Francisco Liriano vs Aaron Sele
06 Minnesota - 8
00 Seattle - 2
WP: Liriano (6-2)
LP: Sele (2-6)
HR: Jay Buhner (13)
Game MVP: Joe Mauer 2-4, 2 2b, 2 RBI
Francisco Liriano had been shifted back and forth from the rotation and the bullpen all season long, but with the stakes as high as they had been all season, he was at his best against a very good Seattle lineup. Liriano (6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 10 K) held the Mariners scoreless until the 7th inning and by that time his offense had backed him with 7 runs. The Twins offense was lead by 3 hits, including a double and triple, by Michael Cuddyer and 2 hit games by Mauer, Nick Punto and Jason Tyner. The scrappy Twins lineup was able to break a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the 5th by putting a 5 spot up on Mariner starter Sele (5 IP, 7 H, 5 R). The key hits in the inning being an RBI single by Justin Morneau and a 2 RBI double by Mauer. The Mariners offense never really got on track but they did show a little life in the 7th thanks to a 2 run bomb by Jay Buhner that chased Liriano from the game. However, the stingy Twins bullpen was able to close out the rest of the game thanks to quality appearances by Dennys Reyes, Pat Neshek and Jesse Crain. KOD save leader Joe Nathan was not needed to close this one out but he did warm up briefly in the 9th in case the potent Mariner offense threatened.
Next up for the Twins will be a best of 5 series against the AL East winner 91 Toronto Blue Jays. The Twins will need a starter other than Santana and Liriano to step up and perform or their playoff run may come to an end.
Congrats to Justin Ryan and his Mariner squad for overcoming an 8-14 start to the season to finish in the playoffs.
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