Twins starter Pablo Lopez, who I’m sure the Twins expect big things of this season (don’t we all?), fell to 0-3 with a 9.35 ERA after a 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.
I know it’s spring training, but this is cause for concern because Lopez again labored to get through three innings, tossing a very inefficient 78 pitches in the process. He allowed four runs on eight hits with three walks and only two strikeouts.
It doesn’t stop there. The other problem is that while the Twins fielded a lineup of players we are going to see over and over this season, I could barely tell you who suited up for the Phils and STILL they beat Lopez. Who were those guys?
Again, it doesn’t stop there. The Twins’ lineup featured Wallner, Correa, Buxton, Larnach, Lewis, Castro, France, Vazquez and Bader and yet they did very little against the Phils’ nobody-special starter or anyone else for that matter. They rapped out eight hits, but also were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base.
I’m telling you there is going to be very little patience with a lack of production this season, especially after what we saw last September.
Extra innings…
-One more note about Monday’s loss: Reliever Kody Funderburk walked four batters in the seventh inning. Only 12 of 29 pitches landed for strikes.
-The Twins lost on Monday and they did it again Tuesday, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-2.
They scored two runs on five hits, getting a two-run homer from Jose Miranda, and Austin Martin had two hits and a run in the loss. Mickey Gasper had an extra-base hit.
On the mound for the Twins, someone named Andrew Morris looked pretty good, allowing just a hit with three whiffs across three innings on 40 pitches.
Manager Rocco Baldelli praised his performance, too.
“He’s pitched pretty lights out,” Baldelli told MLB.com. “He’s used all of his pitches. They all look like where he wants them. He’s been very productive. He’s got a lot of different weapons. He’s got a fastball that cuts on hitters. He’s got pretty good command and is a good adjustment-maker.”
Louis Varland also pitched two scoreless innings on 27 pitches. Varland, we know, is all business on the mound. He didn’t find success as a starter, but I hope he does as a member of the bullpen.