The Minnesota Twins were able to tie up the three game series with the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night with a 8-5 victory.  It was a one run game heading in to the ninth inning but the Twins were able to score two insurance runs in the ninth and win the game 8-5.

Justin Morneau led the Twins with two doubles and three rbi in the game.  Jason Kubel hit his eighth home run of the season in the game as well as he went deep for a two run homer in the third inning.  Alexi Casilla, Michael Cuddyer, and Mike Lamb all finished the game with one rbi as well.

Nick Blackburn earned the win for the Twins and is now 5-4 on the season.  Blackburn pitched six innings and allowed seven hits and two runs.  Boof Bonser gave up two runs and Dennys Reyes gave up a run in the seventh inning but after that the Twins bullpen settled down and didn’t allow a run the rest of the game.  Jesse Crain got the last out in the seventh inning and then pitched a scoreless eighth inning before turning things over to Joe Nathan who recorded his 17th save of the season in the ninth inning.

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The Minnesota Twins had a 5-2 lead after five innings but were then outscored 5-0 the remaining four innings as they lost to the Chicago White Sox by the score of 7-5.  It was definaly not the way they wanted to finish up their four game series as they were swept by the White Sox.

Starting Twins pitcher Glen Perkins received a no decision as he threw 5 1/3 innings.  Perkins gave up five hits, three runs, and one home run in the game.  Jesse Crain gave up one run while recording the final two outs of the sixth inning and then in the seventh inning, Matt Guerrier gave up four hits and three runs while on recording one out.  Brian Bass pitched the final 1 2/3 innings of the game without giving up a run.  Too bad Crain and Guerrier couldn’t have pitched like Bass.

Michael Cuddyer had a two run double and a rbi single in the game as he led the Twins at the plate with three rbi.  Cuddyer is now up to 29 rbi on the season.  Jason Kubel had the other two runs for the Twins has he had a two run double in the fourth inning.

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In a game almost like a crucial rubber game, the Twins came through. After grinding out a scary win yesterday, the Twins responded with a 2 Joe attack as Joe Mauer recorded his first home run and Joe Nathan his 15th save.

The Yankee “empire” was proven strong as it traveled to the Hump, and helped the Yankees jump out to an early 2-0 lead after an Alex Rodriguez home run off of Livan Hernandez, scoring on the play was Derek Jeter. However, it didn’t take the Twins long to answer as Delmon Young lined one of his three doubles on the night into the right-center gap, scoring Michael Cuddyer after he hit a one out single. In the next inning the Twins scored once more as Carlos Gomez hit a ground ball the other way and advanced to third on Andy Pettite’s arid PO attempt, Alexi Casilla would then hit a bunt single into no-mans land scoring him on the play. New York answered with a pair of one out singles in the 6th off the respective bats of Melky Cabrera and Johnny Damon. With the score 4-2, Livan “the Dream” Hernandez was able to get out of a jam.

In the bottom of the 6th, the Twins would answer with small ball as they scored one run on 3 singles (Monroe RBI), and then Delmon Young hit yet ANOTHER double the other way scoring Michael Cuddyer. However the Yankees would answer yet again, however this on a fielders choice off the bat of Jason Giambi, fielded by Morneau, the ball was thrown home and Alex Rodriguez was called safe. At first glance the umpire would seem correct, but on a second look, the replay showed that Rodriguez’s foot never touched the plate, giving the Yankees their 3rd lead of the game. But, the grinding Twins played some long ball as Joe Mauer turned on a pitch up and in off Andy Pettite and hit the facing below the cheap seats in right, tying the game once more. Then in the 8th, Delmon Young brought in another run with ANOTHER double to right. The Twins took a one run lead and brought in the closer, Joe Nathan, as he would close the door.

Not to be overshadowed though are the Twins corner outfield performance as Michael Cuddyer connected on 3 hits to get on base, and was brought in all three times by Delmon Young. Michael Cuddyer also recorded a key outfield assist when he threw Bobby Abreu out at 2nd trying to stretch out a double on a well hit ball off the baggie in right.

Livan Hernandez: 6.0 IP, 13 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
Hernandez has given up the most hits in baseball but is still undefeated in the homely dome with his new team.