You're chasing the top team in your division. They come to town for a four-game series. You must win three of four at least.
That's just what the Twins did by winning 10-6 on Thursday. But it was the way they did it that's so hopeful for the Twinkies.
Minnesota was down 4-0 before Justin Morneau stepped to the plate in the fifth. Morneau, who's been on a tear, smacked a home run. Joe Mauer's hit tied the game in the seventh with Jason Kubel up. Yup, he followed in Morneau's footsteps with a three-run jack of his own. The Twins scored a few more in the eighth and that was that.
Mauer was three for four with a run and two RBIs, while Nick Punto, Brendan Harris and Delmon Young had two hits.
Scott Baker didn't have a great outing, but it was good enough. Nor was the bullpen perfect, but it was up to the task.
So the Twins are only a half-game behind the White Sox. Both teams are improving their rosters -- the White Sox picked up Ken Griffey, who still has some pop though he's a liability as a fielder (and is hitting just .245).
The Twins have to be considering recalling Francisco Liriano from the minor leagues. He's been great, and Livan Hernandez has been lit up lately. The American League has figured him out.
How would these moves -- and the Tigers' trade of Pudge Rodriguez to the Yankees for Kyle Farnsworth -- affect the AL Central race?
If Liriano is anywhere near his form of two years ago, it's a huge upgrade for the Twins. If he approaches his form of 2006, they could do some damage in the postseason.
I'm not sure how much Griffey will help the White Sox. He can still hit it out, but his average isn't very good. And what position does he play? The Sox will be even more fielding-challenged than they are now. I see the improvement as marginal.
The Tigers hurt themselves by trading Pudge. Will they make a run at the White Sox and Twins? I'm not sure. They might.
The Twins play the Indians at home, then play the Mariners and Royals on the road. The subsequent homestand includes games with the Yankees, Mariners and Athletics.
