Minnesota Twins Game Grades: Another Day, Another Loss

Downward spiral continues as Minnesota Twins fall to 0-8

In what is starting to become an unfortunate trend for the Minnesota Twins, the game was close but not quite enough as they dropped to 0-8 with a 3-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.

Both starters held their respective opponents in check for most of the night until the White Sox finally broke through with run-scoring double play by first baseman Jose Abreu in the sixth inning.

The following inning, designated hitter Jerry Sands lifted a two-run home run to centerfield, giving Chicago a 3-0 lead.

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That ended the night for Phil Hughes (0-1) who got a quality start, going 6 1/3 innings, walking none and striking out seven, but was handed the loss.

For Chicago, Carlos Rodon was not overly impressive despite allowing no runs and just three hits while striking out six. He was dogged by five walks through six innings, struggling with his control.

Rodon was effective enough, however. The Twins’ offense just could not get anything going as they continued to struggle with strikeouts, whiffing eight times.

Final. 3. 128. 0. 2

Joe Mauer. OFFENSE . F. Team Totals: 4 hits, 5 walks, 0 runs, 9 strikeouts. Mauer’s night was highlighted by a nine-pitch at-bat against reliever <a href=.

Team Totals: 6 1/3, 3 earned runs, 7 hits, 0 Walks, 7 Strikeouts. Hughes looked terrific before running into some trouble in the seventh. He was able to get out of a jam in the fifth after stranding a pair of White Sox in scoring position. Once again, it was another solid start for a Twins starter that saw very little in terms of support. The true question is; will the starters begin to push too hard because they believe they’ll need to make up for lost offense? Time will tell. . . Phil Hughes. STARTERS . B

A. Team totals: 2 hits allowed, 0 walks, 0 runs and 1 strikeout. Abad continues to impress in his inaugural season with the Twins, allowing no hits and no runs in one inning of work. <a href=. . Fernando Abad. RELIEVERS

. . DEFENSE . A. No errors, clean game overall.

Next: Perkins to the DL

MVT: Phil Hughes

The Twins will face the Chicago White Sox in the series finale tomorrow afternoon at Target Field. First pitch is at 12:10 CST. Ervin Santana (0-0, 2.25) will go for the Twins with Mat Latos (1-0, 0.00) going for the White Sox.