Twins Get Off the Schneid Against Anaheim

Apr 15, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer hits a double during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY SportsOn a tough night to focus on baseball, the Minnesota Twins snapped a five-game losing streak that spanned eight days, defeating the Los Angeles Angels, 8-2 on another blustery night at Target Field. Kevin Correia (7 IP, 2 ER, 5 K) rebounded from a lead-off home run by Peter Bourjos to pitch seven strong innings of eight-hit ball and earn his first win in a Twins uniform. Joe Mauer (4-for-5) fell a triple short of the cycle but silenced the usual haters by sending an opposite shot to left for his second home run of the season and going 2-for-2 with runners in scoring position. He would finish the night with 3 RBI to lead the team.

In his MLB debut, highly touted prospect, Oswaldo Arcia (1-for-3), singled off Joe Blanton (4.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 H) in his first at bat; much to the delight of the hometown fans that braved the unwelcomed cold. Later in the fifth, Arcia laced a shot to the gap in left-field with runners on second and third and two outs, but Mike Trout (2-for-4) tracked it down as he usually does with a great catch. Trevor Plouffe (2-for-4) also had a strong game with a solo home run (2) and a double. Outside of the first inning, Anaheim was never really much of a factor, and Minnesota iced the game with a three-run eighth inning to drop the under-achieving Angels (4-9) even further in the AL West standings.

With the win, the Twins (5-7) moved within two games of the Royals and Tigers who are tied atop the division at 7-5. These two teams will meet again tomorrow night at 7:10 CST, when Mike Pelfrey (1-1) takes on the left-handed Jason Vargas (0-1), and will look to rebound from his rough outing last week on the road in Kansas City.