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	<channel>		<title>RUWT? News</title>
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		<description>RUWT? News for Minnesota Twins</description>
		<language>en-us</language>
		<copyright>Copyright 2006-2007 areyouwatchingthis.com</copyright>
		<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:10:35 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:10:35 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Twins exercise 2011 option on Cuddyer]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- The Minnesota Twins have picked up outfielder
Michael Cuddyer's $10.5 million option for 2011.

Cuddyer hit a career-high 32 home runs to lead the team. He also
had 94 RBIs and was sixth in the American League with 73
extra-base hits.

When slugger Justin Morneau went out with a back injury in
September, Cuddyer moved from right field to first base. He hit
.352 with seven homers and 22 RBIs in the next 19 games as the
Twins leapfrogged the Tigers and won the AL Central title.

The option is part of a contract Cuddyer signed in 2008. He will
make $8.5 million in 2010 and be paid $33.5 million over the
life of the four-year deal. If the Twins had declined the
option, they would have owed Cuddyer a $1 million buyout.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/132044-Twins-exercise-2011-option-on-Cuddyer</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/132044-Twins-exercise-2011-option-on-Cuddyer</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:22:15 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Twins get SS Hardy, Brewers get OF Gomez]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JON KRAWCZYNSKI and CHRIS JENKINS
AP Sports Writers

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- The Milwaukee Brewers finally gave J.J. Hardy
the change of scenery he had been expecting and reunited the
unhappy shortstop with an old friend in the process.

The Brewers traded Hardy to the Minnesota Twins on Friday for
speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez.

Hardy winds up with the Twins' All-Star catcher, Joe Mauer, a
teammate on the U.S. national teams in 2000 and 2003. The two
still chat regularly when they see each other, and Hardy said
the move could help him move on from a forgettable season.

The 27-year-old Hardy batted a career-low .229 with 11 home runs
and 47 RBIs in 115 games for the Brewers in 2009. He was demoted
to Triple-A in August.

"I definitely knew I was going to get traded once I got sent
down," Hardy said. "Once I got the call this morning, I was
pretty excited about it."

The Twins think a fresh start can help Hardy regain the form
that made him one of the league's most promising young
shortstops. A 2007 All-Star, he is just the third shortstop in
Brewers' history to hit more than 20 home runs in a season
twice, along with Robin Yount and Jose Hernandez.

"It's one of those seasons for me that I completely don't want
to think about it anymore. I was happy when it ended," Hardy
said. "It was just kind of a nightmare year for me."

He has a career batting average of .262 with 75 home runs and
265 RBI in 571 games.

"He's got a strong arm. He's got good range and he's got power,"
Twins general manager Bill Smith said. "He had a bad year this
year. We've talked to a lot of people and we have a lot of
opinions in our organization. We're all on board that this was a
good acquisition for us."

Hardy will replace free agent-to-be Orlando Cabrera, a midseason
acquisition who helped the Twins edge Detroit for the AL Central
title. But Cabrera just turned 35 and is not a long-term
solution.

Hardy spent 20 days in the minors, costing him a year of service
time and therefore delaying his eligibility for free agency
until after the 2011-12 season.

"To give up Carlos Gomez, and four years of control with the
player, it's important to get somebody that we're going to have
for more than a year," Smith said.

Gomez, who turns 24 in December, batted .229 with three home
runs and 28 RBIs in 137 games with the Twins last season. But he
was stuck in a role as a defensive replacement in a crowded
Twins outfield that included Michael Cuddyer, Denard Span,
Delmon Young and Jason Kubel.

Gomez was supposed to be the crown jewel of a trade with the
Mets two years ago that sent ace Johan Santana to New York. But
he never developed the consistency the Twins were looking for.

"Last year, I can't do nothing about it, because I didn't play
every day," Gomez said. "You don't play every day, it's tough."

The move gives Twins manager Ron Gardenhire a more defined
outfield rotation and will allow Gomez to play every day in
Milwaukee, replacing center fielder Mike Cameron, who will
become a free agent after two productive seasons.

"This was a good fit," Smith said. "We had one too many
outfielders and they had one too many shortstops, so it worked
out for both teams."

Brewers GM Doug Melvin said Gomez's speed would add a new
dimension to the Brewers' offense, and his defensive skills
would provide a boost to a pitching staff that struggled last
season.

"Carlos brings to our club great speed, athleticism and energy
at a position that we needed to fill," Melvin said.

The Brewers' biggest need was pitching going into the offseason,
and Hardy was one of the most logical pieces Melvin could have
used to try to pry a pitcher away from another team.

"In the end, there wasn't anybody that matched the ability of
Carlos Gomez," Melvin said.

The development of highly regarded shortstop prospect Alcides
Escobar made Hardy expendable, though Melvin said the decision
to cut ties with the popular Hardy wasn't easy.

"If he'd had a big year, we might have been looking at a trade
of Escobar," Melvin said.

Despite Gomez's speed, Melvin said Rickie Weeks would likely be
the team's leadoff hitter next season.

The Brewers also declined a $3.7 million option on right-hander
David Weathers on Friday, buying him out for $400,000. They
likely will have to turn to the free agent market to help their
struggling staff.

Melvin said he considers right-hander John Lackey "head and
shoulders" above other available free agent pitchers, but
wouldn't say whether the Brewers would be serious bidders for
the Los Angeles Angels ace.

Melvin said the Brewers might have to gamble on a pitcher with a
history of injury problems, such as left-handed free agent Mark
Mulder.

"We'll still focus on pitching, and see if we can improve,"
Melvin said.

---=

Jenkins contributed from Milwaukee and AP Sports Writer Dave
Campbell in Minneapolis contributed to this report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/132030-Twins-get-SS-Hardy-Brewers-get-OF-Gomez</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/132030-Twins-get-SS-Hardy-Brewers-get-OF-Gomez</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:39:41 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Twins get SS Hardy, Brewers get OF Gomez]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JON KRAWCZYNSKI and CHRIS JENKINS
AP Sports Writers

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- The Milwaukee Brewers finally gave J.J. Hardy
the change of scenery he had been expecting and reunited the
unhappy shortstop with an old friend in the process.

The Brewers traded Hardy to the Minnesota Twins on Friday for
speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez.

Hardy winds up with the Twins' All-Star catcher, Joe Mauer, a
teammate on the U.S. national teams in 2000 and 2003. The two
still chat regularly when they see each other, and Hardy said
the move could help him move on from a forgettable season.

The 27-year-old Hardy batted a career-low .229 with 11 home runs
and 47 RBIs in 115 games for the Brewers in 2009. He was demoted
to Triple-A in August.

"I definitely knew I was going to get traded once I got sent
down," Hardy said. "Once I got the call this morning, I was
pretty excited about it."

The Twins think a fresh start can help Hardy regain the form
that made him one of the league's most promising young
shortstops. A 2007 All-Star, he is just the third shortstop in
Brewers' history to hit more than 20 home runs in a season
twice, along with Robin Yount and Jose Hernandez.

"It's one of those seasons for me that I completely don't want
to think about it anymore. I was happy when it ended," Hardy
said. "It was just kind of a nightmare year for me."

He has a career batting average of .262 with 75 home runs and
265 RBI in 571 games.

"He's got a strong arm. He's got good range and he's got power,"
Twins general manager Bill Smith said. "He had a bad year this
year. We've talked to a lot of people and we have a lot of
opinions in our organization. We're all on board that this was a
good acquisition for us."

Hardy will replace free agent-to-be Orlando Cabrera, a midseason
acquisition who helped the Twins edge Detroit for the AL Central
title. But Cabrera just turned 35 and is not a long-term
solution.

Hardy spent 20 days in the minors, costing him a year of service
time and therefore delaying his eligibility for free agency
until after the 2011-12 season.

"To give up Carlos Gomez, and four years of control with the
player, it's important to get somebody that we're going to have
for more than a year," Smith said.

Gomez, who turns 24 in December, batted .229 with three home
runs and 28 RBIs in 137 games with the Twins last season. But he
was stuck in a role as a defensive replacement in a crowded
Twins outfield that included Michael Cuddyer, Denard Span,
Delmon Young and Jason Kubel.

Gomez was supposed to be the crown jewel of a trade with the
Mets two years ago that sent ace Johan Santana to New York. But
he never developed the consistency the Twins were looking for.

"Last year, I can't do nothing about it, because I didn't play
every day," Gomez said. "You don't play every day, it's tough."

The move gives Twins manager Ron Gardenhire a more defined
outfield rotation and will allow Gomez to play every day in
Milwaukee, replacing center fielder Mike Cameron, who will
become a free agent after two productive seasons.

"This was a good fit," Smith said. "We had one too many
outfielders and they had one too many shortstops, so it worked
out for both teams."

Brewers GM Doug Melvin said Gomez's speed would add a new
dimension to the Brewers' offense, and his defensive skills
would provide a boost to a pitching staff that struggled last
season.

"Carlos brings to our club great speed, athleticism and energy
at a position that we needed to fill," Melvin said.

The Brewers' biggest need was pitching going into the offseason,
and Hardy was one of the most logical pieces Melvin could have
used to try to pry a pitcher away from another team.

"In the end, there wasn't anybody that matched the ability of
Carlos Gomez," Melvin said.

The development of highly regarded shortstop prospect Alcides
Escobar made Hardy expendable, though Melvin said the decision
to cut ties with the popular Hardy wasn't easy.

"If he'd had a big year, we might have been looking at a trade
of Escobar," Melvin said.

Despite Gomez's speed, Melvin said Rickie Weeks would likely be
the team's leadoff hitter next season.

The Brewers also declined a $3.7 million option on right-hander
David Weathers on Friday, buying him out for $400,000. They
likely will have to turn to the free agent market to help their
struggling staff.

Melvin said he considers right-hander John Lackey "head and
shoulders" above other available free agent pitchers, but
wouldn't say whether the Brewers would be serious bidders for
the Los Angeles Angels ace.

Melvin said the Brewers might have to gamble on a pitcher with a
history of injury problems, such as left-handed free agent Mark
Mulder.

"We'll still focus on pitching, and see if we can improve,"
Melvin said.

---=

Jenkins contributed from Milwaukee and AP Sports Writer Dave
Campbell in Minneapolis contributed to this report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131830-Twins-get-SS-Hardy-Brewers-get-OF-Gomez</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131830-Twins-get-SS-Hardy-Brewers-get-OF-Gomez</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:52:58 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Twins get SS Hardy from Brewers]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- The Minnesota Twins acquired shortstop J.J.
Hardy on Friday, sending speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez to the
Milwaukee Brewers in a trade.

The move relieves a crowded outfield for the Twins, who also
have Delmon Young, Denard Span and Michael Cuddyer. And it's a
second chance for Hardy, who once was considered a rising star
for the Brewers but is coming off a miserable season.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said it was hard to part
ways with Hardy.

"J.J. has been a steady performer for the Brewers," Melvin said
in a statement. "His professionalism and popularity with our
fans and his teammates made this difficult, but he has been
given the opportunity to go to a great organization to play and
perform at the high level he is capable of playing."

The 27-year-old Hardy batted .229 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI
in 115 games for the Brewers in 2009. A 2007 All-Star, he is
just the third shortstop in Brewers' history to hit more than 20
home runs in a season twice, a list that also includes Robin
Yount and Jose Hernandez.

He has a career batting average of .262 with 75 home runs and
265 RBI in 571 games.

Highly regarded prospect Alcides Escobar is expected to be the
Brewers' starting shortstop next season.

Gomez's arrival in Milwaukee means the Brewers are unlikely to
bring back veteran center fielder Mike Cameron, who will become
a free agent after two productive seasons with the Brewers.

Gomez, who turns 24 in December, batted .229 with three home
runs and 28 RBI in 137 games with the Twins last season.

Melvin said Gomez's speed would add a new dimension to the
Brewers' offense, and his defensive skills would provide a boost
to a pitching staff that struggled last season.

"Carlos brings to our club great speed, athleticism and energy
at a position that we needed to fill," Melvin said. "His defense
will serve as a key component to us improving our pitching."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131778-Twins-get-SS-Hardy-from-Brewers</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131778-Twins-get-SS-Hardy-from-Brewers</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:52:08 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Twins take 3B Brian Buscher off 40-man roster]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- The Minnesota Twins have moved third baseman
Brian Buscher off their 40-man roster and assigned him to
Triple-A Rochester.

The move was made Tuesday. Buscher will become a minor league
free agent 16 days after the end of the World Series.

Over parts of three seasons, Buscher batted .266 in 436 at-bats
with eight home runs and 69 RBIs while going back and forth
between the Rochester club and the Twins.

With Joe Crede becoming a free agent this fall following an
injury-plagued year, third base is again unsettled for the
Twins.

Matt Tolbert and Brendan Harris were the primary options at that
position down the stretch while Crede was hurt, and Buscher
rarely played. He hit .235 in 136 at-bats this year.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131033-Twins-take-3B-Brian-Buscher-off-40-man-roster</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131033-Twins-take-3B-Brian-Buscher-off-40-man-roster</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:40:46 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Busy Twins offseason marked by move across town]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- The Minnesota Twins have started what's sure to
be a busy offseason.

Team officials have been in annual meetings in Florida and Joe
Mauer's contract status tops the list of roster issues needing
resolution following Minnesota's fifth division title in the
last eight years.

The organizational to-do list is longer than usual, though.

The team will soon move out of the Metrodome for their new
open-air ballpark on the other side of downtown, and a lot of
stuff has accumulated in the corners during 28 seasons at the
billowing, muffin-shaped stadium.

"We're going to clean out our closets," executive director of
public affairs Kevin Smith said. "There's a lot of stuff that's
been collected over the years that we don't need anymore, but
there's a lot of things that we don't just want to throw away
and might have sentimental value for some people."

The Twins are considering holding a public garage sale next
month. If the plan comes together, fans could have a unique
opportunity to add to their memorabilia stash, perhaps filling
out their collection of bobblehead dolls or other promotional
giveaways from years past.

"If you missed bat day, you might find a bat," Smith said.

What about the baggie? Well, don't count on being able to buy
the big blue wall that covered the stacks of football seats
behind right field. The Twins are authenticating that signature
artifact, holding onto it for now.

Amateur baseball games will still be held at the Dome during the
cold months and the Twins will continue to put on their annual
fan festival underneath the Teflon-coated ceiling, but the
Metrodome sure looks like a football-only stadium now.

The Vikings have sold naming rights to the field and two gates
and purple banners are all over, including one that covers Twins
lettering on the facade of the front office.

Players were required to clear out of the clubhouse by the end
of this month, and all employees will pack up and relocate to
Target Field around the Christmas and New Year holidays. The
move itself shouldn't be too complicated, but it is a lot of
work.

The Minnesota Ballpark Authority, the public agency that
operates Target Field, recommended the Twins give themselves
several months to get settled before opening day to avoid
distracting from the build-up to Minnesota's first outdoor pro
baseball game since 1981.

Ballpark authority officials solicited advice from other
stadiums around the country on how they prepared. The Washington
Nationals, for one, had some early problems when their ballpark
opened last year, like malfunctioning scoreboards and
microphones.

The Twins are also getting ready to change their letterhead and
leave behind 34 Kirby Puckett Place, "one of the greatest
addresses in sports," president Dave St. Peter said recently.

The Twins asked the city of Minneapolis to rename a portion of
Chicago Avenue in front of the stadium in 1996, honoring the
Hall of Fame outfielder who later died from a stroke. The Twins
will acknowledge their past stars in several ways at Target
Field, including restaurants in Harmon Killebrew's and Kent
Hrbek's names and a statue of Puckett on the plaza.

They wanted their new mailing address to focus on the team. The
ballpark authority has a pending application with the city to
call a stretch of Third Avenue along the site Twins Way, said
executive director Dan Kenney.

"It's a nice solution," Kenney said.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/127712-Busy-Twins-offseason-marked-by-move-across-town</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/127712-Busy-Twins-offseason-marked-by-move-across-town</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:53:04 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Rodriguez and Posada power Yanks back to ALCS]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- Alex Rodriguez finally delivered the playoff
performance he needed and his talent demanded, powering the New
York Yankees back to the AL championship series.

During this first-round sweep of the Twins, Rodriguez's
performance was nothing like all those oh-fers of Octobers past.

Rodriguez and Jorge Posada hit seventh-inning home runs to spoil
Carl Pavano's opportunity to frustrate New Yorkers one more
time, and the Yankees advanced to their first ALCS in five years
with a 4-1 victory over Minnesota on Sunday night.

Rodriguez got off to a rocky start this year when he admitted in
spring training to using steroids when he was with the Texas
Rangers. Then he had hip surgery and missed the first month of
the season as the Yankees stumbled out of the gate.

But baseball's highest-paid player returned with a more positive
outlook, and New York surged to the top of the AL East.

Still, the third baseman entered this postseason in an 0-for-27
slide with runners on base dating to Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS.

"I knew that I couldn't change all the 0-for-4s, 0-for-5s and
all the guys I left on base," said Rodriguez, who went 5 for 11
with two homers and six RBIs in these three games. "I'm content
right now, both on and off the field."

Mariano Rivera got the last four outs in the final baseball game
at the Metrodome, preserving Andy Pettitte's record-tying 15th
career postseason win.

