Mauer, Kubel homer for Twins in 4-1 win over Sox

[September 01, 2009]  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Home runs by Joe Mauer and Jason Kubel in the third inning lifted Nick Blackburn and the Minnesota Twins to yet another Metrodome victory over the collapsing Chicago White Sox, 4-1 on Monday night.

The Twins crept within 3 1/2 games of first-place Detroit in the AL Central, leaving the White Sox six games back. Minnesota has won 15 of 17 against Chicago in its soon-to-be-vacated domed home.

The White Sox have lost eight of nine overall. They were so bad last week that manager Ozzie Guillen joked he was stealing money from owner Jerry Reinsdorf, and they finished August at 11-17.

Blackburn (9-9) matched his career high with seven strikeouts in seven strong innings, a big boost for his confidence and the team's struggling staff. Joe Nathan pitched a perfect ninth for his 35th save.

After giving up consecutive singles to start the first, Gavin Floyd struck out Mauer and finished unscathed, and shortstop Alexei Ramirez made two sharp, off-balance throws for outs from deep in the hole after snagging grounders in the second and fourth.

The Twins built their lead, though, with the defense-proof offense: the long ball. Mauer crushed the first pitch of his at-bat in the third into the upper deck for his 26th homer, and after Justin Morneau smacked a single, Kubel took Floyd's fastball into the football seats behind center field for a 3-0 lead.

That was all Blackburn needed. With the rotation decimated by injuries and a lack of minor league depth, the Twins are desperate for Blackburn to help stabilize the staff the way he did in the first half.

As the deadline to finalize postseason rosters arrived without any further action by the front office, the Twins are taking a rotation with two rookies into the September stretch drive after recently acquiring Carl Pavano to support their best starter, Scott Baker.

The third inning was a good sign Blackburn had his swagger back. With speedy Scott Podsednik at second base, the right-hander battled through a pesky at-bat by A.J. Pierzynski and struck out the scrappy catcher with a low fastball the stadium radar flashed at 93 mph.

Pierzynski's sacrifice fly in the sixth was the only run Blackburn gave up. He allowed six hits without a walk.

Floyd (10-9) has received two runs or less from the White Sox in 12 of his 27 starts, putting him in the bottom 10 in the league for support. He finished six innings and struck out four without a walk.

NOTES: Mauer stole his fourth base in the eighth. He wound up catching Pierzynski's throw in his hand after it glanced off second baseman Jayson Nix's glove and rolled down Mauer's arm. Michael Cuddyer drove in Mauer with a single. ... The White Sox were waiting for word on tests on Jake Peavy's elbow, which stiffened during his rehab start Saturday. Acquired at the non-waiver July 31 trade deadline, Peavy has not yet pitched for Chicago. ... The Twins activated LHP Glen Perkins from the disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A. They're not yet counting on help from him or LHP Francisco Liriano, on the DL with arm fatigue. RHP Boof Bonser, out all season following shoulder surgery, could be back later in September but doctors are still holding him back.

[Associated Press; By DAVE CAMPBELL]

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