MN Sports Blog

In an absolute slug fest that started off with the Twins taking a three-run lead in the first quickly turned into what looked like a lopsided loss for the Twins. The Phillies matched the Twins three runs in the bottom half of the first then added four more in the second and another in the third.

When it seemed all was lost and the Twins were destined to lose the series in blowout fashion that scraped together five runs in the ninth to tie the game at nine. Drew Butera gave the Twins the lead in the tenth inning with his first career home run but the celebration was short lives as Ross Gload homered with two outs in the bottom of the tenth.

But in the eleventh the Twins would seal the deal scoring three runs thanks to an infield single by Delmon Young and a two-run scoring double by Matt Tolbert. Jon Rauch pitched two innings for the first time this year picking up the win and he also laid down a sacrifice in the eleventh that put the Twins in position to take the lead.

This marked the second time in two games a Twins starter lasted just an 1 and 2/3 innings. Slowey allowed seven runs on seven hits inflating his ERA to 4.58. On Friday Nick Blackburn gave up eight runs on six hits in his 1 and 2/3 innings.

There were nine home runs in today’s game including homers by Jim Thome (6), Joe Mauer (3), Justin Morneau (14), and Drew Butera (1).

Up Next: Carl Pavano (7-6, 3.92 ERA) takes the hill as the Twins looks to win the series with the Phillies at 12:10 PM but will face the daunting task of doing so against Roy Halladay (8-5, 2.36 ERA).