Date: 6/29/10

Opponent: Detroit Tigers

Home/Away: Home

Starting Pitcher: Blackburn

Final Score: W 11-4

Record: 42-35

Recap: That was a far better performance for the Twins. While 4 earned runs is never great, it's a huge improvement for Blackburn, especially since he made it through the 7th. I still think he's walking on thin ice in terms of staying in the rotation, but he at least seemed to be on the right track. The offense did the rest, hitting 8 extra-base hits out of 11 total hits. 

The most impressive player last night was of course Denard Span. He was 4 for 4 with a walk, 2 runs and 5 RBIs. And of course he had 3 triples, including one with the bases loaded. Quite the impressive feat I must say. No one else was nearly as amazing, but there were lots of lesser contributions across the board. Thome had a solo home run, while Hudson, Kubel, Cuddyer and Mauer all had triples. Every starter in the lineup had a run or RBI. I have a feeling we're going to need this kind of offense frequently given the questionable state of the rotation. Perhaps it will relax the starters a bit if we can score 11 runs each night.

My apologies for my late posts sometimes. My early mornings workdays are taking a toll on me. Both Monday and Tuesday night I passed out on the couch right after the Twins game and had to go to bed. I was mumbling incoherently last night as I attempted to watch Jeopardy. I knew I was in trouble when I answered "Will Smith" to a question about Raging Bull. I'm pretty sure I seem more drunk when I'm tired than when I'm actually drunk. I only have a month left though, and then I can go back to my night owl ways. 

So we're back in the lead in the Central. Slowey takes the mound for the day game finale, and maybe he can take a cue from Blackburn and show improvement. A win would be really nice.

Best Moment: Span's 3 triples.

Most Questionable Moment: I've got nothing again. 

Worst Moment: Detroit's brief lead in the top of the 3rd inning.

Quotations of the Day:

• "That's the first time I've ever come to the plate like that and witnessed something like that. The fans getting up for me. I didn't know what to do. Was I supposed to go deep? It was definitely an unbelievable feeling." - Denard Span, on getting a standing ovation in his plate appearance following his third triple.
• "When you see a guy like Denard running around the bases, those are pretty exciting and that gets everybody fired up. The last one with the bases loaded was pretty impressive." - Ron Gardenhire
• "Tonight felt completely different than I've felt in awhile. Finally I wasn't battling my mechanics the whole game, I was just out there focusing on pitching and it felt a lot better." - Nick Blackburn

Suck-Ass Performance of the Game: No one today. Too many good contributions, and Blackburn was so much improved I feel too bad to pick him.