Game 1 of 2: Angles 4 vs. Twins 7 FINAL
Game Time: 2:31 Attendance: 29,866
WP: Silva (2-0); LP: Byrd (1-3); SV: Nathan (7)
PROPS TO:
* Michael Cuddyer - He gets my vote as Player Of The Game, going 2-4, with his 2 hits both being doubles, and driving in the last 3 runs for the Twins. It was good to see him get those hits, considering the funk hes been in with the bat. Keep it going, Cuddy!
* Justin Morneau - This guy is a hitting machine! 3-4, bringing his season average to .432! Keep em coming, Justin! He also scored two runs tonight.
* Lew Ford - 2-3 with 2 RBI. Lews bat is really coming around. His average is now .297 with tonights effort.
* Nick Punto - How about this guy? Keep playing him! I just like his style of play. Even though he was only 1-4, his one hit was a momentum shifter. He helped get us back into the game, and take the wind out of Anaheims sails. He would steal second, take third on Josh Pauls throw into center, and score on Stewarts grounder. Nice!!!
* Carlos Silva - Had a rough first 3 innings, but settled down nicely after that. Pitched another 7 innings (hes gone 7 in all 3 starts this season), giving up 11 hits, 4 ER, 1 BB (it was intentional), and 4 SO. Silva has yet to issue an unintentional walk this season. So glad hes back!!!
* Orlando Cabrera - Swatted his 3rd home run of the season in the 2nd inning to put the Angels up 2-0. I think he likes hitting at the Dome! Also had 2 hits in 4 ABs.
* Chone Figgins - Went 3-4 with a double and his 9th stolen base of the young season, also collecting an RBI. Hes been pretty nasty at the plate and on the basepaths.
* Garrett Anderson & Darin Erstad - Each contributing 2 hits for the Angels.
* Torii Hunter - Not a good night at the plate (1-4), but made two great plays in the field. He showed us wy he's getting a Gold Glove tomorrow.
* Twins defense - Made some good plays tonight, playing errorless ball.
* J.C. Romero -Pitched a scoreless 8th, with the only blemish being a hit.
* Joe Nathan - Pitched a perfect 9th to pick up his 7th save.
FLOPS TO:
* Jason Bartlett - An 0-4 day today. No worries though.
* Angels defense - Didnt play well behind Paul Byrd, committing 2 errors, which led to two unearned runs.
* Paul Byrd - Pitched well in the beginning, but stumbled later in the game, as the Twins got him. Hed go 6.2 innings, giving up 9 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), 1 walk and 3 strikeouts.
* Steve Finley - An 0-4 day, lowering his already low season average to .157.
* Jeff DaVanon - Another struggling hitter for the Angels, going 0-4 and his average isnt much better at .215.
* Esteban Yan - Fell apart in the 8th inning, only going 2/3 of an inning, giving up 2 hits, 2 runs (2 earned), and he walked 2. He didnt do his job on keeping the game close for the Angels, and let it get away.