Johan Santana lost his third game of the season in the dome after coming into the season with almost 2 years without a loss at home. Johan certainly pitched well enough to get a win on most days, but once again the offense failed to support a Minnesota starting pitcher. Santana left the game with a 2-1 deficit. He struggled early and allowed a run in each of the first and second innings, but settled down to pitch well in his next four innings. He threw 50 pitches in the first 2 innings and just 49 in the final four.

The bullpen also struggled on Friday night. Jesse Crain took over a close game in the seventh, but allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk after retiring the first 2 batters he faced. Matt Guerrier allowed a fifth run in the eighth inning when Curtis Granderson tripled to drive in Brandon Inge who Guerrier had walked.

Justin Morneau moved the Twins to within 2 runs with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the eigth, but by then it was too late, and Detroit still hadn’t finished its scoring. Juan Rincon allowed a single to Gary Sheffield in the ninth and a batter later Carlos Guillen homered to put the game out of reach for the Twins. Carlos Guillen single handedly killed the Twins on Friday night. In addition to his homer, he tripled and singled and drove in 4 of Detroit’s 7 runs.

Game Notes

• Jason Kubel made two fantastic catches in left field. He’s looked silly out there at time this year, so maybe this was a sign of him getting a little more comfortable out there. He was 0-4 with 2 K’s after getting two hits in yesterday’s finale against Chicago.
• Lew Ford returned to the active roster and took the place of Josh Rabe who went to the DL with a sore shoulder. Had he not just been recalled, Lew may have gotten the start in left yesterday against lefty Mike Maroth.
• The Twins managed 9 hits off lefty Maroth, but weren’t able to score off him after the first inning.
• Torii Hunter’s hitting streak certainly came to a grinding halt. He’s 0-9 at the plate since the streak ended. Luck is partially to blame since he has hit the ball hard on occasions.
• Jason Tyner was called on to pinch hit for Jeff Cirillo in the ninth inning with 2 on and none out. I’m not sure why either.
• Ron Gardenhire watched the game from his office after having his knee scoped earlier in the day.
• Luis Castillo led the team with 3 hits.
• Justin Morneau hit his 9th homer of the year and also got a rare triple.
• Mike Redmond has hit .429 since Joe Mauer officially went to the DL

The Twins are under .500 for the first time this season and are in danger of losing their fourth straight series. Saturday’s game will be televised nationally on FOX at 2:45 CT