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Cuddyer homer gives Twins series opener

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Michael Cuddyer's timely homer and full-contact baserunning by Carlos Gomez edged Chicago.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: July 28, 2009 - 7:21 AM

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TWINS 4, WHITE SOX 3

Up next: 7:10 p.m. tonight vs. White Sox • Metrodome • FSN, 1500-AM

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Michael Cuddyer's towering two-run homer in the sixth inning lifted the Twins to a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night, but afterward, the customary game ball went to Carlos Gomez.

No hard feelings. Cuddyer actually is the one who presents the game ball after each Twins victory, a tradition he began last year. He's a one-man jury, and he never honors himself.

Cuddyer and teammates were particularly impressed with the takeout slide Gomez made at second base in the second inning, which toppled Jayson Nix, whose errant throw to first base allowed a runner to score from second base.

"In my opinion, [Gomez] was the difference maker in the game," Cuddyer said. "We won 4-3, but in my opinion, if he didn't take that guy out at second base, we lose."

Cuddyer's blast off White Sox starter John Danks (8-7) not only brought the Twins back from a 3-2 deficit, it also gave the Twins 112 homers for the season, one more than they hit all last year.

But this long-ball loving team is eager to rekindle its little-ball spirit. The White Sox would swear the Twins never lost it, especially at the Metrodome, where Chicago has lost 12 of its past 14 games.

"Cuddy goes and hits the big bomb, but it was kind of exciting to see us run around early, forcing errors and forcing issues," said manager Ron Gardenhire, whose team capitalized on two White Sox errors to score two second-inning runs.

Chicago used home runs by Gordon Beckham and Paul Konerko to grab its 3-2 lead in the third inning. But after Konerko's shot, Gardenhire noticed a visible change in Glen Perkins, who knew better than to groove a first-pitch fastball.

"I think that's about as mad as I've been all year," Perkins said. "That was last straw for me, if they're going to beat me, they're going to beat me my way."

Perkins (6-6), who recorded only three outs and allowed eight runs in his previous start at Oakland, answered concerns about his left shoulder, holding the White Sox to three runs on six hits over seven innings.

"I think I needed to prove to myself and prove to my team that I can get the job done," Perkins said. "So it was definitely a little extra motivation, and I don't think that will let up from here on out."

Matt Guerrier pitched a perfect eighth inning, and Joe Nathan pitched a perfect ninth -- with some big help from Denard Span -- in notching his 27th save.

With one out in the ninth, Carlos Quentin hit a long drive to left field. Span ran back and made a leaping catch, with the ball headed toward the top of the wall.

By then, Span and Gomez had overcome a first-inning collision. Running from center field, Gomez got clotheslined by Span as he caught a fly ball from Scott Podsednik.

"I never thought I'd say somebody has too much range, but he's just everywhere," Span said of Gomez, who made that catch on Span's side of the left-center gap.

Gomez was icing a sore neck and nursing a bruised leg after the game, but with the game ball in his locker, he was all smiles.

"I feel good because we won," he said.

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