Twins: Starter fine, but offense missing

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

Nick Blackburn gave up five hits, walked one and struck out six in seven innings Wednesday.

Nick Blackburn gave up only one run over seven innings in his first major league start, but a lack of clutch hitting left the Twins on the losing end of a pitching duel.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: April 3, 2008 - 7:43 AM

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L.A. ANGELS 1, TWINS 0

Up next: 12:10 p.m. today vs. Los Angeles Angels • Metrodome • No TV • Radio: 1500-AM

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The Twins are convinced they'll score more runs this season, but it's hard to get runners home when you can't even get them to second base.

That problem repeated itself all night Wednesday, as Angels lefthander Joe Saunders outdueled Twins rookie Nick Blackburn, allowing Los Angeles to escape the Metrodome with a 1-0 victory.

The Twins were left to answer questions about their offense again, having scored only four runs in three games.

"We had opportunities," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We tried everything. We tried hit and runs, bunts -- you name it, we tried it. We just couldn't get [baserunners] over there today."

By over there, Gardenhire meant second base.

The only Twin to get there was Nick Punto, who led off the sixth inning with a single. With two outs, he stole second and advanced to third on an error by Angels catcher Jeff Mathis.

Brendan Harris flied out to right field, ending that threat, and the Angels scored the next inning.

With two outs in the seventh, Blackburn threw a curve ball that bounced past catcher Mike Redmond, allowing Howie Kendrick to score from third base.

Blackburn held the Angels to five hits over seven innings in his first major league start, but he'll remember it as a loss.

"Believe me, nobody feels worse than me," Redmond said. "He pitched a heck of a game, and unfortunately we couldn't punch a couple runs across today."

What made this one even more perplexing, is the Twins had the leadoff man reach in each of the final four innings.

Michael Cuddyer singled to start the seventh. Justin Morneau erased him with a double play. Morneau is now 0-for-10 so far this season.

Craig Monroe walked to start the eighth. Redmond erased him with a double play.

After holding the Twins to four hits over eight innings, Saunders gave way to closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Matt Tolbert started the ninth with a walk, and up stepped leadoff man Carlos Gomez, who tried bunting three times, fouling each pitch, for a strikeout. Gardenhire pulled Gomez into his office after the game, hoping to teach the 22-year-old a lesson.

"It's a sacrifice situation, and he's flying out of there like a drag bunt," Gardenhire said. "Once he had two strikes, he kind of went on his own. But if you want to go on your own there, stay there and bunt the ball fair."

Said Gomez: "He give me green light for a hit, but I know I can bunt. I say to myself, 'You can bunt with two strikes, and I tried and we missed the bunt. It's OK. It happens. You try again tomorrow you have same situation."

Down to his last two outs, Gardenhire sent up Joe Mauer to pinch hit for Harris. Mauer drew a big ovation, but he grounded into a game-ending double play.

It was the Twins' fourth double play of the night, and they were all the same: 4-6-3.

"Everybody here knows we've got a good team," Gomez said. "In the middle of the season, we'll see what happens. If you're scared for now, don't worry about it. I know the team will be great. When we've got 50-60 games, we'll be up on everybody."