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Home | Sports | Twins

Twins get some late relief

After a strong start by Scott Baker, Nick Punto and the bullpen produced a series-opening victory.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: August 22, 2008 - 7:35 AM

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ANAHEIM, CALIF. - The Twins' longest road trip in 39 years began with a tightly contested thriller Thursday night.

In Game 1 of the Twins' 14-game road trip, Scott Baker matched the Angels' John Lackey pitch-for-pitch, with each allowing one run over eight innings.

The Twins eventually won 2-1 thanks to Nick Punto's 12th-inning triple and strong work by the bullpen.

The Twins took a 2-1 lead in the top of 12th when Punto led off with a triple to right-center when Angels center fielder Torii Hunter jumped at the wall only to have the ball glance off his glove.

"I expect to catch that ball. I've got to catch that," said Hunter, who made a leaping attempt in front of the 18-foot wall in right-center. "I'd been playing Punto to pull all night, and he hit it right where I was supposed to be. If it hits your glove, you've got to catch that.

"I make those plays nine out of 10 times."

After Carlos Gomez struck out swinging, Denard Span hit a two-strike single just past third baseman Chone Figgins, scoring Punto.

"Nicky ripped it pretty good and Torii had a long ways to go," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We've seen him make plenty of catches like that, and I'm glad he didn't make it. But he's as good as they get out there. We got a little lucky there."

Joe Nathan pitched a 1-2-3 12th inning, with two strikeouts, for his 35th save.

Solid relief by Matt Guerrier and Jesse Crain set the stage for the 12th.

Guerrier, who had a 20.25 ERA for August, followed Baker with two scoreless innings for the Twins. Jesse Crain pitched a 1-2-3 11th.

The Twins wasted a golden opportunity in the eighth, when they put runners at second and third with no outs but failed to break the 1-1 tie.

Lackey fanned Alexi Casilla then walked Joe Mauer intentionally before getting Justin Morneau to ground into an inning-ending double play.

In the 10th, the Angels intentionally walked Mauer again, with Denard Span on second, before Morneau took a called third strike from Scot Shields, ending the inning.

Another double-play ball, hit by pinch hitter Randy Ruiz, ended the Twins' 11th.

The Angels hadn't scored since Mark Teixeira homered with two outs in the first inning. The Twins tied it with their own two-out rally in the fifth, when Punto doubled and Carlos Gomez lined a run-scoring single to left.

"It all starts with pitching, and Scott Baker was really really good going up against Mr. Lackey — who's always really good against us," Gardenhire said. "We knew we were going to be in for a battle, and it was. It's a nice start to a road trip."

Relief search

There were indications Thursday the Rangers had placed Eddie Guardado on waivers, and while the Twins were interested, they didn't expect to work a trade.

Guardado, 37, is 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA. His one-year, $2 million contract has incentives that are paying him $250,000 for every five appearances. The Twins don't mind the contract, but in July, they felt the Rangers were asking for too much talent in return for Guardado.

Bass returns

Reliever Brian Bass accepted his assignment to Class AAA Rochester and quickly reported one day after being cut from the major league squad to make room for second baseman Alexi Casilla.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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