Game 5

Game Date: April 5, 2008
Twins 6, Royals 4 / Box Score
WP: Hernandez (2-0), LP: Meche (0-1), SV: Nathan (3)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 3-2

Gil Meche piled up the pitches (87 in 5.2 IP), falling behind too many hitters, and eventually it caught up with him when Justin Morneau blasted a three-run home run in the fourth inning. Meche's control got worse as the game went along and he gave up three more runs in the sixth.

The Royals scored their runs off the bat of some rather unlikely candidates. Joey Gathright had an RBI. So did Alberto Callaspo, who played shortstop. And Miguel Olivo saw his first action of the season after coming back from his four game suspension--he drove in two runs.

Trey Hillman is beginning to tinker with the batting order. Alex Gordon was dropped to the sixth position. Mark Teahen was raised to the three hole. And Ross Gload was dropped to number eight, behind the catcher.

We finally got to see Ron Mahay and Yasuhiko Yabuta in this one and both pitched well. Combined they gave up just one hit and no walks in 2.1 innings of work.

This afternoon, the Royals will attempt to salvage the final game of the series and try to make this a winning road trip. Brett Tomko (0-0, 4.50) will go up against Boof Bonser (0-1, 4.50).