Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com
Published - Saturday, June 28, 2008
Mauer’s homer pushes Twins’ win streak to 10
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Joe Mauer hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning to lift the Minnesota Twins over the Milwaukee Brewers 7-6 Friday night for their 10th straight win, all against NL teams.
Mauer sent an 0-2 pitch from reliever Guillermo Mota (2-4) over the center-field wall and sprinted around the bases to a standing ovation. Brian Buscher had the tying hit off reliever Brian Shouse in the seventh inning.
The Twins swept the Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres prior to facing the Brewers. Minnesota is 13-3 overall against the NL this season.
Matt Guerier (4-2) pitched the eighth for the win. Joe Nathan pitched the ninth for his 22nd save in 24 chances.
Corey Hart hit two home runs for the Brewers. It was the fifth multihomer game of his career.
Hart and Russell Branyan hit back-to-back shots in the second to give Milwaukee a 2-1 lead. And pair of two-run homers from J.J. Hardy and Hart chased Twins starter Nick Blackburn and gave the Brewers a 6-3 advantage in the fifth.
Justin Morneau’s sacrifice fly and Delmon Young’s single made it 6-5 in the fifth. Earlier, Alexi Casilla and Jason Kubel each homered for the Twins.
Buscher’s blooper in the seventh dropped in front of Ryan Braun and scored Jason Kubel. Braun had thrown out Michael Cuddyer at the plate one batter earlier.
Milwaukee starter Seth McClung gave up five runs in 4 2-3 innings.
The Brewers are a majors league-best 24-12 since May 20 and have hit 50 home runs in their last 26 games.
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