Twins 14, Rangers 2
Coming out of extended breaks, individuals (and teams) can have problems re-starting their engines. It certainly appears that's what's happened to the USS Texas, as the USS Minnesota dropped out of warp just long enough to launch a volley of quantum torpedos. The Texas was destroyed fully, and by the time the camera panned back to the Minnesota, she was already back into warp.
For the second consecutive night, Minnesota pitching stymied the prolific Ranger hitters. Livan Hernandez pitched seven impressive innings, suppressing Texas enough to allow just two runs. But unlike Friday's game, the Twins had earlier success on the offensive side of the ball, stringing together hits in seemingly endless strings. Six position players logged multiple-hit games, making target practice out of both Matt Harrison and Dustin Nippert.
While Livandez's start wasn't impressive, he allowed just five hits and a walk through seven...and that's pretty good. He recorded just a single strikeout, totalling just a pair of them between Minnesota's starting pitchers for the series, but also allowed just two runs on his way to win number 10 on the season.
As impressive as the Twins were in preventing runs on Saturday night, they were even more impressive in their show of offensive magnitude. Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Delmon Young and Brian Buscher jettisoned homers, while Denard Span, Carlos Gomez, Mauer and Morneau tallied doubles. Oh, and Gomez did it twice, making it the first game where he's raised his batting average in 17 days. Including his two doubles, the Twins managed nine extra-base hits in the game.
Young briefly hit .300 on the season, before recording an out in his last plate appearance. But he still managed another multi-hit game, giving him a .393/.407/.554 line in July. While a walk would be nice, you don't need to walk when you're on the cusp of hitting .400.
Saturday's win gives the Twins a 10-4 record thus far in July, and brings them to bear on the USS Chicago (AL). A mere half game out of first place, the Minnesota is moving into attack posture.
Data: Mr. Worf, what is better than beating the Texas Rangers?
Worf: I do not know.
Data: Beating them twice.
Stars of the Game
#3: Delmon Young (3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)
#2: Joe Mauer (2-for-3, BB, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R)
#1: Justin Morneau (2-for-4, BB, HR, 2B, 5 RBI, 2 R)