# 2008 Minnesota Twins season

The 2008 Minnesota Twins season was the 48th season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 108th overall in the American League. After tying the Chicago White Sox for first in the American League Central with an 88–74 record, the team lost a one game playoff to finish second and miss the league playoffs.

## Offseason and spring training
### Player and personnel moves

General Manager for the previous 13 years, Terry Ryan stepped down into the role of Senior Advisor in September 2007 and was replaced by Bill Smith, formerly the assistant general manager. Scouting director Mike Radcliff was named vice president of player personnel and director of baseball operations Rob Antony was named assistant GM.
The offseason between the 2007 and 2008 seasons saw many rumors surrounding pitcher Johan Santana, but little action until shortly before the start of spring training. Typically standing still in the off-season, the Twins made some waves late November when they traded Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett and Eduardo Morlan to the Tampa Bay Rays for power-hitting outfielder Delmon Young, scrappy infielder Brendan Harris and former Twin Jason Pridie.
Prior to the Rays trade, the Twins traded for outfielder Craig Monroe of the Chicago Cubs. Monroe would later sign with the Twins and would be placed on the major league roster soon after. Monroe joined several others including Adam Everett and Mike Lamb as those new to the team who made the 2008 Opening Day roster.
On January 18, 2008, the Twins avoided arbitration with three current players: Jason Kubel, Justin Morneau and Juan Rincón. Rincón and Kubel were signed through 2008, while Morneau and Michael Cuddyer were signed to extended contracts.
The Twins also saw several players depart via free agency, roster management and trade. The Twins also released players Jason Tyner, Chris Heintz, Lew Ford, Josh Rabe and Matthew LeCroy.
Minnesota lost Carlos Silva via free agency, Silva signing with the Seattle Mariners for a four-year contract. Silva was a starting pitcher for the Twins in recent years after coming over in the Eric Milton trade.
The Twins also lost perennial Gold Glove center fielder and fan favorite Torii Hunter to free agency, who signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for five years and $90 million.
The Twins traded ace Johan Santana to the New York Mets for four prospects: outfielder Carlos Gómez and pitchers Kevin Mulvey, Philip Humber and Deolis Guerra.

### Spring training

The Twins, as per long-standing tradition, were the last team to begin spring training on February 17, 2008.
On March 27, the Twins announced they had finished signing their entire 40-man roster.
Pitcher Francisco Liriano was unable to report to camp on time due to visa problems. Shortly before the start of the season, Liriano was sent down to the minor leagues to continue his development.
Gómez beat out center field prospects Denard Span and Jason Pridie for the starting job.
The team re-signed closer Joe Nathan to a four-year contract on March 24.

## Regular season
### Notable events

On May 7, 2008, Carlos Gómez hit for the cycle against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. He became the ninth major leaguer in history to hit for the reverse natural cycle. He also became the third-youngest player to hit for the cycle in MLB history. It had been a spell of 22 years since the last Twin hit for the cycle, Kirby Puckett in 1986.
On May 19, Bobby Korecky—with a single in the tenth inning—became the only Twins pitcher to get a hit in the Metrodome (1982–2009).
In the third inning of the June 15 game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Scott Baker became the first Minnesota Twin to strike out four men in a single inning. After Ryan Braun struck out, Prince Fielder struck out swinging at a wild pitch and made it to first base. Baker then struck out Russell Branyan and Mike Cameron to end the inning. Baker is the eighth American League pitcher to strike out the four consecutively. In 2012, Francisco Liriano will become the second Twin to accomplish the feat.
During the 2008 campaign, the Twins sent three representatives to the 2008 MLB All Star game: Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan. Morneau went on to win the home run derby and score the winning run in the 15th inning of the All-Star game.
Joe Mauer won his second American League batting title with a .328 average. Justin Morneau set a new club record with 47 doubles, and led the major leagues playing in 163 games. Carlos Gómez topped Rod Carew's 1974 team record with 30 bunt singles (Carew had 29), a total which led the majors.
Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau both won Silver Slugger Awards; Mauer added a Gold Glove Award as well.

