Chicago 4, Minnesota 3

Boof Bonser (L 7-6, 4.22 ERA) went five innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, striking out three batters in the Twins heart-breaking one-run loss to the White Sox.

A Jermaine Dye longball (his 44th of the year), put Chicago on the board in the first inning. Center fielder Jerry Owens then led off the fourth with a double and was brought in by Jim Thome's base hit. Alex Cintron homered the next inning, the last run given up by Bonser.

It's not like it was a bad outing for Boof, but it was most definitely eclipsed by the young Minnesota native Glen Perkins (0.00 ERA). Perkins pitched 3.1 perfect innings of relief, not allowing a hit until Paul Konerko doubled with no one out in the ninth. Glen was then replaced by Dennys Reyes (0.90 ERA), who gave up an A.J. Pierzynski RBI single.

Perkins was not the only one who pitched well Friday night. Freddy Garcia (W 17-9, 4.53 ERA) tossed 7.1 innings, giving up only 1 run on 5 hits, striking out three Twins. The Chicago righty managed to keep Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and a couple piranhas hitless. The one run allowed by Garcia came in the seventh when Luis Rodriguez doubled and was brought home by a Michael Cuddyer single.

Closer Bobby Jenks (4.00 ERA) took the hill as the scoreboard changed with Kansas City taking their 7-5 lead over Detroit. With homer hankies waving, the Twins attempted to put together a comeback. Nick Punto led off with a single to left and stole second with Rodriguez at the plate. L-Rod drew a walk, Mauer struck out swinging and Cuddyer delivered a two-run double to bring the Twins within one. Morneau struck out swinging among loud M-V-P chants before Torii Hunter infield-singled to keep the inning alive. Lew Ford walked and it was up to Phil Nevin with the bases loaded to get the Twins a victory that would move them into first place in the ALC. Jenks got him swinging and hushed the Dome.

The Twins have found themselves lucky in the sense that they haven't lost much ground with Detroit losing key games, allowing them to stay in contention for the Division Title. Our boys have two more chances to take the lead this weekend, assuming Kansas City continues to play good baseball.

VS.

Minnesota will look to Matt Garza (3-5, 5.32 ERA) to even up the series Saturday afternoon against Jon Garland (17-7, 4.61 ERA) and the White Sox. Garza has won his last two starts, giving up 3 runs (in each) and pitching 5.2 innings a piece. Garland has lost his last three starts, giving up 16 total runs.

Batting Title Watch: Joe Mauer went 0 for 4 Friday night during the Twins' 4-3 loss to the White Sox, lowering his batting average to .346 on the season. Derek Jeter hit 2 for 4 (.341) and Robinson Cano went 1 for 4 (.342) in New York's 7-2 win over Toronto.

MVP Action for Friday, September 29, 2006...

Justin Morneau: 0 for 4 | .320 avg | 129 RBI | 34 HR
Johan Santana: 19-6 | 2.77 ERA | 245 K | 233.2 IP
Derek Jeter: 2 for 4 | .341 avg | 96 RBI | 14 HR

Here is last night's heroics by Joe Mauer to cheer you up...