GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: MINNESOTA (63-63) at BALTIMORE (58-67)

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (5) AT BALTIMORE (2) - EVENT LOG
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Minnesota Starting Lineups -- A Casilla 2B, J Bartlett SS, J Mauer C, T Hunter CF,
J Morneau 1B, M Cuddyer RF, J Kubel LF, G Jones DH, N Punto 3B, B Bonser RHP.

Baltimore Starting Lineups -- B Roberts 2B, C Patterson CF, N Markakis RF,
M Tejada SS, K Millar 1B, A Huff DH, M Mora 3B, R Hernandez C, F Bynum LF,
S Trachsel RHP.

Umpires -- James Hoye (HP), Chris Guccione (1B), Phil Cuzzi (2B), Tom Hallion (3B).

Gametime Weather: 80 degrees, Cloudy, wind left to right at 3 mph.


MINNESOTA 1ST: A Casilla grounded out to pitcher. J Bartlett flied out to
center. J Mauer flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
BALTIMORE 0.

BALTIMORE 1ST: B Roberts lined out to first. C Patterson grounded out to
second. N Markakis grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: T Hunter doubled to deep left. J Morneau popped out to
second. M Cuddyer grounded out to third. J Kubel flied out to center.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 0.

BALTIMORE 2ND: M Tejada flied out to center. K Millar grounded out to
third. A Huff homered to right center. M Mora grounded out to third. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 1.

MINNESOTA 3RD: G Jones popped out to shortstop. N Punto grounded out to
second. A Casilla popped out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
BALTIMORE 1.

BALTIMORE 3RD: R Hernandez struck out looking. F Bynum flied out to left.
B Roberts flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 1.

MINNESOTA 4TH: J Bartlett singled to center. J Mauer grounded into
fielder's choice to second, J Bartlett out at second. T Hunter flied out to
right. J Morneau grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
BALTIMORE 1.

BALTIMORE 4TH: C Patterson grounded out to pitcher. N Markakis flied out
to right. M Tejada grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 1.

MINNESOTA 5TH: M Cuddyer grounded out to pitcher. J Kubel grounded out to
first. G Jones safe at first on error by shortstop M Tejada. N Punto flied
out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 1.

BALTIMORE 5TH: K Millar walked. A Huff flied out to left. M Mora flied
out to center. R Hernandez grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop,
K Millar out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 1.

MINNESOTA 6TH: A Casilla grounded out to shortstop. J Bartlett grounded
out to shortstop. J Mauer grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 1.

BALTIMORE 6TH: F Bynum struck out swinging. B Roberts grounded out to
third. C Patterson singled to right. C Patterson stole second. N Markakis
walked. N Markakis caught stealing second, catcher to second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 1.

MINNESOTA 7TH: T Hunter grounded out to shortstop. J Morneau singled to
left center. M Cuddyer walked, J Morneau to second. J Kubel flied out to
center. G Jones grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
BALTIMORE 1.

BALTIMORE 7TH: M Tejada grounded out to shortstop. K Millar walked.
A Huff singled to right, K Millar to second. M Mora grounded into double play,
shortstop to second to first, A Huff out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 1.

MINNESOTA 8TH: J Payton in left field. N Punto reached on bunt single to
catcher. A Casilla grounded out to pitcher, N Punto to second. J Bartlett
walked. N Punto to third on wild pitch by S Trachsel. J Walker relieved
S Trachsel. J Mauer grounded out to second, N Punto scored, J Bartlett to second.
T Hunter intentionally walked. J Bartlett safe at third, T Hunter safe at
second on throwing error by catcher R Hernandez. J Morneau walked. C Bradford
relieved J Walker. M Cuddyer safe at first on error by shortstop M Tejada,
J Bartlett scored, T Hunter to third, J Morneau to second. J Kubel doubled to
center, T Hunter and J Morneau scored, M Cuddyer to third. G Jones grounded
out to second. (4 Runs, 2 Hits, 2 Errors) MINNESOTA 4, BALTIMORE 1.

BALTIMORE 8TH: M Guerrier relieved B Bonser. R Hernandez grounded out to
second. J Payton popped out to third. B Roberts grounded out to first.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 4, BALTIMORE 1.

MINNESOTA 9TH: D Baez relieved C Bradford. N Punto doubled to deep right
center. A Casilla sacrificed to third, N Punto to third. J Bartlett tripled
to deep right center, N Punto scored. J Mauer intentionally walked. T Hunter
grounded out to pitcher, J Mauer to second. J Morneau intentionally walked.
M Cuddyer flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 5, BALTIMORE 1.

