Ugh!

It was a rough game for the Twins today, resulting in an 8-3 loss to the White Sox. This is the first time I've started the entry before the game was over, but I just didn't feel like thinking about this game much after it ended. I almost put it off until the conclusion of the game immediately following Jason Kubel's opposite field home run, but then Torii Hunter, Justin Morneau, and Michael Cuddyer each struck out swinging to suck out any momentum I thought the Twins might have gained. As a whole, the offense couldn't get anything going, striking out eleven times against Javier Vazquez, and fourteen times in the game. Jason Tyner was the only Twin not to strike out, while Kubel and Nick Punto struck out three times apiece. Punto's 0-4 game ended his seven game hitting streak and his streak of three consecutive games with multiple hits. On a bright note, Brian Buscher had his first career double.


Scott Baker was not good to start the game, giving up three earned runs in two innings, but Boof Bonser was even worse, allowing eight hits, two walks, and five earned runs in just three frames. Baker, however, did not leave just because of his sub-par performance; he was hit by a line drive on his pitching hand, which, although evidently not serious, may cause him to miss his last start of the season. This brings up the question of who will pitch in his place. Bonser certainly didn't make a very good case for it to be himself, but he would presumably be the first option. To finish the game, Julio DePaula, Glen Perkins, and Juan Rincon combined for four scoreless innings.


As Jim Thome hit his 32nd home run in the third inning, it dawned on me that he has really been killing the Twins of late. In fact, he has homered in six straight games against the Twins, batting .541 (13-24) with 8 runs and 14 runs batted in during that span. Let's hope that he can be contained tomorrow, because I am hanging on to the slim, slim chance of the silver lining that is a .500 record.