There’s just no way to say it: the Minnesota Twins were absolutely, positively, terrible in Arlington, TX last night. Ron Gardenhire, almost desperate for a quality start from Nick Blackburn, got the exact opposite. Blackburn gave up 9 runs and 11 hits in just 2 2/3 innings, and the Twins absorbed the worst beating of the Ron Gardenhire era.
The 20 runs were the most scored by a team in the major leagues this year. It got so bad that All Star Michael Cuddyer came in and pitched the 8th inning, and it was one of two innings where the Rangers didn’t score any runs. They were probably too tired from swinging and laughing.
Tonight, it’s the ’Stache, Carl Pavano, (6-7, 4.24 ERA) to the mound to face CJ Wilson. Pavano, who has been a workhorse for the Twins, really needs a good outing to give the tattered bullpen a rest, or it could be another long night.
C Joe Mauer is not scheduled to start tonight, as he is only 1-16 in his career against Wilson, and he will sit tonight.