This is exactly why the Twins brought Ricky Nolasco to Minnesota. He's not going to dominate too much, but they need him to be the veteran presence they can count on to keep the bullpen from falling apart.
The Twins spent three days waiting around to play a game, then played three games in 27 hours and were suddenly so desperate for bullpen help, they actually added a 14th pitcher to the staff.
Gardy is certainly a man who knows how to expect the worst. Even with Logan Darnell in the bullpen, he was sweating it out knowing how worn out the other eight relievers were following an exhausting 15 innings of work the previous two days.
However, Nolasco said, "I got this," and pitched all nine innings and held the Orioles to 1.5 runs below their average, although his task was made a mite easier by facing Twins castoff Steve Pearce four times instead of Chris Davis.
Of course, since baseball is a crazy game, the Twins couldn't do anything against Ubaldo Jiminez, who has been terrible this season mostly because of very bad control. The Twins lead the world in walks, so of course Jiminez only issues 1 while striking out 10.
The lone bright spots on offense were hits by Sam Fuld and Eduardo Escobar, who are trying to solidify themselves in the lineup in place of the struggling Aaron Hicks and Pedro Florimon, although it is hard to say if Florimon is struggling since he's never hit in the first place. Fuld will be playing every day for at least the next week while Hicks recovers from a concussion. Meanwhile, top shortstop prospect Danny Santana was just called up after Mike Pelfrey pulled a groin while watching Dodgers' hits flying off their bats. Santana should be in the lineup instead of Escobar to see how he handles it, but Twins assistant GM Rob Antony has indicated that Escobar will continue to play and Santana will be mostly on the bench. That might be better for the Twins for the next few weeks, but it won't help Santana's development and will just be a waste of his service time.
In the past, Gardy has tended to play the prospects even when they are up for a short time. Hopefully, he will stick to that. In the meantime, the Twins have three shortstops and no true backup center fielder. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Twins trade Florimon for a veteran center fielder to back up or even platoon with Fuld if Hicks' concussion symptoms persist or if the Twins decide that Hicks needs to figure things out in AAA.
If only Byron Buxton hadn't gotten hurt.
Its amazing that the commissioners office allowed Mike Pelfrey to but put on the DL.
Unless I missed something.
after Mike Pelfrey pulled a groin while watching Dodgers' hits flying off their bats.
There's the weak link in his excuse. He should have claimed neck problems.
You really think the Twins could get somebody worth having for Florimon? I suppose anything's possible, but it seems unlikely to me.
Maybe they could get Miguel Sulbaran back.
Even this year, as bad as he's been at the plate, Florimon has been a replacement-level player because of his defense. Last year, in his only full season in the majors, he was worth 1.3 fWAR and 1.8 rWAR. He can get close to that this year if he just goes back to his career level of offense and maintains playing great defense. That's easily worth a backup center fielder.