MPR's William Wilcoxen reports on Minnesota Twins completion of a three game sweep of the Chicago White Sox with a 5-3 victory at the Metrodome. The win gives the Twins a three-and-a-half game lead over the White Sox in their race for the division title and a spot in the playoffs.
All of Minnesota's remaining games are against the bottom two teams in the division...and the Twins say they'll have to guard against a let down as they try to clinch a return to the post-season.
WILLIAM WILLCOXEN: Another big crowd of nearly 40,000 fans fell into a quiet mood after the Twins fell behind 2 to 0 in the first inning against the White Sox. But you know what they say about baseball, things can change with one swing of the bat.
[CHEERING]
It was designated hitter Jacque Jones, who hit a towering 2 run home run to tie the game in the bottom of the first. Then, when he came up again in the third, Jones hit another two run homer and the Twins were on their way to their sixth straight victory. That matches their longest winning streak of a season that once seemed headed for the scrapyard of unmet expectations.
Unlike last year, when they took the baseball world by surprise, this summer, the Twins were expected to compete for the Central Division title. As they languished in third place at Midsummer, some finger pointing broke out on the team, and a number of sportswriters and broadcasters dismissed the Twins as lacking the fortitude to return to the playoffs. After another big victory, Jones reminded the reporters swarming his locker of this.
JACQUE JONES: We've been saying it all year that we're still a good team, no matter how we started. It's not how you start, it's how you end. We were getting buried here by our own people, coaches, media people. The only people that believe in this team is 25 guys in this locker room, and we were the only guys who thought we could come back from any deficit that we were at.
WILLIAM WILLCOXEN: Strong starting pitching was the missing ingredient in the first half of the season. Kyle Lohse, who picked up his 14th win by beating the White Sox, says better outings by the starting rotation have keyed the turnaround.
KYLE LOHSE: This whole second half, I think, we as the starting staff, we had to pick it up a little bit. And we have responded, and our bullpen has been great. Whenever we can hand it over to them, they've shut the door.
WILLIAM WILLCOXEN: Lohse's strong game followed sharp performances by Brad Radke and Kenny Rogers. Twins pitchers allowed the White Sox only 7 runs in the 3 game series. Catcher A.J. Pierzynski says his job calling the pitches becomes easier when the Twins pitchers are in command. He says the season suddenly became more fun with the team's rapid improvement after the mid-season all-star break.
A.J. PIERZYNSKI: Some guys relax, some guys go trying to do too much. The all-star break came at the right time, and guys have really picked up their intensity. And it's just been great. It's been fun.
WILLIAM WILLCOXEN: The Twins played most of the season without one of their starting pitchers. In March, left hander Eric Milton underwent major surgery to repair ligament damage in his left knee. After a strenuous summer of rehabilitation, Milton is scheduled to pitch tonight in what will be only his second appearance of the season. Pierzynski said last night that Milton's return is an important bonus to a staff that's hitting its stride, even as it copes with other injuries.
A.J. PIERZYNSKI: I've known Milton for a long time. And he's a competitor. He's a great competitor. And he deserves-- just for being back this year shows how much he wants to be a part of this team. And he was a huge part of this team last year. And him pitching and him going out there and giving us that fifth start with Joe Mays hurt has been a great lift last time he pitched and hopefully he'll do it again tomorrow.
WILLIAM WILLCOXEN: Milton will be pitching against the Detroit Tigers, who are trying to avoid the ignominious label of worst Major League team ever. Their 114 losses put the Tigers within striking distance of the 1962 New York Mets record for most losses in a season. The Twins 9 remaining regular season games include 7 against the Tigers and 2 against the Cleveland Indians, who own the American League's third worst record. Manager Ron Gardenhire says the Twins will have to follow their sweep of the White Sox by fighting off complacency, as well as the Tigers.
RON GARDENHIRE: We can't let down. It's the time of year where you can't let down. You just have to go play. We have to come back with the same enthusiasm and get right back after those guys.
WILLIAM WILLCOXEN: Any combination of seven Twins victories or White Sox losses will give the Twins their second straight Central Division title. I'm William Willcoxen, Minnesota Public Radio.
Digitization made possible by the State of Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, approved by voters in 2008.
Views and opinions expressed in the content do not represent the opinions of APMG. APMG is not responsible for objectionable content and language represented on the site. Please use the "Contact Us" button if you'd like to report a piece of content. Thank you.
Transcriptions provided are machine generated, and while APMG makes the best effort for accuracy, mistakes will happen. Please excuse these errors and use the "Contact Us" button if you'd like to report an error. Thank you.