Now the Pitching

After all those offensive wooes we've had, the offense did fine tonight. In fact they score six runs and they had a few extra-base hits even. But they didn't win because this time the pitching faltered, as Joe Mays had a terrible start and Terry Mulholland "relieved" him by coming out for late batting practice. Lets break down both of these horrendous pitching performances:

* Mays' line looked like this: 4 IP, 10 hits, 8 runs, 7 earned runs (one on a Bret Boone error), 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Mays gave up a run in each of the first three innings and then in the 5th, he managed to get no one out and gave up a bases-clearing double to Craig Monroe. After over a week's worth of quality starts, Mays seemed to have trouble throwing strikes and getting his sinker down, and obviously it hurt the Twins but it didnt stop there.

* Mulholland then came in and gave up a whooping seven hits in a mere 1 2/3 innings. I've said it before and I'll say it again: What the hell is this guy doing on a team trying to contend??? He's nothing more than a glorified batting practice pitcher who gave up three extra-base hits in quick succession. With Guerrier proving himself as a useful long reliever and so many good guys in the minor, its a desperate struggle trying to figure out what this guy is doing on the roster.

* After looking so good yesterday, Joe Mauer went 0 for 5 today with a disturbing three strikeouts. Mauer seems like the kind of guy who would have no troubles against a finesse lefty like Maroth, so once again, Ulger comes into question.

* Most of the the offense was provided by the number nine hitter, Juan Castro, who was 2 for 4 with a second-inning homer and four RBIs.

* After knocking Maroth around for six runs, the Twins managed only one hit against the Detroit bullpen, making them look a little better than their abilities have shown. What happened to the good old days of crushing homers off of Jamie Walker??

Needless to say, it wasn't the same old story, but the opposite with the same result. Now the Twins got some offense, but the pitching was putrid and made Craig Monroe look like a superstar as he went on a 5 for 5 tear over the night. Tommorow's double-header should prove interesting as Scott Baker gets another opportunity to show his great potential to Twins fans. Stay tuned and let the Twins know how little Mulholland means to the team.