Twins' offense gets going on chilly night

Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press

Jason Kubel hits an RBI-single during the third inning.

Jason Kubel hit a grand slam and the Twins rolled over the White Sox.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: April 10, 2008 - 11:59 AM

CHICAGO - The Twins offense heated up Wednesday night, just as the playing conditions turned cold.

During their 12-5 victory over the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, nobody seemed hotter than Jason Kubel, which was actually no coincidence.

Kubel had six RBI, including a grand slam, as the Twins doubled their highest scoring output of the season to end Chicago's five-game winning streak.

It was 42 degrees at first pitch, and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said the temperature affected one lineup choice: Kubel started in right field, and Craig Monroe was the designated hitter.

Asked how he came to that decision, Gardenhire replied: "Monroe's a little bit of a veteran guy. He should sit around with us and take his swings. A younger guy should go out there and play. He can handle the cold better than the veteran."

Both players wound up making a difference, as the Twins built a 7-0 lead by the third inning, facing White Sox lefthander John Danks.

Handed that one-touchdown lead, Twins starter Scott Baker didn't try to be cute. He attacked the hitters, and a few made him pay.

Nick Swisher homered in the third inning, Paul Konerko in the fourth and Joe Crede in the fifth, trimming the lead to 7-3.

But Kubel halted Chicago's momentum with his grand slam off righthander Nick Masset in the sixth inning, as the Twins stretched their lead to 12-3.

"He had a big night," Gardenhire said of Kubel, who finished with six RBI. "I've always said, I really believe this guy can hit. And you know what? He's going to get plenty of opportunities this year. He had 450 [plate appearances] last year, and I think he's going to get more than that this year."

Kubel smashed a first-pitch fastball into the right-center field seats. It was his second homer of the season, and just the team's fourth, as he matched Justin Morneau for the Twins' lead.

"It's a good-sized field, but the ball just seems to travel pretty good here," Kubel said, explaining his success at U.S. Cellular Field; in 12 games there, he is hitting .364 with six homers and 23 RBI.

Kubel had hit two previous career grand slams, the last one coming July 6 in Game 1 of a doubleheader right here in Chicago.

The Twins won that game 20-14, with Baker getting the victory, and went on to beat the White Sox 12-0 in the nightcap.

Such an offensive outburst seemed almost impossible for the Twins over the first eight games. They hadn't scored more than six runs in a game, beating Kansas City 6-4 on Saturday. That two-run game also was their biggest margin of victory before Wednesday.

"It's kind of tough trying to figure out these 3-2 and 4-3 games every night," Gardenhire said before the game. "You'd like to throw some numbers up there. Have one where you've got a four- or five-run lead."

A couple of hours later, the manager got his wish.