Metrodome Memories

April 29, 1987 at Exhibtiion Stadium

Blue Jays 8, Twins 1  (12-9)

For the second straight game, the Twins managed only one run against Blue Jays pitching.  That run didn’t come until the eighth inning when Greg Gagne doubled home Tom Brunansky.

Mike Smithson was knocked around for five runs (four earned) on six hits and four walks with two strikeouts.  Keith Atherton was also hit hard and he gave up three unearned runs in his one inning.

April 28, 1987 at Exhibition Stadium

Blue Jays 5, Twins 1  (12-8)

The Blue Jays took it to Frank Viola and the Twins never could get the bats going in their loss to the Blue Jays.  Viola was bounced around for all five runs in five innings of work. Ironically he gave up five hits and walked five as well.  Les Straker and Jeff Reardon kept the Twins in the game with three perfect innings of relief but the Twins couldn’t hit the ball to take advantage of it.

The only run for the Twins came in the fourth inning.  Kent Hrbek hit a solo homerun and he also had two of the Twins’ six hits in the game.

I’m starting to hate Kansas City.  First we lose a series last weekend and now we need an eleven inning pitchers duel to salvage a split in the most recent two game series.

Yesterday was the Twins fourth straight loss and Sidney Ponson had another rocky start. He gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts in six innings and he dropped to 1-3.  The Twins tried to come back but the closest they got is 4-3.  Torii Hunter went two for three with a solo homerun and two runs.  Jason Kubel was hitless but he drove in a run.

Today’s game was one of the kind I love, a 1-0 eleven inning pitchers duel.  Mike Redmond singled home Justin Morneau in the bottom of the eleventh to win it.  He and Jason Kubel were the only Twins with two hits.  It was the pitching that reigned in this one though.  Boof Bonser threw five shutout innings and he struck out seven and Juan Rincon picked up the win with a shutout eleventh inning.

The Tigers come to town for three and this is one of those big early series.  With things being so tight (first and fourth seperated by a game and a half), a series win this weekend would go a long way towards keeping pace with the pack.

April 26, 1987 at the Metrodome

Twins 10, Angels 5  (12-7)

The Twins took it to the Angels with four homeruns.  Gary Gaetti, Kirby Puckett, Steve Lombardozzi and Greg Gagne all hit homeruns while Roy Smalley led the way with three RBIs. 

Bert Blyleven once again failed to secure a decision.  He gave up four runs on eight hits and walk with seven strikeouts in six innings of work.  Three of the eight hits were homeruns.  George Frazier picked up the win with three solid innings of relief pitching.

On Monday, the Tigers and Twins were tied for first.  Now, they’re both tied for third in a crazy, super tight early division race.  And unfortunately, not even Johan Santana was able to get it done as the Indians held the Twins hitters in check.

On Monday, the Twins scored three runs in the seventh to tie the game at 3-3 only to lose it in the twelth.  Alexi Casilla drove in two runs and Torii Hunter hit a solo homerun to account for the three Twins runs in the 7- loss.  Carlos Silva was only okay and he gave up three runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts in five innings.  Jesse Crain took the loss and he gave up the four twelth inning homeruns.

Last night, Johan Santana was touched up for four runs and that ended up being enough in a 5-3 loss.  He gave up six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in seven innings.  Jason Kubel was the hitting star and he went three for four with an RBI.

I’d say a two game set against the Twins is just what they need but we all know what happened last weekend.  This time it’ll be at home though so hopefully the Twins can take care of business.  Sidney Ponson gets the ball in tonight’s game and hopefully he can bounce back from his previous start.

April 25, 1987 at the Metrodome

Twins 8, Angels 7  (11-7)

Greg Gagne helped the Twins snap their three game winning streak with two homeruns today.  He drove in three runs and they were his first two homeruns of the season.  Roy Smalley and Gary Gaetti also went deep for the Twins.

Mike Smithson was chased out of the game in the sixth inning after giving up four runs.  Jeff Reardon ended up picking up the win despite having a poor outing.  He gave up three runs in his two innings of work.

