The Twins played their 10th 1-run game since the All-Star break (a remarkable 36% of 28 games played since then) on Saturday night and this time the result was another disappointing loss. They’re 5-5 in such games, which isn’t so horrible, but you can’t help but wonder where that record would be with a league-average offense? 7-3? 8-2?

Carlos Silva was the latest Twins pitcher to be screwed by this offense. He pitched 7 two-hit innings of ball before leaving the game with a narrow 2-run lead. He had strained his hamstring in the seventh, but was able to finish the inning.

Pat Neshek was called upon in the eighth and that’s when the Angels decided to do some scoring. An Alexi Casilla error allowed Gary Matthews Jr. to reach first and then Casey Kotchman doubled to cut the lead in half. For the second night in a row Maicer Izturis killed the Twins with a home run. This time, it was a 2-run homer that game the Angels a 3-2 lead. One more run scored when Reggie Willits stole third and Joe Mauer’s throw bounced past Nick Punto’s glove allowing Willits to score.

The blame could easily be placed on Alexi Casilla, whose error allowed the eighth inning rally to get started. It could also be blamed on Pat Neshek who allowed a double, home run and a walk following the error. You could also blame Mauer, who committed his first error of the season on the throw to third, or perhaps Nick Punto for not being able to field the easy one-hopper.

However, I’m going to blame the offense for not being able to score more than 3 runs (1 of which was helped by an Angels error in the ninth). Jason Bartlett got a 1-out triple in the first inning. Neither Mauer nor Justin Morneau were able to drive him in. Torii Hunter led off the third with a double in the second. Michael Cuddyer, __Jason Kubel and Rondell White all failed to make something of it. With runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs in the seventh inning, Nick Punto popped out on a bunt attempt and Casilla followed that up with a double play that Punto’s bunt attempt was supposed to prevent.

Then there was the ninth inning when Jason Tyner was called on to pinch run for Mike Redmond. He was brought in to steal, according to Ron Gardenhire’s post-game interview. For reason’s unknown, he didn’t steal. Not that it would’ve mattered with Rondell White and Luis Rodriguez being relied upon to drive him in. Rondell struck out and L-Rod flied out to end the game.

Game Notes

• The Twins are 3-5 against the Angels this year and are at risk of being swept on Sunday as Boof Bonser faces off against Jered Weaver.
• John Lackey recorded his 15th win for the Angels with Fransisco Rodriguez picking up his 29th save.
• Joe Mauer had 3 singles in the game and drove in his 50th RBI of the season.
• Jason Bartlett had 2 hits, including the triple, and also stole his team-leading 21st base of the season.
• Dennys Reyes walked the only batter he faced in relief of Neshek. It’s the third time in 6 appearances this month he’s failed to retire a batter. On the season, he’s failed to retire a batter 8 times.