GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: MINNESOTA (27-25) at OAKLAND (26-26)

AL: MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
OAKLAND 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

10 R H E
-- - - -
MINNESOTA 2 3 9 0
OAKLAND 1 6 1 (BOT 10)

CURRENT PITCHERS: MIN - PAT NESHEK
OAK - COLBY LEWIS

DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: T BUCK (.256, 0-FOR-4)
N SWISHER (.305, 1-FOR-3, BB)
M BRADLEY (.305, 2-FOR-4)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (3) VS OAKLAND (1) - MID 10TH - IN PROGRESS

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
L Castillo 2b 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 .333
J Cirillo dh 3 0 1 2 1 0 1 .231
J Tyner pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .264
M Cuddyer rf 3 0 1 0 2 0 1 .303
J Morneau 1b 4 0 0 0 1 0 4 .288
T Hunter cf 4 0 1 0 1 0 1 .316
M Redmond c 5 0 2 1 0 0 2 .323
L Ford lf 5 0 1 0 0 0 5 .186
N Punto 3b 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .237
J Bartlett ss 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .243

Totals 35 3 9 3 6 1 16

BATTING: 2B - L Castillo (4, K Calero). S - L Castillo. SF - J Cirillo. RBI - J
Cirillo 2 (10), M Redmond (17). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J
Morneau 2. GIDP - M Cuddyer, L Ford. Team LOB - 10.


OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
T Buck lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .256
N Swisher 1b 3 0 1 0 1 1 1 .305
M Bradley rf 4 0 2 0 0 0 1 .305
D Johnson dh 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .308
E Chavez 3b 4 1 2 1 0 0 4 .234
B Crosby ss 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .253
M Kotsay cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .250
M Scutaro 2b 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 .235
J Kendall c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .186

Totals 32 1 6 1 3 5 13

BATTING: 2B - M Bradley (4, K Slowey). HR - E Chavez (7, 6th inning off K
Slowey 0 on, 1 Out). S - J Kendall. RBI - E Chavez (25). Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - E Chavez 1, B Crosby 2, N Swisher 1, T Buck 1. Team
LOB - 8.

FIELDING: E - J Kennedy (2, catch). DP: 2 (E Chavez-M Scutaro-N Swisher, E
Chavez-J Kendall-N Swisher).


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 001 000 000 2 -- 3
OAKLAND - 000 001 000 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
K Slowey 6 5 1 1 2 3 1 1.50
J Rincon 1 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 2.70
C Cali 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
P Neshek 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.33

OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era
J Kennedy 8 6 1 1 4 1 0 3.30
A Embree 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.18
K Calero 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 6.75
J Marshall 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 5.48
C Lewis 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 13.50

K Calero pitched to 3 batters in the 10th.

IBB - T Hunter (by J Marshall). Pitches-strikes: K Slowey 99-66; J Rincon
22-10; C Cali 7-5; P Neshek 18-12; J Kennedy 110-64; A Embree 13-7; K Calero
20-14; J Marshall 6-2; C Lewis 7-5. Ground balls-fly balls: K Slowey 7-8; J
Rincon 2-2; C Cali 1-0; P Neshek 1-1; J Kennedy 13-10; A Embree 1-2; K Calero
0-0; J Marshall 1-0; C Lewis 2-0. Batters faced: K Slowey 25; J Rincon 5; C
Cali 2; P Neshek 4; J Kennedy 33; A Embree 3; K Calero 3; J Marshall 2; C Lewis
2.

UMPIRES: HP--Bill Miller. 1B--Marvin Hudson. 2B--Mike Muchlinski. 3B--Ed
Montague.

Weather: 59 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 14 mph, out to left.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - PITCHING CHANGE
MIN: JOE NATHAN (2-1, 1.85) IN THE 10TH
SITUATION: NO RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 3, OAKLAND 1

DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: T BUCK (.256, 0-FOR-4)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Nathan relieved P Neshek.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 3
OAKLAND 1 BOTTOM, 10TH

DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: T Buck (.256, 0-FOR-4)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - SCORING UPDATE
SACRIFICE FLY BY DAN JOHNSON SCORED TRAVIS BUCK.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M BRADLEY ON FIRST, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 3
OAKLAND 2 BOTTOM, 10TH

DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: E CHAVEZ (.234, 2-FOR-4, HR, RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">AL FINAL 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
OAKLAND 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

10 R H E
-- - - -
MINNESOTA 2 3 9 0
OAKLAND 1 2 7 1 (FINAL 10)

BATTERIES: MIN - KEVIN SLOWEY, JUAN RINCON (7TH), CARMEN CALI (8TH), PAT NESHEK
(8TH), JOE NATHAN (10TH) AND MIKE REDMOND

