twin071607

Twins: Feeling is back, big-time

The sweep of the Athletics triggered some nostalgia from the 2003 season and, after a victory that left the Twins six games over .500, none of the reminiscing seemed stale.

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: July 16, 2007 - 11:47 PM

Torii Hunter's smile grew broader on Sunday as the good memories from 2003 returned.

"I made a diving play in the ninth inning," Hunter said. "Eddie Guardado was pitching. Oh yeah, I remember that like yesterday. It was Oakland, too."

At that point, it was an easy comparison to Sunday's 4-3 victory over Oakland. In 2003, the Twins blew out of the gates at the All-Star break by sweeping Oakland in a four-game series at the Dome, highlighted by Hunter's incredible, game-ending, diving catch.

On Sunday, the Twins completed a four-game sweep of Oakland, again, to go six games over .500 for the first time this season. The 2003 Twins devoured a 7½-game lead by Kansas City at the break. This year, they've already cut an eight-game lead by Detroit to six, stirring up familiar emotions within Hunter.

"I kind of got that feeling right now," Hunter said. "We came through with a sweep, and all you can do is build off of that. What we did last year, I think we're building off that, too. And you can see that intensity."

Their mission is to prove that they can be comeback kings once again, like they were in 2003 and like last year, when they chewed up an 11-game deficit at the break to win the division on the final day of the season.

The way they finished off the sweep on Sunday, in front of an announced crowd of 36,737, had the Twins' confidence at a season high as they wait for Detroit to come to town Tuesday for a massive three-game series.

"We expect to make the playoffs," said third baseman Nick Punto, who contributed with a two-run triple in the fourth inning. "That's how we are. That's the kind of team we are."

The Twins trailed 3-2 in the eighth until Justin Morneau pounded a pitch from righthander Santiago Casilla into the upper deck in right, tying the score. Casilla entered the game with a 0.43 ERA. Morneau had grounded out meekly to first baseman Nick Swisher in his three previous at-bats.

"He could have handled all those ground balls without a glove," Morneau said. "It's one of those things where you have to be strong enough mentally to not let it get to you. The only at-bat that matters in the one right there."

The Twins, who were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position Sunday, stranded two runners, ending the inning. But Luis Castillo, batting righthanded against lefthanded Joe Kennedy leading off the ninth, drove a ball into the left-center gap. Suddenly, Castillo's perpetually sore knees and hip weren't a problem as he legged out a triple and began yelling and pumping his fists at a fired-up Twins dugout.

"I tell these guys, sometimes I hit a ground ball right to second base, shortstop, and I don't run hard, so I got reserve when I need to do it," he said.

Jason Bartlett walked. Joe Mauer, on Joe Mauer bat day, bounced a single through the A's pulled-in infield to score Castillo with the game-winner and hand Oakland its seventh consecutive loss.

Michael Cuddyer rushed to home plate and lifted Castillo into the air. The rest of the team rushed out for the ritual of pounding the heroes on top of their helmets, a common occurrence last season during The Comeback.

"We have to keep it going." Morneau said. "You can't be satisfied with winning just four games."

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com

Comment on this story | Read all 0 comments | Hide reader comments

Tour Target Field

Minnesota Twins President David St. Peter gives a walking tour of Target Field.

Twins players swap jerseys for aprons

Minnesota Twins players worked as waiters Sunday night to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club.

Animation of the ballpark construction process

Animation created by Mortenson Construction showing the process of building the new Twins stadium.

Time lapse of Twins stadium

On June 26, the Twins released a one-minute time lapse movie of how the construction has progressed over the past year.

Snow doesn't dampen opening day spirit

Twins fans and players alike shrugged off the snow for opening day and heralded the arrival of the baseball season.

Twins video player card: Mike Redmond

Twins catcher Mike Redmond talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Final of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Boof Bonser

Twins pitcher Boof Bonser talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Eighth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Nick Punto

Twins infielder Nick Punto talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Sixth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Justin Morneau

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Fifth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Brendan Harris

Twins second baseman Brendan Harris talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Fourth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Adam Everett

Twins shortstop Adam Everett talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Third of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Mike Lamb

Twins third baseman Mike Lamb talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Second of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Joe Mauer

Twins catcher Joe Mauer talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. First of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Training camp: The battle for second base

Twins coach Ron Gardenhire is looking for Nick Punto to improve offensively and for Brendan Harris to be patient at the plate, but the competition for second base is close.

5-7-5: Twins are poets, don't 'cha know it?

Assorted Minnesota Twins read reader-submitted Haiku with flair ... or not.

Cuddyer is ready to lead the Twins

Michael Cuddyer says he's probably a natural fit to lead the team since he's got the most experience with the organization.

Who's going to make Twins roster?

Baseball writers La Velle E. Neal III and Joe Christensen think Wednesday's lineup against Boston features the A-listers or as close as it can be given the tough competition.