Jason Varitek Topic Page

Anthony Swarzak put together a decent start, allowing 3 runs through 6 innings, but the offense couldn't get much going against Josh Beckett on Thursday. Jason Varitek's 2 solo homers against Swarzak and a close play on a sacrifice fly in the seventh were enough for Boston to win this one.

Beckett struck out the first 4 batters he faced, before Joe Crede hit his 9th home run of the season. Crede had just returned from missing 3 games with a bruised hand. The Twins ended up with just 5 hits and struck out 10 times on the day.

Much to my surprise, Joe Mauer, took the lead in All-Star balloting for AL Catchers in today's weekly update of the vote totals. He's narrowly edging out Boston's Jason Varitek. It's not the Mauer doesn't deserve to be the starting catcher in the mid-summer classic--he certainly does. It's just that past years have taught us that big market teams (and older veteran players) have a significant advantage in the fan-based voting.

Hitting grand slams has become commonplace for the Twins over the past week. Michael Cuddyer did it last Wednesday and Saturday. Tonight it was Jason Kubel—in dramatic 12th inning fashion. After Jesse Crain gave up the lead in the top of the 12th the Twins entered the bottom of the inning down by 2-1. Joe Mauer struck out to start the inning, but Michael Cuddyer was hit by a pitch to start a 1-out rally. Justin Morneau hit a drive that bounced over the outfield wall for a ground-rule double, preventing Cuddyer from scoring the winning run. Hunter was walked to set up a double play, but Kubel ruined Boston's plans by hitting a game-ending grand slam.