Orlando Cabrera, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel led a powerful attack to lift the Twins past the White Sox 8-6 in a see-saw game on Tuesday night at US Cellular Field in Chicago.
The Twins scored three runs off John Danks in the first inning. After a rare Carlos Gomez walk, Orlando Cabrera hit a two-run homer to left. Hits by Kubel and Cuddyer set up a Delmon Young sac fly to give the Twins a 3-0 lead.
Jeff Manship started for the Twins and lasted only 2 2/3 innings before giving up the lead. After giving up a single run in the first, he really started to struggle in the third. Manship gave up homers to Alex Rios and Gordon Beckham with a Scott Podsednik single sandwiched in between for a 4-3 Sox lead. Batting practice continued with AJ Pierzinski and Paul Konerko hitting hard singles to prompt Ron Gardenhire to make the pitching change to Francisco Liriano. Liriano promptly induced a double play to get the boys back into the dugout and hitting.
Joe Mauer tied the game on a two-out double in the fourth. Michael Cuddyer and Matt Tolbert (!) homered off Danks in the sixth, and the Twins led the rest of the way. Jason Kubel added an insurance run on a homer in the eighth.
The short start forced the Twins to use most of its bullpen. Jesse Crain (7-4) got the win with an inning and a third of spotless pitching. Jose Mijares (25) and Matt Guerrier (31) each got holds despite making it interesting in their innings. And Joe Nathan worked a rare 1-2-3 ninth for his 43rd save in 48 chances.
The win helped the Twins keep pace with the Tigers, who beat the hapless Indians 3-1. The Twins remain 2.5 games back while the White Sox are now 8 back with 11 games to play.
Studs:
4. Jesse Crain: On a night like this, it's nice to see a guy stifle the other guys' bats. He came in in the fifth with runners on second and third and two outs and got out of the inning. He then pitched a clean sixth to bridge the gap to the set-up crew.
3. Michael Cuddyer: Another three-hit night with a double and a homer.
2. Jason Kubel: Two more hits, both for extra bases.
1. Orlando Cabrera: Not only did get the Twins going with his home, his two-out walk helped the Twins tie the game again. And he made several very nice plays in the field. It's safe to say whatever was ailing his arm is gone.
Duds:
Jeff Manship: This has to be his last shot this season to start. The question is, who starts next time around the rotation? Liriano?
John Danks: Giving up seven earned runs to this line-up without two if its best hitters is not good.