Monday, July 09, 2001
Radke completely dominates Reds
The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — When Brad Radke throws strikes, everything else seems to fall into place for the Minnesota Twins.
Radke threw a three-hitter as the Twins completed a three-game sweep of the Reds with a 7-1 victory Sunday.
Radke (10-4) tied Curt Schilling for the major league lead with his fifth complete game by making quick work of the Reds. He retired the final 20 batters and did not walk a batter for the fourth consecutive game.
Manager Tom Kelly said he thought Radke's performance also contributed to the Twins' stellar defensive play and their 15 hits. Matt Lawton had a career-high four hits, and Torii Hunter and A.J. Pierzynski had three hits apiece.
“He was throwing a lot of strikes and keeping everyone active,” Kelly said. “I think the game revolves around that. The players are able to get off the field in a quick fashion, and that's more conducive to hitting.
“I think it was a product of the pitcher being dominant and controlling the game.”
Radke said he had not felt as comfortable in several starts. His last complete game was a four-hit shutout against Houston on June 12.
“I could tell he had it today when he was warming up,” Pierzynski said. “He'd been kind of struggling. He said the ball had been feeling kind of dead coming out of his hand. Today, it had life.”
The Reds did not have a baserunner after Jason LaRue hit a homer and Pokey Reese followed with a single with one out in the third.
“If you didn't get into a good hitting position, you had no chance,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “Then you're just guessing at the speed.”
Lawton went 4-for-5, including a solo homer, for his second four-hit game of the season and 11th of his career. Lawton, who scored three runs, is 17-for-28 over his last seven games, with five doubles, four homers and 10 RBIs.
“When I left my house, I knew I was getting two hits,” Lawton said. “It was just a matter of whether I was getting my third or fourth.”
The Twins combined for 12 hits in five innings against Reds right-hander Elmer Dessens (6-6), who allowed six runs in five innings. Hunter hit three opposite-field doubles off Dessens, and Pierzynski had three singles.
The Twins had five infield singles, two by Cristian Guzman.
“They know how to play this joke field,” Boone said. “They slap it into the turf. That's where the next .400 hitter will come from, hitting in this place.”
The AL Central-leading Twins (55-32) have won 13 of their last 15 heading into the All-Star break. They were 38-52 at the break last season and did not win their 55th game until Aug. 15. The Twins are 23 games over .500 for the first time since they finished the 1991 season 28 games over at 95-67.
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Radke completely dominates Reds