• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Mauer fuels Twins in rout of Athletics

Aug 30, 2008 - 6:26 AM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Joe Mauer led a season-high 20-hit attack with a career-high five hits as the Minnesota Twins blasted the Oakland Athletics, 12-2, on Friday.

With the win, the Twins (76-59) moved within one-half game of the Chicago White Sox (76-58) in the American League Central.

Kevin Slowey (11-8), who won his fourth consecutive decision, surrendered two runs and six hits with a walk and 10 strikeouts in six innings.

It was Slowey's second straight masterful performance against Oakland in the span of 10 days. The righthander struck out a career-high 12 at the Metrodome on August 19.

"The story of the night was our offense. They came out swinging and never let up," Slowey said. "When I gave up the two runs and they come back and score two runs, that was great. As a pitcher, you know we're not done scoring.

"I think whether you want to or not, you pitch differently with a big lead. You really have to pound the strike zone as best you can and not worry about giving up a run or two."

Oakland's only runs came in the fourth inning on a two-run homer by Jack Cust, whose likeness was featured on a Bobblehead given to the fans.

Craig Breslow pitched the final three innings to record his first major league save.

"I think it's a common mentality around the clubhouse that every once in a while, we would like to blow someone out," Breslow said. "Everything kind of came together tonight. We scored a bunch of runs, played defense and got good pitching."

The Twins battered Dan Meyer (0-3) for six runs - two earned - and tagged reliever Kirk Saarloos for five. Minnesota's final run against Santiago Casilla came on an RBI double by Mauer, who equaled his season high with four RBI.

Mauer's five hits also enabled him to take over the AL batting lead as he upped his average to .324.

"Over the last couple of weeks, I haven't been feeling that great at the plate. Tonight, things seemed to work out for me," Mauer said. "Maybe the last couple of weeks, myself included, I think we've been pressing a little too much to score some runs.

"Our pitchers have been doing a great job, especially during this road trip, giving us a chance to win. Sometimes you try a little too hard and come up short. I was glad, as a whole, we had this type of breakout game."

Meyer, who was making his third start of the season, suffered through the shortest outing of his career. He lasted 1 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

"In the first inning, I felt great," Meyer said. "My effort level was way too high. It was like quicksand. The harder I tried, the more I failed."

The lefthander hindered his own cause by making a throwing error during a fateful six-run second inning that saw the Twins send 11 batters to the plate. The first five reached as Jason Kubel, Alexi Casilla, Denard Span, Mauer and Justin Morneau had run-scoring hits.