Slowey Back On Track

The Twins' bats came out to swing last night, showing why the Nationals are the worst team in the National League. The Twins scored 11 runs on 13 hits, and 11 of them came from 5 batters with Carlos Gomez getting 3.

Here is how the Twins hitters did:

• Carlos Gomez: 3-5, 2 runs, RBI
• Alexi Casilla: 0-3, run, walk
• Joe Mauer: 2-4, run, walk
• Justin Morneau: 2-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI
• Michael Cuddyer: 0-3, run, 2 walks
• Jason Kubel: 1-3, 2 runs, RBI, walk
• Delmon Young: 1-3, run, double, 2 RBI's, 2 walks
• Brian Buscher: 2-5, run, 2 RBI
• Brendan Harris: 2-5, run, double, triple, RBI

The Twins jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the 2nd inning which gave Kevin Slowey some comfort as he limited the Nationals hitters to 1 run on 7 hits through 6 innings of work. The run came off of a Felipe Lopez home run. He was removed from the game after he walked Kory Castro to lead off the 7th inning on just 90 pitches.

This is Slowey's second great start after two poor performances in a row in which he gave up 12 runs on 17 hits in 9 innings. He took the loss in both and through 10 starts he has now factored into the decision in each of his appearances. He now has a two game win streak and is 4-6 on the season with a 4.37 ERA. He's given up the long ball 10 times in just under 57 innings pitched, but despite being crushed he still has a good 1.20 WHIP and an outstanding 4.33 K/BB ratio. He is slowly turning into a pretty good pitcher, but he still has to show that he can be consistent week in and week out. He also needs to cut down on the long-ball, but in all honesty, quite a few of the home runs have not come on necessarily bad pitches opposed to just good swings by the hitters.

The 24-year-old right-hander looks to be establishing himself into the teams rotation for at least the next few years. Next season, if all goes well the rotation may very well look like this:

1. Scott Baker
2. Nick Blackburn
3. Francisco Liriano
4. Kevin Slowey
5. Kevin Mulvey

And that's not including a few other options that may also fight for a spot in the rotation. Guys like Brian Duensing, Philip Humber, Glen Perkins, and Jeff Manship. Hopefully with a full year from Baker, Blackburn, and Slowey in the majors hopefully this does not promt the team into going free agent hunting for another mediocre veteran just to provide his "presence" in the rotation and in the clubhouse. To say the Twins have options in the rotation is an understatement. This organization is filled with quality pitching in each level and that doesn't seem to be changing after another very strong draft with some good pitchers being taken.

Unfortunately for the Twins, last night the White Sox also won so the Twins stayed 4.5 games back behind the division leaders. The Indians lost and the Tigers won, which mean put the Indians back into 4th place in the division.

Glen Perkins will take the mound tonight in hopes of sweeping the Nationals.

Game Ball
Justin Morneau - First Base
Line: 2-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI
Box Score