The Twins have had some disastrous series this season, and none was worse than the one in Yankee Stadium a few days after the all-star break. Fans might be forgiven for thinking the Twins were playing themselves out of contention.
But they've proved themselves resilient. They'll follow a horrible series with a good one. Let's just hope they play well against good teams down the stretch.
Before and after the Yankee series they took two of three at home vs. the Rangers and two of three from the Indians on the road. They easily could've swept both series.
Justin Morneau has been in the middle of many wins, and that was the case Sunday when the Twins scored two in the top of the ninth to defeat Cleveland, 4-2. Alexi Casilla got a hit with one out, and then Mike Redmond struck out. Morneau hit a double to plate Casilla, and Jason Kubel knocked Morneau in with a single.
Matt Guerrier and Joe Nathan were fine in the bullpen, but Dennys Reyes allowed a run. The pen hasn't been quite as strong as in recent years.
Nick Blackburn had a terrific start, allowing just one run in seven innings.
Saturday's game was a laugher, as the Twins stomped on the Indians, 11-4. Brian Buscher had a career game, going three for five with a homer and five RBIs. Morneau was two for three with two runs, and Delmon Young went three for five with two runs and two RBIs. Kubel was two for four with a run and two RBIs.
Scott Baker had a quality start, allowing three earned runs in five innings, and the bullpen did yeoman work, allowing one run in four innings.
That said, the Indians are not the same team they were at the beginning of the year. They're missing several players because of injuries, and they've traded C.C. Sabathia and now Casey Blake.
We'll know more about the Twins after they play the White Sox (starting today). The Twins are just two and a half games out after their rivals lost to the Tigers on Sunday.
It's Mark Buehrle vs. Kevin Slowey on Monday.
