This offense has issues April 25th, 2008 at 11:30 pm Twins 5 at Rangers 6
The big news of the week was Francisco Liriano’s demotion to AAA Rochester, which came as no surprise after his 3rd start of the season lasted just 2/3rds of an inning. However, the biggest problem for this team this year (and all of last year) was it’s offense.
Michael Cuddyer finally returned to the lineup on Friday night against Texas. Curiously, he was batting fifth in the lineup rather than in the 3rd spot where he started the season. Hopefully it was a temporary thing and he’ll find his way back to #3 in the lineup. It’s much more sensible to move Joe Mauer to the #2 spot with Cuddyer splitting up the lefties Mauer and Justin Morneau.
Boof robbed again April 24th, 2008 at 8:13 am Twins 0 at Athletics 3
Boof Bonser put together another start worthy of a win, but his offense again failed to provide decent run support. The offense was shut out by Chad Guadin in a close 3-0 game. In Boof’s 5 starts this season he’s been given a total of 7 runs by his offense. Over that span he’s really had only 1 bad start.
As we are a week shy of the 1 month mark on the 2008 season, so far there’s no indication that this offense has improved over 2007. Fortunately Michael Cuddyer will return from the DL soon, which should push Jason Kubel to the full-time DH role and leave Craig Monroe out of the lineup most nights. However, huge holes remain at CF, 3B and possibly SS when Tolbert returns to earth. Carlos Gomez has been atrocious at the plate since his nice first week, and actually rode the bench on Wednesday night for the first time of the season.
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Weekend recap April 20th, 2008 at 11:13 pm Indians 1 at Twins 2
Three low scoring affairs ended in a series victory for the Twins against Central division rival Cleveland Indians. On Friday night the Twins were shut out while Francisco Liriano struggled again in his second start of the season. Liriano allowed “only” 3 runs through 5 complete innings, but it could’ve been worse. He gave up 4 hits, walked 5 and struck out just 3. Rick Anderson and Ron Gardenhire have raved about his last two bullpen sessions, but when he goes out and struggles to find his location for 5 innings, it’s hard to fully believe what they see.
With Kevin Slowey due to begin a rehab assignment, the Twins could soon face a difficult decision. A lot can happen in a couple weeks, but before long Liriano could be the odd man out, which won’t necessarily be a bad thing, as he could certainly use the work.
Twins win opener vs. Tampa Bay April 16th, 2008 at 11:30 pm Devil Rays 5 at Twins 6
It looked the Twins might have been on the verge of giving up another lead when Livan Hernandez allowed 2 runs in the sixth, tying the ball game. Livan allowed 5 runs (3 earned) through six innings for his worst start of the season. However, unlike the previous two nights, the bullpen was able to get the job done. Dennys Reyes, Juan Rincon and Joe Nathan put together 3 scoreless innings and the Twins were able to add one run in the eighth inning on a Mike Lamb sacrifice fly for the win.
Bullpen drops another one April 15th, 2008 at 10:57 pm Twins 5 at Tigers 6
For the second straight night the bullpen gave up a late Twins’ lead. Three runs in the eighth inning were enough to put Detroit on top and hold off a small ninth inning rally from the Twins. The Tigers swept the 2 game series and doubled their win total on the season. At 4-10, they’re not just 2 games behind the 6-8 Twins.
Scott Baker pitched 7 effective innings, but was touched for 3 solo home runs, just as he was in his last start against the White Sox. Jesse Crain came in for the eighth and immediately struck out the first batter he faced. However, the inning quickly deteriorated with a walk and a throwing error by Crain. The damage was finally done when Magglio Ordonez doubled and Miguel Cabrera sneaked a ball over the left field fence for the go-ahead home run.
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Late lead slips away April 14th, 2008 at 10:43 pm Twins 9 at Tigers 11
The Twins seemed on their way to handing the Tigers their 11th loss of the young season before the Tigers broke out for 11 runs in their final three innings at the plate to defeat the Twins by a score of 11-9.
The Twins capitalized early on a second inning error by Ivan Rodriguez. He dropped a foul ball that would have been the third out of the inning. Brendan Harris singled in Delmon Young and then Mike Lamb drove him in with another single. Hits from Young and Jason Kubel helped the Twins to three additional runs in the sixth.
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