Oh fer nine. That was what the Twins were on Tuesday with runners in scoring position.
Oh, for Pete’s sake.
Following the Minnesota Twins in 2011 has been an exercise in frustration. Starting pitching that can’t get a quality start, an inability to hit with runners in scoring position, and a bullpen that if given a lead, far too often squanders it, requiring the offense to get a hit with runners in scoring position so the Twins can, you know, score runs.
It’s sort of a vicious cycle, isn’t it?
On Tuesday, Denard Span returned to the lineup, and in the first inning drew a leadoff walk and then stole second with no outs.
He couldn’t score, as Trevor Plouffe struck out swinging, Joe Mauer grounded out, and Michael Cuddyer struck out looking.
Starter Brian Duensing wasn’t terrible, but he made a mistake to Mark Trumbo in the fourth inning, and Trumbo promptly deposited over the fence for a three run home run, giving the Angels a 4-1 lead, one which they would not relinquish.
Because as we discussed, the Twins couldn’t score if they walked in to a whorehouse wearing a suit of $100 dollar bills.