Twins Vs. Angels: Minnesota Overcomes 6-Run Hole, Wins 2nd Straight Game

The Minnesota Twins dug themselves a six-run hole, but they rallied for 10 runs and won their second consecutive game, 10-9, over the Los Angeles Angels Friday afternoon at Target Field in Minneapolis.

Francisco Liriano struggled once again in his second start, allowing six runs--five earned--seven hits and three walks in five innings. The Twins trailed 6-0 when Liriano left the game, before tying the game with three runs in the fifth inning and three runs in the seventh inning. Minnesota added four runs off Rich Thompson in the eighth inning before a shaky Matt Crapps gave up two runs, but secured the save.

Denard Span (.348) continued to hit well, adding four hits and a walk in six plate appearances, while Joe Mauer had three hits--including a two-run homer in the eighth--and three RBI.

The Twins will host the Texas Rangers on Friday night for the first of a three-game series.

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Twins Vs. Angels: Minnesota Goes For Two Straight

After starting the season 0-4, the Minnesota Twins can notch their first winning streak of the season Thursday afternoon against the Los Angeles Angels.

On Wednesday the Twins, 1-4, held Albert Pujols in check (he went 1 of 4) and, maybe more impressively, touched up Angels starter Jered Weaver. Last season Weaver had a 2.41 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP, and he started this season with an eight-inning, 10-strikeout masterpiece against the Kansas City Royals.

Even so, the Twins nailed him for five earned runs in six innings en route to a 6-5 win. The six runs equalled the Twins' run total from the first four games combined.

With Francisco Liriano on the hill Thursday, the Twins would do well to repeat that offensive performance. Liriano was absolutely lit up in his first and only start this season against Baltimore. He gave up five earned runs in just four innings of work.

The Angels, 2-3, will start Dan Haren, who was also shelled in his season debut. He gave up five runs in 5.1 innings.

Thursday's game starts at 12:10 CT. The forecast calls for 54 and sunny for the opening pitch.

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ANIMATED: Torii Hunter Ran Into The Wall

Twins Vs. Angels Final: Minnesota Gets 1st Win Of Season Over Albert Pujols, Angels

It took five attempts, but the Minnesota Twins are finally playing winning baseball in 2012 after edging the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 on Wednesday in a back-and-forth game.

The Twins bested AL Cy Young contender Jered Weaver, knocking the resident strikeout machine around for seven hits and five earned runs in just six innings. Weaver needed 110 pitches to finish the sixth, and struck out seven batters on the night.

Picking up the win for Minnesota was reliever Jeff Gray, who threw exactly one pitch to spell starter Carl Pavano in the seventh before Matt Capps came in and picked up the save. The 30-year-old Gray is the first, and unlikeliest, member of Minnesota's staff to be the first one to record a victory on the season.

Twins outfielder Josh Willingham continued his torrid pace from the plate, knocking his third home run of the season out of the yard against Weaver in the fourth inning to put Minnesota ahead 3-1. The Twins quickly lost the lead after a Peter Bourjos inside-the-park home run put Los Angeles ahead 5-3, but a second three-run inning from Minnesota snatched the lead right back.

The two teams will suit up on Thursday for the deciding game of the series. Opening Day starter Francisco Liriano is expected to get the ball for the Twins, facing off against LA's Dan Haren.

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Twins Vs. Angels Preview: Minnesota's Struggling Offense To Face Jered Weaver In Game 2

The Minnesota Twins are still searching for their first win of the season as they gear up for game two against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. Unfortunately, they're not in the best position to pick up said win, given who they're up against. Jered Weaver will be making his second stat of the season for the Angels, and he's the best they've got.

His first and only other outing thus far this season was an eight-inning affair in which he gave up four hits, no runs and struck out ten batters. He didn't walk a single batter through those eight innings, and the Angels ace will be looking to build on that performance by shutting down the Twins on Wednesday.

Shutting down the Twins hasn't been too difficult thus far, as they've only produced six runs in their first four outings, while giving up 20 runs to their opponents, including an 8-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday and their most recent outing, a 5-1 loss to the Angels on Monday. C.J. Wilson picked up that win with seven innings pitched and only three hits and an earned run - a homerun from Josh Willingham in the fourth inning.

Starter Nick Blackburn was given the loss through six innings of work, in which he picked a bad time to give up two walks, allowing five earned runs off of five hits, with a 7.50 ERA. Minnesota will send out Carl Pavano to counter Weaver, but his first outing was less-than inspiring. He gave up four runs off of five hits in the fist game of the season on April 6 and was given the loss to the Orioles.

Minnesota is trying to avoid an 0-5 start, but if they can't do so, it'll be the first five-game losing streak to start a season in franchise history. The team last opened up with four losses back in 1981, and did so one other time in franchise history back in 1969. The game is set for 8:10 p.m. eastern.

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Twins Vs. Angels: Minnesota Falls 5-1 In Home Opener

Josh Willingham bashed his second home run of the season, but the Minnesota Twins (0-4) remain winless after dropping their home opener to the Los Angeles Angels, 5-1.

In his debut with the Angles, C.J. Wilson earned the win, pitching seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits. Minnesota Nick Blackburn took the loss, surrendering five runs on five hits over six innings.

Joe Mauer and Denard Span had the only other hits for the Twins. Torii Hunter led the Angels with two hits, while Albert Pujols (0-4) was hitless once again.

The two teams have a day off on Tuesday before squaring off for the second game of a three game series Wednesday night at 8 p.m. EST. Los Angeles' Jered Weaver will take the hill against Carl Pavano of the Twins.

For more on the Minnesota Twins, check out Twinkie Town. For more on the Los Angeles Angels, head over to Halos Heaven.

Twins Vs. Angels: Minnesota Faces C.J. Wilson In His Debut For Los Angeles

The Minnesota Twins will have their home opener on Monday, facing the Los Angeles Angels and their new acquisition C.J. Wilson.