GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: MINNESOTA (28-29) at LA ANGELS (38-22)

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Nathan relieved P Neshek.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 8
LA ANGELS 5 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: R Willits (.322, 1-FOR-4, RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 2 8 11 2
LA ANGELS 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 10 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIN - KEVIN SLOWEY, MATT GUERRIER (6TH), CARMEN CALI (7TH), PAT
NESHEK (8TH), JOE NATHAN (9TH) AND MIKE REDMOND

LAA - JOHN LACKEY, DUSTIN MOSELEY (8TH), DARREN OLIVER
(9TH) AND MIKE NAPOLI

HOME RUNS: MIN - MICHAEL CUDDYER (8) OFF JOHN LACKEY IN THE 4TH, 1 ON
NICK PUNTO (1) OFF JOHN LACKEY IN THE 5TH, 2 ON
JASON BARTLETT (1) OFF DUSTIN MOSELEY IN THE 9TH, 0 ON

LAA - HOWIE KENDRICK (3) OFF KEVIN SLOWEY IN THE 6TH, 0 ON</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 2 8 11 2
LA ANGELS 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 10 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIN - KEVIN SLOWEY, MATT GUERRIER (6TH), CARMEN CALI (7TH), PAT
NESHEK (8TH), JOE NATHAN (9TH) AND MIKE REDMOND

LAA - JOHN LACKEY, DUSTIN MOSELEY (8TH), DARREN OLIVER
(9TH) AND MIKE NAPOLI


WP - KEVIN SLOWEY (1-0)
LP - JOHN LACKEY (9-4)
SAVE - JOE NATHAN (13)

HOME RUNS: MIN - MICHAEL CUDDYER (8) OFF JOHN LACKEY IN THE 4TH, 1 ON
NICK PUNTO (1) OFF JOHN LACKEY IN THE 5TH, 2 ON
JASON BARTLETT (1) OFF DUSTIN MOSELEY IN THE 9TH, 0 ON

LAA - HOWIE KENDRICK (3) OFF KEVIN SLOWEY IN THE 6TH, 0 ON


TIME: 2:46 ATT: 36,453

PROBABLES: LAA - BARTOLO COLON (5-2, 5.44)
STL - KIP WELLS (2-10, 6.40)

PROBABLES: WAS - JASON SIMONTACCHI (2-4, 5.61)
MIN - CARLOS SILVA (3-6, 3.86)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (8) VS LA ANGELS (5) - FINAL

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
L Castillo 2b 5 2 3 0 0 0 0 .339
J Cirillo 1b 4 1 1 0 1 0 1 .216
M Cuddyer rf 4 1 3 3 1 0 0 .298
J Morneau dh 5 0 1 1 0 1 2 .276
T Hunter cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .302
M Redmond c 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .301
J Kubel lf 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 .243
N Punto 3b 4 1 1 3 0 0 0 .226
J Bartlett ss 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 .238

Totals 38 8 11 8 2 3 7

BATTING: 2B - M Cuddyer (11, D Moseley). HR - M Cuddyer (8, 4th inning off J
Lackey 1 on, 1 Out), N Punto (1, 5th inning off J Lackey 2 on, 0 Out), J
Bartlett (1, 9th inning off D Moseley 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - M Cuddyer 3 (41), N
Punto 3 (13), J Morneau (45), J Bartlett (11). 2-out RBI - J Morneau, J
Bartlett, M Cuddyer. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Morneau 1, M
Redmond 1, T Hunter 1. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - L Castillo (5, 2nd base off D Moseley/M Napoli). CS - L
Castillo (1, 2nd base by J Lackey/M Napoli).

FIELDING: E - L Castillo (1, catch); N Punto (3, dropped foul ball).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Willits cf 5 0 1 1 0 1 0 .320
C Figgins 3b 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 .220
O Cabrera ss 5 1 2 0 0 0 1 .333
V Guerrero dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .348
C Kotchman 1b 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 .315
G Anderson lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 4 .243
M Napoli c 4 0 2 2 0 1 2 .263
H Kendrick 2b 4 2 1 1 0 1 2 .248
N Haynes rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .143

Totals 38 5 10 5 1 6 15

BATTING: 2B - G Anderson (10, K Slowey); R Willits (7, K Slowey); C Kotchman
(13, K Slowey). HR - H Kendrick (3, 6th inning off K Slowey 0 on, 0 Out). RBI -
M Napoli 2 (21), R Willits (13), C Kotchman (29), H Kendrick (7). 2-out RBI - R
Willits, M Napoli. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 1, C
Kotchman 1, M Napoli 1. Team LOB - 7.

