VS. 
Inexperienced rookie and starting pitcher Boof Bonser (3.00 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins just dug themselves into a hole the size of George Steinbrenner's heart. Bonser gave up 2 runs on 7 hits, striking out three and walking one. After five decent innings from Boof, he gave up consecutive doubles to start the fifth; Oakland scored on the second by Marco Scutaro, who was then waved around on a Jason Kendall single.
Esteban Loaiza (3.60 ERA) pitched well until he gave up the tying run in the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back homers by Michael Cuddyer (his first postseason homer) and the Canadian Crusher. Loaiza was promptly replaced by Kiko Calero (W 1-0, 0.00 ERA).
This momentous comeback falsely uplifted the hope of Twins fans, for Dennys Reyes (27.00 ERA) would give up what should have been a double to center in the seventh, that turned into an inside-the-park homerun by Mark Kotsay. With a man on, Torii Hunter came diving in like he thought he could fly, the ball bouncing past him and dying at the center field wall. Allowing an inside-the-park home run may be the zenith of embarrassment for a ball club that plays in a Dome Stadium.
Joe Nathan (0.00 ERA) entered in the ninth to replace Juan Rincon (6.75 ERA) after he gave up a lead-off double to Nick Swisher. With Mark Ellis at the plate, Nathan threw a wild pitch that sent Swisher home, the run being charged to Juan. Oakland 5, Minnesota 2. A collective groan permeated the Metrodome ceiling as fans began to file out to beat the traffic.
With only one out remaining in the game, Jason Bartlett tried to keep it alive. He stole second before Luis Castillo drew a walk. So it was up to Nick Punto, who has had a great series so far, defensively. He fell behind in the count trying to hit one to the upper deck, but used his good eye to take two more pitches, filling the count. The runners go, Punto pops it up to short, game over.
And where was our batting champion? Joe Mauer went 1-4 with a base hit in the first. He is hitting .134 in the postseason. What is happening with this ball club right now? What needs to happen?
Esteban Loaiza (3.60 ERA) pitched well until he gave up the tying run in the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back homers by Michael Cuddyer (his first postseason homer) and the Canadian Crusher. Loaiza was promptly replaced by Kiko Calero (W 1-0, 0.00 ERA).
This momentous comeback falsely uplifted the hope of Twins fans, for Dennys Reyes (27.00 ERA) would give up what should have been a double to center in the seventh, that turned into an inside-the-park homerun by Mark Kotsay. With a man on, Torii Hunter came diving in like he thought he could fly, the ball bouncing past him and dying at the center field wall. Allowing an inside-the-park home run may be the zenith of embarrassment for a ball club that plays in a Dome Stadium.
Joe Nathan (0.00 ERA) entered in the ninth to replace Juan Rincon (6.75 ERA) after he gave up a lead-off double to Nick Swisher. With Mark Ellis at the plate, Nathan threw a wild pitch that sent Swisher home, the run being charged to Juan. Oakland 5, Minnesota 2. A collective groan permeated the Metrodome ceiling as fans began to file out to beat the traffic.
With only one out remaining in the game, Jason Bartlett tried to keep it alive. He stole second before Luis Castillo drew a walk. So it was up to Nick Punto, who has had a great series so far, defensively. He fell behind in the count trying to hit one to the upper deck, but used his good eye to take two more pitches, filling the count. The runners go, Punto pops it up to short, game over.
And where was our batting champion? Joe Mauer went 1-4 with a base hit in the first. He is hitting .134 in the postseason. What is happening with this ball club right now? What needs to happen?
VS. 
Facing the dark could of elimination, the Twins will head to Oakland for Game 3 on Friday with veteran stud Brad Radke getting the start against Dan Haren and the A's. Radke might be a total gimp right now with his broken limb, but he pitched well in his last outing on September 28th against Kansas City, putting a zero on the board with 3 hits in five innings of work. Against Oakland on April 11th, Brad pitched seven innings, giving up 4 runs on 8 hits and struck out two batters. Haren last faced the Twins on September 13th, getting the win with eight innings pitched, shutting them out on 3 hits and a walk.
There will be no losing faith Twins fans! This is Oakland we're talking about here. And our boys are not about to roll over and play dead. They've worked their tails off to get this far. Here's hoping they can rally with runners in soring position on Friday and get something going before there's 2 outs in the inning.
There will be no losing faith Twins fans! This is Oakland we're talking about here. And our boys are not about to roll over and play dead. They've worked their tails off to get this far. Here's hoping they can rally with runners in soring position on Friday and get something going before there's 2 outs in the inning.
Playoff action around the League for Wednesday, 10.04.06...
(all times Central)
ALDS
DET Tigers @ NY Yankees in Game 2, 7pm on ESPN
Justin Verlander vs. Mike Mussina
*New York leads series 1-0
NLDS
LA Dodgers @ NY Mets in Game 1, 3pm on ESPN
Hong-Chih Kuo vs. Tom Glavine
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