Twins hope Blackburn's big-game experience pays off

david Joles, Star Tribune

Though he didn't get a decision in either game, Nick Blackburn came through with strong starts twice in the last week of the regular season.

Neither of tonight's starters has pitched in a playoff game, but Blackburn started last year's one-game division tiebreaker.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: October 8, 2009 - 11:33 PM

NEW YORK — If pitching in a Game 163 is like being the playoffs, maybe Twins righthander Nick Blackburn is one up on Yankees righthander A.J. Burnett. Blackburn has the benefit of pitching in a game with the season on the line, while Burnett will be pitching in a playoff game for the first time.

Game 163 last year ended in a 1-0 defeat at Chicago, but the Twins and Blackburn came away from that game believing that the 27-year-old righthander learned just how good he could be.

He's also pitched well when the Twins needed him the most this season, going 3-2 with a 3.07 ERA over his past seven starts.

"Even in big games like that, I still go out there and stick to my game plan and see where it goes. I can't say why I go out and have good games. Last year was still a loss in that game, so can't look at it as a great game.''

Blackburn, on May 16, gave up four earned runs over 72/3 innings in a 6-4, 11-inning loss at Yankee Stadium. Mark Teixeira hit a three run homer off him in the third inning and is 6-for-6 against Blackburn with five RBI. Derek Jeter is 4-for-7 against Blackburn with three walks.

Blackburn must prove tonight that he won't be affected by the atmosphere or the big moment. He needs to have his good sinking fastball and use all his other pitches, especially his curveball to lefthanded hitters.

"Yes, it's definitely a tough lineup, you know,'' he said. "but each guy has their own weakness. You just have to find a way to expose them.''

Burnett was on the Florida Marlins 2003 World Series winner but didn't pitch because of a bad elbow. Tonight will be his postseason debut, and there's been plenty of debate about how he'll handle the moment.

"It's been a long time,'' Burnett said. "I finally got here. A lot of injuries. Obviously, I take care of myself better than I did in the past.''

Burnett has top-shelf stuff, a mid-90s fastball, a sinker, a changeup and a big curveball. He can be effectively wild at times, but sometimes he loses his composure and the strike zone. This year, he's walked five batters in an outing twice, six batters twice and seven batters once.

"You have to see if he's throwing strikes that day and is spotting his sinking fastball,'' shortstop Orlando Cabrera said.

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