Monday's Thoughts

Twins split series with Sox

Carlos Silva gave up 5 runs for the third start in a row. This time, he gave up 6 runs (which 5 were earned) in 5 innings. He gave up 10 hits, 3 of which were HR's. Carlos Silva is really showing the Carlos Silva of 2006 lately, so hopefully the All-Star Break will do him some good. The Twins rotation is in shambles right now (besides Johan Santana) and the Twins will need at least 1 (if not 2) pitcher(s) to step up BIG TIME in the 2nd half. I think Carlos Silva & Boof Bonser both need to step up regardless or both may be demoted to the BP/AAA.

Justin Morneau continued his power surge with his 4th HR in the series, and his 24th of the seaon. Hopefully this will continue for him on Monday Night when he faces some of the league's best in the All-Star Home Run Derby at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Morneau finshed the day with 2 hits and 2 RBI. Jason Bartleet whiffed 3 times while getting 1 hit. Joe Mauer & Michael Cuddyer each had a hit and a run. Nick Punto also had 2 hits.

Juan Rincon pitched real well which was a nice site, going 1 2/3 inning giving up only 1 hit and striking out 2. Pat Neshek & Dennys Reyes also pitched scoreless outings. Pat Neshek faced one batter (Paul Konerko) and struck him out swingin on 3 pitches.

The final score: 6-3 White Sox

Winner: Javier Vazquez (6-5, 3.65)

Loser: Carlos Silva (6-10, 4.58)

• After the game on Sunday, the Twins sent Carmen Cali back down to Rochester in hopes of recalling Rondell White after the All-Star Break. White hasn't played a full 9 innings in the outfield so far, so I have a hard time believing that he'll be a big upgrade right away. But I am optimistic that with time, Rondell White can provide a helpfull bat at somepoint down the road. Hopefully he'll stay healthy long enough to show us what we asked for when we signed him before the 2006 season.

Minor League Notes

Rochester Red Wings beat the Pawtucket Red Sox, 6-4.
Winner: Julio DePaula (6-5, 3.47)
Loser: Barry Hertzler (0-1, 11.25)
Save: Bob Korecky (22)
Notes: Nick Blackburn looked human again on Sunday, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings. It was the first time he gave up more than 1 run since May 29th. Brian Buscher went 2-3 with his 12th RBI. Garrett Jones, Tommy Watkins, and Jose Morales all pitched in with an RBI of their own.

New Britain Rock Cats beat the Reading Phillies, 4-3.
Winner: Jay Sawatski (4-3, 4.41)
Loser: Julio De La Cruz (1-2, 3.23)
Closer: Tim Lahey (6)
Notes: Felix Molina, Matt Moses, and Rashad Eldridge all went 2-4. Molina, Eldridge, Garrett Guzman & Brock Peterson all drove in 1 run each. Anthony Swarzak pitched in his 3rd game with New Britain since his suspension and gave up 2 runs in just over 5 innings. He's been pretty good since his return (at least better than before his suspension), he's gone 2-0 with an ERA of 3.14 in those 3 games, he's also had 12 K's.

Ft. Myers Miracle beat the Clearwater Threshers, 9-6.
Winner: Jeff Manship (2-1, 2.93)
Loser: Andrew Carpenter (9-5, 3.80)
Save: Armando Gabino (2)
Notes: Dwayne White doubled his season HR total on Sunday with 2 HR's. He also finished with 3 RBI. Brian Dinkleman and Ed Ovalle both had 3 hits each and both stole bases (2 for Dinkleman, 1 for Ovalle). Jeff Manship continued to impress with another strong start on Sunday. The former Notre Dame pitcher went 5+ innings and gave up 4 runs (2 earned) with 4 K's.

Beloit Snappers lost to the Swing of the Quad Cities, 9-4.
Winner: Brandon Dickson (8-4, 3.23)
Loser: Matt Fox (5-1, 3.19)
Notes: Matt Fox had his worst start of the season, going just 1 2/3 innings giving up 8 runs on 5 hits. Ouch. Wilson Ramos, Chris Pamelee, Matt Betsill, and Dan Berg all drove in a run each.

GCL Twins lost to the GCL Orioles, 9-7.
Winner: Conrad Orman (3-0, 3.32)
Loser: Santos Arias (1-1, 3.94)
Save: Leonardo Huches (3)
Notes: Jeanfred Brito was just a home run away from hitting for the cycle on Sunday. He finished with 3 hits, 3 runs and 2 RBI's. Ben Revere also had 2 RBI's. Angel Morales was caught stealing his 3rd base of the season.
REHAB: Rondell White played DH and went 3-5 with a double and an RBI.

Elizabethton Twins
Off Day