GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: TORONTO (22-26) at MINNESOTA (23-25)

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Rincon relieved C Silva.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, L OVERBAY ON FIRST, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 2
MINNESOTA 4 TOP, 8TH

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: V Wells (.268, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 6 1
MINNESOTA 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 4 3 0 (BOT 8)

CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - A.J. BURNETT
MIN - JUAN RINCON

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J CIRILLO (.212, 0-FOR-2, BB)
M CUDDYER (.288, 0-FOR-1, 2 BB)
J MORNEAU (.293, 2-FOR-2, HBP, HR, 3 RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">TORONTO (2) VS MINNESOTA (4) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Rios rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
L Overbay 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .261
V Wells cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .266
M Stairs lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .305
F Thomas dh 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 .227
A Hill 2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .272
J Phillips c 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .258
R Roberts 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 3 .077
J McDonald ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .259
a-A Lind ph 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .226

Totals 30 2 6 2 1 3 10

a-homered to left center for J Mcdonald in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - F Thomas (7, C Silva). HR - A Lind (5, 8th inning off C Silva 0
on, 0 Out). RBI - J Phillips (10), A Lind (13). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - M Stairs 1, J McDonald 1. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - A Burnett (1, throw).


MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
L Castillo 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .325
J Cirillo dh 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 .212
M Cuddyer rf 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 .288
J Morneau 1b 2 1 2 3 0 0 0 .293
T Hunter cf 3 0 0 0 0 3 3 .309
J Kubel lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .237
C Heintz c 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .200
N Punto 3b 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 .230
J Bartlett ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .239

Totals 24 4 3 3 3 7 5

BATTING: HR - J Morneau (15, 6th inning off A Burnett 1 on, 0 Out). RBI - J
Morneau 3 (39). 2-out RBI - J Morneau. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- C Heintz 1, T Hunter 2. Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: SB - N Punto (6, 3rd base off A Burnett/J Phillips), J Cirillo
(1, 2nd base off A Burnett/J Phillips).


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 010 000 01 -- 2
MINNESOTA - 002 002 0 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
A Burnett 7 3 4 3 3 7 1 4.11

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
C Silva 7 1/3 6 2 2 1 3 1 4.22
J Rincon 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.89

WP - J Rincon. HBP - J Morneau (by A Burnett). Pitches-strikes: A Burnett
112-69; C Silva 97-64; J Rincon 10-6. Ground balls-fly balls: A Burnett 8-6; C
Silva 11-8; J Rincon 0-2. Batters faced: A Burnett 28; C Silva 29; J Rincon 2.


UMPIRES: HP--Gary Darling. 1B--Larry Poncino. 2B--Bruce Dreckman. 3B--Adam
Dowdy.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Clayton at shortstop.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 2
MINNESOTA 4 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J Cirillo (.212, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: A Lind in left field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 2
MINNESOTA 4 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J Cirillo (.212, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 6 1
MINNESOTA 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 4 3 0 (TOP 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - A.J. BURNETT
MIN - JUAN RINCON

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: F THOMAS (.227, 1-FOR-2, BB)
A HILL (.272, 1-FOR-3)
J PHILLIPS (.258, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">TORONTO (2) VS MINNESOTA (4) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Rios rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
L Overbay 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .261
V Wells cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .266
M Stairs lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .305
R Clayton ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .248
F Thomas dh 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 .227
A Hill 2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .272
J Phillips c 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .258
R Roberts 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 3 .077
J McDonald ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .259
a-A Lind ph-lf 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .226

Totals 30 2 6 2 1 3 10

a-homered to left center for J Mcdonald in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - F Thomas (7, C Silva). HR - A Lind (5, 8th inning off C Silva 0
on, 0 Out). RBI - J Phillips (10), A Lind (13). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - M Stairs 1, J McDonald 1. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - A Burnett (1, throw).


MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
L Castillo 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .325
J Cirillo dh 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 .208
M Cuddyer rf 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 .287
J Morneau 1b 3 1 2 3 0 0 0 .291
T Hunter cf 3 0 0 0 0 3 3 .309
J Kubel lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .237
C Heintz c 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .200
N Punto 3b 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 .230
J Bartlett ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .239

Totals 27 4 3 3 3 8 5

BATTING: HR - J Morneau (15, 6th inning off A Burnett 1 on, 0 Out). RBI - J
Morneau 3 (39). 2-out RBI - J Morneau. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- C Heintz 1, T Hunter 2. Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: SB - N Punto (6, 3rd base off A Burnett/J Phillips), J Cirillo
(1, 2nd base off A Burnett/J Phillips).


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 010 000 01 -- 2
MINNESOTA - 002 002 00 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
A Burnett 8 3 4 3 3 8 1 4.06

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
C Silva 7 1/3 6 2 2 1 3 1 4.22
J Rincon 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.89

WP - J Rincon. HBP - J Morneau (by A Burnett). Pitches-strikes: A Burnett
125-79; C Silva 97-64; J Rincon 10-6. Ground balls-fly balls: A Burnett 9-7; C
Silva 11-8; J Rincon 0-2. Batters faced: A Burnett 31; C Silva 29; J Rincon 2.


UMPIRES: HP--Gary Darling. 1B--Larry Poncino. 2B--Bruce Dreckman. 3B--Adam
Dowdy.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: L Ford in left field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 2
MINNESOTA 4 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: F Thomas (.227, 1-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - PITCHING CHANGE
MIN: JOE NATHAN (1-1, 2.01) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 2, MINNESOTA 4

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: F THOMAS (.227, 1-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Nathan relieved J Rincon.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 2
MINNESOTA 4 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: F Thomas (.227, 1-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 6 1
MINNESOTA 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 x 4 3 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: TOR - A.J. BURNETT AND JASON PHILLIPS

MIN - CARLOS SILVA, JUAN RINCON (8TH), JOE NATHAN (9TH)
AND CHRIS HEINTZ

HOME RUNS: TOR - ADAM LIND (5) OFF CARLOS SILVA IN THE 8TH, 0 ON

MIN - JUSTIN MORNEAU (15) OFF A.J. BURNETT IN THE 6TH, 1 ON</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 6 1
MINNESOTA 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 x 4 3 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: TOR - A.J. BURNETT AND JASON PHILLIPS

MIN - CARLOS SILVA, JUAN RINCON (8TH), JOE NATHAN (9TH)
AND CHRIS HEINTZ


WP - CARLOS SILVA (3-5)
LP - A.J. BURNETT (5-4)
SAVE - JOE NATHAN (11)

HOME RUNS: TOR - ADAM LIND (5) OFF CARLOS SILVA IN THE 8TH, 0 ON

MIN - JUSTIN MORNEAU (15) OFF A.J. BURNETT IN THE 6TH, 1 ON


TIME: 2:16 ATT: 25,781

PROBABLES: CHA - JOSE CONTRERAS (4-4, 3.71)
MIN - JOHAN SANTANA (5-4, 3.05)

PROBABLES: NYY - MATT DESALVO (1-1, 5.29)
TOR - DUSTIN MCGOWAN (0-2, 7.17)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">TORONTO (2) VS MINNESOTA (4) - FINAL

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Rios rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
L Overbay 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .261
V Wells cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .266
M Stairs lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .305
R Clayton ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .248
F Thomas dh 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .226
A Hill 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .270
J Phillips c 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 .256
R Roberts 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 3 .077
J McDonald ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .259
a-A Lind ph-lf 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .226

Totals 33 2 6 2 1 3 10

a-homered to left center for J Mcdonald in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - F Thomas (7, C Silva). HR - A Lind (5, 8th inning off C Silva 0
on, 0 Out). RBI - J Phillips (10), A Lind (13). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - M Stairs 1, J McDonald 1. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - A Burnett (1, throw).


MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
L Castillo 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .325
J Cirillo dh 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 .208
M Cuddyer rf 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 .287
J Morneau 1b 3 1 2 3 0 0 0 .291
T Hunter cf 3 0 0 0 0 3 3 .309
J Kubel lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .237
L Ford lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .189
C Heintz c 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .200
N Punto 3b 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 .230
J Bartlett ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .239

Totals 27 4 3 3 3 8 5

BATTING: HR - J Morneau (15, 6th inning off A Burnett 1 on, 0 Out). RBI - J
Morneau 3 (39). 2-out RBI - J Morneau. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- C Heintz 1, T Hunter 2. Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: SB - N Punto (6, 3rd base off A Burnett/J Phillips), J Cirillo
(1, 2nd base off A Burnett/J Phillips).


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 010 000 010 -- 2
MINNESOTA - 002 002 00x -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
A Burnett (L, 5-4) 8 3 4 3 3 8 1 4.06

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
C Silva (W, 3-5) 7 1/3 6 2 2 1 3 1 4.22
J Rincon (H, 7) 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.89
J Nathan (S, 11) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.93

WP - J Rincon. HBP - J Morneau (by A Burnett). Pitches-strikes: A Burnett
125-79; C Silva 97-64; J Rincon 10-6; J Nathan 10-6. Ground balls-fly balls: A
Burnett 9-7; C Silva 11-8; J Rincon 0-2; J Nathan 1-2. Batters faced: A Burnett
31; C Silva 29; J Rincon 2; J Nathan 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Gary Darling. 1B--Larry Poncino. 2B--Bruce Dreckman. 3B--Adam
Dowdy.

T--2:16. Att--25,781.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
TORONTO 2
MINNESOTA 4 FINAL</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TORONTO (2) AT MINNESOTA (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TORONTO 2ND: M Stairs struck out swinging. F Thomas walked. A Hill
singled to left, F Thomas to second. J Phillips singled to center, F Thomas
scored, A Hill to third. R Roberts struck out looking. J McDonald grounded
out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 3RD: N Punto singled to left. J Bartlett flied out to right.
L Castillo grounded out to shortstop, N Punto to second. J Cirillo walked.
N Punto stole third, J Cirillo stole second. M Cuddyer walked. J Morneau
reached on infield single to pitcher, N Punto scored, J Cirillo to third,
M Cuddyer to second, J Cirillo scored, M Cuddyer to third, J Morneau to second
on throwing error by pitcher A Burnett. T Hunter struck out swinging. (2 Runs,
2 Hits, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, MINNESOTA 2.

MINNESOTA 6TH: M Cuddyer walked. J Morneau homered to right, M Cuddyer
scored. T Hunter struck out looking. J Kubel grounded out to second.
C Heintz flied out to right. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, MINNESOTA 4.

TORONTO 8TH: A Lind hit for J McDonald. A Lind homered to left center.
A Rios flied out to right. L Overbay singled to center. J Rincon relieved
C Silva. L Overbay to second on wild pitch by J Rincon. V Wells fouled out
to catcher. M Stairs flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 2,
MINNESOTA 4.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TORONTO (2) AT MINNESOTA (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Toronto Starting Lineups -- A Rios RF, L Overbay 1B, V Wells CF, M Stairs LF,
F Thomas DH, A Hill 2B, J Phillips C, R Roberts 3B, J McDonald SS, A Burnett RHP.

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

Umpires -- Gary Darling (HP), Larry Poncino (1B), Bruce Dreckman (2B),
Adam Dowdy (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


TORONTO 1ST: A Rios lined out to left. L Overbay grounded out to second.
V Wells flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 1ST: L Castillo struck out looking. J Cirillo grounded out
to first. M Cuddyer grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
TORONTO 0, MINNESOTA 0.

TORONTO 2ND: M Stairs struck out swinging. F Thomas walked. A Hill
singled to left, F Thomas to second. J Phillips singled to center, F Thomas
scored, A Hill to third. R Roberts struck out looking. J McDonald grounded
out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau hit by pitch. T Hunter struck out swinging.
J Kubel grounded out to pitcher, J Morneau to second. C Heintz struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, MINNESOTA 0.

