Minnesota had a tough loss Thursday afternoon, when Cleveland managed to avoid the sweep at the Metrodome. Matt Garza (0-2, 11.74 ERA) pitched a fair 5 innings, giving up three runs on five hits, walking two and striking out five. A high pitch count forced him out and the bullpen took over from there. Willie Eyre and Denny Reyes pitched two shoutout innings and Juan Rincon managed to pitch out of some trouble in the eighth and ninth to hold the Indians at three runs. But the Twins couldn't produce.The reason was Cleveland starter Paul Byrd (8-6, 4.55 ERA). He pitched a pretty impressive complete game, (his 14th career) giving up 2 earned runs off seven hits, striking out three Twins. He threw 100 pitches. Prior to the eighth, a Twins runner didn't even touch second base, excluding Justin Morneau in his trip around the bases after his 31st homerun of the year in the second inning. I could've thrown up both times Morneau damn near hit one over the wall, only for Grady Sizemore to grab it at the warning track. The Twins take the series, but lose the sweep.
Boof Bonser (2-4, 5.56 ERA) takes the mound Friday in the Twins' series opener vs. Freddy Garcia (11-7, 4.78 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox.
2 comments:
As much as I wanted the Twins to win, well of course I would, I could have watched Paul Byrd pitch both sides of all the innings. He was like an old school + Neshek type pitcher. Old school being the beginning of his windup. Almost how I fully enjoyed watching Neshek warm up in the pen even though he didn't go in. Props to Morneau for his homerun. Props to Garza for his improved start. And props to you...a good blog, as are all Twins blogs. :)
Paul Byrd rocked the Dome today. And you're right, he does have an old school wind-up. I love watching Neshek pitch as well, he's got a crazy delivery. Accurate, too!
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