I hope you covered your eyes, folks. This game was not pretty at all.
Brian Duensing was the starter for the Twins today, making his first start of 2012, and going into the game everyone knew that he would only throw about 50-60 pitches. Through the first 3 innings of the game, Duensing was sailing, as he had only faced 2 batters over the minimum. However, it seemed like the lack of endurance he had built up in the bullpen ended up costing him in the 4th. Duensing faced four batters in the 4th, and they went walk, 2-run homer, single, RBI double, knocking him out of the game.
Anthony Swarzak came in and got Todd Frazier to pop out to second base before intentionally walking Ryan Hanigan to face the pitcher Johnny Cueto. Everyone in the ballpark knew that Cueto was going to attempt a safety squeeze, as he was constantly squaring throughout the plate appearance. Finally, with two strikes, he was able to lay one down, and the Twins could have had Scott Rolen (on 3rd base) in a rundown as he only came halfway home, but Swarzak never checked 3rd base and flipped to 1st, getting Cueto out but allowing Rolen to scamper home. On the plus side, Swarzak did eat 4 innings, saving everyone else in the 'pen save for Matt Capps from making an appearance today.
On the offensive side... well, there was no offense to speak of, really. Cueto struck out a season-high 9 batters while giving up only 3 hits to the Twins. He didn't face any serious danger throughout the game, as he only allowed 2 Twins to get to 2nd base, in a 2-out Mauer double in the 4th and he struck out Swarzak with runners on 1st and 2nd in the 5th.
Studs
Probably only Anthony Swarzak for saving the bullpen from being exhausted today (4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K)
Duds
Basically every hitter on the offensive side (combined 3 for 29). Although Duensing's final line doesn't look great, he avoids the Dud List because the majority of his start was good.