Return of the Baker

by Jesse on Jun 4, 2009 6:58 PM EDT in Game Recaps Comment 8 comments

Minnesota Twins' Jason Kubel watches his three-run home run off Cleveland Indians' Fausto Carmona during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2009, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

5 months ago: Minnesota Twins' Jason Kubel watches his three-run home run off Cleveland Indians' Fausto Carmona during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2009, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

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We missed you, Scott.

In one of his best starts this season, and let's be honest they've been few and far between, Scott Baker struck out a career-high ten batters over seven innings. And in a reversal of fortunes from Wednesday night, today's game saw the Twins offense give their starter plenty of run support.

Jason Kubel blasted a pair of home runs, joining Denard Span and Justin Morneau in Thursday's home run parade. Striking early and often, Minnesota chased Fausto Carmona after just two innings. Carmona, who's struggled to regain the form that made him so nasty in 2007, walked three and gave up five hits.

We've discussed the difference in production between the top of the order and the bottom of the order on this site before, but tonight's offensive outburst is a perfect snapshot of that problem.

Hitters 1-4: 10-for-15, 2B, 4 HR, 11 R, 10 RBI, 5 BB, 0 K
Hitters 5-9: 3-for-21, 2B, 0 HR, 0 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K

Getting Michael Cuddyer back, and being able to slip Joe Crede back into the number six slot on most days stretches out the "capable" section of the lineup, but even those two are on completely different levels than the guys who hit one to four this afternoon. The problem, as it has been most of the season, has been the production at the bottom. We all know where the problems lie.

Still, today's focus has to be on the win. Baker's seven innings were great for the most part, scattering six hits and a walk. He threw 106 pitches and clearly tired near the end, with both of the final outs in the seventh inning coming on hard-hit line drives to center field that were up in the zone. But the ten strikeouts were something to watch, and for a great deal of the first six innings Baker had the Indians eating out of his hand.

Sean Henn pitched two scoreless innings in relief, lowering his ERA to 2.57 in mop-up duty.

Stars of the Game
#3: Justin Morneau (3-for-3, HR, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, .103 WPA)
#2: Scott Baker (7 IP, 6 H, HR, BB, 10 K, 3 R, .114 WPA)
#1: Jason Kubel (3-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 6 RBI, BB, .228 WPA)

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Comments

this was an ideal game for Baker

Early 7 run lead and facing a AAA lineup makes for a nice game. Lets hope he builds off this start and can put a string of nice outings together.

by guinness junky on Jun 4, 2009 7:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The bottom of our order stinks

but you would be hard pressed to find a more effective 1-4 than our guys. I’d just like to get something out of the bottom and the middle infield.

by Adam Peterson on Jun 4, 2009 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Baker

Had great stuff today. The Cleveland feed had a good stat though…first and second time through the order, batters are hitting around .230 and .200. The third time through, the average jumps up well over .350. Ouch. I wonder why…

by Adam Peterson on Jun 4, 2009 9:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think that having 4.5 GREAT hitters and 4.5 really BAD ones, is better than having 9 average ones.

by JonathanR on Jun 5, 2009 12:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and the Twins are 1 game under .500

by caluofmn on Jun 5, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's probably true,

but right now we need to improve. The Twins are about a league average team, and if to be able to make the playoffs, there needs to be improvement somewhere.

Right now, the most glaring hole is the bottom of the lineup. We don’t need league-average production, but something above replacement level would be an improvement. All the Twins need to be contenders right now is some sort of production out of the bottom of the lineup and probably one more reliever.

by lookatthosetwins on Jun 5, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know if was a good game when these guys aren't "stars of the game"

Span (1 for 4, HR, BB, 2 R, RBI 0.041)
Mauer (3 for 4, BB, 4 R, RBI 0.058)

by lookatthosetwins on Jun 5, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

I suppose we can’t have Mauer in there every night. But, then again, we probably could. I wonder how many twins have scored four runs in a game. Carew probably did. And Knoblauch. Maybe Puckett. I need to look that up.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Jun 5, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs