8/17/2006

Twins prove streak was a fluke.

Tuesday:

Even though it was against Kansas City, Cleveland looked to be on a roll tearing off 6 wins in their last 7 games. But Johan Santana brought the Indians offense right back to reality.

Jake Westbrook basically matched Santana going 8 strong but fell victim to a 3 run twins rally in the bottom of the 8th to ultimately seal the game.

Luis Castillo hit a one out single then advanced to second on a grounder off the bat of Jason Tyner and Joe Mauer drew an intentional walk. The Twins put on an aggressive double steal but with the pitch outside, Kelly Shoppach had no chance to even make a throw. The inevitable 2 run base hit would come from Michael Cuddyer who was able to advance to second when Jason Michaels threw home. Justin Morneau was intentionally walked as well as Torii Hunnter lined a base hit allowing Cuddyer to score. A 3 run deficit became insurmountable.

Johan Santana was simply untouchable mastering the strike zone all game and giving no clues to the tribe as to what was coming next. The Indians just could not get any momentum. The only run came off twins closer Joe nathan in the 9th inning when Grady Sizemore drew a walk and went to second on a Michaels ground ball and would come around to score on a Travis Hafner single. Victor Martinez popped up and Shin Soo Choo struck out to end the game.

Wednesday:
For the second game in a row, the bottom of the 8th would be the difference.

Most of the game was in the hands of Both Cliff Lee and Carlos Silva. The Twins struck early in the 1st when Joe Mauer's single scored Luis Castillo but Cliff settled down and snubbed any other chances.

Clevelands offense responded in the top of the 4th when Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez hit consecutive singles and were able to score on base hits by Ryan Garko and Joe Inglett that gave the Indians the lead. but the twins would come right back to tie it when Justin Morneau led-off their portion of the 4th with a double that put the twins in a position for a big inning. Minnesota would only get one run when Morneau came home on a Luis Rodriguez base hit but it tied the game at 2.

Then came the dreaded 8th inning. a series of odd attempts at bunting would actually lead to the Indians letting the game get out of hand. Fausto Carmona made one of his few appearances since his closing debacle a week ago only to find himself in the same situation.

Luis Rodriguez was trying to advance Jason Kubel to second who led off the inning with a single but with Carmona pitching outside, couldnt make contact with the ball. Carmona, for whatever reason, would not throw a strike and ended up walking Rodriquez on 4 pitches. No damage had been done quite yet but Carmona was quickly taken out in favor of Rafael Betancourt.

Same story, different pitcher..

with runners now on first and second, Jason Bartlett, like Rodriguez tried to lay down a bunt but was unsuccessful in his first two attempts. Bartlett finally lined up a pitch and layed down an almost perfect sacrifice that forced the Charging Hector Luna to make an off balance throw. Luna got a clean play on it butBartlett's speed was too much and was safe with the bases now loaded.

The defense was set up to prevent the go ahead run from crossing the plate but it failed...miserably. The Twins luck and confidence couldnt have been any higher as the perfect man for this situation, Luis Castillo, came to bat. Castillo slapped a pitched off home plate that rose high into the air forcing the indians infield to simply wait for the ball to come down. Jhonny Peralta got to the ball first and tried to outrun Bartlett to second but Bartlett was called safe and the go ahead run was able to score.

The wheels hadnt even come off yet..

The first out was finally record when Lew Ford grounded to short with Peralta throwing home for the force out, but the bases were still loaded for the hottest hitter in baseball in Joe Mauer who sent a fly ball to leftfield that was deep enough to score yet another run. It was now 4-2.

The final dagger came on a 3 run blast off the bat of Michael Cuddyer putting Minnesota ahead 7-2 and taking down the tribe for the second night in a row.