Date: 6/28/10

Opponent: Detroit

Home/Away: Home

Starting Pitcher: Liriano

Final Score: L 7-5

Record: 41-35

Recap: So, uh, when does Carl Pavano pitch again? And perhaps can he pitch every day? Liriano, who was the only other semi-consistent starter, fell victim to whatever grave illness has afflicted our other non-mustachioed starters. Unsurprisingly we lost. We've got to stop with these big 1st innings. Liriano allowed the first 6 hitters to reach before recording an out and gave up 4 runs in seconds. Then we had a bunch of good scoring chances killed by double plays. And then when we finally scored some runs and started to creep closer and closer, the pitchers kept bleeding runs. 

However, I do have some reasons to be a least slightly hopeful. These starts have been so woefully bad that we're bound to see some improvement. I remember in early August last year when our starting pitchers were getting absolutely hammered every time. It was a grave time for Twins fans, when it looked like we were completely out of the race in the Central. And yet we came back and won. Even good teams have bad stretches (I would just like this particular stretch to end so I can continue with my belief that we are a good team). Also, the offense was at least showing signs of life. Sure, Jason Kubel stranded about as many men on base as there are people living in Hungary, but it was a pretty solid effort. 4 players had multiple hits, including Thome who tripled and homered. Now if we can just figure out how to field a bunt. 

Perhaps tonight we will finally get it turned around and we can retake the division lead. Damn, I am sounding way too optimistic. Blacburn's starting. I kinda think this is Blackburn's Last Stand. He either improves or he gets the boot in favor of Duensing. At least that's my read on the situation. We shall see...

Best Moment: Jim Thome's triple. Duh. Question: Who would win a footrace, Thome or Redmond? Redmond's triple from last year was definitely one of my highlights.

Most Questionable Moment: No comment. 

Worst Moment: Joel Zumaya injuring his arm while pitching in the 8th inning. It was just sickening to watch his hand tremble and then to see him leave the diamond almost crying from the pain. As much as I may wish for opposing players to struggle when they play the Twins, I never want them to suffer serious injuries. Unless it's Mark Teixeira.

Quotations of the Day:

• "We just have to do a better job there. Early in the ballgames, we just can't keep getting behind like this against any team, and especially not against an offense like theirs where when you make mistakes, they are going to whack it around on you." - Ron Gardenhire
• "We just have to find a way to get through the first part of the ballgame. And give ourselves a chance." - Ron Gardenhire
• "I think I get a little bit too excited. That's when I try to overdo things. I have to relax and just hit my spots." - Francisco Liriano. My mind is going to dirty, dirty places. I'm such a horrible person.

Suck-Ass Performance of the Game: Francisco Liriano (6.0 innings, 9 hits, 2 walks, 6 earned runs, 1 loss). Oh how I long for the days when I didn't always have to pick the starting pitcher as the SAPotG...