Blown Fuses Shut Down Twins' Replays Before Opener
A pair of blown fuses shut down the Minnesota Twins' replay system before Monday's season opener at U.S. Cellular Field, and manager Ron Gardenhire hoped it would be fixed by gametime.
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A pair of blown fuses shut down the Minnesota Twins' replay system before Monday's season opener at U.S. Cellular Field, and manager Ron Gardenhire hoped it would be fixed by gametime.
Josh Willingham finally hit his first home run of the spring in Minnesota's exhibition finale, and the Twins beat the Boston Red Sox 7-4 on Saturday. The game was called because of rain with two outs in the top of the ninth inning. Mike Napoli went 2 for 2 with a home run and three RBIs for the Red Sox. Jake Peavy, making his third Grapefruit League start, gave up one run and three hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out three.
Mike Napoli hit a solo homer to help the Boston Red Sox defeat the Minnesota Twins 4-0 on Friday. The Red Sox gave Grady Sizemore the day off after telling the oft-injured three-time All-Star that he will be their starting center field on opening day. He has not played in the big leagues since 2011.
The Minnesota Twins have outrighted left-hander Scott Diamond and outfielder Chris Parmelee to Triple-A Rochester, ensuring that veteran Jason Bartlett will make the team out of spring training.
Anyone who wants to go to a Twins home game this season will have to go through a metal detector. On Tuesday, the Twins announced they'll have them at all entrances to Target Field by May 1. They are complying with a Major League Baseball rule that requires security screening at all ballparks by 2015.
The number is staggering. In the past three years, the Minnesota Twins have lost 291 games. Ninety-nine in 2011. Ninety-six each of the last two seasons. A team that was once viewed as a model for succeeding and competing with modest financial resources has been an afterthought for too long now. They have finished last in the AL Central twice and were fourth last season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired right-hander Vance Worley from the Minnesota Twins for cash. The Pirates announced the trade Tuesday.
The Minnesota Twins will begin using walk-through metal detectors at Target Field starting with the team's home opener on Monday, April 7. It will be a phased-in effort, with all the gates to have the detectors by early May, according to Twins spokesperson Kevin Smith.
The Minnesota Twins will have an Oscar-nominated actor toss out at the ceremonial first pitch at their 2014 home opener. Barkhad Abdi will throw out the first pitch at the April 7 game against Oakland at Target Field. After the first pitch, Abdi will meet fans in the new Twins Digital Clubhouse in the U.S. Bank Homerun Porch.
The spring training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins scheduled for Monday was rained out.
The Minnesota Twins have granted relief pitcher Matt Guerrier his unconditional release, making the 35-year-old right-hander a free agent. The Twins announced the move Monday. Guerrier was trying to make a comeback from surgery on his right elbow.
Just because a Minnesota welfare recipient is a convicted drug felon doesn't mean that person must be subject to random drug tests, members of a state Senate health and human services panel decided on Monday.
The Minnesota Twins open the 2014 regular season next week in Chicago, but the team announced Monday its plans for the April 7 home opener against the Oakland Athletics. First pitch, weather permitting, is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. at Target Field. Events will start bright and early with Breakfast on the Plaza from 6 to 9 a.m.
Earlier this month Peter and I were asked to participate in Fan HQ's "Rock 'N' Jock" expo, a fan-fest of sorts involving local sports, music and art. It was a packed event at the New Hope Cinema Grill. The Twins Blog hosted the Twins Spring Training viewing party.
Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins homered for the second straight day and the Phillies cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.
Evan Longoria hit a two-run double and Cesar Ramos looked sharp on the mound, sending the Tampa Bay Rays to a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night. Tampa Bay improved to 14-4-2 this spring, the best record in the Grapefruit League. The Rays have allowed 67 runs, fewest in the majors. Ramos, trying to win the fifth spot in the rotation, struck out six in 4 2-3 scoreless innings. He gave up four hits and a walk, throwing 64 pitches before giving way to Grant Balfour.
The Minnesota Twins — who for so long played in the indoor confines of the Metrodome — have been digging out from their own snowy surroundings at Target Field. They at least have until April 7 before they have to play a home game.
The Baltimore Orioles had two games scheduled for Monday — and didn't play a single inning. Hours after rain canceled Baltimore's 1 o'clock game against Philadelphia in Clearwater, the 7 p.m. game between the Twins and Orioles was washed out.
Ricky Nolasco pitched five solid innings against his former team in the Minnesota Twins' 4-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Sunday. Nolasco, likely to start on opening day for the Twins, threw 74 pitches, 48 for strikes, and exited with a 3.27 spring ERA after allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks. The right-hander struck out three.
Minnesota icon and sports journalist Sid Hartman turned 94 Saturday, and the celebration will continue this summer. The Minnesota Twins, along with the Star Tribune and WCCO Radio, will honor Hartman with a pregame ceremony on Sunday, May 18
A Minnesota House panel is considering temporarily changing state law to let bars stay open until 4 a.m. when the All-Star Game comes to town this July. The new closing time would pave the way for revelers in Hennepin County to celebrate America's national pastime for two extra hours.
David Price struck out eight in five innings, and Yunel Escobar and David DeJesus drove in runs off Ricky Nolasco, helping the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 7-1 on Tuesday. Price allowed one run and three hits in his second spring training start, surrendering a solo homer to Jason Kubel leading off the second inning. The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner, who signed a $14 million, one-year contract after being the subject of trade talks, walked one, hit a batter and also was charged with a balk during a 75-pitch outing.
Joe Mauer drove in the game's first run with a first-inning single, and four Minnesota Twins pitchers combined to two-hit the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1-1 tie Sunday. Mauer, who also flied out twice, is batting .250 through five spring games after making the full-time switch to first base.
Baseball fans may enjoy an All-Star closing time when the midsummer classic comes to Target Field. The Minnesota Twins are hosting the 2014 All-Star Game on July 15. The event is expected to bring in 160,000 fans and even more money to the city.
The Minnesota Twins announced Thursday's Spring Training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Hammond Stadium has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
