The Minnesota Twins looked like they were going to even their ALDS 1-1 against the Yankees, as they took a 3-1 lead going into the bottom of the ninth.  Although the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez has been struggling mightily in recent years, he was able to save the Yankees night as he hit a 2-run game-tying homer in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into extra innings.  Mark Texiera topped that with a walk-off line drive homerun in the bottom of the 11th to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead in their ALDS.

The Twins got majorly screwed on an 11th inning call by the left-field umpire, as Joe Mauer hit a slicing liner down the left field line that landed fair by about a foot and the ump called it foul.  The ball bounced up in the stands and Mauer should have been awarded a ground-rule double, but it was called foul.  Mauer was able to hit a single a few pitches later, and ended up being forced out at home.  Had Mauer been awarded second like he should have, he would have scored and the Twins would have had the lead and men in scoring position.

The ump wasn’t the only one who hurt the Twins, as they hurt themselves big-time in the 4th inning.  Carlos Gomez overran 2nd base and was tagged out right before Delmon Young was able to cross home-plate, costing the Twins a run.  The game was very close so it ended up being a big and costly mistake for the Twins.  The Twins should have won this game and it looks like this loss may have cost them this series.  The Twins are at home for game three, but the Yankees have all of the momentum and their big hitters are hot right now, so things are not looking good for the Twins.

23-year old righty swinging outfielder Delmon Young was the key player the Twins got back in a trade a couple of winters ago with the Rays that sent shortstop Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza to them. Young has not lived up to his potential with the Twins but he’s still young enough to turn things around. Young has played in 82 games for the Twins this season and he is 77 for 292 (.264 avg, .672 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 8 homers, 42 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Young swings at everything which often negates the power he could have if he were more selective at the plate. Young has now played in 234 games with the Twins the last couple of years and he is 244 for 867 (.281 avg, .718 OPS) with 116 runs scored, 18 homers, 111 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. The Twins need Young to step up or that trade they made with the Rays will be viewed as a train wreck.

Delmon Young was in essence brought in to replace Torii Hunter’s offense but it hasn’t worked out too well yet. Young has played in 31 games for the Twins so far this season and he is 30 for 117 (.256 avg, .577 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 9 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. The Twins likely won’t pull Young from the lineup unless he’s still playing poorly at the All Star Break. It seems that he hasn’t adjusted to pitchers well this season as they know that he likes to swing at everything.

The Twins were fools to think that Nick Punto would cut it as a starting third baseman in the major leagues.  He has flat out sucked this whole season but he’s been really, really awful in the 2nd half.  Punto has played in 48 games since the All-Star Break and he is only 26 for 148 (.176 avg, .456 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 0 homers, 7 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.  For the season, Punto has now played in 136 games and he is hitting .199 (.541 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 1 homer, 22 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.  The Twins should get rid of this stiff in the off-season.

The Twins are getting lousy production from their thirdbasemen and that will need to change if they are going to contend for a playoff spot this season.  Nick Punto has really stunk it up so far this season.  He is only hitting .211 with 33 runs scored, 1 homer, 15 RBIs and 13 stolen bases so far this season.  That just will not get it done for a starting 3B in the major leagues.  Luis Rodriguez also has been nothing to write home about as he is only hitting .181 with 11 runs scored, 2 homers and 7 RBIs.  The Twins could play Jeff Cirillo some more at 3B but he’s a little old to handle too much playing time.  Cirillo is hitting .273 with 14 runs scored, 2 homers and 19 RBIs so far this season.  Rumors persist that the Twins would like to trade for Ty Wigginton of the D-Rays but they have to decide if they want to part with the young pitching that Tampa would demand back for him.