Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Monday, July 21, 2008
Teagarden’s first homer beats Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Taylor Teagarden broke up Scott Baker’s perfect-game bid with a sixth-inning home run for his first career hit, and Vicente Padilla pitched the Texas Rangers past the Minnesota Twins 1-0 on Sunday.
The Rangers denied the Twins their fourth series sweep over the past month, handing them just their eighth defeat in the last 31 games. Baker (6-3) took a hard-luck loss, his first in six starts.
Padilla (11-5), activated from the disabled list before the game, gave up three hits in seven innings. He threw just 80 pitches, and though Rangers manager Ron Washington said before the game that Padilla wasn’t on a pitch count, he was relieved by Eddie Guardado to start the eighth.
C.J. Wilson pitched the ninth for his 23rd save, and 15th straight.
Joe Mauer walked with two outs in the ninth and advanced to third on a wild pitch that Teagarden had trouble finding, but Justin Morneau grounded out to end the game.
Baker retired the first 17 Rangers who came to bat and by the time Teagarden stepped to the plate in the sixth, the crowd of 36,029 had begun to catch on. Baker received ovations before all three of his two-out, two-strike pitches to the rookie.
But with the count full, Teagarden, in just his second major league game, stroked a fastball that kept carrying and barely cleared the center-field wall and Carlos Gomez’s glove.
Teagarden might have to wait a while for his next big league hit. The Rangers need to make some pitching staff moves — including activating Eric Hurley, who is expected to start Monday — and with starting catcher Jared Saltalamacchia expected to return from illness soon, Teagarden will likely be sent back down.
Baker took a perfect game into the ninth inning last August against Kansas City, but gave up a walk and a hit before finishing the shutout. He finished Sunday with eight strikeouts, one short of a career high. Baker completed a season-high eight innings, giving up two hits and a walk.
Notes:@ After a busy All-Star break, Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton was given the day off. Washington said it was decided on Thursday that Hamilton would sit for Sunday’s matinee. ... Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has decided for now to keep Gomez in the leadoff spot, mostly to preserve his confidence. Gomez was in a 3-for-44 slump until hitting two doubles Saturday. “The second half, (I’ll) be better,” Gomez said. “Just more experienced.” ... The Rangers’ four All-Stars — Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young and Milton Bradley — finished the series 5-for-40. ... Twins IF Nick Punto was available for defense after experiencing improvement in his sprained knuckle. He should be available to avoid the DL and begin swinging within days. RF Michael Cuddyer, however, has made little progress with a similar injury and is still out indefinitely.
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