Last night’s game between the Detroit Tigers finally got back to a level that was bearable to watch, or listen to, as was my case last night. After a stretch of games featuring no clutch hitting, fielding errors and mental mistakes all-around this game was actually well played by both sides. Through the first six innings there was again no sign of Twins’ offense, but that all changed in the seventh and eighth.

Ramon Ortiz had a pretty good start as he allowed just 2 runs through six innings. However, the four walks were the blemish on his outing. Before last night’s game he had allowed just 2 walks through his first four starts of the season. Nate Robertson was shutting down the Twins until the seventh when Justin Morneau managed an opposite field home run in the seventh to break move the Twins within a run.

Jesse Crain allowed a run in the bottom of the inning to give the 2-run lead back to Detroit, and at that point I was feeling pretty discouraged about the outcome. However, in the eighth the Twins bats finally put together a big inning.

It started off with a lead off walk to Jason Bartlett and then Nick Punto singled. That would be the end of Robertson’s night as hard throwing Joel Zumaya came on to face Luis Rodriguez. L-Rod put down a nice sacrifice bunt to put both Bartlett and Punto in scoring position for Mike Redmond. With Magglio Ordonez playing a shallow right to cut off Redmond’s usual bloop single, Redmond instead belted one off the right field wall to tie the game. Michael Cuddyer kept things going with double. Justin Morneau was intentionally walked to load the bases and then Torii Hunter struck out for the second out of the inning.

Joe Mauer, who was off for the night, was called on to pinch hit for Josh Rabe. He came through with a big single to left-center to give the Twins a permanent 5-3 lead and ultimately a victory.

Full Box	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Twins	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	0	5	8	0
Tigers	0	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	3	9	0

Game Notes

• Justin Morneau hit his fifth homer and first since April 13th.
• Despite giving up a run, Jesse Crain was credited with the win.
• Joe Nathan was flawless as he picked up his seventh save of the season
• The Twins swapped placed with Detroit in the standing as they now sit .5 games ahead of them and still 1.5 behind the hot Cleveland Indians who have won 6 straight.

Today it’s Carlos Silva against Justin Verlander. 12:05 start time.

In Rochester

Matt Garza allowed 2 runs through 6 innings in a Rochester loss. The Red Wings committed 3 errors in the game in front of GM Terry Ryan. Certainly not a bad start for Garza. He struck out 6 and walked 1.