Post Game: Twins vs. Indians 4/20

Final Score: Twins 5, Indians 1

Recap:
Overall it was an ugly game for the Indians who committed 2 errors which combined with erratic starting pitching gave the Twins an early lead that they would not give up. Kevin Slowey looked sharped and the 5 runs (3 unearned) that the offense mustered were plenty.

Twins
Kevin Slowey looked good on the mound, pitching effectively and efficiently limiting the reigning AL Player of the week Shin-Soo Choo to 0-3 with 3 K's (0-4 total on the day). He looked very sharp, pitching 8 innings, giving up 5 hits and only 1 run. He had 9 strikeouts and did not walk a batter. Brian Duensing wrapped up the 9th with a 1-2-3 effort.

Justin Morneau got it done at the plate going 2-3 with a double, a walk, and an RBI while Joe Mauer was held hitless. The bottom of the order (Hardy and Harris) each had an RBI while the Twins' struggles with runners in scoring position continued as they went 1-7 and left 6 runners on base. Jason Kubel also had a tough day at the plate going 0-4 with 3 K's.

The Twins can clinch their 5th consecutive series victory with a win tomorrow.

Indians
Justin Masterson was erratic and poor defense behind him led to the Indian loss. Masterson needed 96 pitches to get through 4 innings, giving up 5 runs, only 2 earned. His 5 walks, including one with the bases loaded, helped spur a Twins rally in the 3rd that put the Indians in an early hole.

Travis Hafner provided the lone run for the Indians, connecting on a deep blast to right in the 2nd inning off of Kevin Slowey. Asdrubal Cabrera had a 2-hit night, but that was it for the Indians who looked off-balance all night at the plate.

The lone bright spot for the Indians was their bullpen. After Masterson's early exit, three cleveland pitchers (Jamey Wright, Rafael Perez, Jensen Lewis) combined for four innings of one-hit ball.