Spring Training Game 4: Red Sox 7 vs. Twins 12FINAL
Game Time: 3:09 Attendance: 7,694
PROPS TO:
* Twins offense - They showed up today, pounding out 15 hits and scoring 12 runs. Kinda makes you think after scoring only 5 runs in their first 2 games that they were saving up for a later contest. LOL They blew it up in the 5th inning, crossing the plate 6 times, with the aid of 2 round-trippers by Tyner and LeCroy. They scored in 5 out of 8 innings, and, it was because of the bats that bailed out Francisco Liriano out of getting hung with a loss.
* Michael Restovich - His double in the 1st inning put the Twins up, 3-1, breaking a 1-1 tie. He would also score 2 runs, and went 2-4.
* Jason Tyner - Big day offensively, going 2-6 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI. With the score 6-6, he jacked one out with two Twins aboard, and put them up 9-6 - a home run coming from an unlikely source. Tyner certainly isnt known for his power numbers, but hes known for his speed on the basepaths - he is a former leadoff hitter of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He utilized that speed today, stealing a base as well.
* Matt LeCroy - Added more punch to the Twins offense by belting a home run to up the Twins lead to 10-6.
* Justin Morneau - After a rough offseason, good to see Justin back in the swing of things - went 1-3 with a double.
* Terry Tiffee - Good day for him - 2-4 with a run scored.
* Todd Dunwoody - Had 3 of the Twins 15 hits, scoring a run and driving in 3.
* David Ortiz - His 5th inning grand slam gave the Red Sox their first lead in the game...down 3-2, then 6-3 after the slam.
* Johnny Damon - 1-3, with 2 runs scored and a stolen base.
* Adam Hyzdu - Went 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
* Brad Radke - Had a good first outing, going 2 innings, 2 hits, 1 run though it was unearned, walking 1 and striking out 2.
* Travis Bowyer - 2 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 Ks...the best pitching line out of all the Twins pitchers in the game.
FLOPS TO:
* Juan Castro - The guy we signed thats known for his defense didnt show up today - he was charged with all 3 Twins errors in the game. He was making the spectacular plays, yet wasnt making the routine ones. We need someone who makes the routine plays, and if he can make the spectacular ones, well thats an added bonus, in my opinion.
* Francisco Liriano - Struggled in the 5th inning, giving up 4 runs, courtesy of a grand slam by a former Twin, David Ortiz. Despite Ortizs slam, Liriano did manage to get the win. How often do you see a pitcher give up the lead on a grand slam, yet come out of the game with a victory? ;-) See Twins offense in Props.
* Josias Manzanillo - After his team gave him a 3-run lead in the 5th inning, he gave up that lead pretty quick and then some. He would end up with the loss, as the Red Sox couldnt come back after that.
* Juan Rincon - Not a typical Rincon outing...even though he pitched 2 innings without giving up a hit, he gave up 2 walks, which later led to a run scoring. Hard to defense a walk...his control was a little off.