Unfortunately, the Twins aren’t quite yet in the drivers seat. They’re a half game ahead of the White Sox, but it’s in the win column so the Sox can make that up. Regardless, with the way this week has gone with Francisco Liriano going down for an extended period of time, I’ll take whatever good news I can get.
Monday was that beating. Liriano left after four innings and he’s now on the disabled list. Rookie Zach Miner held the Twins in check and most of the offense came from Joe Mauer’s two run homerun. Final was 9-3.
Brad Radke got the Twins back on track on Tuesday. He gave up two early runs in the second inning but then was awesome the rest of the way. He ended up going seven innings with only the two runs coming across on nine hits. Joe Nathan got into trouble in the ninth but he held on to pick up his 24th save of the season. Joe Mauer led the way again. He went three for five with two RBIs in the 4-2 win
The Twins took the rubber game behind a mortal outing as far as Johan Santana goes. He had a shutout through five innings but then gave up leads in the sixth and seventh inning respectively. Fortunately Justin Morneau had his back and hit a two run homerun in the top of the eighth to make it 4-3. This time Joe Nathan had no problems in the ninth and he picked up his 25th save. Luis Castillo was four for four with a walk, and RBI and a run in the win.
The White Sox and Tigers will now duke it out this weekend. In the meantime, the Twins square off against the Blue Jays beginning today. The Jays have been struggling in the second half so hopefully we’ll be able to catch them while they’re down. Matt Garza will make his major league debut on Friday.
