PROPS
TO:
* Michael Cuddyer: Got the
rally going in the 3rd with
a base hit, and scored the
first run for the Twins. He
went 2-3 in the game, and
played excellent defense at
second base tonight.
* Henry Blanco: Executed a sac bunt after Cuddyer’s single, and also called a great game.
* Shannon Stewart: Drove in Cuddyer for the Twins’ first run with a clutch single. Shannon also had 2 hits in the game, and made a nice catch in left field on a well hit ball by Ruben Sierra.
* Jacque Jones: Played with a heavy heart, but he came through with a big home run in the top of the 6th to pad the lead. Notice how when he touched home plate he pointed upward. You could tell he was thinking along the lines of, “This one’s for you, Dad.” Big, big props to Jacque Jones tonight.
* Torii Hunter: Nice defensive play in the 2nd after a fly ball out by John Olerud. Jorge Posada tagged from third, and Hunter’s on-target throw nails him at home, and that would end the inning. Also robbed A-Rod of a home run - pretty routine for Torii!
* Twins defense: 5 double plays in the game, bailed them out of what could have been big game situations. Defense won the game for the Twins tonight.
* Johan Santana: Not a gem, but a good outing. 7 innings, 9 hits, only striking out 5. The defense really complemented Johan tonight. He did not have a 1-2-3 inning all night.
* Juan Rincon & Joe Nathan: Pitched the final 2 innings without a blemish. These are the two best guys we’ve had in our bullpen all season long, and they showed why they are tonight.
* Mike Mussina: Pitched good enough to win, mixing his pitches well.
* Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui: Each had 2 hits.
* Gary Sheffield: Worked 2 walks in the game, doing his part to get on base.
FLOPS TO:
* Yankees offense: They had
plenty of opportunities,
banging out 9 hits, but just
couldn’t come through when
it mattered. Double plays
really killed their
opportunities of scoring.