FIELDING: E - O Cabrera (4, ground ball). PB - M Napoli.


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 240 002 -- 8
LA ANGELS - 022 001 000 -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
K Slowey (W, 1-0) 5 10 5 4 0 2 1 4.09
M Guerrier (H, 4) 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.72
C Cali (H, 1) 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.00
P Neshek (H, 5) 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.26
J Nathan (S, 13) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.05

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Lackey (L, 9-4) 7 7 6 5 1 2 2 2.70
D Moseley 1 2/3 4 2 2 1 1 1 1.93
D Oliver 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.31

K Slowey pitched to 1 batter in the 6th.

Pitches-strikes: K Slowey 84-59; M Guerrier 24-15; C Cali 6-2; P Neshek 15-9;
J Nathan 19-11; J Lackey 113-74; D Moseley 28-19; D Oliver 4-3. Ground
balls-fly balls: K Slowey 3-10; M Guerrier 1-2; C Cali 0-1; P Neshek 1-0; J
Nathan 2-1; J Lackey 8-10; D Moseley 1-3; D Oliver 1-0. Batters faced: K Slowey
26; M Guerrier 5; C Cali 2; P Neshek 3; J Nathan 3; J Lackey 29; D Moseley 10;
D Oliver 1.

UMPIRES: HP--Mike Everitt. 1B--Paul Nauert. 2B--Brian Gorman. 3B--Gerry
Davis.

T--2:46. Att--36,453.
Weather: 67 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 13 mph, out
to center.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
MINNESOTA 8
LA ANGELS 5 FINAL</div>

 

Twins hit four homers to end four-game slide

<h3>MINNESOTA 8, LA ANGELS 5</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Nick Punto and Michael Cuddyerboth homered as the Minnesota Twins snapped a four-game losingstreak with an 8-5 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim on Wednesday.

Trailing, 4-2, in the fifth inning, Minnesota's offense got tostarter John Lackey (9-4), who failed in his attempt to becomethe first double-figure winner in the majors.

Mike Redmond singled and Jason Kubel reached on shortstopOrlando Cabrera's throwing errors, setting up Punto's three-runblast. Reigning American League MVP Justin Morneau capped thefour-run inning with an RBI single as the Twins grabbed a 6-4advantage.

Minnesota started its rally in the fourth as Cuddyer delivered atwo-run homer to slice the deficit in half, 4-2.

Twins starter Kevin Slowery (1-0) battled for five-plus innings,giving up five runs and 10 hits to register his first careerwin. He left after Howie Kendrick stroked a solo shot in thesixth to cut the deficit to 6-5

But three Minnesota relievers bridged the gap to Joe Nathan, whoclosed the door in the ninth for his 13 save in 14 chances. Itwas his 92nd save since 2005 - fourth most in the majors.

Lackey allowed six runs and seven hits in seven frames with twostrikeouts and one walk, recording his first setback sincefalling, 6-3, against the Chicago White Sox on May 5. Therighthander retired the first 10 batters he faced.

Mike Napoli drove in two runs and Casey Kotchman and ReggieWillits each delivered run-scoring doubles for the Angels, whoheld a 4-0 advantage before things turned for the worst.

