More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

3 months ago: Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer follows through on a solo home run off of Texas Rangers' Scott Feldman in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Joe Mauer hit two home runs on a 3-5 night to drag the Twins kicking and screaming to their first win in days.

Carl Pavano started for the Twins and lasted only four innings, giving up five runs on 99 pitches. Home Plate Umpire Dale Scott didn't do him any favors, calling at least a dozen balls on strikes over the outside corner to right handed batters. Pavano's ball tails, and Scott seemed to give up on it before it broke over the plate and right into Joe Mauer's mitt. Pavano uncharacteristically walked three batters and had several three ball counts on the night. The Ranger's took advantage of the small strike zone to add seven hits to the attack and chase Pavano after four innings.

Newly called up Philip Humber as the fresh arm du jour to come out of the pen early. He pitched a ragged inning and two thirds before turning the  ball over to Jesse Crain. Crain combined with Matt Guerrier and Joe Nathan to shut the door and allow the Twins bats to take over.

Mauer led the attack, but several Twins chipped in. Michael Cuddyer went 3-5 with two doubles. Denard Span, Orlando Cabrera and Delmon Young each hat two hits. One of Young's was a two run homer. The resurgent Young had four RBIs including the game tying hit on a double. His homer was also the game winner after the Rangers added the sixth run off of Humber.

This is the kind of win that can breath some life into a depressed clubhouse. Not only have the Twins been drubbed early and often of late, but they seem to have a new injury every day. A day after Francisco Liriano went on the DL and Justin Morneau had to leave the game wit dizziness, Jason Kubel fouled a ball off his surgically repaired knee, leaving the game. Both players are day to day, as is their fan base, shell shocked from all the carnage and distracted by the local football team's recent signings.

Studs

Joe Mauer His average is up to .384 and he's rapidly catching team leader Morneau in homers.

Delmon Young: This is the Delmon we hoped to get when we made the trade.

Michael Cuddyer: Nice to see him break out of his slump and drive the ball again.

Dud

Dale Scott: Not only did he squeeze the strike zone, he called a ball off of Carlos Gomez wrist a foul ball. After getting hit on the hand in successive pitches only to be down in the count 1-2, Gomez had no chance the rest of the night.