.

American League 1 at National League 3

WP: Zack Greinke, LP: Phil Hughes, SV: Kenley Jansen
MVP: Andrew Lambo—1-for-2 with a leadoff homer in the 6th and 2 RBIs on the day.
Game at PETCO Park

• Our pitchers had a rough day. Hughes took the loss after entering the game to start the 2nd and lasting 0.2 IP, giving up 1 run on 2 hits and a walk while striking out 2. Lewis Thorpe faired a little better following Hughes into the game, walking 2 and giving up a hit in a shutout inning, striking out 1.


July 18, 2018

All-Star Break


July 19, 2018

• With SS Danny Santana now healthy, LF Eddie Rosario was optioned back to AAA.
• Philadelphia trades RHP CL Ken Giles and 2B Michael Massey to St. Louis for CF Charlie Tilson.
• San Diego deals RHP RP Erik Goeddel and $507,500 to Toronto in exchange for LHP SP Tucker Baca.

All-Star Break



53-36, .596, 8.5 GA (1st AL Central), 6 GA (of the 2nd Wild Card)

With all of the injuries I’ve had to deal with it’s hard to believe that we enter the All-Star Break with the AL Central title all but secure and with the best record in the AL by 1.5 games. If Buxton had to get hurt, I suppose this was the best time for it to happen since he’ll only miss a little over a week of play. We’re still leaning heavily on our rotation, which is holding us back from being dominant. I have no power threat that’s producing homers besides Kennys Vargas. We’re not doing a good job at hitting for average either. My bullpen is inconsistent at best.

[faithful2thecall]

July 20, 2018

• Kansas City traded LHP SP Brandon Finnegan to Philadelphia in exchange for SS Arquimedes Gamboa and LF Julsan Kamara.

New York Yankees 3 at Minnesota 0

WP: Masahiro Tanaka (9-6), LP: Hudson Boyd (2-2), SV: Dellin Betances (20)
HR: NYY-None, MN-None

We start the push for the playoffs against the AL East leading Yankees. Lewis Thorpe was injured (back tightness, day-to-day 1 day) coaxing a ground out from Ji-man Choi to start the 2nd. Choi lined a 2-out RBI single to left in the 3rd to open the scoring. Kyle Parker followed it up by lining a RBI single of his own into left to double the lead. It didn’t help our cause that we couldn’t get anything going at the plate against Tanaka. Victor Martinez seemed to put the game away when he lined a 2-out RBI single to center in the 6th to make it 3-0. Chris Herrmann grounded a single between 1st and 2nd into right field leading off the bottom of the inning for our 1st hit. Danny Santana and Joe Mauer led off the 9th with singles, but Betances set down the next 3 hitters to complete the shutout.


July 21, 2018

• San Diego trades RHP RP Kevin Quackenbush and $660,000 to Milwaukee for RF Stephen Jackson and SS Angel Ortega.

New York Yankees 6 at Minnesota 2

WP: Rafael Montero (8-3), LP: Jose Berrios (4-8), SV: Luis Severino (1)
HR: NYY-Kyle Parker (20), MN-None

Parker crushed a no-doubter 455 feet to left with 1-out in the 2nd for a solo homer to open the scoring. The Yankees added another run in the inning when Berrios uncorked a 2-out wild pitch. Jorge Soler picked up a RBI groundout in his 1st plate appearance for us in the bottom of the inning to get us on the board. Chris Herrmann drove home Tommy La Stella with a RBI ground out in the 4th to tie the game. Tyler Austin responded with a sacrifice fly in the 5th to put the Yankees back in front. Austin provided some insurance with a 2-out, 2-run double in the 7th.


July 22, 2018

New York Yankees 2 at Minnesota 6

WP: Phil Hughes (8-7), LP: Lance Lynn (7-6)
HR: NYY-None, MN-Joe Mauer (7)

Mauer pulled a 1-1 fastball on the outside corner 386 feet into the right field seats for a 1-out solo homer in the 3rd to open the scoring. We loaded the bases with 1-out in the 5th for Kennys Vargas. Lynn got Vargas to strike out on a foul tip. Christian Villanueva picked him up by grounding a 2-run single between Dante Bichette Jr. and 3rd base. Aaron Hicks and La Stella followed with RBI singles to make it 5-0. Hughes was in control on the mound for us. John Ryan Murphy lined a RBI double into the left field corner in the 7th to get the Yankees on the board. The win moved us back in front of the Yankees by 0.5 games for the best record in the AL.


July 23, 2018

• We’re 5th in the latest power rankings.
• The New York Mets trade LHP RP Brad Wieck to St. Louis in exchange for RHP SP Andrew Vinson.

Houston 3 at Minnesota 5

WP: Chris Heston (8-6), LP: Jeff Manship (5-3), SV: Nick Burdi (14)
HR: Hou-Carlos Correa (7), MN-Max Murphy (2)

Villanueva lined a 2-out RBI single to left in the 1st to open the scoring. Correa pulled the 1st pitch of the 3rd inning inside the left field foul post to tie the game. Hicks lined a 1-out RBI single to right in the bottom of the inning to put us back in front. La Stella followed it up by grounding into a RBI fielder’s choice to give us some cushion. Correa grounded a 2-out RBI single into right in the 4th to cut our lead to 1. Murphy answered by hammering a 1-2 changeup 396 feet to left-center for a 1-out solo homer to make it 4-2. Jon Singleton lined a 2-out RBI double in the 6th to bring Houston back within a run. Vargas added a sacrifice fly in the 7th to provide some insurance. My bullpen shut down the high-powered Houston lineup over the last 3.1 innings to secure the win.


July 24, 2018

Houston 0 at Minnesota 4

WP: Trevor May (7-3), LP: Erik Davis (1-3)
HR: Hou-None, MN-Aaron Hicks (4)

Vargas sliced a 1-out, 2-run double into the left field corner in the 1st to open the scoring. Davis and May locked up in a pitching duel after that. Oliver Perez uncorked a 2-out wild pitch in the 7th that proved costly as 4 pitches later, Santana lined a RBI double into the left-center gap. Santana was hurt (mild abdominal strain, day-to-day 1 week) running out the double however. Hicks won an 11-pitch duel with Jordan Jankowski in the 8th hitting a 3-2 fastball up in the zone 393 feet into the right field seats for a 2-out solo homer to provide some additional insurance. May went the distance giving up 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8 on 127 pitches.


July 25, 2018

• With 3B/LF Travis Harrison having recovered from injury, SS Jorge Polanco was sent down to AAA.
• Oakland traded RHP SP Jesse Hahn to Houston in exchange for RHP SP Charles King (2017 2nd Round pick) and RHP SP Albert Abreu.

Houston 5 at Minnesota 2

WP: James Hoyt (6-4), LP: Nick Burdi (5-2), SV: Jordan Jankowski (1)
HR: Hou-Brian Holberton (5), MN-None

We loaded the bases with 1 out in the 1st thanks to some wildness by Carlos Martinez, as following a single by Travis Harrison, Mauer walked on 4 pitches and Vargas got plunked by a 2-2 changeup. Unfortunately, Villanueva grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to squash our threat. Thorpe was injured (sore shoulder, 2 months) on a line out to Harrison at short leading off the 3rd. There was a 70 minute rain delay in the 4th. Jorge Martinez picked up a RBI on a slow roller to Vargas at 1st just after the rain delay to open the scoring. Soler followed a 1-out triple by La Stella with a RBI single lined up the middle to tie the game. Hicks lined a 2-out RBI single to right in the 8th to put us in front. Houston loaded the bases with nobody out in the 9th. Burdi coaxed a fielder’s choice grounder to La Stella where we got the lead runner at the plate. Holberton then came to the plate as a pinch-hitter and crushed a 2-1 fastball 435 feet to right-center for a grand slam to put Houston in front.

• Zack Wheeler (New York Mets) no-hit Atlanta 4-0. Wheeler struck out 7 and walked 3 on only 101 pitches.


July 26, 2018

• Houston trades CF James Ramsey and LHP RP Austin Nicely to the Chicago White Sox for RF Avisail Garcia.
• San Francisco deals RF Hunter Pence to Pittsburgh for SS L. J. Talley, RHP CL Nick Kern, and RF Aaron Mizell.
• Toronto sends LHP SP Thomas Szapucki (2016 4th Round pick) and RF Francisco J. Rodriguez to Detroit in exchange for LHP SP Kyle Ryan and $507,500.
• Houston also deals LF Jorge Martinez to the Los Angeles Angels for RHP CL Shae Simmons, C Hector Galvez, and $1,932,500. It’s an interesting trade with the Angels leading Houston by 3.5 games in the AL West.

Houston 5 at Minnesota 6

WP: Lester Oliveros (2-2), LP: Brandon League (1-2), SV: Nick Burdi (15)
HR: Hou-None, MN-None

This is our last regular season game against the reigning World Series winners this season, with us holding a 4-2 edge in the season series. We loaded the bases with 1 out in the 1st against Madison Bumgarner with Harrison coming to the plate. Harrison grounded a 2-1 curveball back up the middle just past the diving Nick Noonan for a 2-run single to open the scoring. A slow roller to 3rd by Harrison in the 3rd brought home Mauer to extend our lead. Hicks followed by grounding a RBI single up the middle to make it 4-0. Noonan grounded a RBI single through the 5.5 hole in the 5th to get Houston on the board. 1 out later, Correa sliced a RBI double into the right field corner and suddenly the tying run was coming to the plate. Berrios escaped further damage though with the most dangerous power hitters in the Houston lineup at the plate.

In the 8th I made the mistake of bringing my lone lefty reliever, Ryan Buchter (and his 12.09 ERA) into a tight game despite Houston having 4 lefty hitters in a row coming up, and Noonan made me pay with a 2-run double to tie the game for his 4th hit of the day. Correa then lined a 2-out RBI single to center off of Oliveros to put Houston in front. Houston then did me a favor by bringing in League, who promptly proceeded to walk the bases loaded with nobody out. The problem was that I had a struggling Herrmann scheduled to hit, so I went to the bench and called on Villanueva to pinch hit. Villanueva looked at a 3-2 sinker just off the plate to walk in a run and leave the bases loaded for Amaurys Minier. Minier came through with a sacrifice fly to deep center to put us back in front 6-5. After some defensive shuffling that resulted in Minier moving from 3rd to 1st and Mauer going behind the plate for the 9th, Burdi retired the side to secure the win getting Danry Vasquez to ground into a double play to end the game.


July 27, 2018

• Texas trades LF Trever Adams to San Francisco for LHP RP Luis Ysla and SS Franly Mallen.
• Kansas City deals RHP RP Corey Ray to Philadelphia in exchange for C Lucas Herbert (2016 3rd Round pick) and RF Robert Paulino.

Minnesota 2 at Toronto 6

WP: Tyler Thornburg (7-6), LP: Phil Hughes (8-8), SV: Roberto Osuna (1)
HR: MN-Travis Harrison (5), Tor-Jay Bruce (22), Rowdy Tellez (27)

We made our way north of the border to take on the hottest team in MLB at the moment as Toronto welcomed us with a 6-game winning streak that has moved them into the 2nd AL Wild Card spot by a game over Houston. Soler lined a 2-out RBI double to center in the 3rd to open the scoring. Bruce took advantage of a 1-2 hanging curveball and clobbered it 364 feet into the right field seats in the bottom of the inning for a 2-out, 3-run homer to put Toronto in front. Hughes uncorked a wild pitch in the 4th to give up another run as B. J. Boyd raced home from 3rd. After an infield single put runners on the corners, Navarreto committed a passed ball to allow another run to score. Tellez took any potential drama out of the game with a 2-out solo homer to extend his AL lead in homers in the 7th. Osuna gave up a consolation solo homer to Harrison in the 9th, but otherwise shut us down over the last 3 innings for his 1st MLB save.

• Bradley Zimmer (Cleveland) had his 21-game hitting streak come to an end in a 0-for-4 day in a 5-10 loss to the Chicago White Sox.


July 28, 2018

• Washington trades RHP RP Arodys Vizcaino and $1.1 million to Milwaukee in exchange for RF Seth Beer (2016 6th overall pick) and 2B Daniel Leonardo.
• The New York Mets deal RHP RP Josh Johnson and $1.6 million to the Los Angeles Dodgers for RHP SP Brooks Crawford and LF D. J. Miller.
• The Chicago Cubs send SS Jimmy Rollins to San Francisco for LHP SP Tyler Linehan and CF Jose Cadenas (2017 2nd Round pick).
• Cleveland trades 3B Ronny Rodriguez and SS Tyler Krieger to San Francisco in exchange for RHP SP Fernando Salas.

Minnesota 4 at Toronto 3

WP: Chris Heston (9-6), LP: Kyle Ryan (3-8), SV: Nick Burdi (16)
HR: MN-Travis Harrison (6), Tor-None

Vargas lined a 2-out RBI single to left in the 1st to open the scoring. Santana was injured (wrist soreness, day-to-day 3 days) by Devon Travis on a slide to break-up a double play attempt in the bottom of the inning. Harrison did his best Carlton Fisk impression in the 2nd, successfully willing a ball to stay just inside the left field foul post for a 1-out, 2-run homer. After that the game developed into a duel between Heston and Ryan. Jay Bruce grounded a 2-out RBI single into right in the 6th to get the Blue Jays on the board. Herrmann provided some insurance inside-outing a 2-1 fastball into the left-centerfield gap for a 2-out RBI double in the 8th. Toronto rallied for a pair in the bottom of the inning after I made the mistake of sending Heston back to the hill to start the inning since he’d only thrown 85 pitches in 7 innings. Burdi slammed the door in the 9th to end Toronto’s winning streak at 7.


July 29, 2018

• RHP SP John Curtiss was called up from AAA to replace the injured Lewis Thorpe, while CF Max Murphy was sent down to AAA with Byron Buxton now healthy.
• Philadelphia trades RHP SP Noah Murdock (2016 3rd Round pick) and SS Willerker Isava to Detroit in exchange for RHP CL Bruce Rondon.
• As bitter as the rivalry is, it’s hard to imagine this deal occurring, but Boston dealt RHP RP Jose Molina to the New York Yankees for C Miguel Flames and 1B Shane Potter.
• The Chicago Cubs traded 1B Dan Vogelbach and CF Jose Cadenas (2017 2nd Round pick by San Francisco) to Miami for RHP SP Kendry Flores.

Minnesota 0 at Toronto 3

WP: Tony Cingrani (4-1), LP: Trevor May (7-4), SV: Wade Davis (23)
HR: MN-None, Tor-Devon Travis (11), K. C. Hobson (4)

Travis hit a 1-out solo homer in the 1st to open the scoring. Besides that May and Cingrani settled into a pitcher’s duel, with both offenses struggling to put the ball in play. Cingrani struck out 11 over 6.2 shutout innings of 2 hit ball. Hobson hammered a 2-run homer to 7th for insurance. We did get the tying run to the plate with 2 outs in the 9th, but pinch-hitter Villanueva struck out on 3 pitches to end the game.

• Adam Eaton (Chicago White Sox) was suspended 4 games and Corey Kluber (Cleveland) was suspended 6 games for their parts in a benches clearing brawl between their teams.
• Adam Jones (Baltimore) was suspended 3 games for arguing balls and strikes and then making disparaging marks about the umpire in his postgame interview.


July 30, 2018

• Jairo Diaz (Colorado) is out 6-7 months with bone chips in his elbow.
• We’re 6th in the latest power rankings.
• Baltimore trades RHP SP Anibal Sanchez and C Jean Carrillo to Miami for C J. T. Realmuto. It’s a strange trade with Baltimore out of the race and Miami leading their division comfortably.
• The Los Angeles Angels deal LF Josh Vitters and LF Miguel Hermosillo to the New York Mets for RHP SP Gabriel Ynoa.
• The Chicago White Sox send C Salvador Perez to Seattle in exchange for SS Mike Gretler, RHP SP Grant Sloan (2015 5th Round pick), RF Jose Vasquez, RHP SP Nolan Kingham (2015 5th Round pick by Oakland), and LF Austin Schuetzle.
• Toronto trades RHP SP Aaron Sanchez to Detroit for 3B Lonnie Chisenhall.
• Arizona deals LF Jesus Santos to San Francisco in exchange for RHP RP Jeremy Jeffress and CF Gustavo Cabrera.

Minnesota 10 at Boston 9

WP: Simon Castro (4-3), LP: Eduardo Rodriguez (1-1), SV: Nick Burdi (17)
HR: MN-Christian Villanueva (5), Aaron Hicks (5), Bos-Pablo Sandoval (7), Josmil Pinto (4), Rusney Castillo (7), Melky Cabrera (3)

We’re catching Boston at a good time, as they’ve lost 12 straight games entering this series. Vargas lined a 2-out RBI double into the left field corner in the 1st to open the scoring. Villanueva followed by hammering a 2-2 slider over the Green Monster for a 2-run homer to give Yorman Landa some run support in his 2nd start of the season. Rafael Devers and Pinto picked up RBI singles in the bottom of the inning to get Boston on the board. Sandoval hammered a 1-0 hanging changeup 437 feet to left-center with 1 out in the 2nd to tie the game. After a double steal by Soler and Mauer in the 3rd, Vargas rapped a 2-run double into the right field corner to put us back in front. The Red Sox got one back in the 5th when a run scored on a double play grounder by Devers. Pinto followed it up by golfing a sinker over the Green Monster to tie the game again. Hicks responded by crushing a high fastball 444 feet into the wind in right center in the 6th for a 2-run homer to put us back in front 7-5. Later in the inning, Buxton lined a 2-out RBI single up the middle for some additional insurance. Castillo promptly greeted Boyd by moonshoting a 3-2 fastball 433 feet over the Green Monster for a leadoff homer in the bottom of the inning. Jackie Bradley Jr. lined a 2-out RBI single to right in the 7th to make it 8-7. Castillo followed it up by blooping a RBI single to left to tie the game. Mauer grounded a 1-out, 2-run seeing-eye single up the middle in the 9th to give us the 10-8 lead. Cabrera greeted Burdi by crushing a 1-0 99 MPH fastball 449 feet to right-center to make it a 1 run game. Boston continued to rally, loading the bases with 1 out. Burdi struck out Hanley Ramirez and coaxed a fly out to Hicks by Marco Hernandez to preserve a tense win.

• Craig Kimbrel (Milwaukee) recorded his 300th save in a 7-4 win over Arizona.


July 31, 2018

Minnesota 3 at Boston 2

WP: Jose Berrios (5-8), LP: Yovani Gallardo (6-7), SV: Nick Burdi (18)
HR: MN-None, Bos-None

A sudden downpour of rain resulted in a 49 minute delay with 2-outs in the top of the 2nd. Soler responded after play resumed by lining a RBI double into the left field corner as the 1st batter after play resumed. Vargas lined a 2-out RBI double to center in the 3rd to double our lead. Michael Kopech relieved Gallardo to start the 6th and pitched to Mauer, who reached on a throwing error by Yoan Moncada. On the play, Kopech was injured (strained triceps, 2 weeks). Villanueva added a sacrifice fly later in the inning for some insurance. Mookie Betts picked up a RBI ground out in the bottom of the inning to get Boston on the board. Rafael Devers followed with a sacrifice fly to the base of the Green Monster to make it 3-2. Santana was injured (mild hip strain, day-to-day 5 days) running out a 2-out double in the 7th. We loaded the bases without a hit in the 8th on 2 walks and a hit batter for Soler. Soler was rung up looking for the 2nd out, leaving it up to Navaretto. Jackie Bradley Jr. hustled in to pick up a blooper by Navaretto up of his shoe tops to save at least 1 run. Bradley then got ejected for slamming his helmet down after being called out on strikes for the 2nd out of the 9th. Burdi didn’t allow Boston to put a ball in play in the 9th, striking out the side around 2 walks to secure the win.


