Michael Pineda's offspeed pitches didn't exist, the Twins were decked by another big inning and a week that seemed promising at the outset is looking like a big missed opportunity.
Toronto turned back the Twins 7-4 on Thursday, which enabled the Blue Jays to take three games of the four-game series at Target Field. The Blue Jays were picked to finish near the bottom of the AL East. Baltimore, the Twins' next opponent, is picked to be one of the worst teams in baseball. The week was set up for the Twins to fill up the win column.
But now they need a big weekend at Camden Yards.
"It's early," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "Our guys have bounced back from everything we've seen so far, whether it's midgame or after a game or two where we haven't played our best. Our guys show up to work every day ready to go. That's all I ask for."
Some have joked that the Blue Jays would have trouble beating their Class AAA Buffalo affiliate because can't-miss super prospects Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are there.
Those two weren't needed this week, as Toronto put up crooked-numbered innings in all three of its victories. On Monday, the Blue Jays scored four runs in the eighth inning to rally for a 5-3 victory. On Tuesday, they scored four runs in the sixth inning and two in the seventh in a 6-5 victory.
After the Twins won Wednesday night's rain-delayed game 4-1, they handed Pineda a 3-1 lead in the second inning Thursday. Eddie Rosario hit the first of his two home runs on the day, Jonathan Schoop hit an RBI single and a third run scored on a fielder's choice.
Pineda (2-1), however, didn't have his offspeed pitches, and the big righthander tried to get by with more fastballs instead.