GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: MINNESOTA (64-63) at BALTIMORE (58-68)

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">AL AT BALTIMORE - PITCHING CHANGE
BAL: BRIAN BURRES (5-5, 5.24) IN THE 9TH
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 7, BALTIMORE 4

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J MORNEAU (.289, 2-FOR-4, HR, RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">AL AT BALTIMORE - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Burres relieved D Baez.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 7
BALTIMORE 4 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J Morneau (.289, 2-FOR-4, HR, RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 2 7 14 0
BALTIMORE 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 8 0 (BOT 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: MIN - PAT NESHEK
BAL - BRIAN BURRES

DUE UP FOR BALTIMORE: K MILLAR (.265, 1-FOR-3)
N MARKAKIS (.293, 1-FOR-3, HR, RBI)
M MORA (.264, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (7) VS BALTIMORE (4) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Casilla 2b 4 0 1 1 0 0 2 .234
J Bartlett ss 5 0 1 0 0 0 2 .268
J Mauer c 3 1 2 0 2 0 0 .295
T Hunter cf 5 1 2 2 0 0 5 .300
J Morneau 1b 5 2 2 1 0 0 1 .289
M Cuddyer rf 5 2 2 0 0 0 0 .275
J Kubel dh 3 1 2 3 1 0 1 .258
J Tyner lf 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 .284
N Punto 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .201
a-M Redmond ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .289
B Buscher pr-3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227

Totals 38 7 14 7 4 1 13

a-intentionally walked for N Punto in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - J Kubel (21, J Guthrie); J Morneau (27, J Hoey); J Tyner (12, J
Walker); J Mauer (24, D Baez). HR - J Morneau (29, 7th inning off J Guthrie 0
on, 0 Out), J Kubel (10, 7th inning off J Guthrie 1 on, 0 Out), T Hunter (25,
9th inning off D Baez 1 on, 0 Out). SF - J Kubel , A Casilla. RBI - J Morneau
(93), J Kubel 3 (50), A Casilla (9), T Hunter 2 (86). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - N Punto 1, T Hunter 2, J Bartlett 1. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - J Tyner 2 (M Tejada at 3rd base, J Payton at
Home). DP: 1 (A Casilla-J Morneau).


BALTIMORE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
B Roberts 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .309
C Patterson cf 4 2 2 1 0 0 0 .269
M Tejada ss 4 1 2 2 0 1 0 .300
K Millar 1b 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .265
N Markakis rf 3 1 1 1 0 1 1 .293
M Mora 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .264
A Huff dh 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .266
R Hernandez c 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .237
J Payton lf 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .258

Totals 29 4 8 4 1 7 4

BATTING: 2B - M Tejada (15, J Santana); J Payton (17, J Santana). HR - M Tejada
(14, 1st inning off J Santana 1 on, 1 Out), N Markakis (13, 1st inning off J
Santana 0 on, 2 Out), C Patterson (7, 6th inning off J Santana 0 on, 0 Out).
RBI - M Tejada 2 (65), N Markakis (79), C Patterson (38). 2-out RBI - N
Markakis. GIDP - M Mora. Team LOB - 2.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - C Patterson (J Kubel at Home).


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 000 322 -- 7
BALTIMORE - 300 001 00 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
J Santana 7 8 4 4 1 7 3 2.97
C Cali 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.72
P Neshek 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.56

BALTIMORE ip h r er bb so hr era
J Guthrie 6 2/3 9 3 3 1 1 2 3.46
J Hoey 1/3 2 2 2 1 0 0 7.71
J Walker 2/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 3.00
C Bradford 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.29
D Baez 0 2 2 2 0 0 1 6.23
B Burres 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 5.18

J Hoey pitched to 2 batters in the 8th.
D Baez pitched to 2 batters in the 9th.

WP - J Guthrie. IBB - M Redmond (by J Walker). Pitches-strikes: J Santana
103-78; C Cali 6-4; P Neshek 5-2; J Guthrie 93-61; J Hoey 18-9; J Walker 10-5;
C Bradford 1-1; D Baez 9-5; B Burres 15-7. Ground balls-fly balls: J Santana
9-3; C Cali 1-1; P Neshek 0-1; J Guthrie 7-11; J Hoey 0-1; J Walker 0-2; C
Bradford 1-0; D Baez 0-0; B Burres 3-0. Batters faced: J Santana 27; C Cali 2;
P Neshek 1; J Guthrie 29; J Hoey 4; J Walker 4; C Bradford 1; D Baez 2; B
Burres 4.

