Royals come Calling -- Again.

[catman]

Kevin Slowey started the game today, giving up 2 runs on 7 hits and a walk in 4 innings. His command was not as sharp as it was prior to going on the DL, but he pitched OK. Jeff Manship pitched 2 innings, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits, picking up his 2nd win. Flores, Guerrier, Crain and Capps finished the game, allowing a couple of walks, and no runs. Capps picked up his 10th save as a Twin.
Offensively, the Twins had a pretty good day with Kubel hitting a 2-run homer into the bullpen. The biggest blast of the day came from Jim Thome. He hit a ball that bounced off the flagpole on the right field plaza. Had it not hit the flagpole, it might have cleared the fence, leaving the park completely. It was measured at 480'. It was one of those shots that everyone that saw it will remember for a long time.
With the White Sox winning another game on the road, the Twins' lead remains at 3.5 games. As hot as both teams are, it is quite possible that both teams will catch the Rays, bringing the wild card to the Central.

[catman]

Tonight, Brian Bannister returns to the Royals' rotation, facing Francisco Liriano. Hopefully, the Twins can continue their winning ways.

[catman]

Twins played a very good game today, getting 6 runs with 2 outs in the 3rd. After that, Liriano put it into cruise control and the offense got a few more hits. Delmon Young drove in 4 runs today and Jim Thome hit another long home run (tying Frank Robinson for 8th place all-time).
10-3 Twins, coupled with the White Sox loss, decreased the magic number to 20.

[catman]

Tonight, Brian Duensing gets quite a test as he is facing Zach Greinke. Greinke isn't the pitcher he was last season, but he is still a formidable foe. Lets hope that the Twins can continue their offensive "explosion".

[mntwinsfan]

Twins are playing really good baseball right now. Currently we have the 3rd best record in baseball. Somehow we need to get the best record in the AL. I would rather face Texas in the playoffs. Rays or Yanks seem to have our number.

[mntwinsfan]

Any thoughts on Thome as the team mvp? He is having a great year for us. Somehow we need to resign him if he still wants to play baseball.

[Pebbles]

Tonights game against Greinke should be tough, but the Twins are playing good ball and should be right there in the game.

[catman]

After 3 1/2 innings, the Royals lead 1-0 on a pair of doubles in the top of the 2nd.
The Twins have not gotten a hit, yet. They have had 2 base runners -- an error on Betemet and a walk to Hudson.

[DirtyKash]

No-hitter through 4!

[catman]

By the way -- welcome aboard, Pebbles.

[DirtyKash]

J.J. Hardy - of all people - breaks it up.

[catman]

Hardy is a pretty good hitter. He has a good track-record.

[catman]

So much for the shut-out. Tolbert drove in the 1st run and Span tripled, driving in 2 more. 3-1 after 5 innings.

[Pebbles]

3-1 ballgame.

[catman]

Hardy homers to center. 4-1 Twins.