### Season standings

vteAL Central :
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
| Chicago White Sox | 89 | 74 | .546 | — | 54‍–‍28 | 35‍–‍46 |
| Minnesota Twins | 88 | 75 | .540 | 1 | 53‍–‍28 | 35‍–‍47 |
| Cleveland Indians | 81 | 81 | .500 | 7½ | 45‍–‍36 | 36‍–‍45 |
| Kansas City Royals | 75 | 87 | .463 | 13½ | 38‍–‍43 | 37‍–‍44 |
| Detroit Tigers | 74 | 88 | .457 | 14½ | 40‍–‍41 | 34‍–‍47 |

### Record vs. opponents

| Team | BAL | BOS | CWS | CLE | DET | KC | LAA | MIN | NYY | OAK | SEA | TB | TEX | TOR | NL |
| Baltimore | – | 6–12 | 4–5 | 4–4 | 4–3 | 5–3 | 3–6 | 3–3 | 7–11 | 0–5 | 8–2 | 3–15 | 4–5 | 6–12 | 11–7 |
| Boston | 12–6 | – | 4–3 | 5–1 | 5–2 | 6–1 | 1–8 | 4–3 | 9–9 | 6–4 | 6–3 | 8–10 | 9–1 | 9–9 | 11–7 |
| Chicago | 5–4 | 3–4 | – | 11–7 | 12–6 | 12–6 | 5–5 | 9–10 | 2–5 | 5–4 | 5–1 | 4–6 | 3–3 | 1–7 | 12–6 |
| Cleveland | 4–4 | 1–5 | 7–11 | – | 11–7 | 10–8 | 4–5 | 8–10 | 4–3 | 5–4 | 4–5 | 5–2 | 6–4 | 6–1 | 6–12 |
| Detroit | 3–4 | 2–5 | 6–12 | 7–11 | – | 7–11 | 3–6 | 7–11 | 4–2 | 3–6 | 7–3 | 3–4 | 6–3 | 3–5 | 13–5 |
| Kansas City | 3–5 | 1–6 | 6–12 | 8–10 | 11–7 | – | 2–3 | 6–12 | 5–5 | 6–3 | 7–2 | 3–5 | 2–7 | 2–5 | 13–5 |
| Los Angeles | 6–3 | 8–1 | 5–5 | 5–4 | 6–3 | 3–2 | – | 5–3 | 7–3 | 10–9 | 14–5 | 3–6 | 12–7 | 6–3 | 10–8 |
| Minnesota | 3–3 | 3–4 | 10–9 | 10–8 | 11–7 | 12–6 | 3–5 | – | 4–6 | 5–5 | 5–4 | 3–3 | 5–5 | 0–6 | 14–4 |
| New York | 11–7 | 9–9 | 5–2 | 3–4 | 2–4 | 5–5 | 3–7 | 6–4 | – | 5–1 | 7–2 | 11–7 | 3–4 | 9–9 | 10–8 |
| Oakland | 5–0 | 4–6 | 4–5 | 4–5 | 6–3 | 3–6 | 9–10 | 5–5 | 1–5 | - | 10–9 | 3–6 | 7–12 | 4–6 | 10–8 |
| Seattle | 2–8 | 3–6 | 1–5 | 5–4 | 3–7 | 2–7 | 5–14 | 4–5 | 2–7 | 9–10 | – | 3–4 | 8–11 | 5–4 | 9–9 |
| Tampa Bay | 15–3 | 10–8 | 6–4 | 2–5 | 4–3 | 5–3 | 6–3 | 3–3 | 7–11 | 6–3 | 4–3 | – | 6–3 | 11–7 | 12–6 |
| Texas | 5–4 | 1–9 | 3–3 | 4–6 | 3–6 | 7–2 | 7–12 | 5–5 | 4–3 | 12–7 | 11–8 | 3–6 | – | 4–4 | 10–8 |
| Toronto | 12–6 | 9–9 | 7–1 | 1–6 | 5–3 | 5–2 | 3–6 | 6–0 | 9–9 | 6–4 | 4–5 | 7–11 | 4–4 | – | 8–10 |
* view
* talk