April 24, 1987 at the Metrodome

Angels 8, Twins 1  (10-7)

Mark Portugal was bombed by the Angels.  He gave up six runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks with strikeouts in three innings of work.  Juan Berenguer and Joe Klink also gave up runs in relief of Portugal.

The only run for the Twins came in the seventh inning.  Al Newman drove home Roy Smalley on a ground out to first base.

A trip to Kansas City is usually a good thing but I guess when you have the pitchers that the Twins have, any series can be an adventure.  Things started poorly and ended up poorly and it’s probably a good thing the Twins walked away with one win as they didn’t play all that well this weekend.

On Friday, Sidney Ponson was hammered.  He gave up six runs on ten hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.  The loss drops Ponson to 1-2 on the season.  Michael Cuddyer hit his second homerun of the season and Nick Punto and Joe Mauer drove in two runs in the 11-7 loss.

Saturday was the win with Mike Redmond leading the way at the plate.  He went three for four with three RBIs in the 7-5 wins.  Alexi Casilla finished with two hits and two runs and while Boof Bonser was roughed up in his five innings, the pen did their job.  Pat Neshek picked up the win and both he and Joe Nathan struck out the side in their single innings.

Then yesterday, the Twins couldn’t get the sticks going.  Michael Cuddyer doubled home Joe Mauer for the only run of the game for the Twins and while Ramon Ortiz was effective in seven innings, he took his first loss of the season in the 3-1 loss.

It doesn’t get easier this week because while the Twins head home, the Indians will be there for two.  Carlos Silva will get the start tonight and then Johan throws tomorrow.  I like our chances in both of these games if the pitching does their job.

April 23, 1987 at the Metrodome

Angels 7, Twins 3  (10-6)

The Twins lost despite the Angels making five errors in this game.  While the Twins failed to capitalize on the Angels’ mistakes, the Angels’ hitters took it to Frank Viola and Keith Atherton.  Viola gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk with six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings while Atherton was knocked around for three runs in 1 2/3 innings.

Gary Gaetti accounted for most of the Twins offense with a two run homerun.  Kent Hrbek had two hits and he was caught stealing.

April 22, 1987 at the Metrodome

Mariners 4, Twins 3  (10-5)

Yet another solid start by Bert Blyleven went to waste.  When he left the game in the seventh, the bases were loaded but the Twins still had the lead.  Two runs scored in that inning and Blyleven took the credit.  Then in the eighth, George Frazier gave up the go ahead run and took the loss. Blyleven gave up the three runs on eight hits and a walk in six innings of work.

Al Newman had two hits and two RBIs for the Twins.  Dan Gladden had two hits, a stolen base and an RBI.

April 21, 1987 at the Metrodome

Twins 6, Mariners 1  (10-4)

The Twins continued their solid April with their third straight win.  Tom Brunansky hit a three run homerun in the second inning and the Mariners never came close the rest of the way.  Kent Hrbek and Gary Gaetti each scored two runs in the win.

Rookie Les Straker threw seven shutout innings and he picked up his first career win.  He gave up three hits and three walks with five strikeouts.

April 20, 1987 at the Metrodome

Twins 13, Mariners 5  (9-4)

The Twins ran up the score against the Mariners and for the second straight game, Gary Gaetti hit a three run homerun.  Roy Smalley also went yard while Al Newman and Steve Lombardozzi each scored two runs.

Mike Smithson improved to 3-0 on the season.  He gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk.

I hate these west coast trips so this was pretty encouraging as the Twins rolled into Seattle and won all three games.  The pitching wasn’t as great as I would have liked but you can’t argue with the results.

Tuesday’s game was the funnest with an 11-2 win.  Torii Hunter hit a grand slam and both Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer drove in three a piece.  Ramon Ortiz has to be the surprise of the season and he improved to 3-0 with another solid outing.  He gave up just two runs on eight hits with two strikeouts in seven innings of work.

