The Twins finally have a winning record.
After posting losing records in April, May and June, the Twins took two of three games from the Chicago White Sox to finish July with a win-loss record of 15-11. It was the Twins’ first winning month of baseball since last September when they finished the month with a 15-13 mark.
Sunday’s 6-4 win over the White Sox — win No. 15 — also was the Twins’ 40th win of the year. But let’s not get too excited because after three months of losing baseball, the Twins, despite the better play of late, are still 24 games under .500. It’s been that kind of season.
Second baseman Brian Dozier carried the Twins on Sunday with three extra-base hits, including two more home runs to give him 19 on the season. Starter Ervin Santana picked up the win, pitching six innings. He allowed three runs, but only one was earned, likely because the Twins committed four errors. Despite a 4-9 record, Santana, with the win, lowered his ERA to a respectable 3.66. Santana has been the subject of trade speculation. If he continues to pitch well, I see the Twins hanging on to him.
Extra innings…
-Of those four errors on Sunday, third baseman Miguel Sano committed his 14th of the season, a throwing error.
-Former starter Tyler Duffey, who struggled in July, is on his way to the bullpen, which means he has made room for the team to recall top pitching prospect Jose Berrios. Berrios gets the ball on Monday against the Cleveland Indians. At Triple-A Rochester this season, Berrios was 10-5 with a 2.44 ERA in 16 starts. He also had 111 strikeouts and 35 walks, according to MLB.com.
-It took the Twins until July 31 to win 40 games. In 2015, they had won 40 games by June 27.
-How bad were the Twins in April, May and June? They were 7-17 in April, 8-19 in May and 10-17 in June.
-On a personal note, I’m in the market for a new Twins cap after my previous cap flew off my head while riding a ferry to Whidbey Island in Puget Sound. As my cap tumbled across the ferry deck, I was sure it was going to hit a gate and stay pinned there by the wind. Instead, it was blown under that gate and out into open water. I now envision a decked out harbor seal wearing that cap with pride.
I'm told no last-ditch extension talks are ongoing between #MNTwins and Kurt Suzuki. Seems a good bet to be moved by Monday's NW deadline.
— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) July 31, 2016