The first game for the Twins in their series against the White Sox started off well with them jumping out in front, but the South Siders blew past the visitors to pick up a 10-6 victory. It was a game some Twins would want to forget, especially starter Nick Blackburn, who picked up the loss.
The Twins drew first blood in the 3rd, starting with Carlos Gomez’s solo shot and then back-to-back RBI doubles by Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Michael Cuddyer would add a solo home run in the 6th, but entering the 9th the Twins found themselves down 10-4, as the Sox looked to shut them down to close out the game. Not if Alexi Casilla had anything to say about it, as he launched a 2 run homer to cut the lead to 4, but alas that would be all.
Blackburn, in his first start since getting nailed in the face, started off alright, but then fell apart in the 5th, where he gave up 5 of his 7 runs and didn’t even record an out. He left the game with two on and Juan Rincon would then come in and give up a 3 run homer to Carlos Quentin. Rincon would give up another homer in the 6th as the Sox hitters battered the Twins pitchers all night long.
This certainly wasn’t the start the Twins wanted to this road trip. This loss is especially hard to take because the team is battling the White Sox for the AL Central lead and these are crucial games in that race. In other news, the Twins wrapped up their 2008 draft with a myriad of selections.