Yesterday was the first of two one run games.  The Twins scored all of their runs early and they did most of it off of an injured Felix Hernandez.  Justin Morneau drove in two runs and Joe Mauer scored twice in the 5-4 win.  Carlos Silva picked up the win but he gave up three runs in just 6 1/3 innings and Joe Nathan picked up the save before making things interesting and giving up a run.

Tonight, Johan Santana had a solid start but Pat Neshik was shelled for three runs in the ninth to make things interesting.  Johan gave up two runs (just one earned) on four hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in seven innings and that pushed him to a nice 3-1 record.  Mike Redmond and Michael Cuddyer drove in two a piece and Justin Morneau scored twice in the 6-5 win.

The Twins continue their road trip but this weekend it gets a little easier as the Royals play the host.  Sidney Ponson will take on Odalis Perez tomorrow night and I see the biggest problems coming Saturday when Zach Greinke throws.  Still, two out of three should be at least what happens.

April 19, 1987 at Anaheim Stadium

Twins 6, Angels 5  (8-4)

The Twins avoided a sweep at the hands of the Angels with some solid offense for the first time in the series.  Gary Gaetti hit a big three run shot that gave the Twins the lead and despite a late inning flurry by the Angels, the Twins held on to win it.

Kirby Puckett had a solid day at the plate.  He went two for four with an RBI and two runs.  Kent Hrbek also had two hits and he scored a run.

Mark Portugal picked up the win for the Twins.  He gave up three runs on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work.  Jeff Reardon picked up his fourth save despite giving up two ninth inning runs and nearly blowing the game.

April 18, 1987 at Anaheim Stadium

Angels 1, Twins 0  (7-4)

For the second straight game, a good pitching performance by a Twins starter went to waste.  This time it was Frank Viola who was the victim of the Twins hitting woes.  He gave up just one unearned run on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts in eight innings of work.  Viola dropped to 1-1 on the season.

The Twins managed only five hits the entire game, two of which came off the bat of Kent Hrbek.

April 17, 1987 at Anaheim Stadium

Angels 2, Twins 1  (7-3)

Mike Witt completely shut down the Twins lineup as only one run crossed the plate on three hits.  The only Twins run came in the fourth inning when Kirby Puckett drove home Randy Bush on a single.

Bert Blyleven had a nice start that went to waste.  He gave up only two runs on eight hits and three walks with four strikeouts in eight innings of work.

This hurt, because the Tigers were playing a tough Jays team and while those two teams split, the Twins failed to capitalize on it by splitting with the lowly Devil Rays.  In this series, you saw Johan Santana lose, Joe Nathan blow a save and then Sidney Ponson pick up his first win of the season.  You can’t make this stuff up.

Things got off to a good start on Thursday.  Justin Morneau hit a walk off solo homerun to break a 2-2 tie as the Twins won it 3-2.  Carlos Silva threw 6 2/3 shutout innings and Joe Nathan picked up the win with a shutout ninth.  Michael Cuddyer accounted for the other two Twins runs with a two run homer.

Then on Friday, Scott Kazmir actually outdueled Johan Santana.  Johan gave up four runs on six hits and a walk with ten strikeouts in seven innings.  Justin Morneau hit his fourth homerun and Luis Castillo had two hits in the 4-2 loss.

Saturday was a beat down.  Sidney Ponson benefited from all of the offense and he picked up his first win of the season.  Torii Hunter drove in three runs, Jason Tyner scored three times and Luis Rodriguez went yard with a solo shot.  Ponson gave up two runs on eight hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 5 1/3 and that was good enough for the win.

Then yesterday, Joe Nathan gave up two runs in the top of the ninth to break a 4-4 tie as the Twins dropped the finale 6-4.  Boof Bonser gave up four runs in 5 1/3 and Jason Bartlett went three for three with two RBIs.

The Twins hit the road today and they’ll head to Seattle for a three game series against the Mariners.  Ramon Ortiz will take on Jeff Weaver in the opener. 

