This was one of those games that even though the hometown nine won, it wasn't terribly satisfying. Early in the game, they had some hits against Shields but never really seemed to string together enough to get an extended rally. The runs they scored were on a ground out and a bloop single that got past the Rays' right fielder. Clearly the more concerning things are Baker leaving with an elbow injury & Capps's continued ineptitude.
Everything the training staff said yesterday made this seem like a minor injury for Baker, but their track record is spotty at best. If Baker is out of the rotation for significant time, this will definitely hurt the Twins' chances of making a comeback. He's definitely been the ace of the staff, and I would be pretty bummed if he lost significant time since he has been so darn good. I want Slowey to be freed and I look forward to seeing Gibson in the rotation, but I do not want it to come at the expense of Baker's rotation spot.
Capps has been crapp in his last three outings, and I don't want him on the mound at all. He's pure butt right now. He needs a couple days off to get his mind right. He needs some low leverage work to get sorted out. Early in the season, I liked him as the middle-late inning fireman. If Nathan can take over 9th inning duties, Perkins can continue to ball outrageous, and Capps can reclaim that role the bullpen would be much better for it. There's no sense in throwing him out there to get pounded in the 9th over and over just because he's the "closer."
The Indigenous People & Tigers lost last night. Seven back. I can hardly believe it. I can't wait for the Indians & Tigers to come to town after the All Star Break.
Final Score: Minnesota Twins 3, Tampa Bay Rays 2
Twins Record: 38-46, 7.0 GB in the AL Central.
WP: Scott Baker (7-5) | LP: James Shields (8-6)
The SoCalTwinsfans had a good time with Rob & Sis despite being up in the nosebleed section. It was great that the Twins won, but the highlight of the night was getting my picture taken with Tony Oliva. I shook his hand and he has huge, strong hands. All agreed that the key to Dumatrait's success is telling him that he sucks. Booing Capps doesn't do much good. Cheering seemed to work a little bit, but not much. And if Damon would have been called safe, I think the crowd would have gone Ligue on the first-base ump after he didn't call Shoppach out on a check swing in the previous at-bat. Also, riding the Northstar to the game is an excellent way to go.