AL Batter of the Month: Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) .366 BA, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 25 R
NL Batter of the Month: Matt Davidson (Cincinnati) .359 BA, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 19 R
AL Pitcher of the Month: Rafael Montero (New York Yankees) 4-0, 5 GS, 1.39 ERA, 32.1 IP, 27 K
NL Pitcher of the Month: Kendry Flores (Chicago Cubs) 4-0, 6 GS, 34.2 IP, 29 K, 2.34 ERA
AL Rookie of the Month: Cam Gibson (Baltimore) .298 BA, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 15 R
NL Rookie of the Month: Jarlin Garcia (Miami) 4-0, 2 GS, 20 IP, 12 K, 1.80 ERA, .275 opp BA


60-41, .594, 10 GA (1st AL Central), 5 GA (of the 2nd AL Wild Card)

We’ve pretty much reached a point where it would take a historic collapse to deny us the division title and the 1st playoff appearance of my managerial career in wire-to-wire fashion. We’re the only AL team with 60 wins at this point, having the best record by 1 game over the New York Yankees. Kennys Vargas has quietly moved up to 3rd in the AL in RBIs. The loss of Lewis Thorpe hurts, as he’d been our best pitcher, being tied for the AL lead in wins and was 2nd in ERA when he got hurt. A 17-10 record in July means we’ve put together 4 straight winning months to start the season. We’re still not hitting as well as I’d like and our bullpen is still pretty scary at times.

[faithful2thecall]

August 1, 2018

Minnesota 6 at Boston 3

WP: Phil Hughes (9-8), LP: Drew VerHagen (0-1)
HR: MN-None, Bos-Travis Blankenhorn (1)

Boston loaded the bases with 1 out in the bottom of the 1st, but Jackie Bradley Jr. grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat. Hughes didn’t have his best stuff, and had to coax a pop up from Mookie Betts to escape a bases loaded jam in the 2nd. A sudden downpour caused a 56 minute rain delay in the top of the 3rd. Tommy La Stella lined a 2-out RBI double off the wall in in the 4th to open the scoring. Christian Villanueva lined a 1-out RBI single to left in the 6th to double our lead. Jorge Soler provided some additional insurance in the 7th by following Byron Buxton’s 2nd steal of the game by lining a 2-out RBI single to left to make it 3-0. Blankenhorn hammered a 1st pitch cutter from Hughes 442 feet to right with 1-out in the bottom of the inning for his 1st MLB homer, a solo shot to get the Red Sox on the board and send Hughes to the showers. Rafael Devers lined a 2-out RBI single to center later in the inning to make it a 1-run game. Pinch-hitter Danny Santana came through with 2-outs in the 8th grounding a 2-run single down the left field line. The Red Sox were so desperate for arms to pitch that they brought yesterday’s starter, Yovani Gallardo, in to pitch starting the 9th.


August 2, 2018

Minnesota 1 at New York Yankees 2

WP: Mayckol Guaipe (5-2), LP: Chris Heston (9-7), SV: Drew Betances (23)
HR: MN-None, NYY-None

It’s the 2 best teams in the AL matching up for a 4 game set after they took 2 out of 3 from us at Target Field. Joe Mauer delivered on a hit-and-run in the 1st with a 1-out RBI double to stake us to an early lead. Ji-Man Choi responded by grounding a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. We threw out Kolten Wong trying to steal twice in the 1st 3 innings. Choi chopped a 2-out RBI single to left in the 3rd to put the Yankees in front. With a fairly tired bullpen I called on John Curtiss to make his MLB debut and he delivered 3 hitless innings in relief.


August 3, 2018

Minnesota 6 at New York Yankees 14

WP: Daniel Norris (6-7), LP: Trevor May (7-5)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (20), NYY-Slade Heathcott 2 (7)

Tyler Austin chopped a 1-out RBI double down the left field line in the 1st to open the scoring. May got into trouble in the 3rd loading the bases with nobody out, but responded by striking out the AL leader in RBIs, Austin. Choi hit a sacrifice fly down the left field line, but that was all the Yankees got as May struck out Kyle Parker to end the inning. Heathcott led off the 4th with a homer. By the time the inning was over the Yankees had added 2 more runs and blown the game open, especially since we weren’t getting anything going at the plate. We didn’t score until Villanueva grounded a 1-out, 2-run single up the middle in the 6th. Travis Harrison tried to make it a game later in the inning by adding his own 2-run single to make it 7-4, but the Yankees torched Ryan Buchter, who was in for mop up duty and with my bullpen needing some rest. Parker was later tossed for arguing a called 3rd strike in the 7th. With the scoreboard looking ugly, I called on Brian Navaretto to pitch the 8th and he retired the side on 3 pop ups after a leadoff single by Brian McCann.

• Gregory Polanco (Pittsburgh) and Jake Barrett (Arizona) were both given 3 game suspensions for their parts in a benches-clearing fracas between their teams.
• Luke Jackson (Texas) threw a 2-hitter against San Francisco. The Rangers hit 6 homers to back him up in a 14-0 romp.


August 4, 2018

• I want to pull my hair out because of GM Terry Ryan’s incompetence yet again. This time he trades C Stuart Turner and RHP CL Connor Manous to Seattle for C Hank Conger. Conger is a career .218 hitter at a position where we already have problems getting hits from. Manous according to our head scout is a 2.5/4.5 player at a position of weakness for our team, though he had struggled some this season in Class A ball.
• To free up a roster spot for Conger, C Chris Herrmann was sent down to AAA.
• San Diego trades 1B Max Muncy and SS Dalton Rone to Colorado in exchange for LHP SP John Danks.

Minnesota 3 at New York Yankees 2

WP: Yorman Landa (2-0), LP: Masahiro Tanaka (10-8), SV: Nick Burdi (19)
HR: MN-Brian Navaretto (1), NYY-None

It took us only 2 batters to have more hits off of Tanaka than we did in 8 innings in our previous series with the Yankees, as Buxton and Tommy La Stella led off the game with back-to-back doubles to open the scoring. After Mauer grounded out, Vargas hit a RBI double over Slade Heathcott’s head in center. Navaretto pulled a ball off the left field foul pole for a 2-out solo homer in the 2nd to extend our lead. Landa’s 3rd start of the season went much better than his previous start, not allowing a run until a 1-out RBI single by John Ryan Murphy in the 7th. The bottom of our lineup loaded the bases with nobody out in the 9th on a hit batter, walk, and bunt single for Buxton. We caught a bad break when Buxton flew out and Parker threw out Jon Garcia at the plate. La Stella then grounded out to ruin a golden opportunity to get some insurance. The Yankees then loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the inning against Burdi on 2 singles and a walk for pinch-hitter Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury made it a 1 run game with a sacrifice fly to Buxton. Burdi escaped without giving up the tying run as we held on for a big win.


August 5, 2018

• John Mayberry Jr. is out 4 months due to torn ankle ligaments.

Minnesota 2 at New York Yankees 1

WP: Jake Reed (4-3), LP: Andy Oliver (4-2), SV: Nick Burdi (20)
HR: MN-None, NYY-None

Ellsbury lined a 1-out RBI double into the right field corner in the 4th to open the scoring. Both Jose Berrios and Danny Hultzen were in control on the mound. We didn’t have a serious threat until the 9th when we loaded the bases with 1 out for Santana. Santana struck out on 3 pitches, leaving the game up to La Stella. La Stella chopped a 2-run single into right, but new catcher Hank Conger was thrown out at 3rd to end the inning. Burdi retired the side in the bottom of the inning without giving up a hit to secure the series split.

• Sonny Gray (Oakland) threw a no-hitter against San Diego at PETCO Park in a 3-0 win. He struck out 9 and walked none on only 92 pitches. San Diego had batters reach on 2 errors and a hit batter.


August 6, 2018

• Stephen Strasburg (Washington) is out 2 months with a hamstring strain. Strasburg was 6-8 with a 2.31 ERA this season.
• We’re 3rd in the latest power rankings.

Off Day

• Phil Ervin (Cincinnati) hit for the cycle in a 12-4 win over Colorado.


August 7, 2018

Detroit 11 at Minnesota 1

WP: Alex Torres (10-6), LP: Phil Hughes (9-9)
HR: Det-None, MN-None

Miguel Cabrera put Detroit in front in the 1st with a sacrifice fly. Yosvani Bell added a 2-out RBI double later in the inning to double their lead. We answered with a run in the bottom of the inning when Buxton stole 3rd for his 60th stolen base of the season and eventually scored on a RBI groundout by Mauer. Hughes dug himself more trouble by committing a fielding error which Detroit turned into a run on a sacrifice fly by Steven Fuentes. Our offense was never really able to get on track.


August 8, 2018

Detroit 3 at Minnesota 14

WP: Chris Heston (10-7), LP: Aaron Sanchez (8-7)
HR: Det-Nick Franklin (10), MN-Kennys Vargas (21)

Franklin got some help from the wind to hit a 1-out solo homer to right in the 1st to open the scoring. Danny Ortiz chopped a 2-out RBI single to right in the 2nd to double Detroit’s lead. Hicks responded with a RBI double in the bottom of the inning to get us on the board. La Stella lined a RBI single to right as the next hitter to tie the game. Conger then put us in front with his 1st RBI for us when he lined a 1-out RBI single up the middle. Vargas hammered a 2-out RBI double off the right field wall in the 5th to give us some insurance. Nick Vincent was injured (ruptured ulnar collateral ligament, 9-10 months) surrendering a leadoff single to Conger in the 7th. The Tigers bullpen went into complete meltdown after that with the 1st 8 hitters reaching in the inning, highlighted by a 3-run homer by Vargas. By the time the carnage was over we’d scored 10 runs and sent 14 men to the plate.


August 9, 2018

Detroit 4 at Minnesota 5

WP: Hudson Boyd (3-2), LP: Danny Farquhar (3-5), SV: Nick Burdi (21)
HR: Det-None, MN-None

May got himself into trouble in the 1st by surrendering a run without giving up a hit, as he walked 4 hitters. We put together a 2-out rally in the bottom of the inning as Mauer sliced a double down the 3rd base line and Vargas followed it up by lining a RBI single to left to tie the game. Danny Ortiz was injured trying to throw out La Stella at 3rd in the 4th, who was going from 1st to 3rd on a 2-out single by Navaretto. Soler and Mauer drew bases loaded walks later in the inning to give us the lead. The Tigers didn’t get a hit until James McCann led off the 5th with a double lined into the left-centerfield gap. Franklin followed with a RBI double to cut the lead to 3-2. Miguel Cabrera followed with a RBI single through the 5.5 hole to tie the game. Tyler Collins lined a 2-out RBI double later in the inning to give Detroit the lead. Soler delivered in the clutch by grounding a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 6th to tie the game 4-4. Buxton delivered a huge 2-out RBI double to left-centerfield in the 8th to give us the lead. Things got a little hairy in the 9th with a 2-out hit batter, a single, and a balk putting 2 in scoring position with Cabrera at the plate. However Burdi threw a 96 MPH fastball past him for strike 3 to secure the win.


August 10, 2018

Toronto 6 at Minnesota 2

WP: Marcus Stroman (9-8), LP: Yorman Landa (2-1)
HR: Tor-None, MN-None

B. J. Boyd was injured (torn back muscle, 5 months) making a spectacular catch to rob Santana of a 2-out RBI extra base hit in the 2nd to end the inning. Soler inside-outted a ball down the right field line for a 1-out RBI double in the 3rd to open the scoring. Soler hustled home from 3rd on a wild pitch with Vargas at the plate and 2 outs in the inning to double our lead. J. B. Shuck grounded a leadoff double down the right field line in the 4th for Toronto’s 1st hit. Rowdy Tellez lined a 1-out RBI single up the middle 2 batters later to put the Blue Jays on the board. K. C. Hobson proceeded to tie the game with a sacrifice fly later in the inning before Landa could escape the jam. Devon Travis grounded a seeing-eye single through the 5.5 hole in the 6th to give Toronto the lead. Hector Sanchez then chopped a RBI single past a drawn in infield since the bases were loaded with nobody out, but Hobson was thrown out at the plate trying to score a 2nd run on the play.

• Chad Billingsley (Chicago Cubs) threw a 3-hitter against San Francisco.


August 11, 2018

• Sammy Solis (Washington) is out 14 months with a torn rotator cuff.

Toronto 5 at Minnesota 3

WP: Tyler Thornburg (9-7), LP: Jose Berrios (5-9), SV: Wade Davis (26)
HR: Tor-Devon Travis (14), MN-None

After a double steal with Buxton and Mauer, Harrison lined a 1-out, 2-run single to right in the 1st to open the scoring. Travis responded by hammering a 0-1 96 MPH fastball 377 feet to left for a 1-out solo homer in the 2nd to put Toronto on the board. Harrison hit a sacrifice fly to deep center in the 3rd after Buxton and Soler successfully executed a double steal to make it 3-1. Dalton Pompey answered with a RBI ground out in the 4th. Dazmon Cameron lined a 2-out RBI single to right in the 5th to tie the game. Berrios then made the mistake of throwing a fastball in the dirt with the bases loaded and 1 out in the 6th, allowing Pompey to race home from 3rd with the go-ahead run. Didi Gregorius then followed it up with a RBI ground out. We were having problems at the plate against Thornburg, who was trying to keep us in the game by having issues with his control walking 5 in 6 innings while giving up only 2 hits.

• Brendan Rodgers (Arizona) suffered a fractured foot when he was hit by a pitch and will be out 3-4 weeks.


August 12, 2018

Toronto 3 at Minnesota 0

WP: Roberto Osuna (7-7), LP: Phil Hughes (9-10), SV: Wade Davis (27)
HR: Tor-Rowdy Tellez (29), MN-None

Tellez hit a leadoff homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. Hobson added a RBI single 2 batters later to double the Toronto lead. We were having problems putting the ball in play, as Osuna allowed only 3 of the 1st 11 batters to put the ball in play, striking out 6 and walking 2. Mauer led off the 4th with a swinging bunt single for our 1st hit. Hughes uncorked a wild pitch in the 6th to provide some insurance. We could only muster 4 hits in 9 innings as Toronto completed the sweep.


August 13, 2018

• Bradley Zimmer (Cleveland) suffered a setback in his recovery from a bruised wrist that will keep him out another 2 weeks.
• We’re 9th in the latest power rankings.

Minnesota 3 at Detroit 8

WP: Carlos Torres (4-2), LP: Chris Heston (10-8)
HR: MN-Jorge Soler (2), Det-Tyler Collins (10), J. D. Martinez (12)

We’re catching the Tigers at a good time, as they welcome us to town while on a 5-game losing streak of their own. It didn’t take long to get on the board, as Buxton turned a single into a double with a steal of 2nd, and quickly came in to score as Soler lined a RBI single to right 3 pitches later. Heston promptly gave the run back by uncorking a wild pitch with runners on 2nd and 3rd in the bottom of the inning. Fuentes put Detroit in front in the 4th legging out a 2-out RBI infield single to Vargas. Soler responded with a 2-out solo homer hit 368 feet to left in the 5th to tie the game. Collins then responded with a 1-out, 2-run homer in the bottom of the inning to put Detroit back in front. Martinez seemingly put the game away with a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 7th. My offense finally decided to try to respond by loading the bases with 1-out in the 8th for Navarreto. Navarreto struck out and left it up to the struggling Buxton, who hit a can of corn out to right to squander the threat.


August 14, 2018

Minnesota 2 at Detroit 4

WP: Ian Krol (1-0), LP: Trevor May (7-6), SV: Darren O’Day (6)
HR: MN-None, Det-J. D. Martinez (13)

Amaurys Minier made the most of a rare start by lining a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 2nd to open the scoring. Other than that Nick Tropeano and May settled into a pitching duel. Vargas grounded a 2-out RBI seeing-eye single into left in the 5th to double our lead. Collins lined a 2-out RBI single to center in the 6th to get Detroit on the board. In luck common this week, Martinez hammered the next pitch 382 feet into the left field seats for a 3-run homer to give Detroit the lead. We couldn’t mount any sort of threat after that as we lost our 5th straight.

• Zack Wheeler (New York Mets) threw a 4-hitter against Arizona for his 2nd shutout of the season.


August 15, 2018

• Paul Goldschmidt (Arizona) is out 5 weeks with a strained hamstring.

Minnesota 8 at Detroit 1

WP: Yorman Landa (3-1), LP: Joe Mantiply (8-10)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas 2 (23), Det-None

We’re trying to avoid a 2nd consecutive sweep and a further deterioration of our once seemingly insurmountable division lead as the series finale against Detroit got underway. Franklin hit a sacrifice fly to the warning track in right in the 3rd to open the scoring. Hicks ripped a 1-out RBI double in the right-centerfield gap in the 4th to tie the game. Vargas got just enough of a 0-1 hanging changeup to hit it 429 feet into the centerfield seats for a 1-out solo homer in the 6th to give us the lead. We loaded the bases with 1-out in the 7th for Soler on 3 ground ball singles to the outfield. Soler walked on 4 pitches to bring in a run. Mauer followed with a RBI swinging bunt single. Vargas added a sacrifice fly before the Tigers bullpen could get out of the inning. Vargas then removed any doubt about the outcome with a 1-out, 3-run homer in the 9th.


August 16, 2018

Off Day


66-49, .574, 7 GA (1st AL Central), 3.5 GA (of the 2nd AL Wild Card, Tampa Bay)

It was a rough start to the month as we went 6-8 to start August. I think our biggest problem has been with the lack of offense. The schedule also gets easier in the 2nd half of the month. It also hasn’t helped that my starting pitchers have only been going about 6 innings recently with the problems my bullpen has had this season.

[faithful2thecall]

August 17, 2018

• Carl Crawford (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 7 months with a torn posterior cruciate ligament.
• Anibal Sanchez (Miami) is out 7 months due to a torn flexor tendon in his elbow.
• Giancarlo Stanton (Miami) is out 4 months with a fractured ankle.
• Gregory Polanco (Pittsburgh) is out 8-9 weeks with a partially torn labrum.

Minnesota 7 at Texas 4

WP: Jose Berrios (6-9), LP: Brad Hand (8-5), SV: Nick Burdi (22)
HR: MN-Hank Conger (1), Tex-Rougned Odor (20), Ronald Guzman (15), Joey Gallo (30)

Danny Santana grounded a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 2nd to open the scoring. 2 batters later, Byron Buxton dumped a 2-run single into center to extend our lead. Aaron Hicks added a 1-out, 2-run triple in the 3rd to make it 5-0 and send Hand to an early shower. Prince Fielder lined a 2-out RBI double into the right field corner in the bottom of the inning to get Texas on the board. Odor tried to make a game out of it with a leadoff homer in the 4th to make it 6-2. 2 batters later, Guzman added a solo homer of his own to bring Texas closer. The channel was certainly working as Gallo absolutely crushed a 3-2 fastball 474 feet for a solo homer in the 5th to make it 6-4. Conger responded by hammering a 1-2 fastball 419 feet to right-center to give us some breathing room. My bullpen put the game on lockdown over the last 4 innings to secure the win.

• Nick Castellanos (Detroit) is out 3 weeks with a sprained elbow after a collision at a base in today’s game against Oakland.