TORONTO 3RD: A Rios flied out to center. L Overbay grounded out to first.
V Wells singled to center. M Stairs grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) TORONTO 1, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 3RD: N Punto singled to left. J Bartlett flied out to right.
L Castillo grounded out to shortstop, N Punto to second. J Cirillo walked.
N Punto stole third, J Cirillo stole second. M Cuddyer walked. J Morneau
reached on infield single to pitcher, N Punto scored, J Cirillo to third,
M Cuddyer to second, J Cirillo scored, M Cuddyer to third, J Morneau to second
on throwing error by pitcher A Burnett. T Hunter struck out swinging. (2 Runs,
2 Hits, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, MINNESOTA 2.

TORONTO 4TH: F Thomas doubled to deep right. A Hill grounded into
fielder's choice to pitcher, F Thomas out at second. J Phillips flied out to
center. R Roberts struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
MINNESOTA 2.

MINNESOTA 4TH: J Kubel flied out to left. C Heintz flied out to center.
N Punto struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, MINNESOTA 2.

TORONTO 5TH: J McDonald grounded out to shortstop. A Rios popped out
to second. L Overbay grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
TORONTO 1, MINNESOTA 2.

MINNESOTA 5TH: J Bartlett struck out swinging. L Castillo grounded out
to shortstop. J Cirillo grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
TORONTO 1, MINNESOTA 2.

TORONTO 6TH: V Wells grounded out to third. M Stairs grounded out to
first. F Thomas flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
MINNESOTA 2.

MINNESOTA 6TH: M Cuddyer walked. J Morneau homered to right, M Cuddyer
scored. T Hunter struck out looking. J Kubel grounded out to second.
C Heintz flied out to right. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, MINNESOTA 4.

TORONTO 7TH: A Hill grounded out to shortstop. J Phillips grounded out to
third. R Roberts flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
MINNESOTA 4.

MINNESOTA 7TH: N Punto lined out to center. J Bartlett flied out to right.
L Castillo grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
MINNESOTA 4.

TORONTO 8TH: A Lind hit for J McDonald. A Lind homered to left center.
A Rios flied out to right. L Overbay singled to center. J Rincon relieved
C Silva. L Overbay to second on wild pitch by J Rincon. V Wells fouled out
to catcher. M Stairs flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 2,
MINNESOTA 4.

MINNESOTA 8TH: R Clayton at shortstop. A Lind in left field. J Cirillo
grounded out to second. M Cuddyer struck out looking. J Morneau flied out
to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 2, MINNESOTA 4.

TORONTO 9TH: L Ford in left field. J Nathan relieved J Rincon. F Thomas
flied out to right. A Hill flied out to left. J Phillips grounded out to
shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 2, MINNESOTA 4.</div>

 

Morneau, Silva lead Twins past Jays

<h3>MINNESOTA 4, TORONTO 2</h3>MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer andCarlos Silva snapped a personal four-game losing streak as theMinnesota Twins beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-2, in the rubbergame of a three-game series on Sunday.

Morneau's sixth-inning blast was his fourth homer in his lastfive games and gave him at least one RBI in seven straightgames. He finished Sunday's contest 2-for-3 with three RBI.

Silva (3-5) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk to earn hisfirst win since April 29. Silva had given up 16 earned runs inhis previous four starts (23 1/3 innings pitched), all of whichwere losses.

His 7 1/3 innings pitched marked a season high and were a bigboost to the Twins bullpen, which used all seven of its pitchersin Saturday night's 13-inning contest.

Juan Rincon retired both hitters he faced before Joe Nathanworked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 11th save in 12 chances thisseason.

Blue Jays starter A.J. Burnett (5-4) gave up four runs - threeearned - on three hits in eight innings for his second completegame of the seasons and 18th career. He had his personalthree-game winning streak come to an end.

Burnett threw a season-high 125 pitches, the fifth time in 11starts this year he has surpassed 110 pitches and the eighthtime he has passed the century mark. It was his second completegame this season.

Burnett was spotted an early lead, as Frank Thomas walked withone out in the second inning and scored two batters later onJason Phillips' single. But he gave the Twins some help in thethird inning with a throwing error that allowed Minnesota totake the lead for good.

After a single and a pair of walks loaded the bases, Morneau hita high chopper - a la teammate Luis Castillo. Burnettbarehanded the ball when it came down, but sailed the alreadylate throw to first over Lyle Overbay's head and into theToronto bullpen, allowing both Nick Punto and Jeff Cirillo toscore.

