Joe Mauer Shines as the Minnesota Twins Snap the Streak Against the Rays

On the brink of losing their fifth straight game, the Minnesota Twins finally pulled out a road win over the AL East leading Tampa Bay Rays by the score of 11 to 8.

In the top of the ninth Alexi Casilla hit a two run home run to tie the game at eight apiece. With runners on first and second pinch hitter Adam Everett was told to lay down a sacrifice bunt to advance Mauer to third. Instead, on a 3-1 count, Everett blasted a double to left field to score Mauer. Morneau advanced to third.

On the next at bat Delmon Young singled to right. On the play Justin Morneau scored from third base. Adam Everett is now at third. Matt Tolbert flew out to left. The ball was deep enough so that Everett could score. 11 to 8 was now the score. Delmon Young was caught stealing at second base and there were two outs in the inning. Seconds later Nick Punto flew out to foul ground for the final out.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Twins brought in Joe Nathan for the save. Willy Aybar struck out looking. One away. Carlos Pena grounded out to Nick Punto. Two outs. And on the final at bat of the game Evan Longoria, who had homered twice already, grounded out to Nathan. Game over.

Minnesota is now only one and a half games back in the Central Division. Chicago was defeated 9 to 2 by the New York Yankees earlier in the day.

The only question on my mind is.. Do the Twins have enough to take the lead and win the Central? It doesn't look easy. Minnesota still has three more on the road against Tampa Bay. After that series they come home to face the division leading White Sox in a crucial series. Minnesota closes out the regular season at home against the Royals.

In the last nine games, I see the Twins winning one more against Tampa and winning two out of three from the Sox and sweeping the Royals. That is a record of six wins three losses in the final nine. Hopefully this will allow the Twins to win the Central Division.