### Game log

2008 game log :
March/April: 13–14
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord
1March 31Angels3–2Hernández (1–0)Weaver (0–1)Nathan (1)49,5961–0
2April 1Angels9–1Garland (1–0)Bonser (0–1)24,5861–1
3April 2Angels1–0Saunders (1–0)Blackburn (0–1)Rodríguez (1)21,9321–2
4April 3Angels5–4Santana (1–0)Slowey (0–1)Rodríguez (2)17,0841–3
5April 4Royals4–3Baker (1–0)Bale (0–1)Nathan (2)21,8472–3
6April 5Royals6–4Hernández (2–0)Meche (0–1)Nathan (3)21,2623–3
7April 6Royals3–1Tomko (1–0)Bonser (0–2)Soria (3)21,7653–4
8April 7@ White Sox7–4Vázquez (1–1)Guerrier (0–1)Jenks (4)38,0823–5
9April 9@ White Sox12–5Baker (2–0)Danks (0–1)Bass (1)16,4994–5
--April 10@ White SoxPostponed (rain) Rescheduled for June 9
10April 11@ Royals5–0Hernández (3–0)Meche (0–2)16,6915–5
11April 12@ Royals2–0Bonser (1–2)Tomko (1–1)Nathan (4)36,3006–5
12April 13@ Royals5–1Bannister (3–0)Liriano (0–1)13,8866–6
13April 14@ Tigers11–9Beltrán (1–0)Neshek (0–1)Jones (2)32,0026–7
14April 15@ Tigers6–5Rapada (1–0)Crain (0–1)Jones (3)30,9016–8
15April 16Rays6–5Rincón (1–0)Wheeler (0–2)Nathan (5)20,2097–8
16April 17Rays7–3Hammel (1–1)Bonser (1–3)Howell (1)14,7817–9
17April 18Indians4–0Lee (3–0)Liriano (0–2)22,3667–10
18April 19Indians3–0Blackburn (1–1)Westbrook (1–2)Nathan (6)34,2108–10
19April 20Indians2–1 (10)Guerrier (1–1)Pérez (0–1)27,7039–10
20April 22@ Athletics5–4Rincón (2–0)Blanton (1–4)Nathan (7)10,26710–10
21April 23@ Athletics3–0Gaudin (2–1)Bonser (1–4)Street (6)15,24210–11
22April 24@ Athletics11–2Smith (2–0)Liriano (0–3)12,59310–12
23April 25@ Rangers6–5 (10)Benoit (2–1)Rincón (2–1)19,01610–13
24April 26@ Rangers12–6Reyes (1–0)Wright (1–1)33,05311–13
25April 27@ Rangers10–0Padilla (3–2)Hernández (3–1)19,91111–14
26April 29White Sox3–1Bonser (2–4)Floyd (2–1)Nathan (8)20,89112–14
27April 30White Sox4–3Blackburn (2–1)Wassermann (0–1)Nathan (9)19,13713–14 :
May: 15–13
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord
28May 2Tigers11–1Hernández (4–1)Galarraga (2–1)33,62814–14
29May 3Tigers4–1Bass (1–0)Verlander (1–5)Nathan (10)28,98515–14
30May 4Tigers7–6Guerrier (2–1)Miner (1–2)Nathan (11)29,82116–14
31May 6@ White Sox7–1Floyd (3–1)Blackburn (2–2)23,48016–15
32May 7@ White Sox13–1Hernández (5–1)Buehrle (1–4)21,09217–15
33May 8@ White Sox6–2Danks (3–3)Slowey (0–2)25,19317–16
34May 9Red Sox7–6Crain (1–1)Papelbon (2–2)25,47718–16
35May 10Red Sox5–2Matsuzaka (6–0)Perkins (0–1)Papelbon (11)33,83918–17
36May 11Red Sox9–8Blackburn (3–2)Wakefield (3–2)Nathan (12)26,51119–17
37May 12Red Sox7–3Hernández (6–1)Bucholz (2–3)18,78220–17
38May 13Blue Jays5–3Litsch (5–1)Slowey (0–3)Ryan (6)18,11020–18
39May 14Blue Jays6–5Halladay (4–5)Bonser (2–5)Downs (5)21,02620–19
40May 15Blue Jays3–2 (11)Camp (1–1)Crain (1–2)Ryan (7)18,70120–20
41May 16@ Rockies4–2Blackburn (4–2)Jiménez (1–4)Nathan (13)35,33621–20
