Jesse Crain Topic Page

Just about everything went right for the Twins on Tuesday night against the Oakland Athletics...until the 9th inning. The Twins scored 10 runs and Scott Baker had allowed just 2 hits and 0 walks through 8 innings. He came back out for the 9th inning, and things fell apart.

Baker loaded the bases with 2 hits and a walk with no outs. Jesse Crain was called upon to relieve him. Crain allowed a hit and a walk, then an Alexi Casilla error allowed another run to score. Crain wasn't able to retire a batter before Jose Mijares had to be called upon. Mijares struck out Jason Giambi, but then walked the next two batters.

Heading into Friday's series opener at the new Yankee Stadium, the Twins found themselves with a share of the AL Central Division lead as well as a record above .500 for the first time since the infant days of the season.

A few days later the Twins find themselves 3 games behind the division leading Detroit Tigers, after suffering from 3 straight walk-off losses to the Yankees, who have no won 5 straight.

Twins Insider today reported that Jesse Crain has been placed on the 15-day DL.

Jesse Crain is next on the list as I work through the remainder of the bullpen for the 2008 projections series. Crain is working his way back from 2007 shoulder surgery and so far hasn't had much luck this spring. Here are his projected and recent numbers:

The Twins will kick off their spring training schedule on Wednesday with a game, as always, against the crosstown Boston Red Sox. Matt Garza, who is competing for a spot at the end of the rotation, is slated to get the start. In other news:

The Twins won their 6th straight game on Saturday night in Pittsburgh. Most impressively they did it with Boof Bonser, Kyle Lohse and Jesse Crain pitching 8 of the innings for the Twins. Those pitchers each have been among the worst for the Twins this season.

Hitting grand slams has become commonplace for the Twins over the past week. Michael Cuddyer did it last Wednesday and Saturday. Tonight it was Jason Kubel—in dramatic 12th inning fashion. After Jesse Crain gave up the lead in the top of the 12th the Twins entered the bottom of the inning down by 2-1. Joe Mauer struck out to start the inning, but Michael Cuddyer was hit by a pitch to start a 1-out rally. Justin Morneau hit a drive that bounced over the outfield wall for a ground-rule double, preventing Cuddyer from scoring the winning run. Hunter was walked to set up a double play, but Kubel ruined Boston's plans by hitting a game-ending grand slam.

Sunday's game was a tough loss for the Twins who got an excellent start from Boof Bonser in his major league debut. Boof started out the game on a rough note by loading up the bases with no outs. He then got a sac fly out which scored the first run of the game for Milwaukee. Bonser kept the damage to a minimum by getting the next two batters by way of a fly ball and a strikeout.

The Twins set out to prove that they are capable of beating the Detroit Tigers, and they did just that -- barely. The Twins scored 2 runs right away in the first inning off starter, Jeremy Bonderman. Luis Castillo started off the rally by beating out the throw on a chopper up the middle. Joe Mauer then reached on a walk and Torii Hunter came through with a double down the 3rd baseline. The hit scored Mauer and Castillo and Hunter made it to 3rd on a Craig Monroe Error. It was quite dissapointing that the Twins couldn't score with Hunter on 3rd and no outs. Michael Cuddyer lined out to 3rd, Justin Morneau walked and Batista grounded out to end the inning.

The Twins dropped the final game of the 3 game set with the Angles and also last the series 2 game to 1. Jesse Crain took the loss for the Twins giving up 2 runs in the 8th inning. Crain pitched scoreless 6th and 7th innings, and then retired the first 2 batters in the 8th. He gave up 3 straight hits after that including a double to Jose Molina. Crain shouldn't have gone 3 innings today, but Lohse's poor outing yesterday caused the bullpen to get used up.