MVN - Most Valuable Network

Perkins gives Gardenhire something to think about

The beauty of a good farm system is that a team can call up a player or a pitcher from the minors if a player or a pitcher on the major league team struggles.

The Twins have always been rich in pitching in recent years.

They called up Glen Perkins from Rochester to make a start on Saturday night at the Metrodome, and he fared well.

Unfortunately, he lost the game. He was done by the seventh inning as he gave up two solo home runs, which gave the Red Sox a 3-2 lead. The Red Sox went on to defeat the Twins, 5-2, as the series is even up at 1 with two more games to be played Sunday night and Monday night, which will be on ESPN.

Perkins pitched superbly. He went after the Red Sox hitters by being aggressive instead of being scared like nibbling the ball. He threw strikes, and he did not waste his time pitching. He got out of the mound quickly by getting outs. He was able to do well by using the sinker ball to get Red Sox hitters outs.

Perkins had couple of good moments.

The first one was when he struck out David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez in the first inning. Those two hitters did not get a hit off him.

The second one was when he got out of a jam in the fifth inning to keep the game tied at 1. Jed Lowrie hit a double to start the inning. He got Jacoby Ellsbury to hit the ball to Perkins for an out, which moved Lowrie to third. Then, he got Dustin Pedroia to fly out. Lowrie stayed at third because Delmon Young’s throw was good enough to get Lowrie out at home. David Ortiz grounded out to end the threat.

Perkins went to the sixth inning with a 2-1 lead. He did well to get out of the sixth so Ron Gardenhire figured that his starter could have pitched one more inning.

Unfortunately, Perkins was done. He gave up a home run to Coco Crisp to tie the game at 2, and then Lowrie homered to give Boston a 3-2 lead. He was pulled after Lowrie’s home run.

Perkins also gave up a home run to Kevin Youkilis to give Boston a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

Despite the loss, one has to think that Perkins has made an impression on Ron Gardenhire. He has earned the right to start the next game and maybe beyond.

Once Scott Baker comes back, Gardy will have to make a decision if Perkins pitches like his first start of the season.

Does he put Perkins in the rotation permanently and who will Perkins replace?

It’s a good problem to have.

Perkins’ performance should put Boof Bonser on alert. If Bonser continues to struggle like he has in his last two outings, Perkins would be a logical replacement for Bonser in the rotation.

That would be a good thing.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 10:09 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.