42May 17@ Rockies3–2Herges (2–0)Hernández (6–2)Fuentes (5)43,14921–21
43May 18@ Rockies6–2Francis (1–4)Slowey (0–4)40,32621–22
44May 19Rangers7–6 (12)Korecky (1–0)Germán (1–3)16,68022–22
45May 20Rangers11–4Perkins (1–1)Mathis (1–1)19,37623–22
46May 21Rangers10–1Ponson (3–0)Blackburn (4–3)22,03223–23
47May 22Rangers8–7 (10)Benoit (3–1)Bass (1–1)Wilson (9)23,12623–24
48May 23@ Tigers9–4Slowey (1–4)Galarraga (3–2)40,73224–24
49May 24@ Tigers19–3Robertson (2–4)Bonser (2–6)41,13724–25
50May 25@ Tigers6–1Perkins (2–1)Cruceta (0–2)42,41325–25
51May 27@ Royals4–3 (12)Crain (2–2)Núñez (3–1)Guerrier (1)17,19126–25
52May 28@ Royals9–8 (10)Crain (3–2)Peralta (0–2)Nathan (14)13,62127–25
53May 29@ Royals5–1Slowey (2–4)Hochevar (3–5)12,33628–25
54May 30Yankees6–5Mussina (8–4)Perkins (2–2)Rivera (14)30,18828–26
55May 31Yankees7–6 (12)Ohlendorf (1–1)Rincón (2–2)Rivera (15)36,44128–27 :
June: 17–11
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord
56June 1Yankees5–1Bass (2–1)Rasner (3–2)27,47929–27
57June 2Yankees6–5Guerrier (3–1)Farnsworth (0–2)Nathan (15)20,16830–27
58June 3Orioles5–3Liz (1–0)Slowey (2–5)Sherrill (19)18,80230–28
59June 4Orioles7–5Bonser (3–6)Cabrera (5–2)Nathan (16)22,05731–28
60June 5Orioles3–2Olson (5–2)Bass (2–2)Sherrill (20)19,62131–29
61June 6@ White Sox10–6Vázquez (6–4)Blackburn (4–4)26,45931–30
62June 7@ White Sox11–2Buehrle (3–6)Hernández (6–3)32,93031–31
63June 8@ White Sox12–2Floyd (7–3)Slowey (2–6)30,56531–32
64June 9@ White Sox7–5Thornton (2–1)Guerrier (3–2)Jenks (15)21,12631–33
65June 10@ Indians1–0Sabathia (4–8)Baker (2–1)26,87431–34
66June 11@ Indians8–5Blackburn (5–4)Byrd (3–6)Nathan (17)18,74232–34
67June 12@ Indians12–2Laffey (4–3)Hernández (6–4)21,71632–35
68June 13@ Brewers10–2Slowey (3–6)Bush (2–7)38,58633–35
69June 14@ Brewers9–4 (12)Bass (3–2)Tavárez (0–2)43,81234–35
70June 15@ Brewers4–2McClung (4–3)Baker (2–2)Torres (8)41,69334–36
71June 17Nationals2–1Hernández (7–4)Lannan (4–8)Nathan (18)20,92035–36
72June 18Nationals11–2Slowey (4–6)Bergmann (1–5)23,84136–36
73June 19Nationals9–3Perkins (3–2)Hill (1–4)24,79337–36
74June 20D-backs7–2Baker (3–2)Johnson (4–5)29,06938–36
75June 21D-backs6–1Blackburn (6–4)Owings (6–6)25,50539–36
76June 22D-backs5–3Hernández (8–4)Webb (11–4)Nathan (19)31,49740–36
77June 24@ Padres3–1Reyes (2–0)Hoffman (1–5)Nathan (20)36,94841–36
78June 25@ Padres9 – 3Perkins (4–2)Maddux (3–6)22,32442–36
79June 26@ Padres4–3Baker (4–2)Banks (2–2)Nathan (21)28,78943–36
80June 27Brewers7–6Guerrier (4–2)Mota (2–5)Nathan (22)30,10444–36
81June 28Brewers5–1Parra (8–2)Hernández (8–5)38,96344–37
82June 29Brewers5–0Slowey (5–6)Sheets (9–2)30,65545–37
83June 30Tigers5–4Fossum (1–0)Guerrier (4–3)Zumaya (1)22,19645–38 :
July: 15–10
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord
