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Home | Sports | Twins

A big sigh of relief for Punto, Twins

Struggling Nick Punto produced the run that gave the Twins an extra-inning victory.

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: August 18, 2007 - 10:11 PM

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TWINS 2, TEXAS 1

SCHEDULE OF '87 REUNION EVENTS

TODAY GAME TIME: 6:10 P.M.

• Mini-Metrodome (first 10,000 fans 18 and over) and Homer Hanky (first 40,000 fans) giveaways.

• Photo ops with the 1987 players in the Metrodome concourse from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.

• Pregame ceremony featuring all participating members of the 1987 team.

SUNDAY GAME TIME: 1:10 P.M.

• Gary Gaetti bobblehead for first 10,000 fans.

• Autographs on the plaza, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Pregame ceremony inducting Gaetti into the Twins Hall of Fame.

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The weeks months have gone by without Twins infielder Nick Punto figuring out why he can't get on base like he did a year ago. No one else has figured it out either, as the hitting tips keep pouring in.

"Oh yeah," Punto said with a chuckle when asked about the amount of advice he's received. "I'm going to start hearing it from you shortly.

"If you're not getting hitting advice, people don't care. I'm getting hitting advice from 25 guys and five coaches. That's what I want it to be. It's nice to know everyone cares and they are pulling for me."

He finally repaid his teammates for their faith in him Friday when he singled leading off the 10th inning, went to third on an error and scored on a wild pitch in the Twins' 2-1 victory over Texas.

This stretch could be the Twins' last chance to get back in the playoff race. Punto, batting .204 after batting .290 last year, helped them move a game over .500 and within six games of first place in the AL Central. Cleveland reclaimed first place by a half-game over Detroit on Friday.

"There's six weeks left in the season, man. He could be a difference-maker," Twins catcher Mike Redmond said. "That's the way you have to approach it. We're at the point in the season where you have to win games."

Is there still time for Punto, who helped create the Piranha mystique last season, to salvage his season? After batting .253 in May, he hit .150 in June and .218 in July and is at .129 this month. He was hitting way too many balls in the air earlier in the season, leading to suggestions that he raise his hands while in his stance.

Punto was in an 0-for-11 skid when he faced Texas' Jamey Wright in the 10th, sending a sinking fly ball to center field. The Rangers' Marlon Byrd raced in, but the ball bounced and kicked off of him as Punto slid into third and clapped his hands hard. The Twins bench erupted.

"We were all pulling for Nicky to get that big hit," Redmond said.

Wright's next pitch bounced away from catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, enabling Punto to score on a walk-off wild pitch.

It ended a game in which Punto, Redmond, reliever Joe Nathan and other Twins were visibly fired up as they hold on to postseason hopes.

Twins righthander Carlos Silva held Texas to a Saltalamacchia homer in the third. Silva gave up two more hits in the inning but settled down to retire 12 consecutive batters after that.

Justin Morneau scored on Rondell White's groundout in the second, but the Twins had their troubles with Texas lefthander Kason Gabbard. Gabbard left in the seventh with two outs and the bases loaded, as Texas manager Ron Washington brought in Wright to face ... Punto.

Punto got ahead 3-0, fouled off a 3-1 sinker then struck out on a slider to end the inning. But he said he felt comfortable at the plate.

He proved it in the 10th when Wright threw him another slider. Punto got enough of it that time.

"As soon as he walked in [after the game], I said, 'I'm glad that was you,' " Silva said. "I think that's what he needs. Get a big hit and maybe that is going to help him step it up. He's a good player and I know we are going to need him to win us a lot of ballgames."

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com

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