GAME THREAD: AL: MINNESOTA (51-51) at CLEVELAND (60-43)

AL: MINNESOTA at CLEVELAND

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MINNESOTA (3) AT CLEVELAND (2) - HOW THEY SCORED
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MINNESOTA 3RD: B Buscher lined out to left. J Tyner homered to right.
L Castillo walked. J Bartlett reached on infield single to shortstop, L Castillo
to second. J Mauer flied out to left. J Morneau singled to right, L Castillo
scored, J Bartlett to third. T Hunter grounded into fielder's choice to third,
J Morneau out at second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 7TH: V Martinez singled to center. T Hafner homered to right,
V Martinez scored. R Garko grounded out to second. J Peralta singled to center.
F Gutierrez flied out to right. J Michaels struck out swinging. (2 Runs,
3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2, CLEVELAND 2.

MINNESOTA 9TH: M Rouse at second base. J Borowski relieved R Perez.
T Hunter doubled to deep left center. J Kubel grounded out to second, T Hunter
to third. R White hit by pitch. L Ford ran for R White. B Buscher grounded
into fielder's choice to second, T Hunter scored, L Ford to second. N Punto
ran for B Buscher. J Tyner struck out looking. L Castillo struck out looking.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, CLEVELAND 2.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CLEVELAND

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MINNESOTA (3) AT CLEVELAND (2) - EVENT LOG
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Minnesota Starting Lineups -- L Castillo 2B, J Bartlett SS, J Mauer C,
J Morneau 1B, T Hunter CF, J Kubel LF, R White DH, B Buscher 3B, J Tyner RF,
J Santana LHP.

Cleveland Starting Lineups -- G Sizemore CF, C Blake 3B, V Martinez C, T Hafner
DH, R Garko 1B, J Peralta SS, F Gutierrez RF, J Michaels LF, J Barfield 2B,
J Westbrook RHP.

Umpires -- Laz Diaz (HP), Wally Bell (1B), Bill Welke (2B), John Hirschbeck (3B).

Gametime Weather: 76 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind in from center at 7 mph.


MINNESOTA 1ST: L Castillo struck out looking. J Bartlett grounded out to
second. J Mauer flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 1ST: G Sizemore struck out swinging. C Blake walked. V Martinez
grounded into double play, third to second to first, C Blake out at second.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, CLEVELAND 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau struck out looking. T Hunter grounded out to
shortstop. J Kubel walked. R White grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, J Kubel out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 2ND: T Hafner grounded out to first. R Garko struck out
swinging. J Peralta struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, CLEVELAND 0.

MINNESOTA 3RD: B Buscher lined out to left. J Tyner homered to right.
L Castillo walked. J Bartlett reached on infield single to shortstop, L Castillo
to second. J Mauer flied out to left. J Morneau singled to right, L Castillo
scored, J Bartlett to third. T Hunter grounded into fielder's choice to third,
J Morneau out at second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 3RD: F Gutierrez struck out swinging. J Michaels struck out
swinging. J Barfield flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 2, CLEVELAND 0.

MINNESOTA 4TH: J Kubel grounded out to second. R White grounded out to
second. B Buscher grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 2, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 4TH: G Sizemore struck out swinging. C Blake struck out
swinging. V Martinez popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 2, CLEVELAND 0.

MINNESOTA 5TH: J Tyner singled to center. L Castillo sacrificed to
catcher, J Tyner to second, L Castillo safe at first on error by catcher
V Martinez. J Bartlett grounded into fielder's choice to third, L Castillo out
at second, J Tyner to third. J Mauer walked, J Bartlett to second. J Morneau
lined into double play, shortstop to second, J Bartlett doubled off second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 2, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 5TH: T Hafner struck out swinging. R Garko struck out swinging.
J Peralta struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2,
CLEVELAND 0.

MINNESOTA 6TH: T Hunter grounded out to shortstop. J Kubel struck out
looking. R White flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2,
CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 6TH: F Gutierrez safe at first on error by first baseman
J Morneau. J Michaels struck out swinging. J Barfield flied out to center.
G Sizemore doubled to right, F Gutierrez to third. C Blake flied out to right.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 2, CLEVELAND 0.