84July 1Tigers6–4Baker (5–2)Robertson (6–7)Nathan (23)23,75446–38
85July 2Tigers7–0Blackburn (7–4)Bonine (2–1)30,10247–38
86July 4Indians12–3Hernández (9–5)Byrd (3–10)22,63448–38
87July 5Indians9–6Slowey (6–6)Mastny (0–2)Nathan (24)31,88749–38
88July 6Indians4–3Perkins (5–2)Lee (11–2)Nathan (25)30,25850–38
89July 7@ Red Sox1–0Okajima (2–2)Bass (3–3)Papelbon (26)37,91250–39
90July 8@ Red Sox6–5Aardsma (3–2)Guerrier (4–4)Papelbon (27)37,92550–40
91July 9@ Red Sox18–5Beckett (9–5)Hernández (9–6)37,47050–41
92July 10@ Tigers7–6 (11)Guerrier (5–4)Dolsi (1–3)41,95251–41
93July 11@ Tigers3–2Perkins (6–2)Galarraga (7–3)Nathan (26)42,35252–41
94July 12@ Tigers6–5Baker (6–2)Robertson (6–8)Nathan (27)41,30153–41
95July 13@ Tigers4–2Verlander (7–9)Blackburn (7–5)Jones (17)41,45353–42
96July 18Rangers6–0Perkins (7–2)Millwood (6–6)30,13454–42
97July 19Rangers14–2Hernández (10–6)Harrison (1–1)35,08555–42
98July 20Rangers1–0Padilla (11–5)Baker (6–3)Wilson (22)36,02955–43
99July 21@ Yankees12–4Ponson (6–1)Blackburn (7–6)53,48455–44
100July 22@ Yankees8–2Robertson (2–0)Slowey (6–7)53,40655–45
101July 23@ Yankees5–1Mussina (13–6)Perkins (7–3)Rivera (25)54,11455–46
102July 25@ Indians5–4Lee (14–2)Hernández (10–7)Pérez (1)33,51255–47
103July 26@ Indians11–4Baker (7–3)Carmona (4–3)35,39056–47
104July 27@ Indians4–2Guerrier (6–4)Perez (1–2)Nathan (28)31,56257–47
105July 28White Sox7–0Slowey (7–7)Buehrle (8–9)30,12658–47
106July 29White Sox6–5Perkins (8–3)Richard (0–1)Nathan (29)35,99959–47
107July 30White Sox8–3Floyd (11–6)Hernández (10–8)42,70559–48
108July 31White Sox10–6Crain (4–2)Thornton (4–3)31,49360–48 :
August: 17–12
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord
109August 1Indians4–1Blackburn (8–6)Sowers (1–6)Nathan (30)33,70961–48
110August 2Indians5–1Byrd (6–10)Slowey (7–8)40,93761–49
111August 3Indians6–2Liriano (1–3)Ginter (1–3)39,81862–49
112August 4@ Mariners11–6Corcoran (2–0)Bass (3–4)27,75862–50
113August 5@ Mariners8–7Putz (4–4)Guerrier (6–5)26,08362–51
114August 6@ Mariners7–3Blackburn (9–6)Washburn (5–11)30,44163–51
115August 8@ Royals4–1Slowey (8–8)Davies (5–3)Nathan (31)33,65364–51
116August 9@ Royals7–3Liriano (2–3)Greinke (9–8)27,96065–51
117August 10@ Royals5–4 (12)Tejeda (1–2)Breslow (0–1)23,16365–52
118August 11Yankees4–0Perkins (9–3)Ponson (7–3)30,12666–52
119August 12Yankees9–6 (12)Veras (3–1)Guerrier (6–6)E. Ramírez (1)33,03666–53
120August 13Yankees4–2Slowey (9–8)Rasner (5–9)Nathan (32)35,18767–53
121August 15Mariners9–3Liriano (3–3)Silva (4–14)32,20868–53
122August 16Mariners7–6Reyes (3–0)Jiménez (0–2)36,31669–53
123August 17Mariners11–8Perkins (10–3)Feierabend (0–1)Nathan (33)35,47870–53
124August 18Athletics3–2Saarloos (1–0)Blackburn (9–7)Ziegler (3)25,02470–54
125August 19Athletics13–2Slowey (10–8)Gallagher (4–6)35,25671–54
126August 20Athletics3–1Liriano (4–3)Braden (3–3)Nathan (34)30,88872–54
