MLB Recaps: Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer Go Deep to Key Big Twins Win
Last season, the Twins were hurt by an obvious hole in their offense. That hole could only be filled by two players; Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer. Without them, the Twins struggled. Now, with both former MVP’s back, Twins fans were reminded of just how potent they can be. Joe Mauer hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning, and Justin Morneau broke a tie with his own two-run shot.
The Twins were down by six to the Los Angeles Angels, but they came back to win 10-9 in an old fashioned American League slugfest. The Twins combined for 20 hits while the Angels grabbed 13 base knocks.
American League
Tampa Bay – 2
Detroit – 7
On his 27th birthday Brennan Boesch drove in four runs and helped the Tigers to the win. Rookie Drew Smyly got the start for Detroit and went four innings allowing just one run.
Seattle – 3
Texas – 5
Michael Young went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI, and Derek Holland tossed 7 1/3 innings without allowing a walk. Holland struck out eight and gave up just two runs as the Rangers cruised past the Mariners.
National League
Miami – 1
Philadelphia – 3
Homers from Shane Victorino and Ty Wigginton and seven strong innings from Joe Blanton helped power the Phillies past the Marlins. Blanton went seven innings and gave up just three hits, one run.
San Francisco – 4
Colorado – 2
Jamie Moyer still hasn’t become the oldest pitcher to win a major league game. He went 5 1/3 innings, gave up eight hits, and allowed four runs. Madison Bumgarner, on the other hand, was dazzling as he went 7 1/3, allowing only four hits, and giving up just one run.
Milwaukee – 0
Chicago – 8
It was a tale of two aces in Chicago as Zack Greinke got hammered and Matt Garza eased his way to victory. Greinke went just 3 2/3 innings and allowed eight runs. Garza pitched 8 2/3 innings of three-hit baseball. The Cubs offense smacked 13 hits in the shut-out.
Cincinnati – 2
Washington- 3
Ryan Zimmerman scored the winning run in the tenth on a wild pitch, and the Nationals topped the Reds to improve their record to 5-2. Both Gio Gonzalez and Mat Latos were strong in this game. Gonzalez went seven innings and allowed just two hits. Latos went 5 1/3 and allowed two runs on five hits. The wild pitch came Alfredo Simon pitching for Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh – 2
Los Angeles – 3
Matt Kemp continued his hot-hitting as he went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Chris Capuano tossed 5 1/3 strong innings giving up just two runs while striking out seven, and the Dodgers squeaked past the Pirates. Michael McKenry hit a solo shot for the Pirates in the losing effort.
Arizona – 3
San Diego – 1
A triple followed by two singles in the first inning allowed the Padres to jump out to an early lead against Dbacks ace Ian Kennedy. However, that’s where the Padres offense ended. The Diamondbacks later tied and took the lead. They padded their lead with a Chris Young home run in the eighth and went on to win.
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