S. Smith
07-30-2008, 04:49 PM
First place in the AL Central on the line at Metrodome
(Sports Network) - 7/30/08
http://tinyurl.com/6byt47
First place in the American League Central division will be at stake
when the surging Minnesota Twins continue their key four-game series
with the visiting Chicago White Sox tonight at the Metrodome.
Chicago entered this pivotal divisional clash owning a 2 1/2-game lead
on the second-place Twins in the Central standings, but Minnesota has
trimmed that advantage to a mere half-game with wins in the first two
tests of this set. Kevin Slowey fired a six-hit shutout in Minnesota's
7-0 victory on Monday, and the club rallied from an early four-run
deficit to post a 6-5 decision over the White Sox last night.
The Twins trailed 4-0 after 4 1/2 innings before putting up a
five-spot in the bottom of the fifth to forge ahead. Justin Morneau
capped the uprising with a go-ahead three-run double, while Carlos
Gomez and Joe Mauer both had RBI singles during the inning.
Gomez, who was making his first start since injuring his back in a
collision with the outfield wall on Friday, finished 3-for-3 with two
runs scored.
Glen Perkins (8-3) picked up the victory after allowing four runs over
six innings, with four Minnesota relievers teaming up to protect the
lead the rest of the way. Joe Nathan served up a solo homer to Nick
Swisher in the ninth, but the Twins closer held on to record his 29th
save.
Brian Anderson also homered for Chicago and Josh Fields delivered a
two-run double in the loss, the third in a row for the Sox.
Chicago rookie Clayton Richard was reached for five runs on seven hits
over 4 2/3 innings to take the loss in his second major league start.
Tuesday's triumph was the Twins' 17th in their last 20 games at the
Metrodome, and the team is a tremendous 36-19 as the host this season.
In contrast, Chicago is just 24-30 on the road for the year, compared
to a 35-16 mark at U.S. Cellular Field.
The home team has also excelled so far during this year's season
series between these clubs. Chicago has won seven of nine matchups
with the Twins in the Windy City, but Minnesota is 4-0 against the Sox
at the Metrodome so far in 2008.
The Metrodome has also been kind to Livan Hernandez this season, as
the veteran pitcher is 8-1 with a 3.91 earned run average in his 12
home starts. The Twins are 10-2 this year when Hernandez pitches at
home.
The Cuban defector's most recent outing came on the road, with
Hernandez getting saddled with a loss at Cleveland this past Friday
despite a complete- game effort. He surrendered five runs and 12 hits
over eight innings.
Hernandez also went the distance in a 9-1 win over the White Sox at
the Metrodome on May 7, but he was shelled for seven runs in four
innings during an 11-2 defeat to Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field on
June 7. Those two starts are the 33-year-old's only career meetings
with the Sox.
Gavin Floyd will not only be trying to end Chicago's losing streak
tonight, but also a personal stretch of three straight winless starts.
The young right- hander is 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA during that dry spell.
Floyd was last in action Friday in Detroit, where he got a no-decision
in a 6-5 Chicago victory over the Tigers. He gave up four runs (3
earned) and nine hits through six innings.
The former first-round pick will be facing the Twins for the fourth
time this season and is 2-1 with a 2.11 ERA against Minnesota this
year. That one loss came at the Metrodome on April 29, with Floyd
allowing three runs over six innings.
Floyd is 2-3 with a 4.13 ERA in five lifetime matchups with the Twins.
---
- Scott Smith: scott.smith@iphouse.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/choppersmith
(Sports Network) - 7/30/08
http://tinyurl.com/6byt47
First place in the American League Central division will be at stake
when the surging Minnesota Twins continue their key four-game series
with the visiting Chicago White Sox tonight at the Metrodome.
Chicago entered this pivotal divisional clash owning a 2 1/2-game lead
on the second-place Twins in the Central standings, but Minnesota has
trimmed that advantage to a mere half-game with wins in the first two
tests of this set. Kevin Slowey fired a six-hit shutout in Minnesota's
7-0 victory on Monday, and the club rallied from an early four-run
deficit to post a 6-5 decision over the White Sox last night.
The Twins trailed 4-0 after 4 1/2 innings before putting up a
five-spot in the bottom of the fifth to forge ahead. Justin Morneau
capped the uprising with a go-ahead three-run double, while Carlos
Gomez and Joe Mauer both had RBI singles during the inning.
Gomez, who was making his first start since injuring his back in a
collision with the outfield wall on Friday, finished 3-for-3 with two
runs scored.
Glen Perkins (8-3) picked up the victory after allowing four runs over
six innings, with four Minnesota relievers teaming up to protect the
lead the rest of the way. Joe Nathan served up a solo homer to Nick
Swisher in the ninth, but the Twins closer held on to record his 29th
save.
Brian Anderson also homered for Chicago and Josh Fields delivered a
two-run double in the loss, the third in a row for the Sox.
Chicago rookie Clayton Richard was reached for five runs on seven hits
over 4 2/3 innings to take the loss in his second major league start.
Tuesday's triumph was the Twins' 17th in their last 20 games at the
Metrodome, and the team is a tremendous 36-19 as the host this season.
In contrast, Chicago is just 24-30 on the road for the year, compared
to a 35-16 mark at U.S. Cellular Field.
The home team has also excelled so far during this year's season
series between these clubs. Chicago has won seven of nine matchups
with the Twins in the Windy City, but Minnesota is 4-0 against the Sox
at the Metrodome so far in 2008.
The Metrodome has also been kind to Livan Hernandez this season, as
the veteran pitcher is 8-1 with a 3.91 earned run average in his 12
home starts. The Twins are 10-2 this year when Hernandez pitches at
home.
The Cuban defector's most recent outing came on the road, with
Hernandez getting saddled with a loss at Cleveland this past Friday
despite a complete- game effort. He surrendered five runs and 12 hits
over eight innings.
Hernandez also went the distance in a 9-1 win over the White Sox at
the Metrodome on May 7, but he was shelled for seven runs in four
innings during an 11-2 defeat to Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field on
June 7. Those two starts are the 33-year-old's only career meetings
with the Sox.
Gavin Floyd will not only be trying to end Chicago's losing streak
tonight, but also a personal stretch of three straight winless starts.
The young right- hander is 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA during that dry spell.
Floyd was last in action Friday in Detroit, where he got a no-decision
in a 6-5 Chicago victory over the Tigers. He gave up four runs (3
earned) and nine hits through six innings.
The former first-round pick will be facing the Twins for the fourth
time this season and is 2-1 with a 2.11 ERA against Minnesota this
year. That one loss came at the Metrodome on April 29, with Floyd
allowing three runs over six innings.
Floyd is 2-3 with a 4.13 ERA in five lifetime matchups with the Twins.
---
- Scott Smith: scott.smith@iphouse.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/choppersmith