The Twins came into Oakland on Monday having lost 18 of their 25 road games, but now with one game to go in the series, the Twins now find themselves with a 2-1 series lead and things are actually looking ‘up’ for the Twins on the road.
The Twins got another quality start from struggling southpaw Francisco Liriano. Liriano threw six innings for the Twins on 98 pitches. He allowed three runs on five hits but also induced ten ground ball outs opposed to just one flyball out. He was pounding the bottom of the strike zone, which was a great turn of events from his past outings. He reached up to 94 miles per hour with his fastball, a few mph faster than his season average of 91.5. His slider and change-up also experienced a slight raise in velocity. Hopefully it’s a sign of greener pastures for Liriano who’s still trying to work his way back to consistency after missing all of the 2007 with Tommy John surgery.
Down 3-2 in the 8th inning, Jason Kubel pinch hit for Carlos Gomez despite there not being a backup center fielder currently with the team. Kubel delivered a big home run to tie the game up. Michael Cuddyer slid over to center field while Kubel and Delmon Young manned the corners to give the Twins quite possibly the worse defensive outfield (at least in terms of range) in the majors, at least for two innings.
In the ninth, Joe Crede lead off the inning with a triple to center field. Two batters later Young hit a single up the middle to produce the game-winning run. After Mike Redmond moved Young to second, two wild pitches allowed Young to score to give the Twins a 2-run lead. Kubel was then intentionally walked and Brendan Harris gave the Twins a 3-run cushion with a single up the middle, scoring Matt Tolbert from home plate.
Matt Guerrier, who threw only five pitches, got his third win of the season. Joe Nathan also picked up his second consecutive save, giving him 13 on the season.
Today, Nick Blackburn will face 21-year-old Trevor Cahill in an afternoon game. The Twins will then fly to Chicago where they’ll begin a big three-game series against the Cubs on Friday.
Latest Headlines
- Don Mattingly Joins Bob Salomon’s Epic Journey
- Tools Of The Trade: A Chat With Cubs’ Shiraz Rehman
- To The Farm: Addictions And Inspirations
- Our Mantle And Our Hope
- Dodgers Suitors Finding Out A Billion Dollars Isn’t What It Used To Be
- ‘Tex’ Talks Getting On Base, Yanks 2012 and Munson
- Q & A With San Francisco Giants Prospect Justin Fitzgerald
- Bike Spokes and Shoe Boxes – 2011 Topps Bowman Sterling NFL
- Time For Baseball To Truly Embrace Modern Fans
- MLB And Project Prospect Top 100
- Morrow’s Time
- Bike Spokes and Shoe Boxes – 2011 Topps Triple Threads NFL
- Baseball Places 16 in Sports Power 100
- Buehrle Launches Campaign To Repeal Miami Pit Bull Ban
- A Little Bit On The Wild Side With Padres Prospect Cody Decker
In The News
Bike Spokes and Shoe Boxes – 2011 Topps USA Baseball Box Set
Today, BS&SB looks at the 2011 Topps USA Baseball Box Set.
Bike Spokes and Shoe Boxes – 2011 Topps American Pie
After a mid-winter break, BS&SB returns with a look at 2011 Topps American Pie.
Michael Schlact Continues Baseball Career With Blue Crabs, Remains Positive
Pitcher Michael Schlact,26, has re-signed with the Atlantic League Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
Prince Lands A King’s Ransom
The Detroit Tigers replaced injured Victor Martinez with one of the biggest bats in baseball.
Baseball Rep Firm Legacy Sports Group Merges with The Agency Sport Management
Legacy Sports Group (“Legacy”), a leading
[...] Twins beat the A’s last night, 6 to 3. They got great pitching from Francisco Liriano and their relievers as well as very timely hitting [...]