Nice. (Game 3)

Last night the Twins got a pretty awesome pitching performance from Carl Pavano. He only allowed 6 baserunners and struck out 6 in 7 innings. He pitched out of a bases loaded, one out jam in the 2nd pretty impressively, getting Mike Napoli to pop out and making Brandon Wood look completely overmatched. The next inning, with two men on and Kendry Morales at the plate, Pavano showed some craftiness and totally messed with Kendry’s head. He would brush Morales back with an inside fastball, then throw one that cut back over the plate, mixing speeds and breaks and frankly, the Angels slugger looked like an idiot, striking out looking on a cutter.

Morneau and Hardy homered again, and Hardy in particular is looking fantastic so far, with a rocket arm and serious power. He got fooled on a breaking ball on the outside part of the plate, and still yanked it out for a homer. There has never been a Twins shortstop capable of that.

But Morneau’s hot start is important, as well. He took it easy during spring training because of his back, and hit terribly, too. I had skepticism as to whether his back problems would have a long lasting impact on his performance, but apparently they don’t. He’s looked really good.

Orlando Hudson has been pretty bad at the plate, although he did line out sharply to Torii Hunter in the 5th. He also cost Pavano his only run of the day when he misjudged a liner in the 6th. He, along with Denard Span, is hitting .083. I’m not worried yet, though.

Jon Rauch allowed a run in the 9th, but it wasn’t a big deal. We’ll see how he handles tighter save situations.

It would be a bit of a statement, however, if the Twins can take 3 from the Angels in Anaheim. K Slow is my boy, so I’m assuming it happens.