Game #10 - Baker Debut Spoiled

The Blue Jays ripped the Twins 12-2 Wednesday, ruining Scott Baker's 2009 debut. Baker went just 4 innings, surrendering 6 runs on 5 hits. Each of the three Twins' relievers, Philip Humber (1.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R), R.A. Dickey (2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R), and Luis Ayala (1 IP, 2 H, 2 R) were scored upon. Ayala continues to struggle, and has been scored upon in 4 of his 6 appearances for the Twins.

The Twins only managed 4 hits; 3 singles and Justin Morneau's double. Jason Kubel had the team's only RBI. Toronto hit 4 homers in the game.

It doesn't get any easier for the Twins Thursday, as they have to face Roy Halladay. Francisco Liriano provides the mound opposition.

Elsewhere in the AL Central, where day games abound:

• Cleveland 5, Kansas City 4 - The Indians won for just the second time in nine tries. Newly-recalled Aaron Laffey was solid in his debut, giving up 3 hits and 2 runs in 5.1 innings. Kyle Farnsworth took the loss for KC, and his struggles continue in this young season (0-2, 16.20 ERA, 2 years, $9.25M salary).
• Detroit 9, Chicago White Sox 0 - The game featured a fine pitchers' duel between the Whities' Jose Contreras and Detroit's Armando Galarraga for the first four innings, and then the Tigers exploded for nine unanswered off Chicago pitching. Galarraga went 6.1 innings, giving up 4 hits and no runs. The Tigers' bullpen (Bobby Seay, Ryan Perry, Fernando Rodney) went the rest of the scoreless way. Placido Polanco had 3 RBI; Miguel Cabrera had a homer and 2RBI; Ramon Santiago also had 2 RBI.

Around the Minors:

• AAA - Pawtucket 4, Rochester 2 - The Paw Sox used a 3-run top of the 4th inning off Rochester starter Kevin Mulvey to beat the Red Wings. Rochester had just 6 hits, all singles, and no player had more than one. Matt Macri did have a hit, dropping his average to a paltry .435.
• AA - New Britain 6, Portland 3 - The Rock Cats took this one, thanks to some great bullpen work. After Jay Rainville went the first 4 innings (6 hits, 3 runs), Zach Ward (2 IP, Win), Jose Lugo (1 IP), Rob Delaney (1 IP, 3 K), and Anthony Slama (1 IP, Save) pitched 5 innings of shutout baseball. Erik Lis and Matt Moses had 3 hits apiece, and Juan Portes had a double and 2 RBI. New Britain is now 2-5.
• High A (Game 1) - Ft. Myers 3, Jupiter 0 (7 innings) - The Miracle took game one of the double-header to make up Tuesday's rainout behind the shutout pitching of Delois Guerra (5 IP, 3 H, 5 K, Win), Santos Arias (1 IP), and Alex Burnett (1 IP, Save). Guerra picked up his first win of the season and dropped his ERA to 1.50. He also turns 20 on Friday. Rene Leveret was 3-3 with a double and an RBI, and Jair Fernandez and Nick Romero each added doubles.
• High A (Game 2) - Jupiter 4, Ft. Myers 2 (7 innings) - Jupiter took the nightcap to salvage a double-header split. The Miracle managed just 6 hits, all singles but for Mark Dolenc's and Chris Cates's doubles. Deibinson Romero and Joe Benson had the single RBI. Carlos Gutierrez started and was solid, giving up 4 hits and 1 run in 5 IP. Kyle Waldrop took the loss, pitching the 7th inning and surrendering 3 runs on 3 hits.
• Low A (Game 1) - Quad Cities 3, Beloit 0 (7 innings) - The Snappers were no-hit by Hector Cardenas and Kevin Thomas. Beloit managed just one walk in the game and were beneficiaries of two Quad Cities errors. Michael Allen was the hard-luck loser, going the complete 6 innings and allowing 8 hits, 3 runs, and striking out 6.
• Low A (Game 2) - Quad Cities 6, Beloit 3 (7 innings) - The Snappers were swept in the double-header. Beloit managed just 4 hits in the game; 2 singles (Hank Sanchez and Jonathan Waltenbury), a double (Ozzie Lewis), and a HR (Ramon Santana). Shooter Hunt started and struggled mightily with his control, going 3.2 innings, giving up 2 hits and 7 walks.

Elsewhere:

• The Edmonton Oilers fired coach Craig MacTavish Wednesday after 9 seasons. The team had missed the playoffs the past 3 seasons after leading them to Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals (lost to Carolina). ESPN/com's Pierre LeBrun discusses potential successors here; the Star Tribune of Minneapolis's Michael Russo talks about the impact on the Wild coaching vacancy here.
• Forgot to mention that former Gopher Hockey Captain Ryan Stoa was named a first-team West All-American.
• The Timberwolves lost to Sacramento Wednesday to finish 24-58. Memphis beat Atlanta to also finish 24-58, records which tied for fifth-worst in the NBA. The race to see who gets the most favorable lottery treatment is on!