Date: 6/30/10

Opponent: Detroit Tigers

Home/Away: Home

Starting Pitcher: Slowey

Final Score: W 5-1

Record: 43-35

Recap: We've had a shocking development here: a Twins starter not named Pavano has delivered a good pitching performance. The return to Target Field seems to have calmed down our pitchers (for the most part). It would be nice to see us get in a groove at home now to start July out on a good note.

Slowey had a very nice performance. He only allowed 4 hits, including just 1 extra-base hit, a double, over 6 innings. He almost certainly would have gone deeper into the game if he hadn't gotten hit on the ankle on the 3rd out of the 6th inning. It was an enormous improvement from the previous start, and it's amazing how 1 good start can change my whole outlook. I'm feeling positively sunny. 

There was not an overabundance of offense, but there was a generous enough amount. Morneau, Kubel and Cuddyer each had 2 hits including a double. Morneau also hit his 16 homer of the season, a solo shot in the 6th inning. Delmon Young was moved up in the batting order (a move many fans have long desired), taking Mauer's spot as he had a day off. He had a single and RBI. It was a nice, solid game, and now the 'Stache takes on the Rays.

Best Moment: Winning the series and maintaining the lead in the division. 

Most Questionable Moment: The tornado sirens going off while Slowey was on the mound. As I recall, it was right before he gave up his only run of the game, so I'm convinced he was thrown off by them. "Attention! Attention!"

Worst Moment: Matt Tolbert making the first error at 3rd base this season. Sad day. How dare he! I was planning on an error-free season there. Now I shall have to pick up the pieces of my shattered dreams off the floor and somehow try to go on with my life. 

Quotations of the Day:

• "It's just about getting to play better and more consistent. It starts with the pitching, and we got a couple of good performances here back-to-back. It gives you a shot in the arm, and that's what you need. We got some guys swinging the bats pretty good; we've got a good lineup running out there. If we could just pitch, we'll be fine." - Ron Gardenhire
• "You obviously don't want to come out when you feel like you're throwing that well. I asked to come back out, and [Rick Anderson] said absolutely not. So that was it. I feel like, in retrospect, that was the right decision. We had Brian Duensing ready to go, and you always feel comfortable handing the ball over to our bullpen." - Kevin Slowey on being pulled from the game after getting hit by a ball.

Suck-Ass Performance of the Game: Jim Thome (0 for 3, 3 strikeouts, 4 left on base)