StarTribune.com content is available via e-mail, mobile devices and as RSS feeds.
Twins' Lamb chop — served to go
The Twins infielder, seizing a chance to reverse his fortunes, punched the winning hit against Boston.
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on newsvine
Share on DiggTWINS 7, BOSTON 6
Today: 6:10 p.m. • TV: FSN (1500-AM) • Sunday: 7:05 p.m. • TV: ESPN (1500-AM) • Monday: 6:05 p.m. • TV: ESPN (1500-AM)
Related Content
Mike Lamb hits his game-winning single.
Carlos Gomez started the celebration.
Boof Bonser: 7 hits, 6 runs.
More from Twins
A lot of things have gone the wrong way for Twins third baseman Mike Lamb lately, such as his batting average and, consequently, his playing time.
Yet he stood in the clubhouse after Friday's 7-6 comeback victory over Boston, his ears ringing from teammates slapping him on the head, hoping his walk-off two-run single in the ninth against one of the best closers in baseball has relit his pilot.
"I sure hope so,'' said Lamb, who's batting .213. "We'll see what happens tomorrow. I'm looking to get a break.''
Lamb's big hit came at the expense of Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, who failed to convert a save opportunity for the second consecutive outing.
Delmon Young led off the ninth with a single to center and was bunted over to second by Matt Tolbert. While Carlos Gomez batted, Young stole third.
Gomez had three walks in 130 plate appearances all season but suddenly showed Barry Bonds' plate discipline, drawing a walk to put runners on first and third. It was Papelbon's first walk since his first batter of the season.
Up came Lamb, who has lost starts against lefthanded starters and was under fire for recent defensive struggles. He kept his at-bat alive with a couple of foul balls off Papelbon, who hit 97 miles per hour on the gun. Gomez stole second during the at-bat, putting the winning run in scoring position.
With the count 1-2, Papelbon threw an 88-mile-per-hour split-finger fastball that Lamb served to left, a few feet inside the foul line. Lamb raised his right arm in the air as he ran to first. Young and Gomez scored as the Twins bench emptied around home plate. The group soon made its way toward first base to mob Lamb.
"It felt good,'' Lamb said. "I haven't had too many balls fall in for me, so for that to happen is a good thing.''
Papelbon walked off the field -- with back-to-back losses for the first time in his career -- and slumped onto the bench.
"It's frustrating as hell right now, just because the simple fact is I'm throwing good pitches. I'm just not finishing them right now," Papelbon said. "I'm sitting there in a comfortable position, where I want to be with one out to get, and I don't finish the split-finger."
Righthander Jesse Crain (1-1) got the victory in relief.
The Twins blew a 5-2 lead as Boston knocked out starter Boof Bonser while scoring four runs in the fifth to take the lead. Two runs scored on a Mike Lowell double, another on a grounder and another on a wild pitch.
But the Twins are now 1-13 when trailing after seven innings, thanks to a few clutch at-bats in the ninth -- including one by Lamb, who really needed it.
"All the guys are rooting for him pretty hard,'' Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said of Lamb. "He can help this team. Maybe he can give us a lift, starting tonight.''
| Continue to next page |
|
Time lapse of Twins stadium
One year ago this week, the first Web cam image of the new Twins ballpark construction site was taken. Today, the Twins released a one minute time lapse movie of how the construction has progressed over the past year.
Snow doesn't dampen opening day spirit
Twins fans and players alike shrugged off the snow for opening day and heralded the arrival of the baseball season.
Twins video player card: Mike Redmond
Twins catcher Mike Redmond talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Final of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins video player card: Boof Bonser
Twins pitcher Boof Bonser talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Eighth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins video player card: Nick Punto
Twins infielder Nick Punto talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Sixth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins video player card: Justin Morneau
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Fifth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins video player card: Brendan Harris
Twins second baseman Brendan Harris talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Fourth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins video player card: Adam Everett
Twins shortstop Adam Everett talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Third of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins video player card: Mike Lamb
Twins third baseman Mike Lamb talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Second of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins video player card: Joe Mauer
Twins catcher Joe Mauer talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. First of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Training camp: The battle for second base
Twins coach Ron Gardenhire is looking for Nick Punto to improve offensively and for Brendan Harris to be patient at the plate, but the competition for second base is close.
5-7-5: Twins are poets, don't 'cha know it?
Assorted Minnesota Twins read reader-submitted Haiku with flair ... or not.
Cuddyer is ready to lead the Twins
Michael Cuddyer says he's probably a natural fit to lead the team since he's got the most experience with the organization.
Who's going to make Twins roster?
Baseball writers La Velle E. Neal III and Joe Christensen think Wednesday's lineup against Boston features the A-listers or as close as it can be given the tough competition.
Liriano's success: Patience
Francisco Liriano's success will be about patience, according to Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson.
Related Content
Competition for center field tough
Admittedly, Twins coach Jerry White believes the race for the center field spot is wide open because the competitors each bring a lot.
Boof's poetic justice
Just previewing a bit of our Haiku footage, Twins pitcher Boof Bonser waxes poetic with a Haiku donated to the Section 220 blog.
Video: Team access, sun draw fans to spring training
Writer LaVelle E. Neal III and Twins fans agree -- spring training is about the sun, the fun and access to the team.
 Save Your $$ With CouponsDiscounts on services, entertainment, dining, gifts, and more. Start saving! |
Featured comment
Almost as much fun as beating the Packers
The arrogance of Green Bay Packer fans is only surpassed in pro sports by Boston Red Sox fans. You get two or more Red Sox fans together … read more and you'd think they invented baseball. Nothing better than having our beloved low-budget Twinks beat those arrogant jerks from Boston Except for kicking a last second field goal to beat the Pack.
Add your own comment | Close comment