GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: MINNESOTA (58-59) at SEATTLE (65-50)

AL: MINNESOTA at SEATTLE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (3) AT SEATTLE (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
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SEATTLE 1ST: I Suzuki grounded out to shortstop. J Vidro singled to right
center. J Guillen grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Vidro out at
second. R Ibanez singled to center, J Guillen to third. R Sexson doubled to
deep left, J Guillen and R Ibanez scored. K Johjima struck out swinging.
(2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 2.

MINNESOTA 5TH: N Punto walked. N Punto stole second. A Casilla struck out
swinging. J Bartlett struck out swinging. J Mauer singled to center, N Punto
scored. J Mauer stole second. T Hunter grounded out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, SEATTLE 2.

SEATTLE 5TH: Y Betancourt doubled to left. W Bloomquist grounded out to
first, Y Betancourt to third. I Suzuki reached on infield single to shortstop.
J Vidro singled to center, Y Betancourt scored, I Suzuki to third. J Guillen
struck out swinging. J Vidro to second on wild pitch by J Santana. R Ibanez
grounded out to second. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, SEATTLE 3.

MINNESOTA 7TH: J Parrish relieved F Hernandez. J Tyner walked. N Punto
singled to left, J Tyner to second. A Casilla sacrificed to pitcher, J Tyner
to third, N Punto to second. S Green relieved J Parrish. J Bartlett grounded
out to second, J Tyner scored, N Punto to third. J Mauer doubled to left,
N Punto scored, J Mauer out at second. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3,
SEATTLE 3.

SEATTLE 9TH: L Rodriguez at third base. N Punto at second base. R Sexson
homered to left center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 4.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at SEATTLE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (3) AT SEATTLE (4) - 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, R White LF, J Tyner DH, N Punto 3B, J Santana LHP.

Seattle Starting Lineups -- I Suzuki CF, J Vidro 2B, J Guillen RF, R Ibanez DH,
R Sexson 1B, K Johjima C, A Jones LF, Y Betancourt SS, W Bloomquist 3B,
F Hernandez RHP.

Umpires -- Jim Reynolds (HP), Tim Welke (1B), Lance Barksdale (2B),
Gary Cederstrom (3B).

Gametime Weather: 70 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind left to right at 1 mph.


MINNESOTA 1ST: A Casilla grounded out to third. J Bartlett struck out
swinging. J Mauer safe at first on error by second baseman J Vidro. T Hunter
singled to right, J Mauer to second. J Morneau struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 0.

SEATTLE 1ST: I Suzuki grounded out to shortstop. J Vidro singled to right
center. J Guillen grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Vidro out at
second. R Ibanez singled to center, J Guillen to third. R Sexson doubled to
deep left, J Guillen and R Ibanez scored. K Johjima struck out swinging.
(2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 2.

MINNESOTA 2ND: M Cuddyer flied out to right. R White grounded out to
third. J Tyner singled to center. J Tyner to second on balk by F Hernandez.
N Punto walked. A Casilla struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 2.

SEATTLE 2ND: A Jones grounded out to shortstop. Y Betancourt grounded out
to pitcher. W Bloomquist grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 2.

MINNESOTA 3RD: J Bartlett grounded out to shortstop. J Mauer singled to
center. T Hunter grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Mauer out at
second. J Morneau flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
SEATTLE 2.

SEATTLE 3RD: I Suzuki grounded out to pitcher. J Vidro singled to right.
J Guillen grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, J Vidro out
at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 2.

MINNESOTA 4TH: M Cuddyer grounded out to third. R White grounded out to
first. J Tyner struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
SEATTLE 2.

SEATTLE 4TH: R Ibanez hit by pitch. R Sexson struck out swinging.
K Johjima flied out to left. A Jones grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, R Ibanez out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
SEATTLE 2.

MINNESOTA 5TH: N Punto walked. N Punto stole second. A Casilla struck out
swinging. J Bartlett struck out swinging. J Mauer singled to center, N Punto
scored. J Mauer stole second. T Hunter grounded out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, SEATTLE 2.

SEATTLE 5TH: Y Betancourt doubled to left. W Bloomquist grounded out to
first, Y Betancourt to third. I Suzuki reached on infield single to shortstop.
J Vidro singled to center, Y Betancourt scored, I Suzuki to third. J Guillen
struck out swinging. J Vidro to second on wild pitch by J Santana. R Ibanez
grounded out to second. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, SEATTLE 3.

