| Twins Sweep Rangers |
| By Sally Haase September 6, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS, MN-- It was a weekend of debuts, milestones, and reminiscing for the Minnesota Twins as the team celebrated fifty seasons in Minnesota. The series started Friday with the introduction of the fifty greatest Twins. Most of the living players were on hand for the ceremony and for the weekend which ended on Sunday with a Twins legends game. The Twins wore their 1961 throwback uniforms for all three games of the series. After a rough game Thursday night in which the Twins battled the Detroit Tigers for 13 innings in a 10-9 loss, the Twins pitching staff was depleted forcing the team to call up rookie Matt Fox to start Friday’s game. Fox was very impressive in his major league debut holding the Rangers to just two runs in five and two-thirds innings. Fox pitched well enough for the win, but that honor went to Alex Burnett as the Twins beat the Rangers 4-3. Saturday’s game saw career days for third baseman Matt Tolbert and designated hitter Jim Thome in a 12-4 rout of the Rangers. Nine of the 12 runs were driving in by Tolbert and Thome. Tolbert drove in five with two triples, while Thome drove in four by tying and later surpassing Mark McGwire for ninth on the all time home run list. Thome is just now three home runs away from passing Frank Robinson for eighth place on the list. Thome also drew two walks during the game to pass Frank Thomas on the walks list. Thome is ninth on the walks list as well. Weird would be the word to describe the final game of the series. The Twins controlled the entire game on yet another strong outing by pitcher Nick Blackburn. Blackburn pitched his third straight quality start since his recall from triple A. The Twins led 6-2 going into the ninth inning. Relief pitcher Jon Rauch had an easy eighth inning but could not close the door in the ninth. Closer Matt Capps entered the game and the Rangers combined to get five hits and three runs on Rauch and Capps. Vladimir Guerrero faced Capps and hit a ground ball up the middle, the ball was fielded by Orlando Hudson behind second base, Hudson saw Michael Young rounded third but was giving the stop sign. Hudson threw to Tolbert at third. It looked like Young beat the throw but was called out. Third base umpire Alfonso Marquez said Young made contact with third base coach Dave Anderson and that is why he was called out. Young, Anderson, and manager Ron Washington argued with the umpiring staff trying the get a review of the play to no avail. The game was over; the Twins completed their sweep of Texas and are now 6-0 against the Rangers at Target Field. |
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