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

Weather: 90 degrees, clear. Wind: 8 mph, right to left.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">AL AT BALTIMORE - PITCHING CHANGE
MIN: JOE NATHAN (3-2, 1.77) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 7, BALTIMORE 4

DUE UP FOR BALTIMORE: K MILLAR (.265, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">AL AT BALTIMORE - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Nathan relieved P Neshek.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 7
BALTIMORE 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR BALTIMORE: K Millar (.265, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 2 7 14 0
BALTIMORE 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 8 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIN - JOHAN SANTANA, CARMEN CALI (8TH), PAT NESHEK (8TH), JOE NATHAN
(9TH) AND JOE MAUER

BAL - JEREMY GUTHRIE, JAMES HOEY (7TH), JAMIE WALKER
(8TH), CHAD BRADFORD (8TH), DANYS BAEZ (9TH), BRIAN BURRES
(9TH) AND RAMON HERNANDEZ

HOME RUNS: MIN - JUSTIN MORNEAU (29) OFF JEREMY GUTHRIE IN THE 7TH, 0 ON
JASON KUBEL (10) OFF JEREMY GUTHRIE IN THE 7TH, 1 ON
TORII HUNTER (25) OFF DANYS BAEZ IN THE 9TH, 1 ON

BAL - MIGUEL TEJADA (14) OFF JOHAN SANTANA IN THE 1ST, 1 ON
NICK MARKAKIS (13) OFF JOHAN SANTANA IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
COREY PATTERSON (7) OFF JOHAN SANTANA IN THE 6TH, 0 ON</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 2 7 14 0
BALTIMORE 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 8 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIN - JOHAN SANTANA, CARMEN CALI (8TH), PAT NESHEK (8TH), JOE NATHAN
(9TH) AND JOE MAUER

BAL - JEREMY GUTHRIE, JAMES HOEY (7TH), JAMIE WALKER
(8TH), CHAD BRADFORD (8TH), DANYS BAEZ (9TH), BRIAN BURRES
(9TH) AND RAMON HERNANDEZ


WP - JOHAN SANTANA (14-9)
LP - JAMES HOEY (1-2)
SAVE - JOE NATHAN (28)

HOME RUNS: MIN - JUSTIN MORNEAU (29) OFF JEREMY GUTHRIE IN THE 7TH, 0 ON
JASON KUBEL (10) OFF JEREMY GUTHRIE IN THE 7TH, 1 ON
TORII HUNTER (25) OFF DANYS BAEZ IN THE 9TH, 1 ON

BAL - MIGUEL TEJADA (14) OFF JOHAN SANTANA IN THE 1ST, 1 ON
NICK MARKAKIS (13) OFF JOHAN SANTANA IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
COREY PATTERSON (7) OFF JOHAN SANTANA IN THE 6TH, 0 ON


TIME: 2:48 ATT: 29,742

PROBABLES: MIN - MATT GARZA (2-4, 3.30)
BAL - BRIAN BURRES (5-5, 5.18)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (7) VS BALTIMORE (4) - FINAL

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Casilla 2b 4 0 1 1 0 0 2 .234
J Bartlett ss 5 0 1 0 0 0 2 .268
J Mauer c 3 1 2 0 2 0 0 .295
T Hunter cf 5 1 2 2 0 0 5 .300
J Morneau 1b 5 2 2 1 0 0 1 .289
M Cuddyer rf 5 2 2 0 0 0 0 .275
J Kubel dh 3 1 2 3 1 0 1 .258
J Tyner lf 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 .284
N Punto 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .201
a-M Redmond ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .289
B Buscher pr-3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227

Totals 38 7 14 7 4 1 13

a-intentionally walked for N Punto in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - J Kubel (21, J Guthrie); J Morneau (27, J Hoey); J Tyner (12, J
Walker); J Mauer (24, D Baez). HR - J Morneau (29, 7th inning off J Guthrie 0
on, 0 Out), J Kubel (10, 7th inning off J Guthrie 1 on, 0 Out), T Hunter (25,
9th inning off D Baez 1 on, 0 Out). SF - J Kubel , A Casilla. RBI - J Morneau
(93), J Kubel 3 (50), A Casilla (9), T Hunter 2 (86). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - N Punto 1, T Hunter 2, J Bartlett 1. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - J Tyner 2 (M Tejada at 3rd base, J Payton at
Home). DP: 1 (A Casilla-J Morneau).


