The Twins won the first game of the series against Houston and extended their season best win streak to 8 games. The win didn't come easy though as Brad Radke was back to his old antics of allowing homeruns. He gave up a solo homer in the first and Lance Berkman hit a 3-run shot in the 3rd to put the Astros up 4-1. The score would remain at that until the 7th inning when the Twins mounted a 3-run rally to tie the game.

Jason Kubel started off the rally with a 1-out single and Jason Bartlett followed up with a single of his own. A Terry Tiffee single and a Luis Castillo ground out brought the score to 4-3 with 2 outs. Finally, Nick Punto doubled to tie the game.

Brad Lidge pitched the ninth for Houston and gave up a single and stolen base to Luis Castillo. Joe Mauer's forceout moved Castillo over to 3rd and a wild pitch allowed him to score the go-ahead run. Joe Nathan wasn't able to save the game though. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th Preston Wilson poked a line drive over the short right field fence along the foul line.

Justin Morneau was the first to bat in the 10th and he came up with another clutch homerun to put the Twins in the lead. Jason Bartlett also doubled with 2 outs, but Gardenhire opted to let Joe Nathan bat rather than pinch hit; Nathan wasn't able to drive in the insurance run. Nathan was, however, able to hold off the Astros in the 10th—in fact, he struck out the side.

Oswalt is arguably the toughest pitcher the Twins will face in this three game series (they face Clemens on Thursday), so this was a huge victory. Detroit took down Milwaukee 10-1 and Chicago is currently mopping the floor with St. Louis. In the 8th the White Sox are up 20-2 on the Cardinals. It looks like another day will go by without the Twins gaining any ground on the two teams in front of them.

Game Notes

• Nathan blew his first save of the year, but he now has a 5-0 record.
• Jesse Crain pitched 1 2/3 of perfect baseball in relief of Radke. He's been perfect in his past two outings (3 2/3 innings).
• Bartlett reached base 4 times with 2 singles, a double and a walk. He's batting .455 in his 22 AB since being called up last week.
• Morneau picked up his 17th homer and 57th RBI as he continued to be Mr. Clutch.
• Michael Cuddyer's only hit was a 2nd inning solo homerun.
• Kubel was 2-4 with a run scored in the 7th inning.

Next Game

Carlos Silva will try to keep the momentum going after a good start against Boston last week. He pitched 6 scoreless innings before leaving with a tight hammy. He will face off against Wandy Rodriguez (say that 10 time fast) who allowed 4 runs against Kansas City in his last start. If Silva can improve on his groundball ratio, then I like our chances.