Santana, Staff, 'Cast of Jasons' Leads Twins Past ChiSox
What a difference a major winning streak can do for a team's confidence. The Twins' confidence is soaring for good reason. The Twins got another stellar pitching performance from staff ace Johan Santana, who won a pitchers' duel with Chicago's Jose Contreras, improved to 12-5 on the season. Contreras fell to 9-3, losing for the third straight time after running off a 17 game winning streak over two seasons. Again, the Twins got some clutch relief pitching from Juan Rincon and Joe Nathan, who each pitched a scoreless inning.
But all those superb efforts would've been for naught if it wasn't for the big nights by DH Jason Kubel, who hit a game-tying homer in the top of the second, the timely hitting and solid defense of Jason Tyner and the monster game of Jason Bartlett. Bartlett went 2 for 4 with a wind-aided three-run homer that just barely cleared the leftfield fence in the seventh. If that wasn't enough to make him tonight's hero, then his incredible back-handed diving stab of a bouncer in the hole off the bat of pinch-hitter Scott Podsednik, coupled with a laser-shot throw to first to nail the fleet-footed Podsednik on a bang-bang play cemented that honor.
The game was played with a hyper-charged playoff atmosphere, with the game seemingly hanging on every pitch. True baseball fans were treated to one of the most entertaining games of the season. In the end, the Twins and ChiSox played great, with the Twins playing just a bit better.
As a Twins fan, I've marveled at how much this team's youngsters have matured in the course of two months. The Twins didn't get stellar offensive performances from Mauer, Morneau and Cuddyer but they still won. I've been impressed with Jason Bartlett's defensive range and his laser arm, both of which he flashed against Mr. Podsednik. I've been impressed with Nick Punto's range and tenacity defensively.
I've been heartened by this team's depth in winning through the injuries to Torii Hunter and Shannon Stewart. Those guys go down, they recall Rondell White and Jason Tyner just in time for the biggest series of the season thus far. The net result is that the Twins barely miss a beat. They didn't read the press clippings that they shouldn't be winning through the injuries. Good for them.
As a result, the Twins have a chance to jump into a tie for the lead in the wild card race with the ChiSox when they take the field against lefty Mark Buerhle at 1:00 Wednesday afternoon. They shouldn't have a shot at sweeping the ChiSox in Chicago, especially without Torii and Shannon Stewart. Hopefully, they won't realize that either. Hopefully, they'll just keep on winning.
Posted Wednesday, July 26, 2006 12:40 AM
June 2006 Posts
No comments.
But all those superb efforts would've been for naught if it wasn't for the big nights by DH Jason Kubel, who hit a game-tying homer in the top of the second, the timely hitting and solid defense of Jason Tyner and the monster game of Jason Bartlett. Bartlett went 2 for 4 with a wind-aided three-run homer that just barely cleared the leftfield fence in the seventh. If that wasn't enough to make him tonight's hero, then his incredible back-handed diving stab of a bouncer in the hole off the bat of pinch-hitter Scott Podsednik, coupled with a laser-shot throw to first to nail the fleet-footed Podsednik on a bang-bang play cemented that honor.
The game was played with a hyper-charged playoff atmosphere, with the game seemingly hanging on every pitch. True baseball fans were treated to one of the most entertaining games of the season. In the end, the Twins and ChiSox played great, with the Twins playing just a bit better.
As a Twins fan, I've marveled at how much this team's youngsters have matured in the course of two months. The Twins didn't get stellar offensive performances from Mauer, Morneau and Cuddyer but they still won. I've been impressed with Jason Bartlett's defensive range and his laser arm, both of which he flashed against Mr. Podsednik. I've been impressed with Nick Punto's range and tenacity defensively.
I've been heartened by this team's depth in winning through the injuries to Torii Hunter and Shannon Stewart. Those guys go down, they recall Rondell White and Jason Tyner just in time for the biggest series of the season thus far. The net result is that the Twins barely miss a beat. They didn't read the press clippings that they shouldn't be winning through the injuries. Good for them.
As a result, the Twins have a chance to jump into a tie for the lead in the wild card race with the ChiSox when they take the field against lefty Mark Buerhle at 1:00 Wednesday afternoon. They shouldn't have a shot at sweeping the ChiSox in Chicago, especially without Torii and Shannon Stewart. Hopefully, they won't realize that either. Hopefully, they'll just keep on winning.
Posted Wednesday, July 26, 2006 12:40 AM
June 2006 Posts
No comments.