127August 21@ Angels2–1 (12)Crain (5–2)Speier (1–7)Nathan (35)41,36773–54
128August 22@ Angels9–0Perkins (11–3)Saunders (14–6)43,81974–54
129August 23@ Angels7–5Oliver (5–1)Blackburn (9–8)Rodríguez (49)43,90674–55
130August 24@ Angels5–3Arredondo (6–1)Crain (5–3)Rodríguez (50)40,01174–56
131August 25@ Mariners4–2 (11)Dickey (4–8)Crain (5–4)23,27774–57
132August 26@ Mariners3–2Rowland-Smith (3–2)Baker (7–4)Corcoran (1)26,29274–58
133August 27@ Mariners6–5Perkins (12–3)Green (3–4)Nathan (36)23,58175–58
134August 28@ Athletics3–2Devine (4–0)Breslow (0–2)12,35775–59
135August 29@ Athletics12–2Slowey (11–8)Meyer (0–3)Breslow (1)22,35576–59
136August 30@ Athletics3–2Street (5–5)Nathan (0–1)25,23876–60
137August 31@ Athletics12–4Baker (8–4)Smith (6–14)18,42777–60 :
September: 11–15
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecord
138September 2@ Blue Jays7–5Carlson (5–1)Bonser (3–7)Ryan (26)21,25477–61
139September 3@ Blue Jays5–4 (11)Carlson (6–1)Guardado (3–4)21,47577–62
140September 4@ Blue Jays9–0Litsch (10–8)Slowey (11–9)25,12877–63
141September 5Tigers10–2Liriano (5–3)Galarraga (12–5)24,42478–63
142September 6Tigers6–4Rapada (3–0)Guerrier (6–7)Rodney (9)42,60678–64
143September 7Tigers7–5Lambert (1–1)Perkins (12–4)Rodney (10)31,23678–65
144September 9Royals7–2Blackburn (10–8)Bannister (7–15)17,01579–65
145September 10Royals7–1Slowey (12–9)Davies (6–7)20,42180–65
146September 11Royals3–2 (10)R. Ramírez (3–2)Guerrier (6–8)Soria (36)20,13880–66
--September 12@ OriolesPostponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 13
147September 13@ Orioles12–2Baker (9–4)Cabrera (8–10)81–66
148September 13@ Orioles12–6Korecky (2–0)Olson (9–8)21,71282–66
149September 14@ Orioles7–3Liz (6–5)Blackburn (10–9)18,55982–67
150September 15@ Indians3–1S. Lewis (2–0)Slowey (12–10)J. Lewis (9)19,60782–68
151September 16@ Indians12–9 (11)Mastny (2–2)Nathan (0–2)21,29582–69
152September 17@ Indians6–4Mujica (3–2)Mijares (0–1)Lewis (10)22,90482–70
153September 18@ Rays11–8Guardado (4–4)Wheeler (5–6)Nathan (37)17,29683–70
154September 19@ Rays11–1Jackson (12–11)Blackburn (10–10)28,30683–71
155September 20@ Rays7–2Kazmir (12–7)Slowey (12–11)36,04883–72
156September 21@ Rays4–1Liriano (6–3)Sonnanstine (13–8)Nathan (38)36,04884–72
157September 23White Sox9–3Baker (10–4)Vasquez (12–15)35,22585–72
158September 24White Sox3–2Blackburn (11–10)Burhrle (14–12)Nathan (39)42,12686–72
159September 25White Sox7–6 (10)Nathan (1–2)Jenks (3–1)43,60187–72
160September 26Royals8–1Davies (9–7)Liriano (6–4)30,67487–73
161September 27Royals4–2Meche (14–11)Guerrier (6–9)Soria (42)38,07287–74
162September 28Royals6–0Baker (11–4)Duckworth (3–3)42,94288–74
163September 30@ White Sox*1–0Danks (12–9)Blackburn (11–11)Jenks (30)40,35488–75 :
*AL Central tiebreaker. :

