The temperature started out in the low 40s and by game's end it was into the 30s. The cold, however, didn't stop the Twins from having their best offensive game of the season. The Twins scored two runs early before expanding their lead with five runs in the third inning. A Carlos Gomez 2 run double capped off the inning that also included 5 singles and a walk.

Jason Kubel broke the game open with a grand slam in the sixth inning. That put Kubel in a tie with Justin Morneau as the team leaders in home runs (2). In fact, no other player on the team has a home run yet through the first nine games of the season.

Scott Baker pitched five innings and got taken deep three times (all solo shots). Brian Bass was able to cover the final four innings of the game. Could he be getting stretched out for a spot start?

Speaking of spot starts, Kevin Slowey will not pitch on Sunday. Despite Francisco Liriano's poor start on Tuesday, he's still a likely option to be called up, if needed. However, it's starting to look like the need for a starter might be delayed a few days. With bad weather expected tomorrow afternoon in Chicago, it seems likely that the game will be cancelled, allowing the Twins to push everyone back a day.

Around the division

Congratulations to the Detroit Tigers, who finally found their first win of the season tonight against Boston. They're now 1-7. The current AL Central Standings:

Looking Ahead

Livan Hernandez will pitch for the series victory and his third win of the season tomorrow, provided they can get the game in, against Jose Contreras. Then they'll head to Kansas City to play the first place Royals for the weekend.

If the winter weather we're supposed to get doesn't strand me in the Twin Cities, I am planning to go to Kansas City to take in Saturday night's game. It'll be my first time in Kansas City, so if anyone has suggestions on cool places to go before and after the game, please share!