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Harris' blast helps Twins top Padres

Jun 25, 2008 - 6:07 AM By Tim Powers PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Trevor Hoffman's first-ever appearance against the Minnesota Twins was a forgettable one.

Brendan Harris and Brian Buscher hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth inning against Hoffman to lead the Twins to a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game interleague series.

Harris broke a 1-1 tie by sending Hoffman's first offering into the left field seats and Buscher hit the next pitch over the wall in right field for his first major league home run.

"I was looking for a fastball," Harris said. "I saw that (Hoffman) got ahead of the first two guys with fastballs and then went right to the changeup. I was just hoping I would put it in play and not have to face his changeup."

The Twins were the final team against which Hoffman (1-5) had not pitched in his career. He exited to a chorus of boos from the home crowd.

"I have to make a better pitch," Hoffman said. "I'm not worried about (the booing) right now. (Harris) put it out of the park and, obviously, it's a pitch he could hit - both of them. I've got to make better pitches."

Dennys Reyes (2-0) made one pitch and got an out in the eighth inning to pick up the victory and Joe Nathan worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his 20th save in 22 chances.

"That was just huge for us, facing Hoffy it's not going to happen very often," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It's pretty exciting for our ballclub. It was a nice way to get a win, facing one of the best pitchers in the game."

Both starting pitchers turned in solid efforts to keep the game close.

Minnesota starter Kevin Slowey contributed six superb innings, blanking San Diego on four hits. The 24-year-old righthander struck out a season-high seven batters and did not issue a walk.

"It's great to be able to scratch out a win," Slowey said. "To (beat) Trevor Hoffman, one of the greatest pitchers of all time, it's a big win for us."

Alexi Casilla doubled and scored on a singled by Michael Cuddyer in the first against San Diego starter Jake Peavy to stake the Twins to an early 1-0 lead.

"That was kind of one of those (games) you'd expect with Peavy throwing against us," Gardenhire said. "It was low-scoring, and Slowey matched him inning for inning. He moved the ball in and out and gave us an opportunity."

Peavy lasted six innings, allowing one run on five hits in his third start since returning from a strained right elbow. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner struck out six and walked one.

"(Peavy) feels as though it's coming around," Padres manager Bud Black said. "I think the first couple of outings, he couldn't string (pitches) together. Now, he's putting together some good at-bats, executing pitches where he wants them. That's a great sign."

San Diego evened the score in the seventh when Adrian Gonzalez led off the frame with a single against Jesse Crain and came home on a groundout by rookie Chase Headley to tie it at 1-1.

Adrian Gonzalez had two hits for the Padres, who have dropped seven of eight.