The Yankees will host the Los Angeles Angels in Game 1 of the
ALCS on Friday night after missing the playoffs altogether in
2008.

"It's exciting," Rodriguez said. "We were very disappointed last
year when we went home, and ownership got us some good players.
We came out and played like a team, like a group of brothers."

Teammate Derek Jeter offered plenty of praise.

"The most impressive thing? He hit home runs when we needed him
to," Jeter said. "He's been doing it all year really. He's been
seeing the ball well the whole year."

This pitching duel between former teammates Pettitte and Pavano
ended with another first-round playoff victory in Minnesota for
the Yankees, who also eliminated the Twins here in 2003 and
2004.

"I was trying to match zeros with him," Pettitte said.

For all their success this decade by being so good at the
basics, the Twins made glaring gaffes at the worst times. Doing
that against the team that led the majors with 103 wins doomed
them.

"It seems like just yesterday that we were pouring champagne for
winning the division, and now it's over," catcher Joe Mauer
said. "It just burns that we're done. I'm still trying to figure
that one out."

The Yankees aren't about to let an opponent get away with
overrunning the bases, as Carlos Gomez did in Game 2 to cost the
Twins a run. Nick Punto then wasted his leadoff double in the
eighth by failing to see that Denard Span's single didn't get
past shortstop Jeter, and he was thrown out trying to retreat to
third base.

Posada, who was upset when he was benched for Jose Molina with
A.J. Burnett on the mound on Friday, gave Rivera more room with
an RBI single in a two-run ninth as the crowd began to file out
of the Dome for the final time.

Pettitte, who retired 17 of the first 18 batters he faced, left
Joba Chamberlain a 2-1 lead with one out in the seventh. He
matched John Smoltz for postseason victories, getting his first
such win for the Yankees since the 2003 World Series against
Pavano's Florida Marlins, who won it all that year.

The Yankees haven't experienced that euphoria since 2000, with
the Pettitte-Posada battery, closer Rivera and captain Jeter the
only pieces left from that squad.

"Up and down, there's no room to breathe," Twins first baseman
Michael Cuddyer said. "That's why they spent all that money in
the offseason, for this time of year."

Rivera came in to get Mauer on a bat-shattering groundout to end
the eighth after the Twins blew their chance to score against
Phil Hughes because of Punto's blunder. Manager Ron Gardenhire
put his hands to his head in exasperation, and Orlando Cabrera
followed with a flyout to center that could've got the run in.

"They deserve all the accolades. They've got the whole deal, and
they've got some of the classiest guys out on the field,"
Gardenhire said. "I hate it when we play against them, because
they kill us."

The Twins left 26 runners on base over the first two games,
including 17 in the 11-inning defeat in Game 2, failing to get
those big hits.

Pavano couldn't have started any stronger against the team that
couldn't wait to get rid of him after four forgettable seasons.
He struck out four during the first trip through baseball's best
lineup - the Yankees led the majors in runs, homers and on-base
percentage during the regular season - and the only hit he gave
up in the first four innings didn't make it out of the infield.

Effectively spotting his changeup and sinker, Pavano completed
seven innings with a season-high nine strikeouts and no walks.

"He was tough," Posada said. "You've got to give a lot of credit
to him."

The last professional baseball game under this billowing roof
was supposed to be a week ago. After beating Detroit in an AL
Central tiebreaker on Tuesday night, here the Twins were,
playing in front of another packed stadium.

They made every game down the stretch count for more than just a
last-chance-to-see-the-Metrodome memory, catching Detroit with
17 wins in their last 21 games including that epic tiebreaker
game for the division title on Tuesday.

Ah, but these Yankees aren't the same as the Tigers or the White
Sox or the Royals, as the Twins were painfully reminded during
the first two games in New York - and again on Sunday.

Mauer's two-out single in the sixth justified the "MVP!" chants,
gave the Twins their first lead at home over the Yankees in four
games this year.

Pettitte, who became the major league leader in career
postseason innings pitched, snapped back to strike out Cuddyer
on a high fastball. The 37-year-old left-hander pumped his fist
as he headed to the dugout.

Then Pavano's performance was quickly blemished by the big
opposite-field homers by Rodriguez and Posada. Rodriguez had
fallen behind 0-and-2 before working the count full. Just like
that, the Yankees were back in front.

NOTES: Pavano's nine strikeouts marked a Twins record for a
postseason game. ... Twins bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek, who
has been on the staff since 1981, threw out the honorary first
pitch. ... The Yankees are 51-1 this season when limiting their
opponent to two runs or less. ... The Yankees went 5-5 against
the Angels this season.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/126007-Rodriguez-and-Posada-power-Yanks-back-to-ALCS</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/126007-Rodriguez-and-Posada-power-Yanks-back-to-ALCS</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:31:44 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Punto's gaffe dooms Twins in Metrodome finale]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- The Minnesota Twins ran themselves right out of
the Metrodome.

Nick Punto's baserunning blunder cost the Twins a chance to tie
the game in the eighth inning, and the New York Yankees
eliminated Minnesota with a 4-1 victory Sunday night in their
division series that shut the doors for good on professional
baseball in the raucous, quirky ballpark.

After the Yankees took their celebration into the clubhouse, the
Twins' grounds crew began digging up home plate for delivery to
their new open-air stadium and closer Joe Nathan scooped up a
handful of dirt from the mound.

"Just something to bring to the new stadium and sprinkle that on
the new mound, bring a little history into the new place,"
Nathan said.

With the Twins trailing 2-1 in the eighth, Punto led off the
inning with a double. Denard Span followed with a grounder up
the middle that Punto likely thought was headed for the
outfield, and he rounded third base and headed for home.

But Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who always seems to be in the
middle of the biggest plays of the fall, cut it off and fired
home.

Punto ran right through third base coach Scott Ullger's stop
sign, then slammed on the brakes when catcher Jorge Posada
caught Jeter's throw. Posada quickly threw to third baseman Alex
Rodriguez to get Punto sliding back into the bag for the out.

Orlando Cabrera flied out to center field and Joe Mauer grounded
out to first to end the inning and the Twins' last best chance
to avoid being swept out of the playoffs.

"I heard 55,000 people screaming so I felt like the ball got
through," Punto said. "I wanted to dig a hole, crawl inside it
and hide. It's embarrassing. That can't happen."

The loss was a disappointing finish to a memorable 28-year run
for the Twins in a ballpark that gave birth to the Homer Hanky
and carried the team to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991.

What this mass of concrete and plastic lacked in charm and
amenities, it made up for in atmosphere. With a baseball-colored
roof that wreaked havoc on opposing fielders and a boisterous
crowd that made it sound like a 747 was taking off from a runway
in the outfield, the "Thunderdome" earned a reputation as one of
the few true home-field advantages in baseball.

"We're gonna miss it. But hey, we're going outside," Punto said.
"It's going to be great for the fans. But you can't really
simulate 55,000 people cheering and almost bringing the house
down. It feels like, at times, the Metrodome was just going to
crumble."

The Twins were 11-1 under the big, white Teflon roof during
their title runs in '87 and '91, but the building appeared to
lose some of that mystique and influence as the team enjoyed a
resurgence at the turn of the century.

Minnesota lost the final eight postseason games played here,
dating back to Game 1 of the ALCS against the Angels in 2002.

It was fitting that it was the Yankees who pulled the curtain on
the Dome's colorful baseball career. They have owned this place
since Minnesota's return to competitiveness in 2002, going 23-11
here since Ron Gardenhire took over as Twins manager.

Five of those victories have come in the postseason, including
two each in 2003 and 2004.

After a deflating 11-inning loss to the Yankees in the Bronx
that put them on the brink of elimination, the Twins were hoping
to harness a little most of that old Metrodome magic to get back
into this series.

There just wasn't any left.

"It was a great run this place had," first baseman Michael
Cuddyer said. "It went away kicking and screaming."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/126008-Puntos-gaffe-dooms-Twins-in-Metrodome-finale</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/126008-Puntos-gaffe-dooms-Twins-in-Metrodome-finale</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:24:23 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Yankees-Twins Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer

New York (103-59) at Minnesota (87-76), 7:07 p.m. EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) --  Carl Pavano called those four injury-riddled,
tension-filled seasons in New York a "black period" in his
career.

Considering the size of his contract and his complete lack of
production, Pavano in pinstripes became one of the biggest
free-agent busts in baseball history.

The right-hander has started to correct that wrong turn this
year with a decent performance for Cleveland and Minnesota,
finding himself in the playoffs with an opportunity to further
frustrate the Yankees - if he can win Game 3 for the Twins on
Sunday.

"I can't ask for much more than that," said Pavano, who was
acquired by Minnesota in August. "When I look back on it
obviously things could have been a lot different, but it didn't
work out that way. But I feel like I am getting back to where I
was before all those problems."