BALTIMORE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
B Roberts 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .309
C Patterson cf 4 2 2 1 0 0 0 .269
M Tejada ss 4 1 2 2 0 1 0 .300
K Millar 1b 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .264
N Markakis rf 4 1 1 1 0 1 1 .292
M Mora 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .263
A Huff dh 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .266
R Hernandez c 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .237
J Payton lf 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .258

Totals 32 4 8 4 1 7 4

BATTING: 2B - M Tejada (15, J Santana); J Payton (17, J Santana). HR - M Tejada
(14, 1st inning off J Santana 1 on, 1 Out), N Markakis (13, 1st inning off J
Santana 0 on, 2 Out), C Patterson (7, 6th inning off J Santana 0 on, 0 Out).
RBI - M Tejada 2 (65), N Markakis (79), C Patterson (38). 2-out RBI - N
Markakis. GIDP - M Mora. Team LOB - 2.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - C Patterson (J Kubel at Home).


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 000 322 -- 7
BALTIMORE - 300 001 000 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
J Santana (W, 14-9) 7 8 4 4 1 7 3 2.97
C Cali (H, 2) 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.72
P Neshek (H, 12) 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.56
J Nathan (S, 28) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.74

BALTIMORE ip h r er bb so hr era
J Guthrie 6 2/3 9 3 3 1 1 2 3.46
J Hoey (L, 1-2; H, 3) 1/3 2 2 2 1 0 0 7.71
J Walker (B, 5) 2/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 3.00
C Bradford 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.29
D Baez 0 2 2 2 0 0 1 6.23
B Burres 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 5.18

J Hoey pitched to 2 batters in the 8th.
D Baez pitched to 2 batters in the 9th.

WP - J Guthrie. IBB - M Redmond (by J Walker). Pitches-strikes: J Santana
103-78; C Cali 6-4; P Neshek 5-2; J Nathan 6-5; J Guthrie 93-61; J Hoey 18-9; J
Walker 10-5; C Bradford 1-1; D Baez 9-5; B Burres 15-7. Ground balls-fly balls:
J Santana 9-3; C Cali 1-1; P Neshek 0-1; J Nathan 2-1; J Guthrie 7-11; J Hoey
0-1; J Walker 0-2; C Bradford 1-0; D Baez 0-0; B Burres 3-0. Batters faced: J
Santana 27; C Cali 2; P Neshek 1; J Nathan 3; J Guthrie 29; J Hoey 4; J Walker
4; C Bradford 1; D Baez 2; B Burres 4.

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

T--2:48. Att--29,742.
Weather: 90 degrees, clear. Wind: 8 mph, right to
left.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
MINNESOTA 7
BALTIMORE 4 FINAL</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (7) AT BALTIMORE (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BALTIMORE 1ST: B Roberts grounded out to third. C Patterson singled to
shallow left. M Tejada homered to left center, C Patterson scored. K Millar
struck out swinging. N Markakis homered to center. M Mora grounded out to
third. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 3.

BALTIMORE 6TH: C Patterson homered to right. M Tejada struck out swinging.
K Millar grounded out to shortstop. N Markakis grounded out to shortstop.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 4.

MINNESOTA 7TH: J Morneau homered to right. M Cuddyer singled to center.
J Kubel homered to center, M Cuddyer scored. J Tyner grounded out to first.
N Punto lined out to left. A Casilla singled to right center. J Bartlett
singled to center, A Casilla to second. J Hoey relieved J Guthrie. J Mauer
walked, A Casilla to third, J Bartlett to second. T Hunter flied out to
center. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, BALTIMORE 4.

MINNESOTA 8TH: J Morneau doubled to deep center. M Cuddyer singled to
right, J Morneau to third. J Walker relieved J Hoey. J Kubel hit sacrifice fly
to center, J Morneau scored. J Tyner doubled to right center, M Cuddyer to
third. M Redmond hit for N Punto. M Redmond intentionally walked. B Buscher
ran for M Redmond. A Casilla hit sacrifice fly to left, M Cuddyer scored.
C Bradford relieved J Walker. J Bartlett grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, B Buscher out at second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 5,
BALTIMORE 4.

