twins/mlb
Twins legends help rack up win
- Article by: LA VELLE E. NEAL III , Star Tribune
- Updated: August 30, 2012 - 6:13 AM
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It took the heavy hitters to help the Twins get out of their three-week offensive slump. And we're not talking names such as Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau or Josh Willingham. Think bigger.
Like Rod Carew, Paul Molitor and Tony Oliva.
That's what the Twins are running with after they hammered Seattle 10-0 to end their seven-game losing streak against the Mariners.
The terrific triumvirate were at Target Field on Wednesday as the Twins announced that they will play host to the 2014 All-Star Game. They stopped by the dugout before the game.
"Tony Oliva, Molitor and Carew standing next to our bats," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I can see them shaking before the game, and we started getting hits.
"All we have to do is have a Hall of Famer stand by our bat rack before every game now and we will be locked in. That's the reason we got all the hits. That's my belief. I'm sticking to my story."
The Twins got home runs from Trevor Plouffe -- his first in 118 plate appearances --and Willingham. Mauer added three hits. It was the most runs the Twins scored since Aug. 6 against Cleveland.
Righthander Samuel Deduno (5-2) had his best outing as a Twin, holding Seattle to two hits over seven innings, striking out a career-high nine batters.
Working against Mariners lefthander Jason Vargas (13-9) the Twins scored three runs in the third, two coming on Mauer's bases-loaded single. Plouffe hit a two-run homer in the fourth and Willingham added a solo blast in the fifth. The Twins were up 6-0 and headed for a laugher in front of an announced crowd of 29,281, the smallest in Target Field's history.
The Twins were all grins after a rare blowout. Plouffe embraced the brush with greatness angle, too.
''I gave them my bat," he said. "They all touched it. They said it wouldn't be their fault if I didn't get any hits, but they'll take all the credit if I did, so there you go."
Diamond drops appealTwins lefthander Scott Diamond has dropped his appeal of a six-game suspension for throwing a pitch over the head of Texas slugger Josh Hamilton last Thursday. He will begin his suspension immediately.
Diamond said he followed the recommendations of the player's association.
"I'm more disappointed that I won't be able to contribute," he said. "I stand by my actions. What happened happened and that's how it all played out."
Etc.• Outfielder Joe Benson had surgery on Monday to remove loose bodies from his left knee. But Twins doctors also found a problem with the bone under the kneecap. Benson will be shut down for three to four months.
• Rochester reliever Lester Oliveros, whom the Twins received from Detroit for Delmon Young last year, had Tommy John surgery on Wednesday.
• First baseman Chris Parmelee was called up Wednesday and righthander Jeff Gray was outrighted to Rochester.
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| Baltimore | 5 | Bottom 5th Inning |
| Toronto | 3 |
| Cleveland | 3 | Bottom 3rd Inning |
| Boston | 1 |
| LA Angels | 0 | Bottom 3rd Inning |
| Kansas City | 0 |
| Colorado - J. Nicasio | 3:05 PM |
| San Francisco - B. Zito |
| Minnesota - P. Walters | 3:08 PM |
| Detroit - D. Fister |
| Chicago Cubs - T. Wood | 3:10 PM |
| Cincinnati - H. Bailey |
| Pittsburgh - J. Locke | 3:10 PM |
| Milwaukee - M. Fiers |
| NY Yankees - V. Nuno | 3:10 PM |
| Tampa Bay - M. Moore |
| Atlanta | 5 | Suspended |
| NY Mets | 5 |
| Atlanta - M. Minor | 6:15 PM |
| NY Mets - D. Gee |
| Philadelphia - J. Pettibone | 6:15 PM |
| Washington - D. Haren |
| St. Louis - J. Gast | 6:15 PM |
| Los Angeles - T. Lilly |
| Miami - R. Nolasco | 6:15 PM |
| Chicago WSox - J. Peavy |
| Oakland - A. Griffin | 6:15 PM |
| Houston - L. Harrell |
| San Diego - A. Cashner | 9:10 PM |
| Arizona - W. Miley |
| Texas - D. Holland | 9:10 PM |
| Seattle - F. Hernandez |
| San Antonio | 8:00 PM |
| Memphis |
| Philadelphia | 6:00 PM |
| Montreal |
| Portland | 6:00 PM |
| D.C. |
| Toronto FC | 6:30 PM |
| New England |
| San Jose | 7:30 PM |
| FC Dallas |
| Chicago | 8:00 PM |
| Real Salt Lake |
| Chivas USA | 8:00 PM |
| Colorado |
| New York | 6:00 PM |
| Connecticut |
| Tulsa | 6:00 PM |
| Atlanta |
- Twins: Will they ever win another game?
- Minor league report: Romero promoted, Rosario benched
- Twins notes: Arcia sent down; Walters to start Saturday
- Tigers' Sanchez one-hits the Twins, who lose 10th straight
- Postgame: No-hit bids, baseball gods and Arcia
- Ryan says Gibson close, but not quite ready
- Section 219: Watching the Twins (and their fans) melt down
- Chart: Top MLB draft prospects
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