August 18, 2018

Minnesota 11 at Texas 8

WP: Phil Hughes (10-10), LP: Anthony DeSclafani (9-8)
HR: MN-Joe Mauer (8), Byron Buxton (4), Tex-None

Kennys Vargas grounded a 1-out RBI single up the middle in the 1st to open the scoring. Travis Harrison followed with a RBI infield single to double our lead. Before the carnage was over we’d added 3 more runs to put 5 on the board before Texas ever came to the plate. A 1-out, 2-run homer hammered 413 feet to right center by Mauer in the 2nd sent DeSclafani to an early shower. Guzman grounded a 2-out RBI single to right in the 4th to put Texas on the board, but we still had a 9-1 lead. Brian Navarreto was injured (hamstring strain, 4 weeks) when Nomar Mazara bowled him over at home plate on a sacrifice fly. Roman Mendez was injured (finger blister, 2 weeks) striking out Jorge Soler to end the 7th. I brought in John Curtiss for the 9th to give the kid a chance to get an inning in a game that was out of hand at 11-2, but he dumped fuel on the fire to the point where I had to get closer Nick Burdi up in the bullpen before Curtiss finally got the final out.


August 19, 2018

Minnesota 6 at Texas 7 (12 innings)

WP: Chris Archer (7-2), LP: Simon Castro (4-4)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (24), Joe Mauer (9), Tex-None

Mazara hit a sacrifice fly in the 1st to open the scoring. Odor followed it up with a RBI infield single. Jorge Alfaro grounded a RBI infield single in the 2nd to further pad the Texas lead. Chris Heston settled down after the 2nd inning, but we weren’t getting anything going against Luke Jackson. Vargas finally got us on the board with a leadoff homer in the 7th. We then got a rally going against the Rangers bullpen in the 8th, loading the bases with 1 out for Mauer. Mauer worked a 2-1 count against Martin Perez and then hit a 93 MPH fastball on the outside edge of the plate 396 feet into the left-centerfield seats for a grand slam that put us on top 5-4. Burdi uncorked a 1-out wild pitch in the 9th that allowed Guzman to race home from 3rd with the tying run. After Tommy La Stella and Santana singled to leadoff the 12th, putting runners on the corners with nobody out I sent up Jon Garcia to pinch-hit for Conger in the hopes of getting a flyball to bring home the go-ahead run. Unfortunately, Garcia flailed at a 3-2 fastball out of the zone for the 1st out, leaving it up to the struggling Buxton. Buxton picked up Garcia with a sacrifice fly to deep center that allowed La Stella to trot home with the go-ahead run. With Navarreto injured I had to get a little creative with my defense for the bottom of the inning, moving Mauer behind the plate and bringing Amaurays Minier in to play 1st. Mazara came through again in the bottom of the inning, grounding a 1-out RBI single past the drawn in infield. Guzman then hit a walk-off sacrifice fly to pull defeat out of the jaws of victory. Our recent struggles have corresponded with a Cleveland hot streak of 9 straight wins that has sliced our lead to 6 games.


August 20, 2018

• C Jorge Fernandez was called up from AA to take the place of the injured Brian Navarreto.
• We’re 10th in the latest power rankings.

Off Day

• Sonny Gray (Oakland) threw a 5-hitter against Cleveland for his 3rd shutout of the season.


August 21, 2018

Today is one of those quirky OOTP doubleheaders.

Game #1: Milwaukee 2 at Minnesota 3 (11 innings)

WP: Lester Oliveros (3-2), LP: Sean Marshall (3-3)
HR: Mil-None, MN-None

This is the makeup of a June 13th game. We’re catching the Brewers at a good time as they’ve lost 6 in-a-row. Milwaukee turned the tables on us by successfully executing a double steal in the 1st, which they then turned into a run on a fielding error by La Stella. Luis Sardinas grounded a 2-out RBI single to right in the 2nd to double the Brewers’ lead. After that both teams struggled to get much going and David Price and Trevor May were getting the clutch outs when they needed to. We finally got on the board in the 8th on a 1-out RBI single lined up the middle by Mauer to cut the deficit in half. The struggling Travis Harrison then came through 2 batters later by grounding a RBI single up the middle to tie the game. Aaron Hicks was then hit by a 1-2 pitch to load the bases for Jorge Fernandez’ 1st MLB plate appearance (after entering the game as a pinch runner), and he fouled out to leave it up to Santana. Santana was rung up on a checked swing to send us to the 9th inning still tied. La Stella came through in the 11th grounding a 2-out RBI single up the middle to give us a big win.


Game #2: Minnesota 6 at Milwaukee 4

WP: Yorman Landa (4-1), LP: Kevin Gausman (4-11), SV: Nick Burdi (23)
HR: MN-Tommy La Stella (2), Mil-None

The scene shifted to Milwaukee for the 2nd game. Soler was injured (fractured knee, 5 months) pulling a 2-out RBI double into the left field corner in the 3rd to open the scoring. Jaff Decker lined a 2-out RBI single to left in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Arismendy Alcantara followed by lining a RBI single up the middle to put Milwaukee in front. Allen Craig then blooped a 2-run single to right to add to the Brewers lead. Fernandez lined a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 4th to cut the deficit to 2-4. Landa tried to redeem himself for the previous inning by hitting a seeing-eye RBI single through the 5.5 hole to bring us within 1. La Stella hammered a 2-2 changeup 409 feet to right-center in the 5th to put us in front. I brought Vargas off the bench to pinch-hit for Landa in the 6th and he delivered a 1-out RBI double to give us some insurance. The bullpens took over after that and neither team mounted a real threat the rest of the way as we completed the doubleheader sweep. The sweep also made us the 1st AL team this season to 70 wins with the best record in the AL by 2 games over the Yankees.


August 22, 2018

• Brandon Nimmo (New York Mets) is out 4 weeks due to a knee sprain.

Minnesota 7 at Milwaukee 4

WP: Jose Berrios (7-9), LP: T. J. House (7-11), Nick Burdi (24)
HR: MN-Byron Buxton (5), Mil-Ryan Braun (23), Jaff Decker (15)

A throwing error by Mauer helped set up the Brewers to score the 1st run of the game in the 1st, which was driven in by a sacrifice fly by Alcantara. Alcantara returned the favor by dumping a throw in the dirt that brought in a run in the 2nd to tie the game. Berrios then made Milwaukee pay for intentionally walking Conger by chopping a 2-run double past Taylor Motter at 3rd to put us in front. House responded by helping himself as well by lining a 2-out RBI single up the middle to cut our lead to 1. Braun led off the 3rd with a homer to tie the game. Berrios responded by blooping a 2-out RBI single to center in the 4th to put us back in front. 2 batters later, Santana lined a RBI single to left to double our lead. Decker’s leadoff homer in the 8th brought the game back into a save situation. The Brewers didn’t put a ball in play against Burdi in the 9th as he slammed the door on the win.


August 23, 2018

• LF Eddie Rosario cleared waivers and was assigned to AAA.
• Brandon Belt (Philadelphia) is out 8 months with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Seattle 0 at Minnesota 3

WP: Phil Hughes (11-10), LP: Alex Cobb (9-7)
HR: Sea-None, MN-None

We’re catching Seattle at a good time as they come to town having lost 9 in a row. Hughes and Cobb were in control in the early innings. Christian Villanueva blooped a 2-out RBI single to center in the 4th to open the scoring. Conger followed by ripping a 2-run double where the ball came out of Austin Wilson’s glove when he hit the wall. Hughes was lights out, completing 3-hitter on 105 pitches, striking out 3 without walking a hitter. That was Hughes’ 2nd shutout of the season.

• RF Bryce Harper (Washington) is out 5 weeks due to a strained hamstring he suffered making a defensive play in today’s game against Philadelphia.
• The divisional race to watch looks like it’s going to be the NL Central as at the conclusion of play today the Cubs, Pirates, and Cardinals were all tied for 1st place. The drama may be a bit lacking however, as they are all 6.5 games ahead of Philadelphia who is the 1st team out in the NL Wild Card standings.


August 24, 2018

• Freddie Freeman (Atlanta) is out 6 weeks with a torn groin muscle.

Seattle 5 at Minnesota 10

WP: Ryan Buchter (4-1), LP: Ivan Nova (2-3)
HR: Sea-None, MN-Danny Santana (3)

Seattle loaded the bases with 1 out in the 2nd on a hit batter, fielding error, and an infield single for Abraham Almonte. Heston proceeded to walk Almonte on 4 pitches to bring home the game’s 1st run. Jordany Valdespin followed it up by lining a bases-clearing double into the right field corner. We got on the board when Buxton grounded a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 3rd, but that only made it 5-1. After Buxton stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd on a wild throw, Santana decided to try to make a game out of it by getting a ball up into the wind which carried the ball 345 feet into the right field seats to cut our deficit in half. Mauer lined a RBI single up the middle in the 6th to bring us within 1. Vargas then walked to load the bases with nobody out for Harrison. Harrison just barely missed hitting a grand slam and had to settle for a 2-run double off the wall in left to put us in front 6-5. Hicks followed by grounding a RBI single to right for some insurance. La Stella then picked up a RBI infield single. Villanueva then became the 8th straight hitter to reach to start the inning by lining a RBI double off the wall in right. Buxton stole 2nd again in the 8th for his 70th steal of the season.

• Julio Urias (Los Angeles Dodgers) strained his hamstring throwing a pitch in today’s game and will be out for 3 weeks. Urias is 12-3 with a 2.27 ERA this season, leading the NL in ERA.
• Tyler Naquin (Cleveland) was injured making a defensive play in today’s game and will be out 3-4 weeks with shoulder soreness.


August 25, 2018

• LF Andy Dirks was called up from AAA to replace the injured Jorge Soler. Soler was the 2016 World Series MVP, so his presence will be missed in the postseason.

Seattle 9 at Minnesota 2

WP: Danny Salazar (9-9), LP: Trevor May (7-7)
HR: Sea-None, MN-None

Cody Asche hit a 1-out RBI double over Buxton’s head in the 3rd to open the scoring. Alex Jackson followed it up with a RBI groundout. Austin Wilson then grounded a RBI single through the 5.5 hole. Things fell apart in the 5th as the Mariners scored 4 times against May and Simon Castro. My offense couldn’t get anything going against Salazar. We finally scored on a wild pitch with 1 out in the 8th. Seattle ended their 11 game losing streak and our 5 game winning streak.

• Anthony Rizzo (Chicago Cubs) was suffered a mild hamstring strain in a collision at a base in today’s game. Officially he’s day-to-day, but is expected to miss about a week.
• Prince Fielder (Texas) hit a solo homer in the 1st inning of a 5-3 loss to San Diego for career homer #400.
• With a stolen base late in today’s game, Buxton now has as many stolen bases on the season (71) as the 2nd and 3rd place players in the AL combined.


August 26, 2018

• Kansas City trades LHP SP Danny Duffy to Miami for RHP SP Kyle Molnar (2016 2nd Round pick) and C Pablo Garcia.

Seattle 5 at Minnesota 10

WP: Yorman Landa (5-1), LP: David Buchanan (9-6)
HR: Sea-None, MN-Kennys Vargas (25)

Mauer and Vargas sliced 1-out RBI doubles into the left field corner in the 1st to open the scoring. Hicks followed with a 2-out RBI single to cap the inning off. Seattle responded in the 2nd when Dario Pizzano grounded a 2-out RBI double down the left field line. We blew the game open with 5 runs in the 5th, highlighted by a 439-foot, 2-run homer by Vargas. Almonte was injured making a grab on an Andy Dirks liner in the 7th. My bullpen wasn’t in great form today, surrendering 4 runs (though only 2 of them were earned) over the last 3 innings to make the final score look closer than it was.

• Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox) threw a 4-hitter against Baltimore.


August 27, 2018

• Joc Pederson (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 3 weeks with a torn ligament in his thumb.
• Eddie Butler (Milwaukee) is out 4 months due to a bone spur in his elbow.
• We’re 2nd in the latest power rankings, behind only St. Louis.

Off Day


August 28, 2018

Oakland 6 at Minnesota 7 (11 innings)

WP: Nick Burdi (6-2), LP: Dan Otero (3-4)
HR: Oak-Brett Lawrie (11), Miguel Sano (17), Josh Whitaker (9), MN-Danny Santana (4)

Mark Canha lined a 1-out RBI single to left in the 2nd to open the scoring. We responded by loading the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the inning for La Stella. Conger followed by walking on 4 pitches to tie the game. We then ran ourselves out of the inning on a fly out-throw’em out double play by Dirks, with Harrison getting thrown out at the plate. Lawrie hit a leadoff homer in the 4th to put Oakland back in front. We saved another run to escape the inning when Whitaker was thrown out at home trying to score on a double by Charlie Blackmon. La Stella made up for his previous at bat by grounding a 1-out RBI single to right in the bottom of the inning to tie the game again. Santana ripped a 1-out solo homer 416 feet to center in the 5th to put us in front for the 1st time tonight. Sano pulled a leadoff homer just inside the left field foul pole in the 6th to tie the game at 3-3. A fan was ejected in the bottom of the 6th for throwing an item at Mark Canha in left field. Santana came through again by slicing a 2-out, 2-run double down the left field line in the bottom of the inning to give us the lead. Mauer followed by trading places with Santana by lining a RBI double off the right-centerfield wall for some insurance. Canha grounded a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 8th to bring Oakland within 6-4. Whitaker followed by getting around on a 1-1 high fastball and hit it 385 feet into the left field seats off of Oliveros to tie the game. Hicks came through in the clutch by grounding a 2-out walk-off single up the middle on a full count in the 11th to send the home fans home happy.


August 29, 2018

Oakland 0 at Minnesota 5

WP: Phil Hughes (12-10), LP: Johnny Cueto (8-11)
HR: Oak-None, MN-None

Mauer grounded a 1-out RBI single to right in the 1st to open the scoring. Mauer then padded the lead by blooping a 1-out, 2-run single to left in the 3rd. The tension in the stands started to mount as the innings progressed and our bench gave Hughes a wide berth in the dugout as the game moved into the late innings with history potentially in the making. We added some insurance in the 7th when Santana lined a RBI single up the middle on a hit-and-run following Buxton’s 3rd steal of the game to make it 4-0.

Hughes was a lonely man as he stepped on the hill for the 9th with Oakland’s 9-1-2 hitters due up and a lot of 0’s on the scoreboard. The only A’s runners had reached on an error by Dirks in the 1st and when Hughes clipped Matt Olson with a pitch in the 7th. He had economized his pitches well, starting the 9th at only 85 pitches. Blackmon chopped a 1-0 cutter to La Stella for an easy out. Franklin Barreto worked the count full before hitting a can of corn to Buxton in center to bring Hughes within 1 out of immortality. Only Marcus Semien stood in his way. After fouling off a fastball, Semien nubbed another fastball down the 3rd base line. Harrison raced in and fired a strike across to Mauer to compete the NO-HITTER. It was Hughes’ 3rd shutout of the season and 2nd in a row. It was the 1st no-hitter pitched at Target Field in front of a sellout crowd of 39,504.

• That was a special way for me to get my 300th victory as a manager.



August 30, 2018

• Brandon Morrow (Houston) is out 13 months with a damaged elbow ligament.
• Jurickson Profar (Texas) will miss 5 months due to a torn labrum.

Oakland 9 at Minnesota 10

WP: Chris Heston (11-8), LP: Mike Foltynewicz (4-12), SV: Nick Burdi (25)
HR: Oak-Miguel Sano (18), MN-Travis Harrison (7)

Barreto blooped a 2-out RBI single to center in the 2nd to open the scoring. Fernandez answered pulling a 2-out RBI double down the right field line in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. A successful double steal by Buxton and Santana in the 3rd set the table for Mauer to ground a 2-run single into right to put us in front. We then threatened to blow the game open loading the bases with still nobody out in the inning for Hicks. Hicks grounded into a 4-6 RBI fielder’s choice to provide some cushion. Both Heston and Foltynewicz had issues finding the strike zone, Heston surrendering 8 walks in only 5 innings. Oakland cut the lead in half with a pair of runs in the 5th on a bases loaded walk and a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3. La Stella answered with a 2-out RBI double to provide some insurance. Olson lined a 1-out RBI single to left in the 6th to cut into our lead. Lawrie then drew a bases loaded walk to make it a 1-run game. A 3-6-3 double play by Rob Brantly ended the Oakland threat. Mauer answered by lining a clutch 2-out RBI single to left to make it 7-5. After Vargas walked, Harrison got all of a slider up in the zone and hit it 379 feet into the left field seats for a 3-run homer. Oakland tried to make a game out of it in the 8th, highlighted by a 2-run homer by Sano. Neither bullpen had a good day. Burdi slammed the door in the 9th despite walking a batter to secure a wild win.


August 31, 2018

Minnesota 15 at Tampa Bay 4

WP: Trevor May (8-7), LP: Keith Couch (1-4)
HR: MN-Hank Conger 2 (3), Kennys Vargas 2 (27), Travis Harrison (8), TB-Jose Bautista (13)

We took an early lead on a sacrifice fly to deep center by Vargas in the 1st. Evan Longoria answered with a 2-out RBI double in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Conger put us back in front with a sacrifice fly in the 2nd. Daniel Robertson grounded a RBI single to left in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Bautista then pulled a 1-out RBI double down the left field line in the 3rd to put the Rays in front. Conger took advantage of a hanging sinker in the 4th and hit it 391 feet into the right-centerfield seats for a 2-run homer that put us back in front and sent Couch to an early shower. We got some help from the umpire in the 5th, who called a balk on Jeff Beliveau with 2 outs and runners on the corners to double our lead. Dirks followed with a RBI single up the middle. A 2-out solo homer by Bautista in the bottom of the inning cut into our lead. Vargas crushed a 1-out, 2-run homer 439 feet to right-center to seemingly put the game away. Harrison then made it back-to-back jacks by pulling a hanging curveball 346 feet, just over the left field wall. By the time the carnage was over, we’d scored 7 times in the inning.

AL Player of the Month: Rougned Odor (Texas) .346 BA, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 20 R
NL Player of the Month: Dan Vogelbach (Miami) .356 BA, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 19 R, .444 OBP
AL Pitcher of the Month: Nate Karns (Tampa Bay) 5-1, 1.19 ERA, 6 GS, 45.1 IP, 44 K, .186 opp BA
NL Pitcher of the Month: Marco Gonzalez (St. Louis) 5-0, 4 GS, 36.1 IP, 31 K, 1.49 ERA
AL Rookie of the Month: Ronald Guzman (Texas) .327 BA, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 21 R
NL Rookie of the Month: Vogelbach (Miami)


78-51, .605, 10.5 GA (1st AL Central), 4 GA (AL Best Record)

With Cleveland 2 games behind the 2nd AL Wild Card we’ll clinch the division to make the playoffs the way things stand. At this point we’ve climbed within 1.5 games of the Chicago Cubs for the best record in MLB. Hopefully injuries won’t derail our World Series hopes. We finished August at 18-10 for the month after going 13-2 to close the month. It would just about take a collapse on the caliber of the 1964 Phillies for us not to go wire-to-wire.

With September arriving with us in a pennant race, the updates will be weekly for the rest of the regular season.

[faithful2thecall]

September 1, 2018:

• RHP SP Kyle Gibson, RHP SP Bryan Mitchell, RHP RP Alex Meyer, LHP SP Jason Wheeler, CF Max Murphy, C Chris Herrmann, C Austin Barnes, C Mitch Garver, and SS Luis Mateo were called up from AAA. While RHP SP Tyler Duffey and CF Jean Carlos Arias from AA as part of the September roster expansions.

Minnesota 4 at Tampa Bay 1

WP: Yorman Landa (6-1), LP: Jarred Cosart (12-9), SV: Nick Burdi (26)
HR: MN-Andy Dirks (3), TB-None

Landa escaped a jam in the 2nd where the Rays loaded the bases with 1 out, but Landa coaxed an infield fly from Roderick Shoulders and struck out Riley Unroe on a checked swing to end the inning. Hank Conger and Dirks led off the 3rd with back-to-back doubles to open the scoring. 2 batters later, Danny Santana lined a 1-out RBI single to right-centerfield to double our lead. Corey Dickerson hit a sacrifice fly to deep center in the bottom of the inning to get Tampa Bay on the board. Joe Mauer grounded a 1-out RBI infield single to deep short in the 5th, allowing Byron Buxton to sprint home from 3rd to make it 3-1. Dirks then provided some insurance by clobbering a 97 MPH fastball up in the zone 407 feet to right-center leading off the 9th. Burdi made things a little too exciting in the bottom of the inning, walking the 1st 2 hitters to bring the tying run to the plate, but back-to-back strikeouts got him 1 out away and then Jake Bauers sent Buxton to the track to run down a fly ball to secure the win.


