SB Nation Minnesota - Swept Away: Twins Fall To Royals, Run Losing Streak To Sixhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48959/mn-fave.png2011-05-01T18:05:42-05:00http://minnesota.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19076492011-05-01T18:05:42-05:002011-05-01T18:05:42-05:00Twins Swept By Royals With 10-3 Loss
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<p>The <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a> were embarrassed once again on Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, as the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a> completed a three-game sweep of the Twins with a 10-3 victory.</p>
<p>The Royals jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when <span>Jeff Francoeur</span> deposited a <span>Carl Pavano</span> offering over the left field wall for a solo home run, and extended that lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth when <span>Alexi Casilla</span>. . .again. . .made an error on a play that should have ended the inning. Minnesota got one back in the top of the fifth on a triple by Casilla that scored <span>Drew Butera</span>.</p>
<p>The Royals then really got to Pavano, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead to 5-1. <span>Justin Morneau</span> answered in the top of the sixth with a solo home run to right field, his first homer since July 6 of 2010 in Toronto, to make the score 5-2, but the Royals just kept on hitting. They chased Pavano in the bottom of the sixth by putting up two more runs and making the score 7-2.</p>
<p>Pavano was pulled with one out in the sixth, having allowed seven runs (six earned) on 12 hits during that frame. This was his reaction after Ron Gardenhire lifted him for <span>Glen Perkins</span>.</p>
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<p>That might be the hardest any Twin has hit anything all season long.</p>
<p>Pavano took the loss in this one to drop his record to 2-3, and raise his ERA to 5.84. <span>Luke Hochevar</span>, who had allowed 12 runs in 12.1 innings in his previous two starts, got the victory by allowing three runs on five hits through 6.1 innings, and evened his record at 3-3.</p>
<p>The Twins are now in firm possession of baseball's worst record at 9-18. They've allowed <em>sixty-four</em> more runs than they've scored this season, which is nearly double the second-worst margin in baseball. . .the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a> have baseball's second-worst run differential with a mark of -36. They've lost six straight, and have been outscored in those six games by a combined total of 54-14. When you're allowing nine runs a night, you're not going to win many ball games, and that's even more true when you're a team that's struggling on offense the way Minnesota is.</p>
<p>The Twins have a day off before they hit U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago for a quick two-game set with the White Sox. We'll have all of the coverage of it for you right here at SB Nation Minnesota.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-twins/2011/5/1/2148088/twins-swept-by-royals-with-10-3-lossChristopher Gates2011-05-01T15:14:42-05:002011-05-01T15:14:42-05:00VIDEO: Carl Pavano Attacked Garbage Can In Attempt To Show Twins Teammates How To Use Their Bats
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> season hasn't gone as planned so far this season as the team's offense continually struggles with the absence of <span>Joe Mauer</span>, but Twins' pitcher <span>Carl Pavano</span> attempted to shown his teammates exactly how to use a bat during the bottom of the sixth inning on Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p>Pavano left the game after starting and pitching the first 5.1 innings, giving up seven runs and 12 hits while before manager Ron Gardenhire summoned Glen Perkins from the bullpen to relieve the struggling starter.</p>
<p>It's unclear what exactly is going to be needed for the Twins to break out of their current slump as they've lost their last five games and seem to be on the way to a sixth with today's performance, but after seeing -- and hearing -- Pavano's swing against the metal garbage can, maybe it wouldn't be crazy to insert him as the designated hitter?</p>
<p><i>Video after the jump.</i></p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-twins/2011/5/1/2147818/carl-pavano-garbage-can-twins-batsScott Schroeder2011-05-01T13:04:55-05:002011-05-01T13:04:55-05:00Twins Bring Baseball's Worst Record Into Series Finale With Royals
