Anderson Gives Credit to Minnesota Infielders for Secret of His Success

Minnesota Twins pitcher Allan Anderson has always been a friend of the infielder. He gives them work, plenty of work.

“When he’s on the mound, you got to stay on your toes,” shortstop Greg Gagne said. “I think most infielders prefer that, keeps you ready and in the game.”

Anderson, in turn, has kind words for his infielders.

“Those guys deserve a lot of the credit for my success,” Anderson said. “I’m just glad I could participate.”

So far this year Anderson has a 14-9 record, and without Frank Viola, has become the Twins ace, although Manager Tom Kelly won’t say it.

“There are 10 aces on this team,” Kelly said. “Whoever is on the mound is our ace.”

Though it’s not widely known, Anderson was the American League ERA champion last season with a 2.45 mark in 202 innings. He also went 16-9, the kind of numbers that usually catch a lot of attention for a guy who was 24 years old last season.

But Viola’s Cy Young Award-winning season didn’t leave a lot of room in the spotlight. With Viola’s trade to the Mets, Anderson has become the Twins’ ace.

The 6-3 victory over the Angels Monday night represented his fifth victory in a row.

“I don’t think of myself as an ace,” he said. “The way I look at it we have 10 aces on this team.”

Coming into Monday’s game, Anderson also had been a pretty good pal of the Angels. In two previous appearances against the Angels this season, he was 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA.

In his career against the Angels, he is 1-5 with a 4.50 ERA.

His last appearance against the Angels, a 9-3 loss, started a five-game losing streak for Anderson which saw his record dip to 9-9.

So the numbers weren’t exactly in his favor as he took the mound Monday. And, looking back at the game, the numbers still don’t look to be too kind.

Anderson gave up 10 hits in 7 2/3 innings. Not exactly mowing them down.

“But that’s his game,” Kelly said.

Anderson’s strength is control. He recorded 83 strikeouts with only 37 walks in 202 innings. Nolan Ryan he’s not.

“He makes people hit the ball. He’s good at keeping teams off balance. He’ll get the ball in play and hopefully we’ll get them out.”

The Twins got to enough balls to limit the Angels to two runs.

“The bottom line is we won this game,” Anderson said.

That puts the Twins’ bottom line at an even 59-59 this season.

Anderson left with two outs in the eighth inning with stiffness in his back.

“I actually felt it as I was warming up,” Anderson said. “But it really didn’t bother me until the eighth.”

Asked to assess his performance, Anderson again deferred to his infielders.

“I don’t consider myself an ace, I just get people to hit the ball and hopefully it’s at someone,” he said. “If it is, our guys will get them out.”