The Twins rank next-to-last in runs scored this season, and no wonder: They've abandoned one of their most potent weapons.
After racking up almost twice as many bunt singles as any other major league franchise last season -- they had 65, while second-place Cincinnati managed just 33 -- the Twins have gone two weeks without a single successful drag bunt. Only Alexi Casilla has beaten out a bunt this season, and that was a sacrifice bunt that was fielded too slowly. Carlos Gomez, who collected 30 by himself last season? Zero. Denard Span, the leadoff hitter who stole 18 bases? None. Casilla had 16 bunt singles in 2008, but he has barely tried one this year.
"Pitchers don't like to get off the mound and have to run and field balls. They like to stand out there," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "If you can get them off the mound, distract them, irritate them a little bit, it's what we do very well."
Gomez is batting just .103 so far this season, yet he has only attempted a couple of bunts and has yet to reach base.
"We've talked about trying it a little more, especially when guys are fighting (a slump) a little bit," Gardenhire said. "We need to put it in people's heads."
BLUE JAYS 9, TWINS 2: Francisco Liriano limited Toronto to seven hits and one earned run, but the Twins bullpen self-destructed in a seven-run seventh inning, sending Minnesota to its fifth loss in six games. Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay outpitched Liriano, allowing eight hits -- all singles -- in seven innings and improving to 8-0 all-time against Minnesota. R.A. Dickey surrendered a grand slam to Kevin Millar on his first pitch in relief, the big hit in the Jays' big inning.
