The Pittsburgh Pirates turned the tables on the Twins Wednesday night. One night after they lost 8-2, they beat the Twins by the same score. 5 of their 8 runs came by way of the homerun. For a team that entered the game tied for last in baseball in home runs (37), getting 3 in one night is an unusual accomplishment.

Francisco Liriano allowed 2 of the home runs and took his eighth loss of the season. However, there were some encouraging signs from the start. Liriano had allowed 34 walks in his 13 previous starts this season, which is above his career average. On Tuesday he allowed just 1 walk and didn't get deep into counts with as many hitters. In fact, he was able to get through 7 innings of pitching for just the 3rd time all season, and first time sine May 4th.

Liriano never seemed to be in much of a jam. Both home runs just happened to come when a runner was on base.

Sean Henn let the game get away by allowing 3 runs in the 8th inning. He walked a batter, gave up a home run and then walked another batter before Luis Ayala was called upon to complete the game. Ayala allowed the inherited runner to score.

Game Notes

• Joe Mauer was 1-4 with a double and a walk. His average sits at .425.
• Michael Cuddyer had 2 hits, including a triple, and 2 walks.
• Joe Crede drove in both Twins runs with a double in the 3rd inning.

The Twins and Pirates will close out the series at 12:10 today at the Metrodome. Nick Blackburn (5-2, 3.31 ERA) will face off against Zach Duke (7-4, 3.10 ERA).