MINNESOTA SPORTS ROCKS

MINNESOTA SPORTS ROCKS

Thursday, April 4, 2013

What a start to the Twins season


The Twins season just finished the first series of the year. The Detroit Tigers and their big buck hitters were in town including Price Fielder, Miguel Cabrera and Torri Hunter. These3 alone are intimidating with their powerful swings.

The home opener Twins face all world Justin Verlander and he was as advertised, tough. He finally leaves and the Twins were given plenty of opportunities against the relied corp but just could not get the job done.

I thought Twins starter Vance Worley showed me something after a rough 1st inning and then settled down and kept the Twins in the game. The offense sputtered including rough day for rookie Aaron Hicks.  Just think his first major league start and he gets to face Verlander.

I did like the no quit in the team drawing within 3-2 and a chance to win. It was not meant to be. A loss was the end result but for baseball fans we can say baseball is back.

Take me out to the Ball game can be sung for the next 6 months and hopefully into the 7th with playoffs in mind.

Game 2 Twins again fall behind but do not quit. Is there a better feeling knowing in the bottom of the 9th the Twins have a chance. Twins down 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th Eduardo Escobar stands at the plate and the pitch, Escobar connects and there it goes, deep. Two Tigers outfielders are back, but neither catch it. One run scores, here comes the next Twin and he is SAFE at home. Twins win 3-2

Relief pitching was a big strength and a key hit was achieved as the previous day the Twins just could not get the hit when needed. Tigers hitters first two games no home runs.

Rubber match at noon and Twins fall behind for the third straight day. Twins hitters once again do not quit. First 2 home runs of the year and they were not from Detroit. Minnesota gets one from Willingham and Plouffe.

Aaron Hicks starts out 0-11 in the series and then in the 8th he gets his first major league hit. I was watching Hicks get interviewed when a large bucket of water gets dumped on his back. The base hit had to be special especially since  he was playing against his favorite player in baseball, Torri Hunter.

Positives in the series

Twins starting pitching goes 6, 7 and then 5.1 in the 3rd starts.

Twins relief pitching was outstanding as strikeouts were being achieved. I thought the only disappointment was Brian Duensing walking 2 in the first game other than that it was lights out. Closer, Glen Perkins got the win in game 2 but also looked strong including a strikeout. I am expecting big things out of him.

No quit in the team as exhibited in all three games.

Detroit Tigers- 0 home runs in 3 games

Twins win first series against Detroit at Target Field since September2010. Twins start out 2-1 in 2013, after starting out 2012 getting swept in Baltimore.

It is a long season but starting out above 500 can only give this team a sign of hope.

I know the team will hit it was the pitching I was concerned about. It is only 3  good games of solid pitching.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

 

 

 

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