MINNESOTA 6TH: J Morneau grounded out to third. M Cuddyer popped out to
second. R White grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
SEATTLE 3.

SEATTLE 6TH: R Sexson struck out swinging. K Johjima grounded out to
third. A Jones lined out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
SEATTLE 3.

MINNESOTA 7TH: J Parrish relieved F Hernandez. J Tyner walked. N Punto
singled to left, J Tyner to second. A Casilla sacrificed to pitcher, J Tyner
to third, N Punto to second. S Green relieved J Parrish. J Bartlett grounded
out to second, J Tyner scored, N Punto to third. J Mauer doubled to left,
N Punto scored, J Mauer out at second. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3,
SEATTLE 3.

SEATTLE 7TH: Y Betancourt flied out to center. W Bloomquist flied out to
right. I Suzuki grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 3.

MINNESOTA 8TH: T Hunter grounded out to shortstop. J Morneau singled to
right center. M Cuddyer struck out swinging. R White grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 3.

SEATTLE 8TH: M Guerrier relieved J Santana. J Vidro flied out to center.
J Guillen grounded out to shortstop. R Ibanez grounded out to second. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 3.

MINNESOTA 9TH: J Putz relieved S Green. J Tyner singled to left. N Punto
struck out bunting foul. L Rodriguez hit for A Casilla. L Rodriguez lined out
to left. J Bartlett fouled out to catcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 3.

SEATTLE 9TH: L Rodriguez at third base. N Punto at second base. R Sexson
homered to left center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 4.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at SEATTLE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (3) AT SEATTLE (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Minnesota Starting Lineups -- A Casilla 2B, J Bartlett SS, J Mauer C, T Hunter CF,
J Morneau 1B, M Cuddyer RF, R White LF, J Tyner DH, N Punto 3B, J Santana LHP.

Seattle Starting Lineups -- I Suzuki CF, J Vidro 2B, J Guillen RF, R Ibanez DH,
R Sexson 1B, K Johjima C, A Jones LF, Y Betancourt SS, W Bloomquist 3B,
F Hernandez RHP.

Umpires -- Jim Reynolds (HP), Tim Welke (1B), Lance Barksdale (2B),
Gary Cederstrom (3B).

Gametime Weather: 70 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind left to right at 1 mph.


MINNESOTA 1ST: A Casilla grounded out to third. J Bartlett struck out
swinging. J Mauer safe at first on error by second baseman J Vidro. T Hunter
singled to right, J Mauer to second. J Morneau struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 0.

SEATTLE 1ST: I Suzuki grounded out to shortstop. J Vidro singled to right
center. J Guillen grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Vidro out at
second. R Ibanez singled to center, J Guillen to third. R Sexson doubled to
deep left, J Guillen and R Ibanez scored. K Johjima struck out swinging.
(2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 2.

MINNESOTA 2ND: M Cuddyer flied out to right. R White grounded out to
third. J Tyner singled to center. J Tyner to second on balk by F Hernandez.
N Punto walked. A Casilla struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 2.

SEATTLE 2ND: A Jones grounded out to shortstop. Y Betancourt grounded out
to pitcher. W Bloomquist grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 2.

MINNESOTA 3RD: J Bartlett grounded out to shortstop. J Mauer singled to
center. T Hunter grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Mauer out at
second. J Morneau flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
SEATTLE 2.

SEATTLE 3RD: I Suzuki grounded out to pitcher. J Vidro singled to right.
J Guillen grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, J Vidro out
at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 2.

MINNESOTA 4TH: M Cuddyer grounded out to third. R White grounded out to
first. J Tyner struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
SEATTLE 2.

SEATTLE 4TH: R Ibanez hit by pitch. R Sexson struck out swinging.
K Johjima flied out to left. A Jones grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, R Ibanez out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
SEATTLE 2.

MINNESOTA 5TH: N Punto walked. N Punto stole second. A Casilla struck out
swinging. J Bartlett struck out swinging. J Mauer singled to center, N Punto
scored. J Mauer stole second. T Hunter grounded out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, SEATTLE 2.

