Solid Win

It was an interesting, if meaningless, win for the Twins tonight as they downed the Detroit Tigers 9-3 to win the series and allow for a possible sweep. Luis Rivas had an oddly productive game, collecting three hits including a three run home run and a double. Mike Redmond went 2/2 and is now hitting .311, meaning the two Twins catchers have been pretty much the best hitters on the team this year, which is just said. Mashin' Matthew ripped another homer, his 15th, and Jason Bartlett hit his third dinger.

Brad Radke pitched fairly well, picking up his 9th win while allowing three runs over 7 innings - and only needing 73 pitches. He gave way to Jesse Crain, who pitched a scoreless 8th, and Travis Bowyer, who did the same in the 9th while striking out two and reaching 98 MPH on the radar gun. Bowyer has looked very good, and with him and Grant Balfour joining Crain, Joe Nathan, and Juan Rincon in the bullpen next year, the Twins are going to be very deep. Deep enough to trade on of those guys for hitting help, I'd say.

Tomorrow, the Twins will get another important look at a big part of their future, as Francisco Liriano will get his first Major League start against the Tigers' Sean Douglass. It should be interesting to see how the kid fares.