2008 Minnesota Twins season

2008 Minnesota Twins
LeagueAmerican League
DivisionCentral
BallparkHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
CityMinneapolis, Minnesota
Record88–75 (.540)
Divisional place2nd
OwnersCarl Pohlad
General managersBill Smith
ManagersRon Gardenhire
TelevisionFSN North
WFTC (My 29)
(Dick Bremer, Bert Blyleven)
RadioAM 1500 KSTP
(John Gordon, Dan Gladden, Jack Morris, Kris Atteberry)
StatsESPN.com
Baseball Reference
← 2007 Seasons 2009 →

The 2008 Minnesota Twins season was the 48th season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 108th overall in the American League. After tying the Chicago White Sox for first in the American League Central with an 88–74 record, the team lost a one game playoff to finish second and miss the league playoffs.

Offseason and spring training

Player and personnel moves

General Manager for the previous 13 years, Terry Ryan stepped down into the role of Senior Advisor in September 2007 and was replaced by Bill Smith, formerly the assistant general manager. Scouting director Mike Radcliff was named vice president of player personnel and director of baseball operations Rob Antony was named assistant GM.[1]

The offseason between the 2007 and 2008 seasons saw many rumors surrounding pitcher Johan Santana, but little action until shortly before the start of spring training. Typically standing still in the off-season, the Twins made some waves late November when they traded Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett and Eduardo Morlan to the Tampa Bay Rays for power-hitting outfielder Delmon Young, scrappy infielder Brendan Harris and former Twin Jason Pridie.

Prior to the Rays trade, the Twins traded for outfielder Craig Monroe of the Chicago Cubs. Monroe would later sign with the Twins and would be placed on the major league roster soon after. Monroe joined several others including Adam Everett and Mike Lamb as those new to the team who made the 2008 Opening Day roster.

On January 18, 2008, the Twins avoided arbitration with three current players: Jason Kubel, Justin Morneau and Juan Rincón. Rincón and Kubel were signed through 2008, while Morneau and Michael Cuddyer were signed to extended contracts.[2]

The Twins also saw several players depart via free agency, roster management and trade. The Twins also released players Jason Tyner, Chris Heintz, Lew Ford, Josh Rabe and Matthew LeCroy.

Minnesota lost Carlos Silva via free agency, Silva signing with the Seattle Mariners for a four-year contract. Silva was a starting pitcher for the Twins in recent years after coming over in the Eric Milton trade.

The Twins also lost perennial Gold Glove center fielder and fan favorite Torii Hunter to free agency, who signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for five years and $90 million.

The Twins traded ace Johan Santana to the New York Mets for four prospects: outfielder Carlos Gómez and pitchers Kevin Mulvey, Philip Humber and Deolis Guerra.

Spring training

The Twins, as per long-standing tradition,[3] were the last team to begin spring training on February 17, 2008.

On March 27, the Twins announced they had finished signing their entire 40-man roster.[4]

Pitcher Francisco Liriano was unable to report to camp on time due to visa problems.[5] Shortly before the start of the season, Liriano was sent down to the minor leagues to continue his development.[6]

Gómez beat out center field prospects Denard Span and Jason Pridie for the starting job.[7]

The team re-signed closer Joe Nathan to a four-year contract on March 24.[8]

Regular season

Notable events

On May 7, 2008, Carlos Gómez hit for the cycle against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. He became the ninth major leaguer in history to hit for the reverse natural cycle.[9] He also became the third-youngest player to hit for the cycle in MLB history.[10] It had been a spell of 22 years since the last Twin hit for the cycle, Kirby Puckett in 1986.

On May 19, Bobby Korecky—with a single in the tenth inning—became the only Twins pitcher to get a hit in the Metrodome (1982–2009).

In the third inning of the June 15 game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Scott Baker became the first Minnesota Twin to strike out four men in a single inning. After Ryan Braun struck out, Prince Fielder struck out swinging at a wild pitch and made it to first base. Baker then struck out Russell Branyan and Mike Cameron to end the inning. Baker is the eighth American League pitcher to strike out the four consecutively. In 2012, Francisco Liriano will become the second Twin to accomplish the feat.[11]

During the 2008 campaign, the Twins sent three representatives to the 2008 MLB All Star game: Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan. Morneau went on to win the home run derby[12] and score the winning run in the 15th inning of the All-Star game.[13]

Joe Mauer won his second American League batting title with a .328 average. Justin Morneau set a new club record with 47 doubles, and led the major leagues playing in 163 games. Carlos Gómez topped Rod Carew's 1974 team record with 30 bunt singles (Carew had 29), a total which led the majors.

Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau both won Silver Slugger Awards; Mauer added a Gold Glove Award as well.

Season standings

AL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Chicago White Sox 89 74 .546 — 54‍–‍28 35‍–‍46
Minnesota Twins 88 75 .540 1 53‍–‍28 35‍–‍47
Cleveland Indians 81 81 .500 7½ 45‍–‍36 36‍–‍45
Kansas City Royals 75 87 .463 13½ 38‍–‍43 37‍–‍44
Detroit Tigers 74 88 .457 14½ 40‍–‍41 34‍–‍47


Record vs. opponents

Team BAL BOS CWS CLE DET KC LAA MIN NYY OAK SEA TB TEX TOR NL
Baltimore – 6–12 4–5 4–4 4–3 5–3 3–6 3–3 7–11 0–5 8–2 3–15 4–5 6–12 11–7
Boston 12–6 – 4–3 5–1 5–2 6–1 1–8 4–3 9–9 6–4 6–3 8–10 9–1 9–9 11–7
Chicago 5–4 3–4 – 11–7 12–6 12–6 5–5 9–10 2–5 5–4 5–1 4–6 3–3 1–7 12–6
Cleveland 4–4 1–5 7–11 – 11–7 10–8 4–5 8–10 4–3 5–4 4–5 5–2 6–4 6–1 6–12
Detroit 3–4 2–5 6–12 7–11 – 7–11 3–6 7–11 4–2 3–6 7–3 3–4 6–3 3–5 13–5
Kansas City 3–5 1–6 6–12 8–10 11–7 – 2–3 6–12 5–5 6–3 7–2 3–5 2–7 2–5 13–5
Los Angeles 6–3 8–1 5–5 5–4 6–3 3–2 – 5–3 7–3 10–9 14–5 3–6 12–7 6–3 10–8
Minnesota 3–3 3–4 10–9 10–8 11–7 12–6 3–5 – 4–6 5–5 5–4 3–3 5–5 0–6 14–4
New York 11–7 9–9 5–2 3–4 2–4 5–5 3–7 6–4 – 5–1 7–2 11–7 3–4 9–9 10–8
Oakland 5–0 4–6 4–5 4–5 6–3 3–6 9–10 5–5 1–5 - 10–9 3–6 7–12 4–6 10–8
Seattle 2–8 3–6 1–5 5–4 3–7 2–7 5–14 4–5 2–7 9–10 – 3–4 8–11 5–4 9–9
Tampa Bay 15–3 10–8 6–4 2–5 4–3 5–3 6–3 3–3 7–11 6–3 4–3 – 6–3 11–7 12–6
Texas 5–4 1–9 3–3 4–6 3–6 7–2 7–12 5–5 4–3 12–7 11–8 3–6 – 4–4 10–8
Toronto 12–6 9–9 7–1 1–6 5–3 5–2 3–6 6–0 9–9 6–4 4–5 7–11 4–4 – 8–10
This box:

