Final
Willingham's HR in 9th sends Twins past A's
May 30, 2012 - 4:16 AMVideo
The Twins, one out away from their sixth shutout loss in May, had runners on the corners when Willingham stepped to the plate and hammered a 1-0 sinker into the bullpen beyond the wall in left-center.
"Most of the time home runs come on pitches over the middle of the plate. Pitchers aren't trying to throw it there," said Willingham. "I hit it well."
Minnesota was 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position at the time of the blast -- Willingham's ninth of the season.
Oakland has lost seven straight, including a 5-4 decision in the opener of the series after the Twins scored two runs in the eighth on Monday.
A's starter Jarrod Parker was in line for the win after scattering four hits and four walks over six innings, but Fuentes (2-1) couldn't close the door in the ninth, first giving up a leadoff single to Jamey Carroll, then walking Denard Span.
Ben Revere popped up a sacrifice bunt attempt and Joe Mauer grounded into a 3-6 force out to keep the Twins scoreless, but Willingham changed that with one swing of the bat.
"It's my job to come in and not do that," Fuentes said. "It stinks, but what are you going to do."
Jeff Manship relieved Twins starter Cole De Vries in the sixth and was pulled with one on and one out an inning later.
Brian Duensing retired Cliff Pennington for the second out before Jemile Weeks hit a sharp comebacker that caught the reliever's cleat and ricocheted to right field. Kurt Suzuki, who led off the inning with a single, was held at third on the play, but scored when Collin Cowgill laced a base hit through the left side.
The A's made it 2-0 on Coco Crisp's two-out, RBI single in the eighth, but failed to take advantage of three Glen Perkins walks in the ninth. Perkins (1-1) benefited from Cowgill being caught trying to steal third, then struck out Brandon Inge to strand a pair.
Game Notes
De Vries, in his second career start, walked five and gave up two hits in five scoreless innings...With a steal in the third inning, Crisp extended his club record to 30 consecutive successful stolen base attempts...The A's went 3- for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12...The Twins left 11 on base.
- OAKLAND: 2
MINNESOTA: 3
Final
May 29 11:37 PM - Josh Willingham two-out, three-run Home Run (9) to left center scored Jamey Carroll and Joe Mauer to win the game.
Athletics 2, Twins 3 Bot 9, 2 OutsMay 29 11:36 PM - Coco Crisp single to center scored Seth Smith with two out. On the play, Kila Ka`aihue advances to second. Runners on first and second and Cliff Pennington due up.
Athletics 2, Twins 0 Top 8, 2 OutsMay 29 10:53 PM - Collin Cowgill single to left scored Kurt Suzuki with two out. On the play, Jemile Weeks advances to second. Runners on first and second and Josh Reddick due up.
Athletics 1, Twins 0 Top 7, 2 OutsMay 29 10:25 PM - OAKLAND: 0
MINNESOTA: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
May 29 8:12 PM
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