The series against the Tigers began badly for the Twins, losing a close one. But they took the final two games in the series, taking the finale in a laugher.
Nick Blackburn pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, and Jesse Crain and Boof Bonser completed the shutout against a team that had been hitting above .300 lately.
The Twins have won 13 of 15 games overall. Unfortunately for them, the team they're chasing is also hot. The White Sox have won six in a row.
The Twins played small ball, which they're good at, The team laid down three bunts and followed form in another way, using the big inning.
Joe Mauer had the key hit in the five-run third inning, knocking in two with a single. Jason Kubel, Delmon Young and Brian Buscher had RBI singles in the inning. All those players have had big roles in the Twins' resurgence.
Carlos Gomez had three hits and a run; Mauer had two hits, a run and two RBIs; Young three hits, a run and an RBI; Nick Punto two hits and an RBI; and Denard Span a hit and two runs.
The Tigers showed none of the pop they've had at the plate recently, getting only five hits. Placido Polanco had two of the hits.
Eddie Bonine took the loss. Blackburn garnered the win and is 7-4 with a 3.78 ERA. Of the other young Twins starters, Scott Baker is 5-2, 3.65; Kevin Slowey, 5-6, 3.47; and Glen Perkins, 4-2, 4.31. They've shown steady improvement but must show they can pitch well on the road.
The Twins' bats have come alive during their recent hot streak. Look at the batting averages of the guys playing in Wednesday's game: Gomez, .274; Alexi Casilla, .325; Mauer, .326; Justin Morneau, .310 despite going hitless; Kubel, .263; Young, .284; Buscher, .339; Punto, .278; and Span, .293.
Now the Twins need to get Michael Cuddyer, now on the DL, getting back into a hitting groove again when he comes back after the all-star break.
The Twins are off Thursday, then face Cleveland at home. Then they go on the road against Boston and Detroit. Those will be tough series.
The Twins are two games behind the WHite Sox, the Tigers six and a half back. The White Sox play the Indians tonight.
The White Sox then go on the road against Kansas City and Texas. You'd be tempted to say those are easy games, but that's not entirely true this year, especially with the Rangers.
