Cleveland Visits for the Last Time

[catman]

The Indians and Twins start a 3 game series tonight in the Dome. It will be the Indians last visit.
Tonight, Jeremy Sowers v. Carl Pavano
Tomorrow, Fausto Carmona v. Scott Baker.
Wednesday afternoon, Aaron Laffey v. Nick Blackburn.
In this series, a sweep would be really nice and the pitching matchups seem to favor the Twins, but who knows what's going to happen?

[catman]

The Twins pull one out with a 6-run 8th inning tonight. Pavano pitched OK -- 6 IP, 3 runs (all earned) on 6 hits and a walk. He struck out 4. Crain threw a good inning, striking out 1. Mahay allowed a hit and a walk, but no runs. He was the recipient of the big inning and picked up a win, and Nathan picked up his 39th save.
Mauer was 3/3 and is now hitting .371. Cuddyer hit a very long 3-run home run to start the Twins scoring and Kubel finished it off with another long homer (a 2-run bomb).
Good way to start a series.

[catman]

The Twins picked up another come-from-behind win tonight, 5-4 with Rauch getting his 3rd win and Nathan his 40th save. The Twins scored in the first inning, with Mauer singling Span in. The Indians scored 3 runs off Baker in the 4th and the Twins came back with single runs in the 4th and 5th and 2 more in the 6th. The Indians scored a run on Matt LaPorta's solo shot off Nathan.
Baker pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. Mahay threw 3 pitches, without retiring a hitter, or giving up a baserunner, and was relieved by Rauch, who pitched 1.1 innings, allowing a hit. Mijares finished the 7th inning striking out the hitter he faced. Guerrier allowed a hit in the 8th, but no runs. Nathan allowed a run, but got the save.
Span was 1/5 with a run scored, Cabrera was 2/4 with a solo homer, Mauer was 2/3 with 1 RBI, Young was 1/3 with a run scored, Buscher was 1/2 with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI, and Punto was 3/4 with 2 RBI -- continuing his hot hitting of late.

[catman]

Another win for the Twins. This time, they didn't have to come from behind, winning 7-3. Blackburn pitched 6.1 innings, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits no walks and 3 Ks. Mijares pitched 1.1 innings, allowing a run on 1 hit, 1 walk and 1 K. Crain pitched to 2 hitters, allowing 1 walk and 1 hit. Guerrier finished the 8th without allowing any more runs to score. He started the 9th, and gave up a couple of hits, getting an out. Nathan finished the game, striking out the 2 hitters he faced, picking up his 41st save. Blackburn got the win and is now 10-11.
Mauer was 2/3 and is hitting .374 now. Cuddyer hit another homerun.
Tomorrow, the Twins get a day off and then the Tigers come to town. The only question is how many games they will be up on the Twins when they get to the Dome.