September 2, 2018

• Yasiel Puig (Los Angeles Dodgers) is out 5-6 weeks due to a herniated disc.

Minnesota 1 at Tampa Bay 0

WP: Jose Berrios (8-9), LP: Greg Harris (0-3), SV: Nick Burdi (27)
HR: MN-None, TB-None

I decided to take advantage of the expanded rosters and tomorrow’s off day to rest Buxton and Mauer, who have a tendency to be a bit injury prone. Santana extended his hitting streak to 17 games by lining a 1-out RBI single to left in the 2nd to open the scoring. Both starters were in control as neither offense could get much going. Berrios had his best start in a month, throwing 7 shutout innings, surrendering only 1 hit while striking out 6 and walking 3. We threatened to add insurance in the 8th, loading the bases with 1 out for Aaron Hicks, who unfortunately grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. Tampa Bay didn’t have a threat until the 9th when they loaded the bases with 1 out against Burdi for Jose Bautista. Burdi coaxed Bautista to ground into a 1-2-3 double play to end the game. The Rays had only a 3rd inning leadoff double by Kevin Kiermaier before the 9th inning.


September 3, 2018

• Danny Santana was named AL player of the week after hitting .536 with 1 HR and 7 RBIs.
• Carlos Gonzalez (Kansas City) is out 5 months due to a broken bone in his elbow.
• Josh Harrison (Pittsburgh) is out 5 weeks with a torn ligament in his thumb.
• We’re 1st in the latest power rankings.

Off Day


September 4, 2018

• RHP SP Alexis Tapia was called up from AA as part of the roster expansion in a head scratching decision by GM Terry Ryan, as Tapia has made only 1 appearance above A ball where he threw 6.1 shutout innings.
• Patrick Kivlehan (Seattle) is out 7 months with a broken bone in his elbow.

Minnesota 5 at Detroit 1

WP: Phil Hughes (13-10), LP: Aaron Sanchez (8-9), SV: Lester Oliveros (1)
HR: MN-None, Det-None

We entered this game on a roll having won 7 straight, which was the longest active winning streak in MLB. However the real story leading into this game was if Phil Hughes could match the feat of Johnny Vander Meer by throwing back-to-back no-hitters.

Kennys Vargas got on his horse in the 1st for a 2-out RBI triple into the right field corner to open the scoring. Travis Harrison followed it up by pulling a RBI double into the left field corner to double our lead. Eddy Martinez put a quick end to Hughes’ bid at history by grounding a 1-2 curveball back up the middle into centerfield leading off the bottom of the inning. Miguel Cabrera then put to bed any dreams of a 3rd straight shutout by lining a 1-out RBI single to left to get Detroit on the board. Both Hughes and Sanchez settled down after the 1st and into a pitching duel. I decided to get aggressive in the 6th with a rare quasi-scoring opportunity and hit-and-run with Tommy La Stella at the plate and Vargas as the lead runner. La Stella made me look like a genius by lining a 2-run double into the right field corner to provide some insurance. Hughes was excellent allowing 1 run on 3 hits in 7 innings before being lifted as I started looking at the postseason.

Magic Number: 20, with our win our lead remains 11.5 games in the AL Central after Cleveland beat Kansas City 1-0. With 30 games left, I think the countdown can legitimately begin in earnest.


September 5, 2018

Minnesota 3 at Detroit 2

WP: Chris Heston (12-8), LP: Nick Tropeano (9-9), SV: Nick Burdi (28)
HR: MN-None, Det-Miguel Cabrera (24)

La Stella ripped a 2-out RBI double into the right field corner in the 4th to open the scoring. Detroit didn’t have a baserunner until Cabrera lined a 2-out single to center in the bottom of the inning. We loaded the bases with 1 out in the 8th for Conger, and with him hitting under .200 I wanted to lift him for a pinch-hitter, but I let him hit because of the outstanding game he was calling behind the plate. Conger rewarded me by lining a RBI single just over the glove of Nick Franklin. Dirks followed by drawing a bases-loaded walk. Cabrera hit a 1-out, 2-run homer off of Heston in the 9th to break-up the shutout. Burdi came in to record the last 2 outs to secure the win. Santana’s hitting streak was ended at 18 games after an 0-for-5 day.

Magic Number: 18 and our lead is 12.5 games after Cleveland lost a wild 7-10 game to Kansas City.

• Kevin Kiermaier (Tampa Bay) was suspended 3 games and Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox) was suspended 6 games for their parts in a benches-clearing altercation between their teams in today’s game.


September 6, 2018

Minnesota 8 at Detroit 9 (11 innings)

WP: Jack Flaherty (1-0), LP: Lester Oliveros (3-3)
HR: MN-Christian Villanueva (6), Det-Destin Hood (2), Steven Fuentes (3), Nick Castellanos (13), Nick Franklin (12)

With a big lead I’m able to take the chance to give some of my starters some days off and make use of my September call ups. Today I put a Luis Mateo and Austin Barnes in the lineup, who both have MLB experience—just not this season.

Hood hit a 2-run homer in the 2nd to open the scoring. We didn’t get a hit until Vargas blooped a 2-out single to center in the 4th. Fuentes hammered a leadoff homer 437 feet to center in the 5th to extend the lead. Hicks pulled a 1-out RBI double down the left field line in the 6th to get us on the board. Barnes delivered a clutch 2-out RBI single to left later in the inning to bring us within 1. Castellanos responded with a 1-out solo homer in the bottom of the inning to provide some insurance. Hicks delivered in a key spot in the 7th by grounding a 2-out, 2-run triple past Yosvani Bell at 1st into the right field corner to tie the game. Grayson Greiner ripped a RBI double over Harrison in left in the bottom of the inning to put the Tigers back in front. Franklin then seemed to put the game away by pulling a wind-aided 1-out, 3-run homer just inside the right field foul post. We responded in the 8th by loading the bases without putting the ball in play on 3 straight walks to open the inning for Villanueva. Villanueva went down for a 1-2 sinker and golfed it 391 feet into the left field seats for a grand slam to tie the game. Danny Ortiz finally ended our 9-game winning streak by lining a 2-out walk-off single to center in the 11th.

Magic Number: 18 and our lead is back down to 11.5 games after Cleveland won 8-4 against Kansas City.


September 7, 2018

Chicago White Sox 2 at Minnesota 3

WP: Alex Meyer (1-0), LP: Alex Colome (0-1)
HR: CWS-None, MN-None

The White Sox were upset with the umpiring crew early on, voicing their displeasure on a couple of occasions. Jonathon Berti grounded a 1-out RBI single to left in the 3rd to open the scoring. Jose Abreu added a RBI double 2 batters later to double the White Sox lead. Neither offense could get much going against Landa and Wily Peralta. Harrison came through in a clutch situation with 2-outs and the bases loaded in the 8th, lining a 2-run single to left to tie the game. Buxton then sent the home fans happy by lining a 2-out RBI single to right in the 9th. Meyer pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless relief for his 1st MLB victory.

Magic Number: 17 as Cleveland beat Detroit 4-3 to remain 11.5 games back. We have 27 games left, the Indians have 28 games left.

• Taylor Lindsey (San Diego) was suspended 4 games after being ejected for arguing balls and strikes, then berating the umpire in his postgame remarks.


September 8, 2018

Chicago White Sox 3 at Minnesota 4

WP: John Curtiss (1-0), LP: David Robertson (5-4)
HR: CWS-Jose Abreu (32), MN-None

Abreu extended his hitting streak to 18 games by grounding a 2-out RBI single through the 5.5 hole in the 1st to open the scoring. La Stella lined a hit-and-run RBI single to center in the 2nd to tie the game. With 1-out in the inning Dirks dumped a RBI single into left to give us the lead. We loaded the bases with 1-out in the 3rd for La Stella, who squibbed a grounder up the 1st base line that Alex A. Rodriguez picked up and took to the base himself as Harrison raced home from 3rd to double our lead. Trayce Thompson responded by lining a 2-out RBI single to left in the 4th to make it a 3-2 game. Abreu then hit a leadoff homer 389 feet to left in the 6th to tie the game. After having 2-out and nobody on in the 9th, after a hit batter, wild pitch and a single to left that put runners on the corners, Harrison came through in the clutch by lining a walk-off RBI single to left to send the fans home happy. Curtiss pitched 2.1 innings of no-hit relief, striking out 4 to earn his 1st MLB win.

Magic Number: 16 as Cleveland scored 5 runs in the 10th to beat Detroit 6-1.


September 9, 2018

Chicago White Sox 2 at Minnesota 3

WP: Lester Oliveros (4-3), LP: Drew Smyly (2-6), SV: Nick Burdi (29)
HR: CWS-None, MN-Aaron Hicks (6)

Jonathan Villar grounded a RBI single to left in the 3rd to open the scoring. Rodriguez added a RBI ground out 2 batters later to double the White Sox lead. We got on the board in the 4th when Harrison grounded into a double play. Hicks got some help 3 pitches later when Spencer Adams threw a 2-0 fastball that Hick golfed 350 feet to right, just getting into the seats to tie the game. The game remained tied into the 8th, when Hicks grounded a 2-out RBI single down the left field line to give us the lead. Dirk made an outstanding diving grab down the left field line to end the game with a perfect 9th for Burdi.

Magic Number: 14 as Cleveland was shutout 2-0 by Detroit swelling our lead to 12.5 games with 25 games left.

• Tyrone Taylor (Milwaukee) and Joan Gregorio (San Francisco) were both suspended 7 games for their roles in instigating a free-for-all between their teams in today’s game.
• Tyler Skaggs (Los Angeles Dodgers) threw a 3-hitter against Arizona.


85-52, .620, 12.5 GA (1st AL Central), 7 GA (AL Best Record), 1 GA (MLB Best Record)

[faithful2thecall]

September 10, 2018

• We remain 1st in the latest power rankings.

Boston 6 at Minnesota 4

WP: Jandel Gustave (4-6), LP: Chris Heston (12-9), SV: David Carpenter (11)
HR: Bos-Jackie Bradley Jr. (12), MN-Travis Harrison (9)

Bradley hit a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 1st to open the scoring. Heston had control issues, walking 5 batters in the 1st including walking in 2 runs later in the inning as Boston sent 11 men to the plate and scored 5 runs. I had seen enough of Heston and brought Kyle Gibson in to pitch in the 2nd. Neither offense could get much going after that. Hank Conger lined a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 4th to get us on the board. Tommy La Stella followed 2 batters later by grounding a 2-run double down the right field line. Harrison got the ball up into the wind leading off the 8th for a homer to make it a 1 run game. Pinch-hitter Yoan Moncada provided some insurance with a RBI groundout in the 9th after a throwing error by Conger allowed a Josmil Pinto to advance to 3rd after attempting to steal 2nd.
Magic Number: 14 since Cleveland got a walk-off homer in the 10th from Carlos Santana to beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3.


September 11, 2018

• Bryce Harper (Washington) suffered a setback in his recovery from a strained hamstring that will cause him to miss an additional 3 weeks.

Boston 0 at Minnesota 9

WP: Bryan Mitchell (2-0), LP: Drew VerHagen (3-4)
HR: Bos-None, MN-Danny Santana (5), Andy Dirks (4)

To help line up our rotation for the postseason I gave Mitchell his 1st start at the MLB level since April. Santana crushed a 2-0 sinker 426 feet to right-centerfield in the 1st to open the scoring. We added 2 more runs on a passed ball and a RBI single by La Stella with 2-outs in the inning. Dirks pulled a leadoff homer 392 feet to right in the 2nd to make it 5-0. We kept the Red Sox off the board in the 4th when they had runners on the corners with 1 out and Bradley flew out to Dirks and threw out Melky Cabrera at the plate to end the inning. Mitchell rewarded my faith with 7 shutout innings. With a 9-0 lead I gave Alexis Tapia his debut above the AA level. Tapia pitched a pair of hitless innings, walking 2 and striking out 1, to secure the win.
Magic Number: 13 after Cleveland blew out the White Sox early, scoring early and often in a 9-1 rout.


September 12, 2018

• Stephen Piscotty (Philadelphia) is out 5 weeks due to chronic back soreness.

Boston 4 at Minnesota 10

WP: Alex Meyer (2-0), LP: Brian Johnson (0-1)
HR: Bos-Rafael Devers (13), MN-Travis Harrison (10)

Devers hit a 2-out solo homer in the 1st to open the scoring. Brett Phillips blooped a 1-out RBI double down the right field line to double the lead. Pinto added a sacrifice fly in the 3rd for more insurance. Our 1st real threat came in the bottom of the inning when we loaded the bases with nobody out for Joe Mauer. Mauer struck out, but Kennys Vargas hit a sacrifice fly to get us on the board. Courtesy of some wildness by Tim Cooney, hitting 2 batters and throwing a wild pitch, we put 2 runners in scoring position without a hit in the 4th. Byron Buxton made Cooney pay by grounding a 2-out, 2-run single up the middle to tie the game. Buxton then stole 2nd on a pitchout before Santana flared a RBI double down the right field line to give us the 4-3 lead and send Cooney to the showers. Boston then caught a break in the 6th as they scored on a single and an error as Aaron Hicks overran the ball coming in to field it, which tied the game. Santana put us back in front by lining a 1-out RBI double into the right-centerfield gap in the bottom of the inning. Harrison added a sacrifice fly later in the inning for some insurance. Pinch-hitter Chris Herrmann then blew the game open by dumping a 2-run single into center to make it 9-4.
Magic Number: 12 as Cleveland beat the White Sox comfortably 7-3. The Indians have matched us in going 8-2 in our last 10 games.


September 13, 2018

Minnesota 5 at Chicago White Sox 3

WP: Yorman Landa (7-1), LP: Chris Sale (8-13), SV: Nick Burdi (30)
HR-MN-Mitch Garver (1), Joe Mauer (10), Kennys Vargas (28), CWS-None

Sale took the mound for the White Sox in his 1st start after his suspension for his part of a benches-clearing brawl on September 5th. Starting a road trip and with a few guys scheduled to start that either don’t hit Sale well or haven’t been hitting well at all, I gave a few call ups chances to start. We’re catching the White Sox at a good time though as they’ve lost 6 straight entering this series.
Garver rewarded my faith by hitting a 2-2 splitter up in the zone 390 feet into the bullpen in right to lead off the 3rd by opening the scoring with his 1st MLB home run. Santana added a RBI ground out later in the inning to double our lead. Neither offense could get much going as Sale and Landa were in control. Buxton sliced a 2-out RBI double into the right field corner in the 5th to provide some insurance. The only thing that could dampen Landa’s outing was a 65 minute rain delay in the 6th that sent my bullpen scrambling into action and forced me to lift Landa after 6 shutout innings of 2-hit ball. Mauer and Vargas appeared to put the game away with a 2-out back-to-back solo homers in the 8th. Garver ended up going 4-for-4 at the plate and was a triple short of the cycle. The White Sox didn’t get on the board until a RBI ground out to Vargas by Trayce Thompson for the 2nd out of the 9th. Sandy Leon followed by grounding a 2-run single up the middle to bring the tying run to the plate and forced me to lift Simon Castro (who was on the verge of a 3 inning save) for Burdi. Jonathan Villar singled to put runners on the corners and bring the potential winning run to the plate. Then the wind saved the day as Jonathon Berti hit a deep fly to left which would have been gone if it wasn’t into the wind, as it was Murphy made the catch on the track to secure the win.
Magic Number: 11 as the Indians had the day off.


September 14, 2018

Minnesota 1 at Chicago White Sox 3

WP: Dan Jennings (3-5), LP: Jake Reed (4-4), SV: David Robertson (25)
HR: MN-Byron Buxton (6), CWS-None

The medics had to treat a fan in behind our dugout in the 4th after they were injured by a foul ball in the previous inning. Neither offense could get anything going against Jose Berrios or Spencer Adams. Buxton took advantage of a hanging changeup with 2-out in the 6th and hit it 399 feet into the right-centerfield seats to open the scoring. Hicks kept us in front by robbing Domonic Brown of a 2-out, 3-run homer in the bottom of the inning. I felt comfortable bringing in Reed, who had been on a roll, in to start the 8th because Berrios’ pitch count was approaching 100. Reed didn’t have his good stuff though and a RBI double by Aaron Altherr tied the game. The White Sox then took the lead on an infield single by Alex A. Rodriguez despite a drawn in infield. They got some insurance on a 5-4-3 double play by Jose Abreu. We went down in order in the 9th as we let a win get away.
Magic Number: 10 as despite of our letting a win get away, James Paxton and Joe Thatcher combined to 3-hit the Indians.


September 15, 2018

• Oakland was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention after yesterday’s games becoming the 1st team to be eliminated this season. Baltimore and Boston are only 3 games ahead of them in the AL, which will probably be about the same time the bottom 60% of the NL West will be eliminated as well.
• Brian Navarreto completed his injury recovery. Other than Mitch Garver’s solitary start, Navarreto has been my best hitting catcher. However I decided to slot him in behind Hank Conger because I like the job Conger has been doing calling games.

Minnesota 2 at Chicago White Sox 0

WP: Phil Hughes (14-10), LP: Carlos Rodon (6-8), SV: Nick Burdi (31)
HR: MN-Christian Villanueva (7), CWS-None

Hughes and Rodon were dealing early in this game, as neither team managed a hit until Sandy Leon chopped a 2-out single up the middle in the 3rd. Mauer grounded a 1-out single to right in the 4th for our 1st hit of the game. Villanueva impressed some scouts watching the game by hammering a 1-0 fastball 367 feet into the wind into the left field seats for a 1-out, 2-run homer in the 5th to open the scoring. In the 7th with runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1-out, the White Sox opted to intentionally walk Buxton to fill 1st and get to Santana as the rain started to fall. Santana struck out, leaving it up to Mauer. Thompson ran down a deep fly ball from Mauer on the warning track in right-center to end the threat. Yet again a rain delay struck while we were in the field, and the 67 minute delay had me scrambling to get a reliever ready when play resumed with a runner on 1st and 1-out in the bottom of the inning. Fortunately all Hughes needed was 2 pitches to coax Carlos Sanchez to bounce into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. Lester Oliveros and Burdi came out of the bullpen to complete the 4-hitter.
Magic Number: 9 since Cleveland remained 0.5 GB of the 2nd AL Wild Card spot with a 5-2 win over Kansas City.


September 16, 2018

• Baltimore was officially eliminated from playoff contention after yesterday’s games. Boston is likely to soon follow as they are only 1 game ahead of the Orioles in the standings.

Minnesota 2 at Chicago White Sox 3

WP: Wily Peralta (9-12), LP: Chris Heston (12-10), SV: David Robertson (26)
HR: MN-Amaurys Minier (1), Travis Harrison (11), CWS-None

I made it a true “getaway” day for the series finale on a Sunday afternoon, giving 5 of my normal starters the day off. It rankled my starter Heston, who lasted only 1 inning in his last start where he gave up 5 unearned runs and took the loss. Heston and Peralta quickly settled into a pitcher’s duel where neither team could get a threat going. We finally got a chance in the 5th as Garver and Hank Conger hit back-to-back singles to leadoff the inning, then they moved up on a 1-out wild pitch with Jean Carlos Arias at the plate. Arias flew out to Adam Eaton, who then threw out Garver at the plate to end the inning, after I’d decided to send him with how Minier (who was on-deck) was swinging the bat. Leon made me pay in the bottom of the inning with a 1-out, 2-run double to open the scoring. Before the inning was over, Berti provided some insurance with a RBI ground out. Naturally, Minier leads off the 6th by lining a 2-1 slider 385 feet into the right field seats to get us on the board with his 1st MLB home run. With 2 outs in the inning, Harrison won an 8 pitch battle by golfing a fastball 371 feet into the left field seats to bring us within 2-3. We couldn’t get anything going after that as we dropped a rare game in September.
Magic Number 8 as the Indians were destroyed 15-1 by the Royals behind a barrage by Curtis Anderson, who went 4-for-5 with a 2B, 2 HR’s, 8 RBI, and scored 3 runs.


