MLB notes: Twins still confident, despite June swoon
The elbow pad. The shin guard. The batting gloves.
Enraged over a called third strike, Torii Hunter had already hurled almost all of his accessories when he ripped off his white pinstriped Minnesota Twins jersey and heaved that onto the field, too.
This was the picture of frustration, at the end of a rough few days for Hunter and the Twins. Their surprise 20-7 mark in May that sent them into first place in the American League Central has begun to unravel with this 3-7 record to start June.
The swoon hasn’t lasted long enough yet to truly test this team’s resolve, though. The season is still too young for stress to set in. The Twins, after all, lost an average of 96 games over the last four years. They were outscored 45-16 while losing six of their first seven games to start 2015.
From Hunter’s buoyant leadership to manager Paul Molitor’s steady guidance, these Twins have clearly developed a stronger team chemistry and sense of confidence this year. The postgame dance parties that Hunter initiated following wins at Target Field, complete with fog machines, laser lights and the star of the day busting a move in the middle of the clubhouse, would have been uncharacteristic of any of their recent teams.
Even if their roster doesn’t prove to be good enough over the balance of the summer to stay in the chase for a spot in the postseason, the intangible improvements alone ought to translate to a more competitive club down the stretch.
Closer Glen Perkins and second baseman Brian Dozier are the only obvious All-Star game candidates. Despite being in the bottom third in the majors in home runs, steals and on-base percentage, the Twins only fell out of the top third in runs this week after scoring three times in three games while being swept by the Royals.
Their pitching staff is last in the majors in strikeouts. They’ve been charged with the seventh-most errors in baseball, and most of the analytics used to measure defense don’t favor these Twins.
Yet here they are, still 33-26 despite their recent struggles.
Reds’ Cozart out nine months
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart tore a tendon and two ligaments in his right knee and will need reconstructive surgery, leaving him with a nine-month rehabilitation. Cozart hurt the knee when he slipped on first base while trying to beat out a grounder during a win over Philadelphia on Wednesday. Cozart is among the N.L.’s top shortstops in numerous offensive categories, with nine homers and 28 RBIs.
Clearing the bases
The San Diego Padres activated Wil Myers from the 15-day disabled list after he missed 28 games with tendinitis in his left wrist. … Cleveland Indians 2B Jason Kipnis was out of the starting lineup for the first time this season. Manager Terry Francona decided to give Kipnis, who started Cleveland’s first 58 games, a day off. … Washington Nationals 1B Ryan Zimmerman has been put on the 15-day disabled list with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.