Tag: twins

Whit Merrifield rips Blue Jays for pulling Jose Berrios at 47 pitches

The Blue Jays’ decision to pull Jose Berrios not only backfired, but at least one member of the team was not thrilled with the decision.

The Twins eliminated the Blue Jays with a 2-0 win in Game 2 of their American League Wild Card Series on Wednesday, as Toronto gave Berrios a quick hook after just 47 pitches.

Infielder Whit Merrifield gave a candid response about the move, which did not help matters in the elimination game.

“I hated it, frankly,” Merrifield said after the game, according to Sports Illustrated. “It’s not what cost us the game, but it’s the kind of baseball decisions that are taking away from managers and baseball, at this stage of the game.”

Berrios had kept the Twins — his former team — scoreless through the first three innings before he gave up a leadoff walk to Game 1 hero Royce Lewis to start the fourth.

At that point, Blue Jays manager John Schneider decided it was time to move on from the righty and bring in Yusei Kikuchi, a lefty.

“Everybody was surprised with the decision, but there are things that you cannot control,” Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said through an interpreter, according to Sportsnet. “You can ask yourself many times, but it’s not our decision. We were surprised.”

Blue Jays manager John Schneider, left, takes the ball from pitcher Jose Berrios during their season-ending loss.
AP

Things quickly went in the wrong direction when Kikuchi allowed the next three runners to reach, including Carlos Correa, who drove in the game’s first run with an RBI single.

Minnesota added one more run on a double play, which was more than enough to beat Toronto on Wednesday.

Berrios, who was officially charged with the first run, also seemed to be taken aback by the move.

White Merrifield spoke out against the Jose Berrios getting the early hook.
AP

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Berrios said, according to Sportsnet. “I can’t control that. I did my best [through] the first 12 batters, so it is what it is.”

For his part, Schneider said he wanted to “utilize” everyone in his staff but admitted things did not work out.

The Twins will next play the Astros.

“We had a few different plans in place. Jose was aware of it. He had electric stuff, tough to take him, and I think with the that they’re constructed, you want to utilize your whole roster and it didn’t work out,” Schneider told Sportsnet.

“You can sit here and second guess me, second guess the organization, second guess anybody.”

While the Twins won their first playoff series in 21 years, the Blue Jays have now gone seven years without a playoff victory.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

California mom charged with homicide for smothering baby against her breast

A California mom has been charged with homicide for smothering her infant daughter with her breast — frustrated the twin wouldn’t latch on to feed, according to police and the woman’s friends.

Celina Juarez, 29, of San Jose allegedly snapped, pressing 8-month-old daughter Melani to her skin for 10 minutes as the baby kicked and gasped for air Nov. 4, police charged.

Juarez then picked up twin, Zari, and tried to smother her as well, the San Jose Police Department alleged in a press release.

When cops arrived, unconscious Melani was rushed to a hospital and pronounced dead. Juarez was charged nearly two weeks later with one count of homicide.

Friends and relatives insisted Juarez is a dedicated mom who needs mental health help — not jail time — and are raising money for her legal defense.

“This is a mother who needs help, not to be vilified,” friend Crystal Conroy wrote on the family’s GoFundMe page. “Although these circumstances are tragic, I know there was no malice behind them.”

The mom’s husband, Artemio Juarez, said the incident came in a moment of weakness — and that his wife is a victim of tragic circumstances.

“Those who know her, know this is not in her character. She has devoted her entire life to children and her life revolves around our children and our family,” he wrote on the fundraising site.

“There are two sides to every story and we need all the help we can get to give Celina the chance to say hers! This judgment is not right, she is a victim here too,” he wrote.

Another friend, identified only as Michael, speculated the incident may be related to “the desperation and the concern of a mom” who was  “having difficulties with the babies latching during breast-feeding.”

“It is such a fragile time,” he said.

As of Friday, the family had raised $3,500 of its $10,000 goal.

Juarez had reportedly called her mother to ask for help after trying to smother the babies. The older women performed CPR before calling Juarez’s brother, who dialed 911.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Yankees-Twins game postponed, will be part of Wednesday doubleheader

Aaron Judge’s home run pursuit will have to wait another day.

Tuesday night’s Yankees-Twins game in The Bronx was postponed due to rain and will be made up on Wednesday as part of a doubleheader.

The first game will begin at 3:05 p.m., with the nightcap to follow at 6:35 p.m.

The Yankees beat Minnesota on Monday in the first game of the four-game set, with Judge hitting his 54th homer of the season to lead the Bombers to a 5-2 win at the Stadium.

Domingo German (2-3, 3.12 ERA) is scheduled to pitch the first game of the doubleheader for the Yankees, with Gerrit Cole (10-7, 3.28) scheduled to start the second game.

Tuesday’s Yankees game against the Twins was postponed because of rain.
Jason Szenes/New York Post

The Yankees, who have won their last two, currently hold a five-game lead over the Rays in the AL East.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Exit mobile version