Twins take small step toward modest goal of winning season

Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel each drove in two runs as the Twins, trying to get back to .500, won their second in a row.

By Joe Christensen, Star Tribune

Last update: September 11, 2007 - 10:13 PM

KANSAS CITY, MO. It might seem like a modest goal for a team coming off a 96-win season, but now, this is all the Twins have.

They want to finish above .500. They haven't had a losing record since 2000, and manager Ron Gardenhire said it's "very important" to keep that streak alive.

He hasn't made any impassioned speeches to the full squad, but it came up Monday during a conversation with Justin Morneau.

Several hours later, Morneau pushed the Twins closer to that goal with two big hits, as they defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-2 at Kauffman Stadium.

Morneau hit a tiebreaking, run-scoring double in the sixth inning and added an RBI single in the seventh, as the Twins won their second in a row, improving to 71-73 with 18 games remaining.

In five previous seasons managing in the majors and another three in the minors, Gardenhire never has finished with a losing record. Nor have many of his current players.

Morneau, for example, was part of three league champions in the minor leagues.

"He's never managed a team that's finished below .500, and I've never played on one, and that's something we both don't want to start now," said Morneau, who leads the team with 104 RBI. "It's important to me and I think everyone in here."

Morneau noted how the team had its biggest turnout of the year for early batting practice, which starts five hours before the game. That's when he and Gardenhire had their talk in the outfield.

"Obviously, we've underachieved as a team, but we don't want to underachieve that much," Morneau said. "So there's still something to shoot for."

Along the way, the Twins hope to learn who's ready to step up for 2008. Monday offered more clues.

Jason Kubel had another good game hitting second in the lineup. Facing Royals starter Billy Buckner, he doubled in each of his first two at-bats, with the second one driving home two runs. He has six RBI in his past two games.

September callup Nick Blackburn turned in 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief after Gardenhire hooked winning pitcher Boof Bonser (7-12) to start the sixth.

Bonser, who gave up five hits and four walks in five innings, didn't lose his spot in the rotation, Gardenhire said, but with Kevin Slowey waiting in the bullpen, it remains tenuous.

"We think [Bonser] can be better than that," Gardenhire said. "So, he'll keep getting the ball, and hopefully he'll do better."

Facing Blackburn, Kansas City loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, but with Pat Neshek battling arm fatigue, Gardenhire inserted Matt Guerrier, who struck out pinch hitter Esteban German on three pitches for the game's biggest out.

Joe Nathan pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 31st save.

Blackburn, who has a 2.70 ERA after three appearances spanning 6 2/3 innings, continues to impress, but he's hardly satisfied.

"I left the game with the bases loaded," he said. "That wasn't too satisfying, but Guerrier came in and made three great pitches."

Joe Christensen • jchristensen@startribune.com

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