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Heads-up play saves day

Joe Nathan, in trouble in the ninth inning, got a big out at third base on his way to his 12th save of the year.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: May 12, 2008 - 7:48 AM

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TWINS 9, BOSTON 8

Up next: Final game of the series vs. Boston • 6:05 p.m. today • TV: ESPN (1500-AM)

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The ninth inning was spinning out of control Sunday night, when Twins closer Joe Nathan made one of the finest defensive plays of his career, a play that recalled his days as a shortstop in the Giants' minor league system.

Catcher Joe Mauer went to the mound and said, "Nice play. But this thing ain't done yet."

"Then," Nathan said, "I stared at the on-deck circle, and saw who was coming up."

It was Manny Ramirez.

Nothing else about the Twins' 9-8 victory over the Boston Red Sox had been routine, and nor was this.

An announced crowd of 26,511 at the Metrodome watched the Twins build a 7-1 lead by the third inning by solving Tim Wakefield's knuckleball.

Adam Everett hit his first home run since June 2, 2007. Craig Monroe turned in his first multi-homer game since Aug. 30, 2004.

The Twins didn't have a multi-homer game as a team all season, so these were big developments.

But as the World Series champion Red Sox are wont to do, they kept chipping away. With a 9-6 lead, the Twins turned to Nathan for the ninth.

With one out, Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell hit back-to-back singles, and then J.D. Drew lined a double over the head of Twins center fielder Carlos Gomez, who broke in and got twisted around before chasing the ball to the fence. One run scored, and Boston had runners at second and third.

"You can't let that ball get over your head," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said, "unless it's out of the ballpark."

But then came the play of the game.

Coco Crisp hit a sharp comebacker, which deflected off Nathan and bounced to the third-base side of the mound.

Lowell scored. With Crisp running, Nathan knew he had no chance for an out at first.

So he alertly tossed the ball to third baseman Mike Lamb, in time to get Drew, who had broken from second.

"I don't want to pump [Nathan] up too much," Gardenhire said. "He already thinks he's going to be a shortstop."

Gardenhire also credited Lamb for staying by the base instead of chasing after the ball.

"I was hoping somebody was there," Nathan said. "Fortunately for me, [Lamb] was heads up and able to stay at the bag."

Added Nathan, "I got a little fired up after that play."

Mauer calmed him down. They still had to get Ramirez, who was pinch hitting. He had been held from the starting lineup because of a hamstring injury.

Crisp even stole second base, putting the potential tying run that much closer.

Finally, Nathan threw his new two-seam fastball in on Ramirez's hands, getting a grounder to shortstop, which Everett fielded cleanly for the out.

With the victory, the Twins moved back into sole possession of first place in the AL Central. They have taken two of three games from Boston, heading into tonight's series finale.

Nathan has converted 20 consecutive save opportunities, including 12 this season.

Nick Blackburn (3-2) pitched six innings for the victory. Nathan pitched only one inning but added, "That was probably seven appearances in one."

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