89-55, .618, 12 GA (1st AL Central), 8.5 GA (Best Record in the AL), 0.5 GB (Best Record in MLB)

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the only team in MLB with a better record than we have at this point. Home field advantage until the World Series is already pretty well sewn up, though we’re about equally good at home and on the road. An 11-4 record so far in September says that we’re charging after the division title instead of simply chasing it.

[faithful2thecall]

September 17, 2018

• We dropped to 3rd in the latest power rankings.
• San Francisco and Colorado were eliminated from the playoff race, becoming the 1st NL teams to be eliminated this season.

Minnesota 13 at Kansas City 0

WP: Trevor May (9-7), LP: Jacob deGrom (7-14)
HR: MN-Travis Harrison (12), KC-None

Kennys Vargas blooped a 1-out RBI single to center in the 1st to open the scoring. Travis Harrison followed by walking on 4 pitches to load the bases for Aaron Hicks. Hicks grounded a RBI single up the middle to double our lead. By the time the carnage was over, we’d scored 5 runs and sent 10 men to the plate. The Royals bullpen came in and did a good job shutting down our offense after that until the 6th when we manufactured 3 more runs to put any dreams Kansas City had of a comeback to bed. May had a great outing, shutting the Royals out on 3 hits over 7 innings, striking out 8 while walking only 1 before being lifted because he was at 97 pitches and I try to give my relievers a clean inning to work with if I can help it. Harrison made jaws drop all around the stadium in the 9th with his 2-run homer 390 feet to left into a 22 MPH wind. It was a complete domination as every hitter had at least 1 hit, and only Joe Mauer didn’t get a RBI on the day.

Magic Number: 7 as Cleveland was rained out against the Los Angeles Angels with a double header being scheduled for tomorrow.


September 18, 2018

• Boston was mathematically eliminated from postseason contention after yesterday’s action.

Minnesota 0 at Kansas City 6

WP: Miguel Almonte (10-12), LP: Yorman Landa (7-2)
HR: MN-None, KC-Stephen Vogt (8)

John Jaso grounded a 2-out RBI single to right in the 2nd to open the scoring. Whit Merrifield was injured (foot contusion, 2 weeks) legging out a leadoff triple in the 3rd. Raul Mondesi followed by ripping a RBI double off the base of the centerfield wall. Vogt then doubled the Royals’ lead with a 404 foot blast to right-center in the 4th. Unfortunately our offense was having issues solving Almonte, who shut us out on 3 hits over 7 innnings. We didn’t get a hit on this day against their bullpen either.

Magic Number: 6 as Cleveland split their double header with the Los Angeles Angels, winning the 1st game 6-1, but losing the nightcap 6-5 in 15 innings.

• Corey Dickerson (Tampa Bay) is out at least 4 weeks with an intercostal strain.


September 19, 2018

• RHP SP Ervin Santana who had fallen all the way to AA decided to retire, even though he was going to be a free agent at the end of the season.

Minnesota 8 at Kansas City 6

WP: Jose Berrios (9-9), LP: James Paxton (11-12)
HR: MN-Travis Harrison (13), KC-Stephen Vogt (9), Yusnier Diaz (8), James Robbins (7), Ryan O’Hearn (8)

Harrison crushed a 3-0 fastball down the heart of the plate 426 feet to left-center to lead off the 2nd to open the scoring. Tommy La Stella lined a 1-out RBI single up the middle later in the inning to double our lead and extend his hitting streak to 14 games. We added 1 more in the inning on a RBI single by Mauer, but La Stella was cut down at the plate to end the inning. Vogt and Diaz went back-to-back with 2 out in the bottom of the inning to get Kansas City on the board. There was a 63 minute rain delay in the top of the 3rd. Brian Navarreto made the Royals pay for intentionally walking Hicks to get to him in the 5th by grounding a 2-out, 2-run single to left to extend our lead to 5-2. Curtis Granderson was injured running down a fly ball by Harrison to lead off the 7th. Kennys Vargas picked up his 100th RBI of the season on a 2-out RBI single to left in the 8th that made it 8-3. My bullpen didn’t have a great day, with O’Hearn hitting a 2-run homer in the 9th off of Alex Meyer to bring the Royals within 2 and had me scrambling to get Nick Burdi up in the bullpen, but Meyer settled down and I didn’t end up needing Burdi.

Magic Number: 4 as Cleveland was shutout by the Los Angeles Angels 2-0 despite having Kyle Crockett (15-6, 1.86 ERA and the front runner for the AL Cy Young) on the mound.

• Adam Wainwright (St. Louis) threw a 5-hitter against Milwaukee.


September 20, 2018

• San Diego was officially eliminated from playoff contention yesterday.

Off Day

Magic Number: 4 as Cleveland was rained out for the 2nd time in this series against the Los Angeles Angels. The game is rescheduled for October 8th.


September 21, 2018

• Atlanta was eliminated from postseason contention after yesterday’s results.

Detroit 3 at Minnesota 6

WP: Ian Krol (4-0), LP: Jake Reed (4-5), SV: Danny Farquhar (5)
HR: Det-J.D. Martinez (20), MN-Byron Buxton (7)

Detroit came to town having lost 7 straight games. Miguel Cabrera lined a 1-out RBI single to right in the 1st to open the scoring. La Stella extended his hitting streak to 15 by grounding a ball between Yosvani Bell and the 1st base line down into the right field corner for a 2-out RBI double in the 2nd to tie the game. Harrison and Hicks lined back-to-back 1-out doubles in the 4th to give us the lead. Buxton hammered a 2-1 fastball 425 feet to right-center for a 1-out solo homer in the 5th to give us some insurance. Reed let me down, giving up a 2-out, 3-run homer to Martinez in the 8th to give Detroit the lead. Nick Franklin added a RBI ground out in the 9th for insurance.

Magic Number: 4 as Cleveland held off a late rally by the Chicago White Sox to win 4-3. With the win Cleveland moved into a tie for the 2nd AL Wild Card spot with Texas.

• Adam Eaton (Chicago White Sox) and Nick Hagadone (Cleveland) were each suspended 3 games for their roles in a benches-clearing brawl between their teams in today’s game.


September 22, 2018

• Milwaukee, San Diego, and Cincinnati were all eliminated from postseason contention after yesterday’s action.
• Atlanta trades RHP SP Kendall Graveman and $507,500 to Kansas City for CF Garrett Zech (2015 5th Round pick).
• Boston deals RF Jackie Bradley Jr. to Seattle in exchange for RF Dario Pizzano and 2B Erick Mejia.

Detroit 2 at Minnesota 6

WP: Chris Heston (13-10), LP: Justin Verlander (10-14)
HR: Det-None, MN-Travis Harrison (14)

Harrison crushed a 0-1 sinker 438 feet to left-center leading off the 2nd to open the scoring. Franklin responded by ripping a 2-out RBI double into the left-centerfield gap in the 3rd to tie the game. Santana singled and stole 2nd leading off the bottom of the inning, and he raced home on a RBI single to left by Mauer to put us back in front. Hicks added a sacrifice fly after a Harrison double to extend our lead to 3-1. Danny Ortiz cut our lead in half by grounding a 2-out RBI single up the middle in the 4th. Harrison continued to give Verlander nightmares ripping a 2-out RBI double in the 5th to make it 4-2. 2 batters later, La Stella added his own RBI double between Bell and the 1st base bag down the right field line that sent Verlander to the showers. Hank Conger hit a dying quail into right with 2-out in the 7th for a RBI single for some additional insurance.

Magic Number: 3 after Cleveland erased a 6-4 deficit to the Chicago White Sox on a 3-run homer by Kyle Seager in the 8th on their way to an 8-6 win.

• Francisco Lindor (Cleveland) suffered a strained quad while running the bases during today’s game and will be out 6-7 weeks.


September 23, 2018

• The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the NL West with a 5-3 win over San Francisco.
• The New York Mets were eliminated from postseason contention after yesterday’s action.

Detroit 2 at Minnesota 4

WP: Trevor May (10-7), LP: Joe Mantiply (10-12), SV: Nick Burdi (32)
HR: Det-Nick Franklin (16), MN-Christian Villanueva (8)

Buxton’s speed helped us get on the board in the 1st as he stole 3rd after a leadoff double and trotted home on a sacrifice fly to the centerfield warning track by Santana. We doubled our lead on a 2-out RBI single by Harrison following a Vargas double. Villanueva hit a no-doubter solo homer 384 feet to left with 1-out in the 2nd to provide some additional insurance. Detroit responded by loading the bases with nobody out in the 3rd for Cabrera. Cabrera picked up a RBI ground out, but that’s all they would get in the inning. Franklin hit a leadoff homer in the 5th to cut our lead to 3-2. Buxton scored again in the 7th on another sacrifice fly by Santana. Other than a 1-out single to Martinez, Burdi struck out the side in the 9th, getting Cabrera to swing through a 94 MPH fastball to end the game.

Division Magic Number: 2 as Cleveland routed the Chicago White Sox 10-1. With the victory in today’s game we clinched at least a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.

• Brett Lawrie (Oakland) is out for a week with a tired arm after getting hurt throwing a ball during today’s game.


93-57, .620, 12 GA (1st AL Central), 8.5 GA (AL Best Record), 0.5 GB (MLB Best Record)

October baseball is now guaranteed and a wire-to-wire division title is essentially clinched as well, especially with Cleveland coming to town next. The focus will now shift to getting guys rest leading up to the playoffs, especially once the division becomes official. I’ll also be hoping to get healthy and get some key pieces from earlier in the season back from long-term injuries and hope they’ll be considered eligible for the playoff roster once they come off the DL—namely Lewis Thorpe and Michael Tonkin. Rest may derail Byron Buxton’s bid to become the 1st player since Vince Coleman in 1987 to steal 100 bases in a season.

[faithful2thecall]

September 24, 2018

• We reclaimed 1st in the latest power rankings.
• The Kansas City Royals have been officially eliminated from postseason contention this year.

Cleveland 1 at Minnesota 0

WP: Kyle Crockett (16-6), LP: Yorman Landa (7-3), SV: Ben Rowen (29)
HR: Cle-Mark Reynolds (2), MN-None

Cleveland has to sweep the series to stay alive in the division race and decided to send out their ace for the series opener, Crockett who is 15-6 with a 1.86 ERA on the season. The home crowd was buzzing in anticipation as Landa stepped on the rubber to get the game underway.

Reynolds hit a 2-out solo homer to left in the 2nd to open the scoring. Both starters were in control as neither team could manufacture a scoring threat. Crockett was finally lifted after walking Kennys Vargas to leadoff the 7th. A 2-out double in the 9th by Brian Navarreto put runners on 2nd and 3rd. I took a chance with the division title potentially on the line and brought in the inexperienced Jean Carlos Arias to pinch-hit for Christian Villanueva against Rowen (and his 1.10 ERA). Unfortunately, Arias grounded out to Carlos Santana who made the flip to Rowen to end the game.

Division Magic Number: 2

• Marcus Stroman (Toronto) threw a 4-hitter against Boston.


September 25, 2018

• In a strange deal, Toronto traded 2B Devon Travis to St. Louis in exchange for C Cody Stanley. Toronto is only 3 games behind Cleveland for the 2nd AL Wild Card and 4.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the AL East. While St. Louis is leading the NL Central by 0.5 games over the NL Wild Card leading Chicago Cubs. Travis is rated as a 4.5/5 star player while Stanley is rated as a 1 star player. Travis is also signed through 2023, so it’s not like he’s a pending free agent.

Cleveland 2 at Minnesota 9

WP: Jose Berrios (10-9), LP: Fernando Salas (10-9)
HR: Cle-None, MN-Aaron Hicks (7)

Santana grounded a 2-out RBI single into right in the 1st to open the scoring. Vargas responded with a 1-out RBI infield single in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Both Berrios and Fernando Salas settled down after the 1st and a pitching duel commenced. Andy Dirks delivered in a clutch spot with a 2-out, 2-run double in the 4th to give us the lead. Bradley Zimmer was injured (bruised knee, day-to-day 5 days) in the 5th when he was clipped in the knee by a Berrios 3-0 fastball. Michael Brantley’s 2nd catching error of the day in left field allowed an unearned run to score in the 7th to make our lead 4-1. Vargas followed by blooping a RBI single down the left field line to seemingly put the game away. When Hicks crushed a 2-0 changeup 410 feet to right 2 batters later for a 3-run homer the clubhouse staff covered all the lockers and wheeled the champagne cooler into place for the anticipated celebration. A slow roller by Kyle Seager to Joe Mauer, who took it to the base himself, set off a wild celebration on the field with the official clinching of the AL Central title.

• Michael Kopech (Boston) threw a 4-hitter against Toronto.


September 26, 2018

Cleveland 8 at Minnesota 5

WP: Hisashi Iwakuma (1-0), LP: Phil Hughes (14-11)
HR: Cle-None, MN-None

With the division title officially clinched and the best record in the AL well within our grasp with an 8 game lead over the Los Angeles Angels, I decided to give most of our starters the day off for getaway day especially with an off day tomorrow. Only Villanueva and Jon Garcia had seen significant playing time this season in my lineup, with 5 starters being September call ups. The only thing I had going for me is that Phil Hughes was on the mound, in line for a game 1 start in the ALDS.

The Indians sent Bryan Price to the mound to start, who had an 11.74 ERA against us in 7 appearances out of the bullpen this season. The makeshift defense immediately showed as Amaurys Minier (playing shortstop) threw a ball away with 1-out in the 1st that put Cleveland on the board. Carlos Santana followed by blooping a RBI single to left to double Cleveland’s lead. The makeshift lineup paid immediate dividends however, as Arias and Navarreto hit back-to-back doubles leading off the bottom of the inning to get us on the board. Jose Ramirez responded by lining a 1-out, 2-run single to center in the 2nd to make it 4-1. Navarreto grounded a 2-out, 2-run double down the left field line in the bottom of the inning to bring us back within 1. Brantley grounded a 2-out RBI single past Austin Barnes at 1st in the 4th to make it 5-3 Indians. Tyler Naquin followed with a RBI double before Hughes could escape. Since Hughes didn’t have his best stuff, I turned the game over to the bullpen after 4 innings. Down 4 runs in the 9th we got the tying run to the plate with 1-out in the form of Garcia. Unfortunately, Garcia struck out and pinch-hitter Andy Dirks flew out to end the game.


September 27, 2018

• Whit Merrifield (Kansas City) suffered a setback in his recovery from a foot contusion when he overextended himself in a workout and will be out a week.
• Seattle was officially eliminated from postseason contention after yesterday’s action.

Off Day


September 28, 2018

• Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox) is out 4-5 months with a torn back muscle.

Kansas City 0 at Minnesota 3

WP: Chris Heston (14-10), LP: Kyle Zimmer (6-4), SV: Nick Burdi (33)
HR: KC-None, MN-None

This was the start of the last home series of the regular season. Vargas opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly to center in the 1st as we manufactured a run without a hit thanks to a pair of walks, a stolen base (Buxton’s 96th), and a wild pitch. Santana picked up a 1-out RBI double in the 3rd to double our lead. I was taking advantage of Buxton’s good day at the plate and a Kansas City catcher with a weak arm to send him every chance I got and it paid off again in the 5th, as Buxton singled to right with 2 outs, stole 2nd (97), and then scored on a RBI double by Santana. Kansas City loaded the bases with nobody out in the 6th on 2 singles and a throwing error by Harrison, but Heston rebounded to strike out James Robbins, Stephen Vogt, and John Jaso in order to escape the inning with the shutout intact. My bullpen stepped up, throwing 3 shutout innings to secure the win, including Burdi striking out the side in the 9th. Unfortunately with my offense struggling all day, Tommy La Stella’s hitting streak was snapped at 19 games on an 0-for-3 day.


September 29, 2018

• Detroit was officially eliminated from playoff contention after yesterday’s results.
• Noel Cuevas (Colorado) was fortunate to avoid Vince Coleman’s fate as he tripped over the automatic tarp at Coors Field when a brief shower interrupted practice and twisted his ankle, but he’s only expected to miss 2 days.

Kansas City 6 at Minnesota 0

WP: Kendall Graveman (4-9), LP: Trevor May (10-8)
HR: KC-None, MN-None

Ryan O’Hearn grounded a RBI single up the middle in the 1st to get Kansas City off to a fast start. Angleo Gumbs lined a 1-out, 2-run double into the left-centerfield gap in the 2nd to extend the Royals lead. After 4 runs in 2 innings I’d seen enough of May for the day and turned to my bullpen starting with Jason Wheeler. It didn’t help that my offense was struggling to do anything at the plate. We didn’t have a serious scoring threat until we loaded the bases with 1 out in the 8th for Luis Mateo. Mateo flew out to shallow center, leaving it up to Arias, who struck out to squander the threat.


September 30, 2018

• The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis, who are currently tied for the NL Central lead, both wrapped up at least NL Wild Card spots yesterday.
• Washington was officially eliminated from postseason contention after yesterday’s results.
• Jamie Callahan (Boston) is out 8 months with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow.
• LHP SP Lewis Thorpe has now recovered from his injury and is playoff roster eligible.

Kansas City 8 at Minnesota 1

WP: James Paxton (13-12), LP: Lewis Thorpe (10-3)
HR: KC-Jorge Bonifacio 2 (2), MN-Hank Conger (4)

With Thorpe’s return from injury I shifted my rotation to get Thorpe a start today while not messing up my postseason plans. Both Thorpe and Paxton looked strong in the early innings. Conger crushed a 2-1 fastball 422 feet to right-center to leadoff the 3rd and open the scoring. Raul Mondesi hit a sacrifice fly to center in the 5th to tie the game. With it being Thorpe’s 1st game since July, I lifted him after 78 pitches to try not to overtax him. Yusnier Diaz lined a 1-out RBI single to right in the 6th to give Kansas City the lead. Bonifacio followed with a 2-run homer to seemingly put the game away. A benches-clearing brawl ignited when Tyler Duffy hit O’Hearn with a pitch.

• Duffy and O’Hearn were both suspended 9 games for their parts in the brawl.
• David Robertson (Chicago White Sox) is out 5 weeks with shoulder bursitis.


AL Best Player: Joey Gallo (Texas) .235, 12 HR, 24 RBI, 19 R
NL Best Player: David Dahl (Colorado) .362, 9 HR, 22 RBI, 25 R
AL Best Pitcher: Johnny Cueto (Oakland) 4-0, 1.70 ERA, 37 IP, 27 K, .184 opp BA
NL Best Pitcher: A. J. Ramos (Miami) 12 G, 12.2 IP, 2-0, 8 SV, 17 K, 1.42 ERA
AL Best Rookie: Derek Fisher (Houston) .340, 2 HR, 21 R, 20 RBI
NL Best Rookie: Travis Maezes (Pittsburgh) .319, 6 HR, 16 RBI


95-61, .609, 10.5 GA (AL Central Champions), 7.5 GA (AL Best Record), 3.5 GB (MLB Best Record)

We’re not closing well, which is concerning. After a strong start to the month, we ended up finishing it 17-10. We’re getting some key players from early in the season back healthy now.

