Date: 7/19/10

Opponent: Cleveland Indians

Home/Away: Home

Starting Pitcher: Baker

Final Score: L 10-4

Record: 49-44

Recap: And just when you think the Twins have turned a corner, they go and throw up a horrific game like that one. I think "throw up" is really the operative phrase. What a shitty game. I'm glad I was drinking during that one. But even a buzz couldn't lessen my disappointment in the way we played.

Baker followed the "60 percent of our rotation puts us in a giant hole" theme, and he couldn't escape the 5th inning without some major damage. He was actually pitching fairly well until that point, but no one seemed to be able to get the third out of the inning. The inning started off on a bad note with Skinny Delmon having a very catchable ball bounce out of his glove for a leadoff double. The next batter singled for runners at 1st and 3rd. Then the first out was recorded on a foul out. A sac fly followed to score a run. There was only 1 run scored in the inning to that point, but the third out proved to be very elusive. Baker gave up 2 more singles, 1 of which scored a run. Then Baker was pulled in favor of Burnett.

I have been very confused lately about the use of Burnett. It seems like he's used in almost any game in almost any situation. High leverage, middle relief, whatever. And no matter the situation, he's done very poorly, at least of late. I was all set to rant about Gardy using him so much, but then the Twins sent him to Rochester after the game. That's great and all, but if the Twins viewed him as on the bubble, why did he pitch in that situation. The game wasn't going well, but it wasn't out of hand by any means. We still had a chance, so why bring in the struggling Burnett? Mahay's been used sparingly, and Manship was warming up, why not use one of them earlier? Instead, Burnett came in and gave up 2 more singles to score 2 more runs. He didn't record an out, and Mahay was brought in. He gave up a single as well (making it 5 consecutive 2-out singles in the inning) before getting the final out. The Indians scored 5 runs in the inning, and they continued to massacre the pitching staff through the rest of the game. Manship was really the only pitcher to keep them in check; he pitched 2 scoreless innings with just 1 hit (he gets a gold star I guess).

While the pitching staff was pounded for 20 hits, the offense didn't fair to well either. Oh, sure, we got 12 hits, but we didn't have any clutch hits. We were 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position, and we blew plenty of chances to score. Every starter left at least 2 men on base (Joe Mauer topped everyone with 6 left on base). At least Jim Thome had a massive homer to right. It was a very painful game to watch. I mean, this is a great opportunity to gain some momentum while playing all these sub-.500 teams, but that only works if you actually defeat said teams. We still have a chance to win the series, but we're going to need to play a hell of a lot better than that. Anthony Slama was called up from Rochester to take Burnett's place. At least he already has the hideous facial hair; that should help.

Best Moment: Dick and Bert getting a ball fouled into their booth.

Most Questionable Moment: Bringing Burnett in to relieve Baker.

Worst Moment: The 5th inning and on.

Quotations of the Day:

• "The ballgame tonight, ugly." - Ron Gardenhire. I really think that's all that needs to be said.

Suck-Ass Performance of the Game: Joe Mauer (1 for 5, 1 strikeout, 1 GIDP, 6 left on base), Danny Valencia (0 for 4, 1 error, 4 left on base), Scott Baker (4.2 innings pitched, 10 hits, 3 walks, 6 earned runs, 1 loss), Alex Burnett (0.0 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 earned run), Jose Mijares (1.0 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 earned run), and Jon Rauch (1.0 innings pitched, 4 hits, 2 earned runs)