Game log

2008 game log
March/April: 13–14
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 March 31 Angels 3–2 Hernández (1–0) Weaver (0–1) Nathan (1) 49,596 1–0
2 April 1 Angels 9–1 Garland (1–0) Bonser (0–1) 24,586 1–1
3 April 2 Angels 1–0 Saunders (1–0) Blackburn (0–1) Rodríguez (1) 21,932 1–2
4 April 3 Angels 5–4 Santana (1–0) Slowey (0–1) Rodríguez (2) 17,084 1–3
5 April 4 Royals 4–3 Baker (1–0) Bale (0–1) Nathan (2) 21,847 2–3
6 April 5 Royals 6–4 Hernández (2–0) Meche (0–1) Nathan (3) 21,262 3–3
7 April 6 Royals 3–1 Tomko (1–0) Bonser (0–2) Soria (3) 21,765 3–4
8 April 7 @ White Sox 7–4 Vázquez (1–1) Guerrier (0–1) Jenks (4) 38,082 3–5
9 April 9 @ White Sox 12–5 Baker (2–0) Danks (0–1) Bass (1) 16,499 4–5
-- April 10 @ White Sox Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for June 9
10 April 11 @ Royals 5–0 Hernández (3–0) Meche (0–2) 16,691 5–5
11 April 12 @ Royals 2–0 Bonser (1–2) Tomko (1–1) Nathan (4) 36,300 6–5
12 April 13 @ Royals 5–1 Bannister (3–0) Liriano (0–1) 13,886 6–6
13 April 14 @ Tigers 11–9 Beltrán (1–0) Neshek (0–1) Jones (2) 32,002 6–7
14 April 15 @ Tigers 6–5 Rapada (1–0) Crain (0–1) Jones (3) 30,901 6–8
15 April 16 Rays 6–5 Rincón (1–0) Wheeler (0–2) Nathan (5) 20,209 7–8
16 April 17 Rays 7–3 Hammel (1–1) Bonser (1–3) Howell (1) 14,781 7–9
17 April 18 Indians 4–0 Lee (3–0) Liriano (0–2) 22,366 7–10
18 April 19 Indians 3–0 Blackburn (1–1) Westbrook (1–2) Nathan (6) 34,210 8–10
19 April 20 Indians 2–1 (10) Guerrier (1–1) Pérez (0–1) 27,703 9–10
20 April 22 @ Athletics 5–4 Rincón (2–0) Blanton (1–4) Nathan (7) 10,267 10–10
21 April 23 @ Athletics 3–0 Gaudin (2–1) Bonser (1–4) Street (6) 15,242 10–11
22 April 24 @ Athletics 11–2 Smith (2–0) Liriano (0–3) 12,593 10–12
23 April 25 @ Rangers 6–5 (10) Benoit (2–1) Rincón (2–1) 19,016 10–13
24 April 26 @ Rangers 12–6 Reyes (1–0) Wright (1–1) 33,053 11–13
25 April 27 @ Rangers 10–0 Padilla (3–2) Hernández (3–1) 19,911 11–14
26 April 29 White Sox 3–1 Bonser (2–4) Floyd (2–1) Nathan (8) 20,891 12–14
27 April 30 White Sox 4–3 Blackburn (2–1) Wassermann (0–1) Nathan (9) 19,137 13–14
May: 15–13
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
28 May 2 Tigers 11–1 Hernández (4–1) Galarraga (2–1) 33,628 14–14
29 May 3 Tigers 4–1 Bass (1–0) Verlander (1–5) Nathan (10) 28,985 15–14
30 May 4 Tigers 7–6 Guerrier (2–1) Miner (1–2) Nathan (11) 29,821 16–14
31 May 6 @ White Sox 7–1 Floyd (3–1) Blackburn (2–2) 23,480 16–15
32 May 7 @ White Sox 13–1 Hernández (5–1) Buehrle (1–4) 21,092 17–15
33 May 8 @ White Sox 6–2 Danks (3–3) Slowey (0–2) 25,193 17–16
34 May 9 Red Sox 7–6 Crain (1–1) Papelbon (2–2) 25,477 18–16
35 May 10 Red Sox 5–2 Matsuzaka (6–0) Perkins (0–1) Papelbon (11) 33,839 18–17
36 May 11 Red Sox 9–8 Blackburn (3–2) Wakefield (3–2) Nathan (12) 26,511 19–17
37 May 12 Red Sox 7–3 Hernández (6–1) Bucholz (2–3) 18,782 20–17
38 May 13 Blue Jays 5–3 Litsch (5–1) Slowey (0–3) Ryan (6) 18,110 20–18
39 May 14 Blue Jays 6–5 Halladay (4–5) Bonser (2–5) Downs (5) 21,026 20–19
40 May 15 Blue Jays 3–2 (11) Camp (1–1) Crain (1–2) Ryan (7) 18,701 20–20
