series 18: Twins (willdog26) vs RedSox (RSN22)

Game 1:



In a game were 5 of the 7 total runs between both teams came in the 10th inning, the visiting Minnesota Twins were able to squeak a win out against an extremely tough Boston pitching staff. Both teams were held scoreless by starting pitchers Dice-K and Nick Blackburn until Jim Thome hit his 14th HR of the barely sneaking over the Green Monster at Fenway in the top of the 5th inning. The Twins took that same 1-0 lead into the bottom of the 8th inning when with 1 out and runners on the corners, Kevin Youkilis grouned into what would have been a tailor made double play, however, on the same play JJ Hardy, the Twins SS, had a serious mental lapse and forgot to cover the bag, thus allowing the Redsox to score the tying run.

Things got real interesting in the 10th inning. Here is the play by play:

Twins batting. Mauer lined to center for a single. Hermida substituted for Beltre. Kubel hit a ball off the pitcher's leg for a single. Mauer advances to 2nd. Bard pitching. Mauer was picked off. Hardy was hit by a pitch (good acting on his part, (fooled the home plate umpire Mac Harvey). Hudson sacrificed to Lowell (5-3 SH). Kubel advances to 3rd. Hardy advances to 2nd. Span was intentionally walked. Casilla flied to left for a single. Kubel scores. Hardy scores. Span advances to 2nd.* Nathan in bullpen. Morneau reached first on a throwing error by Scutaro. Span scores. Casilla advances to 2nd. Cuddyer lined out to Youkilis (L3), ending the inning.
Runs: 3 Hits: 3 Walks: 1 Errors: 0 Runners Left On: 2

And the bottom of the 10th:
Red Sox batting. Varitek struck out but reached first after Mauer dropped the 3rd strike. Nathan pitching. Youkilis grounded to center for a single. Varitek advances to 2nd. Ortiz lined to right for a single. Varitek advances to 3rd. Youkilis advances to 2nd. Lowell was hit by a pitch. Varitek scores. Bringing the score to 4-2. Drew popped out on an infield fly rule to Hardy (P). Cameron lined to left for a single. Score now is 4-3 Youkilis scores. Ortiz advances to 3rd. Lowell advances to 2nd. Ortiz was out on a pass ball that didn't get deep enough to the backstop. Lowell reached 3rd on a wild pitch. Cameron reached 2nd on a wild pitch. Scutaro struck out swinging late at a 0-2 high fastball, ending the inning. Runs: 2 Hits: 3 Walks: 1 Errors: 1

Really good game up till the SC nonsense kicked in. Thanks RSN I appreciate playing guys that are tougher than crap. I take something away from every game we've played.

Game 3:



POG: Jason Kubel, although in my opinion it should have been Nick Punto.

The Redsox got on the board with an absolute bomb by David Ortiz, his 1st of 2 this game, measuring 429 ft in the bottom of the second. The pitching duel between Scott Baker and Jon Lester would continue until Jason Kubel tied the game with a solo shot of his own in the top of the 5th. The game would remain scoreless until the bottom of the 7th when after pitching 6 1/3 strong innings Baker gave up back to back shots by Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz. That, however, would be all for the Redsox. As they cruised into the top of the 9th with Jonathan Papelbon on the hill looking to pick up his 13th save of the season, the Twins just wouldn't give up as Michael Cuddyer doubled to center to lead off the inning. He was promptly moved over by a 4-3 ground out by Mauer. Jim Thome then ripped a ball down first base line to plate Cuddyer, bringing the Twins within 1, while finding himself standing on 2nd base. Kubel was then IBBed to set up the game ending double play. JJ Hardy (3-4 on the night) hit a ground rule double into the right field stands plating the pinch runner Orlando Hudson and tying the game at 3-3. Alexi Casilla was then IBBed as well to load the bases in preperation for the inning ending double play. However, Denard Span on a ballsey call dropped down a suicide squeeze scoring Jason Kubel and putting the Twins on top at 4-3. Span was safe as the play at the plate was too late. Leaving the based loaded again Nick Punto smacked a single up the middle to plate the 5th and final run.

Those 2 extra runs were all Joe Nathan needed as he gave up 1 hit in the bottom of the 9th while striking out 2 Boston batters to earn his 9th save of the season.

Hats off the RSN and the Redsox to a hard fought 3 game series. Good luck to Redsox and the Twins as the season intensifies drawing closer to the post season.

Game 2

Twins 6 13 0
Redsox 9 16 1

Starters:
Brian Duensing LP
Josh Beckett WP

In the top of the 1st inning, Justin Morneau hit a HR to put the Twins up 1-0. In the bottom of the inning, Kevin Youkilis hit an RBI single, Mike Lowell hit and infield single that brought in an RBI, and J.D. Drew hit a 2 RBI single to make it 4-0 Redsox after 1. In the 4th inning, Marco Scutaro hit a solo HR and Kevin Youkilis hit an RBI single. There was another run that scored in that inning but I'm not sure who it was, nevertheless, the Redsox were up 7-1 after four innings. In the 5th inning, Marco Scutaro hit a sac fly RBI to make it 8-1 Redsox. In the 6th inning, Jim Thome hit a ground ball that the Redsox could not complete a double play on allowing a run to score. In the 7th inning, Mike Lowell singled in an RBI and the score was 9-2 after 7. The Twins would make it interesting in the 9th as Casilla hit a solo HR, Delwin Young hit an RBI single and Justin Morneau hit a 2 RBI single to make it 9-6 Redsox, but it wouldn't be enough as the Redsox take this one 9-6.

POG - Marco Scutaro 3AB 1R 1H 02B 03B 1HR 2RBI