Game 27 - Twins @ Mariners - 5/6/12

Uff da. Nine hits in the past four games? These games are getting unbearable. Fortunately, for those who are in the Central time zone, you don't have to stay up until midnight to watch opposing pitchers celebrate their one-hitters - this one is on at 3:10 locally.

Here is today's Murderer's Row via the Twins twitter feed:

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Lineup vs SEA: Span CF, Carroll SS, Mauer C, Willingham LF, Doumit DH, Parmelee 1B, Valencia 3B, Komatsu RF, Casilla 2B, Blackburn P.

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Couple of notes:

(1) Mauer is 1-for-13 since taking the foul ball off of his left knee and has not yet hit a line drive in 15 plate appearances this month.

(2) Twins lineup does not much experience with Mariners starter Hector Noesi. Willingham has the most plate appearances (4) and doe not have a hit against him.

(3) That nine hits in four games stat is actually a record according to Elias:

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According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that is the fewest amount of hits over a four game span in modern Major League history (that is, since 1900)...Minnesota surpassed the previous four-game low of 10 hits, done by the California Angels in 1963 and again by the Cincinnati Reds in 1993.

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Ouch.

Coincidence on Mauer, or causation? And people wonder why some want Mauer at a new position

More on Mauer...the lone Hitachi was a soft bleeder up the middle that was ruled a hit when mishandled by the SS

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Originally Posted by Parker Hageman

(3) That nine hits in four games stat is actually a record according to Elias:
Ouch.

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Thanks for that tidbit. I expect we'll be researching the worst five-game hitting stretch after today's game, what with Hector Noesi's dominating 7.83 ERA and all.

Oh my God, Blackburn.

Paging P.J. Walters . . . anybody.

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Originally Posted by mike wants wins

Coincidence on Mauer, or causation? And people wonder why some want Mauer at a new position

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Playing him anywhere else greatly devalues him, though there is a tipping point where maximizing his at-bats, in terms of his career, does become more valuable.

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Originally Posted by Alex

Playing him anywhere else greatly devalues him, though there is a tipping point where maximizing his at-bats, in terms of his career, does become more valuable.

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Precisely. I do think his usage this year has been generally good, though he probably should be given a few more days off.

Agreed. In terms of days off this year, I think the organization's poor communication last season along with some members of the media disdain have boxed him in with the fan base.

5-0. wow, if it wasnt for that 3 run inning on Friday night, we would have one heck of a streak going!

Yay, a run.

I keep seeing shadows of birds flying above the field. I wonder if they're vultures.

It's pretty awful to think that the Twins may avoid a sweep only due to one of the most bone-headed plays I've seen in a long time.

You got it right Alex. We played well enought to go 0-6 this road trip. We were outplayed and outpitched every game. We got lucky the other night and were given a win. I keep thinking we have hit bottom, but just like last year it just keeps getting worse.