In what has become a recurring theme this season, the Twins lost game 1 of the double-header with Chicago, after the pitching gave its best effort to keep the team in the game, with the offense not showing up at all. Swarzak pitched very well, only giving up the 2 ER, 7 hits, and walking none. He struck out four White Sox, and really stepped up for the team, saving the bullpen. Unfortunately, the offense could get nothing going off Philip Humber, Former Twin, and the Twins lost their 82nd game of the season, ensuring a losing record in 2011, not that anyone's surprised by that.
Full recap and studs & duds after the jump
Humber really had the Twins' number today (but let's be honest, who doesn't these days?), only giving up 6 hits and also walking none. He struck out 6 Twins batters, and if not for Chicago's bullpen, the Twins probably wouldn't have scratched a run across the plate this afternoon. Sergio Santos, however, gave the Twins a little gift in the bottom of the 9th inning, allowing Luke Hughes to get the lone RBI of the day. Chris Sale would replace Santos before the Twins could rally any more, and Jason Repko struck out to end the game with runners on base.
It seems this whole season, the pitching and offense can't get on the same page, and today was another excellent example. Swarzak pitched one heck of a game, but his offense couldn't back it up, and now the Twins are really just playing out the rest of the season for a better draft pick position. I'd say they were playing spoiler, but they can't really seem to beat anyone right now, so it doesn't even look like they'll do that right.
Studs
-Anthony Swarzak. Great game, saved the bullpen for tonight's game and the rest of the series.
-Matt Capps. 1 IP, 2 Ks. Yeah, okay.
-Brian Dinkelman! 3-for-4, nice plays on the field. Gotta love the Dink, right?
Duds
-Eh, everyone else. Do better tonight, please.
Don't forget-Game 2 of the Battle of the Suck is at 7:10 pm this evening!