Nightly Notes: Game #30

You know things are going right when you give up 6 runs in the first inning and nonetheless go on to win a ballgame. The first place Twins (I'm going to keep saying that as long as I can) did just that today in sweeping the Tigers to pick up their fifth straight victory. Here are some notes:

1.) La Velle Neal is reporting that the Twins are calling up Kevin Slowey to start Thursday's game. As I discussed yesterday, Slowey's callup is not in itself surprising -- he was already on track to be called up for a start on Saturday -- but the Thursday thing is a little more surprising. Nonetheless, it makes perfect sense because it gives the Twins the most flexibility. Scott Baker will have an MRI tomorrow, and by pushing his next projected start to Saturday the Twins can take a few days to decide what to do with him. Bobby Korecky will undoubtedly be sent down after Wednesday's game to make room on the roster for Slowey. I still think Baker should be disabled, but we'll see what happens tomorrow. Check out yesterday's post for my thoughts on who should be called up if Baker goes on the DL.

2.) Onto today's game: How impressive was Boof Bonser today? That might seem like a strange thing to say about a guy who gave up 6 runs (5 earned) in the first inning, but it's what he did afterwards that was so impressive. Bonser buckled down and made it through six innings, saving the bullpen one day after Scott Baker put up a short start due to his injury. He also kept the team in the game, which of course resulted in a win. What Bonser did today in keeping his focus after that horror show first inning was as impressive as just about anything I've seen him do as a big leaguer. That's not to say, of course, that I wouldn't prefer to see him not give up six runs in the first inning . . .

3.) Nice to see virtually everyone in the lineup contribute to the comeback. Eight of the starters in the lineup had at least one hit, with only Michael Cuddyer putting up an 0-fer. It was deeply satisfying to see the team work together to pick up a win. Heck, even Nick Punto contributed with a 2-RBI double. Fun to watch!

4.) In case you weren't paying attention, the Twins also got some help with the White Sox and Indians losing today. The Twins now have a 1.5 game lead in the division race, although it should be noted that the last place Tigers (that's almost as much fun to write as "first place Twins") are only 3 games out. The NL West this division most assuredly is not.

5.) Ian Kennedy was sent to AAA by the Yankees today after a disastrous start to the season. Phil Hughes, after an equally horrendous start, is on the DL. Melky Cabrera is putting together a solid season with a .291 average and 6 homers. Over the next few years, it will be fun to watch performances to try to evaluate how the Santana trade turned out, but as of now I bet the Yankees are starting to second guess their decision not to pull the trigger. What was especially interesting was a brief mention I saw on ESPN a few days ago that some in the Yankees organization are beginning to believe that the team dramatically over-estimated his potential, and that he's not likely ever to be better than a #3 at the big league level. I say, "who knows?" It's still too early. Nonetheless, it's fun to ponder!