After sweeping the White Sox during the week, on the road, the Twins further extended their AL Central lead, reduced the Magic Number and looked to be in a good position to clinch the Division very soon. Too bad they had a bit of a let-down at home with a 2-1 series loss to the A's.
They went on huge scoring sprees in Chicago, but only managed seven runs in the entire Oakland series. With a total of 26 runs against the Sox, the Twins scored more than seven runs in each game.
Nice day, flat playSunday's game was about enjoying some good seats, good weather and good company, since the Twins felt a little flat on the field. Their offense didn't come through, with just a smattering of hits. Their only runs came in the sixth inning with solo blasts to left field coming off the bats of Michael Cuddyer and Jim Thome.
Francisco Liriano got his team behind the eight ball early by giving up three runs in the first inning. That's all it took.
You're outta here!
Manager Ron Gardenhire also got tossed yet again, and I think it was for good cause. A ball was hit to left-center field, which I assumed would be caught since it was just out of my sight line. Apparently, the ball was dropped at some point, so that left Twins base runners at first and second.
Then things got complicated. It was a little confusing at the time (being at the stadium and not having the benefit of a television replay and analyzing the situation), but I guess the umpires first ruled a no-catch and then reversed the call to a catch, saying the ball was dropped on the transfer.
The problem was, both runners were out. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me (and to Gardy, obviously), because since it was first not a catch, that meant the runner on first needed to go to second. Instead, when they reversed it, the base runner was doubled off first.
It's really too bad because that play brought some energy into the crowd, and it could have been a start to a good inning. So instead of two runners on and nobody out, there was nobody on and two outs. Kind of a rally killer.
Missed opportunity
The final score ended up 6-2. What was really a shame about the day was that the Twins could have taken a huge advantage with a win. The Rays and Yankees both lost (after Baltimore came back in the bottom of the ninth and then won in extras against NY), and the Twins are chasing them for the best record in baseball.
Later that night, the Tigers finished off a sweep of the White Sox, lowering the Magic Number again down to 4. But let me tell you, the end of that game was not pretty. The Tigers blew a 7-3 lead in the ninth inning with a horrendous job by the bullpen, then won it 9-7 in 11 innings. The Sox left 18 (maybe more?) runners on base throughout the night.
Regulars are injured, giving newbies a chance
The Twins are also a little banged up at the moment. Sunday's lineup included recent call-up Ben Revere replacing Denard Span in center, and Jason Repko was in for Jason Kubel in right. Both Kubel and Span have a couple nagging injuries, but they should be back soon. Nick Punto also returned to the lineup, in for Orlando Hudson at second base.
Joe Mauer will also be out for a few games now with a knee injury that he apparently suffered during the game. I was wondering why Jose Morales was pinch-hitting for him yesterday. Hopefully Mauer will be back soon; I think he's listed as day-to-day.
Of course, Justin Morneau is still out (as he has been since just before the All-Star break), so Cuddyer is still the fill-in at first base. Most don't think Morneau will play again this season, especially since he wouldn't be able to rehab in the minors, with those seasons having concluded already.
Filling the 3B hole
One guy I'm really impressed with lately has been third baseman Danny Valencia. This is a guy that has been in the Twins minor leagues for a few seasons now. It seems like the Twins were always hesitant to bring him up, saying he still needed more work. Well, with home runs on Friday and Saturday, I'd say he should be up here to stay.
I'm hoping he'll be able to fill the third-baseman void that's plagued the Twins ever since the Corey Koskie-era ended. Valencia is hitting very well right now, so I hope he'll be able to transfer his success over to next season.
On tap for the Twins
The Twins take on Cleveland for a three-game series at home this week before heading off to Detroit for the weekend. The White Sox are facing off in Oakland this week. With the Magic Number at 4, it's possible the Twins would be able to clinch at home, with a some help from the A's.
Let's hope they can get it done so their players can rest up for the postseason, while maybe trying to get their hands on home-field advantage as well. This is all a luxury the Twins didn't have a chance at last year, but this time, things are different. It's time to get some wins and plan for October.
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