Minnesota Twins Swept in Detroit

The Minnesota Twins were swept by the Detroit Tigers over the weekend. It was a weekend to forget and hopefully it will not carry into Cleveland or back at Target Field. Some high notes though included Danny Valencia's two home run day on Saturday, including a grand slam to bring his season total to 7. The lineups the team was using was a little different this weekend, as manager Ron Gardenhire wants to give adequate rest to the primary starters. Fortunately for us, we have already clinched and this series should not be pivotal for going into October.

Pick Your Poison: New York Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays

The Minnesota Twins will play either the New York Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays (barring a crazy collapse and Boston Red Sox streak) in the first round of the AL playoffs. They will most likely face the Wild Card Winner, or, whoever finishes 2nd in the AL East. So, as a Twins fan, who would you rather face? The Bombers have dominated the Twins in the past (last 2 playoff exits came from them and we are 3-16 in our last 19 against them) and the Rays have a Cy Young candidate and speedy line up. Both teams are talented and experienced. As Twins fans, we just have to see how it plays out since we can't control who will finish where. However, I like our chances just as much as anyone else's, whether we play the Bombers or the Rays. e

MINNESOTA TWINS SWEEP CLEVELAND INDIANS, WIN AL CENTRAL DIVISION

There will be no Game 163 this year. The Minnesota Twins have won the American League Central Divison. Again. That makes it back-to-back and now 6 times in the last 9 years. They swept the Cleveland Indians by scores of 9-3, 6-4, and 5-1. The 6-4 clinching game came on a rally from a 4-1 deficit started in the 6th inning. Heroes were all across the board as everyone contributed to this sweep. After the Twins rallied, the players stayed in the clubhouse and waited to see if the Oakland Athletics would hang on to defeat the Chicago White Sox. They did just that and then the celebration ensued. Champagne was sprayed all over the clubhouse. A few hundred fans waited in the stands. Congratulations to the Minnesota Twins!

PS- check out this Sports Illustrated with Jim Thome on the cover!

The Minnesota Twins Lose 2 of 3 to Oakland A's

The Minnesota Twins hosted the Oakland Athletics over the weekend at Target Field. The Oakland A's won on Friday and Sunday, while the Twins were victorious on Saturday. A 3-1 loss on Friday night was avenged with a 4-2 victory on Saturday. Rookie third baseman Danny Valencia homered both days including a huge 3 run homer on Saturday in the 6th inning. The Minnesota Twins lost the rubber match on Sunday, where Francisco Liriano was roughed up in 5 innings. Denard Span and Jason Kubel did not play in the series and hopefully will return soon. Rookie Ben Revere got his first starts in center field and was 2-4 on Sunday for his first two hits of his career. Next up is the Cleveland Indians at home.

How Sweep it Is: Minnesota Twins Takes All 3 Games from Chicago White Sox

The Minnesota Twins defeated the Chicago White Sox 8-5 last night to push their AL Central lead to 9 games and magic number to 8. Carl Pavano got his 17th win of the season, Delmon Young hit his 18th home run, and Matt Capps earned his 13th save. Things started a little dicey, when Carl Pavano came up and in on Paul Konerko. Konerko was hit in the nose by the pitch and stayed in the game while the trainer was attempting to pull him from the game. Mark Buerhle retaliated when they hit Michael Cuddyer the next inning. The AL Central is now virtually locked up and the Minnesota Twins are back home against the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. We now are tied with the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees for most wins in the American League.

For any Minnesota Twins tickets, check out Ticket King!

Minnesota Twins Take Down Chicago White Sox 9-3

The Minnesota Twins defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-3 in the opening game of a 3 game set in Chicago. The win puts Minnesota 7 games up on Chicago with 18 games left. Clearly nothing is over until it's over, but barring a major collapse, Minnesota should expect an AL Central crown. Francisco Liriano went 6 innings to earn his 14th victory of the season. Delmon Young hit his 17th home run of the season on his 25th birthday, JJ Hardy was 2-4, and Denard Span had a bases clearing Alex Rios error (bobble in center field) to end with 4 RBI's.

Jesse Crain also got out of a big jam and struck out MVP candidate Paul Konerko and slugger Manny Ramirez with the bases loaded in the 7th inning. Crain has been unbelievable since June. The Minnesota Twins now stand 86-58 and only trail the New York Yankees (88 wins) and Tampa Bay Rays (87 wins) in wins in the MLB. Keep an eye with those two teams as it will most likely determine who the Twins could face in the first round of the playoffs, as well as home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Minnesota Twins Take 2 of 3 from Cleveland Indians

On Friday night, Fausto Carmona threw a gem and the Minnesota Twins lost 2-0 to the Cleveland Indians. Carl Pavano pitched wonderfully for the Minnesota Twins, going 8 innings and only surrendering 2 runs, but Carmona went 9 innings and only gave up 3 hits. On Saturday night, after a long rain delay, Jim Thome hit a 12th inning solo home run that gave Minnesota the 1-0 lead and victory. Matt Capps came in to close it out. On Sunday afternoon, Minnesota scored 5 runs in the 1st inning and cruised to a 6-2 victory. They still hold their 6 game lead over the Chicago White Sox with 19 games remaining.

Minnesota Twins Push Lead to 6 Games

The Minnesota Twins gained a half game in the standings over the Chicago White Sox yesterday, thanks to the Detroit Tigers. The Twins are currently 6 games up over the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central standings with 22 games to play. However, after back-to-back Game 163's, nothing is over until a team is mathematically eliminated. It is a position the Twins are more than happy to take, but they realize nothing has been earned yet - an AL Central Crown or playoff birth. All they have to worry about is winning ballgames and the rest will come.

