Milwaukee starter Chris Capuano had been able to shut down Twins’ offenses in the past, but on Saturday night the bats managed 6 runs over 4 innings off Capuano. Normally, those runs would’ve been enough, but Silva struggled through 4 1/3 innings while giving up 7 runs (5 ER). It took the eighth inning collapse of Brewer closer Derrick Turnbow to give the Twins their 9th straight victory.

The Twins offense picked up 17 hits: 12 singles, 4 doubles and a triple. The 3 walks and 2 hit-by-pitches also proved to be valuable for the Twins. The Twins entered the bottom of the 8th down 7-6. Luis Castillo started off the rally with a walk and Nick Punto bunted him over to second. Left-handed sidearmer, Brian Shouse retired Joe Mauer for the second out of the inning. Michael Cuddyer hit a triple to score Castillo and tie the game.

The triple was only the beginning. Morneau was intentionally walked and Turnbow had no conrol after that. Hunter was hit by a pitch and Shannon Stewart drew a walk to put the Twins in the lead. Jason Kubel singled to add 2 insurance runs.

Although Joe Nathan ran into some trouble in the ninth, giving up 2 no-out hits, he did get a double play and a fly-out to pick up his 14th save.

Kubel had some trouble in LF. He lost a flyball in the roof and Hunter was actually given the error after coming over to get it and then bobbling it, allowing a run to score. Kubel was charged with an error in the fifth when a ball bounced over him in left. Lew Ford was put into the game as a defensive replacement in the 9th.

Game Notes

• Joe Mauer was 2-5 to hold his average at .392
• Shannon Stewart was 4-4 with a walk in his return. He had the go-ahead RBI on his bases loaded walk in the 8th.
• Despite a rough night in the field, Jason Kubel was 4-5 with 3 RBIs while batting in the #8 spot.
• Both starters seemed to be affected by the small strike zone of home plate umpire Brian O’Nora.
• The Twins bullpen shined. Willie Eyre, Dennys Reyes, Juan Rincon and Joe Nathan combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

Sunday Sweep?

The pitching matchup on Sunday should welcome a third straight sweep for the Twins. The unhittable Francisco Liriano will take on rooke Zach Jackson, who has just 4 career starts. Jackson is a lefty, but lefties haven’t had the same crippling affect on the Twins as they did in the past.