Jon Garland Topic Page

With the exception of the cruddy weather outside, you can't really ask for a much better opening day if you're the Twins. Livan Hernandez pitched well enough that 3 runs were all the Twins needed to win. He allowed 2 runs on 7 hits and 0 walks through 7 IP. With a pitch count only in the eighties, I was surprised not to see him sent out for the eighth. Perhaps, if the there had been a little more padding on the lead, Gardy would've given him another inning.

The Twins are 2-3 against the White Sox this season and 7-14 within the division. They won't see another division opponent until the end of June, so now would be a good time to win a a fourth straight series. Last season the Twins dominated interleague play and that could very well happen again this year, but most years you need to win within the division and the Twins have a lot of ground to pick up.

The Twins offense had been lackluster in the run department the past few games, but it returned to form against the Orioles on Thursday night. Michael Cuddyer was 4-4 with 4 RBI, Joe Mauer was 3-4 with 4 RBI and Justin Morneau hit his 32nd homer of the season. Torii Hunter also hit his 4th homerun in the last six games to push his season total to 19. It was the 3,4,5 and 6 hitters that provided all of the Twins' 11 RBI in the game—something I wouldn't mind seeing a lot of in the final month of the season.

Friday night's series opener between the Twins and the White Sox was the game that the White Sox were supposed to win. Boof Bonser hadn't shown much all season long and the way of the offense has struggled over the past week and a half, it appeared the Twins would need good pitching to win games. However, Boof pitched just well enough to keep the Twins in the game and the bullpen shut down the White Sox, allowing just one hit—a weak infield chopper— in the final 3 2/3 innings of the game.

The Twins won the first of four games against the White Sox with the help of another great performance by Johan Santana. Johan didn't waste any time ending the no hit bid this time by giving up a leadoff double to Pablo Ozuna in the 1st. However, like his last start against the Tigers, Johan held his opponent scoreless through 6 innings. During that time the Twins offense was strong against struggling White Sox starter Jon Garland.