Twins 7, Cubs 4: Hit parade sinks Cubs
by Jon Marthaler on Jun 12, 2009 5:18 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
8 comments
Joe Mauer hit a two-run home run, Brendan Harris had three hits, and Kevin Slowey pitched a masterful five innings (plus a wobbly sixth) to get his ninth win of the season, as Minnesota got things started the right way at Wrigley Field with a 7-4 win. Minnesota pounded out 14 hits for the day to only six for Chicago.
Jason Kubel also homered for Minnesota, providing a much-needed insurance run in the ninth inning.
Slowey was the story of the first five innings for the Twins. The righthander allowed just one hit, walked no one, and struck out nine - including twice striking out the side - as the Twins jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Mauer's 13th home run of the year put the Twins in front in the third, and singles from Delmon Young, Nick Punto, and Harris - sandwiched around a GIDP by Slowey - put the Twins up 4-0 in the fourth.
In the sixth, however, the Twins starter ran into his first problems of the game. An infield single and a bleeder through the right side put runners on first and third. Mike Fontenot took a pair of two-strike pitches, either of which could have been strike three - but neither was called, loading the bases with one out. Milton Bradley ripped a pitch off the ivy to score a pair of runs, another came home on a groundout - and while Slowey made it out of the inning, his day was done with the Twins clinging to a one-run lead.
Bradley, however, proved to be the goat in the seventh and eighth for the Cubs. In the seventh, the right fielder lost a fly ball in the sun, which put Twins runners on first and second with none out - and Minnesota was able to bring one runner around to score. In the eighth, Bradley lost track of the number of outs, and tossed the ball into the crowd after the second out of the inning, as another run scored.
Chicago got one back in the bottom of the eighth off a parade of Twins relievers, but Joe Nathan came on in the ninth to get the save.
Today's three stars:
3. Joe Mauer
Another homer, another two hits and three RBI. Joe - never leave us.
2. Brendan Harris
Three singles, including an RBI in the fourth inning - and all out of the leadoff spot. An impressive performance, especially considering that if it wasn't him at the top of the order, it might have been (shudder) Nick Punto. (Who also had two hits. But never mind.)
1. Kevin Slowey
His first five innings, the Cubs couldn't touch him - white jersey after white jersey swung through strike three. The sixth took a bit of the shine off of his start, but overall, another solid start from Slowey.
0 recs |
8 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Great Game
We answered the cubs runs with our own, and that proved to be the difference in the game.
by ianmader on Jun 12, 2009 5:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I expect to see Jason Kubel under "hot" tomorrow.
Maybe even Brendan Harris.
"He didn’t call me or anything. It was an accident, but a lot of people would have called to see how someone is doing after they got hit in the head. Especially if they had to go on the DL." — Morneau on pitcher Ron Villone after an April 2005 beaning.
by Gonzo2 on Jun 12, 2009 6:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What a great game.
I didn’t catch all of it, but I caught the important part….the end. Unlike last night, where I apparently left off as Blackburn was in his windup on what would be the home run.
Nice to see Mauer and Kubel each get into one. I’m liking this home run row thing the Twins have going on.
by Jesse on Jun 12, 2009 7:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Anyone notice they were wearing their
home alternate blues?
I know the pitcher gets to pick what jersey the team wears but I’d think they would have to pick from the road jerseys while on the road.
by caluofmn on Jun 13, 2009 12:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Home alternate jerseys on the road
First time I noticed this was at the one-day Boston away series (their one day in Boston for the whole year due to the rainout and the curious MLB schedule). I haven’t seen them wear the “Minnesota” road alternate jerseys since then, either. It drives me crazy. It’s not like there’s anything wrong with the minnesota road jerseys. Maybe it’s some weird psychological thing to get the twins to try to think they’re really at the dome, to perform better on the road. (Hey, whatever works, right?). Anyway, I’m stoked that someone else finally noticed!
by Mel A. Droyte on Jun 13, 2009 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They did it earier this season too, at Yankee Stadium
I think they’ve replaced the away “MINNESOTA” Blues with the Home Blues.
Which is too bad.
by Neil on Jun 13, 2009 7:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I liked both blue alternates
and I liked that when on the road the jerseys read Minnesota. It would be too bad if the road alternates were gone for good.
by caluofmn on Jun 13, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
