Romp in the park: Twins head home after 20-run outburst

Tannen Maury, Epa

Joe Mauer followed through on his grand slam.

The Twins blew the lid off a six-game losing streak with 20 hits and 20 runs. Interleague play now awaits.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: May 22, 2009 - 10:19 AM

CHICAGO - As if their six-game losing streak wasn't stressful enough, the Twins awoke Thursday to reports the White Sox had agreed to a trade for Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, pending the former Cy Young winner's approval.

Manager Ron Gardenhire had his own concerns. His team had been competitive in four losses at Yankee Stadium, but facing a White Sox team littered with holes, the Twins had fallen flat twice.

Begrudgingly, Gardenhire juggled his lineup, moving Joe Mauer into the No. 2 spot, and the Twins responded with their second-most lopsided victory in team history, routing the White Sox 20-1.

"I hope Peavy didn't watch the scoreboard today," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He might say no."

Alas, Peavy did say no, using his no-trade powers to veto the trade. And here's more good news for the Twins: Interleague play begins tonight, when the Brewers visit the Metrodome.

The Twins went a major league-best 14-4 in interleague play last year, and it's become their annual boost. Without it, they probably wouldn't have pushed the White Sox to a one-game tiebreaker last year or won the AL Central in 2006.

Since interleague play began in 1997, the Twins have the majors' third-best winning percentage, at .571 (120-90).

"I don't know if it's that we match up better against those teams or maybe because we play more of a National League style," Twins catcher Mike Redmond said. "Who knows? But I hope it continues."

Of course, this year's schedule pits them against the NL Central's Big Three -- the Brewers, Cardinals and Cubs -- along with the Pirates and Astros.

"Definitely, we're going to be playing some better teams," Redmond said. "So it'll be a good test."

At least they're heading in on a good note, despite toting the AL's worst road record, at 5-14. Before Thursday, no team had won a major league game this year by more than 18 runs. The 19-run drubbing matched the biggest in White Sox history, and that margin of victory for the Twins was second only to their 23-2 victory over Cleveland on June 4, 2002.

"Everything kind of blew up out there," Gardenhire said. "I think we probably [took out] a little aggression from the whole road trip."

The lineup adjustment helped. Twins No. 2 hitters were batting a major league-worst .186, but Mauer delivered a career-high six RBI, including his second career grand slam.

The Twins jumped on White Sox starter Bartolo Colon (2-4) for seven runs in the second inning, as Michael Cuddyer and Joe Crede hit back-to-back home runs. Matt Tolbert, who had floundered in the No. 2 spot, thrived in the No. 8 hole, going 3-for-6 with four RBI and his first career home run.

Nick Blackburn (3-2) tossed seven scoreless innings for his first victory in six career starts at U.S. Cellular Field.

Afterward, Cuddyer and Justin Morneau both spoke glowingly of the new lineup.

"Change it up, you know," Morneau said. "And if somebody gets hot, maybe we'll put them up in that 2-hole, maybe not. I mean, we get more at-bats when we get up there earlier in the game. It made [Gardenhire] look pretty good today. Hopefully we can keep it going, and it gives us a little confidence."

Asked if he planned to stick with the same lineup tonight, Gardenhire said, "Oh, heck no. I'm changing them all just to give you guys something to write about."

He was only kidding. After six days of misery, it felt good to laugh.

INTERLEAGUE STARTS TONIGHT VS. MILWAUKEE

7:10 • Metrodome • TV: FSN

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