Twins Visit the Cell for 3

[catman]

The Twins visit Chicago for 3 games, starting tonight. The team really needs to play well this series.
Tonight, Nick Blackburn v. Daniel Hudson
Tomorrow, Jeff Manship v. John Danks
Wednesday, Brian Duensing v. Mark Buehrle
I'd like to see the team win at least 2 of the 3 games. Not sure about Daniel Hudson. He's 22 and this is his 1st major league start. He has pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 runs (all earned), walking nobody and striking out 4. He has allowed a home run to John Buck of the Royals.

[catman]

Tonight, Blackburn pitched 7 very good innings and the Twins got 3 runs from Orlando Cabrera (2 RBI) in a 7-0 win. Mauer was 1/4 and is now hitting .373.
Daniel Hudson looked pretty good in his first major league start. He threw 5 good innings, allowing 3 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, 4 walks and 4 Ks.
The Twins now trail the Tigers by 2.5 games.

[Foster]

It'd been decided, I am hoping on the bandwagon.
Go Twins Go

[catman]

The Twins are still a long-shot to win the division, but they are playing their best ball right now. They have 12 games to play with 9 of those on the road, where they haven't played particularly well. They do, however, have quite a roll going right now and if they can wil 6 of these 10 games on this road trip, they should be just fine. The team that concerns me the most is the Royals. Had the Twins won 2 of the 3 games they played the final weekend last season, they would have won the division, rather than going to Chicago for the 1-game play-in.
The Twins need to win their games and not worry about anyone else's games.

[catman]

Could be a very high scoring game tonight -- its 5-4 in the middle of the 5th with the Twins leading. Liriano is pitching pretty well in relief of Manship.
Mauer is 1/2 with a double and RBI.

[catman]

I spoke a bit too soon. Liriano lasted 2.1 innings also. 5-5 in the bottom of the 5th.

[catman]

Cuddyer and Tolbert both hit solo homers in the top of the 6th and Crain throws another clean inning. 7-5 after 6.

[catman]

For whatever reason, Michael Cuddyer seems to "own" John Danks. He is 16/30 with 6 homers, including 3/3 tonight with another homer.

[catman]

Twins win again tonight 8-6. Nathan gets his 43rd save. Crain gets another "vulture" win.
Detroit won tonight, and the Twins remain 2.5 games back.