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<p>As the sun came up on this Sunday morning, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> found themselves in a bit of a strange position. They didn't just have the worst record in the American League Central. . .they didn't just have the worst record in the American League. . .they woke up this morning with the worst record in all of Major League Baseball.</p>
<p>The Twins 9-17 mark through the season's first month gave them a franchise record for most losses in the month of April. Any potential good feelings from a two-game mini-sweep of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> last weekend were crushed when the Twins got blitzed by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> at Target Field and blew two games over the past two days at Kauffman Stadium.</p>
<p>Today, ace <span>Carl Pavano</span> will attempt to stop the bleeding for the Twins as they try to avoid running their losing streak to six against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a>.</p>
<p>Pavano (2-2, 5.12 ERA) pitched well in his last start, the Twins' 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians one week ago. He threw seven innings, scattering six hits and allowing three runs while getting the victory. The Royals will counter with right-hander <span>Luke Hochevar</span> (2-3, 5.68). In his last start, which also came against Cleveland, the Tribe battered him for six runs on 11 hits in 6.1 innings in a 9-4 Royals loss.</p>
<p>Here are today's starting lineups for both teams. First, the Twins lineup.</p>
<p><span>Denard Span</span>, designated hitter<br><span>Jason Repko</span>, center field<br><span>Justin Morneau</span>, first base<br><span>Jason Kubel</span>, right field<br><span>Danny Valencia</span>, third base<br><span>Rene Tosoni</span>, left field<br><span>Luke Hughes</span>, second base<br><span>Drew Butera</span>, catcher<br><span>Alexi Casilla</span>, shortstop</p>
<p>And the lineup for the Royals.</p>
<p><span>Jarrod Dyson</span>, center field<br><span>Mike Aviles</span>, second base<br><span>Alex Gordon</span>, left field<br><span>Billy Butler</span>, designated hitter<br><span>Jeff Francoeur</span>, right field<br><span>Wilson Betemit</span>, third base<br>Kila Ka'aihue, first base<br><span>Matt Treanor</span>, catcher<br><span>Alcides Escobar</span>, shortstop</p>
<p>Check out the ubiquitous <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twinkietown.com/2011/5/1/2147544/game-27-twins-9-17-royals-14-13">Twinkie Town Game Thread</a> for discussion during the game, and we'll have the recap here for you when everything has finished up. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM Central time.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-twins/2011/5/1/2147585/twins-bring-baseballs-worst-record-into-series-finale-with-royalsChristopher Gates2011-04-30T21:14:33-05:002011-04-30T21:14:33-05:00Royals Score Eight In The Eighth, Humiliate Twins 11-2
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<p>The <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a> scored the first two runs of their game against the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a> on Saturday evening. That's generally pretty good.</p>
<p>The Royals scored the next eleven runs. Yes, that's generally pretty bad.</p>
<p>The Kansas City offense sent thirteen men to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning, and scored eight runs. . .all of them with two men out. . .to blow out the Minnesota Twins 11-2 in the second game of their three game set. The loss marks the Twins' fifth straight defeat, and means that Minnesota still has the worst record in the American League at 9-17.</p>
<p>As I mentioned, things actually got off to a good start for the Twins, as <span>Denard Span</span> singled and went to third on <span>Matt Tolbert</span>'s bunt single thanks to a throwing error by Royals' catcher <span>Matt Treanor</span>. <span>Jason Kubel</span> then walked to load the bases with nobody out. <span>Justin Morneau</span> then grounded into a double play, allowing Span to score, and Tolbert to advance to third. Tolbert then scored on the Royals' second error of the inning, as third baseman <span>Mike Aviles</span> threw wildly on a ground ball by <span>Michael Cuddyer</span>.</p>
