The Twins began their Western road trip the right way, with a 5-4 win over the Athletics in Oakland. The Twins jumped ahead by 3 by the top of the fifth, but the A’s responded in the bottom frame with 2 runs. It was a back and forth game as Oakland took the lead before the Twins regained it late.
The offensive star was DH Craig Monroe. He went 3 for 4 with a double and a solo shot in the 7th, while being involved with every run the team scored. He crossed the plate himself twice and drove in the other 3. However, he struck out with runners on the corners and two outs in the 8th to kill that rally. Mike Lamb had a similar line as Monroe, with 3 hits, sans the homer and only 1 RBI. Jason Kubel had the other RBI. The team didn’t execute in certain situations, stranding 7 runners and striking out 10 times, most of which belonged to Carlos Gomez. He struck out 4 times in 4 at bats.
Showing steady veteran presence early on in the season, Livan Hernandez started off well through the first 4 innings, but then struggled in his last two, including surrendering a solo shot to Emil Brown in the 6th. He ended with 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks but managed to strike out 3 As. Juan Rincon and Pat Neshek pitched scoreless innings in relief and Joe Nathan shut it all down in the 9th for his 7th save of the season. Nathan has been automatic so far, and is on pace for about 56 saves.
The Twins continued getting those clutch RBIs, with two of the 5 runs coming with 2 outs. This is very important for the Twins to establish since timely hitting is something that can turn games completely around. More importantly this type of hitting is coming from various players, not just the big swingers. Spreading out the scoring makes the lineup more potent since just about anyone can be counted on to get that critical hit or drive in that needed run.
Finally, something must be said about Hernandez. Though he started the season well, this could perhaps be the start of a downturn of sorts. While over the course of the past few season he has been more or less solid, there are times where he just can’t seem to get it done. While this happens to every pitcher, the Twins need Hernandez to be especially on the ball every time out since he is filling a sort of veteran leader role, propping up the rotation in a way.
