20-11: That’s More Like It

(Again, via Fangraphs. Like I could I make this chart myself)

Scott Baker is clearly not ready to relinquish his role as team ace, pitching a great game save for one mistake to Luke Scott. He didn’t get a whole lot of run support until the eighth inning, when Drew Butera of all people singled with the bases loaded to score a pair of runs. This was after Matt Albers got Mauer to strike out swinging. Either the Twins’ curse of leading* the bases loaded has been lifted, or this is a sign of the impending apocalypse. You decide. Anyway, the Twins split the double-header, and if they’re lucky, could salvage a series split with a win tomorrow. Go Twins!

WPA stars of the night:

1) Scott Baker, .407. Timothy Scott was phenomenal: 8 IP, 8 Ks, 0 BBs, only 3 hits. Maybe he can show Carl Pavano how to get some run support.

2) Justin Morneau, 0.098. Justin Morneau is pretty good at baseball. At least in the first half of the season.

3) Jim Thome, 0.070. Without looking, I believe this is Bill Smith’s greatest bargain-basement pickup ever.

Duds:

No duds tonight. Well played, everybody.

Most important play of the game:

For the Twins: Nick Punto’s RBI double in the second inning (.101 WPA). For the Orioles: who cares? They lost.

*leading, leaving, whatever, same thing.