<p>The Royals added single runs in the third on an error by Michael Cuddyer, in the fourth on a solo home run by <span>Billy Butler</span>, and in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Aviles. That made the score 3-2 in favor of the Royals. Then, the eighth inning hit, and <span>Joe Nathan</span> came in to relieve started <span>Brian Duensing</span>. Rather than go into detail, let me just do a bullet point play-by-play of the inning.</p>
<p>-Billy Butler double (<span>Jarrod Dyson</span> pinch-runs for Butler)<br>-<span>Jeff Francoeur</span> fouls out to first base<br>-<span>Wilson Betemit</span> intentionally walked<br>-<span>Alex Escobar</span> pops out to second</p>
<p>So, we have runners on first and second with two outs. No big deal, right? Normally, no. . .but this is the 2011 Minnesota Twins we're talking about. Let's continue.</p>
<p>-Dyson steals third<br>-Treanor gets hit by a pitch to load the bases</p>
<p>At this point, <span>Jose Mijares</span> comes in to relieve Nathan. The fun continues.</p>
<p>-<span>Chris Getz</span> reaches on an infield single, scoring Dyson and leaving the bases loaded (4-2, Royals)</p>
<p><span>Jim Hoey</span> now comes in to relieve Mijares, and the real meltdown commences.</p>
<p>-Aviles walks, bases still loaded (5-2, Royals)<br>-<span>Melky Cabrera</span> reaches on an error by Justin Morneau, Treanor and Getz score, runners on first and second (7-2, Royals)<br>-Wild pitch by Hoey, runners move to second and third<br>-<span>Alex Gordon</span> homers (10-2, Royals)<br>-Dyson reaches on infield single, runner on first<br>-Francoeur doubles, Dyson scores (11-2, Royals)</p>
<p>And then the inning finally ended. The Twins went down 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth, and the Twins had their fifth straight loss. The last time the Twins had the American League's worst record this late in the season was 2000, a season that saw the Twins finish with a mark of 69-93.</p>
<p>Duensing actually pitched pretty well, allowing three runs (two earned) and scattering eight hits in seven innings of work. He took the loss, dropping his record to 2-1 on the year. Nate Adcock got the victory for the Royals, his first decision of the 2011 season.</p>
<p>The Twins will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow in Kansas City, with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM Central time. <span>Carl Pavano</span> (2-2, 5.12 ERA) will try to stop the bleeding for Minnesota, while <span>Luke Hochevar</span> (2-3, 5.68) will take the hill for Kansas City.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-twins/2011/4/30/2146528/royals-score-eight-in-the-eighth-humiliate-twins-11-2Christopher Gates2011-04-30T18:03:19-05:002011-04-30T18:03:19-05:00Twins To Take On Royals Again; Casilla Benched
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<p>There's no word on whether or not it has anything to do with his performance yesterday, but shortstop <span>Alexi Casilla</span> finds himself on the bench for this evening's game between the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a> and <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a> from Kauffman Stadium.</p>
<p>Casilla had a role in allowing the winning run to score in last night's 4-3 loss to the Royals, as he caught a pop-up with his back to the infield, and uncorked an awful throw to the plate to allow the winning run to score.</p>
<p><span>Matt Tolbert</span> will be getting the start at shortstop for the Twins tonight.</p>
<p>The Twins' lineup for tonight's game looks like this:</p>
<p><span>Denard Span</span>, center field<br>Matt Tolbert, shortstop<br><span>Jason Kubel</span>, right field<br><span>Justin Morneau</span>, first base<br><span>Michael Cuddyer</span>, second base<br><span>Jim Thome</span>, designated hitter<br><span>Danny Valencia</span>, third base<br><span>Steve Holm</span>, catcher<br><span>Rene Tosoni</span>, left field</p>
<p>The pitching match-up for tonight will see <span>Brian Duensing</span> (2-0, 3.00) head to the mound for the Twins, while Kansas City will counter with Sean O'Sullivan (1-1, 4.20).</p>
<p>Be sure to check out the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twinkietown.com/2011/4/30/2145114/game-26-twins-9-16-royals-13-13">Game Thread at Twinkie Town</a> for your in-depth discussion of tonight's game, and head back over here to catch the recap. Hopefully the Twins will snap their four-game losing streak in this one.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-twins/2011/4/30/2146184/twins-to-take-on-royals-again-casilla-benchedChristopher Gates2011-04-29T22:57:34-05:002011-04-29T22:57:34-05:00Twins Squander Late Lead, Fall 4-3 To Kansas City