MINNESOTA 9TH: D Baez relieved C Bradford. J Mauer doubled to deep left
center. T Hunter homered to left, J Mauer scored. B Burres relieved D Baez.
J Morneau grounded out to first. M Cuddyer grounded out to shortstop. J Kubel
walked. J Tyner grounded into fielder's choice to second, J Kubel out at
second. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 7, BALTIMORE 4.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (7) AT BALTIMORE (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

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

Gametime Weather: 90 degrees, Clear, wind right to left at 8 mph.


MINNESOTA 1ST: A Casilla popped out to shortstop. J Bartlett grounded out
to third. J Mauer walked. T Hunter flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 0.

BALTIMORE 1ST: B Roberts grounded out to third. C Patterson singled to
shallow left. M Tejada homered to left center, C Patterson scored. K Millar
struck out swinging. N Markakis homered to center. M Mora grounded out to
third. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 3.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau flied out to right. M Cuddyer flied out to right.
J Kubel flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 3.

BALTIMORE 2ND: A Huff flied out to left. R Hernandez struck out looking.
J Payton struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
BALTIMORE 3.

MINNESOTA 3RD: J Tyner flied out to left. N Punto lined out to left.
A Casilla grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
BALTIMORE 3.

BALTIMORE 3RD: B Roberts grounded out to shortstop. C Patterson flied out
to center. M Tejada doubled to deep right, M Tejada out at third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 3.

MINNESOTA 4TH: J Bartlett lined out to first. J Mauer grounded out to
third. T Hunter singled to right. J Morneau flied out to left. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 3.

BALTIMORE 4TH: K Millar singled to center. N Markakis struck out looking.
M Mora grounded into double play, second to first, K Millar out at second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 3.

MINNESOTA 5TH: M Cuddyer popped out to third. J Kubel doubled to deep
right center. J Tyner singled to left center, J Kubel out at home, J Tyner to
second advancing on throw. J Tyner to third on wild pitch by J Guthrie.
N Punto struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 3.

BALTIMORE 5TH: A Huff lined out to right. R Hernandez grounded out to
shortstop. J Payton doubled to left. B Roberts singled to left, J Payton
thrown out at home. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 3.

MINNESOTA 6TH: A Casilla grounded out to second. J Bartlett grounded out
to third. J Mauer reached on infield single to shortstop. T Hunter grounded
out to third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 3.

BALTIMORE 6TH: C Patterson homered to right. M Tejada struck out swinging.
K Millar grounded out to shortstop. N Markakis grounded out to shortstop.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, BALTIMORE 4.

MINNESOTA 7TH: J Morneau homered to right. M Cuddyer singled to center.
J Kubel homered to center, M Cuddyer scored. J Tyner grounded out to first.
N Punto lined out to left. A Casilla singled to right center. J Bartlett
singled to center, A Casilla to second. J Hoey relieved J Guthrie. J Mauer
walked, A Casilla to third, J Bartlett to second. T Hunter flied out to
center. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, BALTIMORE 4.

BALTIMORE 7TH: M Mora struck out swinging. A Huff walked. R Hernandez
struck out swinging. J Payton grounded into fielder's choice to second, A Huff
out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 3, BALTIMORE 4.

MINNESOTA 8TH: J Morneau doubled to deep center. M Cuddyer singled to
right, J Morneau to third. J Walker relieved J Hoey. J Kubel hit sacrifice fly
to center, J Morneau scored. J Tyner doubled to right center, M Cuddyer to
third. M Redmond hit for N Punto. M Redmond intentionally walked. B Buscher
ran for M Redmond. A Casilla hit sacrifice fly to left, M Cuddyer scored.
C Bradford relieved J Walker. J Bartlett grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, B Buscher out at second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 5,
BALTIMORE 4.

BALTIMORE 8TH: B Buscher at third base. C Cali relieved J Santana.
B Roberts flied out to center. C Patterson grounded out to second. P Neshek
relieved C Cali. M Tejada fouled out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 5, BALTIMORE 4.

MINNESOTA 9TH: D Baez relieved C Bradford. J Mauer doubled to deep left
center. T Hunter homered to left, J Mauer scored. B Burres relieved D Baez.
J Morneau grounded out to first. M Cuddyer grounded out to shortstop. J Kubel
walked. J Tyner grounded into fielder's choice to second, J Kubel out at
second. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 7, BALTIMORE 4.

