Twins Territory - Game 3: Los Angeles Angels

The Twins were shutout more than any other team last season, and they started that trend again in 2008 with a 1-0 loss to the Angels. Nick Blackburn made his first big-league start and looked great, better than Hernandez. But the offense struggled all night, wasting opportunity after opportunity smacking the ball into the ground.

Blackburn pitched for the Twins last September out of the bullpen, but tonight made his first ever major league start. The start was impressive to say the least, Blackburn went seven innings and allowed five hits, one run and one walk while also collecting six strikeouts along the way. The lone run came on a wild pitch that bounced funny away from Redmond. Unfortunately, Blackburn took the loss because of the lack of hitting.

The bullpen was good after Blackburn exited. There were some tough moments in the last few innings, but overall they managed to work their way out of them. Matt Guerrier was on first, and struggled. He lasted just one out of the eighth and allowed two hits and a walk. Fortunately for him, Reyes came on with the bases loaded and one out, and on one pitch got a double play. Neshek pitched the ninth and kept the Twins in the game with another solid outing.

The offense for the Twins should have probably stayed home, because they didn't show up to play anyways. The Twins managed just four hits over the course of nine innings, and let opportunity after opportunity to break open the game slip away. In each of the last four innings, the Twins lead-off man got on base. However, in three of those innings, the next batter grounded into a double play. Each time, going from an opportunity to score to a two-out inning ender. Carlos Gomez, Michael Cuddyer, Nick Punto and Matt Tolbert (first career) collected the team's four singles.

The one good thing from the team on this terrible loss was two awesome defensive plays. Morneau made one in which he dove, stopped the ball and then flipped it behind his back for the out. The other might be the best of the year for the Twins when everything is done. Punto made the second base play from a year ago, only this time at third. He barehanded a bunt, and threw to first for the out as he flew through the air.

For more of the very few stats, check out the Box Score and FanGraph.

Comments (3) Add Comment

Amazing
written by MorneauMVP, April 02, 2008

plays by the Twins today but that should not warrent Punto a starting job...if Gardy puts him in tomorrow I will scream...offense did not show up to play...Saunders does not have good stuff either

...
written by Twins Territory, April 02, 2008

It was very hard to watch the offense, and more so Blackburn take the loss.

I keep telling myself that it's game three, but I hope they turn this around soon.

Can we get a homerun even?

[On a side note, Detroit I believe has just four runs in two games...]

true
written by MorneauMVP, April 02, 2008

that is true...it is rather funny...same number of runs as us but we have played one more game.

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