Twins struggle in the clutch, lose to Royals

The Minnesota Twins couldn’t finish off a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals, failing to capitalize with runners on base numerous times in a 4-3 loss on Sunday.

The Twins stranded 12 runners, including four in the last two innings with a chance to tie the game. Justin Morneau hit an RBI double in the ninth to bring them within one, but Michael Cuddyer and Jim Thome both struck out to end the game.

Morneau finished 2 for 4 with his fourth home run of the season, and knocked in two runs. But despite recording 12 hits, Minnesota couldn’t find a way to score.

Kevin Slowey struggled on the mound. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits, walking three.

Jose Guillen connected for his seventh home run of the season for the Royals, and drove in two of their four runs.

Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 5:18 pm by Raj Sethi

Rauch named closer for Twins

Minnesota Twins manager Rod Gardenhire has officially named Joe Nathan’s replacement at closer: Jon Rauch.

The former Washington National and Arizona Diamondback will get the first crack at filling Nathan’s large shoes after Gardenhire changed his mind about how he’d handle his All-Star closer’s absence. Originally, he had said he’d use a closer-by-committee approach.

Rauch has more experience closing than his bullpen mates, but he isn’t the prototypical guy for the job. While an imposing 6′11, he doesn’t possess overpowering stuff. He did make a strong impression on the Twins following his acquisition last August, when he went 5-1 with a 1.72 ERA.

Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 9:29 pm by Raj Sethi