Four straight singles in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the Minnesota Twins a 1-0 victory over the Angels at Target Field in Minnesota. Danny Valencia's single off Kevin Jepsen with one out in the final frame scored Jason Repko, ending a great pitchers' duel. Jered Weaver threw nine scoreless innings, striking out seven, and the Angels needed it, as Anthony Swarzak of the Twins took a no-hitter into the eighth inning for Minnesota. However, both starters ended up with no-decisions despite pitching magnificent game.
For most of the game, the story was Swarzak, who took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Peter Bourjos doubled down the left field line with one out in the top of the eighth inning to break up the no-no, but he was stranded on second base. Through eight innings, the pitching lines were nearly identical for Swarzak and Weaver: eight scoreless frames, three baserunners (one hit and two walks for Swarzak, two hits and a walk for Weaver), 105 pitches, 68 strikes. Weaver, unlike Swarzak, continued to pitch the ninth inning, allowing a walk but no runs, pushing his pitch count to a season-high 128 pitches.
Twins' manager Ron Gardenhire did not stick around to see Swarzak's entire outing, as he was ejected in the bottom of the sixth inning for arguing a play at second base. Weaver picked off Denard Span at second base to end the inning, a close play in which shortstop Erick Aybar appeared to block the bag with his foot.
The Angels are 4-8 in extra-innings this season. The Angels are 2-3 in the brief existence of Target Field, dating back to last season. Dan Haren faces off with Carl Pavano in the series finale in Minnesota Sunday morning.
For more news and information on tonight's game, or on the Angels, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Halos Heaven.