Twins Take Series Opener, Snap Losing Streak, 7-2

Twins starter, Brian Duensing cruised to his third win tonight against the Oakland Athletics, striking out 7, and walking one in 6 innings. He did give up 2 runs, though only one of them was earned, and it came in the bottom of the second inning on a double from Josh Donaldson that scored Yoenis Cespedes. The other run was because of a few errors from the Minnesota middle infield. Shortstop Pedro Florimon had a throwing error that allowed Coco Crisp to reach first base, then Jamey Carroll missed the throw from Joe Mauer when Crisp was stealing second, which allowed him to take third base as well. He scored on a Josh Reddick ground ball.

But that was it for the Athletics, as Minnesota thoroughly dominated this game. And it all started in the first inning, when the Twins sent eight men to the plate, and two of them came all the way around. Darin Mastroianni and Joe Mauer both singled and Mastroianni scored on a double from Josh Willingham. It took a fielder's choice, Ryan Doumit getting hit by the pitch, and Trevor Plouffe taking a bases loaded walk to get the other run in, but they did it. That's the important part.

The Twins scored again in the next inning when Pedro Florimon got his first of three hits, and promptly stole second. Mastroianni brought him home with a base hit of his own. Then Mastroianni stole second and was brought home when Willingham singled on a ground ball.

The Twins would score twice more in the 4th inning when Mauer singled to right field and brought home Florimon and Ben Revere.

The Twins would tack on their 7th run in the 8th inning when Mastroianni hit a sacrifice fly bring in Florimon.

Brian Duensing worked 6 fantastic innings today, and he handed the game to Casey Fien before the 7th inning. Fien would throw both the 7th and the 8th. Fien didn't allow a base runner, and struck out one batter. Alex Burnett came on to finish the game, and got Chris Carter and Donaldson to both fly out to right, but then walked Derek Norris, and gave up a hit to Adam Rosales. He got out unscathed as Jemile Weeks grounded out to Jamey Carroll to end the game.

Studs and Duds after the jump.

Studs: Joe Mauer, Josh Willingham, Pedro Florimon, who each had 3 hits. Darin Mastroianni and Ben Revere, who each had 2. The pitching staff.

Duds: Ryan Doumit and Jamey Carroll who both went hitless, and Justin Morneau who went 1-5, but was doubled off first base on the back end of an 8-6-3 double play.

Good night everybody!