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (8) VS LA ANGELS (5) - FINAL

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
L Castillo 2b 5 2 3 0 0 0 0 .339
J Cirillo 1b 4 1 1 0 1 0 1 .216
M Cuddyer rf 4 1 3 3 1 0 0 .298
J Morneau dh 5 0 1 1 0 1 2 .276
T Hunter cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .302
M Redmond c 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .301
J Kubel lf 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 .243
N Punto 3b 4 1 1 3 0 0 0 .226
J Bartlett ss 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 .238

Totals 38 8 11 8 2 3 7

BATTING: 2B - M Cuddyer (11, D Moseley). HR - M Cuddyer (8, 4th inning off J
Lackey 1 on, 1 Out), N Punto (1, 5th inning off J Lackey 2 on, 0 Out), J
Bartlett (1, 9th inning off D Moseley 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - M Cuddyer 3 (41), N
Punto 3 (13), J Morneau (45), J Bartlett (11). 2-out RBI - J Morneau, J
Bartlett, M Cuddyer. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Morneau 1, M
Redmond 1, T Hunter 1. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - L Castillo (5, 2nd base off D Moseley/M Napoli). CS - L
Castillo (1, 2nd base by J Lackey/M Napoli).

FIELDING: E - L Castillo (1, catch); N Punto (3, dropped foul ball).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Willits cf 5 0 1 1 0 1 0 .320
C Figgins 3b 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 .220
O Cabrera ss 5 1 2 0 0 0 1 .333
V Guerrero dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .348
C Kotchman 1b 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 .315
G Anderson lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 4 .243
M Napoli c 4 0 2 2 0 1 2 .263
H Kendrick 2b 4 2 1 1 0 1 2 .248
N Haynes rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .143

Totals 38 5 10 5 1 6 15

BATTING: 2B - G Anderson (10, K Slowey); R Willits (7, K Slowey); C Kotchman
(13, K Slowey). HR - H Kendrick (3, 6th inning off K Slowey 0 on, 0 Out). RBI -
M Napoli 2 (21), R Willits (13), C Kotchman (29), H Kendrick (7). 2-out RBI - R
Willits, M Napoli. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 1, C
Kotchman 1, M Napoli 1. Team LOB - 7.

FIELDING: E - O Cabrera (4, ground ball). PB - M Napoli.


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 240 002 -- 8
LA ANGELS - 022 001 000 -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
K Slowey (W, 1-0) 5 10 5 4 0 2 1 4.09
M Guerrier (H, 4) 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.72
C Cali (H, 1) 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.00
P Neshek (H, 5) 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.26
J Nathan (S, 13) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.98

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Lackey (L, 9-4) 7 7 6 5 1 2 2 2.70
D Moseley 1 2/3 4 2 2 1 1 1 1.93
D Oliver 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.31

K Slowey pitched to 1 batter in the 6th.

Pitches-strikes: K Slowey 84-59; M Guerrier 24-15; C Cali 6-2; P Neshek 15-9;
J Nathan 19-11; J Lackey 113-74; D Moseley 28-19; D Oliver 4-3. Ground
balls-fly balls: K Slowey 4-10; M Guerrier 1-2; C Cali 0-1; P Neshek 1-0; J
Nathan 2-1; J Lackey 9-10; D Moseley 1-3; D Oliver 1-0. Batters faced: K Slowey
26; M Guerrier 5; C Cali 2; P Neshek 3; J Nathan 3; J Lackey 29; D Moseley 10;
D Oliver 1.

UMPIRES: HP--Mike Everitt. 1B--Paul Nauert. 2B--Brian Gorman. 3B--Gerry
Davis.

T--2:46. Att--36,453.
Weather: 67 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 13 mph, out
to center.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (8) AT LA ANGELS (5) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LA ANGELS 2ND: G Anderson hit a ground rule double to deep right. M Napoli
singled to left center, G Anderson scored. H Kendrick grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, M Napoli out at second. N Haynes lined out to right.
R Willits doubled to deep right, H Kendrick scored. C Figgins lined out to left.
(2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 3RD: O Cabrera singled to center. V Guerrero struck out
swinging. C Kotchman doubled to deep right center, O Cabrera scored.
G Anderson popped out to second. M Napoli continues to bat after dropped foul
ball by third baseman N Punto. M Napoli singled to left, C Kotchman scored.
H Kendrick flied out to left. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 4.

MINNESOTA 4TH: L Castillo grounded out to second. J Cirillo singled to
center. M Cuddyer homered to left, J Cirillo scored. J Morneau struck out
swinging. T Hunter flied out to right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2,
LA ANGELS 4.

