Hurling Hurry

Minnesota right-hander, Carl Pavano, tossed his fourth complete game and earned his sixth consecutive decision after the Twins edged the Whitesox 3-2 at Target Field Saturday. Pavano outdueled Chicago lefty, Mark Buehrle, to improve his record to 11-6 and stifle the central division rival Whitesox. Buehrle’s only blemish was a three-run second inning where the Twins grabbed the lead for good. Two of the game’s fastest workers, Pavano outpitched Buehrle to help Minnesota pull within two and a half games of division-leading Chicago. It was the shortest Twins game since 2007. Pavano struck out six, gave up seven hits and did not issue a walk through the complete outing.
Chicago got on board in the top of the first on Paul Konerko’s single to right. Konerko remained a nemesis for the Minnesota hurler, launching his 21st homerun of the year in the fourth to put the Sox within one run of tying the game. Konerko now has 66 RBIs on the season. Pavano got into a rhythm, however, buckling down and throttling the south side sluggers. Delmon Young, Jason Kubel and Danny Valencia provided all the offense the Twins would need to back their starter. The heart of Chicago’s order came through with the bats in the second frame. Young, who leads the Twins in RBIs, singled in the first Minnesota tally and Kubel followed with a RBI triple. Valencia nearly missed a homerun off Buehrle, settling instead for a run-scoring double to give his team a 3-1 lead. The Twins were distinguished on defense too. Chicago speedster, Juan Pierre, was thrown out by rookie backstop, Drew Butera, stealing second base with two outs in the eighth.
The Whitesox threatened in the top of the ninth but Pavano escaped the jam. Omar Vizquel led off the inning with a double, representing the tying run for the visiting team. Pavano retired the next three batters and finished with 104 pitches thrown. The Sox look to get back to their pre-break surge again in game two tonight at Target Field. Nick Blackburn opposes Chicago’s Freddy Garcia.

Parting Points: Brad Miller to the Rockets?

Nice going, A.J. Burnett.