April 15, 1987 at the Oakland Coliseum

Twins 5, Athletics 2  (7-2)

The Twins continued their hot start and won their third straight series with a nice pitching performance by Mike Smithson.  He improved to 2-0 and he gave up two runs on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings of work.  Jeff Reardon got the Twins out of a jam in the ninth and he picked up his third save of the season.

Kirby Puckett continued his hot start.  He had two hits and two RBIs.  Al Newman had three hits and an RBI while Dan Gladden scored three times.

April 14, 1987 at the Oakland Colliseum

Twins 9, Athletics 8  (6-2)

The Twins outhit the A’s in a game that saw the two teams combine for 17 runs and 24 hits.  Pitching went out the window and the Twins got it done with the bats.  Dan Gladden had three hits and two runs while Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti and Tom Nieto all drove in two runs.

Mark Portugal was bounced in the fourth inning after he gave up four runs but the pen didn’t fare much better.  Keith Atherton ended up with the win and Jeff Reardon picked up the save despite giving up a run in the ninth.

April 13, 1987 at the Oakland Colliseum

Athletics 6, Twins 3  (5-2)

The A’s scored two runs in the seventh and then three in the eighth to top the Twins.  Frank Viola was roughed up in that seventh inning but George Frazier was bombed in the eighth for all three runs and he took the loss.

Kirby Puckett remained red hot and he hit his fifth homerun.  Kent Hrbek drove in two runs while Roy Smalley had two hits.

April 12, 1987 at the Kingdome

Twins 8, Mariners 5  (5-1)

Kirby Puckett led the way for the Twins in their fifth win in their first six games.  He went three for five with his fourth homerun, three RBIs and two runs.  Tim Launder also had a big day in the place of Kent Hrbek.  He homered and drove in two runs.

Bert Blyleven picked up the win for the Twins.  He gave up three runs on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts in six innings of work.  Juan Berenguer finished the game and despite giving up two more runs, he picked up his first save of the season.

It sure is nice to get the Yankees out of town and the way they played, I’m almost happy we just picked up one win considering Johan Santana didn’t get a start.  The first two games were beatdowns but then the Twins got some solid pitching from an unlikely source to pick up the finale.

Sidney Ponson was hammered in the opener.  He gave up eight runs on ten hits in 5 2/3 innings and the offense got just two runs.  Torii Hunter was the hitting star and he went two for three with a run and an RBI in the 8-2 loss.

Tuesday was even worse.   Boof Bonser was hammered for seven runs in 4 1/3 innings and the Twins offense managed just a single run in the 10-1 loss.  Jason Kubel singled home a run and that didn’t even come until the seventh inning.

The Twins got it done in the finale though.  Ramon Ortiz completely shut down the Yankees and held them to a single run on three hits and through eight innings and he’s now 2-0.  Michael Cuddyer had two hits, a run and an RBI in the 5-1 win.

So the Twins sit tied with the Tigers at 5-3 in the Central and Tampa Bay comes to town for a four game series.  Anything less then three wins will be a disappointment this weekend.

April 11, 1987 at the Kingdome

Mariners 6, Twins 5  (4-1)

You can’t win them all.  The Twins lost their first game of the season in a tight game with the Mariners.  Les Straker had a rough start in his major league debut and he lasted only four innings.  Jeff Reardon gave up the game winner in the ninth inning to take the loss after the Twins came back from being three down to tie the game.

Kirby Puckett his his third homerun of the season and Randy Bush also went yard.  Randy Bush scored twice and Puckett finished the game with three hits.

April 10, 1987 at the Kingdome

Twins 8, Mariner 1  (4-0)

The Twins kept up their winning ways on the road with a blowout win over the Mariners.  It was the Twins fourth straight win to open up the season and they won it mostly with the long ball.  Randy Bush homered and drove in three runs while Kirby Puckett and Gary Gaetti both homered and drove in two runs.

Lost in all of the offense was a great start by Mike Smithson. He gave up one unearned run on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts in eight innings.

