Twins drop 2 of 3 to Nationals; Fall to 4th place

May 31, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer (7) looks down to the ground after a home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

After being rained out Friday night, the Twins took the first game from Washington on Saturday before dropping both games in a day/night doubleheader Sunday.

REVIEW

Joe Mauer and Ryan Doumit lead the offense in Saturday’s contest, highlighted by Mauer’s solo home run (100th of career) in the top of the 5th and Doumit’s game-winning single in the top of the 11th. Kevin Correia pitched good, but not great going 6.1 innings allowing 3 runs on 8 hits while striking out 7.

Not much to talk about for the second game of the series, and the first of the doubleheader. Scott Diamond dropped to 4-5, giving up 10 hits over 4.1 innings pitched – good for 7 runs (6 earned).

The Twins jumped to an early 4-1 lead, thanks a 2nd inning double off the bat of Chris Herrmann, followed by 2-run home run from Pedro Florimon in the 3rd. Samuel Deduno was predictable, pitching out of a few jams, particularly in the bottom of the 3rd and 5th innings. Anthony Swarzak entered the game in the 6th, giving up the tying run on an RBI triple to former Twin Denard Span and a go-ahead double to Ian Desmond.

THOUGHTS

• Chris Herrmann has been a nice surprise since joining the club, going 6-12 with a HR and 4 RBI in limited playing time since joining the team two weeks ago. He may not stick with the club the whole season, but it’s a nice glimpse of his potential and is much better than Drew Butera.
• Aaron Hicks left Sunday night’s game with a strained left hamstring during the middle of the 12-minute rain delay. He injured himself while trying to beat out a grounder to third. His numbers at this point aren’t all that impressive, but he’s been playing better. Losing Hicks for any amount of time will ultimately hurt the team, as there aren’t many, if any viable options to replace him in centerfield.
•  Deduno didn’t pitch a terrible game, and likely would’ve stayed in the game had it been American League rules. While many like to question Ron Gardenhire’s decision making, you can’t blame him for bringing in the team’s leader in RBI to pinch hit with a runner on third.
• Speaking of Justin Morneau, while he’s in the longest home run drought of his career, I’m still confident his power will come. Hitting over 25 HR at this point is probably unrealistic, but I still see him hitting between 15-20 by season’s end.
• The Twins need Trevor Plouffe back. He may have some doubters, but since landing on the DL with a concussion and then a strained calf, third basemen have combined to go 7-for-75 (.093) with 1 double and 1 RBI. Think about that.
• Mauer’s catch on Saturday afternoon. Holy crap. This is awesome.

UP NEXT

The Twins (27-33) will have an off day Monday before returning home for a 3 game series against the Phillies (31-33). Ben Revere returns to Minnesota for the first time since being traded for Vance Worley and Trevor May during the offseason. First pitch is set for 7:10 CT.