A Return Visit to Safeco

[catman]

The Twins face off against the Mariners at Safeco. Hopefully they will do better this time.
Here are the pitching matchups:
Tonight, Scott Baker v. Jason Vargas.
Tomorrow, Nick Blackburn v. Luke French.
Sunday, Carl Pavano v. Doug Fister.
The Twins should win at least 2 out of 3 in this series.

[henks]

No Cliff Lee, no Felix....yep, 2 of 3 fo sho.

[catman]

The Twins played pretty well last night, winning the game 6-3. The most important contributions to the win came from Danny Valencia (2-run triple) and Matt Guerrier (working out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the 8th without allowing a run).
Scott Baker pitched a very good game and got the win. Randy Flores pitched out of a small jam in the 7th, and created the mess in the 8th. Joe Mauer was 3/5 with a double and 2 RBI.

[catman]

It appears that Blacky's stint in the minors got him back on track. He threw 8.2 innings today, allowing no runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. Brian Fuentes' Twins' debut was a very successful one, with him striking Russell Branyan out to pick up the save, his 24th.
Doug Fister started for the Mariners, and lost the game.

[henks]

Excellent performance today by Blackburn, he really needed that. Hopefully he got whatever it was figured out and can be up with the team to stay.

[catman]

If Blacky is back to form, the team will be fine. It is possible that the team will use a 6-man rotation down the stretch with Blacky pitching an inning in relief on his "bullpen" day.