| 30 June 2010
Earlier today, I mentioned the Twins' struggles in both the run scoring and run prevention departments. If this June slump continues for the rest of the season, Minnesota may struggle to eclipse the 75-win plateau. In order to get back on track, something needs to start working.
Going 4-4 with three triples last night against Detroit, Denard Span apparently got the memo.
Hitting three triples in a game for just the third time in the past 30 years, Span may have kicked off the long-awaited improvement that we've been banking on for weeks.
Before last night's game Span was hitting .275/.347/.367. The walk rate and on-base percentage are fine, but Span hasn't been hitting the ball with nearly as much power or consistently as most would like.
Although Span's ten total bases stole the national spotlight, starting pitcher Nick Blackburn's strong outing deserves to be mentioned, as well.
Typically an atrocious pitcher in the month of June, Blackburn has held true to form so far this season. Before last night's start, Blackburn had an ERA over 12 in his June starts. After throwing seven strong innings while giving up four runs, that June ERA plummets.
I'm still not convinced that Blackburn is capable of throwing league-average innings, but a few more starts like these would greatly ease my mind. Even with a significant improvement, though, Blackburn is still the rotation's worst starter and would be the odd-man-out were the Twins to pursue a starting pitcher before the trade deadline.
Today's rubber match against the Tigers will have a large influence on the Twins' mood and momentum heading into the month of July. A series victory over Detroit will give Minnesota some breathing room (however little) atop the AL Central, while a loss would do nothing to help remove this atmosphere of losing from the Twins' dugout.
With Kevin Slowey (7-5, 4.79) on the mound while the Twins trot out a day-game lineup, though, I'm anything but confident.
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