Twins 5, Indians 1: Morneau Homers Again, Duensing Leads Minnesota to Sweep

In what is by far his best performance of the season Brian Duensing turned in six innings of one-run baseball to stymie the Indians, who are 6-11 since the All-Star break. He allowed just five hits, three of which led to Cleveland's lone run in the fourth inning. Duensing struck out just two, and didn't walk a soul.

The Twins answered back after the Indians fired the opening salvo, as Justin Morneau connected on a first-pitch changeup at the letters and driving it into the flower beds in right-center field. It was an incredible display of power, for the second time in the series. This one didn't have the impressive echo off the bat, but he still murdered the ball, and drove in Josh Willingham who had kicked off the frame with a five-pitch walk.

Ben Revere had a big game today, stealing two bases, advancing on a balk, and scoring on a wild pitch by Ubaldo Jimenez. Oh, and he also picked up a pair of hits, including a one-out double in the fifth that was the catalyst for Minnesota's third run of the afternoon...with hat tips to Jimenez for the balk and wild pitch, obviously. His second hit was a one-out single scoring both base runners to give us our final score.

Alex Burnett and Jared Burton pitched 1-2-3 innings in the seventh and eighth, and Glen Perkins worked around a one-out walk in the ninth to retire the next three batters he faced. Alexi Casilla finished off a strong series with another great defensive play, sprinting into the right-center field gap and diving for a spectacular catch in the third. Morneau's three hits and Brian Dozier's pair were also big catalysts today.

On the afternoon the Twins stole five bases; three off Jimenez and Lou Marson, two off Tony Sipp and Marson. Revere's now stolen 24 bags, Dozier's pair gives him eight, and Denard Span stole his 11th.

Great win today boys, and you have to love a sweep! The win today ensures that, no matter what the Royals do this afternoon, the Twins will still be on their own in fourth place in the AL Central at the end of play today.

Studs

Denard Span
Ben Revere
Justin Morneau
Brian Dozier
Brian Duensing
Alex Burnett
Jared Burton
Glen Perkins

Duds

Nobody! It's a sweep!