OAK - JOE KENNEDY, ALAN EMBREE (9TH), KIKO CALERO
(10TH), JAY MARSHALL (10TH), COLBY LEWIS (10TH) AND JASON
KENDALL

HOME RUNS: MIN - NONE

OAK - ERIC CHAVEZ (7) OFF KEVIN SLOWEY IN THE 6TH, 0 ON</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">AL FINAL 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
OAKLAND 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

10 R H E
-- - - -
MINNESOTA 2 3 9 0
OAKLAND 1 2 7 1 (FINAL 10)

BATTERIES: MIN - KEVIN SLOWEY, JUAN RINCON (7TH), CARMEN CALI (8TH), PAT NESHEK
(8TH), JOE NATHAN (10TH) AND MIKE REDMOND

OAK - JOE KENNEDY, ALAN EMBREE (9TH), KIKO CALERO
(10TH), JAY MARSHALL (10TH), COLBY LEWIS (10TH) AND JASON
KENDALL


WP - PAT NESHEK (3-0)
LP - KIKO CALERO (0-4)
SAVE - JOE NATHAN (12)

HOME RUNS: MIN - NONE

OAK - ERIC CHAVEZ (7) OFF KEVIN SLOWEY IN THE 6TH, 0 ON


TIME: 3:16 ATT: 20,219

PROBABLES: MIN - CARLOS SILVA (3-5, 4.22)
OAK - JOE BLANTON (4-3, 4.28)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (3) VS OAKLAND (2) - FINAL IN 10 INNINGS

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
L Castillo 2b 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 .333
J Cirillo dh 3 0 1 2 1 0 1 .231
J Tyner pr-dh 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .264
M Cuddyer rf 3 0 1 0 2 0 1 .303
J Morneau 1b 4 0 0 0 1 0 4 .288
T Hunter cf 4 0 1 0 1 0 1 .316
M Redmond c 5 0 2 1 0 0 2 .323
L Ford lf 5 0 1 0 0 0 5 .186
N Punto 3b 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .237
J Bartlett ss 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .243

Totals 35 3 9 3 6 1 16

BATTING: 2B - L Castillo (4, K Calero). S - L Castillo. SF - J Cirillo. RBI - J
Cirillo 2 (10), M Redmond (17). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J
Morneau 2. GIDP - M Cuddyer, L Ford. Team LOB - 10.


OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
T Buck lf 4 1 0 0 1 1 2 .256
N Swisher 1b 4 0 1 0 1 1 1 .304
M Bradley rf 5 0 3 0 0 0 1 .317
D Johnson dh 3 0 0 1 1 0 1 .308
E Chavez 3b 4 1 2 1 1 0 4 .234
B Crosby ss 5 0 0 0 0 2 6 .251
M Kotsay cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .250
M Scutaro 2b 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 .235
J Kendall c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .186

Totals 35 2 7 2 5 6 16

BATTING: 2B - M Bradley (4, K Slowey). HR - E Chavez (7, 6th inning off K
Slowey 0 on, 1 Out). S - J Kendall. SF - D Johnson. RBI - E Chavez (25), D
Johnson (22). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - E Chavez 1, B Crosby 3,
N Swisher 1, T Buck 1. Team LOB - 10.

BASERUNNING: SB - M Bradley (2, 2nd base off J Nathan/M Redmond).

FIELDING: E - J Kennedy (2, catch). DP: 2 (E Chavez-M Scutaro-N Swisher, E
Chavez-J Kendall-N Swisher).


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 001 000 000 2 -- 3
OAKLAND - 000 001 000 1 -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
K Slowey 6 5 1 1 2 3 1 1.50
J Rincon 1 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 2.70
C Cali 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
P Neshek (W, 3-0) 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.33
J Nathan (S, 12) 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 2.13

OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era
J Kennedy 8 6 1 1 4 1 0 3.30
A Embree 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.18
K Calero (L, 0-4) 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 6.75
J Marshall 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 5.48
C Lewis 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 13.50

K Calero pitched to 3 batters in the 10th.

IBB - T Hunter (by J Marshall). Pitches-strikes: K Slowey 99-66; J Rincon
22-10; C Cali 7-5; P Neshek 18-12; J Nathan 27-15; J Kennedy 110-64; A Embree
13-7; K Calero 20-14; J Marshall 6-2; C Lewis 7-5. Ground balls-fly balls: K
Slowey 7-8; J Rincon 2-2; C Cali 1-0; P Neshek 1-1; J Nathan 1-1; J Kennedy
13-10; A Embree 1-2; K Calero 0-0; J Marshall 1-0; C Lewis 2-0. Batters faced:
K Slowey 25; J Rincon 5; C Cali 2; P Neshek 4; J Nathan 6; J Kennedy 33; A
Embree 3; K Calero 3; J Marshall 2; C Lewis 2.

