It should be noted that between the two, they have pitched 23 innings this season without giving up an earned run. Add in Romero's 1.42 ERA and Rincon's 2.25 ERA, and you've got a bullpen that has been rock solid this season for the Twins. That's a major reason why they are tied for the 4th best record in the MLB so far this season.
With Tampa out of the way now, the Twins carry their 4-game win streak into Baltimore, where they will face off against the AL East leading Orioles Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Carlos Silva pitches Monday vs. righty Daniel Cabrera, who enters the game 1-2 with a 5.79 ERA. Tuesday pits Brad Radke vs lefty Erik Bedard (3-1, 2.50). And Wednesday's 2:05 finalle is slated to match Johan Santana up against righty Sidney Ponson (4-1, 5.50). Baltimore is tied with Boston for the second most runs scored in the majors (167), behind only Texas (172). With sluggers like Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts, Melvin Mora, Sammy Sosa, Javy Lopez and Rafael Palmeiro in the lineup, they will be a difficult challenge for Twins pitchers.
Meanwhile the Chicago Whitesox didn't give up any ground in the AL Central, maintaining their 4 1/2 game lead by sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays, pushing Chicago's winning streak to 8 games. Chicago now goes into Tampa Bay. Minnesota fans have to hope that the D-Rays can do us a favor after we knocked them around over the weekend. With Minnesota facing a division leader and Chicago facing a division doormat, the Sox lead could grow by the time Minnesota gets home next weekend to play the Rangers. That's also when they get Juan Rincon back. Let's just hope they're still close by then!
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Can't Make Up Ground on Sox
The Minnesota Twins went into Tampa Bay over the weekend and walked all over a team that has given them serious problems in recent years. After a tension-filled series against Cleveland, Minnesota was looking to put together a steak of wins, and Tampa was the perfect victim. Minnesota controlled the series from beginning to end. Take away the 5-run 7th inning against Joe Mays Sunday when he ran out of gas (he's still building up his arm strength after missing all of last season due to Tommy John surgery), and the Twins allowed just 3 runs in the three game series, while scoring 24. Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer has a huge series. Morneau homered in the first two games and only needed a homer in Sunday's game to complete a cycle, but he could not manage one in his final two at-bats, ending his streak (4-straight games with a homer) and his shot at the cycle. Joe Mauer homered late in Sunday's game to give the Twins a 3-run cushion before Jesse Crain and Joe Nathan came in and closed the door in the Devil Rays.
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