Twins recycle Brewers behind Cuddyer

Leave it to the Twins to leave their special mark on Michael Cuddyer's feel-good evening.

The Twins right fielder had just hit for the cycle during their 11-3 romp over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at the Metrodome. Cuddyer came up the stairs after the television interviews and entered the clubhouse.

"I came in and no one was in here," Cuddyer said. "That was my 'special.'"

The entire team hid in a back room -- not the easiest feat in the Twins' somewhat cramped confines -- and strength and conditioning coordinator Perry Castellano stood watch through a doorway and alerted the team when Cuddyer appeared. After a few silent moments, there was a loud roar, the players entered the clubhouse and the celebration began.

Cuddyer wore a big grin. He spent most of last season on the disabled list because of injuries to both index fingers and a broken foot. He played the second half of 2007 despite a thumb injury that affected his hitting. He's finally healthy, and he's getting results.

He's the second Twin to hit for the cycle this season, the other being Jason Kubel on April 17 against the Angels. He's the 10th player in Twins history to achieve it.

He's homered in three consecutive games, tied one career high with four hits and another career high with five RBI. He's batting .354 this month with six homers and 23 RBI in 21 games. He's raised his batting average to .291.

"It was a relief going into spring training being 100 percent," Cuddyer said. "Being healthy, having your hands -- your hands are so important in this game. Being able to feel good with a bat in your hand. Ever since spring training, I felt good. Now things are starting to fall."

Cuddyer's big night helped the Twins beat the Brewers in the interleague opener for both teams. Twins righthander Kevin Slowey went 7 1/3 innings to improve to 6-1 and become one of only five AL pitchers to have at least six victories.

Joe Mauer walked and Justin Morneau singled in the first when Cuddyer hammered a 1-1 changeup from Brewers lefthander Manny Parra (3-5) an estimated 428 feet to left-center for a three-run homer.

Cuddyer led off the third with an RBI double to left-center and scored on Brendan Harris' single as the Twins took a 5-0 lead.

Three runs already had scored in the fourth when Cuddyer, down 0-2 in the count, reached out at a pitch on the outside corner and bounced an RBI single to center. Cuddyer was living large and only a triple shy of the cycle. He was a triple shy Thursday during a 20-1 victory over the White Sox. Could he do it this time?

With Morneau on second base in the sixth, Cuddyer dug in against Jorge Julio. Julio busted Cuddyer's bat with a fastball, but Cuddyer could do no wrong. Half his bat tumbled into foul territory, but the ball scooted down the left-field line and into the corner. Cuddyer turned for third and slid in safely for his cycle.

"Let's say it was in the cards for me," he said. "A broken bat down the left-field line to get the cycle is not something you see every day."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire thought it was fitting that Cuddyer clinched the cycle with a triple.

"He busts his tail every play," Gardenhire said. "When he swings the bat, he always runs the ball out."

The postgame prank by his teammates made the night even more enjoyable.

"I don't think, even in Little League, I hit for the cycle before," he said. "It's fun. You can't really describe it. It doesn't happen every day, and it's a day I'll always remember."