Twins Territory - Game 20: Twins 5, Oakland 4

With the help of the pitching staff and more importantly Craig Monroe, the Twins got off on the right foot in the first game of their six-game road-trip, beating the A's 5-4. Livan Hernandez took the mound, and while he didn't receive a decision, he kept the Twins in the game. The important player in the game however, was Craig Monroe, who is finally starting to hit the ball and went 3-4 to help the Twins to victory.

Livan Hernandez came into the game with a solid ERA and a 3-0 record. He continued to give the Twins solid production, leading them through the sixth inning with the Twins down just a run. Hernandez's final line was six innings, seven hits, four runs and three strikeouts. He left with the Twins down one, but they scored the next inning to take him off the hook. With the outing, Hernandez remains 3-0 with a solid 3.55 ERA.

The bullpen picked up the final three innings, and did a solid job to pick up the team's third straight victory. Juan Rincon was on first, and continued to pitch well, pitching one inning and allowing just a walk. The eighth then went to Pat Neshek with the Twins in front 5-4. Neshek completed his hold with a solid one-two-three inning of work. Joe Nathan was then on for the ninth for his seventh save chance and other than allowing a hit, Nathan dominated. His final line was one inning, one hit and three strikeouts. He is now seven for seven in save opportunities this season.

Offensively, the production from three select players lifted the team to victory. The big story on the night was Craig Monroe, who finished just a triple shy of the cycle. Monroe went 3-4 on the night with a single, double, homerun and three RBI. With the big game, Monroe has skyrocketed to a .300 average on the season and earned himself more time to prove he deserves a chance. Jason Kubel hit the eventual game-winning single in the eight, and Mike Lamb also had a good game, going 3-4 with the team's other RBI.

Box Score

Player of the Game:

Criag Monroe:

Craig Monroe is easily the player of the game. With a 3-4 game in which he provided three of the team's five runs, there is no other choice. Monroe has really started to hit in the past five games, and we're all hoping this is the start of a new beginning for the once prominent player.

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