Apologies for the late game recap, Late nights caught up with me and I didn't get the time or energy to write this last night.

Through the first few innings it seemed like more of the same from the Twins. They were facing a tough pitcher, John Lackey, and they went down in order for the first 3 innings. At the same time the Angels mounted 4 runs of Kevin Slowey in his second big-league start. Slowey would settle down though, and the Twins bats would come alive.

Slowey pitched smooth 4th and 5th innings and left the game with the opportunity to get the win. Michael Cuddyer provided a 2 run homer in the 4th to cut the lead and half and then Nick Punto, of all people, hit his first homer of the season with Mike Redmond and Jason Kubel on base to put the Twins ahead. Justin Morneau provided a sixth RBI with a single later in that inning.

Not wanting to be shown up by his light hitting counterpart at third, Jason Bartlett put one over the fence to add an insurance run in the ninth inning. It was also his first of the season.

The Twins went on to an 8-5 victory to salvage one game of the series. It was their second straight series loss in what was an unsuccessful 2-4 west coast road trip.

Game Notes

• Punto's previous homer: August 25th, 2006
• Bartlett's previous homer: September 19th, 2006
• Cuddyer hit his 8th of the year and drove his 39th, 40th and 41st RBIs. He was 3 for 4 with a walk.
• Luis Castillo had 3 hits and scored 2 of the Twins' runs.
• Joe Nathan recorded his 13th save of the year.