It was game that finally saw a sizeable number of runs scored at Coors Field, but unfortunately the ones scoring the runs were the Rockies, not the Twins. It ended up as a 6-2 loss for Minnesota. Starter Kevin Slowey started solid but faltered towards the end of his start as he dropped to 0-4 on the season. The hitters wasted chances to score against Rockies starter Jeff Francis, and they continued to be unable to come through with clutch hits.
The 2 runs the Twins scored came in the 6th with one swing of the bat. After Delmon Young doubled, Justin Morneau smacked his 8th home run of the season, to temporarily put the Twins ahead 2-0, but that lead would vanish in the bottom half of the inning. There was not much more offense as the only other Twins to get hits were Brendan Harris, Michael Cuddyer and recent call up Howie Clark, although Harris and Clark got doubles.
Slowey was doing fine through the 1st 5 innings, only giving up a solo shot to Clint Barmes in the 3rd, but he unraveled in the 6th. After getting two quick outs, he gave up another solo homer, this time to Todd Helton. Jeff Baker later would hit an RBI single to put the Rockies ahead for good. Reliever Juan Rincon started the 7th, but loaded the bases before Dennys Reyes came in and allowed a 2 run single. Insult to injury came later when Jesse Crain walked Colorado reliever Taylor Buchholz, allowing another run to come in.
The theme for the Twins this series has been their inability to get that clutch hit. They have been able to get guys on base and in position to score but can’t finish it. Slowey’s woes continue this season as he still is winless and his ERA grew to 5.49. The team can only hope a return home to the Metrodome for a 4 game set against the Rangers can cure their woes.