Down 2-0 in the best-of-five division series after a devastating
11-inning defeat at Yankee Stadium on Friday, the Twins are in
yet another must-win situation after spending the stretch drive
in that pressurized mode.

They knew about Pavano's huge struggles to stay healthy and the
trouble he had finding friends in the clubhouse during all that
time spent on the disabled list. In two months, though, Pavano
has had no problem fitting in with the Twins.

"We're just a Minnesota-nice group, and we like the hell out of
the guy," manager Ron Gardenhire said, chuckling at the trashing
Pavano took in the city tabloids and by the New York fans
through the duration of the $39.95 million, four-year deal.

Pavano won only nine games and made just 26 starts in that
stretch.

This season, he went 14-12 over 33 starts combined for the
Indians and Twins.

"I just know one thing. What he has meant to us and what he has
helped us achieve here has been fantastic," said Gardenhire, who
had to patch together a rotation this summer with only two
starters - Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn - who stayed healthy
for the entire season.

This young group was lacking a veteran leader, and Pavano helped
provide that. After failing to click with catcher Jose Morales
the first time he threw to him, Pavano took time to sit with the
rookie in the dugout during the next couple of games to discuss
strategy.

"Those are the types of things you just can't replace,"
Gardenhire said.

Blackburn pitched strong into the sixth inning in Game 2,
yielding only one run, but he reflected Saturday morning on New
York's "mentally exhausting lineup" - that endless supply of
patient, confident, powerful hitters. He expressed faith,
however, in Pavano's ability to handle them.

"He's going to know what they like to do," Blackburn said. "He's
going to know where they like to hit in certain situations. He's
one of those guys who pays attention to every pitch. He's always
studying baseball. He's always watching and trying to learn."

Added Blackburn: "He's a great guy to have on our team, and I'd
love to see him back next year."

That's the opposite of the way the Yankees felt after last
season.

Labeled "American Idle" on the back pages, Pavano had problems
with his shoulder, his back, his shoulder again, and then his
elbow. During rehab, he broke two ribs in a car accident and hid
the injury from the team. Then after starting on opening day in
2007 for the Yankees, he made only one more appearance that year
before needing reconstructive surgery on his elbow. He didn't
pitch again until seven token starts last August, with the
Yankees out of the running.

Pavano was criticized publicly several times, but at this point
the Yankees aren't interesting in revisiting the past.

"He wasn't a bad guy," general manager Brian Cashman said. "I
didn't feel like he stole our money."

Cashman compared Pavano's revival to that of designated hitter
Hideki Matsui, who has come back from knee problems.

"He's healthy and he's producing," Cashman said. "When he's
healthy, he can pitch."

Manager Joe Girardi missed most of Pavano's years with the
Yankees, but he downplayed the internal dislike - pinning the
frustration solely on his absence. Shortstop and captain Derek
Jeter echoed that sentiment.

"They knew he was a good pitcher and they wanted him on the
mound," Girardi said. "That was the bottom line."

The Yankees won't have their rabid home crowd to boo Pavano.
They must instead put up with the tricky roof and boisterous
fans at the Metrodome, needing to win once to avoid going back
to the Bronx for an elimination game. It's an intimidating
environment, one that the Twins have thrived on for years.

Not so much lately in October. They're on a seven-game
postseason losing streak, including two losses each in 2003 and
2004 to the Yankees in the first round, though that's not part
of the thought process. Plus, only a handful of current players
were on those teams.

"We're just living for the day," Gardenhire said.

The Twins finished the regular season 17-4, including that
thrilling tiebreaker game victory over Detroit, and made up a
seven-game deficit to the Tigers over the final three weeks.

"Our backs have been against the wall here for a while," said
catcher Joe Mauer, who's a bit banged up from playing so much
down the stretch. He said there's no question he'll be behind
the plate on Sunday.

The Yankees were plenty loose while they took batting practice
in the afternoon, laughing and smiling as they worked out at the
Metrodome. They're wary, however, of letting up against a Twins
team that put 21 runners on base Friday night and has been
playing with desperation since early September.

"You don't really want to let them get their foot in the door,"
Girardi said.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125724-Yankees-Twins-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125724-Yankees-Twins-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:47:38 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Bad for Yankees, Pavano's been a boon for Twins]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- Carl Pavano called those four injury-riddled,
tension-filled seasons in New York a "black period" in his
career.

Considering the size of his contract and his complete lack of
production, Pavano in pinstripes became one of the biggest
free-agent busts in baseball history.

The right-hander has started to correct that wrong turn this
year with a decent performance for Cleveland and Minnesota,
finding himself in the playoffs with an opportunity to further
frustrate the Yankees - if he can win Game 3 for the Twins on
Sunday.

"I can't ask for much more than that," said Pavano, who was
acquired by Minnesota in August. "When I look back on it
obviously things could have been a lot different, but it didn't
work out that way. But I feel like I am getting back to where I
was before all those problems."

Down 2-0 in the best-of-five division series after a devastating
11-inning defeat at Yankee Stadium on Friday, the Twins are in
yet another must-win situation after spending the stretch drive
in that pressurized mode.

They knew about Pavano's huge struggles to stay healthy and the
trouble he had finding friends in the clubhouse during all that
time spent on the disabled list. In two months, though, Pavano
has had no problem fitting in with the Twins.

"We're just a Minnesota-nice group, and we like the hell out of
the guy," manager Ron Gardenhire said, chuckling at the trashing
Pavano took in the city tabloids and by the New York fans
through the duration of the $39.95 million, four-year deal.

Pavano won only nine games and made just 26 starts in that
stretch.

This season, he went 14-12 over 33 starts combined for the
Indians and Twins.

"I just know one thing. What he has meant to us and what he has
helped us achieve here has been fantastic," said Gardenhire, who
had to patch together a rotation this summer with only two
starters - Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn - who stayed healthy
for the entire season.

This young group was lacking a veteran leader, and Pavano helped
provide that. After failing to click with catcher Jose Morales
the first time he threw to him, Pavano took time to sit with the
rookie in the dugout during the next couple of games to discuss
strategy.

"Those are the types of things you just can't replace,"
Gardenhire said.

Blackburn pitched strong into the sixth inning in Game 2,
yielding only one run, but he reflected Saturday morning on New
York's "mentally exhausting lineup" - that endless supply of
patient, confident, powerful hitters. He expressed faith,
however, in Pavano's ability to handle them.

"He's going to know what they like to do," Blackburn said. "He's
going to know where they like to hit in certain situations. He's
one of those guys who pays attention to every pitch. He's always
studying baseball. He's always watching and trying to learn."

Added Blackburn: "He's a great guy to have on our team, and I'd
love to see him back next year."

That's the opposite of the way the Yankees felt after last
season.

Labeled "American Idle" on the back pages, Pavano had problems
with his shoulder, his back, his shoulder again, and then his
elbow. During rehab, he broke two ribs in a car accident and hid
the injury from the team. Then after starting on opening day in
2007 for the Yankees, he made only one more appearance that year
before needing reconstructive surgery on his elbow. He didn't
pitch again until seven token starts last August, with the
Yankees out of the running.

Pavano was criticized publicly several times, but at this point
the Yankees aren't interesting in revisiting the past.

"He wasn't a bad guy," general manager Brian Cashman said. "I
didn't feel like he stole our money."

Cashman compared Pavano's revival to that of designated hitter
Hideki Matsui, who has come back from knee problems.

"He's healthy and he's producing," Cashman said. "When he's
healthy, he can pitch."

Manager Joe Girardi missed most of Pavano's years with the
Yankees, but he downplayed the internal dislike - pinning the
frustration solely on his absence. Shortstop and captain Derek
Jeter echoed that sentiment.

"They knew he was a good pitcher and they wanted him on the
mound," Girardi said. "That was the bottom line."

The Yankees won't have their rabid home crowd to boo Pavano.
They must instead put up with the tricky roof and boisterous
fans at the Metrodome, needing to win once to avoid going back
to the Bronx for an elimination game. It's an intimidating
environment, one that the Twins have thrived on for years.

Not so much lately in October. They're on a seven-game
postseason losing streak, including two losses each in 2003 and
2004 to the Yankees in the first round, though that's not part
of the thought process. Plus, only a handful of current players
were on those teams.

"We're just living for the day," Gardenhire said.

The Twins finished the regular season 17-4, including that
thrilling tiebreaker game victory over Detroit, and made up a
seven-game deficit to the Tigers over the final three weeks.

"Our backs have been against the wall here for a while," said
catcher Joe Mauer, who's a bit banged up from playing so much
down the stretch. He said there's no question he'll be behind
the plate on Sunday.

The Yankees were plenty loose while they took batting practice
in the afternoon, laughing and smiling as they worked out at the
Metrodome. They're wary, however, of letting up against a Twins
team that put 21 runners on base Friday night and has been
playing with desperation since early September.

"You don't really want to let them get their foot in the door,"
Girardi said.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125720-Bad-for-Yankees-Pavanos-been-a-boon-for-Twins</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125720-Bad-for-Yankees-Pavanos-been-a-boon-for-Twins</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:41:12 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Twins take 3B Tolbert off division roster]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- The Minnesota Twins have taken third baseman
Matt Tolbert off their division series roster due to a strained
left oblique muscle.

Tolbert was injured on a check swing during a second-inning
at-bat in Game 2 against the New York Yankees. He remained in
the game Friday night and hit what should have been an RBI
single with two outs in the fourth inning, but baserunner Carlos
Gomez was tagged out before Delmon Young could score.

Brendan Harris, who will start at third base in Game 3, hit for
Tolbert in the sixth inning and came through with an RBI triple.

Manager Ron Gardenhire says Tolbert will be replaced on the
roster by Brian Buscher, who hit .235 with two homers and 12
RBIs in 61 games this season.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125650-Twins-take-3B-Tolbert-off-division-roster</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125650-Twins-take-3B-Tolbert-off-division-roster</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:28:40 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Twins waste bases-loaded chance in 11th]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By HOWIE RUMBERG
AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Umpire Phil Cuzzi blew a call. Then the Minnesota
Twins missed a chance to make it right.

Cuzzi called Joe Mauer's fly down the left-field line leading
off the 11th inning foul, though the umpires later admitted it
was the wrong call.

"We went in (postgame) and we looked at it, and it's a clear
indication an incorrect decision was made," crew chief Tim
Tschida said Friday night. "There's a guy who's sitting in the
umpire's room who feels horrible."

Mauer later reached on a single, the first of three straight
hits with no outs, and the Twins had every reason to believe
they would pull off another remarkable win.

Instead, the team that needed an inspired September run to
secure the AL Central title in a one-game playoff failed three
straight times against reliever Dave Robertson, who was making
his first playoff appearance.

Mark Teixeira then led off the bottom of the inning with a homer
and the Yankees had a 4-3 victory and a 2-0 lead in the first
round of the AL playoffs.

"It's really disappointing," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I've
been walked off enough times here. Some of the things that
happened out there were pretty disappointing."

Mauer's ball hit off Melky Cabrera's glove and bounced into the
stands for what should have been a grounds-rule double.

Umpires down the line are added only for the postseason and do
not get much work on plays like Mauer's drive from their
outfield position. During the regular season they have a better
look running down the line from the infield.

"It's a tough one to practice," Tschida said of making the call.
"Your first move is always to get out of the way. So getting
into position is a little bit tough."

It's been a tough week for umpires starting with a call that
went in the Twins favor. Replays showed a pitch brushed off the
Tigers' Brandon Inge's jersey with the bases loaded in the 12th
inning of their tiebreaker Tuesday. The umps appeared to miss a
call at third in the opener of the Rockies-Phillies division
series, and two calls appeared on replay to be wrong in the Red
Sox-Angels matchup Thursday night.

Video replay is only used on potential home run calls, and
Tschida wouldn't say if the rule needs to be changed.

"That decision is going to be made by somebody at a much higher
level than I," he said.

Mauer said he trying to get to second base on the foul-fair
ball.

"I thought it was going to be fair," he said.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi knows his team got some help,
something that the World Series championship teams of the late
'90s always seemed to get.

"Obviously, there's nothing perfect in this game," Girardi said.
"And does the situation change? They have first and third and
we're still going to play the infield in. (Michael) Cuddyer gets
a hit, it may change the game. But there's always that element
of human error in the game, and we got a little break."

Jason Kubel followed Mauer's hit with a single off pitcher
Damaso Marte and Cuddyer greeted Robertson with a single to
center. The next two batters swung at first pitches.

Delmon Young, who batted .370 over the last three weeks of the
season, lined out to Teixeira at first base. Undisciplined
Carlos Gomez slapped a grounder to Teixeira, who threw home for
the force. Brendan Harris flied to center to end the
opportunity.

The Twins had rallied several times to beat the Tigers in 12
innings on Tuesday to secure a spot against the Yankees. They
went 17-4 down the stretch to force the playoff.

Not this time. Instead, the Yankees head to Minnesota with the
commanding lead in the best-of-five series.

The Twins would not have been in the 11th inning if closer Joe
Nathan had not blown his second save of the year against the
Yankees. He came on in the ninth with a two-run lead but gave up
Teixeira's first hit of the division series and Alex Rodriguez's
homer to right-center that made it 3-3.

The Twins left runners on base in every inning, 17 in all, and
could not capitalize on five walks and two hit batters by New
York starter A.J. Burnett. Combine that with a 1-for-9 effort
with runners in scoring position in Game 1 and it's easy to see
why Minnesota is going to need another crazy comeback to prolong
their season.

"We left a small village on base," Harris said.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125559-Twins-waste-bases-loaded-chance-in-11th</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125559-Twins-waste-bases-loaded-chance-in-11th</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:48:07 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Teixeira & A-Rod power Yankees past Twins]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JAY COHEN
AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez stood together as
Yankee Stadium roared.

Teixeira had the chills. Rodriguez had a smile that said it all
- a satisfied look after putting years of postseason failure
behind him.

Teixeira hit a leadoff drive in the 11th inning to give New York
a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night and a 2-0
lead in their AL playoff series. Game 2 was full of missed
chances, plus a big miss by an umpire.

The first-year Yankees star connected against Jose Mijares,
hitting a drive that skipped off the top of the left-field wall
and into the rollicking, sellout crowd. He tossed aside his
batting helmet as he approached home before being mobbed by his
teammates.

"I don't think there's anything better in sports," Teixeira
said. "Best place to play in the world."

Rodriguez hit a tying, two-run homer off Joe Nathan in the ninth
after a leadoff single by Teixeira. Rodriguez also had his third
two-out RBI single of the series as the Yankees patched together
their first 2-0 postseason start since 1999 against Texas.

Before this series, the enigmatic slugger was hitless in his
previous 18 playoff at-bats with runners in scoring position.

"This whole year I'm playing with no expectations," said
Rodriguez, who missed the first month of the season after hip
surgery. "I'm going out and having fun doing the best that I
can."

Minnesota was hurt by a blown call by left-field umpire Phil
Cuzzi in the top of the 11th. Joe Mauer started the inning with
a drive down the line that appeared to go off Melky Cabrera's
glove before clearly landing about a foot inside the line and
bouncing into the stands.

Cuzzi said it was foul - it's been a tough week for umpires,
with several missed calls - and Mauer ended up with a single
when he should have had a ground-rule double.

"You can't see at all from the dugout, but I think we all know
the ball was fair by a long ways," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire
said.

Nathan was watching the play on a TV in the visiting clubhouse.

"I wasn't the only one who had a tough night," he said. "You
don't know how he missed it. There's no red flag we can throw
out there to get an instant replay."

Minnesota went on to load the bases with no outs but failed to
score when David Robertson retired three straight batters.
Delmon Young lined out to Teixeira at first, Mauer was cut down
at home on Carlos Gomez's grounder and Brendan Harris flied out.

Crew chief Tim Tschida said he looked at Mauer's ball after the
game and admitted it was a blown call.

"There's a guy sitting over in the umpire's dressing room right
now that feels horrible," Tschida said. "Nobody feels it worse
than the umpire."

Those were the last of the 17 runners the Twins stranded.
They've left 26 on base in the series, and also gave away a run
when Gomez committed a baserunning blunder in the fourth.

"We left a small village on base," Harris said.

Teixeira then hit New York's first game-ending shot since Aaron
Boone's drive against the Boston Red Sox in Game 7 of the 2003
ALCS.

Andy Pettitte will try to close out the series when he faces
former Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano in Game 3 on Sunday at the
Metrodome.

The Yankees improved to 9-0 against the Twins this season.
Minnesota has led in all six games at the Bronx, but has failed
to win any of them.

Instead, the Twins saw the Yankees' 16th walkoff win of the
season, most in the majors.

Nick Blackburn held New York's lineup to one run and three hits
in 5 2-3 crisp innings and three relievers retired seven in a
row before Nathan imploded in the ninth.

Rodriguez's mammoth drive landed in the Yankees' bullpen in
left-center for his first postseason homer since Game 4 of the
2007 division series against Cleveland.

He dropped his bat after the shot, looked into his dugout and
clenched his fist as he started to trot around the bases. He
raised his right arm as he rounded first while the crowd of
50,006 cheered wildly, shaking New York's first-year home.

"The fun part is I was just thinking base hit," he said. "Hit
the ball hard somewhere. And it went to the seats."

After a quick celebration with his teammates, Rodriguez popped
his head out of the dugout for an October curtain call.

It was the eighth homer allowed by Nathan this year but first
with a runner on base.

Rodriguez's single in the sixth tied it at 1 but the Twins
responded in the eighth, putting runners on first and third
after the first two batters were retired. Nick Punto hit an RBI
single off Phil Hughes and Denard Span added another run-scoring
single off Mariano Rivera.

New York's winning rally washed away all the pregame talk about
A.J. Burnett and batterymate Jose Molina, who started in place
of longtime Yankees catcher Jorge Posada. Burnett walked five
and hit two batters in his first postseason start, but allowed
one run and three hits in six innings.

Minnesota had a chance to take the lead in the fourth but Gomez
slipped rounding second and was tagged out before Young could
score on Matt Tolbert's single.

"It's a mistake," Gomez said. "A mistake I made today cost us
one run. It's my bad. That's it."

NOTES: Tolbert departed with a strained left oblique muscle. He
is day to day. ... The doctor who operated on Rodriguez's right
hip examined the slugger before the game and said he doesn't
think the third baseman will need another operation after the
season. ... It was the first crowd of more than 50,000 at the
new Yankee Stadium. ... Posada, who batted for Molina in the
sixth, had started every one of the Yankees' postseason games
since Game 3 of the first round against the Angels in 2005.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125552-Teixeira-A-Rod-power-Yankees-past-Twins</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125552-Teixeira-A-Rod-power-Yankees-past-Twins</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:31:17 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Twins' Tolbert leaves Game 2 with strained muscle]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[NEW YORK(AP) -- Minnesota Twins third baseman Matt Tolbert has
left Game 2 of their division series against the New York
Yankees because a strained left oblique muscle.

Tolbert was lifted in the sixth inning Friday night for
pinch-hitter Brendan Harris, who hit an RBI triple off the wall
in left-center to give the Twins a 1-0 lead.

Tolbert hit what should have been an RBI single with two outs in
the fourth inning but baserunner Carlos Gomez was tagged out
taking too big a turn at second base before Delmon Young could
cross the plate.

Tolbert was 1 for 2 in the game and is 1 for 5 in the series.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125538-Twins-Tolbert-leaves-Game-2-with-strained-muscle</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125538-Twins-Tolbert-leaves-Game-2-with-strained-muscle</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:36:50 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Posada out of Yankees' lineup]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[NEW YORK(AP) -- Catcher Jorge Posada is out of the New York
Yankees' lineup for Game 2 of their AL division series against
the Minnesota Twins.

Friday's move wasn't a surprise. Manager Joe Girardi announced
this week that Jose Molina would catch A.J. Burnett's first
career postseason start. There remained a slight chance that
Posada could be the designated hitter, but Girardi decided to
stay with Hideki Matsui.

Posada had started every one of the Yankees' postseason games
since Game 3 of the first round against the Angels in 2005.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire also changed his lineup. Carlos
Gomez got the start in center field, Denard Span moved to right
and Jason Kubel switched from right to designated hitter.
Brendan Harris was out of the Twins' lineup from the opener.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125471-Posada-out-of-Yankees-lineup</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125471-Posada-out-of-Yankees-lineup</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:11:55 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Twins-Yankees Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN
STATS Senior Writer

Minnesota (87-76) at New York (103-59), 6:07 p.m. EDT

It's been 10 years since the New York Yankees won the first two
games of a division series. They're looking to go up 2-0 this
year with a postseason neophyte on the mound.

A.J. Burnett will make his playoff debut Friday night as the
Yankees try to take a commanding lead over the Minnesota Twins
in Game 2 of their AL division series.

The Yankees posted a 7-2 victory in the opener Wednesday behind
CC Sabathia, who went 6 2-3 innings for the win. They haven't
been up 2-0 in the opening round since sweeping Texas en route
to winning the 1999 World Series.

New York spent $161 million to sign Sabathia to a seven-year
deal and also gave Burnett an $82.5 million, five-year contract
this offseason. After going 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA in 33 starts,
Burnett is eager to get a taste of the postseason.

"It's been a long time and I finally get the chance," said
Burnett, who was a member of the 2003 World Series champion
Marlins but was sidelined at the time due to elbow surgery. "So
I'm going to go as it as another start and to be a part of last
night and to see the crowd and just to see how everybody reacted
emotionally throughout the whole game was good to be a part of."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi selected Burnett over veteran Andy
Pettitte in part because of Burnett's better home record (5-3
with a 3.51 ERA in 16 starts). The Yankees are 12-4 at home when
Burnett pitches.

The decision also had ramifications for the lineup, as
light-hitting Jose Molina will take the place of regular catcher
Jorge Posada.

That's because Burnett went 5-5 with a 4.96 ERA and .270
opponent batting average in 16 starts with Posada behind the
plate. He was 5-2 with a 3.28 ERA and .221 opponent batting
average in 11 starts with Molina catching.

Girardi has committed to Hideki Matsui as his designated hitter
after Matsui hit a two-run homer in Wednesday's win. That leaves
no room for Posada, who helped the Yankees win three straight
World Series from 1998-2000.

"I can't do nothing about it," Posada said. "Just sit and watch
the ballgame."

While Posada is unhappy about not being in the lineup, Burnett
is just trying to focus on his start.

"I'm not surprised because what Jorge is to this organization
and what he's done in the post-season," Burnett said. "He's the
leader in this clubhouse. He's the leader in the dugout."

Burnett is 2-1 with a 3.72 ERA in six career starts against the
Twins, including 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two this season. AL
batting champion Joe Mauer is 5 for 13 (.385) against him.

The Twins know they need a good effort from Game 2 starter Nick
Blackburn to try to even this series. Rookie Brian Duensing was
victimized by the powerful Yankees lineup in the opener, giving
up five runs over 4 2-3 innings.

Minnesota fell to 0-8 against New York in 2009.

"That's just a pretty good team," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire
said. "I mean, I wish I had all the answers to say 'Wow, this is
why we lose here; this is why we don't win.' It's not that
simple. We have had our opportunities, we just haven't come up
with big hits."

The Twins won Blackburn's last four starts of the regular
season, as he posted a 1.65 ERA in that span. He's gained a
reputation as a big-game pitcher, allowing one run over 6 1-3
innings in a 1-0 loss to the White Sox last season in a one-game
playoff for the AL Central title.

The right-hander, though, is 0-1 with a 5.89 ERA in four career
starts against New York. He's had no success against the
Yankees' leader in homers and RBIs - Mark Teixeira - who's 6 for
6 with a homer against him.

"I'm not going to change my approach," Blackburn said. "I'm
going to try to keep them off balance. I'm going to try to move
the ball around and do what I've been doing lately. I'm going to
stick to my game plan. That's what's been working for me so far.
I don't plan on changing anything for these guys."

The Twins need more from the middle of their lineup after
Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel and Delmon Young combined to go 1
for 12 in the opener.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how our ballclub responds
(Friday)," Gardenhire said. "Maybe a little more life, a little
more energy. We'll see. Yesterday they kind of put it to us a
little bit and we didn't respond very well. But we'll see."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125354-Twins-Yankees-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125354-Twins-Yankees-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:10:44 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[No rest, no win for tired Twins in playoff opener]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[NEW YORK(AP) -- After the Minnesota Twins lost Game 1 of the AL
playoffs, manager Ron Gardenhire was really looking forward to
Thursday.

Not because his Twins would have a chance to catch up with the
New York Yankees. Because they would have a chance to catch up
on sleep.

"We get a day off tomorrow. Which is needed right now,"
Gardenhire said after Wednesday night's 7-2 loss at Yankee
Stadium.

"A few guys come in and get some treatment. And pitchers, a
couple of guys need to toss. But I think a day off for the most
part would be pretty nice. Take a relaxing day tomorrow and then
come back and have some good energy and go from there," he said.

The Twins barely had time to celebrate Tuesday night's win at
the Metrodome over Detroit in the AL Central tiebreaker. When
Carlos Gomez scored the winning run in the 12th inning, the
Twins had less than 21 hours to pack up, head to New York and
take the field.

"I think everybody was sleeping on the plane, to tell you the
truth. It was just an emotional, full day. It was a long game. I
think it was about five hours or something like that," Twins
catcher Joe Mauer said before batting practice. "You know, our
wives and the whole team, everybody was on the plane. Everybody
was smiling. All of a sudden we got in the air, and I think
everybody was sleeping. I don't know what time we got here last
night."

The Twins actually got to their hotel about 4 a.m. Getting to
sleep right away was a challenge for some.

