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Perkins shines for Twins in rout of Angels

Aug 23, 2008 - 6:04 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Primarily a strong home team this season, the Minnesota Twins have certainly gotten their longest road trip in 37 years off on the right foot.

Glen Perkins worked eight masterful innings on Friday as the Twins rolled to a 9-0 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Rookie Denard Span went 3-for-4 with four RBI and Delmon Young scored twice and drove in three runs for the Twins (74-54), who reclaimed sole possession of first place in the American League Central by one-half game because the Chicago White Sox (73-54) lost to Tampa Bay.

"We are just having fun right now," Span said. "We're just taking it one game at a time and just trying to prove people wrong. It's almost September and it's good to be playing for a playoff spot."

"It's nice to take over first place, but I would like to go on strike, end the season and start the playoffs now," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire joked. "I just wish we were in the Angels' boat right now since they lead the division by a lot but just have to worry about us."

After squeezing out a 2-1 victory over the Angels in the series opener, the Twins took their second straight road contest from the AL West leaders.

"We're playing in a close race and just taking the first two games here on the road is good for us and our confidence," Perkins said.

The win was in the second game of 14 straight contests away from the Metrodome, where the Twins are 46-23 as opposed to 28-31 away from home.

The long road trip, made necessary by the Republican National Convention coming to Minneapolis from September 1-4, is the longest stretch of games away from home the Twins have played consecutively since separate 15- and 16-game road trips during the 1969 season.

Perkins (11-3), who yielded five hits and two walks to notch his fourth straight win, outpitched Joe Saunders (14-6). He got all the support he needed in the fourth inning, when Young lifted a fastball over the wall in center field for his eighth homer.

"It was a good outing for me," Perkins said. "I worked ahead in the count and my changeup was effective for me tonight. I just wanted to go out there and make my pitches and let the defense make the plays."

Following an RBI single by Span in the fifth, Minnesota used a five-run sixth to open an 8-0 advantage. Young doubled home the first run of the frame and, after a run-scoring groundout by Adam Everett, Span hit a 2-0 fastball from Shane Loux into the first row of the right-center field stands.

"We have a lot of confidence with the way we are playing," Young said. "I got a couple good pitches to handle tonight and made good contact. It feels good to help the team put runs on the board with one swing since I haven't been hitting for a lot of power this year."

Saunders allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

"This was definitely an outing I want to forget," Saunders said. "I just didn't have my command and location on pitches, and that's something that happens from time to time. I just have to focus on playing good ball again and put a string of wins together."