Pirates Rout Twins 9-1

The Twins lost 9-1 at Pittsburgh Thursday night.  James McDonald threw all 9 innings with 6 hits and 1 earned run allowed to get the win and improves to 6-3.  Liam Hendriks allowed 8 hits and 3 earned runs to take the loss and drop to 0-4.  His ERA is 7.39.  Justin Morneau was 2-3 and Ryan Doumit went 1-4 and drove in the lone Twins' run.

Minnesota is 27-41 and is 9 games back of Cleveland for first place in the American League Central.  The Twins begin a 3-game series at Cincinnati at 6:10 tonight, pregame on WJON at 5:40.  Righthander Nick Blackburn (3-4) gets the start on the mound for the Twins and righthander Homer Bailey (5-4) toes the rubber for the Reds.