Twins 4, Indians 1

It was vintage Santana (14-5, 3.10 ERA) on the mound Tuesday night at the Dome in the Twins' 4-1 win over Jake Westbrook (9-8, 4.20 ERA) and the Indians. Johan threw eight very strong innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 walk, striking out 9 Cleveland batters. Everything was working for him, including his 95 mph fastball which popped Mauer's mitt all night.

The 2004 AL Cy Young Award winner has not lost in the Dome since August 6, 2005, going 12-0 in his last 19 home starts. It's the craziest streak for a Twins pitcher since Frank Viola went 19-0 in 24 home starts from 1987-88. We're talking Frank Viola and that sweet 'stache! Man, you know he got all the ladies.

Johan had a one run lead from Joe Mauer's groundball single to right in the 3rd to work with until the 8th when the Twins strung together 3 more insurance runs. With one out, Luis Castillo singled on a grounder to center before Jason Tyner moved him over to second on a groundball out. Westbrook then intentionally walked Mauer (boo) with Michael Cuddyer on deck, which always end in tears. After a sweet double-steal from Mauer and Castillo with no defender anywhere near a base, Cuddy slaps one to left, scoring Castillo from third. Then oh, what's this? Mauer rounds third and slides home like a champ. Safe!

Cleveland apparently forgot all about what happened two seconds before that, so they walked Morneau with Torii Hunter on deck. (Which on one hand is kinda cool, cause it shows how badass The Canadian Crusher is to all who fear his bat). So what happens, but Torii squirted one to left, scoring Cuddyer. Suckas! It was awesome.

Joe Nate (1.59 ERA) had a 4 run lead to work with in the ninth but gave up a lead-off walk to Grady Sizemore. Then, Jason Michaels grounds out like a total sissy. The ball was rolling so damn slow that there was no chance for a double play. Sizemore moved to second with Travis Hafner on deck, who is a monster. He of course belted a line drive to right that scored Sizemore. Nathan retired the last two batters to a standing ovation, earning his 25th save in 26 opportunities.

VS.

Carlos Silva (8-10, 6.41 ERA) takes the hill Wednesday against Cliff Lee (10-8, 4.64 ERA) in the second game of this three games series against the Tribe.

Can I just say that I am thoroughly disappointed the Twins will not get the chance to rock Captain Cheeseburger this series.

P.S. Jhonny Peralta struck out three times Tuesday night facing Johan Santana. He is 0-22 lifetime vs. the pitching machine with 17 strikeouts. That's cuatro golden sombreros...plus one. OR tres platinum sombreros...plus two. You get the idea, I just thought I should exploit his lack of contact a little. Johan has full on gotten into his head. I love it.