The Minnesota Twins Stay Hot, Hold 3.5 Lead over Chicago White Sox

The Minnesota Twins are 81-57 as of September 7th. They have won 9 of their last 11 and remain 1st in the AL Central Division. Not to be out done, the Chicago White Sox have won 7 straight and stand 3.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins. The only teams with more wins in baseball than the Twins are the Tampa Bay Rays (83 wins) and New York Yankees (86 wins). The Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 yesterday afternoon and will face them on Tuesday and Wednesday. Jim Thome hit his 585th home run, which hit the top of the flag pole in right field (estimated at 480 feet - wow). Jason Kubel also hit a home run.

Minnesota Twins Pick Up Brian Fuentes and Randy Flores

The Minnesota Twins bolstered their already tough bullpen this week. Earlier last week the team claimed Randy Flores, a veteran left hander from the Colorado Rockies. Then on Saturday, the Minnesota Twins claimed left handed closer Brian Fuentes from the LA Angels. Brian Fuentes is a 4 time All-Star and led the American League in saves a year ago. His welcoming had been worn out in LA and Minnesota will definitely take him.

It was said Fuentes was claimed for a "player to be named later" or "cash considerations" so it is still in the air about what was given up for him. However, most Minnesota Twins fans feel like this is a good steal for the team. He will face mostly lefties and share opportunities with closer Matt Capps. Welcome aboard Flores and Fuentes!

Minnesota Twins Take Final Rangers Game, 2 of 3 from the Seattle Mariners

The Minnesota Twins took the final game of a 4 game series with the Texas Rangers by a score of 6-4. They defeated the ace of the staff Cliff Lee and Delmon Young's 3 run home run was huge in the 2rd inning. Francisco Liriano pitched wonderfully in 7 innings and Jim Thome also homered for the Twins.

In a 3 game series in Seattle over the weekend, the Minnesota Twins won the first 2 before losing on Sunday afternoon. The Minnesota Twins won 6-3 on Friday night and 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. Scott Baker picked up the win on Friday night behind Joe Mauer's 3-5 night with 2 RBI. Nick Blackburn pitched a gem on Saturday afternoon, with 8 2/3 innings and only surrending 2 hits (both in the 1st inning). Brian Fuentes recorded the save on the last out of the game. On Sunday, the Mariners scored 2 runs in the 7th inning and beat the Twins 2-1.

Twins Lose Again 4-3 to Texas Rangers

The Minnesota Twins were defeated 4-3 on Wednesday night by the Texas Rangers. Vladimir Guerrero hit a solo home run in the 6th inning to secure the win. The team will have to find it's game quickly because they have another game tonight against the Rangers. The Twins are 2-5 in their last 7 games and are going to need to play better if they want to win the AL Central Division. They still remain 3.5 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox but there are still many games left. Tonight Francisco Liriano will square off against the ace Cliff Lee.

Check out Ticket King for any Minnesota Twins tickets!

Almost No-hit, Twins Drop First 2 Games to Texas Rangers

The Minnesota Twins lost 4-0 and 4-3 in the first 2 of a 4 game series in Arlington, Texas to the Texas Rangers. On Monday night, Rangers pitcher Rich Harden threw 6 and 2/3 no-hit baseball before being pulled because of a pitch count (sound familiar?). The Rangers continued the no-hitter with their bullpen into the 9th inning when Joe Mauer finally broke it up with 2 outs left in the game. His line drive single barely avoided shortstop Elvis Andrus's glove. With that said, the team lost 4-0.

On Tuesday night, the Twins could not capitalize on their scoring chances and lost 4-3. Carl Pavano pitched a complete game but the Twins could not deliver when they had guys on the bases. Hopefully we can steal the last 2 games before heading to Seattle. Brian Duensing goes against C.J. Wilson tonight in Arlington.

Minnesota Twins take 2 of 3 from Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Minnesota Twins took 2 of 3 from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim over the weekend. The Twins opened the series with a 7-2 victory on Friday night. Brian Duensing was sharp in 8 innings and only gave up 1 run to improve to 8-1 on the year. On Saturday afternoon, the Angels won 9-3 behind rookie Peter Bourjos's big day. Kevin Slowey and Ron Mahay were placed on the DL immediately after the game. The Angels scored 9 unanswered runs after a 3-0 first inning lead by the Twins.

On Sunday night, Scott Baker pitched magnificently in 7 innings and the Minnesota Twins won 4-0. Danny Valencia hit an absolute bomb to left field and Michael Cuddyer had an awesome at bat with a bases clearing double on the 9th pitch of the at bat. The Twins will now take on the Texas Rangers for a 4 game series in Texas starting Monday.

Minnesota Twins Win 6 in a Row, 9 out of 10

The hottest team in baseball since the All-Star break? Your Minnesota Twins. The Minnesota Twins defeated the Chicago White Sox 7-6 in 10 innings on Tuesday night and 7-6 again on Wednesday night. On Tuesday, Jim Thome hit a walk-off 2 run bomb that went well into Target Plaza and sent the crowd into a frenzy as it was Target Field's first walk off homer. It was Jim Thome's 17th of the season. Delmon Young also hit a bomb of a solo home run to left field.

On Tuesday night, Joe Mauer hit his 1st home run at Target Field and collected 4 hits total, Jeff Manship pitched great in relief, and Delmon Young/Jason Kubel/Danny Valencia/JJ Hardy all came through in key moments. The team has now won 9 in a row at Target Field and are 24-7 in their last 31 games. Keep it up Minnesota Twins!