Summer Baseball Tour 2011 #1

KANSAS CITY ROYALS AT MINNESOTA TWINS, JULY 14th 2011

TWINS 8 – ROYALS 4

Target Field

GAME RECAP 

The Twins used two 4 run innings to nullify an early Kansas City lead and win the game 8-4. The Royals took advantage of two Twins errors and scored two unearned runs in the top of the first inning. They added to their lead in the third inning through a Brayan Pena RBI single. The Twins put up their first four spot in the fifth, through back to back RBI doubles from Denny Valencia and Delmon Young and a two run homerun from designated hitter Trevor Plouffe, in his first game back following time at AAA Rochester. Four more runs came in the seventh inning, including a two RBI single by Joe Mauer. Melky Cabrera added a consolation sacrifice fly in the ninth but it wasn’t enough and the Twins won their first game back from the All Star break. Royals’ top prospects Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas both hit doubles. 

CITY:  
The nickname "Twins" is derived from the moniker given to St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Twin Cities. Minneapolis - St.Paul is home to just over 3 million people. One of the major attractions of the area is the Mall of America, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, the largest mall in the United States. Downtown Minneapolis is filled with skyscrapers and home to the Metrodome (NFL), the Target Center (NBA), and Target Field (MLB). The city is clean and the people are friendly.

HOME TEAM:

In 1961, the Washington Senators moved to the Twin Cities and became the Minnesota Twins. Franchise icons include Hall of Famers Rod Carew, Kirby Puckett, and Harmon Killebrew, whose statues can be found outside of Target Field. The Twins have won two World Series, in 1987 and 1991. The Twins have had a losing record only once during the Ron Gardenhire era (2002-present) and have boasted stars such as Johan Santana, Torii Hunter, and current Twins Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau over the past decade. As of July 14th , the Twins are 41-48 and 6.5 games back of the division leading Detroit Tigers. 

GAME SETUP AND CROWD:

It was a typical overcast but humid Midwestern Thursday night. The stadium was sold out (39,504) and the fans, most wearing Twins garb, were invested in the outcome of the game. The atmosphere was quite casual and the humid air was pleasant as the evening turned to night. 

GRADE: 8 stars

The principal video board at Target Field

STADIUM:

Located in downtown Minneapolis, Target Field is the newest stadium in the Major Leagues. Target Field is classified as a retro modern stadium, a layout that incorporates the architecture of the ballparks of yesteryear as well as embracing modern designs, primarily on the exterior of the stadium. Eye catching from the outside, Target Field is even more impressive once inside the confines of the stadium. The concourses are clean and expansive and the park looks spectacular.

The main video board situated above the left field bleachers is the best I have ever seen. All of the necessary information is displayed and the video quality is stunning. 

The Twins also made a concerted effort to include elements for the team’s history, adding the old flag pole from the Metropolitan Stadium (the Twins home from 1961 to 1981) that flies the Stars and Stripes during the game and importing home plate from the Metrodome and installing it at Target Field. 

Target Field is a first-rate stadium and a great place to watch a baseball game. 

GRADE: 9 ½ stars

View from Section 314 at Target Field

LOCATION OF THE SEAT: Section 314 – Row 1 – Seat 4

Our seats were in the first row of the upper deck right behind home plate, providing us with a good and central view of the entire field and a overhead view of the strike zone.

Thomas, the usher in our section, went out of his way to make our visit to Target Field memorable. He was friendly and offered us a bag of Twins paraphernalia. We chatted at length before the first pitch. He was hospitable and knowledgeable about the game; you couldn’t ask for a better person as a representative of your franchise. If you ever visit Target Field, sit up in section 314 and find Tom!

The only downside was the protective barrier placed right in front of our seats that slightly obstructed our view of the field. But its presence is necessary safety precaution, brought to light following the unfortunate event involving the death of a fan at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington earlier this month. 