MINNESOTA 5TH: M Redmond reached on infield single to shortstop. J Kubel
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, M Redmond safe at second on error
by shortstop O Cabrera. N Punto homered to right center, M Redmond and J Kubel
scored. J Bartlett fouled out to first. L Castillo reached on infield single
to shortstop. J Cirillo grounded out to third, L Castillo to second.
L Castillo to third on passed ball by M Napoli. M Cuddyer walked. J Morneau
singled to left, L Castillo scored, M Cuddyer to third. T Hunter flied out to
center. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 6, LA ANGELS 4.

LA ANGELS 6TH: H Kendrick homered to left center. M Guerrier relieved
K Slowey. N Haynes popped out to shortstop. R Willits struck out swinging.
C Figgins grounded out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 6, LA ANGELS 5.

MINNESOTA 9TH: J Kubel flied out to right. N Punto flied out to left.
J Bartlett homered to left. L Castillo singled to left. L Castillo stole
second. J Cirillo walked. M Cuddyer singled to left, L Castillo scored,
J Cirillo to second. D Oliver relieved D Moseley. J Morneau grounded out to
shortstop. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 8, LA ANGELS 5.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (8) AT LA ANGELS (5) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

La Angels Starting Lineups -- R Willits CF, C Figgins 3B, O Cabrera SS,
V Guerrero DH, C Kotchman 1B, G Anderson LF, M Napoli C, H Kendrick 2B, N Haynes RF,
J Lackey RHP.

Umpires -- Mike Everitt (HP), Paul Nauert (1B), Brian Gorman (2B), Gerry Davis (3B).

Gametime Weather: 67 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind out to center at 13 mph.


MINNESOTA 1ST: L Castillo flied out to left. J Cirillo grounded out to
third. M Cuddyer grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
LA ANGELS 0.

LA ANGELS 1ST: R Willits flied out to center. C Figgins singled to right.
O Cabrera fouled out to third. V Guerrero grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, C Figgins safe at second on error by second baseman L Castillo.
C Kotchman struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau grounded out to third. T Hunter struck out
swinging. M Redmond grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 0.

LA ANGELS 2ND: G Anderson hit a ground rule double to deep right. M Napoli
singled to left center, G Anderson scored. H Kendrick grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, M Napoli out at second. N Haynes lined out to right.
R Willits doubled to deep right, H Kendrick scored. C Figgins lined out to left.
(2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 2.

MINNESOTA 3RD: J Kubel grounded out to second. N Punto grounded out to
second. J Bartlett popped out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 3RD: O Cabrera singled to center. V Guerrero struck out
swinging. C Kotchman doubled to deep right center, O Cabrera scored.
G Anderson popped out to second. M Napoli continues to bat after dropped foul
ball by third baseman N Punto. M Napoli singled to left, C Kotchman scored.
H Kendrick flied out to left. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 4.

MINNESOTA 4TH: L Castillo grounded out to second. J Cirillo singled to
center. M Cuddyer homered to left, J Cirillo scored. J Morneau struck out
swinging. T Hunter flied out to right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2,
LA ANGELS 4.

LA ANGELS 4TH: N Haynes flied out to right. R Willits grounded out to
second. C Figgins grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 2,
LA ANGELS 4.

MINNESOTA 5TH: M Redmond reached on infield single to shortstop. J Kubel
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, M Redmond safe at second on error
by shortstop O Cabrera. N Punto homered to right center, M Redmond and J Kubel
scored. J Bartlett fouled out to first. L Castillo reached on infield single
to shortstop. J Cirillo grounded out to third, L Castillo to second.
L Castillo to third on passed ball by M Napoli. M Cuddyer walked. J Morneau
singled to left, L Castillo scored, M Cuddyer to third. T Hunter flied out to
center. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 6, LA ANGELS 4.

LA ANGELS 5TH: O Cabrera singled to left. V Guerrero popped out to
shortstop. C Kotchman singled to deep right, O Cabrera to third. G Anderson
popped out to first. M Napoli popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 6, LA ANGELS 4.

