Francisco Liriano, who makes his fourth start of the season tonight for the Twins in Baltimore, is 0-3 this season with a 9.42 ERA (14.1 innings, 15 earned runs). Through his first three starts in 2010, he was 2-0, with a 1.29 ERA (21 innings, three earned runs).
Twins reliever Jose Mijares gave up the winning hit against Tampa Bay on Saturday night, but has yet to officially allow a run this season (five innings pitched). His last run allowed was September 30 against Toronto.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said on his KSTP Radio show yesterday that former All-Star closer Joe Nathan, trying to come back from Tommy John surgery, isn’t able to throw his slider as in the past. For at least awhile, Matt Capps will replace Nathan as the team’s ninth inning closer. Nathan blew two recent save opportunities in Tampa Bay.
Former Twins shortstop J.J. Hardy, now with Baltimore, is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained muscle.
While local speculation has the Vikings trading their No. 12 pick in the first round, national NFL mock drafts have them keeping the pick. Foxsports.com’s Peter Schrager and Profootballweekly.com’s Nolan Nawrocki have the Vikings choosing Washington quarterback Jake Locker while SI.com’s Don Banks changed his mind about Locker and now has Minnesota taking California defensive end Cameron Jordan at No. 12. Some draft day maneuvering by Vikings vice president of personnel Rick Spielman seems likely.
Although the Vikings need a quarterback, their task is made more difficult because several other NFL teams have that problem, too.
Positive-thinking Gophers football coach Jerry Kill at a cold, windy outdoor practice last week declared the weather was “nice.”
Former Minnetonka prep star Anthony Tucker, reportedly a possible transfer to the Gophers from Winona State, averaged 11.9 and 10.4 points per game at Iowa as a sophomore and freshman. Tucker left the Hawkeyes to play for Winona State where he averaged a team best 15.9 this past season.
Ross Bernstein, local author of nearly 50 books including works on Herb Brooks and Brett Favre, will be the speaker at the C.O.R.E.S. luncheon in Bloomington on Thursday, May 12. C.O.R.E.S. members can make reservations by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net. C.O.R.E.S. is an acronym for coaches, officials, educators, reporters and sports fans.
Swarm forward Ryan Benesch leads the National Lacrosse League with 43 goals. Last Saturday he broke the club single season record of 40 set by forward Aaron Wilson last year.