"I think the hardest part was getting in as late as - or early,
however you want to put it - as we did," losing pitcher Brian
Duensing said. "It kind of throws your whole schedule off,
throws your mindset off a little bit. But to me, and I think to
the entire team, I think we were ready to go. We didn't have a
letdown or anything like that."

"I didn't get a sense of it in the dugout or anything like that.
I felt like we had a lot of energy, we were excited to be here
and we were going to play well. Unfortunately, I let the team
down and didn't give them a chance to win," he said.

Said Twins infielder Brendan Harris: "It seemed like about 12-16
hours ago, we were popping champagne."

The Yankees, holding home-field advantage throughout the
postseason, had their choice of beginning the playoffs on
Wednesday or Thursday. Fully rested and ready, they picked the
earlier starting date - the series schedule includes a day-off
between Games 1 and 2.

As for the Twins' exhausting day, "That's kind of a popular
excuse," Harris said. "We had some chances, it just didn't work
out."

"Just slept as long as we could. Got moving about 11 or 12 and
got to the ballpark about 1," he said. "The adrenaline was still
pumping from the win that we just had. So it was kind of hard to
sleep."

Mauer, the AL batting champion, went 2 for 4 against CC Sabathia
and the Yankees bullpen, and wasn't complaining about the long
day.

"Guys are tired. This isn't the time of year for that, to be
worrying about that," he said. "I think if you can't get up for
that, you can't get up for anything."

The Twins did not plan a workout for Thursday. They had other
things to do before the series resumed.

"We all need to go home, get a good night's rest," said Twins
pitcher Carl Pavano, who will start Game 3. "We're going to be a
little fresher, I'm sure, on Friday."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125190-No-rest-no-win-for-tired-Twins-in-playoff-opener</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125190-No-rest-no-win-for-tired-Twins-in-playoff-opener</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:04:40 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Yankees rally past Twins 7-2 in playoff opener]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Derek Jeter got a big hit, just as he did in
Octobers past at the famed ballpark across the street. CC
Sabathia joined in the postseason fun. Even Alex Rodriguez broke
out of his playoff rut.

It was like old times in the first postseason game at the new
Yankee Stadium, with New York beating these tired Minnesota
Twins 7-2 Wednesday night in the opener of their AL playoff
series.

"It felt just like the old place," Jeter said. "We couldn't have
drawn it up any better for us."

After Jeter's third-inning homer off loser Brian Duensing drew
New York even at 2, Nick Swisher pulled a go-ahead double down
the left-field line in the fourth that scored Robinson Cano from
first as left fielder Delmon Young and shortstop Orlando Cabrera
made a pair of poor throws.

Rodriguez had gone 0 for 29 in the postseason with runners on
base dating to Game 4 of the 2004 AL championship series before
chasing Duensing with an RBI single that made it 4-2 in the
fifth.

From there the Yankees breezed to their first postseason win in
exactly two years.

On a night with sustained winds blowing to right-center at 20
mph, with gusts up to 43 mph, Hideki Matsui followed with a
two-run homer into Monument Park on left-hander Francisco
Lirano's fourth pitch. The Yankees celebrated like kids, just as
the Twins did when they beat Detroit in an AL Central tiebreaker
at the Metrodome on Tuesday night.

"Crazy. Nuts," Swisher said. "Everyone knows I'm a little hyper.
Probably the hardest thing was keeping myself under control."

Rodriguez added another run-scoring single in the seventh
against Jon Rauch following an error by first baseman Michael
Cuddyer, with A-Rod's drive hitting halfway up the right-field
wall. New York scored five runs with two outs.

"It definitely felt good," Rodriguez said. "There's no questions
the numbers aren't good, but you've got to come out and play."

Wearing long sleeves on the blustery night, Sabathia got past a
22-pitch first inning and found a sharp cutter in his Yankees
postseason debut.

"This is what you come here for," Sabathia said. "It was
electric tonight."

Despite retiring the side in order just twice, Sabathia allowed
one earned run and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings, striking out
eight and walking none.

"He got nasty. He was deceiving," Minnesota's Denard Span said.

Sabathia, who twice got crossed up with catcher Jorge Posada,
left with two on after 113 pitches. He tipped his cap to a
ballpark record crowd of 49,464 that included actress Kate
Hudson and rapper Jay-Z.

Jeter's home run had inspired the big lefty.

"The place got loud," Sabathia said. "Him starting out the game
with a single and then tying the score up right back, it just
made me want to go out there and get three quick outs."

Minnesota didn't arrive at its hotel until nearly 4 a.m. and
appeared to lack the energy that propelled the Twins during a
17-4 finish. The Twins struck out 12 times.

"Guys are tired," AL batting champ Joe Mauer said before adding,
"this isn't the time of year for that, to be worrying about
that."

After a day off, the series resumes Friday night, when A.J.
Burnett pitches for the Yankees against Nick Blackburn. New York
will be trying to get off to its first 2-0 postseason start
since 1999 against Texas.

"We all need to go home, get a good night's rest," said Twins
pitcher Carl Pavano, who will start Game 3. "We're going to be a
little fresher, I'm sure, on Friday."

Minnesota took a 2-0 lead in the third when Cabrera singled with
two outs, Mauer doubled, Cuddyer hit an RBI single and Posada
crossed up with Sabathia and allowed a run-scoring passed ball.

Casey Stengel hit the first postseason home run across the
street at original Yankee Stadium, an inside-the-parker that
gave the New York Giants a 5-4 win in the 1923 World Series
opener.

Jeter tied the score with a drive about 10 feet fair down the
left-field line. With his 18th postseason home run, he tied
Yankees stars Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson for third on the
career list behind Manny Ramirez (28) and Bernie Williams (22),
another former New York star

"You get a two-run lead quick, and as soon as you go back out,
it's a 2-2 ballgame with a homer," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire
said. "That's a little deflating."

The captain was on base four times with two hits and two walks,
and scored three runs.

"It's pretty fitting what he did tonight," said Yankees manager
Joe Girardi, managing his first postseason game since replacing
Joe Torre two years ago. "That's Derek Jeter at this time of the
year."

A left-hander who pitched for the U.S. in the Olympics last
year, Duensing had never even been to New York before and made
just nine starts during his rookie season.

"I wish that we could go hire a right-hander to come in and eat
them all up," Gardenhire said. "But we have a few left-handers
that have to pitch. That's just the way it is."

Duensing gave up five runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings.

"The crowd was into it. An unbelievable atmosphere," Duensing
said. "Just wished it would have turned out a little better."

NOTES: Matsui has seven postseason homers. He hit 13 off
left-handers during the regular season, tied for big league lead
among left-handed batters. ... Phil Hughes followed Sabathia and
struck out Cabrera in a 10-pitch at-bat. Mariano Rivera, New
York's fourth reliever, struck out two in the ninth.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125136-Yankees-rally-past-Twins-7-2-in-playoff-opener</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125136-Yankees-rally-past-Twins-7-2-in-playoff-opener</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:37:39 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Nothing goes right for Twins lefties in opener]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Ron Gardenhire threw a couple of lefties at the
New York Yankees and nothing went right.

Before it gets too late, his Minnesota Twins better find someone
who can stop the Bronx Bombers - no matter which side they pitch
from.

Brian Duensing failed to make it through the fifth inning and
Francisco Liriano served up a deflating home run Wednesday night
during Minnesota's 7-2 playoff loss at Yankee Stadium. After
dropping the opener of this best-of-five series, the Twins get a
welcome day off before Game 2 on Friday.

"The whole lineup is just stacked with, it seems like, home run
hitters," said Duensing, making his first visit to New York. "I
made three mistakes, in my mind, and all three mistakes they
made me pay for. So, it's just tough. You can't ever relax
against these guys."

Minnesota needed a desperate surge down the stretch to qualify
for the postseason, earning a matchup with the heavily favored
Yankees by beating Detroit in 12 innings Tuesday in a tiebreaker
for the AL Central title.

His rotation disheveled, Gardenhire, one of baseball's craftiest
managers, was left with few choices for a Game 1 starter in New
York. He turned to Duensing, a rookie who was passed over in a
must-win game Sunday in favor of Carl Pavano on short rest.

Making his first start since Sept. 29, Duensing couldn't match
Yankees ace CC Sabathia. Handed a 2-0 lead, the Minnesota
left-hander gave it right back when Derek Jeter turned on a
hanging breaking ball for a two-run homer in the third inning.

It was nothing new for Jeter, who batted an AL-best .395 against
lefties this season. In fact, New York went 36-18 against
left-handed starters and led the majors with a .286 average
against southpaws.

"You have to pitch with what you have," Gardenhire said. "I wish
that we could go hire a right-hander to come in and eat them all
up. But we have a few left-handers that have to pitch. That's
just the way it is. It's going to be like that."

