Bonser Beats Baltimore

Boof Bonser pitched an excellent game last night, that ended his personal 12 game without a win streak come to an end, in a 5-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Boof Bonser pitched and very good seven innings, allowing one run, on three hits, recording two strike outs, and walking three. Bonser has found himself pitching his last twelve outings without recording a win. Boof had 4 games without a decision, and eight losses in that time. Bonser's personal three-game losing streak came to an end as well. This was a big win for Boof, who now has that heavy weight lifted off his shoulders, of not winning a game since June 10, when he beat the Washington Nationals 6-3 at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The win was also a big one the Minnesota Twins offense as well. This is a team that found ways to win games last year in the later inning, en route to their fourth division title in five years. This is the same offense, (minus Luis Castillo) that came back from twelve and one-half games back in June. This year the Twins have been unable to consistently win games, and the late come backs have been pretty much non-existent. That was not the case last night though. In the top of the eighth inning, Nick Punto lead off with a perfectly placed bunt. An Alexi Casilla ground out to pitcher Steve Trachsel, advanced Nick Punto to second. A walk was issued to Jason Bartlett, and a wild pitch advanced Punto to third in the Bartlett at bat. A sacrifice from Joe Mauer scored Punto. Baltimore pitcher Jimmy Walker then walked Torii Hunter intentionally, and issued a walk to Justin Morneau to load the bases with two out. Michael Cuddyer reached on a fielder's choice scoring Bartlett, then a well hit two-run double by Jason Kubel scored Hunter and Morneau, putting the Twins in the lead for good 4-1. Minnesota's other run came in the ninth inning, when Nick Punto hit a lead off double, then Alexi Casilla bunted to second base advancing Punto to third. Jason Bartlett hit a sharp triple to center fielder Corey Patterson, that easily scored Punto, giving the Twins their 5-1 lead. The only other Oriole run came in the bottom of the ninth, when Miguel Tejada, hit a two out home run off Twins reliever Matt Guerrier. Guerrier would then close the door for good, forcing Kevin Millar to ground out to short stop Jason Bartlett, sealing the Twins victory, and giving Boof Bonser his sixth win on the season. Matt Guerrier earned his first save of the season, the second save of his career. The win put the Twins 6.5 games behind Cleveland in the Central Division race. The Twins and Orioles will play game two tonight in Camden Yards. Johan Santana will get the start for the Twins, and Jeremy Guthrie for the Orioles. Game time is set for 6:10pm Central Time. GO TWINS!!!!