MINNESOTA 7TH: B Buscher flied out to center. J Tyner bunt grounded out to
catcher. L Castillo flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2,
CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 7TH: V Martinez singled to center. T Hafner homered to right,
V Martinez scored. R Garko grounded out to second. J Peralta singled to center.
F Gutierrez flied out to right. J Michaels struck out swinging. (2 Runs,
3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2, CLEVELAND 2.

MINNESOTA 8TH: R Perez relieved J Westbrook. J Bartlett grounded out to
third. J Mauer struck out swinging. J Morneau popped out to shortstop.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2, CLEVELAND 2.

CLEVELAND 8TH: P Neshek relieved J Santana. K Lofton hit for J Barfield.
K Lofton fouled out to first. G Sizemore flied out to left. C Blake lined out
to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2, CLEVELAND 2.

MINNESOTA 9TH: M Rouse at second base. J Borowski relieved R Perez.
T Hunter doubled to deep left center. J Kubel grounded out to second, T Hunter
to third. R White hit by pitch. L Ford ran for R White. B Buscher grounded
into fielder's choice to second, T Hunter scored, L Ford to second. N Punto
ran for B Buscher. J Tyner struck out looking. L Castillo struck out looking.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, CLEVELAND 2.

CLEVELAND 9TH: N Punto at third base. J Nathan relieved P Neshek.
V Martinez grounded out to pitcher. T Hafner grounded out to third. R Garko
popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, CLEVELAND 2.</div>

 

Twins snap five-game losing streak

<h3>MINNESOTA 3, CLEVELAND 2</h3>By Todd Krepop
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Johan Santana got just enough support tohelp the Minnesota Twins stop a couple of dubious streaks.

Torii Hunter scored the go-ahead run on an infield ground ballin the top of the ninth inning to lift the Twins to a 3-2victory over the Cleveland Indians.


Minnesota snapped a five-game losing streak and beat the Indiansfor the first time in seven meetings this season.


Santana, who was coming off his worst start of the season Mondayagainst Toronto, when he allowed a season-high six runs in fiveinnings, allowed only two runs on four hits in seven inningswhile striking out 12.


Pat Neshek (6-1) pitched a scoreless eighth and Joe Nathanfinished up in the ninth for his 21st save.


The runs came courtesy of a two-run homer by Travis Hafner inthe seventh inning that tied it at 2-2.


In the ninth, Hunter led off with a double off Joe Borowski(2-4), moved to third on an infield grounder and scored onrookie Brian Buscher's one-out fielder's choice. Second basemanMike Rouse went home with the throw but it was high, allowingHunter to easily score the winning run.


Santana entered the game winless in his two previous startsagainst Cleveland this season, despite having given up only sixruns in the two games. He seemed in control throughout,carrying a no-hitter into the sixth before giving up a two-outdouble to Grady Sizemore.


The two-time Cy Young Award winner kept his shutout chancesalive by getting Casey Blake to fly out to end the inning,keeping the Twins ahead, 2-0. But Santana would not be able toget out of the seventh unscathed.


Victor Martinez led off the seventh with a single to left,snapping an 0-for-15 slump. Hafner followed by blastingSantana's 1-2 pitch over the right field wall for his 17thhomer.


Hafner was 5-for-31 lifetime against Santana entering thatat-bat; four of his six hits off Santana are for homers.

Santana was dominant in the first five innings. After a one-outwalk to Blake, Santana retired the next 13 batters - nine ofthem on strikeouts.


The Twins took a 2-0 lead in the third with some help from anunexpected power source.


With one out, Jason Tyner drilled Indians starter JakeWestbrook's 1-1 pitch down the right field line, getting justenough lift on the ball to clear the eight-foot high wall.

It was Tyner's first major league home run in 1,220 at-bats,which was the highest among active players.


Four batters later, with runners on first and second, JustinMorneau singled to right off Westbrook to drive in the secondrun.


That was all the damage the Twins managed against Westbrook, whomatched Santana's effort by allowing two runs on four hitswhile striking out three.

 

Twins snap five-game losing streak

<h3>MINNESOTA 3, CLEVELAND 2</h3>By Todd Krepop
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


CLEVELAND (Ticker) - Johan Santana got just enough support tohelp the Minnesota Twins stop a couple of dubious streaks.

