Twins done

It was a close game throughout. Nick Blackburn pitched well for the Twins, John Denks was a little bit better for the White Sox.

Blackburn made one mistake, and Jim Thome made him pay with a homer. The Sox had only five hits, the Twins  two.

The Twins had one shot. Michael Cuddyer hit a double to lead off the fifth and went to third on a sacrifice. He tried to go home on a ball to short center, and Ken Griffey threw a one-hopper to home plate.

Cuddyer crashed into A.J. Pierzynski, who held onto the ball. It was the Twins' only chance to score.

Blackburn was great, and so was the bullpen. But you don't win when you don't score. It was the fifth time the Twins lost 1-0 this year.

The Twins had a good record against Denks, but couldn't hit him Tuesday. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau did nothing. Morneau might have won the MVP if he had done something down the stretch, but he was one for his final 20. No MVP for him.

If ifs and nuts were candy and nuts.

The Twins only needed to win two of three from the Royals in the final series -- but couldn't do so. The worst loss was the first in the series, with Francisco Liriano pitching. Liriano had a poor start just when the team needed a good one.

You had to like Chicago's chances playing at home, just as you would've liked the Twins' chances if the game had been at the Metrodome.  U.S. Cellular Field is a home-run park, which favors the White Sox. The Baggie Dome is a great place for dink-and-dunk hitters, which favored the speedy Twins.

The Twins were overachievers. No one thought they would be close. Everyone thought the Tigers and Indians would be the best teams in that division. (You have to wonder what Cleveland would've done if C.C. Sabathia had stayed there.)

I think the White Sox are a little bit better than the Twins. They have slightly better pitching and more pop.

The Twins ran out of arms. They had bullpen issues, especially at the end of the year. The rotation was good, but didn't pitch very late into the game.

Hurting Pat Neshek early really hurt. Matt Guerrier was overpitched. Two starters, Livan Hernandez and Boof Bonser, were pulled. The Twins just didn't have enough solid relievers.

But Mauer and Morneau were great. Liriano, once he was recalled, was terrific, and so was Scott Baker. Blackburn, Glen Perkins and Kevin Slowey were pretty good.

Delmon Young had a solid year. Denard Span was a great discovery.

The team needs bullpen help and some more pop in the lineup. 

Wait 'til next year.