First Inning Blues

The Twins' pitching staff is posting a nice, even 7.00 ERA in the first inning this year. They've given up 83 hits, 55 runs (49 earned), 15 homers, and four walks in the first inning of their first 63 games.

In the other half of those 63 first innings, the Twins' batters have combined for 62 hits, 26 runs, 6 homers and 23 walks. That's a -29 run differential in total runs.

In the other 8+ innings, Twins pitching sports a phenomenal 2.99 ERA, giving up 468 hits, 187 runs (170 earned), 59 homers and 103 walks over 511 2/3 total innings. The Twins' hitters have stepped up with 528 hits, 270 runs, 57 homers and 170 walks, for a +83 run differential.

That's, um...quite a turnaround, there, guys. Maybe you could think about hitting and pitching like that from the get-go?

Chew on this: The Twins have lost 26 games this season. Of those, 15 were lost by two runs or fewer. In 7 of those 15, a number of runs equal or greater than the difference in the game was surrendered in the first inning.

And we're 5 games behind the Whine Sox.

Yay.