Examining major-league debuts for current Twins starters
Tyler Duffey's first major-league start probably didn't go exactly as he planned, hoped or dreamed of.
Wednesday night, the Twins rookie lasted just two innings in his debut, allowing six runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout. He also gave up two home runs. Duffey had to face a tough Toronto lineup, and he walked the first batter he faced in the majors, Troy Tulowitzki. Josh Donaldson then greeted Duffey to the majors by hitting a home run. Duffey did retire heavy hitters Jose Bautista on a fly to right and Edwin Encarnacion on a pop to second base and, after Chris Colabello reached on an infield single, his first inning concluded by getting Russell Martin to fly to right.
If Duffey is to take any consolation -- besides making the majors, of course -- he should know several of his teammates had similarly rough beginnings and that hasn't thwarted their big-league careers. Some current Twins faced current and future Hall of Famers, and one pitcher in particular accomplished an ignominious rare feat.
Here is a quick look at how other Minnesota pitchers fared in their first start. We've left out a few who pitched in relief before starting a game (Ricky Nolasco and Glen Perkins, for example).
Kyle Gibson -- June 29, 2013
Pitching line: 6 innings pitched, 8 hits, 2 runs, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts, 1 hit by pitch.
Result: Gibson got the win as the Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 at home.
Debut inning: Alex Gordon flied out to left. Alcides Escobar grounded out to shortstop. Eric Hosmer singled to right. Billy Butler stuck out swinging.
Phil Hughes -- April 26, 2007
Pitching line: 4 1/3 innings pitched, 7 hits, 4 runs , 1 walk, 5 strikeouts.
Result: Hughes took the loss as his New York Yankees lost 6-0 at home to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Debut inning: Alex Rios singled and stole second. Adam Lind struck out swinging. Vernon Wells doubled in Rios. Frank Thomas singled in Wells and went to second on a wild pitch. Lyle Overbay grounded out to first base. Aaron Hill grounded out to shortstop.
Trevor May -- Aug. 9, 2014
Pitching line: 2 innings, 3 hits, 4 runs, 7 walks, 0 strikeouts.
Result: May was saddled with the loss as Minnesota fell 9-4 at Oakland.
Debut inning: Coco Crisp fouled out to third. Sam Fuld singled to right. Josh Donaldson doubled to left, Fuld to third base. Brandon Moss walked to load to the bases. Derek Norris walked to score a run. Josh Reddick flied out to left, Donaldson out at home on a throw by Josh Willingham.
Tommy Milone -- Sept. 3, 2011
Pitching line: 4.1 innings, 6 hits, 4 runs, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts, 1 home run (to Nick Evans).
Result: Milone got a no-decision as his Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-7 at home.
Debut inning: Jose Reyes grounded out to third. Justin Turner flied to right. Lucas Duda flied to center.
Mike Pelfrey -- July 8, 2006
Pitching line: 5 innings pitched, 5 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts, 1 hit by pitch
Result: Pelfrey got the win as his New York Mets blasted the Florida Marlins 17-3 at home.
Debut inning: Alfredo Amezaga hit an infield single and stole second base. Hanley Ramirez stuck out. Dan Uggla was hit by a pitch. Miguel Cabrera hit into a 6-4-3 double play.
Ervin Santana -- May 17, 2005
Pitching line: 4 innings, 8 hits, 6 runs, 3 walks, 1 strikeouts, 2 home runs (to Ben Broussard and Travis Hafner), 1 hit by pitch.
Result: Santana was saddled with a loss as his Los Angeles Angels lost at Cleveland 13-4
Debut inning: Grady Sizemore tripled. Coco Crisp doubled but was out trying for a triple; he hit scored Sizemore. Travis Hafner singled to center. Ben Broussard homered. (Note: Yes, Santana allowed a cycle to the first four batters he ever faced in the major leagues). Josh Bard popped to first. Casey Blake doubled. Rafael Belliard struck out swinging.
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