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Five games ago we were talking about how the Twins could be 39-39 at the end of the month, in what was a very realistic scenario. Just over halfway through our nine-game stretch to end the month, the Twins haven't played along. They're 1-4 since leaving Minneapolis, and once again the team is falling away from .500.
Skids like this do one thing: they help to cement the philosophy that this team should not be buyers at the trade deadline. But I think we'd all rather see our team continue to over perform instead of simply...perform as expected.
The Twins led 3-0 this afternoon, based off of the three-run outburst in the top of the first inning. Joe Mauer, Josh Willingham, and Oswaldo Arcia all drove in runs following back-to-back leadoff walks from Clete Thomas and Brian Dozier. But that was all Minnesota would muster.
Scott Diamond looked pretty good until the fifth, when he allowed three runs off of five hits. Gardy still ran Diamond out for the sixth inning, but pulled him when he gave up a leadoff single to Logan Morrison. Ryan Pressly came in and gave up a two-run shot to...wait, this guy is still playing?...Placido Polanco. His first of the year.
And that was it. It all just slipped away. Kevin Slowey vultured a win by coming in to pitch the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. He allowed four hits and a walk, striking out two. And getting a base hit of his own, which must be fun.
Tomorrow, the Twins are back at Target Field for a four-game set against the Royals. Hopefully the results will be better than they were today.
ROLL CALL!
- kenzertz (61)
- twinsgirl197 (60) AND THANK YOU FOR POSTING A GAME THREAD
- less cowbell, more 'neau (29)
- WestRiverTwinsFan (20)
- twinscrazy_german (11)
- So I know we were all worried about Casey Fien for a while, but after today's performance he's allowed just one earned run in his last ten appearances - good for a 0.96 ERA. In those 9.1 innings he's struck out 12 and walked nobody. Also: just four hits.
- Clete Thomas isn't anybody's ideal in center field, and he made a throwing error today. But he did walk twice, meaning that he continues to, statistically, be the best center fielder we've had this season. Still, I think most of us are ready for Aaron Hicks to come back. Except maybe you Uncle Randys out there, you poor pricks.
- Joe Mauer had three more hits today, and drove in a run.
- Oswaldo Arcia was 2-for-3 with a walk. Quick, guess who the Twins' best two hitters are?
- Diamond left that ball right in the middle of the plate for Jeff Mathis' two-run homer. I mean, really. Right. Down. The. Middle.
- Know how bad the Marlins are? Placido Polanco has played 62 games for them this season, posting an OPS of .580. Not that the Twins can brag about the OPS of their infielders.