It doesn’t get much worse than the past 24 hours for the Minnesota Twins.
Last night, they gave up a 10-run inning on the way to a 18-3 smashing at the hands of Oakland. Today, things weren’t much better, with the Athletics sticks staying hot throughout the night, and piling on early and often in a 8-2 win over the hapless Twins.
Scott Diamond (5-11) made his first start since being recalled from Class AAA Rochester, where he went 4-0 with a 2.41 ERA, but his success stayed in New York, getting chased after 4 2/3 innings having giving up five runs.
The bullpen didn’t provide much relief once Diamond was yanked, giving up three runs to add to the 11 they let across last night.
Oakland’s A.J. Griffin (14-9) won his fourth start in a row, going seven innings while allowing just two hits. Former Twin and All-Star Closer Grant Balfour took the ninth, ending the Twins chances at a comeback.
With the Twins 82nd loss of the season, Minnesota assures their third straight losing season.
Despite the chances of a winning year gone, the Twins still have 17 games to go, the first of which comes tomorrow at Target Field at 7:10, the first in a three game series with Tampa Bay.
