The 06 Twins got 2 early runs off
Oriole starter Mike Cuellar then relied on Johan Santana and 3 starters
to make it stand up. Both Cuellar (3-4) and Santana (8-1)were pitching
on 3 days rest but both aces were up to the challenge. Cuellar (6IP,
10H, 2R, 2K) gave up 4 singles and an Earl Williams passed ball in the
2nd inning that accounted for all the scoring the Twins would do on the
day. Santana (7IP, 5H, 1R, 4K) was able to make those 2 runs last by
keeping Baltimore hitters off balance all night. Bobby Grich was the
lone bright spot with a double and a Home Run in the 5th
to close the gap to 1 run. Minnesota was able to turn to its dominant
bullpen in the late innings to preserve the 1 run lead. First, Pat
Neshek got a big K of Tommy Davis after allowing a 8th inning lead off
single to Paul Blair. With lefty Boog Powell due up, it was time for
lefty specialist Dennys Reyes to trot in from the pen. Reyes was able
to get Powell to fly out to left for the 2nd out of the inning with
Blair still standing on 1st. With Brooks Robinson due up, it was closer
Joe Nathan's turn. Nathan came in throwing strikes but his defense,
specifically Jason Bartlett at short, did not help as Robinson and Don
Baylor reached base on what should have been inning ending grounders to
short. With the bases loaded and 2 outs, Baltimore turned to pinch
hitter Al Bumbry. Nathan, however, decided to take care of the 3rd
inning himself by mowing down Bumbry and preserving the lead. After
failing to add to the lead, Minnesota turned to Nathan
again in the 9th to close it out. Nathan was up to the task retiring
the Orioles 1-2-3 for his 17th save of the season.
Next
up for Minnesota is another 1 game playoff with 2000 Seattle.
Minnesota will hand the ball to Francisco Liriano (5-2) for this 2nd
straight win or go home ball game.
Thanks
to Mark Nixon for getting the game in quickly. Mark did a great job of
getting his O's team to this play in game. His team struggled out of
the gate and stood at 4-11 after game 1 of our early season series. To
end this season at 25-21 took a tremendous 21-10 run that shows the
managerial skills that Mark clearly possesses.
Pete
06 MIN
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