Final
Blackburn tries to get untracked versus Blue Jays
May 11, 2012 - 2:50 PMVideo
Blackburn will try to break through this evening when Minnesota plays the second contest of a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The right-handed Blackburn is winless since July 8, dropping each of his past eight decisions. That includes an 0-4 mark and 6.84 earned run average through five starts this season.
Blackburn, who turned 30 back in late February, was hit early in Sunday's 5-2 loss in Seattle. He opened the game by throwing six straight balls and four of the five runs he allowed came in the first two innings. The Seminole State product lasted six innings total, yielding seven hits and three walks.
"I thought he was kind of feeling for the ball, wasn't aggressive until later on in the game, and when he got aggressive, he was pretty effective," Minnesota acting manager Scott Ullger said of Blackburn.
Blackburn is 1-1 with a 2.33 ERA in four career starts versus the Blue Jays, who counter with 24-year-old Kyle Drabek.
Drabek opened the season with two straight wins followed by a no-decision, but has lost three straight outings since. The first two setbacks of that career high-tying losing streak were quality starts, but the righty endured a tough outing on Saturday at the Angels.
Drabek was touched for a season-high five runs on eight hits, five walks and two homers over five frames of a 6-2 setback as he struggled with control.
"Just couldn't seem to find the four-seam fastball, and that's what beat me today," said Drabek on Toronto's official website. "It just needs to be fixed. ... That's pretty much the end of that."
The former 2006 first-round pick has faced the Twins just once before, beating them on April 2 of last year with seven innings of one-run ball. Drabek also struck out seven in that outing.
Toronto continued its recent road dominance of the Twins in Thursday's opener, picking up their fifth straight win at Minnesota with a 6-2 triumph. The Blue Jays have won 13 of their past 15 as the guest in this series.
Yunel Escobar set the table by going 4-for-4 and scoring three runs, while Brett Lawrie and Edwin Encarnacion drove in two runs each. Henderson Alvarez allowed two runs -- one earned -- over seven innings for the win, Toronto's second in a row and sixth in nine games.
"I felt good out there tonight and the bullpen really backed me up," said Alvarez. "Those guys have been really solid for us lately and that is always big."
Josh Willingham hit a solo home run in the loss for the Twins, who have dropped five of six and are just 8-23 on the season. They have lost 14 of their past 17.
"I thought we played aggressive out there tonight," said Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire. "We just couldn't get hits when we needed them the most."
Jason Marquis gave up six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits in just four innings of work to take the loss.
- TORONTO: 6
MINNESOTA: 7
Final
May 12 1:18 AM - Edwin Encarnacion lead-off Home Run (11) to left center. Eric Thames due up.
Blue Jays 6, Twins 7 Top 8, 0 OutsMay 12 12:54 AM - Darin Mastroianni singled to left scored Pinch-runner Erik Komatsu. Runner on second with two outs as Mastroianni advanced to second on the throw home and Jamey Carroll due up.
Blue Jays 5, Twins 7 Bot 7, 2 OutsMay 12 12:49 AM - Jose Bautista lead off Home Run 2 (7) to left. Edwin Encarnacion due up.
Blue Jays 3, Twins 6 Top 6, 0 OutsMay 12 12:05 AM - Darin Mastroianni singled to center scored Josh Willingham and Ryan Doumit. On the play, Chris Parmelee advances to second. Runners on first and second with two outs and Jamey Carroll due up.
Blue Jays 2, Twins 6 Bot 5, 2 OutsMay 12 12:00 AM - Chris Parmelee walked Joe Mauer scored on the play. Bases loaded with two outs and Darin Mastroianni due up.
Blue Jays 2, Twins 4 Bot 5, 2 OutsMay 11 11:59 PM - Josh Willingham doubled to right scored Denard Span. On the play, Joe Mauer advances to third. Runners on second and third with one out and Ryan Doumit due up.
Blue Jays 2, Twins 3 Bot 5, 1 OutMay 11 11:53 PM - Colby Rasmus singled to right scored Eric Thames. On the play, Colby Rasmus out at second on the throw, right to short to first to end the inning.
Blue Jays 2, Twins 2 Mid 4May 11 11:22 PM - Ryan Doumit singled to center scored Denard Span and Joe Mauer. On the play, Josh Willingham advances to third. Runners on second and third with one out and Trevor Plouffe due up.
Blue Jays 1, Twins 2 Bot 1, 1 OutMay 11 10:22 PM - Jose Bautista two-out, solo Home Run (6) to left. Edwin Encarnacion due up.
Blue Jays 1, Twins 0 Top 1, 2 OutsMay 11 10:05 PM - TORONTO: 0
MINNESOTA: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
May 11 10:02 PM
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