It was a rough game for the Minnesota Twins last night against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. First of all, the Twins lost the game to the Angels 9-3, which in and of itself is pretty stinky. But that’s not the only bad news for the Twins: they lost starting pitcher Kevin Slowey to a right triceps strain, and the Twins lost reliever Ron Mahay to a right shoulder strain. Both pitchers were placed on the DL.
That’s a bummer. Especially because Slowey has been on fire for the Twins of late, pitching a no-hitter through the seventh inning last weekend at Target Field. Slowey is scheduled to have an MRI today, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. To replace him in the Twins’ rotation, starting pitcher Nick Blackburn has been called up from Triple-A Rochester.
Nick Blackburn, who has struggled with his sinker this season, was sent down to Triple-A after a listless first half of the year. The demotion allowed lefty Brian Duensing to slide from the bullpen to the starting rotation, and Duensing has been terrific since that move, with an ERA under 3.00.
Blackburn, according to all reports from Rochester, has pitched well and regained confidence. I’ll believe it when I see it. I had the same misgivings about Slowey earlier this season, so I’m willing to give Blackburn another chance. It’s rumored that the Twins were going to bring him back up, anyway. I just hope Blackburn can handle the pressure.
The second injury of last night’s Twins-Angels game was equally serious. The Twins lost reliever Ron Mahay to the DL from a strained right shoulder he received while trying to field a ground ball in the sixth inning against the Angels.
I know – I complain constantly about Ron Mahay. I don’t think he’s very good. However, he was one of only two left-handed pitchers in the bullpen, and now Mahay is out. The remaining lefty? Glen Perkins, who should never be seen in a major league baseball uniform again. I’d rather see Mahay on the mound for the Twins than Perkins any day.
You know, I’m left-handed. Maybe I should go pitch for the Twins bullpen.
The Twins have called back up reliever Anthony Slama to help out the rapidly thinning bullpen. Slama’s a righty, so the Twins still have a dearth of left-handed pitchers. I guess the Twins bullpen looks like this now: Matt Guerrier (RP), Jesse Crain (RP), Anthony Slama (RP), Jon Rauch (RP), Jeff Manship (RP), Glen Perkins (LP), and closer Matt Capps (RP).
The Twins DL: Justin Morneau (1B), Nick Punto (SS, 3B), Jose Mijares (LP), Ron Mahay (LP), and Kevin Slowey (SP). Ugh.
Tonight, the Twins face the Angels one last time. Twins starting pitcher Scott Baker (10-9) will take on Angels starter Jered Weaver (11-8). I imagine the Twins are a little shaken up after last night’s injuries, so we’ll see how tonight’s game with the Angels goes.
Unfortunately, after tonight’s series finale with the Angels, the Twins head down to Texas to play the Rangers. Not good timing. Not good timing at all.
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