SEATTLE 5TH: Y Betancourt doubled to left. W Bloomquist grounded out to
first, Y Betancourt to third. I Suzuki reached on infield single to shortstop.
J Vidro singled to center, Y Betancourt scored, I Suzuki to third. J Guillen
struck out swinging. J Vidro to second on wild pitch by J Santana. R Ibanez
grounded out to second. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, SEATTLE 3.

MINNESOTA 6TH: J Morneau grounded out to third. M Cuddyer popped out to
second. R White grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
SEATTLE 3.

SEATTLE 6TH: R Sexson struck out swinging. K Johjima grounded out to
third. A Jones lined out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
SEATTLE 3.

MINNESOTA 7TH: J Parrish relieved F Hernandez. J Tyner walked. N Punto
singled to left, J Tyner to second. A Casilla sacrificed to pitcher, J Tyner
to third, N Punto to second. S Green relieved J Parrish. J Bartlett grounded
out to second, J Tyner scored, N Punto to third. J Mauer doubled to left,
N Punto scored, J Mauer out at third. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3,
SEATTLE 3.

SEATTLE 7TH: Y Betancourt flied out to center. W Bloomquist flied out to
right. I Suzuki grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 3.

MINNESOTA 8TH: T Hunter grounded out to shortstop. J Morneau singled to
right center. M Cuddyer struck out swinging. R White grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 3.

SEATTLE 8TH: M Guerrier relieved J Santana. J Vidro flied out to center.
J Guillen grounded out to shortstop. R Ibanez grounded out to second. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 3.

MINNESOTA 9TH: J Putz relieved S Green. J Tyner singled to left. N Punto
struck out bunting foul. L Rodriguez hit for A Casilla. L Rodriguez lined out
to left. J Bartlett fouled out to catcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 3.

SEATTLE 9TH: L Rodriguez at third base. N Punto at second base. R Sexson
homered to left center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 4.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at SEATTLE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (3) AT SEATTLE (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SEATTLE 1ST: I Suzuki grounded out to shortstop. J Vidro singled to right
center. J Guillen grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Vidro out at
second. R Ibanez singled to center, J Guillen to third. R Sexson doubled to
deep left, J Guillen and R Ibanez scored. K Johjima struck out swinging.
(2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, SEATTLE 2.

MINNESOTA 5TH: N Punto walked. N Punto stole second. A Casilla struck out
swinging. J Bartlett struck out swinging. J Mauer singled to center, N Punto
scored. J Mauer stole second. T Hunter grounded out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, SEATTLE 2.

SEATTLE 5TH: Y Betancourt doubled to left. W Bloomquist grounded out to
first, Y Betancourt to third. I Suzuki reached on infield single to shortstop.
J Vidro singled to center, Y Betancourt scored, I Suzuki to third. J Guillen
struck out swinging. J Vidro to second on wild pitch by J Santana. R Ibanez
grounded out to second. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, SEATTLE 3.

MINNESOTA 7TH: J Parrish relieved F Hernandez. J Tyner walked. N Punto
singled to left, J Tyner to second. A Casilla sacrificed to pitcher, J Tyner
to third, N Punto to second. S Green relieved J Parrish. J Bartlett grounded
out to second, J Tyner scored, N Punto to third. J Mauer doubled to left,
N Punto scored, J Mauer out at third. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3,
SEATTLE 3.

SEATTLE 9TH: L Rodriguez at third base. N Punto at second base. R Sexson
homered to left center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, SEATTLE 4.</div>

 

Sexson's walk-off blast powers Mariners past Twins

<h3>SEATTLE 4, MINNESOTA 3</h3>Paul Lowenberg
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Richie Sexson's walk-off homer lifted theSeattle Mariners to their third consecutive win.


Sexson homered and drove in three runs as the Mariners posted a4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday in the opener ofa three-game series.


Sexson blasted a 1-0 offering from Matt Guerrier (1-4) over theleft-center field wall to lead off the bottom of the ninth asSeattle won for the sixth time in its last seven games.

The 32-year-old Sexson, who now has registered two hits in eachof his last three games, had a two-run double in the firstinning off Twins starter Johan Santana, which gave the Marinersan early 2-0 advantage.


Sexson has struggled this season, batting just .210, but hasturned it on lately with a six-game hitting streak. The 11-yearveteran, who has 19 homers and 58 RBI in 2007, is 10-for-25(.400) on his current hitting streak.


J.J. Putz (2-1) picked up the win after pitching a scorelessninth inning.


