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Kevin Correia turned in his strongest start of the season this afternoon by striking out seven and allowing five hits across seven innings, surrendering a single unearned run. Easy targets Adam Dunn and Tyler Flowers each struck out twice, helping Correia lower his season ERA by a quarter of a run. All seven strikeouts came in the first four and a third innings, with a couple coming on a cut fastball and everything else on off-speed offerings. Not one came on a straight fastball.
Brian Dozier opened up the scoring with a three-run blast in the top of the fifth, and Joe Mauer followed two batters later with a two-run shot to provide Correia with the offensive support he'd need. With 11 homers on the year, Dozier is now tied with Josh Willingham for second on the club.
Adam Dunn and Conor Gillaspie each put up solo shots against Casey Fien in the bottom of the ninth, but Fien was able to close the door and secure the win for king and country. Minnesota takes three of four from the White Sox in Chicago, further cementing the fact that two terrible teams can still find solace in beating each other.
ROLL CALL!
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- In was announced after the game that Jamey Carroll has been traded to the Royals for a PTBNL or cash. In his Twins finale today, he was 1-for-4.
- Oswaldo Arcia was 6-for-19 in the four game series, including three home runs.
- Josh Willingham struggled in his return from the disabled list this weekend, collecting just two hits and a pair of walks in 19 plate appearances. The second game of the Friday double-header was fun though, when he hit that home run and drew both walks.
- It's a good thing Dozier and Mauer hit their balls over the fence, because the team once again struggled by going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
- Jared Buton's ERA is down to an even 3.00 after a clean inning with a pair of strikeouts.
- Casey Fien did allow a pair of meaningless solo bombs, but he also struck out the side.
- Avisail Garcia picked up his first career stole base today. Garcia is one of the better pieces the Sox picked up in return for Jake Peavy.
Brian Dozier
Joe Mauer