UMPIRES: HP--Bill Miller. 1B--Marvin Hudson. 2B--Mike Muchlinski. 3B--Ed
Montague.

T--3:16. Att--20,219.
Weather: 59 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 14 mph, out
to left.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
MINNESOTA 3
OAKLAND 2 FINAL</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (3) AT OAKLAND (2) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MINNESOTA 3RD: N Punto reached on bunt single to pitcher. N Punto safe at
second on error by pitcher J Kennedy. J Bartlett walked. L Castillo sacrificed
to catcher, N Punto to third, J Bartlett to second. J Cirillo hit sacrifice
fly to center, N Punto scored. M Cuddyer reached on infield single to
shortstop, J Bartlett to third. J Morneau fouled out to catcher. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 6TH: D Johnson flied out to left. E Chavez homered to left.
B Crosby flied out to right. M Kotsay fouled out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 1.

MINNESOTA 10TH: K Calero relieved A Embree. L Castillo doubled to left.
J Cirillo singled to center, L Castillo scored. J Tyner ran for J Cirillo.
M Cuddyer walked, J Tyner to second. J Marshall relieved K Calero. J Morneau
grounded out to shortstop, J Tyner to third, M Cuddyer to second. T Hunter
intentionally walked. C Lewis relieved J Marshall. M Redmond singled to left,
J Tyner scored, M Cuddyer to third, T Hunter to second. L Ford grounded into
double play, third to catcher to first, M Cuddyer out at home.(2 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, OAKLAND 1.

OAKLAND 10TH: J Nathan relieved P Neshek. T Buck walked. N Swisher
grounded out to second, T Buck to second. M Bradley singled to right, T Buck
to third. D Johnson hit sacrifice fly to right, T Buck scored. M Bradley
stole second. E Chavez walked. B Crosby struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, OAKLAND 2.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (3) AT OAKLAND (2) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Minnesota Starting Lineups -- L Castillo 2B, J Cirillo DH, M Cuddyer RF,
J Morneau 1B, T Hunter CF, M Redmond C, L Ford LF, N Punto 3B, J Bartlett SS,
K Slowey RHP.

Oakland Starting Lineups -- T Buck LF, N Swisher 1B, M Bradley RF, D Johnson DH,
E Chavez 3B, B Crosby SS, M Kotsay CF, M Scutaro 2B, J Kendall C, J Kennedy LHP.

Umpires -- Bill Miller (HP), Marvin Hudson (1B), Mike Muchlinski (2B),
Ed Montague (3B).

Gametime Weather: 59 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind out to left at 14 mph.


MINNESOTA 1ST: L Castillo grounded out to shortstop. J Cirillo walked.
M Cuddyer grounded into double play, third to second to first, J Cirillo out at
second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 1ST: T Buck struck out looking. N Swisher singled to right.
M Bradley singled to deep center, N Swisher to third. D Johnson walked,
M Bradley to second. E Chavez fouled out to catcher. B Crosby grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, D Johnson out at second. (0 Runs, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, OAKLAND 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau walked. T Hunter flied out to right. M Redmond
flied out to center. L Ford flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 2ND: M Kotsay singled to left. M Scutaro struck out looking.
J Kendall grounded out to second, M Kotsay to second. T Buck flied out to
center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, OAKLAND 0.

MINNESOTA 3RD: N Punto reached on bunt single to pitcher. N Punto safe at
second on error by pitcher J Kennedy. J Bartlett walked. L Castillo sacrificed
to catcher, N Punto to third, J Bartlett to second. J Cirillo hit sacrifice
fly to center, N Punto scored. M Cuddyer reached on infield single to
shortstop, J Bartlett to third. J Morneau fouled out to catcher. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 3RD: N Swisher struck out swinging. M Bradley doubled to left.
D Johnson grounded out to pitcher, M Bradley to third. E Chavez popped out to
third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 0.

MINNESOTA 4TH: T Hunter flied out to right. M Redmond reached on infield
single to second. L Ford flied out to center. N Punto flied out to left.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 4TH: B Crosby grounded out to shortstop. M Kotsay grounded out to
shortstop. M Scutaro flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 0.