MINNESOTA 6TH: M Redmond fouled out to first. J Kubel flied out to right.
N Punto flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 6, LA ANGELS 4.

LA ANGELS 6TH: H Kendrick homered to left center. M Guerrier relieved
K Slowey. N Haynes popped out to shortstop. R Willits struck out swinging.
C Figgins grounded out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 6, LA ANGELS 5.

MINNESOTA 7TH: J Bartlett popped out to second. L Castillo singled to
center. J Cirillo flied out to center. L Castillo caught stealing second,
catcher to second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 6, LA ANGELS 5.

LA ANGELS 7TH: O Cabrera popped out to shortstop. V Guerrero struck out
swinging. C Cali relieved M Guerrier. C Kotchman walked. G Anderson lined out
to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 6, LA ANGELS 5.

MINNESOTA 8TH: D Moseley relieved J Lackey. M Cuddyer doubled to deep
center. J Morneau grounded out to second, M Cuddyer to third. T Hunter struck
out swinging. M Redmond flied out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 6, LA ANGELS 5.

LA ANGELS 8TH: P Neshek relieved C Cali. M Napoli struck out swinging.
H Kendrick struck out swinging. N Haynes grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 6, LA ANGELS 5.

MINNESOTA 9TH: J Kubel flied out to right. N Punto flied out to left.
J Bartlett homered to left. L Castillo singled to left. L Castillo stole
second. J Cirillo walked. M Cuddyer singled to left, L Castillo scored,
J Cirillo to second. D Oliver relieved D Moseley. J Morneau grounded out to
shortstop. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 8, LA ANGELS 5.

LA ANGELS 9TH: J Nathan relieved P Neshek. R Willits grounded out to
second. C Figgins grounded out to second. O Cabrera popped out to second.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 8, LA ANGELS 5.</div>

 

Twins hit three homers, end four-game slide

<h3>MINNESOTA 8, LA ANGELS 5</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Nick Punto and Michael Cuddyerboth homered as the Minnesota Twins snapped a four-game losingstreak with an 8-5 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim on Wednesday.

Trailing, 4-2, in the fifth inning, Minnesota's offense got tostarter John Lackey (9-4), who failed in his attempt to becomethe first double-figure winner in the majors.

Mike Redmond singled and Jason Kubel reached on shortstopOrlando Cabrera's throwing errors, setting up Punto's three-runblast. Reigning American League MVP Justin Morneau capped thefour-run inning with an RBI single as the Twins grabbed a 6-4advantage.

"We finally broke out in the middle of the game and it was niceto see after struggling to put runs on the board this series,"Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Minnesota started its rally in the fourth as Cuddyer delivered atwo-run homer to slice the deficit in half, 4-2.

"I was looking for a pitch that I can drive and I got a pitch tohandle and squared it up," said Cuddyer, who drove in threeruns.

In the eighth, the Twins added two insurance runs off relieverDustin Moseley, when Jason Bartlett hit his first of the seasonto left and Cuddyer stroked a run-scoring single.

"Our bullpen has been one of the best in baseball but you justcan't expect to be perfect every time out," Anaheim manager MikeScioscia said.

Twins starter Kevin Slowey (1-0) battled for five-plus innings,giving up five runs and 10 hits to register his first careerwin. He left after Howie Kendrick stroked a solo shot in thesixth to cut the deficit to 6-5.

"I knew going into the game that I was facing a good hittingteam and just wanted to make quality pitches, get outs, and tryto keep them off the bases," Slowey said.

Three Minnesota relievers bridged the gap to Joe Nathan, whoclosed the door in the ninth for his 13 save in 14 chances. Itwas his 92nd save since 2005 - fourth most in the majors.

Lackey allowed six runs and seven hits in seven frames with twostrikeouts and one walk, recording his first setback sincefalling, 6-3, against the Chicago White Sox on May 5. Therighthander retired the first 10 batters he faced.

"I felt good early on in the game, but then I lost command,"Lackey said. "Guys got on base and I ended up throwing a lot ofpitches to get my pitch count up in the fourth and fifth. Ileft pitches up in the zone and they just made me pay."

