Cuddyer’s slam helps Twins beat Angels 11-4
Published 8:42 am Thursday, August 4, 2011
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Minnesota Twins had their the best game of the season from a power standpoint, and it wasn’t easy against a pitching staff that had given up fewer home runs than any team in the American League going in.
Delmon Young drove in three runs with a pair of homers off sinkerballer Joel Pineiro, Michael Cuddyer hit a tiebreaking grand slam and a solo shot, and Jason Kubel also went deep to lead the Minnesota Twins to an 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night.
“You know he’s a sinkerballer, and what sinkerballers do is try to throw the ball down in the zone and get you to roll over the ball,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “And if you chase and fall into the trap, that’s his goal. But I thought we laid off some pitches early. He used his breaking ball, but we had some good at-bats overall and put the ball in play. And when he made some mistakes, we put them in the seats.”
Anthony Swarzak (3-3) was credited with the victory, allowing one hit in five scoreless innings after taking over for ineffective starter Scott Baker. The right-hander recorded his sixth career victory and first in relief.