Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Morneau's Homer Leads Twins Past Indians

Blackburn throws 7 2/3 scoreless innings for his first Major League win

By Mitch Pritchard,  Newser User

Posted Apr 19, 2008 7:31 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer for the power-poor Minnesota Twins, and Nick Blackburn made it stand up with 7 2/3 scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians today. Blackburn (1-1) earned his first major league win with veteran poise by using the defense behind him to escape a couple of jams. Joe Nathan posted his sixth save in as many attempts with a perfect ninth.

Blackburn gave up eight hits without a walk and hit one batter. He ended four innings by inducing double-play grounders, including two by David Dellucci. A perfect throw by left fielder Delmon Young helped preserve the shutout. Casey Blake singled in the third, but Asdrubal Cabrera was out at the plate trying to score from second when the ball one-hopped to catcher Joe Mauer's glove.

Cleveland Indians' Franklin Gutierrez, bottom, tries unsuccessfully to break up a double play as Minnesota Twins shortstop Nick Punto completes the relay to retire Asdrubal Cabrera today.
Cleveland Indians' Franklin Gutierrez, bottom, tries unsuccessfully to break up a double play as Minnesota Twins shortstop Nick Punto completes the relay to retire Asdrubal Cabrera today.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Twins' Justin Morneau watches his first inning two-run homer off Cleveland Indians' Jake Westbrook as he led the Twins to a 3-0 shutout today.
Minnesota Twins' Justin Morneau watches his first inning two-run homer off Cleveland Indians' Jake Westbrook as he led the Twins to a 3-0 shutout today.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Twins pitcher Nick Blackburn follows through on an eighth inning pitch against the Cleveland Indians today.
Minnesota Twins pitcher Nick Blackburn follows through on an eighth inning pitch against the Cleveland Indians today.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Twins closing pitcher Joe Nathan high fives catcher Joe Mauer after the final out against the Cleveland Indians. The Twins shut out the Indians 3-0 for the win.
Minnesota Twins closing pitcher Joe Nathan high fives catcher Joe Mauer after the final out against the Cleveland Indians. The Twins shut out the Indians 3-0 for the win.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Twins shortstop Nick Punto, right, goes flying after tripping over center fielder Carlos Gomez, left, as they both went for the shallow pop fly off Cleveland Indians' Ryan Garko.
Minnesota Twins shortstop Nick Punto, right, goes flying after tripping over center fielder Carlos Gomez, left, as they both went for the shallow pop fly off Cleveland Indians' Ryan Garko.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Major League Baseball scoreboard
MLB.com

 
MLB • Cleveland Indians • Minnesota Twins • Justin Morneau • Casey Blake • baseball • Joe Nathan • Nick Blackburn • David Dellucci • Delmon Young • Asdrubal Cabrera • Joe Mauer

More Newser Stories

Just Reverse the Call, Bud!

Grady Sizemore Wants Nudie Pics Off Web ... Now

Time to Ditch Umps? (Or at Least Some of Them)

Yankees, Angels Wrap Up Series Sweeps

Phillies Strike Deal for Cliff Lee
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne