Date: 7/21/10

Opponent: Cleveland Indians

Home/Away: Home

Starting Pitcher: Liriano

Final Score: W 6-0

Record: 50-45

Recap: At least we didn't have the ignominy of being swept by Cleveland. We finally looked like a good team again. Of course we usually look like a good team when we get a semi-decent start from our pitcher, and Liriano's performance was certainly more than semi-decent. He shutout the Indians in 7 innings with 8 strikeouts. He did walk 4, gave up 6 hits, and got into jams seemingly every inning, but I guess we can classify that as effective wildness. He was helped by 3 double plays, including a ground ball back to Liriano with the bases loaded where he threw to home and then Butera threw to 1st. Crain pitched a scoreless 8th, and the Anthony Slama made his MLB debut in the 9th. 

It was beautiful. Slama gave up a single to start, but then struck out 2 and got the next batter to ground out to 3rd. I'm kind of in love with Slama a little bit; he's so awesomely retro. The stirrup socks, the porn 'stache, the kick-ass name. I'm glad the Twins finally called him up. We'll have to see what role he ends up in since he was the closer in Rochester.

As for offense, we got on the board in the 3rd inning. Drew Butera doubled to lead off the inning. After an out, Hudson walked, bringing up Skinny Delmon. He was batting third in place of Mauer, who was being shamed for bunting the previous night had the day off. Although he had just fouled a pitch off his ankle, Delmon doubled to score Butera. Kubel was walked intentionally to load the bases before Cuddyer singled to score Hudson (Skinny Delmon was not fast enough and was thrown out at home). Thome walked next, and then Hardy also doubled to score 2. The Twins tacked on 2 more runs on a single by Young, although it really would have been a grounder to short if the ball hadn't taken a bad hop and nearly decapitated Cabrera. 

It was at least a positive ending to a bad series. Interestingly, Thome went 0 for 0 with 4 walks. I wonder how often that happens? It has to be pretty rare. The Orioles are up next. Perhaps they will prove less formidable than the Indians.

Best Moment: Slama!

Most Questionable Moment: Nothing.

Worst Moment: Nothing.

Quotations of the Day:

• "There's always a sense of urgency to win the last game, especially when you lose the first two." - Acting manager Scott Ullger
• "It's no surprise. I don't know why people seem surprised. He's just a damn good ballplayer, point blank. Any time he steps in the box, you're like OK, here it is." - Orlando Hudson on Skinny Delmon

Suck-Ass Performance of the Game: No one today.