It started so well, with back-to-back wins against the mighty Angels in Anaheim. It ended calamitously, with the Jays sweeping the Twins in Toronto, with the final game a 9-0 blowout.
The Twins finished the road trip 5-8 -- 2-2 against the Angels, 1-2 against the Mariners, 2-2 against the Athletics and 0-3 against the Jays, who won all six games against the Twins.
But the news isn't all bad. The White Sox also played poorly during that stretch, and are up only a game and a half. And the Sox must play without star -- and possible MVP -- Carlos Quentin indefinitely. He has a fractured wrist and must have surgery. He's probably out for the year.
What's more, the White Sox must play the Angels next. You might think they have little to play for, with the AL West title all but wrapped up. But the home-field advantage that goes to the team with the best record can come in mighty handy, and the Angels and Rays are fighting it out for that.
Coming off the series against the Jays, you wonder if the Twins have much left. Their bullpen is shot, having given up leads in four of the eight losses on the road trip.
Thursday's loss was awful. The Twins managed only four hits, while the Jays pounded out 17. Manager Ron Gardenhire put in some recent call-ups to finish the game -- Bobby Korecky and Philip Humber, who came over in the Santana trade.
Kevin Slowey wasn't horrible, giving up three runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. But that's not great either.
Wednesday's loss was much worse. The Twins gave up a late unearned in the ninth, as Joe Nathan blew a save. Then Eddie Guardado -- yes, the washed-up guy who played for the Twins a few years ago -- and the hapless Boof Bonser losing the game. It says a lot that Nathan appears to be losing a bit of steam and the Twins are using the C team from the bullpen.
The Twins gave up three errors in the game Wednesday. That's just not Twins-like. The two teams that won the World Series were great in the field.
The Twins need some strong starts, and could use a blowout. That way the bullpen could get some rest. Some of the arms there are obviously tired. You don't know how much longer they can hang in there.
The Twins will finally get home and play the Tigers and then the Royals before going out on the road again. Mark this on your calendar: The White Sox are at the Metrodome on Sept. 23-25. Let's hope they don't have to sweep the series to stay in contention.
Friday's pitchers vs. the Tigers are Francisco Liriano vs. Detroit's Armando Galarraga.
