Twins-Blue Jays: Twins Finally Snap Funk

Pinpointing the Twins best starter is a difficult task. Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, and Francisco Liriano would all have a claim on the title based on how they'd been playing recently.

But would you believe Glen Perkins?

Even though Perkins is still 0-1 on the season, he has been by far the Twins' best starter. Tuesday, the Twins fifth starter pitched extremely well, going eight innings and giving up just two runs on seven hits.

His great start allowed the Twins to stay in the game as the offense tried to find its groove.

The Twins, somewhat uncharacteristically, scored all their runs on plays involving extra base hits. Joe Crede doubled twice, including the game winning hit in the bottom of the 11th, and Justin Morneau added his own double to provide most of the offense the Twins got. Both players had an RBI and a run scored.

The Twins did load the bases once, in the sixth inning, by playing small ball: three singles and a stolen base. However, they were unable to push a run across and their lead stayed at just one.

Perkins was pulled after he gave up the tying run in the top of the eighth, but unlike last night, the Twins bullpen was air tight.

Joe Nathan and Jesse Crain threw three perfect innings as the Twins waited to break through against the Blue Jays formidable 'pen. With two out in the 11th, Joe Crede finally ended the Twins curse.

Not only did Crede's double end the Twins three-game slide, it ended their 10-game losing streak against the Jays, extending back to June of 2007.

Tomorrow, Scott Baker makes his season debut after getting injured late in spring training. Before the game, the Twins will have to make a roster move, likely meaning the end of the line of Brian Duensing.

Duensing has options remaining, so he'll join Rochester and wait for an injury to rejoin the team. However, Jose Mijares has allowed just one base runner in his three appearances so far, so Duensing may have competition for the call-up.

Baker squares off against Scott Richmond, who went 1-3 in five starts for the Jays last year, hoping to get the Twins back to .500.