Game 72: Twins keep streak alive in the Border Battle
Minnesota @ Milwaukee (Game 1 of 3)
Francisco Liriano struggled to get through five innings but was able to hold on for his third win of the season. The win kept the Twins undefeated streak against the Brewers alive at four in the 7-3 victory.
The Twins got the ball rolling in the first inning when Michael Cuddyer struck out with two on and two outs, however, it was on a wild pitch from Jeff Suppan that got away from Jason Kendall and Cuddyer made it to first base to load them up. Joe Crede then cleared the bases with a double to make it 3-0 in favor of the Twins.
The Brewers were able to get a pair of runs back in the bottom half of the inning and loaded the bases with two outs. Mike Cameron sent a 3-2 slider into left field to score Jason Kendall and Casey McGehee to make it a 3-2 game.
The Twins put another run on the board in the second after Carlos Gomez hit a two out double and was knocked in on a single to center from Brendan Harris. The Brewers answered back with a run of their own in the bottom of the second when Casey McGehee hit an RBI double to left that scored Jeff Suppan to make it 4-3 with the visitors on top.
The Twins came out in the third and put up another 3-run inning that got started on a fielding error by J.J. Hardy that allowed the Twins to have runners on first and second. Delmon Young hit an RBI double to score Cuddyer and Jeff Suppan intentionally walked Nick Punto to load the bases. With two out, Carlos Gomez hit a RBI single that scored two runs to make it 7-3.
Liriano took control of the game and gave up two singles and three walks over the next three innings, however, it was a laboring night for the left hander as it took him 117 pitches to make it through the five innings. Liriano left the game after giving up three runs off seven hits with five walks and six strike outs.
The Twins bullpen shut down the Brewers, who only managed to make it on base twice in the final four innings off of a single from R.A. Dickey and a hit batter from Matt Guerrier. Joe Nathan closed out the game in the non-save situation by striking out two of the three batters he faced.
Joe Mauer went 0-for-5 during the game and dropped his batting average to .395 for the season.
Attendance: 42,008 (Miller Park)
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