BALTIMORE 9TH: J Nathan relieved P Neshek. K Millar grounded out to
shortstop. N Markakis flied out to left. M Mora grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 7, BALTIMORE 4.</div>

 

Casilli, Twins rally past struggling Orioles

<h3>MINNESOTA 7, BALTIMORE 4</h3>By Rick Dubroff
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


BALTIMORE (Ticker) - Alexi Casilli's eighth-inning sacrifice flywas the key RBI as the Minnesota Twins rallied to defeat theBaltimore Orioles, 7-4, on Friday night.


Spotting the Orioles a 4-0 lead, the Twins came back to take adecisive lead in the eighth inning for the second straightnight.


Minnesota has won seven of its last 10 games while Baltimore haslost four straight for the first time with Dave Trembley asmanager.


The Orioles have been outscored, 51-16, during the four-gameskid, including an American League-record 30-3 drubbing to Texason Wednesday - part of a doubleheader loss to the Rangers.

With the Twins trailing, 4-3, entering the eighth, JustinMorneau led off with a double off Jim Hoey (1-2). MichaelCuddyer singled Morneau to third and, after Jamie Walkerreplaced Hoey, Jason Kubel hit a sacrifice fly to score Morneauwith the tying run.


Jason Tyner singled and pinch hitter Mike Redmond was walkedintentionally to load the bases before Casilli's fly ball toleft was deep enough to score Cuddyer with the decisive run.

Kubel hit a two-run homer in the seventh and Torii Hunter had atwo-run blast in the ninth to finish the scoring.


That made a winner of Johan Santana (14-9), who in his previousstart set a club record with 17 strikeouts.


This time, the reigning Cy Young Award winner was less thandazzling, allowing the four runs on three home runs. Santanapitched seven innings, allowing eight hits and a walk whilestriking out seven.


Twins reliever Carmen Cali retired the first two batters in theeighth before Pat Neshek pitched to one batter for the final outin the frame. Closer Joe Nathan retired the Orioles in orderin the ninth for his 28th save.


In the bottom of the first, Santana allowed one-out single toCorey Patterson before Miguel Tejada belted a 1-0 fastball into theseats in left to give Baltimore a 2-0 lead. One out later,Santana served up a 2-0 pitch to Nick Markakis, who depositedthe ball over the wall in straightaway center field for a 3-0advantage.


The score remained that way until Patterson led off the sixth byhitting the first pitch he saw from Santana over theright-center field fence to put the Orioles up, 4-0.

However, Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie ran into trouble in theseventh when Morneau led off the frame with a solo homer,Cuddyer followed with a single and Kubel hit Guthrie's firstpitch into the right field seats to cut Minnesota's deficit to4-3.


The Baltimore righthander allowed three runs, nine hits and awalk in 6 2/3 innings and hasn't won a game in the month ofAugust (0-1).

 

Casilli, Twins rally past struggling Orioles

<h3>MINNESOTA 7, BALTIMORE 4</h3>By Rick Dubroff
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


BALTIMORE (Ticker) - Alexi Casilli's eighth-inning sacrifice flywas the key RBI as the Minnesota Twins rallied to defeat theBaltimore Orioles, 7-4, on Friday night.


Spotting the Orioles a 4-0 lead, the Twins came back to take adecisive lead in the eighth inning for the second straightnight.


Minnesota has won seven of its last 10 games while Baltimore haslost four straight for the first time with Dave Trembley asmanager.


The Orioles have been outscored, 51-16, during the four-gameskid, including an American League-record 30-3 drubbing to Texason Wednesday - part of a doubleheader loss to the Rangers.

With the Twins trailing, 4-3, entering the eighth, JustinMorneau led off with a double off Jim Hoey (1-2). MichaelCuddyer singled Morneau to third and, after Jamie Walkerreplaced Hoey, Jason Kubel hit a sacrifice fly to score Morneauwith the tying run.


Jason Tyner singled and pinch hitter Mike Redmond was walkedintentionally to load the bases before Casilli's fly ball toleft was deep enough to score Cuddyer giving Minnesota its firstlead of the game.


Torii Hunter added a two-run blast in the ninth to finish thescoring.


That made a winner of Johan Santana (14-9), who in his previousstart set a club record with 17 strikeouts.


This time, the reigning Cy Young Award winner was less thandazzling, allowing the four runs on three home runs. Santanapitched seven innings, allowing eight hits and a walk whilestriking out seven.


