Is it time to give up on Jared Burton as the Twins eighth-inning set-up man?
In the last 16 games, according to Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman, Burton is 1-4 with a 5.79 ERA in 17.1 innings.
In June alone, Burton was 1-3, with a 7.45 ERA.
Sunday’s appearance against the Royals had to be especially excruciating to fans, as Burton gave up a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning after Minnesota had rallied back from a 7-4 deficit in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score.
Other options for the Twins? We realize that list is short, but Casey Fien had a solid June, with a 0.87 ERA in 10-plus innings.
And then there’s former St. Paul Saint Caleb Thielbar, who in 15.2 innings since his Class AAA Rochester call-up, has yet to give up an earned run — scattering five hits. That, according to the Pioneer Press, is a Twins record for a pitcher starting his career.
Thielbar, however, isn’t exactly pitching in stressful situations. He often comes in when Minnesota is out of the game, as the Twins have a 1-14 record in games that Thielbar has appeared.
