Yuck. This was a sloppy game, as Baltimore had two, five-run innings as they smoked the Twins 11-5 Hammond Stadium. Mike Pelfrey got them off on the wrong foot by leaving several pitches over the plate that were feasted on by Orioles hitters. ``I definitely need to be better," he said.
Defense let the Twins down as well. Jorge Polanco and Eduardo Escobar didn't turn a couple double play opportunities in the sixth, with Polanco committing a throwing error on the first missed opportunity. That led to four unearned runs off of Scott Diamond - but the O's were making solid contact off of him.
Kurt Suzuki was hit on the right instep with a pitch in the fourth inning. He fell over when he was hit but went to first base after trainer Tony Leo checked on him. Suzuki was pulled after the inning, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said it was scheduled. ``He's fine," Gardy said. ``He was ticked off about the pitching." Suzuki is scheduled to play tomorrow.
Other observations:
Alex Presley came through with a sharp opposite field single to drive in the Twins' third run of the game. The Twins need a leadoff hitter and have been talking to Presley about handling that role. He's battling Aaron Hicks for the center field job.
Chris Parmelee was 1-for-2 with sharp single to right. ``He's got a different look in his eyes right now," Gardenhire said. ``He's not worried about anything, just going out and playing. He knows what's at stake with him."
James Beresford has soft hands in the field and could be called up during the season. I'm wondering how much he can/will hit.
Of the three starters who are out of options, I would rank them: 1. Worley. 2. Deduno. 3. Diamond at this time. Worley is keeping the ball down better and is showing some Vanimal-like tendencies that didn't exist last year when his ERA was 7-something.