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> keep finding new and creative ways to lose baseball games, and keep losing ground in the American League Central as a result.</p>
<p>The Twins took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, but managed to squander it away, losing 4-3 to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium.</p>
<p>The Twins struck first in the top of the fifth inning on a solo home run by <span>Luke Hughes</span>, but the Royals tied it in the bottom of the frame when Alex Gordon's triple scored Melky Cabrera. The Twins took the lead back in the top of the sixth, when <span>Jason Kubel</span> and <span>Justin Morneau</span> started the inning with consecutive singles. After Michael Cuddyer's fly out, <span>Danny Valencia</span> doubled to bring both Kubel and Morneau around to score and make the score 3-1. The Royals picked up a run in the bottom of the seventh to narrow the gap to 3-2.</p>
<p>Then, the bottom of the eighth inning happened.</p>
<p>With Alex Burnett on in relief, <span>Jeff Francoeur</span> struck out swinging to end the inning. <span>Wilson Betemit</span> then doubled, and an infield single by Kila Ka'ahiue put runners on the corners with one out. <span>Jarrod Dyson</span> came in to run for Ka'ahiue, and on his attempt to steal second, Drew Butera's throw wound up in center field, allowing Betemit to score and Dyson to move to third. Dyson then scored on a sacrifice fly to shortstop.</p>
<p>Yes, you read that properly. . .a sacrifice fly to the shortstop.</p>
<p><span>Alexi Casilla</span> caught Alcides Escobar's pop-up in shallow left field, turned around, and threw a ball towards home plate that he could just as well have kicked Pele-style, allowing Dyson to score.</p>
<p><span>Joakim Soria</span> set the Twins down 1-2-3 in the ninth, and the Royals got the victory.</p>
<p>Burnett took the loss for the Twins, his first decision on the season. <span>Blake Wood</span> got the win for the Royals in his first decision of 2011, and Soria's save was his sixth on the season.</p>
<p>Same two teams will get together tomorrow in Kansas City, with first pitch scheduled for 6:10 PM Central time. The Twins will send <span>Brian Duensing</span> (2-0, 3.00 ERA) to the mound, and the Royals will send Sean O'Sullivan (1-1, 4.20) to the hill.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-twins/2011/4/29/2144316/twins-squander-late-lead-fall-4-3-to-kansas-cityChristopher Gates2011-04-29T18:29:47-05:002011-04-29T18:29:47-05:00Twins Hope To Break Out Of Tailspin Against Royals
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<p>The <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Twins</a>, fresh off of a three-game embarrassment against the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> at Target Field, will hit the road for a three-game weekend set against the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a>.</p>
<p>Minnesota got outscored 29-6 over the past two days against Tampa. . .to put that into perspective, Rays' outfield <span>Ben Zobrist</span> drove in eight runs by himself. . .<i>in one game</i>. . .in Wednesday's 15-3 drubbing.</p>
<p>The Twins have, historically, had a lot of success against the Royals, but split two games with them earlier this season at Target Field. Friday night's match-up will see <span>Scott Baker</span> (1-2, 3.24 ERA) take the hill for the Twins, while the Royals will counter with <span>Bruce Chen</span> (3-1, 3.86).</p>
<p>If there is a bit of hope for the Twins, it's that Kansas City is currently riding a six-game losing streak of their own after getting off to a 12-7 start and being near the top of the American League Central division early.</p>
<p>First pitch from Kauffman Stadium will be at 7:10 PM Central time. You can jump into the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twinkietown.com/2011/4/29/2143369/game-25-twins-9-15-royals-12-13">Game Thread at Twinkie Town</a> for some in-depth Twins conversation, and then head back here for the recap.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2011/4/29/2334400/twins-hope-to-break-out-of-tailspin-against-royalsChristopher Gates