24: A New Record
August 30, 2009
The Twins have set a new club record, however, it may be one that they would most likely want to forget. The team has used a record number of pitchers in a season with 24 different hurlers stepping on the mound.
The record was tied on Saturday night when newly acquired, Ron Mahay, went out to relieve Carl Pavano in the seventh inning. The record was broken the very next day when Jon Rauch pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
The previous record was set in 1989 when the Twins used 23 pitchers. Coincidently, that year the Twins were hovering around the .500 mark and finished with an 80-82 record.
Out of all of the pitchers used this season, 10 of them have started and have a combined record of 49-47 during those starts. Of course, with the Twins carrying a 12-man pitching staff, half of the pitchers have either been sent down to the minors or sent packing.
Let’s take a look at this years record breaking staff. Players marked with an asterisk are currently on the active roster.
Luis Ayala
1-2, 4.18 ERA, 32.1 innings, 21 strike outs, 8 walks
Status: Cut from team in June, picked up by Marlins.
Scott Baker *
12-7, 4.44 ERA, 160.0 innings, 26 starts, 131 strike outs, 31 walks, 1 shutout
Status: Starting pitcher.
Nick Blackburn *
8-9, 4.29 ERA, 161.2 innings, 26 starts, 68 strike outs, 38 walks
Status: Starting pitcher.
Craig Breslow
1-2, 6.28 ERA, 14.1 innings, 11 strike outs, 11 walks
Status: Claimed off waivers by Athletics in May.
Jesse Crain *
4-4, 6.31 ERA, 35.2 innings, 32 strike outs, 19 walks
Status: Back in bullpen after five week stint in Triple-A.
R.A. Dickey
1-1, 4.62 ERA, 64.1 innings, 1 start, 42 strike outs, 30 walks
Status: Designated for assignment after being removed from 40-man roster.
Brian Duensing *
2-1, 4.37 ERA, 47.1 innings, 3 starts, 33 strike outs, 19 walks
Status: In starting rotation after Perkins and Liriano put on DL.
Armando Gabino
0-0, 13.50 ERA, 2.2 innings, 1 start, 1 strike out, 3 walks
Status: Sent back to Triple-A after one rough outing.
Matt Guerrier *
5-1, 2.30 ERA, 62.2 innings, 1 save, 41 strike outs, 11 walks
Status: Workhorse of bullpen and leads American League in holds.
Sean Henn
0-3, 7.15 ERA, 11.1 innings, 9 strike outs, 8 walks
Status: Called up in May and sent to Triple-A in June.
Philip Humber
0-0, 8.00 ERA, 9.0 innings, 9 strike outs, 9 walks
Status: Sent to Triple-A after rough April and rough August.
Bobby Keppel *
0-1, 5.31 ERA, 39.0 innings, 25 strike outs, 16 walks
Status: Bullpen reliever called up in June.
Francisco Liriano
5-12, 5.80 ERA, 127.1 innings, 23 starts, 115 strike outs, 58 walks
Status: Put on disabled list with tired arm in August.
Ron Mahay *
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.2 innings, 1 strike out, 0 walks
Status: Newly acquired reliever, pitched scoreless 2/3 inning.
Jeff Manship *
0-0, 5.14 ERA, 7.0 innings, 3 strike outs, 3 walks
Status: Called up in August for bullpen help, may get a few starts.
Jose Mijares *
2-2 2.13 ERA, 50.2 innings, 44 strike outs, 20 walks
Status: One of the bullpen standouts and has second most appearances next to Guerrier.
Juan Morillo
0-0, 22.50 ERA, 2.0 innings, 1 strike out, 3 walks
Status: Claimed from Rockies and sent down to Triple-A to work on control problems.
Kevin Mulvey
0-0, 27.00 ERA, 1.1 innings, 0 strike outs, 0 walks
Status: Called up and sent down in the span of two days after rough outing.
Joe Nathan*
2-1, 1.74 ERA, 51.2 innings, 34 saves, 67 strike outs, 15 walks
Status: Still closing the door on close games.
Carl Pavano*
2-2, 4.06 ERA, 31 innings, 5 starts, 24 strike outs, 7 walks
Status: Brought stability to rotation after coming over from Indians in August.
Glen Perkins
6-7, 5.89 ERA, 96.1 innings, 18 starts, 45 strike outs, 23 walks
Status: Put on DL with shoulder problems after short stint in bullpen.
Jon Rauch*
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.0 inning, 2 strike outs, 0 walks
Status: Picked up off waivers from Diamondbacks and picked up win in first relief appearance.
Kevin Slowey
10-3, 4.86 ERA, 90.2 innings, 16 starts, 75 strike outs, 15 walks
Status: Out for season after surgery to remove bone chips in wrist.
Anthony Swarzak
3-7, 6.25 ERA, 59.0 innings, 12 starts, 34 strike outs, 20 walks
Status: In Triple-A after third stint with team and going 1-5 in that span.
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