The Minnesota Twins are currently in a tight battle with the Chicago White Sox for first place in the central division. So when they faced off at Target Field a few weeks ago for a four game series, it was an important match up for both teams. Sunday, July 18th was the final game of the series with the Twins winners of two out of the first three in the series. Even though the Twins took an early 3-1 lead in the game, Nick Blackburn struggled through 6 innings and ultimately gave up 5 earned runs leaving the Twins trailing. After Brian Duensing pitched 4 strong innings, the Twins were down 6-3 in the bottom of the 9th and the White Sox closer, Bobby Jenks, took the mound.
Jenks struggled to find the strike zone and walked the first two batters he faced. Next, Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer each singled making it a 6-5 game. Bobby Jenks was replaced by Sergio Santos to face Jim Thome, but Santos also struggled to throw strikes. Followed by a Jim Thome walk to load the bases and still nobody out, Delmon Young came to bat with Michael Cuddyer representing the winning run on second base. On a 1-0 pitch, Young dropped a base hit into right-center field that scored the tying run. However, an errant throw from the outfield allowed Cuddyer to advance from third base giving the Twins their first ever come-from-behind, walk-off win at Target Field!
I sat out in center field for the first time above the batter’s eye, which will explain the different perspective in the pictures for this game. As a result of sitting that far away, the pictures aren’t nearly as sharp as I would have liked, but considering that fact I think they still turned out rather well. It was nice to have my camera at one of the most exciting victories so far at Target Field. It was even against a division rival no less! So please enjoy the pictures from what turned out to be an exciting game.
*Take note of Nick Blackburn’s fresh new look. Many of the Twins players are now sporting new facial hair because of Carl Pavano’s recent success since he started growing a mustache.
Link:
Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox, July 18th, 2010