Blue Jays come back on Rauch and Twins

John McDonald hit a rare three-run homer to cap a six-run raly by the Toronoto Blue Jays, sending the Minnesota Twins to a 6-3 defeat.

Twins starter Brian Duensing pitched five strong innings but ran into trouble in the sixth, leaving with the bases loaded and a 3-0 lead. Jon Rauch relieved him and let all the runners he inherited from Duensing score plus three of his own to give the Blue Jays what would be an insurmountable lead.

Denard Span had two doubles. Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel added doubles to give the Twins their 3-0 lead. But the bats were silenced the rest of the way. Joe Mauer had the night off, which might have had something to do with it.

There's not a whole lot more to tell about this game. Mike Redmond started in Mauer's absence and went 0-3 while catching a decent game. Everybody besides Redmond got on base at least once. But aside from a single run in the first and two runs in the third, the Twins didn't bunch their base runners together. Both Jose Morales and Mauer pinch hit in the ninth without success.

Bobby Keppel and Jose Mijares pitched scoreless frames. But it was too little too late as Rauch blew the game in the sixth against the lightest hitting line-up the Twins have faced all year.

Studs:

3. Denard Span: In addition to his two doubles, he made a nice catch in center. However, he got picked off third in the first inning to cost the Twins at least one more run.

2. Justin Morneau: Justin is taking more pitches and putting a better swing on the ball.

1. Jason Kubel: Last week's AL Player of the Week kept up his hot hitting with a double and two RBIs.

Dud:

Jon Rauch: Not much good to say about his night. Most of the damage was from the bottom of the order that features three hitters flirting with the Mendozza line.