Blue Jays 3 - 4 Twins
Final
  for this game

Jays, Twins close out lengthy set at Target Field

May 13, 2012 - 3:30 PM

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(Sports Network) - The Minnesota Twins will try to even their series today before the Toronto Blue Jays leave town as the American League foes conclude a four-game set at Target Field.

The Blue Jays won their second game of the series on Saturday as Jose Bautista hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning the help the visitors claim a 2-1 win. The other Toronto run came from an RBI single courtesy of Adam Lind.

"More than anything the two guys that are showing some signs of life are Lindy (Lind) getting that base hit and Jose (Bautista), who loves hitting in this ballpark," Toronto manager John Farrell said.

The visitors also received strong showings from starting pitcher Drew Hutchison (2-1) and closer Casey Janssen. Hutchison pitched six innings and gave up only one earned run during his time on the mound.

The Blue Jays hope their southpaw Ricky Romero (4-0) will be able to duplicate Hutchison's success. Romero left Tuesday's game without a decision after giving up two runs in six innings. The left-handed starter has compiled a 3.56 ERA so far this season.

Bautista's solo home run came one day after he belted two homers in a losing effort. The veteran outfielder now has 10 home runs in as many games at Target Field. Toronto's designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion is also a very dangerous bat. The right-handed slugger already has 11 home runs and 29 RBI this season.

Minnesota could not be too disappointed with P.J. Walters's debut with the team on Saturday. Walters allowed two runs over six innings but the Twins' offense simply did not provide the run support.

"We're swinging the bats well, but we just need timely hits," first baseman Chris Parmelee said. "We just didn't get some guys over and get some guys in tonight. Sometimes that's the way it goes."

Scott Diamond (1-0) will take the mound today for Minnesota. Diamond, who did not make the team out of spring training, surprised people with a solid 102- pitch, seven-inning effort in his season debut on Tuesday versus the Angels.

"You score early, give your starter a little breathing room and then he takes it pretty much strike one all night long. He kept pounding the strike zone and moving it in and out. He was in command of the baseball game." Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said of Diamond's first start.

Diamond has never faced Toronto's power hitting Bautista in his career.

Brian Dozier and Joe Mauer each had two-hit games with a double each and Ryan Doumit reached base on balls in Saturday's loss. The team as a whole struggled, leaving nine runners on base and going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Denard Span, who is 8-for-17 lifetime versus Romero, will be looking to bounce back after going hitless in his four at-bats.

The Blue Jays won the season series against the Twins, 5-1, last season. They outscored the Twins, 44-14.






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