BALTIMORE 9TH: C Patterson lined out to second. N Markakis grounded out to
shortstop. M Tejada homered to left. K Millar grounded out to shortstop.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 5, BALTIMORE 2.</div>

 

Four-run eighth lifts Twins past Orioles

<h3>MINNESOTA 5, BALTIMORE 2</h3>By Rich Dubroff
PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer


BALTIMORE (Ticker) - After the Baltimore Orioles' pitching staffwas embarrassed on Wednesday, it was the team's hitting andfielding that cost them on Thursday.


Jason Kubel's two-run double highlighted a four-run eighthinning that gave the Minnesota Twins a 5-2 victory over theOrioles in the opener of a four-game series.


On Wednesday, the Orioles were embarrassed when the TexasRangers scored a modern-day record of 30 runs in the first gameof a doubleheader and added nine more in the nightcap.

The 39 total runs in the twinbill eclipsed the previous AL mark,set when the St. Louis Browns were tagged for 36 runs on August14, 1937 against the Detroit Tigers.


On Thursday, Trachsel (6-8) allowed just four hits through thefirst seven innings, but the eighth was a nightmare.

Nick Punto began the eighth with a bunt single and advanced tosecond on Alexi Casilla's groundout. After Jason Bartlettwalked and Punto moved to third on a wild pitch, Trachsel wasrelieved by Jamie Walker.


Joe Mauer hit a slow groundout to second, which allowed Punto toscore and tie the game at 1-1. After Torii Hunter was issuedan intentional pass, Justin Morneau drew a walk to load thebases and chase Walker.


Chad Bradford induced a routine grounder to shortstop, whichMiguel Tejada booted, allowing Bartlett to score the go-aheadrun and prolong the inning.


Kubel followed with a two-run double to left-center to open theTwins' advantage to 4-1.


Boof Bonser (6-10) was the beneficiary of the uprising, breakinga nine-game losing streak and winning his first game since June10. The 25-year-old righthander allowed one run - AubreyHuff's 12th home run of the season in the second - and threehits over seven innings.


Matt Guerrier closed out the last two innings to record hisfirst save of the season and second of his career.

Kevin Millar set a Baltimore club record by reaching base in his50th consecutive game. He walked in the fifth inning to breakKen Singleton's 30-year-old club record.


Tejada belted a solo shot in the ninth for his 13th homer of theseason, which cut the deficit to 5-2.

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (5) VS BALTIMORE (2) - FINAL

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Casilla 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .234
J Bartlett ss 4 1 2 1 1 0 0 .269
J Mauer c 4 0 0 1 1 0 1 .292
T Hunter cf 4 1 1 0 1 0 2 .299
J Morneau 1b 3 1 1 0 2 0 2 .288
M Cuddyer rf 4 0 0 0 1 0 7 .273
J Kubel lf 4 0 1 2 0 0 3 .255
G Jones dh 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .128
N Punto 3b 4 2 2 0 0 0 1 .203

Totals 35 5 7 4 6 0 20

BATTING: 2B - T Hunter (36, S Trachsel); J Kubel (20, C Bradford); N Punto (14,
D Baez). 3B - J Bartlett (4, D Baez). S - A Casilla. RBI - J Mauer (53), J
Kubel 2 (47), J Bartlett (32). 2-out RBI - J Kubel 2. Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - M Cuddyer 2, J Kubel 1, G Jones 3. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (J Bartlett-A Casilla-J Morneau).


BALTIMORE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
B Roberts 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .310
C Patterson cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .267
N Markakis rf 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .293
M Tejada ss 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 .298
K Millar 1b 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 .264
A Huff dh 3 1 2 1 0 0 1 .268
M Mora 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 .266
R Hernandez c 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .240
F Bynum lf 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .260
J Payton lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .257

Totals 29 2 4 2 3 2 5

BATTING: HR - A Huff (12, 2nd inning off B Bonser 0 on, 2 Out), M Tejada (13,
9th inning off M Guerrier 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - A Huff (60), M Tejada (63). 2-out
RBI - A Huff, M Tejada. GIDP - M Mora. Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: SB - C Patterson (36, 2nd base off B Bonser/J Mauer). CS - N
Markakis (5, 2nd base by B Bonser/J Mauer).

FIELDING: E - M Tejada 2 (11, ground ball 2); R Hernandez (7, throw).


