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Twins hit three homers, end four-game slide

Jun 6, 2007 - 11:39 PM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Nick Punto and Michael Cuddyer both homered as the Minnesota Twins snapped a four-game losing streak with an 8-5 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Wednesday.

Trailing, 4-2, in the fifth inning, Minnesota's offense got to starter John Lackey (9-4), who failed in his attempt to become the first double-figure winner in the majors.

Mike Redmond singled and Jason Kubel reached on shortstop Orlando Cabrera's throwing errors, setting up Punto's three-run blast. Reigning American League MVP Justin Morneau capped the four-run inning with an RBI single as the Twins grabbed a 6-4 advantage.

"We finally broke out in the middle of the game and it was nice to see after struggling to put runs on the board this series," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Minnesota started its rally in the fourth as Cuddyer delivered a two-run homer to slice the deficit in half, 4-2.

"I was looking for a pitch that I can drive and I got a pitch to handle and squared it up," said Cuddyer, who drove in three runs.

In the eighth, the Twins added two insurance runs off reliever Dustin Moseley, when Jason Bartlett hit his first of the season to left and Cuddyer stroked a run-scoring single.

"Our bullpen has been one of the best in baseball but you just can't expect to be perfect every time out," Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia said.

Twins starter Kevin Slowey (1-0) battled for five-plus innings, giving up five runs and 10 hits to register his first career win. He left after Howie Kendrick stroked a solo shot in the sixth to cut the deficit to 6-5.

"I knew going into the game that I was facing a good hitting team and just wanted to make quality pitches, get outs, and try to keep them off the bases," Slowey said.

Three Minnesota relievers bridged the gap to Joe Nathan, who closed the door in the ninth for his 13 save in 14 chances. It was his 92nd save since 2005 - fourth most in the majors.

Lackey allowed six runs and seven hits in seven frames with two strikeouts and one walk, recording his first setback since falling, 6-3, against the Chicago White Sox on May 5. The righthander retired the first 10 batters he faced.

"I felt good early on in the game, but then I lost command," Lackey said. "Guys got on base and I ended up throwing a lot of pitches to get my pitch count up in the fourth and fifth. I left pitches up in the zone and they just made me pay."

Mike Napoli drove in two runs and Casey Kotchman and Reggie Willits each delivered run-scoring doubles for the Angels, who held a 4-0 advantage before things turned for the worst.

Angels snapped a five game winning streak and finished their 10-game homestand with a 7-3 mark.

"We definitely have been playing consistent baseball and that's all we want to do," Napoli said. "If we pitch and get good quality at-bats, then we know we are going to win a lot of ballgames. Just have to start a new winning streak on the road our next time out."