44-36: The End is Nigh
By Editorial Staff
The Twins won, Scott Baker out-dueled David Price, Danny Valencia came through with some clutch hitting, but OMG JOE MAUER IS NO LONGER A .3OO HITTER. THIS UPSETS ME GREATLY. NO I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. Maybe it’s a combination of rotten luck, a ball park that robs hitters of opposite-field power, and opponents playing better defense and pitching to him differently. Or maybe it’s because my mom got me a Mauer jersey for Christmas. Yep, that’s it, I am a jinx. Good thing there’s a simple enough solution to that problem:
Best pitcher: Scott Baker, .291 WPA. Baker surrendered just one run through seven innings, scattering six hits and striking out eight without issuing a single walk. He was nearly the tough-luck loser in this contest, were it not for some timely hitting by a Daniel Valencia.
Worst pitcher: Nobody, really. The bullpen held the lead for T. Scott, though Jon Rauch couldn’t resist flirting with disaster (that whore!) again in the ninth.
Best hitter: Danny Boy, .261 WPA. Valencia went 2-2 with a walk, and drove in the winning run so that Scott Baker’s brilliant effort would not be in vain.
Worst hitter: Actually, it wasn’t Joe Mauer. It was Justin Morneau, with a -.190 WPA. Neither one really did anything at the plate, but the Mountie was worse, going 0-4 with a pair of strikeouts. Well, Price is a tough lefty, so, I guess I’ll forgive them. This time. Don’t make a habit of it though, boys.
Most important play of the game: Delmon Young’s double off of Price in the seventh, which scored the tying run (.252 WPA). Delmon has been kind of carrying the offense lately, and that’s something I never thought I’d say.