[faithful2thecall]

October 1, 2018

• Noel Cuevas (Colorado) actually suffered a high ankle sprain in his run in a couple of days ago with the tarp and will be out for at least a month.
• RHP CL Michael Tonkin has recovered from his injury.
• SS Manuel Guzman was called up from AAA.
• Whit Merrifield (Kansas City) suffered a setback in his recovery from a foot contusion that will keep him out 6 days.
• We’re 5th in the latest power rankings.

Minnesota 2 at Seattle 1

WP: Yorman Landa (8-3), LP: Danny Salazar (11-12), SV: Michael Tonkin (15)
HR: MN-Andy Dirks 2 (6), Sea-None

The roof was closed since it was raining outside. Landa and Salazar were dominant in the early innings. Dirks crushed a 3-2 fastball 433 feet to straightaway center for a solo homer with 2-outs in the 5th for our 1st hit and to open the scoring. I ended up lifting Landa after 6.1 innings of 4-hit ball, striking out 8 and walking 2 on 91 pitches. Dirks went down and muscled a 2-2 curveball 388 feet to right for a 1-out solo homer in the 8th to double our lead. I put Tonkin right back into the closer role. Ike Davis hit a sacrifice fly to the right field wall for the 1st run scored against Tonkin this season to get Seattle on the board. Our only hit besides Dirks’ homers was a bunt single by Byron Buxton following Dirk’s 2nd homer.

• With the win we also secured the best record in the AL.


October 2, 2018

Minnesota 7 at Seattle 2

WP: Phil Hughes (15-11), LP: Alex Cobb (9-12)
HR: MN-Danny Santana (6), Sea-A. J. Reed (4)

Santana opened the scoring by hammering a 1-1 fastball 421 feet to right-center for a 1-out solo homer in the 1st. A. J. Reed answered with a RBI double in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. A perfectly executed hit-and-run by Aaron Hicks and Tommy La Stella allowed us to take the lead on a double play grounder by Mitch Garver. Dirks lined a 1-out, 2-run double down the right field line in the 6th to make it 4-1. By the time the carnage was over, we’d added 3 more runs in the inning to blow the game open. Hughes was injured (torn triceps, 4 months) giving up a 2-out single to Rafael Fernandez in the 7th.


October 3, 2018

• Jameson Taillon (Pittsburgh) is out 5-6 months with a ruptured tricep tendon.
• Miami clinched the NL East with a 1-0 walk-off win in 15 innings yesterday over Atlanta on a 1-out RBI double by Yangervis Solarte.

Minnesota 4 at Seattle 1

WP: Jose Berrios (11-9), LP: David Buchanan (9-8), SV: Michael Tonkin (16)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas (29), Sea-None

The roof was closed because of rain outside. Vargas crushed a 2-2 changeup off the plate inside 432 feet to straightaway center for a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 1st to open the scoring. Berrios had some control issues early, throwing 2 wild pitches in the bottom of the inning to put Seattle on the board. Both Berrios and Buchanan settled down after the 1st and neither offense could get any serious threat going after that. La Stella pulled a 2-out, 2-run double into the right field corner in the 9th to provide some insurance. The Mariners ran themselves out of a potential rally in the bottom of the 9th with runners on the corners with nobody out Cody Asche got himself doubled off 1st on an 8-3 double play. Tonkin then coaxed C. J. Hinojosa to fly out to Andy Dirks to end the game.

• Zack Greinke (Los Angeles Dodgers) threw a 4-hitter against San Diego for his 2nd shutout of the season.


October 4, 2018

• Suspended RHP SP Tyler Duffey was demoted to AAA.
• SS Luis Mateo was placed on waivers.
• The Hughes injury report came through today which is a devastating loss on the eve of the playoffs. I was already planning on going with a 4 man rotation during the playoffs.

Off Day


October 5, 2018

• The Los Angeles Angels secured at least an AL Wild Card spot despite having the day off.

Minnesota 0 at Cleveland 3

WP: Cody Anderson (8-8), LP: Chris Heston (14-11), SV: Ben Rowen (33)
HR: MN-None, Cle-Kyle Seager 2 (19)

The final series of the regular season was in Cleveland and had the potential to be a playoff preview depending on how results played out. Cleveland’s magic number entering the series was 2.

Move over, Vince Coleman! Buxton followed a leadoff single up by stealing 2nd for his 100th stolen base of the season. Seager opened the scoring by pulling a 1-0 fastball 365 feet into the right field seats for a 2-out solo homer in the 2nd. Neither team could do much to get a rally going. Seager’s 2nd homer of the day was a 2-out, 2-run shot to center in the 7th to seemingly put the game away. We got the tying run to the plate with nobody out in the 9th against Rowen in the form of Jon Garcia. Garcia struck out and La Stella could only manage a weak grounder to 1st. Down to my last out, I then rolled the dice and brought Christian Villanueva off the bench to hit for Hank Conger. Villanueva swung through a slider in the dirt to end the game.


October 6, 2018

• Tampa Bay was eliminated from postseason contention.
• St. Louis clinched the NL Central with a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.
• High drama abounds with only 2 days left in the regular season. Toronto and the New York Yankees are tied for the AL East lead and neither team is likely to get a Wild Card. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are tied for the 2nd NL Wild Card spot with Arizona only 1 game behind them.

Minnesota 5 at Cleveland 7

WP: Carlos Carrasco (1-7), LP: Hudson Boyd (3-3), SV: Ben Rowen (34)
HR: MN-Jean Carlos Arias (1), Joe Mauer (11), Cle-None

Arias hammered the 3rd pitch of the game 402 feet to right-center for his 1st MLB homer. Yan Gomes responded with a 1-out RBI double in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Tyler Naquin added a sacrifice fly to give Cleveland the lead before the inning was over. Mauer went opposite-field hitting a 0-1 changeup 400 feet to left-center for a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 3rd to put us back in front. A 2-out wild pitch by Lewis Thorpe in the bottom of the inning tied the game at 3-3. Naquin then blooped a RBI single to left to put the Indians back in front. Amaurys Minier came through in the clutch, chopping a 2-out, 2-run single up the middle in the 6th to give us the lead. Jose Ramirez hammered a 2-out RBI triple off the wall in left-center to tie the game. Bradley Zimmer followed by chopping a RBI single to right to put Cleveland back in front. Zimmer added a 2-out RBI single to left in the 8th to provide some insurance.

• Asher Wojciechowski (Houston) threw a 2-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels.
• Luke Jackson (Texas) threw a 2-hitter against San Francisco.


October 7, 2018

• Cleveland and Houston will meet in the AL Wild Card game after both teams clinched their spots yesterday.
• Arizona and Texas were eliminated from postseason contention after yesterday’s results.
• SS Luis Mateo cleared waivers and was assigned to AAA.

Minnesota 2 at Cleveland 12

WP; Bryan Price (10-7), LP: Yorman Landa (8-4)
HR: MN-Aaron Hicks (8), Cle-Jesus Aguilar (6), Yan Gomes (19), Tyler Naquin (11)

Vargas ripped a 2-out RBI double off the fence in right-center in the 1st to open the scoring. Aguilar hit a 1-out opposite field solo homer in the 3rd to tie the game. Gomes hammered a 1-out, 3-run homer 432 feet to center later in the inning to give Cleveland the lead. There was a 58 minute rain delay in the top of the 4th. My bullpen just kept pouring gas on the fire, highlighted by a Naquin grand slam in the 6th.

• J. P. Crawford (Philadelphia) suffered a hamstring strain while running the bases in today’s game and will be out for at least 5 weeks.


October 8, 2018

• Jeff Samardzija (Chicago Cubs) is out 6-7 months with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament.
• We’re 5th in the latest power rankings.
• The Los Angeles Angels clinched the AL West with a 8-3 win over Houston.
• It’s a busy make-up day, with 3 games on the docket. The most important is Toronto visiting the Chicago White Sox, as Toronto is only 0.5 games behind the New York Yankees for the AL East title.

Off Day


October 9, 2018

A pair of tiebreaker games on the slate today.

AL East:

New York Yankees 7 at Toronto 11

WP: Marcus Stroman (14-12), LP: Rafael Montero (10-11)

This game was a power display, as the 2 teams combined to hit 7 homers (6 of them were solo shots however). Toronto raced out to a 10-2 lead through 5 innings and then held on.


2nd NL Wild Card:

Philadelphia 2 at Pittsburgh 7

WP: Nick Kingham (14-10), LP: Tom Windle (5-5)

Philadelphia could manage only 2 consolation runs in the 9th in a game Pittsburgh dominated.


98-64, .605, 8 GA (AL Central Champions), 6 GA (AL Best Record), 4 GB (MLB Best Record)

We didn’t look good the last week or so of the season. Our offense wasn’t hitting and our pitching wasn’t getting anybody out. Hopefully we’ve gotten all that out of the way and are ready to being our drive for the World Series.

[faithful2thecall]

[Personal Note: With the playoffs being a special time of the season, I’m experimenting with an extended game write-up format for these games to try to capture more of both the emotion of the game and the thought-process behind the strategy.]


AL Wild Card:
Houston 3 at Cleveland 4 (12 innings)

WP: Will Smith, LP: James Hoyt
POTG: Kyle Crockett, who gave up 1 run on 2 hits in 6 innings while striking out 6.

There was a 67 minute rain delay in the 6th inning. Houston was only 3 outs away from advancing in the 9th, but Yan Gomes hit a leadoff triple and scored on a Jesus Aguilar RBI single 2 batters later. Houston then reclaimed the lead in the 12th on a leadoff triple by Brian Holberton and a sacrifice fly by Carlos Correa 2 batters later. However Cleveland rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, walking-off on a 2-out RBI single by Tyler Naquin.


NL Wild Card:
Pittsburgh 6 at Chicago Cubs 1

WP: Gerrit Cole, LP: Kendry Flores
POTG: Kendry Flores, who pitched 5 innings and the only hit he gave up was a solo homer to Matt Joyce.

It was a 1-0 Pittsburgh lead until the 8th when the Pirates tagged Addison Reed for 4 runs in 0.1 IP to break the game open.



October 13, 2018

NLDS Games:
Pittsburgh 1 at Los Angeles Dodgers 4 (Dodgers lead the series 1-0)
Miami 1 at St. Louis 3 (St. Louis lead the series 1-0)

Off Day


October 14, 2018

NLDS Games:
Pittsburgh 3 at Los Angeles Dodgers 4 (Dodgers lead the series 2-0)
Miami 1 at St. Louis 4 (St. Louis lead the series 2-0)


ALDS Games:
Toronto 5 at Los Angeles Angels 4 (Toronto lead the series 1-0)


The day I had long awaited finally arrived. We’re making our postseason debut under my management. After the past couple of weeks I was muttering under my breath when Cleveland rallied to beat Houston and earn a trip to Target Field. They won the season series against us 10-9, beating us 5 out of 6 over the last 2 weeks of the regular season. Maybe the best thing for us was that they had Kyle Crockett start the Wild Card game so we’ll only see the presumptive AL Cy Young once in this series.

Cleveland
Jason Kipnis (2B)
Kal Simmons (SS)
Tyler Naquin (CF)
Carlos Santana (1B)
Yan Gomes (C)
Kyle Seager (3B)
Jesus Aguilar (DH)
Ben Zobrist (LF)
Greg Allen (RF)
Bryan Price (SP)

Minnesota
Byron Buxton (CF)
Danny Santana (SS)
Joe Mauer (1B)
Kennys Vargas (DH)
Travis Harrison (RF)
Aaron Hicks (RF)
Tommy La Stella (2B)
Hank Conger (C)
Andy Dirks (LF)
Jose Berrios (SP)


We’ve beat up Price before (1-2, 7.71 ERA), but he shut us down giving up 1 run on 1 hit in 5 innings on the last day of the regular season. Mauer and Vargas also don’t hit him well, as they’re a combined 2-for-28 against Price. Phil Hughes injury forced me into giving the Game 1 start to Berrios. Gomes’ strong arm also neutralizes Buxton’s speed to a degree, though I’m still not going to be shy about sending him.

The weather was partly cloudy with a 12 MPH breeze blowing in from right. With both teams having 3 lefties and 4 switch hitters in the line-up, that’s pretty much a wash in terms of who that favors.

The butterflies went into overdrive in my stomach watching the 1st 2 hitters hit warning track fly balls to center that Buxton fortunately ran down. Fortunately, Naquin’s 2-out single was wasted as Santana flew out to Buxton in short right-center. Santana ran us out of a potential threat in the bottom of the inning by over-aggressively trying to stretch a single to left-center into a double and was thrown out by Naquin. Berrios seemed to have the jitters out of the way and pitched more within himself in the 2nd, including striking out Aguilar to retire the side in order.

The Indians drew 1st blood in the 3rd on a 1-out, 2-run double by Simmons after a pair of singles by Zobrist (who was forced out) and Kipnis. A quick mound visit settled down Berrios as Naquin lined out to La Stella and Santana struck out to end the inning. My offense still couldn’t get anything going as despite a leadoff single from La Stella in the bottom of the inning, I couldn’t get a runner past 1st until a 2-out wild pitch.

After Berrios rebounded with a scoreless inning, striking out a pair, we finally started to make some noise in the bottom of the 4th. Santana got his double, lining a ball into the left-center gap, to lead off the inning. Mauer promptly advanced him to 3rd by lining a single to center. After Vargas flew out down the left field line, Harrison hit a sacrifice fly to deep center to get us on the board. I then got aggressive and it paid off as Hicks grounded a hit-and-run single to left to advance Mauer to 3rd. La Stella then lined a RBI single that got down in front of Zobrist to tie the game. Conger hit a 1-0 fastball well, but Zobrist was able to get to it just shy of the track to end the inning.

Berrios couldn’t take advantage and ended up getting burned for walking Allen to lead off the 5th when Naquin lined a 2-out RBI single to left to put Cleveland back in front. My offense looked to respond without hitting a ball out of the infield as Buxton bunted for a 1-out single and Santana followed with an infield single, which we then followed by pulling off a double steal to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with Mauer at the plate. Mauer then lined a 3-0 fastball up the middle for a RBI single to tie the game. That sent Price to the showers in favor of Matt Harvey. Vargas greeted Harvey by grounding his 2nd pitch up the middle for his own RBI single to give us our 1st lead of the game. Harrison grounded into a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning.

With Berrios at 92 pitches after 5 innings it was time for me to put the game in the hands of my bullpen, which really left me with a stomachache. Even though he hadn’t pitched well in limited duty down the stretch, that meant I had to put the ball in the hands of Hudson Boyd. Boyd then made me look like Einstein in the 6th, striking out the side of Gomes, Seager, and Aguilar who had all done damage against us late in the season. After Boyd walked Zobrist in a 13-pitch battle to start the 7th I played my gut and made the move to Ryan Buchter. Cleveland brought in Jose Ramirez to drop down a successful sacrifice and then Kipnis lined a single to left to put runners on the corners with 1-out. Buchter fell behind 2-1 to Simmons, but with a low fastball coaxed a 6-4-3 double play to extinguish the threat.

As the game moved to the 8th we moved into territory where I would have felt very comfortable the 1st 2 months of the season with our bullpen situation as Nick Burdi took the mound to face the heart of the Indians order. 10 pitches later our offense was on its way back to the plate, as Naquin grounded out and Santana and Gomes both struck out. While Michael Tonkin had been effective since he returned from injury, he hadn’t been as dominant so I was hoping for some insurance as Harrison stepped to the plate to lead off the bottom of the 8th in a 4-3 game against Cody Allen. Hicks drew a 4-pitch walk after Harrison struck out. I then ran myself out of the inning with the corners in for the bunt despite La Stella being 3-for-3 on the day I put the hit-and-run on only to have La Stella line the ball to Simmons, who doubled Hicks off 1st to end the inning.

So Tonkin had a 1-run lead to protect and 3 outs to get. Seager grounded to Mauer and Aguilar lined to Santana to have us in good shape. Tonkin then appeared to get a little tight, walking Zobrist on 4-pitches and bring Bryson Miles to the plate as the go-ahead run. Tonkin’s 1st pitch to Miles was in the dirt and to the backstop, moving the tying run to 2nd. Miles then made Tonkin pay, lining a 2-2 sinker into left for a RBI single and Tonkin’s 1st blown save of the season. Dirks made a fine running grab in left-center to end the inning, but the damage was done. Ben Rowen came in to start the bottom of the 9th, trying to get the game to extra innings. Conger dumped a leadoff single to left-center. As Conger has no speed, I brought in Brian Navarreto to pinch-run. Dirks grounded into a fielder’s choice. With Buxton struggling to put the ball in play I used the hit-and-run as a tactical play to try to avoid the strikeout and it worked as Buxton grounded out to Simmons, but Dirks moved up to 2nd. With Santana 3-for-4 on the day it gave me a decent chance. Unfortunately, Santana weakly grounded out to Kipnis to send us to extra innings.

Not wanting to extend Tonkin, I turned to Lester Oliveros to start the 10th. Things got a little hairy, but Oliveros stranded a pair when Hicks ran down a warning track fly ball in right-center from Seager. After Mauer and Vargas led off the bottom of the inning with singles I did something unexpected and had Harrison drop a sacrifice down the 3rd base line, but even more unexpectedly everybody was safe to load the bases with nobody out. Hicks got ahold of a 2-2 slider and lined deep enough to left that Zobrist had no play on Mauer at the plate as we walked-off a Game 1 win.


Cleveland 4 at Minnesota 5 (10 innings)

WP: Lester Oliveros (1-0), LP: Ben Rowen (0-1)
HR: Cle-None, MN-None
POTG: Joe Mauer, who was quietly 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored and a RBI.



October, 15, 2018

ALDS Games:
Toronto 5 at Los Angeles Angels 7 (10 innings) (Series tied 1-1)

Francisco Martinez hit a walk-off 2-out, 2-run homer in the 10th.


Cleveland
Jason Kipnis (2B)
Kal Simmons (SS)
Tyler Naquin (CF)
Carlos Santana (1B)
Yan Gomes (C)
Kyle Seager (3B)
Jesus Aguilar (DH)
Ben Zobrist (LF)
Greg Allen (RF)
Corey Kluber (SP)

Minnesota
Byron Buxton (CF)
Danny Santana (SS)
Joe Mauer (1B)
Kennys Vargas (DH)
Travis Harrison (RF)
Aaron Hicks (RF)
Tommy La Stella (2B)
Hank Conger (C)
Andy Dirks (LF)
Chris Heston (SP)


With a 1-0 lead the pressure is reduced for Game 2. It’s another partly cloudy day with the wind blowing out to right at 10 MPH.

Conger made a big play in the top of the 1st, throwing out Simmons trying to steal 2nd after a 1-out single, which became more important when Naquin ripped the next pitch past the diving Harrison down the left field line for a double. La Stella showed off his range and his arm going behind 2nd to field a grounder from Santana and getting him by half a step at 1st to end the inning. After Buxton’s postseason struggles continued with a foul out to start the bottom of the inning, Santana lined a 0-2 fastball into the left-center gap for a triple. Mauer then grounded a 1-0 fastball back up the middle for a RBI single to open the scoring.
Heston escaped a 2nd inning jam, that was created by Mauer dropping a throw from Harrison leading off the inning, by striking out Zobrist and getting Allen to ground into a fielder’s choice to erase a runners at the corners with 1-out situation.

After the early excitement both Heston and Kluber settled into a groove and neither team could get much going. It looked like the 5th was going to unfold the same way after La Stella led off with a single but was quickly erased on a 6-4-3 double play. However Dirks grounded a single to right and Buxton doubled to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Santana then came through in the clutch lining a soft 2-run single to center to extend our lead to 3-0.