41 May 16 @ Rockies 4–2 Blackburn (4–2) Jiménez (1–4) Nathan (13) 35,336 21–20
42 May 17 @ Rockies 3–2 Herges (2–0) Hernández (6–2) Fuentes (5) 43,149 21–21
43 May 18 @ Rockies 6–2 Francis (1–4) Slowey (0–4) 40,326 21–22
44 May 19 Rangers 7–6 (12) Korecky (1–0) Germán (1–3) 16,680 22–22
45 May 20 Rangers 11–4 Perkins (1–1) Mathis (1–1) 19,376 23–22
46 May 21 Rangers 10–1 Ponson (3–0) Blackburn (4–3) 22,032 23–23
47 May 22 Rangers 8–7 (10) Benoit (3–1) Bass (1–1) Wilson (9) 23,126 23–24
48 May 23 @ Tigers 9–4 Slowey (1–4) Galarraga (3–2) 40,732 24–24
49 May 24 @ Tigers 19–3 Robertson (2–4) Bonser (2–6) 41,137 24–25
50 May 25 @ Tigers 6–1 Perkins (2–1) Cruceta (0–2) 42,413 25–25
51 May 27 @ Royals 4–3 (12) Crain (2–2) Núñez (3–1) Guerrier (1) 17,191 26–25
52 May 28 @ Royals 9–8 (10) Crain (3–2) Peralta (0–2) Nathan (14) 13,621 27–25
53 May 29 @ Royals 5–1 Slowey (2–4) Hochevar (3–5) 12,336 28–25
54 May 30 Yankees 6–5 Mussina (8–4) Perkins (2–2) Rivera (14) 30,188 28–26
55 May 31 Yankees 7–6 (12) Ohlendorf (1–1) Rincón (2–2) Rivera (15) 36,441 28–27
June: 17–11
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
56 June 1 Yankees 5–1 Bass (2–1) Rasner (3–2) 27,479 29–27
57 June 2 Yankees 6–5 Guerrier (3–1) Farnsworth (0–2) Nathan (15) 20,168 30–27
58 June 3 Orioles 5–3 Liz (1–0) Slowey (2–5) Sherrill (19) 18,802 30–28
59 June 4 Orioles 7–5 Bonser (3–6) Cabrera (5–2) Nathan (16) 22,057 31–28
60 June 5 Orioles 3–2 Olson (5–2) Bass (2–2) Sherrill (20) 19,621 31–29
61 June 6 @ White Sox 10–6 Vázquez (6–4) Blackburn (4–4) 26,459 31–30
62 June 7 @ White Sox 11–2 Buehrle (3–6) Hernández (6–3) 32,930 31–31
63 June 8 @ White Sox 12–2 Floyd (7–3) Slowey (2–6) 30,565 31–32
64 June 9 @ White Sox 7–5 Thornton (2–1) Guerrier (3–2) Jenks (15) 21,126 31–33
65 June 10 @ Indians 1–0 Sabathia (4–8) Baker (2–1) 26,874 31–34
66 June 11 @ Indians 8–5 Blackburn (5–4) Byrd (3–6) Nathan (17) 18,742 32–34
67 June 12 @ Indians 12–2 Laffey (4–3) Hernández (6–4) 21,716 32–35
68 June 13 @ Brewers 10–2 Slowey (3–6) Bush (2–7) 38,586 33–35
69 June 14 @ Brewers 9–4 (12) Bass (3–2) Tavárez (0–2) 43,812 34–35
70 June 15 @ Brewers 4–2 McClung (4–3) Baker (2–2) Torres (8) 41,693 34–36
71 June 17 Nationals 2–1 Hernández (7–4) Lannan (4–8) Nathan (18) 20,920 35–36
72 June 18 Nationals 11–2 Slowey (4–6) Bergmann (1–5) 23,841 36–36
73 June 19 Nationals 9–3 Perkins (3–2) Hill (1–4) 24,793 37–36
74 June 20 D-backs 7–2 Baker (3–2) Johnson (4–5) 29,069 38–36
75 June 21 D-backs 6–1 Blackburn (6–4) Owings (6–6) 25,505 39–36
76 June 22 D-backs 5–3 Hernández (8–4) Webb (11–4) Nathan (19) 31,497 40–36
77 June 24 @ Padres 3–1 Reyes (2–0) Hoffman (1–5) Nathan (20) 36,948 41–36
78 June 25 @ Padres 9 – 3 Perkins (4–2) Maddux (3–6) 22,324 42–36
79 June 26 @ Padres 4–3 Baker (4–2) Banks (2–2) Nathan (21) 28,789 43–36
80 June 27 Brewers 7–6 Guerrier (4–2) Mota (2–5) Nathan (22) 30,104 44–36
81 June 28 Brewers 5–1 Parra (8–2) Hernández (8–5) 38,963 44–37
82 June 29 Brewers 5–0 Slowey (5–6) Sheets (9–2) 30,655 45–37
83 June 30 Tigers 5–4 Fossum (1–0) Guerrier (4–3) Zumaya (1) 22,196 45–38
July: 15–10
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
