Game 30: Twins-Angels …
This is not a re-run. The Angels really are playing the Twins again. Promise. …
Angels (12-17)
Maicer Izturis, SS
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Albert Pujols, 1B
Torii Hunter, RF
Mark Trumbo, DH
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Vernon Wells, LF
Chris Iannetta, C
Peter Bourjos, CF
Pitching: RH Jered Weaver (4-0, 1.61 ERA)
Twins (7-20)
Denard Span, CF
Brian Dozier, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Ryan Doumit, DH
Danny Valencia, 3B
Chris Parmelee, 1B
Trevor Plouffe, RF
Erik Komatsu, LF
Jamey Carroll, 2B
Pitching: LH Francisco Liriano (0-4, 9.97 ERA)
Some pregame notes …
- LaTroy Hawkins (broken pinkie finger suffered while fielding game-ending comebacker) was placed on the disabled list, with veteran right-hander David Pauley (signed to a Minor League deal in late March) getting called up from Triple-A Salt Lake to take his place. The usual recovery time from a broken pinkie is roughly 4-6 weeks, but the Angels will re-evaluate Hawkins in two weeks to see where he’s at.
- The Angels are hopeful Scott Downs will avoid a DL stint, after suffering a bruise on the back of his left knee while trying to get out of the way of a comebacker. Downs will rejoin the team today, but there’s still no telling when he’ll rejoin the pitcher’s mound.
- Until Downs returns, manager Mike Scioscia said the ninth inning will be done “a little bit by committee,” with Ernesto Frieri and Jordan Walden both getting looks back there.
- Weaver was named American League Player of the Week (surprisingly for the first time in his career) for his no-hitter on Wednesday night.
- Scioscia, on eventually giving Kendrys Morales more at-bats against opposing lefties (3-for-13 against them this year): “The schedule gives you some built-in looks to give him a little time off to make sure that he’s staying fresh. He’s played a stretch of games and he’s come out of it fine. We definitely want him to get some looks against lefties also; it’s just a matter of where our pieces can fit.”
- Pauley, a 28-year-old with a good sinker, posted a 2.15 ERA in 39 games for the Mariners last year, but a 5.95 ERA in 14 games for the Tigers. Pauley had another Minor League deal from the Blue Jays, but chose the Angels because “there was an opportunity to come and play, and that’s all I really wanted.”
Angels links from Sunday …
- Pujols’ first home run powers Angels to victory
- Prolonged ovation greets Pujols
- Halos lose two hurlers in scary ninth
- Frieri shows stuff to pitch in late innings
- Bourjos battling to break into crowded outfield
- Weaver looks to follow up no-no against same club
Some AL West links …
- Adrian Beltre returned to the Rangers lineup, but as DH
- Hector Noesi cruises past the Twins
- Refocused Manny Ramirez seeks career encore
And the Heat failed to close out the Knicks on Sunday.
– Alden
Alden Gonzalez
Guys come and go all year in the D-League. It’s really dedenps on what his contract looks like in Belgium. He could have entered into the D-League draft up until 48 hours before teams started selecting. I think now he’d simply have to have his agent work the phones.
I know I\’m a little iteamipnt but why haven\’t the Cubs called up more players. They really need to find out what they have. I know Quade thinks he\’s auditioning for the full-time gig next year, but I think at this point that player development and evaluation are infinitely more important.