Twins take momentum into playoffs
10/01/2006 5:04 PM ET
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins sent a message on Sunday to whoever their opponent may be in the playoffs -- watch out, here we come.
The Twins stormed into the playoffs the way they wanted to -- with a ton of momentum -- by capturing a 5-1 win over the White Sox on Sunday afternoon at the Metrodome.

It wasn't the only achievement the club had on the day, as Joe Mauer became the first American League catcher to win the batting title, clinching the award with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate to finish with a season average of .347.

Big performances seemed to be the theme of the day, as Carlos Silva got the chance to show the Twins what he was capable of in a big start. Silva (11-15) gave up just one run over 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits while walking two and striking out three. The lone run that Silva gave up came in the first, after he gave up two singles with no outs and a run scored on a Ross Gload ground out.

After being quieted for the first three innings, the Twins' offense heated up in the fourth against White Sox starter Javier Vazquez. Justin Morneau delivered his 130th RBI of the season with a double to left that knotted the game at 1. Torii Hunter then blasted his 31st home run of the season, a two-run shot to left, that lifted the Twins to a 3-1 lead.

Minnesota added two more runs with two RBI singles, one in the fifth by Michael Cuddyer and another in the sixth by Jason Bartlett.

The Twins' bullpen then did what it has become accustomed to doing all season, holding the Sox scoreless for the rest of the game to capture the Twins' 96th win of the season.


This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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:bunny: :cheers: :clap: :dude: :dance: :bow: :woohoo: :yes: :groupwave: :thumbsup: :woohoo2: :rocker: :worship: :happy2: :winneris: :woot: :urock: :cloud9: :party: :cheerleader:

Soooooo, you are bummed the Twins made the playoffs? :P :rotfl:

Dear Kansas City Royals,

I love you! No matter how much every other baseball fan says, you are a great team. Even though Detroit won 10 out of 11 games against you before this series, you are still a great team. You swept the Tigers when it counted and as a Twins fan, I must say that you are my 3rd favorite team at the moment. Of course, Twins are still first and Red Sox are still second.

Sincerely,
Bri

Dear Detroit Tigers,

Rarely are there times that I am so mad I feel like swearing up a storm. Thanks to your embarrassing display the last couple of games I have resorted to profanities. All season you kept my hopes up, kept me believing that you would be the Central division champs. I obviously under estimated your ability to let me down. I have been waiting Forever for you to get into the playoffs again. Jerks. Good luck against the Yankees. Hopefully you can get more than one run for Nate Robertson. You did get yourself into the playoffs though. I will still cheer for you and support you after inevitably let me down again. It's in my blood.

No love,
A very pissed off, yet foolishly loyal Tigers fan.

Man, I know how bad that must be. I didn't expect this at all and as much as I am glad that the Twins won the AL Central, I feel for the Tigers.

When I heard the Twins won the division I was so happy! I'm originally from Minnesota and love Minnesota sports teams. I'm so happy for the way they didn't give up on the season when lots of people did. Go Twins! By the way, I do feel for Tigers fans too and will root for them against the Yankees(oh, oh, Yankees fans will get after me now, LOL).

I don't like the Yanks either. Partly because I'm a Sox fan too, partly cause I don't like Jeter and A-Rod, and partly for no reason at all.

Thanks for the good thoughts for the Tigers-they'll need it. They all but gave away the division. To be so far ahead then lose it at the end was a shame. The bigger shame in my house is that I'm a Tigers fan and my husband is a Twins fan and he keeps rubbing it in.
Luck to both in the playoffs!

That must suck. Well, hopefully for you and your husband, both teams will win, but then of course, they have to play each other. :(