84 July 1 Tigers 6–4 Baker (5–2) Robertson (6–7) Nathan (23) 23,754 46–38
85 July 2 Tigers 7–0 Blackburn (7–4) Bonine (2–1) 30,102 47–38
86 July 4 Indians 12–3 Hernández (9–5) Byrd (3–10) 22,634 48–38
87 July 5 Indians 9–6 Slowey (6–6) Mastny (0–2) Nathan (24) 31,887 49–38
88 July 6 Indians 4–3 Perkins (5–2) Lee (11–2) Nathan (25) 30,258 50–38
89 July 7 @ Red Sox 1–0 Okajima (2–2) Bass (3–3) Papelbon (26) 37,912 50–39
90 July 8 @ Red Sox 6–5 Aardsma (3–2) Guerrier (4–4) Papelbon (27) 37,925 50–40
91 July 9 @ Red Sox 18–5 Beckett (9–5) Hernández (9–6) 37,470 50–41
92 July 10 @ Tigers 7–6 (11) Guerrier (5–4) Dolsi (1–3) 41,952 51–41
93 July 11 @ Tigers 3–2 Perkins (6–2) Galarraga (7–3) Nathan (26) 42,352 52–41
94 July 12 @ Tigers 6–5 Baker (6–2) Robertson (6–8) Nathan (27) 41,301 53–41
95 July 13 @ Tigers 4–2 Verlander (7–9) Blackburn (7–5) Jones (17) 41,453 53–42
96 July 18 Rangers 6–0 Perkins (7–2) Millwood (6–6) 30,134 54–42
97 July 19 Rangers 14–2 Hernández (10–6) Harrison (1–1) 35,085 55–42
98 July 20 Rangers 1–0 Padilla (11–5) Baker (6–3) Wilson (22) 36,029 55–43
99 July 21 @ Yankees 12–4 Ponson (6–1) Blackburn (7–6) 53,484 55–44
100 July 22 @ Yankees 8–2 Robertson (2–0) Slowey (6–7) 53,406 55–45
101 July 23 @ Yankees 5–1 Mussina (13–6) Perkins (7–3) Rivera (25) 54,114 55–46
102 July 25 @ Indians 5–4 Lee (14–2) Hernández (10–7) Pérez (1) 33,512 55–47
103 July 26 @ Indians 11–4 Baker (7–3) Carmona (4–3) 35,390 56–47
104 July 27 @ Indians 4–2 Guerrier (6–4) Perez (1–2) Nathan (28) 31,562 57–47
105 July 28 White Sox 7–0 Slowey (7–7) Buehrle (8–9) 30,126 58–47
106 July 29 White Sox 6–5 Perkins (8–3) Richard (0–1) Nathan (29) 35,999 59–47
107 July 30 White Sox 8–3 Floyd (11–6) Hernández (10–8) 42,705 59–48
108 July 31 White Sox 10–6 Crain (4–2) Thornton (4–3) 31,493 60–48
August: 17–12
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
109 August 1 Indians 4–1 Blackburn (8–6) Sowers (1–6) Nathan (30) 33,709 61–48
110 August 2 Indians 5–1 Byrd (6–10) Slowey (7–8) 40,937 61–49
111 August 3 Indians 6–2 Liriano (1–3) Ginter (1–3) 39,818 62–49
112 August 4 @ Mariners 11–6 Corcoran (2–0) Bass (3–4) 27,758 62–50
113 August 5 @ Mariners 8–7 Putz (4–4) Guerrier (6–5) 26,083 62–51
114 August 6 @ Mariners 7–3 Blackburn (9–6) Washburn (5–11) 30,441 63–51
115 August 8 @ Royals 4–1 Slowey (8–8) Davies (5–3) Nathan (31) 33,653 64–51
116 August 9 @ Royals 7–3 Liriano (2–3) Greinke (9–8) 27,960 65–51
117 August 10 @ Royals 5–4 (12) Tejeda (1–2) Breslow (0–1) 23,163 65–52
118 August 11 Yankees 4–0 Perkins (9–3) Ponson (7–3) 30,126 66–52
119 August 12 Yankees 9–6 (12) Veras (3–1) Guerrier (6–6) E. Ramírez (1) 33,036 66–53
120 August 13 Yankees 4–2 Slowey (9–8) Rasner (5–9) Nathan (32) 35,187 67–53
121 August 15 Mariners 9–3 Liriano (3–3) Silva (4–14) 32,208 68–53
122 August 16 Mariners 7–6 Reyes (3–0) Jiménez (0–2) 36,316 69–53
123 August 17 Mariners 11–8 Perkins (10–3) Feierabend (0–1) Nathan (33) 35,478 70–53
124 August 18 Athletics 3–2 Saarloos (1–0) Blackburn (9–7) Ziegler (3) 25,024 70–54
125 August 19 Athletics 13–2 Slowey (10–8) Gallagher (4–6) 35,256 71–54