Torii Hunter scored the go-ahead run on an infield ground ballin the top of the ninth inning to lift the Twins to a 3-2victory over the Cleveland Indians.


Minnesota snapped a five-game losing streak and beat the Indiansfor the first time in seven meetings this season.


"This was a great win for our ballclub, much needed," Twinsmanager Ron Gardenhire said.


Santana, who was coming off his worst start of the season Mondayagainst Toronto, when he allowed a season-high six runs in fiveinnings, allowed only two runs on four hits in seven inningswhile striking out 12.


"People were talking about me not having my best stuff," Santanasaid. "But I know what I need to do to get our team to win."

Pat Neshek (6-1) pitched a scoreless eighth and Joe Nathanfinished up in the ninth for his 21st save.


The runs came courtesy of a two-run homer by Travis Hafner inthe seventh inning that tied it at 2-2.


In the ninth, Hunter led off with a double off Joe Borowski(2-4), moved to third on an infield grounder and scored onrookie Brian Buscher's one-out fielder's choice.


"We did a good job of executing in the ninth," Gardenhire said.

With runners on first and third, Gardenhire put Nick Punto, whowas inserted as a pinch runner after Rondell White was hit by apitch, in motion to take away the double-play ball.

It turned out to be a good move as Buscher hit a grounder rightat second baseman Mike Rouse, who had no choice but go home withthe throw. Rouse threw it high, allowing Hunter to easilyscore the winning run.


"We wanted to put the pressure on (Cleveland)," Gardenhire said."We put (Punto) in motion and force them to make the play."

"You have to go home on that play and that's what I did," Rousesaid. "I was trying to get rid of it and get it to the plate asfast as I could."


Santana entered the game winless in his two previous startsagainst Cleveland this season, despite having given up only sixruns in the two games. He seemed in control throughout,carrying a no-hitter into the sixth before giving up a two-outdouble to Grady Sizemore.


"He has that opportunity (to throw a no-hitter) every time hesteps on the mound," Gardenhire said.


"I felt pretty good," Santana said. "I was trying to stop thislosing streak we had. I was trying to show these guys (theTwins) that we still have a chance to come back, like we didlast year."


Minnesota, which trails first-place Detroit by eight games inthe American League Central, was nine games out of first placelast season on July 28, but went 37-24 over its last 59 games towin the division.


The two-time Cy Young Award winner kept his shutout chancesalive by getting Casey Blake to fly out to end the inning,keeping the Twins ahead, 2-0. But Santana would not be able toget out of the seventh unscathed.


Victor Martinez led off the seventh with a single to left,snapping an 0-for-15 slump. Hafner followed by blastingSantana's 1-2 pitch over the right field wall for his 17thhomer.


"I still felt good," Santana said. "Victor put the ball in theright spot and Hafner hit a fastball that came back over theplate. (Hafner) is a strong guy. Unfortunately if you make amistake to him that's what will happen."


Hafner was 5-for-31 lifetime against Santana entering thatat-bat; four of his six hits off Santana are for homers.

Santana was dominant in the first five innings. After a one-outwalk to Blake, Santana retired the next 13 batters - nine ofthem on strikeouts.


"Until Grady got the first hit, he was dominant," Indians firstbaseman Ryan Garko said. "He mixed all three of his pitches.You can't sit on anything. His fastball is 93-94 but he has areal short arm slot and it gets on you real quick."

The Twins took a 2-0 lead in the third with some help from anunexpected power source.


With one out, Jason Tyner drilled Indians starter JakeWestbrook's 1-1 pitch down the right field line, getting justenough lift on the ball to clear the eight-foot high wall.

It was Tyner's first major league home run in 1,220 at-bats,which was the highest among active players.


"They are going to have to find a new stat to put on thescoreboard when I play on the road," Tyner said. "It's likethey were trying to rub it in."


Four batters later, with runners on first and second, JustinMorneau singled to right off Westbrook to drive in the secondrun.


That was all the damage the Twins managed against Westbrook, whomatched Santana's effort by allowing two runs on four hitswhile striking out three.