MINNEAPOLIS - Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau each went deep
and drove in eight runs between them, as the Minnesota Twins heaped
four home runs on their usual small-ball approach to beat the Texas
Rangers 14-2 on Saturday night.
Lost in the shuffle of a 16-hit barrage by the home team was
another win for Livan Hernandez (10-6), who was flawless for seven
innings and matched his season low of five hits allowed. Minnesota
is 14-7 when he starts, despite an ERA he reduced to 5.29.
Delmon Young hit a solo shot, too, to start a six-run sixth
inning that ruined Rangers starter Matt Harrison's
already-deteriorating night. Right after Mauer's two-run double
against reliever Dustin Nippert, Morneau - the reigning All-Star
Home Run Derby champ - crushed a 1-1 pitch into the seat stacks
above right field for his 15th homer and a 12-2 advantage for the
surging Twins.