Brad Radke (6.75 ERA) pitched four innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits, walking one and striking out two in what was most likely his last Major League ball game. The scoring started in the second with an Eric Chavez solo shot to right. Then the A's got another from a Marco Scutaro double that brought in Jay Payton from first.
They tacked on two more in the third when Mark Kotsay reached on a fielding error by Jason Bartlett, before Milton Bradley blasted one over the center field wall. Oakland 4, Minnesota 0.
Dan Haren (3.00 ERA) lost his shut out when the Twins put a run on the board in the top of the fourth with a Torii Hunter home run. I bet that felt awesome. But there was much more work to be done. Glen Perkins finished the fourth for Radke and was replaced by Juan Rincon in the fifth. After Justin Morneau singled and Hunter doubled to put runners on second and third for Rondell White, he grounded a base hit to right, bringing Justin home and Torii around third. With the throw ahead of the runner, home plate blue called him out when the replay clearly showed the tag was not applied by catcher Jason Kendall. An unfortuante circumstance for the Twins, and especially for Torii, who was trying his best to keep the club's postseason hopes alive.
Dennys Reyes tossed a scoreless sixth before Haren was replaced by Justin Duchscherer, who put up a zero in the seventh for the A's. After intentionally walking Frank Thomas, Reyes unintentionally put Chavez on first. Jesse Crain then came in for 'relief' with two on and two out, but loaded the bags after a bobbled ball by Morneau at first that should have ended the inning. Crain then does the unspeakable: he walks in a run. Oakland 5, Minnesota 2.
No, it doesn't end there. Scutaro promptly lined one into the right field corner, clearing the bases and busting the game wide open. Oakland 8, Minnesota 2. You're fired, Crain. The Canadian Crusher hit a solo in the eighth to try and amend the error, but it didn't really help us feel any better and it certainly didn't win the game.
Down by 5 in the ninth, Rondell led off with a base hit but once again, the Twins couldn't produce. They were swept by the Oakland Athletics in the first round after coming back from a 12.5 game deficit to win the American League Central by 1 game on the last day of the season. They went through rookies, injuries, trades and awards, but it wasn't enough. It's gonna be a long off-season.
Thanks for an amazing year, Twins.
They tacked on two more in the third when Mark Kotsay reached on a fielding error by Jason Bartlett, before Milton Bradley blasted one over the center field wall. Oakland 4, Minnesota 0.
Dan Haren (3.00 ERA) lost his shut out when the Twins put a run on the board in the top of the fourth with a Torii Hunter home run. I bet that felt awesome. But there was much more work to be done. Glen Perkins finished the fourth for Radke and was replaced by Juan Rincon in the fifth. After Justin Morneau singled and Hunter doubled to put runners on second and third for Rondell White, he grounded a base hit to right, bringing Justin home and Torii around third. With the throw ahead of the runner, home plate blue called him out when the replay clearly showed the tag was not applied by catcher Jason Kendall. An unfortuante circumstance for the Twins, and especially for Torii, who was trying his best to keep the club's postseason hopes alive.
Dennys Reyes tossed a scoreless sixth before Haren was replaced by Justin Duchscherer, who put up a zero in the seventh for the A's. After intentionally walking Frank Thomas, Reyes unintentionally put Chavez on first. Jesse Crain then came in for 'relief' with two on and two out, but loaded the bags after a bobbled ball by Morneau at first that should have ended the inning. Crain then does the unspeakable: he walks in a run. Oakland 5, Minnesota 2.
No, it doesn't end there. Scutaro promptly lined one into the right field corner, clearing the bases and busting the game wide open. Oakland 8, Minnesota 2. You're fired, Crain. The Canadian Crusher hit a solo in the eighth to try and amend the error, but it didn't really help us feel any better and it certainly didn't win the game.
Down by 5 in the ninth, Rondell led off with a base hit but once again, the Twins couldn't produce. They were swept by the Oakland Athletics in the first round after coming back from a 12.5 game deficit to win the American League Central by 1 game on the last day of the season. They went through rookies, injuries, trades and awards, but it wasn't enough. It's gonna be a long off-season.
Thanks for an amazing year, Twins.
Playoff action around the League for Friday, 10.06.06...
(all times Central)
ALDS Geriatric Special:
DET Tigers @ NY Yankees
Game 3: 7pm on ESPN
Randy Johnson vs. Kenny Rogers
*Series tied 1-1
NLDS on break until Saturday, 10.07.06
NY Mets @ LA Dodgers
Game 3: Time 6:30 CT on FOX
Steve Trachsel vs. Greg Maddux
*New York leads series 2-0
SD Padres @ STL Cardinals
Game 3: Time 12 CT on ESPN2
Chris Young vs. Jeff Suppan
*St. Louis leads series 2-0
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