Twins Blank Jays To Avoid Sweep

During the first three of their four-game set with Minnesota, the Jays pitching was simply brilliant. But in Sunday’s finale, it was finally the Twins’ turn.

Brad Radke went seven strong innings without allowing a run, as the Twins avoided an embarrassing sweep at home by blanking Toronto 5-0. The Jays could muster just five hits off the veteran  right-hander.

At the dish the damage was done by Michael Cuddyer, who hit his 17th homer and provided a badly-needed injection of offence after his club, which started Sunday 2 1/2 games behind Chicago in the AL Wild-Card race, was outscored 45-3 over its last five home games and managed only one run in the first three against Toronto.

Jason Tyner added three hits, while Justin Morneau of New Westminster, B.C. added two of his own to go with a pair of runs batted in.

Shaun Marcum (1-2) did his best on the hill for Toronto, but the four runs on eight hits he allowed over five innings weren’t about to get it done. Of course with the Jays bats suddenly falling silent, even one run would’ve been too much for the rookie to give up in just his fifth career start.

But really it was all about Radke (12-8), who despite shoulder injuries has piloted the Twins to two straight key wins. On August 8 he went seven in a big victory over American League Central leading Detroit Tigers.

Looking ahead, Toronto will have to harness efforts similar to the ones that helped them win the first three games of the series, as they have six dates remaining on a road trip that takes them through divisional stops in Tampa Bay and Baltimore.

And they could be making some of those without the help of slugging third baseman Troy Glaus.

Eric Hinske replaced the big bopper in the fourth inning after he appeared to inure himself swinging.

Monday is a day off for the Blue Birds before they head into Tampa. The first of three with the Devil Rays will feature ace Roy Halladay (14-3) against Jae Seo (3-9).