MINNESOTA 5TH: J Bartlett singled to center. L Castillo grounded out to
first, J Bartlett to second. J Cirillo grounded out to second, J Bartlett to
third. M Cuddyer walked. J Morneau grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 5TH: J Kendall grounded out to third. T Buck lined out to
shortstop. N Swisher walked. M Bradley grounded out to first. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 0.

MINNESOTA 6TH: T Hunter grounded out to shortstop. M Redmond grounded out
to third. L Ford singled to shallow right center. N Punto grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, L Ford out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 6TH: D Johnson flied out to left. E Chavez homered to left.
B Crosby flied out to right. M Kotsay fouled out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 1.

MINNESOTA 7TH: J Bartlett grounded out to third. L Castillo struck out
looking. J Cirillo popped out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
OAKLAND 1.

OAKLAND 7TH: J Rincon relieved K Slowey. M Scutaro walked. J Kendall
sacrificed to pitcher, M Scutaro to second. T Buck fouled out to third.
N Swisher flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 1.

MINNESOTA 8TH: M Cuddyer grounded out to shortstop. J Morneau grounded out
to second. T Hunter singled to center. M Redmond flied out to center.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 1.

OAKLAND 8TH: M Bradley grounded out to second. C Cali relieved J Rincon.
D Johnson grounded out to catcher. E Chavez singled to left. P Neshek relieved
C Cali. B Crosby struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
OAKLAND 1.

MINNESOTA 9TH: A Embree relieved J Kennedy. L Ford lined out to shortstop.
N Punto grounded out to second. J Bartlett flied out to center. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, OAKLAND 1.

OAKLAND 9TH: M Kotsay struck out swinging. M Scutaro popped out to third.
J Kendall grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
OAKLAND 1.

MINNESOTA 10TH: K Calero relieved A Embree. L Castillo doubled to left.
J Cirillo singled to center, L Castillo scored. J Tyner ran for J Cirillo.
M Cuddyer walked, J Tyner to second. J Marshall relieved K Calero. J Morneau
grounded out to shortstop, J Tyner to third, M Cuddyer to second. T Hunter
intentionally walked. C Lewis relieved J Marshall. M Redmond singled to left,
J Tyner scored, M Cuddyer to third, T Hunter to second. L Ford grounded into
double play, third to catcher to first, M Cuddyer out at home.(2 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, OAKLAND 1.

OAKLAND 10TH: J Nathan relieved P Neshek. T Buck walked. N Swisher
grounded out to second, T Buck to second. M Bradley singled to right, T Buck
to third. D Johnson hit sacrifice fly to right, T Buck scored. M Bradley
stole second. E Chavez walked. B Crosby struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, OAKLAND 2.</div>

 

Cirillo leads Twins past Athletics in extra innings

<h3>MINNESOTA 3, OAKLAND 2 (10 INNINGS)</h3>OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Jeff Cirillo and the MinnesotaTwins eked out a little revenge against the Oakland Athletics.

Cirillo drove in two runs, including the game-winning hit in thetop of the 10th inning, as the Twins defeated the Athletics,3-2, on Friday.

Minnesota was swept by Oakland in the American League DivisionSeries last season and lost three of four here in 2006.

Luis Castillo started the rally with a leadoff double offreliever Kiko Calero (0-4). Cirillo then reached out and hit anoff-speed pitch just over the head of shortstop Bobby Crosby to<div class="pre">drive in Castillo to make it 2-1. Pinch runner Jason Tyner</div>moved to second on a walk by Michael Cuddyer.

After Jay Marshall relieved Calero and both runners moved up onebase on a groundout, Torii Hunter was intentionally walkedbefore Colby Lewis came on to replace Marshall. Mike Redmondthen singled to left to score Tyner to give Minnesota a 3-1advantage

In the bottom of the 10th, Twins closer Joe Nathan surrendered asacrifice fly to Dan Johnson, but with runners on first andsecond and two outs, he struck out Crosby to earn his 12th savein 13 opportunities.

Pat Neshek (3-0), the fourth Twins pitcher, tossed 1 1/3 inningsto get the victory. Relievers Juan Rincon and Carmen Cali werealso effective for the Twins, who are 10-3 in their last 13games.

Minnesota scored first in the third inning when Nick Punto hitan infield single and went to second on a throwing error by A'sstarter Joe Kennedy. After Jason Bartlett walked and bothrunners advanced on a sacrifice by Luis Castillo, Cirillo lofteda fly ball to center field to plate Punto for a 1-0 lead.

Oakland, however, tied it in the sixth when Eric Chavez belted a1-2 pitch from rookie Kevin Slowey over the left-center fieldwall to knot it at 1-1.