126 August 20 Athletics 3–1 Liriano (4–3) Braden (3–3) Nathan (34) 30,888 72–54
127 August 21 @ Angels 2–1 (12) Crain (5–2) Speier (1–7) Nathan (35) 41,367 73–54
128 August 22 @ Angels 9–0 Perkins (11–3) Saunders (14–6) 43,819 74–54
129 August 23 @ Angels 7–5 Oliver (5–1) Blackburn (9–8) Rodríguez (49) 43,906 74–55
130 August 24 @ Angels 5–3 Arredondo (6–1) Crain (5–3) Rodríguez (50) 40,011 74–56
131 August 25 @ Mariners 4–2 (11) Dickey (4–8) Crain (5–4) 23,277 74–57
132 August 26 @ Mariners 3–2 Rowland-Smith (3–2) Baker (7–4) Corcoran (1) 26,292 74–58
133 August 27 @ Mariners 6–5 Perkins (12–3) Green (3–4) Nathan (36) 23,581 75–58
134 August 28 @ Athletics 3–2 Devine (4–0) Breslow (0–2) 12,357 75–59
135 August 29 @ Athletics 12–2 Slowey (11–8) Meyer (0–3) Breslow (1) 22,355 76–59
136 August 30 @ Athletics 3–2 Street (5–5) Nathan (0–1) 25,238 76–60
137 August 31 @ Athletics 12–4 Baker (8–4) Smith (6–14) 18,427 77–60
September: 11–15
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
138 September 2 @ Blue Jays 7–5 Carlson (5–1) Bonser (3–7) Ryan (26) 21,254 77–61
139 September 3 @ Blue Jays 5–4 (11) Carlson (6–1) Guardado (3–4) 21,475 77–62
140 September 4 @ Blue Jays 9–0 Litsch (10–8) Slowey (11–9) 25,128 77–63
141 September 5 Tigers 10–2 Liriano (5–3) Galarraga (12–5) 24,424 78–63
142 September 6 Tigers 6–4 Rapada (3–0) Guerrier (6–7) Rodney (9) 42,606 78–64
143 September 7 Tigers 7–5 Lambert (1–1) Perkins (12–4) Rodney (10) 31,236 78–65
144 September 9 Royals 7–2 Blackburn (10–8) Bannister (7–15) 17,015 79–65
145 September 10 Royals 7–1 Slowey (12–9) Davies (6–7) 20,421 80–65
146 September 11 Royals 3–2 (10) R. Ramírez (3–2) Guerrier (6–8) Soria (36) 20,138 80–66
-- September 12 @ Orioles Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 13
147 September 13 @ Orioles 12–2 Baker (9–4) Cabrera (8–10) 81–66
148 September 13 @ Orioles 12–6 Korecky (2–0) Olson (9–8) 21,712 82–66
149 September 14 @ Orioles 7–3 Liz (6–5) Blackburn (10–9) 18,559 82–67
150 September 15 @ Indians 3–1 S. Lewis (2–0) Slowey (12–10) J. Lewis (9) 19,607 82–68
151 September 16 @ Indians 12–9 (11) Mastny (2–2) Nathan (0–2) 21,295 82–69
152 September 17 @ Indians 6–4 Mujica (3–2) Mijares (0–1) Lewis (10) 22,904 82–70
153 September 18 @ Rays 11–8 Guardado (4–4) Wheeler (5–6) Nathan (37) 17,296 83–70
154 September 19 @ Rays 11–1 Jackson (12–11) Blackburn (10–10) 28,306 83–71
155 September 20 @ Rays 7–2 Kazmir (12–7) Slowey (12–11) 36,048 83–72
156 September 21 @ Rays 4–1 Liriano (6–3) Sonnanstine (13–8) Nathan (38) 36,048 84–72
157 September 23 White Sox 9–3 Baker (10–4) Vasquez (12–15) 35,225 85–72
158 September 24 White Sox 3–2 Blackburn (11–10) Burhrle (14–12) Nathan (39) 42,126 86–72
159 September 25 White Sox 7–6 (10) Nathan (1–2) Jenks (3–1) 43,601 87–72
160 September 26 Royals 8–1 Davies (9–7) Liriano (6–4) 30,674 87–73
161 September 27 Royals 4–2 Meche (14–11) Guerrier (6–9) Soria (42) 38,072 87–74
162 September 28 Royals 6–0 Baker (11–4) Duckworth (3–3) 42,942 88–74
163 September 30 @ White Sox* 1–0 Danks (12–9) Blackburn (11–11) Jenks (30) 40,354 88–75
*AL Central tiebreaker.

