The terrible Baltimore Orioles got a not-terrible start from Jeremy Guthrie and just enough offense on Friday night to defeat the Twins, 3-2.
Guthrie gave the Orioles seven strong innings, making just one mistake in surrendering a 2-run homer to Joe Mauer, who had narrowly missed a home run earlier in the game. Meanwhile, Brian Duensing gave the Twins what they needed, allowing just one run and four hits in five innings. With the score 2-1 and Duensing on a short leash, Minnesota brought in Anthony Slama in the bottom of the sixth. Unfortunately, the new guy allowed a single to Miguel Tejada and left a pitch where Luke Scott could drive it, which Scott did. That 2-run shot gave Baltimore the winning margin.
The Twins had a chance in the 8th, getting runners on the corners with 2 outs and Micheal Cuddyer at the plate. Cuddyer drilled the first pitch he saw to dead center...and missed a home run by maybe a foot for a very long out.
However, the more important loss may be Orlando Hudson, who strained his right oblique muscle early in the game and had to be replaced by Alexi Casilla. "Normally something you end up on the DL with," said Gardy after the game, who mentioned they'd give it a day or two and go from there, and emphasized they would not stay shorthanded the rest of the road trip. Losing Hudson would put another dent in a starting lineup that's missing one MVP and is hoping the other gets untracked.
Studs:
Jeremy Guthrie: tip your cap. He pitched well.
Brian Duensing: tip your other cap. He also pitched well.
Joe Mauer: came very close to having a multi-HR game. A power surge would be extremely well-timed.
Duds:
Anthony Slama: gets his first major league loss. Shave the mustache, maybe?
Punto:
Nick Punto: made a great defensive play at third and unsuccessfully tried to bunt his way on with two outs. Typical Punto, in other words.
Detroit was rained out this evening, and Chicago's about to get underway in Oakland. Enjoy your weekend, everybody. Baseball and Breakfast will be here when you wake up.