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.
