In Joe Mays' first start since the 2003 season, Minnesota found itself repeatedly fighting back against a vastly improved Tigers team. This former AL Central doormat is now a force in the division and they tried to show it Tuesday. Detroit jumped out to an early lead off Mays and every time Minnesota tried to claw their way back, Detroit scored again to retake the lead.
In the 8th inning, Detroit sat in control with a 4-3 lead. They brought in setup man Ugueth Urbina, a man several teams would like to acquire as their closer. Urbina started the inning by walking Jason Bartlett, who had a great game going 1-3 with his first career home run and two runs scored. Joe Mauer followed suit with another walk, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Matt Lecroy came to the plate and flew out to center field. Bartlett tagged up on the play and used his speed to advance the third base. Torii Hunter then bounced a single over the head of third baseman Brandon Inge, who was playing near the bag to hold the runner close. Bartlett scored to tie the game at 4-4. Hunter and Mauer each advanced a base on a throwing error by right fielder Craig Monroe after Jacque Jones flew out. Minnesota couldn't convert though. As Urbina pitched to Lew Ford, a pitch got away from Ivan Rodriguez. Mauer broke for home and tried to score on the play, but Rodriguez quickly recovered the ball and threw to Urbina, who was covering at the plate, to record the out and end the inning.
After a quick 1-2-3 top of the 9th by Juan Rincon, Percival came in to try to keep the game alive for the Tigers. Lew Ford singled to start the inning. Michael Cuddyer layed down a nice sacrifice bunt to move Ford to 2nd base with one out. Nick Punto pinch hit for Luis Rivas and drew a walk. Shannon Stewart came up next and lined Percival's first offering to center field for a game winning, RBI, ground-rule double. Players rushed home to greet Ford and then Stewart who ended the Twins long streak of futility against Percival.
Will this breakthrough help give the Twins some added confidence during this tough stretch against Central Division opponents? Twins fans sure hope so. Tune in tonight at Kyle Lohse faces Jason Johnson in game two of the three game series.
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Stewart's Double Ends 10-year Drought Against Veteran Closer
Ten years is a long time to wait for something. It's how long a 6 year-old has to wait to be able to drive. It's how long an 11 year-old has to wait to be able to legally drink. It's how long a 3rd grader has to wait to graduate from high school. It's a LONG time. And that's how long it took Minnesota to score an earned run off relief pitcher Troy Percival. TEN YEARS.
Percival had kept Minnesota shut out for 40+ consecutive innings. It was the longest active streak in the majors. There were also 3 or 4 playoff innings that weren't a part of that streak. None of that mattered Tuesday night though.
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