When the Twins scored 10 runs yesterday to beat Milwaukee, 10-9, it was the team’s most runs in one game this month. The Twins had lost the first two games of the home series against the Brewers, producing a total of five runs.
The Twins are 7-25 in games where they score three runs or fewer. In 32 of 67 games the Twins have produced three runs or less. Their overall record is 34-33 and they are 5.5 games behind Cleveland in the American League Central Division.
The Twins can’t sustain any subtractions in their scoring potential. That’s evident watching Joe Mauer struggle since his return to the team on June 8 after missing 29 games with his now famous left quad injury. When Mauer tripled in the seventh inning of Saturday night’s game against Milwaukee he ended a 0-13 streak. In Mauer’s eight games since returning to the lineup he has seven hits in 34 at-bats, including his best day yesterday when he had two hits.
Mauer was asked Friday about difficulty in hitting fast balls. “They seem harder (to hit),” he told Sports Headliners. “You haven’t been in the box for awhile. It seems like it’s coming in about 150 (miles per hour) but it just takes time (to get better).”
Mauer’s comeback wasn’t helped by a blow from the bat of Atlanta’s Andruw Jones that struck his left arm, opening a six inch cut, according to a source. That injury occurred last Thursday.
Mauer said missing those 29 games also impacted his timing as a catcher but not as much as hitting. Not having the opportunity to learn about the team’s pitchers was another negative to being on the disabled list.
“Yeah, you know we had some injuries on the pitcher’s side, too,” Mauer said. “I remember the first time I ever caught Carmen Cali was in a game situation (earlier this month). It was late in the game, eighth inning … so that can be tough.”
Although the team’s record has been a disappointment, the season isn’t even half over. Mauer, of course, has confidence that better results are ahead. “We know we’ve got the right personnel here,” he said. “We just gotta go out and play.”
Mauer participated in his first All-Star game last season. As of last week he was fourth in All-Star balloting among catchers. “It was a fun event but there’s a lot guys out there deserving,” he said. “If I go it would be great. If I don’t then I get three days off. Obviously I’d love to be there but I know that there’s some guys out there having great years.”