One More to Go

After losing 6-4 to the Red Sox, the Twins have only one game remaining in their disappointing season. In the loss, Carlos Silva pitched well enough to earn the win, giving up only 2 runs over 6 innings, but Nick Blackburn struggled for the 2nd straight outing as he gave 4 runs on 4 hits in just 1 inning of work. Blackburn's struggles prevented Silva from reaching a .500 record, and he finishes the season with 13 wins and 14 losses. As for the offense, the Twins grounded into three double plays in the game, but did stake the team to a 4-2 lead after 6 innings by scoring 1 run in each inning from the 3rd to the 6th. Unfortunately, after the Red Sox got 4 runs off Blackburn, they were unable to score again, even after putting 2 runners on with no outs in the 9th. Joe Mauer and Rondell White both hit solo home runs for the Twins, with White doing it in what could have possibly been his final major league. He said early this week that there was a 99% chance he would retire after this year, so either yesterday or today (if he plays) will be his last major league game.

Today, the Twins play their season finale in Boston. Matt Garza (4-7 3.92) will pitch against Julian Tavarez (7-10 5.06). Neither team has anything to play for, as the Red Sox sealed up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs yesterday with their win and the Indians' loss. One important note for this game, though, is that it is most likely Torii Hunter's last game playing for the Minnesota Twins, and as I write those words I am feeling plenty of sadness swell up inside me. Maybe with Bill Smith as the new GM, the Twins will be able to pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat and sign Torii, but I will not be counting on it. I wrote a little about Hunter before his (possibly) last home game last week, so I'll just finish up with this:

Good luck Torii, and we'll miss you.