Since I've been gone...

First and foremost, I wanted to let everyone know that I'm finally done with my finals so hopefully things will be back to normal for the foreseeable future. I will be transferring schools in the fall, so things might get a little busy later this summer.

Now, on to the Twins (what's happened since last time I've posted):

The Twins were 3-2 in my absence. All three victories came against the defending champion Red Sox. The Twins scored 26 runs in the series, which averages out to be 6 1/2 runs per game. Not bad against a great team like the Red Sox. Of course, the Twins pitchers did allow 21 runs in the series as well (5.25 runs per game). It was a great series, and the Twins really played with a lot of heart and they came through when it was needed.

Game Balls!

Thursday
Joe Mauer - Catcher
Line: 2-3, double, walk, RBI

Friday
Mike Lamb - Third Base
Line: 1-2, 2 RBI (walk off 2-run single)

Saturday
Glen Perkins - Starting Pitcher
Line: 6 innings pitched, 9 hits, 3 runs, 0 BB, 3 K's, 3 HR's

Sunday
Craig Monroe - Designated Hitter
Line: 2-4, 2 runs, 2 HR's, 4 RBI

Monday
Delmon Young - Left Field
Line: 2-4, 2 RBI

Ramblings

• Former Twins third baseman, Terry Tiffee is currently hitting .439 with 21 doubles, 3 home runs and 33 RBI in 37 games.

• Delmon Young currently has just 4 extra base hits this season, and I believe the reason for that is the Twins trying to teach him how to hit the pitch the other way instead of pulling the ball which he'd probably be able to put into the stands. The Twins have always taught players to slap the ball to keep their method of "small ball" alive, but hopefully Young can move his legs a little bit which can open up his stance a little and can start driving the ball to left field. As much as I love seeing hitters take the ball to right field, if it's not working out, then do something different. I hope that he can get going soon and that the Rays minor league affiliates did not get the best of Delmon Young.

• Seth Stohs has a Q&A with pitching prospect Tyler Robertson.

• Aaron Gleeman gives us his thoughts on the Twins losing Pat Neshek.

• For a more indepth look at this weekends series against the Red Sox, head over to Sense from Center.

Injury Report

• Pat Neshek looks like he'll miss the rest of the season after he was diagnosed with an acute partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He wont throw for at least 3 months but as of right now it's not known if surgery will be needed. If surgery is needed, he'll likely miss the majority of the 2009 season as it'd likely be Tommy John Surgery that he'd need to fix his problem. It's unfortunate for Neshek who's such a valuable arm in the bullpen for the Twins. Hopefully his rehab goes good and can come into spring training 100% healthy.

• Scott Baker will be on the DL longer than expected as a sign of precaution from the Twins. The team wants to make sure that his strained right groin is 100% healthy before they decide to go any further with him.

• Nick Punto has been placed on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. He injured his hamstring in last weeks shalacking against the White Sox. Punto went 2-5 with 5 RBI in the Twins 13-1 victory. Alexi Casilla has been recalled from Rochester and will serve as a backup middle infielder while Punto is out.

• Delmon Young left yesterdays game right before the 9th inning after he rolled his left foot while running the basepaths in the 8th inning. He expects to be ready for tomorrow, but the Twins may decide to hold him out to be careful.

Down on the Farm!

If you'd like updates for each game that I did not cover, go to Seth Speaks to see his Minor League Updates. But here are a few more things worth noting:

• Luke Hughes has been sidelined since last Wednesday with a strained hamstring. In his previous 10 games before his injury, he was hitting .455 (20-44) with 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs and 6 RBI. On the season, he's hitting .388/.448/.682 with 9 home runs and 20 RBI.

• Zach Day has decided to retire instead of continuing further rehab on his shoulder.

• Francisco Liriano's last start was his best of the season going 6 innings and giving up just 2 runs on 5 hits while walking just 2. He also fanned 5 and now has a 15/14 K/BB ratio. He still has a long ways to go, but at least it's a step in the right direction.
  

Hitter of the Day (5/12)
Denard Span - Center Field - Rochester Red Wings
Note: Prior to yesterday's game, Span had a total of 3 extra-base hits all season (all of them being doubles) for the Red Wings. Span went 3-5 yesterday with his fourth double of the season and his first home run of the season as well. He drove in two and came across to score twice. Span may not be the offensive player that Twins fans are looking for, which is a power hitter, but he gets on base and plays hard everyday and I find it hard to believe that he'll be in Rochester all season. Even with Craig Monroe playing well right now, I think we'll see Span up sometime in the not too distant future (hopefully it doesn't come at the expense of an injury though).

Pitcher of the Day (5/12)
Danny Graves - Starting Pitcher - Rochester Red Wings
Note: In his first start this season, Danny Graves went 4 scoreless innings and gave up just 2 hits while striking out two to get the no decision. Graves is a two time National League All-Star who has 182 career saves at the Major League level.

Touch 'Em All!

Rochester Red Wings: Denard Span (1), Chris Basak (3)
New Britain Rock Cats: None
Ft. Myers Miracle: None
Beloit Snappers: Ramon Santana (3)

Minor League Box Scores

Red Wings beat the Bisons, 5-1.
Rock Cats lost to the Fisher Cats, 11-4.
Miracle lost to the Reds, 7-2.
Snappers lost to the LumberKings, 6-5.