### Regular season transactions

* April 5, 2008: Placed outfielder Michael Cuddyer on the 15-day disabled list; recalled outfielder Denard Span from Rochester of the International League (AAA).
* April 11, 2008: Placed pitcher Kevin Slowey on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 4.
* April 12, 2008: Recalled pitcher Francisco Liriano from Rochester.
* April 19, 2008: Placed shortstop Adam Everett on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 15; recalled third baseman Brian Buscher from Rochester.
* April 24, 2008: Optioned outfielder Denard Span to Rochester of the International League (AAA).
* April 25, 2008: Activated outfielder Michael Cuddyer from the 15-day disabled list.
* April 26, 2008: Optioned pitcher Francisco Liriano to Rochester of the International League (AAA); recalled pitcher Bobby Korecky from Rochester.
* April 30, 2008: Optioned third baseman Brian Buscher to Rochester of the International League (AAA).
* May 2, 2008: Activated infielder Adam Everett from the 15-day disabled list.
* May 8, 2008: Placed pitcher Scott Baker on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 4; activated pitcher Kevin Slowey from the 15-day disabled list.
* May 9, 2008: Placed pitcher Pat Neshek on the 15-day disabled list; recalled pitcher Glen Perkins from Rochester.
* May 11, 2008: Placed infielder Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list; recalled infielder Alexi Casilla from Rochester.
* May 17, 2008: Placed infielder Matt Tolbert on the 15-day disabled list; purchased the contract of infielder Howie Clark from Rochester.
* May 22, 2008: Placed shortstop Adam Everett on the 15-day disabled list; recalled infielder Matt Macri from Rochester.
* May 29, 2008: Claimed pitcher Craig Breslow off waivers from the Cleveland Indians; transferred pitcher Pat Neshek to the 60-day disabled list; optioned pitcher Bobby Korecky to Rochester.
* May 31, 2008: Activated infielder Nick Punto from the 15-day disabled list; designated infielder Howie Clark for assignment.
* June 2, 2008: Outrighted infielder Howie Clark to the minor leagues.
* June 5, 2008: Optioned infielder Matt Macri to Rochester of the International League (AAA).
* June 6, 2008: Activated pitcher Scott Baker from the 15-day disabled list; placed infielder Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list; recalled infielder Matt Macri from Rochester.
* June 13, 2008: Pitcher Juan Rincón designated for assignment; recalled infielder Brian Buscher from Rochester.
* June 18, 2008: Released pitcher Juan Rincón.
* June 24, 2008: Activated infielder Nick Punto from the 15-day disabled list: optioned infielder Howie Clark to Rochester.
* June 29, 2008: Placed outfielder Michael Cuddyer on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 28; recalled outfielder Denard Span from Rochester of the International League (AAA).
* July 31, 2008: Placed infielder Alexi Casilla on the 15-day disabled list; activated infielder Adam Everett from the 15-day disabled list.
* August 1, 2008: Designated pitcher Liván Hernández and outfielder Craig Monroe for assignment; recalled pitcher Francisco Liriano from Rochester; purchased the contract of infielder Randy Ruiz from Rochester.
* August 11, 2008: Signed former Twin Bobby Kielty to a minor league contract.
* August 21, 2008: Activated infielder Alexi Casilla from the 15-day disabled list; assigned pitcher Brian Bass to Rochester of the International League (AAA).

## Player stats
### Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases
| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG | SB |
| Scott Baker | 28 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | 0 |
| Brian Bass | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Nick Blackburn | 33 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | 0 |
| Boof Bonser | 47 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Craig Breslow | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Brian Buscher | 70 | 218 | 29 | 64 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 47 | .294 | 0 |
| Alexi Casilla | 98 | 385 | 58 | 108 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 50 | .281 | 7 |
| Howie Clark | 4 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 | 0 |
| Jesse Crain | 66 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Michael Cuddyer | 71 | 249 | 30 | 62 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 36 | .249 | 5 |
| Adam Everett | 48 | 127 | 19 | 27 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 20 | .213 | 0 |
| Carlos Gómez | 153 | 577 | 79 | 149 | 24 | 7 | 7 | 59 | .258 | 33 |
| Matt Guerrier | 76 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Brendan Harris | 130 | 434 | 57 | 115 | 29 | 3 | 7 | 49 | .265 | 1 |
| Liván Hernández | 23 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .500 | 0 |
| Bobby Korecky | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0 |
| Jason Kubel | 141 | 463 | 74 | 126 | 22 | 5 | 20 | 78 | .272 | 0 |
| Mike Lamb | 81 | 236 | 20 | 55 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 32 | .233 | 0 |
| Matt Macri | 18 | 34 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .324 | 1 |
| Joe Mauer | 146 | 536 | 98 | 176 | 31 | 4 | 9 | 85 | .328 | 1 |
| Craig Monroe | 58 | 163 | 22 | 33 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 29 | .202 | 0 |
| Justin Morneau | 163 | 623 | 97 | 187 | 47 | 4 | 23 | 129 | .300 | 0 |
| Joe Nathan | 68 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Glen Perkins | 26 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Nick Punto | 99 | 338 | 43 | 96 | 19 | 4 | 2 | 28 | .284 | 15 |
| Mike Redmond | 38 | 129 | 14 | 37 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 | .287 | 0 |
| Dennys Reyes | 75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Juan Rincón | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Randy Ruiz | 22 | 62 | 13 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | .274 | 0 |
| Kevin Slowey | 28 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .250 | 0 |
| Denard Span | 93 | 347 | 70 | 102 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 47 | .294 | 18 |
| Matt Tolbert | 41 | 113 | 18 | 32 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 6 | .285 | 7 |
| Delmon Young | 152 | 575 | 80 | 167 | 28 | 4 | 10 | 69 | .290 | 14 |
| Team Totals | 163 | 5641 | 829 | 1572 | 298 | 49 | 111 | 791 | .279 | 102 |

### Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | R | ER | BB | K |
| Scott Baker | 11 | 4 | 3.45 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 172.1 | 66 | 66 | 42 | 141 |
| Brian Bass | 3 | 4 | 4.87 | 44 | 0 | 1 | 68.1 | 42 | 37 | 22 | 32 |
| Nick Blackburn | 11 | 11 | 4.05 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 193.1 | 102 | 87 | 39 | 96 |
| Boof Bonser | 3 | 7 | 5.93 | 47 | 12 | 0 | 118.1 | 87 | 78 | 36 | 97 |
| Craig Breslow | 0 | 2 | 1.63 | 42 | 0 | 1 | 38.2 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 32 |
| Jesse Crain | 5 | 4 | 3.59 | 66 | 0 | 0 | 62.2 | 29 | 25 | 24 | 50 |
| Eddie Guardado | 1 | 1 | 7.71 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 7.0 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 5 |
| Matt Guerrier | 6 | 9 | 5.19 | 76 | 0 | 1 | 76.1 | 47 | 44 | 37 | 59 |
| Liván Hernández | 10 | 8 | 5.48 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 139.2 | 93 | 85 | 29 | 54 |
| Philip Humber | 0 | 0 | 4.63 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 11.2 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| Bobby Korecky | 2 | 0 | 4.58 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 17.2 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| Francisco Liriano | 6 | 4 | 3.91 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 76.0 | 40 | 33 | 32 | 67 |
| José Mijares | 0 | 1 | 0.87 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10.1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Joe Nathan | 1 | 2 | 1.33 | 68 | 0 | 39 | 67.2 | 13 | 10 | 18 | 74 |
| Pat Neshek | 0 | 1 | 4.73 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 13.1 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 15 |
| Glen Perkins | 12 | 4 | 4.41 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 151.0 | 81 | 74 | 39 | 74 |
| Dennys Reyes | 3 | 0 | 2.33 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 46.1 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 39 |
| Juan Rincón | 2 | 2 | 6.11 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 28.0 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 20 |
| Kevin Slowey | 12 | 11 | 3.99 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 160.1 | 74 | 71 | 24 | 123 |
| Team Totals | 88 | 75 | 4.16 | 163 | 163 | 42 | 1459.0 | 745 | 675 | 406 | 995 |

## Other post-season awards

* Calvin R. Griffith Award (Most Valuable Twin) – Justin Morneau
* Joseph W. Haynes Award (Twins Pitcher of the Year) – Joe Nathan
* Bill Boni Award (Twins Outstanding Rookie) – Denard Span
* Charles O. Johnson Award (Most Improved Twin) – Alexi Casilla
* Dick Siebert Award (Upper Midwest Player of the Year) – Joe Mauer
* Bob Allison Award (Leadership Award) – Justin Morneau
* Mike Augustin Award ("Media Good Guy" Award) – Joe Nathan
** The above awards are voted on by the Twin Cities chapter of the BBWAA
* Carl R. Pohlad Award (Outstanding Community Service) – Joe Mauer
* Sherry Robertson Award (Twins Outstanding Farm System Position Player) – Ben Revere
* Jim Rantz Award (Twins Outstanding Farm System Pitcher) – Anthony Slama
* Kirby Puckett Award (Alumni Community Service) – Kent Hrbek
* Herb Carneal Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) – Carl Pohlad

## Farm system

| Level | Team | League | Manager |
| AAA | Rochester Red Wings | International League | Stan Cliburn |
| AA | New Britain Rock Cats | Eastern League | Bobby Cuellar |
| A | Fort Myers Miracle | Florida State League | Jeff Smith |
| A | Beloit Snappers | Midwest League | Nelson Prada |
| Rookie | Elizabethton Twins | Appalachian League | Ray Smith |
| Rookie | GCL Twins | Gulf Coast League | Jake Mauer |
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Elizabethton