<div class="pre">That was the last inning for Slowey, who was making his major</div>league debut. The righthander yielded a run, five hits and twowalks in six innings.

Slowey, who struck out three and was a 2005 second-round pick bythe Twins, was 6-2 with a 1.54 ERA with three complete games innine starts for Class AAA Rochester.

Kennedy was also effective, allowing a run, six hits and fourwalks in eight innings. It was a much better effort for thelefthander than his last start, when he was tagged for sevenruns and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings in an 8-3 loss to Baltimorelast Saturday.

Oakland (26-27) fell one game under .500.

 

Cirillo leads Twins past Athletics in extra innings

<h3>MINNESOTA 3, OAKLAND 2 (10 INNINGS)</h3>OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Jeff Cirillo and the MinnesotaTwins eked out a little revenge against the Oakland Athletics.

Cirillo drove in two runs, including the game-winning hit in thetop of the 10th inning, as the Twins defeated the Athletics,3-2, on Friday.

Minnesota was swept by Oakland in the American League DivisionSeries last season and lost three of four here in 2006.

Luis Castillo started the rally with a leadoff double offreliever Kiko Calero (0-4). Cirillo then reached out and hit anoff-speed pitch just over the head of shortstop Bobby Crosby todrive in Castillo to make it 2-1.

"Cirillo was able to put the bat on it and flip it about an inchover the shortstop's glove," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said."Castillo got a good read on it and got a good break, and wasjust flying. A veteran knows when he's going to able to scoreand he did."

Pinch runner Jason Tyner moved to second on a walk by MichaelCuddyer. After Jay Marshall relieved Calero and both runnersmoved up one base on a groundout, Torii Hunter was intentionallywalked before Colby Lewis came on to replace Marshall. MikeRedmond then singled to left to score Tyner to give Minnesota a3-1 advantage

In the bottom of the 10th, Twins closer Joe Nathan surrendered asacrifice fly to Dan Johnson, but with runners on first andsecond and two outs, he struck out Crosby to earn his 12th savein 13 opportunities.

"It was a very exciting baseball game," Gardenhire said. "Itwas well pitched on both sides. Every game we play here seemsto come down to the wire. We were able to get a couple of latehits, had some big at-bats and battled. It was another closegame and a big win for our ballclub."

Pat Neshek (3-0), the fourth Twins pitcher, tossed 1 1/3 inningsto get the victory. Relievers Juan Rincon and Carmen Cali werealso effective for the Twins, who are 10-3 in their last 13games.

Minnesota scored first in the third inning when Nick Punto hitan infield single and went to second on a throwing error by A'sstarter Joe Kennedy. After Jason Bartlett walked and bothrunners advanced on a sacrifice by Luis Castillo, Cirillo lofteda fly ball to center field to plate Punto for a 1-0 lead.

Oakland, however, tied it in the sixth when Eric Chavez belted a1-2 pitch from rookie Kevin Slowey over the left-center fieldwall to knot it at 1-1.

"Chavez is a great hitter," Slowey said. "He's hit a lot ofhome runs off a lot of people. It was a good pitch that gotjust a little too much of the plate. He did what great hittersdo and hit it 400 feet over the left field fence."

<div class="pre">That was the last inning for Slowey, who was making his major</div>league debut. The righthander yielded a run, five hits and twowalks in six innings.

"Any time you get to catch a guy's major league debut it'sspecial," Twins catcher Redmond said. "You want it to besomething he'll never forget. There's always that extra littlepressure from me to help him have a good day and he went out anddid a great job."

Slowey, who struck out three and was a 2005 second-round pick bythe Twins, was 6-2 with a 1.54 ERA with three complete games innine starts for Class AAA Rochester.

"It was pretty amazing," Slowey said. "I got here today, walkedaround and just tried to take it all in and have that 'Oh mygosh' moment before the game started. It was a great feeling."

Kennedy was also effective, allowing a run, six hits and fourwalks in eight innings.

"Joe Kennedy, I thought he did a fine job taking us that deepinto the game," Athletics manager Bob Geren said. "It was hishighest pitch count (110) of the season and he gave us a chanceto win. He certainly pitched well enough to get the wintonight."

It was a much better effort for the lefthander than his laststart, when he was tagged for seven runs and eight hits in 4 1/3innings in an 8-3 loss to Baltimore last Saturday.

"To bounce back like I did today keeps the confidence up,"Kennedy said. "Hopefully I can keep going and keep pitching theway I'm pitching. I just have to build off this game and keepon rolling."

Oakland (26-27) fell one game under .500.