Another day, another loss for the Minnesota Twins. Ho hum…it’s always Groundhog Day for the Twins this year. This time they couldn’t score a run against an aging Derek Lowe who hadn’t pitched a complete game shutout since 2004. And he did it without striking anybody out, but with the help of four ground ball double plays.

It’s time for the Twins and their fans to come to this realization. As bad as this team seemed last year, they are worse this year. Cuddyer, Kubel, Young and Nathan are gone…and even though Mauer is in the line up every day, he’s been nothing more than a slap hitter, incapable of power numbers. Justin Morneau with his injury riddled career, may be on the verge of making his last stand as a baseball player. Denard Span, probably their most consistent every day player,  is the subject of daily trade rumors…and the only bright spot on the horizon,  rookie shortstop Brian Dozier,  already finds himself batting 5th for a major league team. Let’s remember that Dozier split last year between Ft Myers (Class A) and New Britain (AA).

Yes, it’s hard to be optimistic these days if you’re a Twins fan. The farm system is bare of any future stars (they’ve all been playing for the Twins the last two years). And it appears that despite big money rolling in because of the cash cow known as Target Field, the Twins are reluctant to spend any significant money in the free agent market.  They did go out and add Ryan Doumit and Josh Willingham this year, but in typical Twins fashion they are both second tier free agents…and don’t even cover the losses of Cuddy and Kubel.

And the pitching staff? Let’s not even go there.  The starters have the worst combined ERA in baseball. Yikes.

Look on the bright side. At least they play at a nice ballpark.

TWINS NOTES: ¬
• The Twins finished their nine-game homestand with a record of 3-6.
• The Twins were shutout for the fourth time this season, first time at Target Field in 2012…first time by the Indians since June 7, 2011 at Progressive Field.
• The Twins defense turned one more double plays today giving them 43 on the season…they entered today ranking second in the American League in double plays turned, behind Toronto’s 48.
• Minnesota grounded into four double plays today giving them 38 GIDP’s in 36 games this season…the four GIDP’s were their most since April 22, 2010 vs. Cleveland when they also had four.
• Jason Marquis fell to 0- 3 in his last three start, posting a 7.20 ERA…the three homers allowed by Marquis were his most in a start since allowing three, August 14, 2010 vs. Arizona…he entered today, having allowed a total of four homers this season and none in his previous two starts.
• The three home runs allowed by Marquis in the fifth inning were the most in one inning off Twins pitching since the Tigers hit three in the fourth inning, September 25, 2010 at Comerica Park (Don Kelly, Miguel Cabrera and Alex Avila) off Carl Pavano.
• Brian Dozier celebrated his 25th birthday today, going 3-for-4 with a double…prior to this today he was 6-for-9 with one run scored on his birthday, in two minor league seasons.
• Dozier recorded his fourth multi-hit game of the season and set a new career-high with three hits…he is batting .438 (7-for-16) with two doubles, one homer, one rbi and three runs scored in his last four games.
• Anthony Swarzak has posted a 2.63 ERA (13.2 ip, 4 er) as a reliever this season with opponents batting .167 (7-for-42) off him in that role.