Recap: Oakland vs. Minnesota
Sports Network | August 31, 2008
Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Justin Morneau hit a three-run home run and drove in four as Minnesota blasted Oakland, 12-4, in the final contest of a four-game set. Alexi Casilla collected two hits including a two-run blast and drove in three runs for the Twins, who earned a split in the series. Brian Buscher, Mike Redmond and Denard Span also knocked in a run each for Minnesota, which stayed within a half-game of first-place Chicago in the AL Central. The White Sox had topped the Red Sox earlier Sunday. Scott Baker (8-4) picked up his first win since July 26, turning in a solid start by scattering six hits and one run over six innings. Aaron Cunningham picked up his first major-league hit and drove in two runs for the Athletics, who have dropped two of three. Oakland starter Greg Smith (6-14) took the loss after allowing seven hits and eight runs over five-plus innings. A five-run sixth inning effectively wrapped up the game for the visitors. Nick Punto singled and moved up on a Smith balk. Joe Mauer walked and Morneau cleared the bases on a three-run homer for a 6-1 game. Jason Kubel followed with a double and Carlos Gomez pinch ran for him. Delmon Young walked and Gomez stole third, and Keith Foulke came in for Smith. Redmond greeted him with a double to score Gomez, then Buscher walked to load the bases. Casilla struck out and Span's sacrifice fly brought in Young to make it 8-1. Daric Barton's fielding error on Morneau's grounder plated two more runs in the eighth before the A's struck back with three in the home half on a bases loaded walk to Barton and a two-run single from Cunningham. The Twins tacked on two more runs in the ninth on a Buscher RBI single and a Casilla sacrifice fly. Boof Bonser finished the contest with 1 1/3 scoreless relief innings. Minnesota picked up a run in the first as Punto doubled with one out and scored two batters later on a Morneau base hit. The Twins upped their lead to 3-0 in the following frame. Buscher singled with two outs and Casilla launched a two-run homer to left. Oakland got on the board in the fourth when Barton stroked a one-out single and Hannahan scored him with a double. Game Notes Baker had five no-decisions and a loss since his last victory...The clubs split their season series, 5-5...Morneau went 7-for-16 in the series with a homer and four RBI...Smith's 14 losses are the most for an A's starter since Tom Candiotti lost 16 games in 1998...Minnesota heads to Toronto for a three- game set on Tuesday which ends a 14-game road swing, while Oakland begins a nine-game road trip Tuesday in Kansas City. Game Notes Baker had five no-decisions and a loss since his last victory...The clubs split their season series, 5-5...Morneau went 7-for-16 in the series with a homer and four RBI...Smith's 14 losses are the most for an A's starter since Tom Candiotti lost 16 games in 1998...Minnesota heads to Toronto for a three- game set on Tuesday which ends a 14-game road swing, while Oakland begins a nine-game road trip Tuesday in Kansas City.