Twins reliever Carmen Cali retired the first two batters in theeighth before Pat Neshek pitched to one batter for the final outin the frame. Closer Joe Nathan retired the Orioles in orderin the ninth for his 28th save.


In the bottom of the first, Santana allowed one-out single toCorey Patterson before Miguel Tejada belted a 1-0 fastball intothe seats in left to give Baltimore a 2-0 lead. One out later,Santana served up a 2-0 pitch to Nick Markakis, who depositedthe ball over the wall in straightaway center field for a 3-0advantage.


The score remained that way until Patterson led off the sixth byhitting the first pitch he saw from Santana over theright-center field fence to put the Orioles up, 4-0.

However, Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie ran into trouble in theseventh when Morneau led off the frame with a solo homer,Cuddyer followed with a single and Kubel hit Guthrie's firstpitch into the right field seats to cut Minnesota's deficit to4-3.


The Baltimore righthander allowed three runs, nine hits and awalk in 6 2/3 innings and hasn't won a game in the month ofAugust (0-1).

 

Casilla, Twins rally past struggling Orioles

<h3>MINNESOTA 7, BALTIMORE 4</h3>By Rich Dubroff
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Alexi Casilla's eighth-inning sacrifice flywas the key RBI as the Minnesota Twins rallied to defeat theBaltimore Orioles, 7-4, on Friday night.


After spotting the Orioles a 4-0 lead, the Twins came back totake a decisive lead in the eighth inning for the secondstraight night.


Minnesota has won seven of its last 10 games, while Baltimorehas lost four straight for the first time under the reign ofmanager Dave Trembley.


The Orioles have been outscored, 51-16, during the four-gameskid, including an American League-record 30-3 drubbing to Texason Wednesday - part of a doubleheader loss to the Rangers.

"We haven't won, so it's pretty (darn) difficult," Oriolesreliever Jamie Walker said. "We're here to win every game.It's tough to swallow."


With the Twins trailing, 4-3, after seven innings, JustinMorneau led off with a double off Jim Hoey (1-2). MichaelCuddyer singled to put runners on the corners and, after Walkerreplaced Hoey, Jason Kubel hit a sacrifice fly to score Morneau.

"I'm making the wrong (pitching) decisions," Trembley said."We're confident that the right guys are in there. We're justnot getting the job done."


Jason Tyner singled and pinch hitter Mike Redmond was walkedintentionally to load the bases before Casilla's fly ball toleft was deep enough to score Cuddyer, giving Minnesota itsfirst lead of the game.


"It happened boom-boom, we're back in the game," Twins managerRon Gardenhire said.


Torii Hunter added a two-run blast in the ninth to finish thescoring.


"When you come back and win games, that's pretty impressive,"Hunter said. "When you're winning and end up losing late,that's not fun."


The late rally made a winner of Johan Santana (14-9), who in hisprevious start set a club record with 17 strikeouts.

"Every time you win a game, that's good, but to win a game thisway, that's better," Santana said. "I tried to stay with it,hit my spots and stay ahead in the count."


This time, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winnerwas less than dazzling, allowing four runs. Santana pitchedseven innings, allowing eight hits - including three homers -and a walk while striking out seven.


"It's nice to pick up Johan when he gives up four runs, becausethat doesn't happen very often," Gardenhire said.


Relievers Carmen Cali and Pat Neshek combined for a perfecteighth inning, and closer Joe Nathan retired the side in orderin the ninth for his 28th save.


In the bottom of the first, Santana allowed a one-out single byCorey Patterson before Miguel Tejada belted a 1-0 fastball intothe seats in left to give Baltimore a 2-0 lead. One out later,Santana served up a 2-0 pitch to Nick Markakis, who depositedthe ball over the wall in straightaway center field for athree-run advantage.


The score remained that way until Patterson led off the sixth byhitting the first pitch he saw from Santana over theright-center field fence to put the Orioles up, 4-0.

"If you make a mistake with these guys, they're going to takeadvantage," Santana said. "They were aggressive. Every time Ithrew a fastball, they were swinging."


However, Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie ran into trouble in theseventh, when Morneau led off the frame with a solo homer.Cuddyer followed with a single and Kubel hit Guthrie's firstoffering into the right field seats to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Guthrie allowed three runs, nine hits and a walk in 6 2/3innings. The righthander remained winless in five starts thismonth.