Three thoughts from LEN3 after the Twins lose 5-4 to the Tigers
DING! DING!: A number of factors usually lead to bench-clearing incidents, and the one on Saturday was no different. I think Miguel Sano could have handled his temper better. The Tigers were affected by Jacoby Jones being hit in the face and bleeding all over the place. Some teams would understand. Some teams feel the need to make a statement. Sano has to be prepared for responses like Detroit's. "It's something that happens in the game," Sano said. "It was something that I try to handle with a lot of patience. It (stunk) because I had to come out of the game." Catchers routinely step in between their pitchers and opponents after a close pitch or bean ball. Home plate umpire Jordan Baker already had Sano backing up. Tigers catcher James McCann made things worse by engaging Sano and putting his glove in Sano's face. Sano even said that's what set him off. "They supposed to eject McCann too," Sano said. McCann should receive some sort of punishment for his role in the scrum, because his actions escalated it. "I saw (Sano) wag a finger at my pitcher," McCann said. "As far as I'm concerned, you're not going to do that while I'm catching."
MEJIA DOWN: Adalberto Mejia struck out six batters on Saturday - but the rest of his line wasn't good - five hits, three runs three walks. The only reason the Twins didn't get blown out was that Detroit was 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position. After three starts, the Twins decided to make a change, and Mejia was optioned to Rochester. "He hasn't been the same guy," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "We have seen some glimpses. He throws it over ad he hasn't been doing that consistently. I think he's trying a little too hard. Maybe a classic case of someone who thinks he's got to be a little better, throw a little harder. Spin a little faster." With Justin Haley landing on the DL, the Twins might call up two pitchers instead of calling Kennys Vargas back up. I'm guessing one could be righthander Nick Tepesch because he has a 2.00 ERA after three starts and can pitch out of the bullpen. It doesn't sound like Jose Berrios is going to get summoned this time because the Twins can go with four starters until May 6. And, by the way, Daniel Palka is killing it at Rochester right now and might earn a promotion.
POLANCO POP: Jorge Polanco doubled over Justin Upton in left in the second inning, flied out deep to center in the seventh and almost dropped one into the overhang in right in the ninth that would have won the game. What's with the long drives? Is it just a coincidence that Polanco's father, Marino, is in Minnesota for the first time this weekend? And his son wanted to it a homer for him? Sano brought Polanco's father into the clubhouse after the game to meet Molitor and some of the teammates. And they posed for pictures at Polanco's stall.