Roster

2008 Minnesota Twins
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Other batters

Manager

Coaches

Regular season transactions

  • April 5, 2008: Placed outfielder Michael Cuddyer on the 15-day disabled list; recalled outfielder Denard Span from Rochester of the International League (AAA).
  • April 11, 2008: Placed pitcher Kevin Slowey on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 4.
  • April 12, 2008: Recalled pitcher Francisco Liriano from Rochester.
  • April 19, 2008: Placed shortstop Adam Everett on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 15; recalled third baseman Brian Buscher from Rochester.
  • April 24, 2008: Optioned outfielder Denard Span to Rochester of the International League (AAA).
  • April 25, 2008: Activated outfielder Michael Cuddyer from the 15-day disabled list.
  • April 26, 2008: Optioned pitcher Francisco Liriano to Rochester of the International League (AAA); recalled pitcher Bobby Korecky from Rochester.
  • April 30, 2008: Optioned third baseman Brian Buscher to Rochester of the International League (AAA).
  • May 2, 2008: Activated infielder Adam Everett from the 15-day disabled list.
  • May 8, 2008: Placed pitcher Scott Baker on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 4; activated pitcher Kevin Slowey from the 15-day disabled list.
  • May 9, 2008: Placed pitcher Pat Neshek on the 15-day disabled list; recalled pitcher Glen Perkins from Rochester.
  • May 11, 2008: Placed infielder Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list; recalled infielder Alexi Casilla from Rochester.
  • May 17, 2008: Placed infielder Matt Tolbert on the 15-day disabled list; purchased the contract of infielder Howie Clark from Rochester.
  • May 22, 2008: Placed shortstop Adam Everett on the 15-day disabled list; recalled infielder Matt Macri from Rochester.
Craig Breslow

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases

Player G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI AVG SB
Scott Baker 28 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 .500 0
Brian Bass 44 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0
Nick Blackburn 33 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .333 0
Boof Bonser 47 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0
Craig Breslow 42 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0
Brian Buscher 70 218 29 64 9 0 4 47 .294 0
Alexi Casilla 98 385 58 108 15 0 7 50 .281 7
Howie Clark 4 8 0 2 2 0 0 1 .250 0
Jesse Crain 66 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0
Michael Cuddyer 71 249 30 62 13 4 3 36 .249 5
Adam Everett 48 127 19 27 6 1 2 20 .213 0
Carlos Gómez 153 577 79 149 24 7 7 59 .258 33
Matt Guerrier 76 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0
Brendan Harris 130 434 57 115 29 3 7 49 .265 1
Liván Hernández 23 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 .500 0
Bobby Korecky 16 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1.000 0
Jason Kubel 141 463 74 126 22 5 20 78 .272 0
Mike Lamb 81 236 20 55 12 3 1 32 .233 0
Matt Macri 18 34 3 11 1 0 1 4 .324 1
Joe Mauer 146 536 98 176 31 4 9 85 .328 1
Craig Monroe 58 163 22 33 9 0 8 29 .202 0
Justin Morneau 163 623 97 187 47 4 23 129 .300 0
Joe Nathan 68 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0
Glen Perkins 26 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0
Nick Punto 99 338 43 96 19 4 2 28 .284 15
Mike Redmond 38 129 14 37 6 0 0 12 .287 0
Dennys Reyes 75 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0
Juan Rincón 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0
Randy Ruiz 22 62 13 17 2 0 1 7 .274 0
Kevin Slowey 28 8 1 2 1 0 0 2 .250 0
Denard Span 93 347 70 102 16 7 6 47 .294 18
Matt Tolbert 41 113 18 32 6 3 0 6 .285 7
Delmon Young 152 575 80 167 28 4 10 69 .290 14
Team Totals 163 5641 829 1572 298 49 111 791 .279 102

Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player W L ERA G GS SV IP R ER BB K
Scott Baker 11 4 3.45 28 28 0 172.1 66 66 42 141
Brian Bass 3 4 4.87 44 0 1 68.1 42 37 22 32
Nick Blackburn 11 11 4.05 33 33 0 193.1 102 87 39 96
Boof Bonser 3 7 5.93 47 12 0 118.1 87 78 36 97
Craig Breslow 0 2 1.63 42 0 1 38.2 9 7 14 32
Jesse Crain 5 4 3.59 66 0 0 62.2 29 25 24 50
Eddie Guardado 1 1 7.71 9 0 0 7.0 6 6 2 5
Matt Guerrier 6 9 5.19 76 0 1 76.1 47 44 37 59
Liván Hernández 10 8 5.48 23 23 0 139.2 93 85 29 54
Philip Humber 0 0 4.63 5 0 0 11.2 6 6 5 6
Bobby Korecky 2 0 4.58 16 0 0 17.2 9 9 8 6
Francisco Liriano 6 4 3.91 14 14 0 76.0 40 33 32 67
José Mijares 0 1 0.87 10 0 0 10.1 1 1 0 5
Joe Nathan 1 2 1.33 68 0 39 67.2 13 10 18 74
Pat Neshek 0 1 4.73 15 0 0 13.1 7 7 4 15
Glen Perkins 12 4 4.41 26 26 0 151.0 81 74 39 74
Dennys Reyes 3 0 2.33 75 0 0 46.1 12 12 15 39
Juan Rincón 2 2 6.11 24 0 0 28.0 21 19 16 20
Kevin Slowey 12 11 3.99 27 27 0 160.1 74 71 24 123
Team Totals 88 75 4.16 163 163 42 1459.0 745 675 406 995

Other post-season awards

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball
Level Team League Manager
AAA Rochester Red Wings International League Stan Cliburn
AA New Britain Rock Cats Eastern League Bobby Cuellar
A Fort Myers Miracle Florida State League Jeff Smith
A Beloit Snappers Midwest League Nelson Prada
Rookie Elizabethton Twins Appalachian League Ray Smith
Rookie GCL Twins Gulf Coast League Jake Mauer

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Elizabethton

References

  1. ^ Twins: Ryan steps down, Smith will take over Archived February 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ La Velle E. Neal III (January 26, 2007). "Morneau, Cuddyer sign up". Minneapolist Star Tribune. Archived from the original on January 28, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
  3. ^ The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: New faces mark start of Twins camp
  4. ^ "The Official Site of The Minnesota Twins: Official Info: Twins sign 16 players to 2008 contracts". Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  5. ^ The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Notes: Liriano to be late to camp
  6. ^ "The Official Site of The Minnesota Twins: News: Liriano won't break camp with Twins". Archived from the original on March 31, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  7. ^ "The Official Site of The Minnesota Twins: News: Gómez wins center-field job". Archived from the original on May 18, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  8. ^ "The Official Site of The Minnesota Twins: News: Nathan staying put in Twin Cities". Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  9. ^ Huber, Mike. "May 7, 2008: Minnesota's Carlos Gomez hits for reverse natural cycle". SABR. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  10. ^ Willis, Ken. Hey Willie! Best Style is Winning. news-journalonline.com. April 20, 2008. Archived May 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "Four Strikeouts in One Inning". Baseball-Almanac.com. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  12. ^ "Morneau overcomes Hamilton's stellar show". MLB.com. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  13. ^ Morneau scores AL game winner [dead link]
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