Morneau struck again in the sixth following a walk to MichaelCuddyer walk, blasting the first offering from Burnett 433 feetto the upper deck in right field.

Pinch hitter Adam Lind homered for Toronto to lead off theeighth inning and cut the Twins lead to two, but Minnesotareliever Juan Rincon retired Vernon Wells and Matt Stairs afterOverbay singled with one out to chase Silva.

 

Morneau, Silva lead Twins past Jays

<h3>MINNESOTA 4, TORONTO 2</h3>MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Leave it to the Canadian to inflict allthe damage to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Reigning American League Most Valuable Player Justin Morneau hita two-run homer and Carlos Silva snapped a personal four-gamelosing streak as the Minnesota Twins beat the Blue Jays, 4-2, inthe rubber game of a three-game series on Sunday.

A British Columbia native, Morneau hit a sixth-inning blast thatgave him four homers in his last five games and his thirdmulti-RBI game in his last five contests. He finished Sunday'scontest 2-for-3 with three RBI, and has driven in at least onerun in seven straight games.

Morneau added a pair of defensive gems as well to propelMinnesota to its fourth victory in five games.

"It was the Morneau show," Toronto manager John Gibbons said."That's why he's the MVP."

"He got hit on the shin (in the second inning) and acted like ahockey player like it didn't hurt him," Twins manager RonGardenhire said. "That ball was about 96 miles an hour and hegot hit right on the shin and he acted like it didn't hurt.That was impressive itself."

Silva (3-5) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk to earn hisfirst win since April 29. Silva had given up 16 earned runs inhis previous four starts (23 1/3 innings pitched), all of whichwere losses.

His 7 1/3 innings pitched marked a season high and were a bigboost to the Twins bullpen, which used all seven of its pitchersin Saturday night's 13-inning contest.

"I didn't have that on my mind," Silva said. "I was trying topitch my game and what I was doing was working pretty good. Butto give the bullpen a little break, especially after that gamelast night, was good."

"He kept us off-balance," Gibbons said. "He pitched better thanthe last few times we've seen him, no question about it."

Juan Rincon retired both hitters he faced in the eighth inningbefore Joe Nathan worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 11th save in 12chances this season.

Blue Jays starter A.J. Burnett (5-4) gave up four runs - threeearned - on three hits in eight innings for his second completegame of the seasons and 18th career. He had his personalthree-game winning streak come to an end.

Burnett threw a season-high 125 pitches, the fifth time in 11starts this year he has surpassed 110 pitches and the eighthtime he has passed the century mark. It was his second completegame this season. After Saturday's extra-inning game, the BlueJays needed it.

"I would have went two more if I had to," Burnett said.

"We had to have that," Gibbons said. "Burnett can do that. He'sas strong as they come. He can throw a lot of pitches."

Burnett was spotted an early lead, as Frank Thomas walked withone out in the second inning and scored two batters later onJason Phillips' single. But he gave the Twins some help in thethird inning with a throwing error that allowed Minnesota totake the lead for good.

After a single and a pair of walks loaded the bases, Morneau hita high chopper - a la teammate Luis Castillo. Burnettbarehanded the ball when it came down, but sailed the alreadylate throw to first over Lyle Overbay's head and into theToronto bullpen, allowing both Nick Punto and Jeff Cirillo toscore.

Morneau struck again in the sixth following a walk to MichaelCuddyer walk, blasting the first offering from Burnett 433 feetto the upper deck in right field.

"He was up over 90 pitches and we were trying to get into thatbullpen and get the starter out of the game, especially a guythat good," Morneau said. "I was looking for one pitch in onespot right there and he gave me exactly what I wanted."

Burnett said he tried to go down and in on Morneau, but left theball out over the plate.

"I made one bad pitch in eight innings and I paid for it,"Burnett said.

Pinch hitter Adam Lind homered for Toronto to lead off theeighth inning and cut the Twins lead to two, but Rincon retiredVernon Wells and Matt Stairs after Overbay singled with one outto chase Silva.