Spring Training Report: Game Twenty-Four

Another day, another one-run loss. The Twins put up four runs in the first inning but couldn't make it stand. Here are today's notes:

1.) Johan Santana went 5 innings today, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. It's not a great line, but it also isn't terrible, and Johan seems to be in very good shape as he prepares to start the season. He should have one start left, on Wednesday, and I would expect the Twins to try to get 6 innings out of him if possible. If they can, he'll be in great shape to start the season as far as his arm strength is concerned.

2.) J.D. Durbin didn't do himself any favors today, going 2 innings and giving up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3. That leaves him with a spring ERA of 9.00, which looks particularly gaudy when compared to the 0.00 ERA put up by Mike Venafro. Spring numbers will be a part of the decision on who to keep on the roster, but only a part: as I've said all spring, the Twins are going to make this decision based on whether or not they feel J.D. Durbin has a future with the team. If they think he does, they are going to keep him on the roster over Venafro despite what he's done this spring. If not, Venafro will make the team. Honestly, it could go either way.

3.) Torii Hunter hit his 3rd Homerun of the spring today, but otherwise it wasn't a particularly memorable day for most of the hitters who got into the game. Luis Castillo's recent hot streak was snapped, as he went 0-for-3 to drop his average to .486 (how often do you get to say "drop your average to .486?). Brad King also got a couple of at-bats, and still couldn't come up with a hit. He gets on base a lot by getting hit or drawing walks, but it would be nice to see him start swinging the bat a little better in general. Matt LeCroy, meanwhile, followed up his good day yesterday with an 0-1 pinch hitting performance today. Josh Rabe also went 0-1 with a K.

4.) Matt Moses was given another chance to get into a Major League spring training game today, and he went 0-1 with a walk. Nice experience for him, and we should be seeing more of him next spring.

5.) Today's shortstops? How about Jeff Cirillo to start things off, and Luis Rodriguez following. Who would have thought at the start of the spring that those two names would show up in the box score at short? My, how things change . . .

Today's Big Winner: Torii Hunter (1-3, 2 RBI's, HR)
Runner-Up: Justin Morneau (1-3, 2 RBI's)

Today's Big Loser: J.D. Durbin (Gave Mike Venafro fans a better argument)
Runner-Up: Luis Castillo (no other options; only guy to go 0-for-3 today)