April 9, 1987 at the Metrodome

Twins 5, Athletics 4  (3-0)

The Twins continued to roll as they swept the A’s in an exciting game.  Down 4-2, the Twins rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to steal the game.  Dan Gladden drove in both the tying run and the game winner with a two run single with the bases loaded.

Kent Hrbek hit his first homeruns of the season with a solo shot in the second inning and Tom Brunansky had three hits, a run and an RBI.  Mark Portugal was hit hard in his start but the pen picked him up.  Juan Berenguer was particularly good with three shutout innings and he picked up the win.

Talk about some crazy weather.  The Indians and Mariners have had to use an off day just to get in two games of a four game set that practically got wiped out.  In Chicago, the series opener with the White Sox was cancelled and the Saturday game may as well have been because the bats didn’t show up.  Michael Cuddyer was the only guy who really did anything and he had two hits including a double.  On top of that, a nice start by Carlos Silva went to waste.  He gave up one run on just five hits in five innings of work.

Then, we have Johan Santana.  Man, having this guy is huge because rarely will the Twins have an extended losing streak.  So before the Twins could lose two in a row, he pitches seven shutout innings in which he gave up just one hit en route to a 2-0 record.  The Twins got just one big hit, but it was a three run shot by Justin Monreau that was more then enough for the win in this one.

So the Twins are 4-1 and they’re a game ahead of the Tigers.  Unfortunately, a pissed off Yankees team is rolling into town and at least for this series, we won’t have Santana.  If the Twins can pull out two wins in this one, I’ll be extremely happy.

April 8, 1987 at the Metrodome

Twins 4, Athletics 1  (2-0)

The Twins made it two straight behind a four hit outing by Frank Viola and the bullpen.  Viola struck out eleven in only six innings and he gave up just one run on five hits and three walks.  Jeff Reardon pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his first save of the season.

Tom Brunansky went yard for the first time this season while Randy Bush scored two runs.  Kent Hrbek drove in a run for the second straight game.

April 7, 1987 at the Metrodome

Twins 5, Athletics 4  (1-0)

The Twins edged the A’s in ten innings on opening day at the Metrodome.  Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek led the way and the pair drove in all five Twins runs.  Hrbek drove in three runs including a walk off RBI single in the tenth inning to win it while Puckett went three for five with a homerun, two RBIs and two runs.

Bert Blyleven pitched eight decent innings but he didn’t pick up a decision.  He gave up four runs on four hits and three walks with six strikeouts in eight innings.  George Frazier picked up the win and held the A’s scoreless in the ninth and tenth innings.

Alright, I know I had some harsh words for Ramon Ortiz and I take them back.  At least today.  He threw seven solid innings in which he gave up just two runs on five hits.  Matt Guerrier pitched two scoreless frames to close things out and just like that, the Twins are 3-0.

Michael Cuddyer led the way for the Twins at the plate.  He went three for three with two RBIs and a run.  Luis Castillo also drove in two while Nick Punto scored twice in the 7-2 win.  It was a nice all around game with plenty of offense and solid pitching.

The Twins have tomorrow off and then Carlos Silva will go in the series opener against the struggling White Sox.  It sure would be nice to bury Chicago since I see them in the mix when it’s all said and done.  Hopefully the Twins enjoy their day off because their still undefeated.

Boof Bonser gave up two runs in third but the Twins stayed in this one and chipped away at the lead before finally winning it late.  Nick Punto scored when Michael Cuddyer grounded into a double play in the fourth and then Luis Castillo singled home Torii Hunter in the fifth to tie the game up.  Then Jason Bartlett came up big in the seventh and he singled home Jason Tyner for the game winner.

Bonser threw six solid innings but he didn’t get the decision.  He gave up the two runs on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts.  Pat Neshnek pitched a shutout seventh and he picked up the win while Joe Nathan pitched a no-hit ninth to pick up his second save.

Ramon Ortiz (I cringe when I type that) goes for the Twins tomorrow in a chance for a sweep.  Jaret Wright gets the start for the Orioles.