What looked like a game where the Twins were struggling to score runs turned into a dramatic finish, as a huge 9th inning won it for them 3-1. The heroics came in a most unlikely form for the Twins.
The team had been struggling all game long against Padres ace Jake Peavy. Their only run off him came in the first, when Michael Cuddyer singled home Alexi Casilla. Peavy would shut down the Twins for the rest of his start. With the game tied 1-1, heading into the ninth, the Padres sent out the all time leader in saves in Trevor Hoffman. All the Twins did was get back-to-back home runs with two outs from Brendan Harris and Brian Buscher.
Opposing Peavy was Kevin Slowey and the starter matched Peavy’s start. He didn’t allow a run over 6 innings, while giving up only 4 hits, no walks and striking out 7. The lead Slowey gave the Twins would be no more after Jesse Crain surrendered a run in the 7th. Joe Nathan would shut down the Padres in the 9th for his 20th save of the season.
It’s not everyday you can best the all times saves leader in such a dramatic way. Even more surprising is that the production came via the home run, something the Twins have been struggling to get this season. Their winning streak is now at 7, and with the way things are going, who knows when it will end.