Being aware of Heston’s pitch count of 84 as he headed to the mound to start the 7th I had Simon Castro warming up in the bullpen in case Heston got into trouble. It didn’t look like I’d need him as Zobrist popped up and Allen struck out to start the inning. Then Kipnis singled and stole 2nd. Simmons finally put the Indians on the board by grounding a 1-2 changeup into left for a single, which sent Heston to the showers after a solid outing. Simon’s nerves showed as he walked Naquin, but then on a 2-2 pitch to Santana he blew a high 100 MPH heater past him to end the inning.

Cleveland also turned to their bullpen to start the bottom of the inning, bringing in Will Smith to replace Kluber. That brought a change to my lineup as I sent Amaurys Minier up to hit for Dirks, who drew a walk, but we didn’t get anything going after that. It also meant a change to my defense and Minier stayed in to play 3rd base and Harrison moved out to left field.

The game quietly moved to the 9th, and Tonkin got a chance to redeem himself for his blown save in Game 1. My fingernails started to shorten as Zobrist walked and Allen singled to start the inning, but Tonkin made a great play on an attempted sacrifice by Kipnis to throw out Zobrist at 3rd for the 1st out. Simmons then hit a deep fly ball that allowed Allen to move up to 3rd. Naquin then grounded the 1st pitch he saw up the middle for a RBI single, with Kipnis and Naquin moving up on an attempted play at 3rd. Tonkin fooled Santana with a 1-1 changeup and he grounded weakly to Mauer, who took it to the bag himself to give us a 2-0 lead in the series.


Cleveland 2 at Minnesota 3

WP: Chris Heston (1-0), LP: Corey Kluber (0-1), SV: Michael Tonkin (1)
HR: Cle-None, MN-None
POTG: Chris Heston, 6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K on 104 pitches.



October 16, 2018

NLDS Games:
Los Angeles Dodgers 1 at Pittsburgh 0 (Dodgers win the series 3-0)

• Series MVP: Hector Olivera (Los Angeles Dodgers) .600 BA, 2 RBI, 2 R
• Yimi Garcia saved all 3 games of the series for the Dodgers.

St. Louis 0 at Miami 1 (St. Louis leads the series 2-1)

Off Day

[faithful2thecall]

October 17, 2018

NLDS Game:
St. Louis 6 at Miami 2 (St. Louis wins the series 3-1)

• Series MVP: Michael Wacha (St. Louis) 2-0. 14 IP, 1.29 ERA, 10 K


ALDS Games:
Los Angeles Angels 7 at Toronto 9 (Toronto leads the series 2-1)


Cleveland
Jose Ramirez (SS)
Kyle Seager (3B)
Yan Gomes (C)
Carlos Santana (1B)
Tyler Naquin (CF)
Jesus Aguilar (DH)
Ben Zobrist (LF)
Jason Kipnis (2B)
Greg Allen (RF)
Kyle Crockett (SP)

Minnesota
Byron Buxton (CF)
Danny Santana (SS)
Joe Mauer (1B)
Kennys Vargas (DH)
Travis Harrison (3B)
Aaron Hicks (LF)
Hank Conger (C)
Jon Garcia (RF)
Tommy La Stella (2B)
Lewis Thorpe (SP)


Clinching could be on the cards as the series shifts to Progressive Field. It has the potential to be an outstanding pitching matchup, though Thorpe hasn’t looked as sharp as he did before his injury when these were arguably the top 2 starters in the AL at the All-Star break. With both teams having southpaws starting on the mound the lineups got a bit of a shakeup. It’s a partly cloudy day with the wind blowing out to center at 10 MPH.

There were a few zealous Twins fans seen in the stands waving brooms around as the game prepared to get underway. Thorpe got himself into a bit of trouble in the 1st after Ramirez singled and Seager struck out to start the game, Thorpe walked Gomes and Santana to load the bases. Naquin showed no mercy, getting some help from the wind to hit a 1-0 fastball 418 feet to center for a grand slam to open the scoring with the 1st home run of the series for either team.

With Crockett on the mound that pretty well deflated the bench as it was unlikely for us to score 4 runs. Thorpe then proceeded to compound his issues by loading the bases with nobody out in the 2nd on a single and 2 walks for Seager. At least this time the ball stayed in the park, though the sacrifice fly to Garcia added another run. Gomes followed with a RBI single before Thorpe could escape the inning.

It didn’t help our case that Crockett struck out 6 of our 9 hitters in a perfect 1st trip through the lineup. With the game well out of hand and having seen more than enough of Thorpe for the day, I gave the ball to John Curtiss just to eat some innings.

We didn’t have a base runner until Hicks lined a 2-out double into the left field corner in the 5th. My bullpen put up some scoreless innings, but with my offense not doing anything it didn’t matter. Fortunately we worked enough deep counts that Crockett had to be lifted after 6.1 innings of 2 hit ball where he struck out 8 without walking a batter. I took advantage of the blowout to get some of my bench players into the game so that by the end of the game the only player who hadn’t appeared yet in the series was Yorman Landa, tomorrow’s starter.

Huston Street and Cody Allen shut us down after Crockett exited combining to complete the 3-hitter that cut our lead to 2-1 in the series.


Minnesota 0 at Cleveland 6

WP: Kyle Crockett (1-0), LP: Lewis Thorpe (0-1)
HR: MN-None, Cle-Tyler Naquin (1)
POTG: Kyle Crockett, 6.1 IP, 2 H, 8 K, 95 pitches



October 18, 2018

• Zack Greinke (Los Angeles Dodgers) signed a 2 year, $56.8 million extension, keeping him off the free agent market after the season.

ALDS Games:
Los Angeles Angels 5 at Toronto 3 (series tied 2-2)

Toronto was 1 strike away from winning the series with 2 outs and the bases empty in the 9th before the Angels put together a rally where the key hit was a 2-run double by Chris McGuiness that gave the Angels the lead.


Cleveland
Jason Kipnis (2B)
Kal Simmons (SS)
Tyler Naquin (CF)
Carlos Santana (1B)
Yan Gomes (C)
Kyle Seager (3B)
Jesus Aguilar (DH)
Ben Zobrist (LF)
Greg Allen (RF)
Bryan Price (SP)

Minnesota
Byron Buxton (CF)
Danny Santana (SS)
Joe Mauer (1B)
Kennys Vargas (DH)
Travis Harrison (3B)
Aaron Hicks (RF)
Tommy La Stella (2B)
Hank Conger (C)
Andy Dirks (LF)
Yorman Landa (SP)


I would rather not get into a winner-takes-all situation, so I want to end the series today. The skies are clear, but the wind is blowing out to left at 17 MPH.

Things got off to an encouraging start as Buxton singled and stole 2nd. After Santana struck out, Mauer delivered by lining an opposite-field RBI double into the left-centerfield gap to open the scoring. However Vargas and Harrison struck out to end the inning. As Landa took the mound in the bottom of the inning he became the last player on my roster to get into a game in this series. Landa made quick work of the Indians, retiring the side on 8 pitches.

Cleveland had a mini-threat in the 2nd as singles by Santana and Aguilar led to runners on the corners with 2-out, but Zobrist swung over a sinker to strike out and end the inning. We caught a break in the 3rd as Price walked Mauer with 2 outs and Vargas reached on a fielding error by Santana. That brought Harrison, who was 0-for-9 in the series, to the plate and he grounded a RBI single through the 5.5 hole to double our lead. After Hicks walked, La Stella lined a 2-run single over Kipnis’ head to make it 4-0 and send Price to an early shower. Carlos Carrasco came in to try to put out the fire. He coaxed a fly ball to Naquin to end the inning, but the damage had already been done.

We extended the lead in the 4th thanks again to Buxton’s speed, as a single and stolen base with 1-out put him in scoring position to score on the 2-out RBI single blooped into right-center by Mauer. Landa was pitching with the poise of a proven veteran, despite being a rookie.

The pitching staffs were both in control as the game moved into the late innings, with neither team getting anything going since the 4th. Despite his pitch count being at 93 pitches, Landa was pitching well enough that I let him take the mound to start the 8th, though I did have Lester Oliveros warming up in case Landa got into trouble. 4 pitches later, Landa was on his way back to the dugout having retired the side, despite giving up a single. A taylor-made double play ball from Kipnis that we converted into a 6-4-3 double play ended their threat.

3 outs away from winning the series I wasn’t going to mess around, as I called on Nick Burdi to close it out. Burdi may have shown a few nerves walking Simmons on 5 pitches to start the inning, but Naquin grounded the next pitch into a 6-4-3 double play to bring us within 1 out of the ALCS. Burdi then got Santana to chase a 99 MPH fastball down and away to end the game and the series. It’s the 1st series win for the Twins since the 2002 ALDS against Oakland (of “Moneyball” fame).


Minnesota 5 at Cleveland 0

WP: Yorman Landa (1-0), LP: Bryan Price (0-1)
HR: MN-None, Cle-None
POTG: Yorman Landa, 8 shutout innings allowing only 5 hits without walking anybody and striking out 9 on only 97 pitches.

Minnesota wins the series 3-1

Series MVP: Joe Mauer .471 BA, .500 OBP, 4 RBI, 3 R



October 19, 2018:

Off Day



October 20, 2018

ALDS Game:
Toronto 1 at Los Angeles Angels 3 (Angels win the series 3-2)

• Series MVP: Kevin Plawecki (Los Angeles Angels) .400 BA, 2 HR, 8 RBI

[faithful2thecall]

October 21, 2018

It is the two best teams in the regular season in each league that will be contesting the league championship series.


NLCS Game:
St. Louis 4 at Los Angeles Dodgers 1 (St. Louis lead the series 1-0)


Off Day



October 22, 2018

NLCS Game:
St. Louis 4 at Los Angeles Dodgers 2 (11 innings) (St. Louis lead the series 2-0)

Adam Ehrlich hit a 2-run homer in the 11th as the Cardinals stole home field advantage.


• In a move that has me scratching my head, GM Terry Ryan decided to remove SP Chris Heston from the roster in favor of SP Trevor May. Heston had a good outing in Game 2 against Cleveland.

We’re 4 wins away from the stated goal of this dynasty series—to take the Twins to their 1st World Series since the legendary 1991 Fall Classic. But realistically, we’re really 8 wins away from our true objective—to win the World Series. Ironically, we’re going to have to beat the same Los Angeles Angels team that stopped the chances of the 2002 Twins, who were the last Twins team to win a series in the postseason. The Angels beat us 4-2 in the regular season series. We won 2-of-3 in Los Angeles while they caught us in a bad spell in early June and swept us at Target Field.


Los Angeles Angels
Jorge Martinez (SS)
Mike Trout (CF)
Francisco Martinez (3B)
Kevin Plawecki (C)
Chris McGuiness (DH)
Steve Pearce (1B)
Kole Calhoun (RF)
Andy Ibanez (2B)
Dian Toscano (LF)
Austin G. Wood (SP)

Minnesota
Byron Buxton (CF)
Danny Santana (SS)
Joe Mauer (1B)
Kennys Vargas (DH)
Travis Harrison (3B)
Aaron Hicks (RF)
Tommy La Stella (2B)
Hank Conger (C)
Andy Dirks (LF)
Jose Berrios (SP)

The skies are cloudy for Game 1 at Target Field, with the wind blowing from right to left at 17 MPH. Neither team has seen much of the opposing starter today, though Francisco Martinez hit Berrios pretty well when he was with Detroit. Plawecki has a weaker arm than Yan Gomes did, which should allow us to run more.

Jorge lined the 1st pitch of the series just out of reach of the leaping La Stella for a single. Trout then dumped a single to left to get a mini threat going. However, Berrios rebounded to strike out Francisco and Plawecki to fly out to Hicks. Berrios bouncing a changeup for a wild pitch allowed the runners to move up. Hicks then bailed out Berrios by making a spectacular leaping grab at the wall to take extra bases away from McGuiness.

After Buxton flew out and Santana popped out, Mauer laced a double between Francisco and the bag down into the corner. Vargas followed by rallying from 0-2 down to draw a walk. Unfortunately Harrison didn’t get all of a 1-2 slider and Trout caught it just shy of the track in center to end the inning.

Wood got himself into trouble in the 2nd walking Hicks and La Stella to lead off the inning. Conger and Dirks both flew out before Buxton struck out to end the inning. Both starters seemed to be settling into a general groove however as neither offense could get much going (through 5 innings the teams had combined for 5 hits).

We failed to keep Trout off the bases in the 6th as he led off with a single, and then advanced to 3rd on a single by Plawecki before sliding under the tag at the plate on a sacrifice fly by McGuiness to open the scoring. Considering how we were swinging the bats, I thought that might be enough.

However, Harrison responded with a 2-out double before racing home when Hicks lined a RBI single to right-center. An errant pickoff throw by Wood advanced Hicks to 2nd and took the bat out of La Stella’s hands as they walked him to get to Conger. They also brought Cam Bedrosian in to pitch to Conger. Conger fouled out to Francisco to end the inning.
When Calhoun lined a single to leadoff the 7th I got the bullpen going in case of trouble, having Simon Castro loosen up. Berrios buckled down with action behind him to get Ibanez to fly out and struck out Toscano and Jorge to end the inning. Further complicating things it started to rain in the bottom of the 7th. The wet grass made a difference as Jorge fumbled a Santana grounder for a 2-out error in the bottom of the inning and a wild pitch put him in scoring position. Mauer then grounded a single to right, and with how we were hitting and with Vargas struggling I decided to be aggressive and send Santana. Santana slid in under the Plawecki tag after a good throw by Calhoun to give us the lead 2-1. We proceeded to load the bases on a single by Vargas and a walk to Harrison, but Hicks flew out softly to Toscano to end the inning.

Berrios uncorked a wild throw to 1st with 1-out in the 8th that allowed Francisco to take 2nd before a wild pitch put him on 3rd. However Harrison made a great sprawling grab of a liner by Plawecki. After McGuiness walked, Pearce was rung up looking on 3 pitches to send the game to the 9th with us ahead.

We made a bid to get some insurance for Michael Tonkin in the 9th, with La Stella leading off with a walk before Conger failed to sacrifice him over and Dirks lined a single to left. Buxton flew out to shallow center and Santana struck out to fail to deliver and we had to cope with a 1-run lead and 3 outs to go. Calhoun flew out and Ibanez grounded out to bring us within 1 out of the win. Then the umpires deemed the rain was coming down too hard and caused a 70 minute delay with 1 out left in the game. Toscano worked the count full and hit a deep fly ball to right-center, but Hicks ran it down on the warning track to secure the win.


Los Angeles Angels 1 at Minnesota 2

WP: Jose Berrios (1-0), LP: Cam Bedrosian (1-1), SV: Michael Tonkin (2)
POTG: Jose Berrios, 8 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K on 98 pitches



October 23, 2018

The nerves are a little calmer today with the win in Game 1 in our pocket.

Los Angeles Angels
Jorge Martinez (SS)
Mike Trout (CF)
Francisco Martinez (3B)
Kevin Plawecki (C)
Chris McGuiness (DH)
Steve Pearce (1B)
Kole Calhoun (RF)
Andy Ibanez (2B)
Dian Toscano (LF)
Drew Rucinski (SP)

Minnesota
Byron Buxton (CF)
Danny Santana (SS)
Joe Mauer (1B)
Kennys Vargas (DH)
Travis Harrison (3B)
Aaron Hicks (RF)
Tommy La Stella (2B)
Hank Conger (C)
Andy Dirks (LF)
Yorman Landa (SP)


The skies are partly cloudy today with the wind blowing from left to right at 12 MPH. My hitters haven’t had a great deal of success against Rucinski in the past, and he’s shut us down twice this season (2-0, 0.57 ERA, 15.2 IP).

Landa showed a little bit of tightness, walking Jorge on 5 pitches to start the game, but quickly settled down and retired the side in order after that. Things didn’t look much better for us in the bottom of the inning as Buxton grounded out to Pearce unassisted and Santana struck out, but then Mauer, Vargas, and Harrison collected consecutive line drive singles to plate the game’s 1st run. Hicks then went too far on a 2-2 sinker and was punched out to end the inning.

The Angels threatened in the 2nd when Pearce hit a 1-out double and Calhoun singled him over to 3rd, but Landa coaxed Ibanez into hitting into a 4-6-3 double play to escape the jam. Landa couldn’t escape trouble in the 4th however, when Plawecki hit a 1-out double and McGuiness followed by grounding a RBI single to right to tie the game. Hicks made an outstanding grab in the right-centerfield gap to end the inning and keep the game tied.

A 2-out single by Jorge in the 5th proved costly as Trout extended enough to muscle the next pitch 377 feet into the left field seats to give the Angels the lead. We got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Dirks singled to lead off the inning and moved up to 2nd on a groundout by Santana before Mauer lined a RBI single to center to bring us back within 3-2. Toscano ran down a fly ball from Vargas to end the inning.

The fans were treated to a rare moment in the 6th. Plawecki singled and McGuiness walked to lead off the inning, which made me get some action going in the bullpen, but Landa caught a huge break. With the corners in to protect against the bunt, Pearce lined a 3-2 changeup to a diving La Stella who stepped on 2nd and then threw the ball to Mauer to complete a 4-3 triple play. As far as I can tell, that’s the 1st postseason triple play since Cleveland’s Bill Wambsganass turned an unassisted triple play in the 1920 World Series.

Hicks, who had struck out both of his previous at bats in this game, then turned on a 2-2 fastball in the bottom of the inning and hammered it 408 feet into the right field seats to tie the game. After La Stella followed by coaxing a walk, Mike Morin was brought in to attempt to stem the momentum. Conger struck out and Dirks grounded out to end the inning.

With Landa not looking sharp, I decided to put some faith in my bullpen by bringing in Simon Castro to start the 7th. Castro rewarded me by retiring the side in order on 7 pitches. Momentum continued to swing in our direction as the struggling Buxton golfed a 3-2 changeup 355 feet to left for a leadoff homer to give us a 4-3 lead. We continued to take advantage of the Angels bullpen as Mauer and Harrison both worked walks (Harrison’s intentionally) and Hicks worked a 3-2 count with 2 outs before grounding a RBI single to left to extend our lead.

With a 5-3 lead going into the 9th, it was time for Michael Tonkin to come in and take care of business. McGuiness flew out to Hicks and Pearce struck out leaving the game up to Calhoun. Calhoun hit a can of corn to Buxton to give us a 2-0 lead in the ALCS.


Los Angeles Angels 3 at Minnesota 5

WP: Simon Castro (1-0), LP: Mike Morin (0-1), SV: Michael Tonkin (3)
HR: LAA-Mike Trout (1), MN-Aaron Hicks (1), Byron Buxton (1)
POTG: Joe Mauer, who went 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored and a RBI


October 24, 2018

NLCS Game:
Los Angeles Dodgers 2 at St. Louis 0 (St. Louis lead the series 2-1)

Off Day

[faithful2thecall]

October 25, 2018

NLCS Game:
Los Angeles Dodgers 4 at St. Louis 1 (series tied 2-2)

The road team has won every game of this series so far.


Los Angeles Angels
Jorge Martinez (SS)
Mike Trout (CF)
Francisco Martinez (3B)
Kevin Plawecki (C)
Steve Pearce (LF)
Andy Ibanez (2B)
Albert Pujols (DH)
Kole Calhoun (RF)
Chris McGuiness (1B)
Garrett Richards (SP)

Minnesota
Byron Buxton (CF)
Danny Santana (SS)
Joe Mauer (1B)
Kennys Vargas (DH)
Travis Harrison (3B)
Aaron Hicks (RF)
Tommy La Stella (2B)
Hank Conger (C)
Andy Dirks (LF)
Lewis Thorpe (SP)

The scene shifts to Angel Stadium for at least the next 2 games, the 3rd game if necessary (hopefully it won’t be). Thorpe is out to redeem himself for the bad start he had against Cleveland in Game 3 of the ALDS. The skies are partly cloudy with the wind blowing in from right at 8 MPH.