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MINNESOTA - 000 000 041 -- 5
BALTIMORE - 010 000 001 -- 2
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MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
B Bonser (W, 6-10) 7 3 1 1 3 2 1 4.76
M Guerrier (S, 1) 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 2.00

BALTIMORE ip h r er bb so hr era
S Trachsel (L, 6-8) 7 1/3 4 2 1 2 0 0 4.61
J Walker (B, 4) 1/3 0 2 0 2 0 0 3.04
C Bradford 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.31
D Baez 1 2 1 1 2 0 0 5.82

WP - S Trachsel. IBB - T Hunter (by J Walker), J Mauer (by D Baez), J Morneau
(by D Baez). Pitches-strikes: B Bonser 96-59; M Guerrier 16-11; S Trachsel
102-63; J Walker 16-6; C Bradford 10-6; D Baez 26-11. Ground balls-fly balls: B
Bonser 11-7; M Guerrier 4-2; S Trachsel 13-9; J Walker 1-0; C Bradford 1-0; D
Baez 2-1. Batters faced: B Bonser 25; M Guerrier 7; S Trachsel 29; J Walker 3;
C Bradford 3; D Baez 7.

UMPIRES: HP--James Hoye. 1B--Chris Guccione. 2B--Phil Cuzzi. 3B--Tom Hallion.

T--2:51. Att--19,389.
Weather: 80 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 3 mph, left to
right.</div>

 

Four-run eighth lifts Twins past Orioles

<h3>MINNESOTA 5, BALTIMORE 2</h3>By Rich Dubroff
PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer


BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- After the Baltimore Orioles' pitching staffwas embarrassed on Wednesday, it was the team's hitting andfielding that cost them on Thursday.


Jason Kubel's two-run double highlighted a four-run eighthinning that gave the Minnesota Twins a 5-2 victory over theOrioles in the opener of a four-game series.


On Wednesday, the Orioles were mortified when the Texas Rangersscored a modern day-record 30 runs in the first game of adoubleheader and added nine more in the nightcap.


The 39 total runs in the twinbill eclipsed the previous AmericanLeague mark set when the St. Louis Browns were tagged for 36runs on August 14, 1937 against the Detroit Tigers.

"We weren't here last night. We don't know anything about theirhumiliation," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We'vehad our share of not scoring any runs. We don't pay muchattention to what happened yesterday to another ballclub."

Minnesota (64-63) is in third place in the AL Central Division,6 1/2 games behind the first-place Cleveland Indians (70-56).

"We're in a pennant race here and not many people know aboutit," Gardenhire said.


On Thursday, Steve Trachsel (6-8) allowed just four hits overthe first seven innings, but the eighth was a nightmare.

Nick Punto began the frame with a bunt single and advanced tosecond on Alexi Casilla's groundout. After Jason Bartlettwalked and Punto moved to third on a wild pitch, Trachsel wasrelieved by Jamie Walker.


"It was a pretty good bunt," Punto said of his hit. "I wish Icould do that every night."


Joe Mauer hit a slow groundout to second, which allowed Punto toscore and tie the game at 1-1. After Torii Hunter was issuedan intentional pass, Justin Morneau drew a walk to load thebases and chase Walker.


Chad Bradford induced a routine grounder to shortstop by MichaelCuddyer that was booted by Miguel Tejada, allowing Bartlett toscore the go-ahead run and prolong the inning.


Kubel followed with a two-run double to left-center to extendthe Twins' advantage to 4-1.


Trachsel tried to be stoic about the outcome, even though hisperformance was one of his best of the season.


"There's nothing I can do about it," Trachsel said. "It's notworth talking about because it's out of my control."

Orioles manager Dave Trembley was stung by the loss.

"That you don't put it away," said Trembley, whose team has lostthree straight for just the second time since he took over forthe fired Sam Perlozzo. "That's probably the most frustratingthing, that you don't close it out."


Boof Bonser (6-10) was the beneficiary of the uprising, breakingan eight-game losing streak by winning his first game sinceJune 10. The 25-year-old righthander allowed one run - AubreyHuff's 12th home run of the season in the second - and threehits in seven innings.


"(I) finally got a break there," said Bonser, who recieved justthree runs of support in his previous four starts. "I watchedthem score the runs (on the bench). I was cheering them on."

Matt Guerrier worked the last two innings to record his firstsave of the season and second career.


Kevin Millar set an Orioles record by reaching base in his 50thconsecutive game. He walked in the fifth inning to break KenSingleton's 30-year-old club mark.


Tejada belted a solo shot in the ninth for his 13th homer of theseason, which cut the Orioles' deficit to 5-2.