Though the Twins were trounced by at least 10 runs for the third time this season in the 15-3 loss to Tampa Bay in Thursday's early game, even more troubling is the number of times they are falling behind. In 12 of 24 games this season, they have trailed by four or more runs. Why is a four-run deficit significant? The Twins are averaging only 3.2 runs per game. A look at the times they have trailed by at least four runs this season:
Date, opponentStarting pitcherLargest deficitResult
April 1 at TorontoPavano10 (twice)L, 13-3
April 2 at TorontoLiriano5L, 6-1
April 4 at New YorkBaker4L, 4-3
April 5 at New YorkDuensing4W, 5-4 (10 inn.)
April 10 vs. OaklandBaker5L, 5-3
April 13 vs. Kansas CityLiriano5 (twice)L, 10-5
April 15 at Tampa BayBlackburn4L, 5-2
April 19 at BaltimorePavano11L, 11-0
April 20 at BaltimoreBlackburn4L, 5-4
April 27 vs. Tampa BayLiriano7L, 8-2
April 28 vs. Tampa BayBlackburn12 (twice)L, 15-3
April 28 vs. Tampa BaySwarzak5 (twice)L, 6-1
