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Four-run eighth lifts Twins past Orioles

Aug 24, 2007 - 3:26 AM By Rich Dubroff PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- After the Baltimore Orioles' pitching staff was embarrassed on Wednesday, it was the team's hitting and fielding that cost them on Thursday.

Jason Kubel's two-run double highlighted a four-run eighth inning that gave the Minnesota Twins a 5-2 victory over the Orioles in the opener of a four-game series.

On Wednesday, the Orioles were mortified when the Texas Rangers scored a modern day-record 30 runs in the first game of a doubleheader and added nine more in the nightcap.

The 39 total runs in the twinbill eclipsed the previous American League mark set when the St. Louis Browns were tagged for 36 runs on August 14, 1937 against the Detroit Tigers.

"We weren't here last night. We don't know anything about their humiliation," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We've had our share of not scoring any runs. We don't pay much attention to what happened yesterday to another ballclub."

Minnesota (64-63) is in third place in the AL Central Division, 6 1/2 games behind the first-place Cleveland Indians (70-56).

"We're in a pennant race here and not many people know about it," Gardenhire said.

On Thursday, Steve Trachsel (6-8) allowed just four hits over the first seven innings, but the eighth was a nightmare.

Nick Punto began the frame with a bunt single and advanced to second on Alexi Casilla's groundout. After Jason Bartlett walked and Punto moved to third on a wild pitch, Trachsel was relieved by Jamie Walker.

"It was a pretty good bunt," Punto said of his hit. "I wish I could do that every night."

Joe Mauer hit a slow groundout to second, which allowed Punto to score and tie the game at 1-1. After Torii Hunter was issued an intentional pass, Justin Morneau drew a walk to load the bases and chase Walker.

Chad Bradford induced a routine grounder to shortstop by Michael Cuddyer that was booted by Miguel Tejada, allowing Bartlett to score the go-ahead run and prolong the inning.

Kubel followed with a two-run double to left-center to extend the Twins' advantage to 4-1.

Trachsel tried to be stoic about the outcome, even though his performance was one of his best of the season.

"There's nothing I can do about it," Trachsel said. "It's not worth talking about because it's out of my control."

Orioles manager Dave Trembley was stung by the loss.

"That you don't put it away," said Trembley, whose team has lost three straight for just the second time since he took over for the fired Sam Perlozzo. "That's probably the most frustrating thing, that you don't close it out."

Boof Bonser (6-10) was the beneficiary of the uprising, breaking an eight-game losing streak by winning his first game since June 10. The 25-year-old righthander allowed one run - Aubrey Huff's 12th home run of the season in the second - and three hits in seven innings.

"(I) finally got a break there," said Bonser, who recieved just three runs of support in his previous four starts. "I watched them score the runs (on the bench). I was cheering them on."

Matt Guerrier worked the last two innings to record his first save of the season and second career.

Kevin Millar set an Orioles record by reaching base in his 50th consecutive game. He walked in the fifth inning to break Ken Singleton's 30-year-old club mark.

Tejada belted a solo shot in the ninth for his 13th homer of the season, which cut the Orioles' deficit to 5-2.