Mike Napoli drove in two runs and Casey Kotchman and ReggieWillits each delivered run-scoring doubles for the Angels, whoheld a 4-0 advantage before things turned for the worst.

Angels snapped a five game winning streak and finished their10-game homestand with a 7-3 mark.

"We definitely have been playing consistent baseball and that'sall we want to do," Napoli said. "If we pitch and get goodquality at-bats, then we know we are going to win a lot ofballgames. Just have to start a new winning streak on the roadour next time out."

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (8) VS LA ANGELS (5) - FINAL

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
L Castillo 2b 5 2 3 0 0 0 0 .339
J Cirillo 1b 4 1 1 0 1 0 1 .216
M Cuddyer rf 4 1 3 3 1 0 0 .298
J Morneau dh 5 0 1 1 0 1 2 .276
T Hunter cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .302
M Redmond c 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .301
J Kubel lf 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 .243
N Punto 3b 4 1 1 3 0 0 0 .226
J Bartlett ss 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 .238

Totals 38 8 11 8 2 3 7

BATTING: 2B - M Cuddyer (11, D Moseley). HR - M Cuddyer (8, 4th inning off J
Lackey 1 on, 1 Out), N Punto (1, 5th inning off J Lackey 2 on, 0 Out), J
Bartlett (1, 9th inning off D Moseley 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - M Cuddyer 3 (41), N
Punto 3 (13), J Morneau (45), J Bartlett (11). 2-out RBI - J Morneau, J
Bartlett, M Cuddyer. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Morneau 1, M
Redmond 1, T Hunter 1. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - L Castillo (5, 2nd base off D Moseley/M Napoli). CS - L
Castillo (1, 2nd base by J Lackey/M Napoli).

FIELDING: E - L Castillo (1, catch); N Punto (3, dropped foul ball).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Willits cf 5 0 1 1 0 1 0 .320
C Figgins 3b 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 .220
O Cabrera ss 5 1 2 0 0 0 1 .333
V Guerrero dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .348
C Kotchman 1b 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 .315
G Anderson lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 4 .243
M Napoli c 4 0 2 2 0 1 2 .263
H Kendrick 2b 4 2 1 1 0 1 2 .248
N Haynes rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .143

Totals 38 5 10 5 1 6 15

BATTING: 2B - G Anderson (10, K Slowey); R Willits (7, K Slowey); C Kotchman
(13, K Slowey). HR - H Kendrick (3, 6th inning off K Slowey 0 on, 0 Out). RBI -
M Napoli 2 (21), R Willits (13), C Kotchman (29), H Kendrick (7). 2-out RBI - R
Willits, M Napoli. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 1, C
Kotchman 1, M Napoli 1. Team LOB - 7.

FIELDING: E - O Cabrera (4, ground ball). PB - M Napoli.


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 240 002 -- 8
LA ANGELS - 022 001 000 -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
K Slowey (W, 1-0) 5 10 5 4 0 2 1 4.09
M Guerrier (H, 4) 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.72
C Cali (H, 1) 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.00
P Neshek (H, 5) 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.26
J Nathan (S, 13) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.05

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Lackey (L, 9-4) 7 7 6 4 1 2 2 2.60
D Moseley 1 2/3 4 2 2 1 1 1 1.93
D Oliver 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.31

K Slowey pitched to 1 batter in the 6th.

Pitches-strikes: K Slowey 84-59; M Guerrier 24-15; C Cali 6-2; P Neshek 15-9;
J Nathan 19-11; J Lackey 113-74; D Moseley 28-19; D Oliver 4-3. Ground
balls-fly balls: K Slowey 4-10; M Guerrier 1-2; C Cali 0-1; P Neshek 1-0; J
Nathan 2-1; J Lackey 9-10; D Moseley 1-3; D Oliver 1-0. Batters faced: K Slowey
26; M Guerrier 5; C Cali 2; P Neshek 3; J Nathan 3; J Lackey 29; D Moseley 10;
D Oliver 1.

UMPIRES: HP--Mike Everitt. 1B--Paul Nauert. 2B--Brian Gorman. 3B--Gerry
Davis.

T--2:46. Att--36,453.
Weather: 67 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 13 mph, out
to center.</div>