The Twins rallied to score two runs in the seventh inning to tiethe game at 3-3. After Jason Bartlett's RBI groundout scoredJason Tyner, Joe Mauer sent an RBI double to left field, whichbounced off the glove of left fielder Adam Jones.


Mauer, who had three hits, had an RBI single in the fifthinning, which cut the deficit to 2-1. The 24-year-old catcheris now 8-for-12 (.667) with three RBI over his last three games.

Mariners starter Felix Hernandez, who had lasted just one-thirdof an inning before leaving the game with a sore elbow in hisprevious outing against the Twins on April 18, fared much betterthis time around.


The 21-year-old righthander stifled the Twins offense, allowingjust one run and four hits over six innings. Hernandez, who hadsix strikeouts, departed with a 3-1 lead after throwing 110pitches.


Santana, who is 7-1 in his career against Seattle, gave up threeruns and seven hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

Jose Vidro singled in Yuniesky Betancourt, who led off the fifthinning with a double, to give the Mariners a 3-1 advantage.

 

Sexson's walk-off blast powers Mariners past Twins

<h3>SEATTLE 4, MINNESOTA 3</h3>Paul Lowenberg
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


SEATTLE (Ticker) - Richie Sexson's walk-off homer lifted theSeattle Mariners to their third consecutive win.


Sexson homered and drove in three runs as the Mariners posted a4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday in the opener ofa three-game series.


Sexson blasted a 1-0 offering from Matt Guerrier (1-4) over theleft-center field wall to lead off the bottom of the ninth asSeattle won for the sixth time in its last seven games.

"I made bad pitches and I got hit," Guerrier said. "I made somebad pitches in the inning before and I made another mistake toa guy that hits the ball out."


The 32-year-old Sexson, who now has registered two hits in eachof his last three games, had a two-run double in the firstinning off Twins starter Johan Santana, which gave the Marinersan early 2-0 advantage.


Sexson has struggled this season, batting just .210, but hasturned it on lately with a six-game hitting streak. The 11-yearveteran, who has 19 homers and 58 RBI in 2007, is 10-for-25(.400) on his current hitting streak.


Sexson heard plenty of boos from the hometown crowd during hisrecent difficulties, and Mariners manager John McLaren finallysat him down at the end of the last homestand. But thingsfinally got going for the 6-foot-8 slugger on the road, where hewas 8-for-21 with a home run over the past two series.

"On the road I did feel good," Sexson said. "It was nice to goout on the road and relax. I haven't heard cheers here for along time and it was nice. I think I've dug my own grave withthe fans here but I think they're just booing me because theywant me to be good.


"I'm just trying to keep it going here at home. Hopefully, Ican carry this team down the stretch. That's my goal rightnow."


J.J. Putz (2-1) picked up the win after pitching a scorelessninth inning.


The Twins rallied to score two runs in the seventh inning to tiethe game at 3-3. After Jason Bartlett's RBI groundout scoredJason Tyner, Joe Mauer sent an RBI double to left field, whichbounced off the glove of left fielder Adam Jones.


Mauer, who had three hits, had an RBI single in the fifthinning, which cut the deficit to 2-1. The 24-year-old catcheris 8-for-12 (.667) with three RBI over his last three games.

Mariners starter Felix Hernandez, who had lasted just one-thirdof an inning before leaving the game with a sore elbow in hisprevious outing against the Twins on April 18, fared much betterthis time around.


The 21-year-old righthander stifled the Twins' offense, allowingjust one run and four hits over six innings. Hernandez, whohad six strikeouts, departed with a 3-1 lead after throwing 110pitches, 31 of them in the first inning alone.


"I knew it was going to be a hard game against Santana,"Hernandez said of his duel with his fellow Venezuelan andtwo-time Cy Young Award winner. "The hardest inning was thefirst when they fouled off a lot of pitches."


"He really worked hard those 110 pitches," McLaren said. "Thefirst two innings he really had to work hard. He gotfrustrated, but he kept himself under control."


Santana, who is 7-1 in his career against Seattle, gave up threeruns and seven hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

"Johan was good," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "After tworuns early, he really settled down and threw the ball great forus and gave us a great chance to get back in the ballgame."

Jose Vidro singled in Yuniesky Betancourt, who led off the fifthinning with a double, to give the Mariners a 3-1 advantage.

The win moved the Mariners to within three games of the AmericanLeague West Division-leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, whowere idle.