Grade: 9 stars

OPPONENT: Kansas City Royals 

The Kansas City Royals have played in the same division as the Twins since their inception in 1969.  The geographic proximity between the two cities (approximately a 7 hour drive,) has made for a reasonably good rivalry. However, Kansas City hasn’t qualified for the postseason since they won the World Series in 1985, and the Twins have qualified for baseball’s second season six of the last nine seasons. The Royals are in the midst of a major youth movement, recently adding 21 year old first baseman Eric Hosmer (3rd overall, 2008) and 22 year old Mike Moustakas (2nd overall, 2007) to the major league roster this season, but they will not contend until they strengthen their starting rotation with the young arms they’ve stockpiled in their farm system. The Twins lead the all-time head to head series 345-304 and hold a 128-79 advantage since 2000. As of July 14th, the Royals are 37-54 and 11.5 games back of the division leading Detroit Tigers. 

GRADE: 5 ½ stars

Twins SP Francisco Liriano

QUALITY OF STARTING PITCHING:

LHP Bruce Chen (5-2, 3.26 ERA) vs. LHP Francisco Liriano (5-7, 5.06 ERA)

Bruce Chen is a typical journeyman pitcher. Chen has played for 10 teams in 12 big league seasons and has compiled a career ERA of 4.56. In 2011, Chen has been Kansas City’s most reliable pitcher, which serves as an indication of the quality of the Royals pitching staff, entering the game with a sub 4 ERA and leading the team in wins.

Francisco Liriano’s season has been largely mediocre, despite the fact that he threw a no-hitter against the White Sox on May 3rd. Liriano looked destined for stardom in 2006, when he went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and 144 strikeouts and was named an AL All Star, before he sustained an injury to the elbow on his throwing arm that required Tommy John surgery and forced him to miss the entire 2007 season. Liriano has never been able to completely regain the brilliance he displayed in 2006 but has shown he can still be an effective big league pitcher.

GRADE: 4 stars 

2009 AL MVP Joe Mauer is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota

ALL STARS:

MINNESOTA

C Joe Mauer – 2009 AL MVP, 4 time AL All Star, 3 time Gold Glove award winner, 4 time Silver Slugger award winner, 3 time AL Batting Champion

- Mauer has struggled this season, missing two months with a bilateral leg weakness, but when he’s healthy he’s one of the game’s biggest stars.

July 14th: Mauer was 2/4 at the plate with one walk and two runs batted in.

SP Francisco Liriano – 2006 AL Rookie of the Year

- Liriano hasn’t met the expectations we had envisioned when we first saw him in 2006 but he’s got an above-average repertoire and a solid resume.  

July 14th:  Liriano pitched 7 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 walks, and 1 earned run while recording 4 strikeouts.

RF Michael Cuddyer – 1 time AL All Star

- Cuddyer, a lifelong Twin and fan favorite, was named to his first All Star team this year as recognition for his strong first half. This season he’s hit for a .298 average, 148 total bases, and 13 home runs.

July 14th: Cuddyer was 0/2 with 3 walks and one run.

KANSAS CITY

RHP Aaron Crow – 1 time AL All Star

- Kansas City’s lone representative at the 2011 All Star Game, Crow is in his first season in the majors and has been KC’s most effective reliever, posting a 2.08 ERA and a .195 batting average against. 

July 14th: Crow retired the side in his one inning of work, recording one strikeout.

RECAP: This was a match up with limited star power; Mauer being the only nationally recognizable superstar.

GRADE: 3 stars

Tony O's delicious Cuban sandwich

FOOD:

One of the unique menu items featured at Target Field is Tony O’s Cuban sandwich, named in homage to Twins great Tony Oliva, a native of Cuba who played in Minnesota from 1962 to 1976. The sandwich ($9.00), which was created with the consultation of Oliva, consists of ham, pulled pork, pickles, Swiss cheese and Dijon mustard. I’m pleased to say it was delicious! To complement the sandwich I ordered another Target Field specialty, a bottle of Killebrew Root Beer. Both items were highly recommended by our usher Thomas; once again, thanks!

If you're looking for an enjoyable place to watch a ball game, visit Minneapolis and take in a game at Target Field, you won't be disappointed.

Next stop on the Summer Baseball Tour 2011: Sunday, July 17th, Florida Marlins at Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.