Richards got off to a strong start, surrendering only a harmless 2-out single by Mauer in the 1st. Thorpe frayed the nerves a little as he went 3-0 to Jorge to lead off the bottom of the inning, but Jorge swung away and flew out to Hicks. Trout was then thrown out trying to bunt his way on and Francisco struck out to end the inning.

Pujols became the Angels 1st base runner when he singled to lead off the 3rd, he then showed his savvy on the bases moving around to 3rd on a ground out and a fly out. Jorge then ripped a RBI double into the right-centerfield gap to open the scoring. Trout then chased a 2-2 fastball to end the inning.

Calhoun was then injured (shoulder tendinitis, 3 weeks) running down a Hicks fly ball to end the 4th, and Engel Beltre came in to replace him. Beltre immediately proved his worth by making a shoe string grab to rob Buxton of extra bases to end the 5th. Pujols continued to plague us in the bottom of the inning, leading off with a double and coming around to score on a pair of ground outs.

Richards continued to stymie us, scattering hits without allowing a scoring threat to develop. Fortunately after Hicks lined a single to right to lead off the 7th, the Angels brought in Francisco Bastardo. After La Stella struck out, Conger turned on a 3-1 fastball belt high on the inside part of the plate and hit it 386 feet into the left field seats to tie the game. After we finally got Pujols out in the bottom of the inning, coaxing him to hit into a 5-4-3 double play, the Angels went to their bench and brought on Jed Lowrie, who grounded out harmlessly to end the inning. The bigger cost might have been in weakening their defense as Lowrie became the new shortstop and Jorge moved out to left field while Pearce moved over to right.

Jared Hughes came in to start the 8th with that new defense behind him. We had a little threat brewing as Mauer singled to right with 1-out and took 2nd on a ground out by Vargas. The Angels then got away with a head scratching decision to intentionally walk the inexperienced Harrison to get to Hicks with 2 outs, with Hicks having a significantly better postseason and a 2-for-2 day, as Hicks grounded out to McGuiness to end the inning.

Thorpe didn’t allow a ball to be put in play in the 8th with Nick Burdi loosening up behind him in case he got into trouble, as Thorpe struck out McGuiness and Jorge to start the inning. When Trout worked a walk that took Thorpe to the 100 pitch mark I hopped out of the dugout to summon Burdi. Francisco grounded out to Santana to end the inning.

Once Trevor Rosenthal retired the bottom 3rd of my lineup in order in the 9th, I was left hoping that Burdi could force extra innings. Burdi did the job, though he did walk a pair in the inning. Lester Oliveros got into trouble in the 10th however, giving up 2-out singles to Trout and Francisco, before coaxing Plawecki to ground out to Santana to escape the jam.

In the 11th, Ibanez doubled off the base of the centerfield wall with 1-out, then Pujols singled on a swinging bunt to put us in big trouble. Lowrie lined out to a drawn in Dirks in left and the runners had to hold. Unfortunately, McGuiness grounded a 2-1 slider into center for a walk-off single that got the Angels back in the series at 2-1.


Minnesota 2, Los Angeles Angels 3 (11 innings)

WP: Cam Bedrosian (2-1), LP: Lester Oliveros (1-1)
POTG: Lewis Thorpe, 7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K in his best start since returning from injury. Honestly, I probably would have given it to Albert Pujols who went 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored.



October 26, 2018

NLCS Game:
Los Angeles Dodgers 5 at St. Louis 3 (Dodgers leads the series 3-2)

The home team still has not won a game in this series, which doesn’t bode well for the Dodgers as they return home for the final 2 games of the series.


Los Angeles Angels
Jorge Martinez (SS)
Mike Trout (CF)
Francisco Martinez (3B)
Kevin Plawecki (C)
Chris McGuiness (DH)
Steve Pearce (1B)
Dian Toscano (LF)
Andy Ibanez (2B)
Engel Beltre (RF)
Cory Luebke (SP)

Minnesota
Byron Buxton (CF)
Danny Santana (SS)
Joe Mauer (1B)
Kennys Vargas (DH)
Travis Harrison (3B)
Aaron Hicks (LF)
Hank Conger (C)
Jon Garcia (RF)
Tommy La Stella (2B)
Trevor May (SP)

We’re looking to bounce back from yesterday’s heartbreaker and seize a stranglehold on the series. The Angels were allowed to replace Calhoun on the DL mid-series and add 2B Asdrubal Cabrera to the roster in his place. Neither team has hit the opposing pitcher well. It’s partly cloudy with the wind blowing in from center at 15 MPH.

Harrison became the 1st baserunner of the game when he golfed a 3-2 fastball 386 feet to left for a 1-out solo homer in the 2nd. May and Luebke were dominant in the early innings as neither team could get anything else going.

The 1st runner allowed by May was when he walked Jorge on 4 pitches to lead off the 4th. May then compounded his mistake by making a throwing error on a bunt by Trout leaving both runners safe. Francisco grounded out softly to Mauer, allowing both runners to move up. Plawecki then got clipped by a 2-2 changeup to load the bases. McGuiness then grounded out to Mauer, but that allowed a run to score without a hit to tie the game at 1-1. Pearce then managed to ground a ball past the diving Harrison into the left field corner for a 2-run double to give the Angels the lead.

We responded by making a little noise of our own in the 5th as Garcia singled softly to center and La Stella walked on 5 pitches to start the inning. Buxton then hit a warning track fly ball to center that allowed Garcia to move up to 3rd. Santana then grounded a RBI single up the middle to pull us back within 3-2. Unfortunately, Mauer and Vargas struck out to end the threat.

Cam Bedrosian came in with 2-out and Hicks on 1st in the 6th. He continued his strong postseason by striking out Garcia to end the inning. We got aggressive in the 7th as I put the hit-and-run on despite La Stella not having great speed and caught a break as Santana singled up the middle past the diving Jorge putting runners on the corners. Lack of speed then killed the rally as Mauer grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to squelch the threat.

After May set down the side in order in the bottom of the inning, the Angels turned to Jared Hughes in the 8th. We couldn’t get anything going as Hughes retired the side in order.

I reluctantly gave May a chance to start the 8th with a pitch count at 98 and Jed Lowrie, who had entered the game as a defensive replacement for Jorge made me pay by lining a single to right. I wasted no time springing from the dugout to summon in Jake Reed. After Trout successfully sacrificed Lowrie over, Francisco lined a RBI single to right to provide some insurance. McGuiness then put the game away by unloading on a 1-0 fastball for a 2-out, 2-run homer. When we couldn’t generate a miracle in the 9th it became a best-of-3 series.


Minnesota 2, Los Angeles Angels 6

WP: Cory Luebke (1-0), LP: Trevor May (0-1)
HR: MN-Travis Harrison (1), LAA-Chris McGuiness (2)
POTG: Trevor May 7 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K. While I understand why the game metrics gave it to him, his big error that set up the 3 unearned runs in the 4th really deem him unworthy of the award. I’d have given it to Chris McGuiness, who went 2-for-4 with a run and 3 RBI.



October 27, 2018

Los Angeles Angels
Jorge Martinez (SS)
Mike Trout (CF)
Francisco Martinez (3B)
Kevin Plawecki (C)
Chris McGuiness (DH)
Steve Pearce (1B)
Dian Toscano (LF)
Andy Ibanez (2B)
Engel Beltre (RF)
Austin G. Wood (SP)

Minnesota
Byron Buxton (CF)
Danny Santana (SS)
Joe Mauer (1B)
Kennys Vargas (DH)
Travis Harrison (3B)
Aaron Hicks (RF)
Tommy La Stella (2B)
Hank Conger (C)
Andy Dirks (LF)
Jose Berrios (SP)

It’s a Game 1 rematch between Berrios and Wood. I badly want this game to avoid going home on the verge of elimination so close to our goal. The skies are clear today with the wind blowing from right to left at 14 MPH.

It looked like we were going to be in for another pitcher’s duel as both starters retired the side in order with ease in the 1st. Vargas, who entered the game with 1 postseason RBI after being 4th in the AL in the regular season, got the action going to leadoff the 2nd as he turned on a 2-2 knuckle curve and punched it 383 feet into the right field seats to open the scoring. We threatened to add more as Harrison singled and got as far as 3rd base, but Dirks grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

After that both pitchers settled into a groove and we were having lots of quick turns at bat. The Angels didn’t get a baserunner until Plawecki reached on a fielding error by Harrison leading off the 5th. The rest of my infield quickly bailed him out as McGuiness grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to erase the runner.

We finally generated some offense in the 6th as Mauer walked and took 2nd on a ground out to Pearce by Vargas, which took the bat out of Harrison’s hands as he was walked intentionally to get to Hicks. Hicks then made them pay by ripping a RBI double to the centerfield wall on the 12th pitch of his at bat. La Stella was then walked intentionally to load the bases before Mike Morin was brought in to pitch to Conger. Conger struck out, but Dirks picked him up with his 1st RBIs of the postseason on a 2-run single lined just out of the reach of Jorge into left to make it 4-0. Buxton and Santana drew walks to force in another run before Mauer grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the onslaught.

The long inning had me concerned, which only increased as Toscano drew a 5-pitch walk to lead off the bottom of the inning. After Ibanez flew out to Buxton, Beltre drew another walk to put 2-on with 1-out. Jorge then kept the inning alive by hustling down the line to avoid being double up on a fielder’s choice that left runners on the corners for Trout. Berrios then airmailed the 1st pitch to Trout to the backstop to put the Angels on the board. Berrios rebounded to strike out Trout to end the inning.

Vargas got us that run right back by pulling a 3-2 fastball just inside the right field foul pole to greet reliever Gabriel Ynoa, in his 1st postseason action, to make it 6-1. We continued to pile on Ynoa, as a Harrison walk and a Hicks single set the stage for Conger to line a RBI single to left-center.

What had gone somewhat unnoticed by some fans in the blowout was that Berrios took the mound in the 7th working on a no-hitter. After Francisco grounded back to Berrios and Plawecki grounded out to Santana, McGuiness grounded a 3-2 fastball just out of the reach of Mauer for the Angels’ 1st hit. Pearce followed with a RBI double to the right-centerfield gap to make it 7-2.

With the game seemingly in hand I decided to give the ball to John Curtiss to start the 8th. The Angels went quietly in the 8th, but Trout walked to start the 9th and then Curtiss made a mistake on a 0-2 pitch to Francisco, who crushed it 402 feet to right-center and all of a sudden it was 7-4 and Michael Tonkin was on his feet in the bullpen. That ended up being a precautionary measure as Curtiss rebounded to retire the side in order after that, getting Pearce to strike out on 3 pitches to end the game and send us home 1 win away from the World Series.


Minnesota 7 at Los Angeles Angels 4

WP: Jose Berrios (2-0), LP: Austin G. Wood (0-2)
HR: MN-Kennys Vargas 2 (2), LAA-Francisco Martinez (2)
POTG: Jose Berrios, Who threw 6.2 no-hit innings and finished with 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K on 90 pitches. Vargas was really the only other candidate, so definitely a worthy decision today.



October 28, 2018

NLCS Game:
St. Louis 8 at Los Angeles Dodgers 5 (11 innings) (series tied 3-3)

Jason Heyward delivered a RBI single in the 11th for the go-ahead run in a 3 run inning where the Cardinals batted around.

Off Day

[faithful2thecall]

October 29, 2018

NLCS Game:
St. Louis 0 at Los Angeles Dodgers 8 (Dodgers win the series 4-3)

• Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers) throws a 3-hitter as the home team finally won a game in this series.
• The Dodgers ended any suspense relatively early, scoring 7 runs in the 3rd, highlighted by a Yasmani Grandal grand slam.

Series MVP: Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers) in an easy decision as he was 2-0, 17 IP, 15 K, 1 BB, 0.00 ERA


Los Angeles Angels
Jorge Martinez (SS)
Mike Trout (CF)
Francisco Martinez (3B)
Kevin Plawecki (C)
Chris McGuiness (DH)
Steve Pearce (1B)
Dian Toscano (LF)
Andy Ibanez (2B)
Engel Beltre (RF)
Drew Rucinski (SP)

Minnesota
Byron Buxton (CF)
Danny Santana (SS)
Joe Mauer (1B)
Kennys Vargas (DH)
Travis Harrison (3B)
Aaron HIcks (RF)
Tommy La Stella (2B)
Hank Conger (C)
Andy Dirks (LF)
Yorman Landa (SP)

With a win we’ll accomplish the stated goal of this dynasty, to get the Twins back to the World Series. Obviously I want to win it all though and either National League opponent would represent a rematch for us, personally I’d like to get a chance to avenge 1965 against the Dodgers. It’s a pitching match-up that suggests a duel in a rematch of Game 2 with Landa up against Rucinski, who would have been on the shortlist of Cy Young contenders if it wasn’t for the season Kyle Crockett of Cleveland had.

The series returns to Target Field for today’s game (and tomorrow’s if it’s unfortunately necessary). It’s a cloudy day with the wind blowing from left to right at 10 MPH.

Jorge got aggressive and legged out a double to center sliding under the tag on the throw by Buxton. Trout followed by blooping a single to right to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Landa dug himself a deeper hole by walking Francisco on 5 pitches to load the bases. Dirks then looked like a hero catching a fly ball and throwing a bullseye to the plate to nail Jorge for a double play. A fly ball to Hicks by McGuiness wasted a golden opportunity for the Angels to bust the game open early.

We then made the Angels pay in the bottom of the inning as the struggling Buxton led off with a double and after Santana struck out, Mauer grounded a RBI single past Pearce to open the scoring. That was all we got in the inning as Vargas and Harrison struck out to end the inning.

It looked like Landa was going to breeze through the 2nd, but Ibanez picked up a 2-out single and then Beltre lined a 2-0 fastball over Mauer’s head into the right field corner for a RBI double to tie the game. Jorge then lined a RBI single to left to give the Angels the lead. Fortunately Trout fouled out to prevent further damage.

Both starters were floundering as baserunners were everywhere. What was lacking other than the 1st couple of innings were the clutch hits to put runs on the board. Snow started to fall in the bottom of the 4th.

The Angels finally got a clutch hit in the 5th as a Trout bunt single and a walk to McGuiness had runners on 1st and 2nd with 2-out, but Pearce grounded a 0-1 curveball just past Harrison to the left field corner for a RBI double to make it 3-1. Toscano then flew out to Hicks near the warning track to end the inning.

Buxton responded by hitting a 2-1 fastball placed well on the outside corner that carried farther than Trout expected…to the tune of 431 feet to straightaway center with 1-out for a solo homer that make it 3-2. A 2-out single by Jorge in the 6th sent me to the bullpen to summon Hudson Boyd. Boyd rewarded my faith by striking out Trout to end the inning.

McGuiness provided some insurance after Francisco stole 2nd base in the 7th by lining a RBI single to left to make it 4-2. We caught a break as Pearce grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. After Buxton walked on 5 pitches with 1-out in the 8th to bring the tying run to the plate, the Angels countered by bringing in Antonio Bastardo.

The umpires called a 38 minute snow delay in the top of the 9th. Plawecki followed with a sacrifice fly for an unearned run. When we couldn’t get anything going in the bottom of the inning the series came down to 1 game, winner take all.


Los Angeles Angels 5 at Minnesota 2

WP: Drew Rucinski (1-1), LP: Yorman Landa (1-1), SV: Trevor Rosenthal (3)
HR: LAA-None, MN-Byron Buxton (2)
POTG: Drew Rucinski, with Buxton being the most deserving hitter, Rucinski throwing 6.1 innings surrendering 2 runs on 7 hits, striking out 7 while walking 2 is worthy of the award.



October 30, 2018

Los Angeles Angels
Jorge Martinez (SS)
Mike Trout (CF)
Francisco Martinez (3B)
Kevin Plawecki (C)
Steve Pearce (RF)
Andy Ibanez (2B)
Albert Pujols (DH)
Dian Toscano (LF)
Chris McGuiness (1B)
Garrett Richards (SP)

Minnesota
Byron Buxton (CF)
Danny Santana (SS)
Joe Mauer (1B)
Kennys Vargas (DH)
Travis Harrison (3B)
Aaron Hicks (RF)
Tommy La Stella (2B)
Hank Conger (C)
Andy Dirks (LF)
Lewis Thorpe (SP)

One game. Winner takes all. Will it be the Battle of Los Angeles or a rematch of 1965 in the World Series? The skies are clear with the wind blowing out to right at 11 MPH.

Thorpe didn’t look particularly convincing in the 1st. He was a bit wild, and the balls he got over the plate were being hit hard. Fortunately my outfield was up to the task as Buxton and Hicks made nice catches. Unfortunately, the 1-out walk to Trout ended up being costly as Pearce grounded a 2-out RBI single past Harrison to open the scoring. Ibanez bailed me out by popping up a 3-0 fastball to end the inning.

We finally made some noise in the 3rd, loading the bases with 2-out on singles by Conger and Buxton and a walk to Santana. Mauer then lined a 2-run single to left to put us in front 2-1. Vargas squibbed a comebacker to Richards to end the inning. Dirks sacrificed his body (intercostal strain, 1-2 weeks) to take extra bases away from Toscano to end the 4th.

Thorpe got into a jam in the 5th as McGuiness and Jorge singled to start the inning, and yet again in the series Trout sacrificed them over. Francisco flew out to short center and the runners had to hold. Plawecki then got lucky as he popped the ball up to right-center and my outfielders played you-take-it-no-you-take-it for a 2-run single to give the Angels a 3-2 lead. Pearce then ripped a RBI triple over Buxton’s head.

A pair of walks in the 6th and a RBI single from Francisco seemed to put the game out of reach. We finally dented Cam Bedrosian in the bottom of the inning however, as singles by Mauer and Vargas to leadoff the inning finally turned into a run when La Stella delivered a clutch 2-out RBI single past the diving Ibanez into center.

The game took a dramatic turn in the 8th as Mauer reached to start the inning on catcher’s interference. Vargas and Harrison followed with singles, and when Toscano was handcuffed by Harrison’s single Mauer raced home to make it 5-4 and left runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out for Hicks. Hicks grounded out to Ibanez. At this point the Angels were changing pitchers just about every batter. Jaime Garcia came in to pitch to La Stella and he bounced a changeup in the dirt that allowed Vargas to race home from 3rd to tie the game at 5-5. That took the bat out of La Stella’s hands as they walked him intentionally to try to set up the double play. The much maligned bat of Conger then delivered as he blooped a 2-2 fastball into right for a RBI single that left us 3 outs away from the World Series. Jon Garcia (who came in for the injured Dirks) walked on 5 pitches to load the bases and Buxton lined a soft RBI single to center to make it 7-5. Santana flew out to Trout and Mauer hit one hard to left-center, only to have Toscano make a fantastic diving catch to rob Mauer of extra bases and end the inning.

The crowd rose en masse as our defense took the field for the 9th, with Michael Tonkin trotting in from the bullpen to try to punch our ticket to the World Series. The scheduled hitters of Plawecki, Pearce, and Ibanez didn’t intimidate anybody though they had seemingly all had their moments in the series. The noise rose a few decibels when Plawecki swung over a 3-2 sinker to strike out. Pearce then popped up a 3-1 sinker to Santana to leave us 1 out away. The crowd was on its feet waiting to explode. Ibanez chased a sinker in the dirt and bounced a grounder to Harrison, who fired a strike to Mauer to send us to the World Series!

Los Angeles Angels 5 at Minnesota 7

WP: Lester Oliveros (2-1), LP: Gabriel Ynoa (0-1), SV: Michael Tonkin (4)
HR: LAA-None, MN-None
POTG: Joe Mauer, who went 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI

Series MVP: Joe Mauer, who hit .370 with 5 RBI and 5 runs.



October 31, 2018

Off Day