Pitcher Scott Erickson's struggles had mirrored his team's. When he
won a
start on Sept. 18, 1992, his career record stood at 41-21. He has gone
8-22 since then.
These intertwined struggles were not coincidental, which made the Twins' 7-4 victory over the California Angels on Thursday at the Metrodome meaningful even if it did little to alter those trends.
Erickson and his teammates have insisted his stuff has remained the same, whether he was winning 20 games in 1991 or losing 19 last season, and they had insinuated that Erickson requires an airtight infield and a solid catcher to win, because his sinking fastball causes many ground balls and potential wild pitches.
Erickson's teammates rely on him, as well. With his maniacal workouts, intimidating glare and a fastball that plunges like the stock market, he is the one Twins starter who looks and acts like an ace. He must dominate for the Twins to contend.
Yesterday Erickson dominated when he had to, if only then. He struggled for 6 1/3 innings, giving up 11 hits and walking three but not giving up a run until the Twins had taken a 7-0 lead into the seventh.
The Angels had put eight runners on base in the first 2 1/3 innings and had the bases loaded at that point. The Twins held a 1-0 lead - their first of the season - but looked quite capable of getting swept in the season's first series for the first time since 1981.
Erickson worked the count to 2-and-2 on Angels first baseman Eduardo Perez, then struck him out with a slider. The next batter was lefthanded-swinging catcher Greg Myers.
Lefthanders hit .342 against Erickson last season, but Erickson threw another 2-and-2 slider inside and struck Myers out. They were Erickson's only strikeouts, and they saved the game.
"We let Erickson off the hook," Angels manager Buck Rodgers said. "Those three innings hurt, because he didn't have his good stuff."
Erickson survived because of those strikeouts - and because of the three most impressive strikes thrown at the park yesterday, courtesy of backup rookie catcher Derek Parks.
Parks, whose impressive right arm helped him become the Twins' first-round draft choice in 1986, threw out three baserunners yesterday, including two trying to steal second. "I was a little erratic and the guys did a good job and helped pick me up," Erickson said. "I've got to do better. I've got a lot of things to iron out. I have a long way to go."
Erickson hasn't won back-to-back starts since August 1992, but he earned as much respect from his teammates last season for handling losing as he ever did for winning. "He never complained," outfielder Kirby Puckett said. "He just takes the ball every fifth day and goes out there and battles."
Those who know Erickson have heard about his disenchantment with various facets of the Twins organization, and yesterday his former roommate, Angels designated hitter Chili Davis, was quoted as saying Erickson would benefit from a change of scenery - meaning a change of teams.
Erickson declined to address that yesterday, then smiled and said, "I do like grass, though."
On grass, the grounders that scoot through the Metrodome's infield turn into 6-4-3 double plays. Erickson went 4-11 at the Dome last season, and the combination of fast turf and inexperienced hands contributed to that record.
The Twins' losses in their first two games had contributed to a sense of malaise in the clubhouse, a strange atmosphere for a team that prides itself on keeping an even keel.
There was more relief than anyone would admit yesterday afternoon.
"We might have had a little anxiety, just because we want to do well," said Dave Winfield, who hit two doubles. "Since we don't know how good this team can be, we want to prove it to ourselves early. Nobody can say what this team is going to do. We want to rack up a lot of wins and see what happens. Now we know how it feels.
"This is a new group. We want to start winning together."
They will need Erickson to lead the way.
Thanks to Debbie for sending me this article