Twins' Lamb chop — served to go

Bruce Bisping, Star Tribune

Mike Lamb was mobbed by teammates after his two-out single drove in the game-winning run in the ninth inning Friday night.

The Twins infielder, seizing a chance to reverse his fortunes, punched the winning hit against Boston.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: May 10, 2008 - 5:39 PM

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TWINS 7, BOSTON 6

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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.''