Whew! That was nerve-racking.
Did the Twins win because they needed this one more? The team, a half-game behind the White Sox, faced an Angels club that is 15 games ahead.
Did it all hinge on one play -- Torii Hunter's misplay in center field, ruled a triple, that put Nick Punto on third?
Was it the Twins' bullpen, which didn't have to put in someone as woeful as Justin Speier in? The Twins' bullpen was great, with Joe Nathan getting the save after strong stints by Matt Guerrier and Jessie Crain.
Or should we credit Denard Span, who had two hits, knocked in the winning run and made a great catch in right field? The kid has been great. He's hitting over .300 and has been spectacular in the field.
I guess you could credit all these factors. But you have to start with the starters.
Both Scott Baker and John Lackey were terrific. Baker gave up a first-inning homer to Mark Teixeira, but that was pretty much it. The Angels managed only five hits in 12 innings.
Lackey had a bit more trouble, but induced an inning-ending double play in the eighth, his final inning.
Here are a few oddities about this game:
* Justin Morneau did nothing, and doesn't have a hit against the Angels in five games. The Angels intentionally walked Joe Mauer and faced Morneau a couple of times.
Does that sound kooky? Perhaps not. Mauer has been on a tear, with an average of .323. Morneau has had a slide, and his average is down to .307. Mauer's been hitting some homers and lots of RBIs as well.
* Garret Anderson saw his hitting streak end at 23 games. He was 0 for five with three strikeouts. It was the anniversary of his 10-RBI game against the Yankees.
* The Twins' bullpen, which has had some problems, beat the vaunted Angels bullpen. Guerrier, Crain and Nathan allowed one hit and no runs. The Angels bullpen gave up five hits and one run.
* Three Twins' players got two hits, and none of them is a marquee guy: Span, who appears to be an emerging star; Punto, who's been stellar filling in for various infielders while playing solid defense; and Carlos Gomez.
I watched part of the game on TV here in Southern California. I was impressed with the Twins. This looks like a team that could do some damage -- if it gets to the playoffs, that is.
But this is only the beginning of a brutal road trip. The team can't afford to lose much ground -- the White Sox, who were idle Thursday, have also been playing well. It's possible both teams will make the playoffs.
The problem is that the Rays and Red Sox are both playing well. It would help the Twins if one of those two teams would falter, but it hasn't happened. At least not yet.
Friday's pitching matchup is Minnesota's Glen Perkins vs. Joe Saunders. The White Sox play at home against the Rays. Those might be the two best series in baseball.
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