Recalled from the minors July 3, Duensing worked out of the
bullpen before moving into the rotation and going 5-1 with a
2.73 ERA in nine starts. The Yankees, however, proved to be a
difficult matchup.

Duensing allowed a run in the fourth and was chased by Alex
Rodriguez's two-out RBI single in the fifth.

"It seems like once you get a breather, they come right back at
you," Duensing said.

In came the struggling Liriano, who went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA in
2006 but hasn't been able to regain his form since missing the
2007 season following elbow ligament replacement surgery.

Liriano promptly gave up a two-run homer to his first batter,
Hideki Matsui, making it 6-2.

Matsui hit 13 home runs off left-handers this year, tying for
the most in the majors by a left-handed batter.

"Francisco Liriano has done very well against this team. His
numbers are pretty good," Gardenhire said. "He just got behind
right away and gave up a home run. After that he threw the ball
pretty decent. I don't want to leave the kid out there and let
him get all beat up.

"Frankie is here for a reason. We like him to pitch and he needs
to pitch," the manager added. "Our bullpen has been through a
lot. We all saw that. He was fresh and available."

Maybe the Twins will have better luck with right-handed starters
the rest of the series. Nick Blackburn is slated to go in Game
2, with Pavano and Scott Baker waiting to follow back home at
the Metrodome.

The Twins used to have perhaps the best left-hander in baseball.
Johan Santana helped them win playoff openers at Yankee Stadium
in 2003 and 2004, but he left to sign with the New York Mets
before last season.

Now, Minnesota must hope a right-hander is right against the
Yankees. Otherwise, the Twins' remarkable run to the playoffs
will end quickly.

"The Yankees are tough on righties and lefties," Gardenhire
said. "If you really look at the numbers, they can do damage
against anybody. So you just have to make pitches and not get
behind them."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125141-Nothing-goes-right-for-Twins-lefties-in-opener</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/125141-Nothing-goes-right-for-Twins-lefties-in-opener</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:29:10 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Twins complete comeback, 6-5 over Tigers in 12th]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- The Metrodome erupted in a jet-like roar as
Carlos Gomez zoomed home with the winning run to finish off an
AL Central race - and a thrilling tiebreaker - that didn't want
to end.

Minnesota wouldn't quit, while the Detroit Tigers finished their
historic fade. And there was little time for the Twins to
celebrate, because the New York Yankees were waiting.

Alexi Casilla singled home the winning run with one out in the
12th inning and the Twins rallied for a 6-5 victory Tuesday
night, completing a colossal collapse for the Tigers.

"This is the most unbelievable game I've ever played or seen,"
Twins shortstop Orlando Cabrera said.

How was that for bonus baseball?

As Gomez scored from second - well ahead of a late throw from
right field - Homer Hankies spiraled. The Twins celebrated and
scrambled: They had 21 hours to get ready for Game 1 of the AL
playoffs at Yankee Stadium against New York ace CC Sabathia.
He'll face rookie Brian Duensing.

The Tigers will head home instead. They became the first team in
history to blow a three-game lead with four games left.

"I guess it's fitting to say there was a loser in this game
because we lost the game, but it's hard for me to believe there
was a loser in this game," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.
"Both teams played their hearts out. You can't ask for anything
more than that."

The Twins overcame a seven-game gap in the final month, went
17-4 to pull even on the final weekend and won their fifth
division title in eight years.

"We just feel like we have nothing to lose, man," outfielder
Denard Span said.

Both teams had chance after chance to end it earlier, and each
club scored in the 10th. Casilla was thrown out at the plate to
end that inning by left fielder Ryan Raburn after tagging up.

The Tigers thought they'd taken the lead in the 12th. But with
the bases loaded, plate umpire Randy Marsh ruled that Brandon
Inge was not hit by a pitch by Bobby Keppel. The replay appeared
to show the pitch grazing Inge's billowing uniform.

"I did not have the ball hitting him. We looked at replays, too,
and the replays we've looked at, to be honest with you, were
inconclusive," said Marsh, the crew chief.

Said Inge: "No matter what we did, it seems like it wasn't meant
to be. This is the best game, by far, that I've ever played in
no matter the outcome."

It was the first AL tiebreaker to go to extra innings, making up
for Minnesota's disappointment last year when it lost 1-0 in
Chicago to the White Sox in an AL Central tiebreaker. Had the
Twins lost, it would've been the final baseball game at the
Metrodome. Instead, the Twins get the Yankees - New York was 7-0
against Minnesota this season.

"We're not afraid. I can guarantee you that," Twins manager Ron
Gardenhire said.

Said Yankees manager Joe Girardi: "We're not going to have to
face questions like 'Can you beat them?' like we've had to
answer during the course of the year. Once the playoffs start
though, it's a new series and we know the importance of each
game. You can pretty much throw everything else out the window."

A day after Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings beat the Green
Bay Packers at the Dome - "Monday Night Football" is what
delayed this tiebreaker for a day - the Twins pulled off a
Tuesday Night Frenzy.

Gardenhire and Leyland made so many moves for defense and relief
that the lineups and pitching staffs were depleted by the end.

Tigers reliever Fernando Rodney (2-5) worked his longest
appearance of the season, getting the last two outs of the
ninth. But he didn't have enough to get out of the 12th. The
Twins rushed out of the dugout in celebration even before Gomez
reached the plate, and their comeback from a seven-game gap with
20 to play was complete.

Joe Mauer, who heard thunderous "M-V-P!" chants from the largest
regular-season baseball crowd in Metrodome history throughout
the game, led his team on a sprint around the warning track as
they slapped hands with fans in the first rows.

"One of the best games I'll ever play in," Mauer said.

Keppel, Minnesota's eighth pitcher, loaded the bases with one
out in the 12th. After the non-call on Inge, second baseman Nick
Punto then scooped Inge's grounder and fired home in time to get
the runner on the force. Then Keppel struck out Gerald Laird to
squelch that rally.

Twins closer Joe Nathan found trouble in the ninth when
consecutive singles put runners at the corners, but he got a
strikeout and a line-drive double play to end that threat. The
four-time All-Star gave two huge pumps of his right arm as he
spun to thank his defense and run to the dugout, preserving the
tie.

Inge's two-out double in the 10th gave the Tigers a 5-4 lead,
but Michael Cuddyer sliced a triple past Raburn in left and
scored on Matt Tolbert's bouncing single through the middle in
the bottom of the inning.

On the potential winning sacrifice fly, though, Casilla strayed
a bit too far from third and was thrown out by Raburn trying to
score to end the inning. The split-second Casilla needed to
retouch the base might have cost him the run.

He more than made up for that mistake later.

According to sports researcher STATS LLC, only three teams since
1901 have blown a three-game lead in the standings with four
games left. The Houston Astros lost three straight games to Los
Angeles in 1980, but they recovered to defeat the Dodgers in a
tiebreaker game for the NL West. Milwaukee lost three in a row
to Baltimore in 1982 to force a tie, but beat the Orioles in the
final regular season game to win the AL East.

After splitting four in Detroit last week - a loss in the series
finale Thursday would've given the division to the Tigers - the
Twins came home for the final scheduled series in the bubble
needing a sweep of the Kansas City Royals and did just that.

So with 54,088 fans in attendance, the place was erupting with
noise and excitement. The chants for Mauer, who wrapped up his
third batting title, were deafening. Leyland even told his
players before the game to think of the loudest experience of
their life and multiply it by four to anticipate the decibel
level for this game. Dome ball came in handy again, on a day
when the city was drenched by cold rain.

Rookie starter Rick Porcello pitched well beyond his 20 years
for the Tigers, and Miguel Cabrera made up for a miserable
weekend - on and off the field - with a two-run homer against
Scott Baker in the third inning that made it 3-0. The crowd
chanted "al-co-ho-lic" right before Cabrera went deep, a rude
reference to the first baseman's fight with his wife after he
came home late and drunk.

The Twins crept back, though, and Orlando Cabrera's two-run
homer in the seventh gave them a brief lead that Magglio Ordonez
ended with his leadoff homer in the eighth.

"We were dead and buried a couple times, and our team just kept
coming back," Twins general manager Bill Smith said.

NOTES: This was the ninth tiebreaker game in baseball history,
and the third straight year with a 163rd game. Only two of them
went to extra innings. ... Seven members of the Metrodome's
cleaning and maintenance crews were honored on the mound before
the game for the work of those groups in converting the field
back and forth from baseball to football in light of Monday's
Packers-Vikings game.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124925-Twins-complete-comeback-6-5-over-Tigers-in-12th</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124925-Twins-complete-comeback-6-5-over-Tigers-in-12th</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:35:20 GMT</pubDate>
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