Twins finish June just 12-15, but solid back-to-back wins wrap the month up on a high note.
Oh, man. Isn't that better? Kevin Slowey looked good this afternoon, striking out four and allowing four hits over six innings. He allowed a leadoff single before picking up a double play, and ended up facing the minimum until Magglio Ordonez singled with two outs in the fourth inning. Miguel Cabrera followed it up with a double into left that gave Detroit a momentary 1-0 lead, but Slowey finished strongly by retiring the final five batters he faced.
Offensively, Justin Morneau was the star today. He kicked off the scoring with a big double in the bottom of the fourth, answering the Tiger run in the top of the inning by plating Orlando Hudson from first. He then kicked off the sixth by waiting back on Andrew Oliver's hanging slider and jacking it into the seats in right field for his 16th home run.
Speaking of Oliver, he avoided trouble and kept the Twins off balance enough (with the exception of the Morneau double) even into the fifth inning...before his own throwing error on a Drew Butera bunt gave the Twins an extra out to work with. It could have been a massive inning, but Delmon Young tried to turn an RBI single into a double and was thrown out.
The win gives the Twins a minimal cusion again tonight, stretching their lead back to a game and a half. Keep an eye on the Royals tonight as they try to take down the White Sox.
- Jim Thome struck out in all three of his plate appearances tonight, after looking good the last two days. This is why he doesn't get more starts: he has trouble catching up to a good fastball, and it can put him behind in counts. He was also susceptible to Oliver's slider today.
- Hitting third, Young went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a strikeout. Not bad for a first go.
- Brian Duensing, Matt Guerrier, Jose Mijares and Jon Rauch combined for three scoreless innings of relief, combining for three hits, two strikeouts and no walks.
- Morneau's two RBI today to Delmon's solo gives Justin the team lead in runs batted in once again, 52 to 51.
- Michael Cuddyer was 2-for-3 with a walk and a double--definitely good to see him have a good game.