Twins Blog: Bull-Dozier & Bullpen Lead Twins To Sweep Of Astros

While the recently completed home-stand couldn't have started much worse for the Twins – with a sweep at the hands of the Royals, which last happened in 1998 – it was salvaged by a sweep of the Houston Astros. And a big part of that sweep was the play of second baseman Brian Dozier along with the performance of the Twins' bullpen. Certainly no victory parades will be thrown over defeating the team with the worst record in baseball. But when a team is seemingly headed towards its third consecutive sub-.500 season, you take small victories when and where you can.

• Aug 4, 2013

Pernice Jr. Wins 3M Championship

Tom Pernice Jr. birdied the final two holes Sunday for a one-stroke victory over Jeff Sluman and Corey Pavin in the 3M Championship. Pernice finished with a 4-under 68 and had a 17-under 199 total at the TPC Twin Cities for his second career Champions Tour victory. He also has two PGA Tour victories. Sluman closed with a 62, and Pavin had a 66.

• Aug 4, 2013

Morneau And Arcia Homer, Twins Sweep Astros

Justin Morneau and Oswaldo Arcia homered as the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 3-2 Sunday for a three-game sweep. Four Twins relievers combined for four scoreless innings, sending Houston to its fourth straight loss. Arcia led off the seventh with a home run that broke a 2-all tie. He connected against Brad Peacock (1-4), who was promoted from Triple-A to make the start and struck out 10.

• Aug 4, 2013

Basketball Still Runs Through Troy Bell's Blood

Troy Bell has seen it all in his basketball career. From Holy Angels High School to Boston College, to a first-round pick in the NBA to a career overseas. Because of that, he has perspective and an appreciation for where he's been. Bell is spending the summer sharpening his game in the Howard Pulley summer league before he returns to his now hometown team in Italy.

• Aug 3, 2013

Bullpen Comes Through For Twins In Win Over Astros

Ryan Doumit hit the go-ahead single in the seventh inning, Minnesota's bullpen pitched six scoreless innings and the Twins beat the Houston Astros 6-4 on Saturday night. After starter Kyle Gibson allowed four runs and nine hits in three innings, Anthony Swarzak struck out five in the next three innings and the American League's second-best bullpen came through for Minnesota. Brian Duensing (4-1) followed with a scoreless seventh and Casey Fien a scoreless eighth to set up All-Star Glen Perkins for his 26th save.

• Aug 3, 2013

Cris Carter Enters NFL Hall Of Fame

Cris Carter has finished off the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions Saturday night, the final member of the Class of 2013 to be enshrined. The emotional Carter, an Ohio native, needed six tries to make the hall, even though he retired as the No. 2 career receiver behind Jerry Rice. He choked back tears talking about his mentor Reggie White during his speech after being presented by his son, Duron. Carter referred to his problems with alcohol while playing three years for the Eagles before being released.

• Aug 3, 2013

Tom Pernice Jr. Leads 3M Championship

Tom Pernice Jr. moved into position Saturday for his second Champions Tour title, shooting a 7-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead over Tom Kite in the 3M Championship. Pernice had a 13-under 131 total at TPC Twin Cities after opening with a 66. The two-time PGA Tour winner had four straight birdies on the front nine, and added two more on Nos. 10 and 12. After making a 40-foot bogey putt on the 14th hole, he birdied Nos. 15 and 18. The 53-year-old Pernice, playing in the tournament for the first time, on the 2009 SAS Championship for his lone senior title.

• Aug 3, 2013

Vikings Offensive Line Comes Into Its Own

This time last year in training camp, the offensive line was one of the Vikings biggest question marks. They had a rookie at left tackle and a couple holes to fill elsewhere. But a year later, that offensive line has proven to be one of the team's bigger strengths.

• Aug 3, 2013

Post-Kluwe Vikings Confident In Rookie Punter

The Minnesota Vikings still have a UCLA-educated punter with an erudite degree, one whose background was in soccer before trying his leg at another sport.

• Aug 3, 2013

Dozier's Single In 13th Lifts Twins Over Astros

After watching his Minnesota Twins fumble through a mistake-filled sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals, Ron Gardenhire held a lengthy pregame workout to refocus on the fundamentals and grab everyone's attention.

• Aug 3, 2013

Augustus Scores 18, Lynx Cruise Past Silver Stars

Seimone Augustus scored 18 points and Maya Moore added 16 as the Minnesota Lynx beat the San Antonio Silver Stars 85-63 on Friday night for their eighth-straight win.

• Aug 2, 2013

MN Woman Defeats Brain Injury, Completes 1,300-Mile Run

A Minnesota woman finished a 1,300 mile run Thursday night. It started in April, when Allyson Loisel-Murray left Galveston, Texas and wrapped up Thursday night in Chanhassen. All along the way, Murray raised awareness for traumatic brain injuries and stroke prevention.

• Aug 1, 2013

Cook Has Yet To Get An INT, And Truly Step Into His Role

The one area where the Vikings are lacking so called veteran leadership is in the secondary. The departure of Antoine Winfield to Seattle took care of that, which creates an opportunity for Chris Cook to assume a new role after needing to grow up off the field more than on it.

• Aug 1, 2013

Clutch, Difficult Catches Helped Set Carter Apart

Cris Carter's entry into the exclusive club in Canton will be commemorated with a bronze head-and-shoulders bust, like all of the Pro Football Hall of Fame members before him. His hands might be a more appropriate body part to feature.

• Aug 1, 2013

Twins Option LHP Diamond, CF Hicks To Triple-A

The Minnesota Twins have optioned left-hander Scott Diamond and center fielder Aaron Hicks to Triple-A Rochester. The Twins made the moves on Thursday after both players struggled in a 7-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Diamond (5-10) gave up seven runs — six earned — on nine hits in five innings.

• Aug 1, 2013

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