Twins' victory over K.C. hurts so good

Ed Zurga, Associated Press

Twins shortstop Nick Punto got dumped by Kansas City’s Jose Guillen, but Punto still completed an inning-ending double play. Punto had to leave the game because of tightness in his lower back.

Three players had to leave because of minor injuries, but the Twins won anyway.

Star Tribune

Last update: July 1, 2009 - 11:21 PM

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TWINS 5, KANSAS CITY 1

Up next: Three-game series vs. Detroit, beginning 7:10 p.m. Friday • Metrodome • TV: FSN (1500-AM)

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KANSAS CITY, MO. - Nick Punto has a sore lower back as well as lingering bruised ribs. Justin Morneau has a sore groin muscle. The rigors of catching take their toll on Joe Mauer. And the ball found Mike Redmond again, this time it's his right forearm.

This looks like a Twins team that could use a day to heal -- but why would they want to take a day off?

They beat Kansas City 5-1 on Wednesday and took two of three games from the Royals. They headed home after a 6-3 road trip. They have won three consecutive series and five of six. They have won 13 of 21 games.

"We have been real inconsistent, but I think we have played a lot better lately," Morneau said. "If we get back home and win some games, maybe it will be a good sign for the second half."

Wednesday's victory pulled the Twins within three games of first-place Detroit in the American League Central. And, after eight tries, they are two games above .500, at 41-39, for the first time all season.

"Hopefully we'll continue to win," Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer said, "so we don't have to hear about it anymore."

The Twins have a scheduled off day today, and it's probably for the best, given that they need a few guys to get closer to 100 percent health-wise. But it's evident the team is feeling good about itself as it opens a nine-game homestand on Friday against the Tigers, Yankees and White Sox.

They aren't pulverizing opponents, but they have had the right combination of good pitching and enough hitting.

Twins starters pitched at least six innings in six of the nine games on the road trip, including seven innings by lefthander Glen Perkins on Wednesday. Perkins (4-4) held Kansas City to one run on 10 hits and benefitted from three double plays.

Because the starters weren't beat around too much, the bullpen benefitted from a manageable workload and posted a sparkling 0.75 ERA on the trip. Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings Wednesday, although Twins manager Ron Gardenhire went to Joe Nathan with two outs in the ninth after two batters reached base.

Nathan got David DeJesus to ground out to end the game, his second one-out save in four days. He was 6-for-6 in save opportunities on the trip, and his 21 saves this season are second most in the American League.

"We have been in every game," Mauer said. "It's nice to shake hands after wins on the road. Hopefully we keep going."

Mauer reached base in all five plate appearances Wednesday behind three singles and two walks. He lifted his batting average to .392 and is getting close to having enough plate appearances to qualify for the league leaders.

Cuddyer hit his 12th homer and Denard Span added two hits as the Twins solved righthander Gil Meche (4-8), who threw 121 pitches in six innings.

They have earned that day off. Now they have to carry a successful road trip into a big homestand.

"You feel like you should be eight games over .500," Gardenhire said. "We have played some really good baseball teams. All the games have been tight and close. It seems like you're better, but it is what it is.

"A couple games over .500. We can build on that."

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