Game 58 Recap-
Twins C Joe Mauer hit two balls very far and got great results, helping the Minnesota Twins beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-5 Wednesday Night at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Mauer’s first run producing swing was an unusual play, in the 5th he came to the plate with runners at 2nd and 3rd and the Twins down 5-2. He hit a fly ball to the warning track in centerfield and Adam Jones caught the ball making the score 5-3. However, he slipped on the relay throw allowing speed Twins CF Carlos Gomez to score all the way from 2nd for a huge run & a 5-4 score.
The Orioles jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with runs in the 1st two innings, in the 1st 3b Melvin Mora and 1b Kevin Millar each hit solo home runs. 2b Brian Roberts rbi single made it 3-0 in the 2nd. Minnesota scored 2 runs in the 2nd to get within a run at 3-2. Baltimore answered with 2 runs in the 4th vs Twins starter, LH Glen Perkins.(4 IP, 9 hits,5 runs(4 earned) with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts)
Mauer’s big 2 run sac fly got the Twins within a run in the 5th vs Orioles RH Daniel Cabrera(5-2,3.98), who did not have his best night and looked uncomfortable. “I just feel bad. Bad the whole way. I’m just not feeling like I need to be.”, Cabrera was quoted as saying postgame. His stat line was reflected that- 6 IP, 8 hits, 6 runs with 3 strike outs. He matched his season high in runs allowed (6 runs on April 2 vs Tampa) but should not diminish his breakthrough type season, both mentally and physically.
The Twins plated the winning runs in the 6th with a Triple by DH Jason Kubel tying the game and OF Delmon Young driving him in on another sacrifice fly to make it 6-5. Mauer homered off of LH Jamie Walker in the 7th for the final 7-5 spread. The Twins bullpen pitched great and elite closer RH Joe Nathan got a strike out and his 16th save in the ninth.
Star of the Game-
Mauer- 2 hits plus a run and 3 rbi. Coached a young pitcher thru some early uneasiness to save the pen.
Orioles Notes-
Veteran Alex Cintron drew a start at SS and was 1 for 2 with a sacrifice….After a strong start Tuesday, RH Radhames Liz(1-0,3.38) will remain in the rotation with struggling veteran Steve Trachsel(2-5,8.15) pitching in long relief…LH Adam Loewen’s extended spring training session went well and he will throw a simulated game Saturday. Team plans to have him pitch in rehab assignments to test his left elbow, best case scenario has him back in late June
Next Game-
Thursday, 1:10 Metrodome
Orioles LH Garrett Olson(4-1,4.03) vs Twins RH Scott Baker(2-0,4.09)
