Scott Diamond came to the plate with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. It's a testament to how startlingly effective he's been that I was somewhat surprised when Diamond, an American League pitcher, struck out.
It was one of a few hiccups for the Twins starter, who still improved his record to 3-0 in the Twins' 11-3 blowout victory over Milwaukee.
The Twins got off to a quick start against Brewers starter Marco Estrada. Denard Span stroked a leadoff double, and after a couple long fly ball outs, Josh Willingham killed a hanging curve to give the Twins an early 2-0 lead.
The Brewers got a run back in the bottom of the inning, ending Diamond's scoreless innings streak at 14. They evened the score in the 4th on back-to-back doubles to start the inning, but were unable to push any more runs across.
Minnesota chased Estrada in 5th, when Diamond (BASEBALL CLICHE COMIN') helped his own cause with a single, Span singled, and, with two outs, the slumping Joe Mauer drilled a ball down by his ankles to left-center for a double, scoring both runners.
The Twins extended their lead the following inning against Brewers reliever Manny Parra. Despite Diamond's strikeout, Span collected his third hit of the game, a two-out, two-run single that ended Parra's night. The Brewers got one back in the bottom of the inning, when Ryan Braun obliterated a Diamond breaking ball to deep, deep center. After a double by Jonathan Lucroy, Diamond's night was done, and Anthony Swarzak came in and snuffed out the rally.
A Justin Morneau sacrifice fly in the 7th made the score 7-3. After a 1-2-3 inning from Swarzak, the recently recalled Ben Revere, pinch-hitting for Swarzak, laced a triple into the right field corner. Span followed that with his fourth hit, a bloop single, and after a solid single from Brian Dozier, Mauer hit his second double of the night to make it 9-3. Willingham struck out, then Morneau collected his second and third RBI with a soft oppo single to left. Alex Burnett and Francisco Liriano closed out the game. 11-3, Twins.
Studs: everyone except for...
Duds: Jamey Carroll and Trevor Plouffe, the only Twins starters to not get a hit. And Liriano, who loaded the bases and kept me from posting this for about 15 minutes longer than it needed to. For god's sake, Frankie.
Superstuds: special recognition is needed for the yard work of Span, Mauer, Willingham and Morneau this evening. 11 hits, 11 RBI, 7 runs.
JESUS DO I MISS GAMES LIKE THIS LET'S HAVE MORE OF THESE OKAY THANKS GUYS.
Enjoy your weekend, everybody.