Shut out the Rangers? Are you kidding?
Yes, the Twins tamed the Rangers' great hitters -- four of whom were in the All-Star Game, including Josh Hamilton -- and shut the team out for the first team this year. The Rangers were the last team to be shut out in the 2008 season.
Hamilton? No hits. Ian Kinsler? Nada, ending his 25-game hitting streak. Michael Young? One hit. Milton Bradley? One measly hit.
And who was the most recent team to shut out the Rangers? The Twins at home on Aug. 19, when Johan Santana struck out 17 batters.
The Rangers entered the game leading the majors in most offensive categories, including batting average, runs, hits, slugging percentage and total bases.
Glen Perkins had a terrific start, allowing three hits in six innings. Craig Breslow, Jesse Crain and Boof Bonser completed the good work Perkins started.
Perkins hasn't lost a game since May 30 against the Yankees, and he and his fellow young pitchers are keeping Francisco Liriano from returning to the major leagues.
Jason Kubel, Delmon Young and Alexi Casilla had outstanding games at the plate. Kubel went two for four with two runs and two RBIs; Young was four for four with an RBI and boosted his average to .294; Brian Buscher went two for four with two RBIs; Brendan Harris went two for four with an RBI; and Justin Morneau was one for three with two runs.
It was won in typical Twins' fashion -- with rallies, not homers. The Twins are last in the American League in homer but first in batting with runners in scoring position -- .311.
The Twins didn't make up any ground -- the White Sox beat the Royals.
Pitching tonight in the Baggie Dome will be Livan Hernandez against Matt Harrison. That's a bit worrisome -- Hernandez has been lit up lately and the Rangers are probably due for an offensive explosion after getting shut out. I hope I'm wrong on that one.
If Hernandez keeps having trouble, he might find himself in the bullpen and Liriano back in the rotation. That's the dream rotation for me -- if only Liriano has the same stuff he had two years ago. Well, I can dream, can't I?
