Twins crushed by Royals again, 10-1; Door open for Baker?
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The Minnesota Twins were destroyed by the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night, 10-1. This marked the fourth time in the last five games Minnesota has allowed 10 runs or more.
Nick Blackburn, who is currently penciled in as the Twins' number four starter heading into the playoffs, allowed eight earned runs in 4 1/3 innings -- his worst outing since allowing seven earned runs in 1 2/3 innings at Philadelphia on June 18.
On September 22, when asked if the playoff rotation was set in stone, manager Ron Gardenhire said, "I guess anything could happen. If a guy goes out and gets whacked a couple times in a row, it might make you think twice about it. But I look for guys to step up and keep doing what they're doing."
Blackburn had previously posted a 1.63 ERA in his last six outings dating back to August 23.
On Monday night, Kevin Slowey gave up six earned runs in 1 2/3 innings.
It's entirely possible Scott Baker could re-open the discussion about tweaking the playoff rotation if he pitches well on Wednesday. Baker was sidelined for three weeks with elbow tendinitis, but he came back and allowed only one earned run in five innings last Tuesday -- the night the Twins clinched the AL Central.
