2009 Minnesota Twins season

March 2026 November 2013 Minnesota Twins 2009 American League Central champions Minnesota Twins cap logo (2002-2022).svg American League Central Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 87–76 (.534) 1st Minneapolis Jim Pohlad Bill Smith Ron Gardenhire Fox Sports NorthWFTC (My 29)(Dick Bremer, Bert Blyleven) AM 1500 KSTP(John Gordon, Dan Gladden, Jack Morris, Kris Atteberry) min MIN The 2009 Minnesota Twins season was the 49th season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 109th overall in the American League. It was their final season at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome with their new stadium, Target Field, opening in 2010. They ended the regular season as American League Central champions after defeating the Detroit Tigers in a one game tie-breaker.https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/sports/08leading.html Twins Celebrate While They Can October 6, 2009 New York Times October 7, 2009 Lynn Zinser They were then swept in the ALDS by the New York Yankees.https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/sports/baseball/12yankees.html?_r=1&ref=baseball Yankees Sweep Twins to Advance to A.L.C.S. October 11, 2009 New York Times October 13, 2009 Tyler Kepner The team's star catcher and Minnesota native Joe Mauer won the American League Most Valuable Player Award. Regular season On April 17, Jason Kubel hit for the cycle, becoming the ninth Twin to accomplish the feat. Kubel joins just six other American League cycle-hitters that filled the 'HR' slot with a grand slam home run.http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats16d.shtml Hitting For The Cycle Records Baseball-Almanac.com 2016-02-16 On May 22, Michael Cuddyer hit for the cycle, becoming the tenth Twin to accomplish the feat. When he homered twice in the seventh inning on August 23, Cuddy became the only man ever in baseball to accomplish both feats in the same season. Prior to Kubel last month, the eight previous Twins' cycle hitters were Rod Carew, 1970; César Tovar, 1972; Larry Hisle, 1976; Lyman Bostock, 1976; Mike Cubbage, 1978; Gary Ward, 1980; Kirby Puckett, 1986 and Carlos Gómez, 2008. After 319 consecutive games, Justin Morneau sat out June 21. He hadn't missed a game since June 27, 2007, until manager Ron Gardenhire held him out that day. His consecutive-games streak remains the longest for the Twins club.http://www.twincities.com/2009/06/20/minnesota-twins-justin-morneau-ends-streak-of-319-consecutive-games-played/ Minnesota Twins June 20, 2009 TwinCities.com 2016-02-15 At the All-Star Game at Busch Stadium, Joe Mauer was the American League's starting catcher, and doubled in three at-bats. Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan entered as reserves. Nathan pitched an inning, walked one, struck out one and gave up one hit, earning a hold.https://www.baseball-reference.com/allstar/2009-allstar-game.shtml 2009 All-Star Game box score Baseball-Reference.com 2016-02-19 Joe Mauer won his third American League batting title, with a .365 average. In the forty-nine seasons the Minnesota Twins have existed, a Twin has won the AL batting title fourteen times -- Rod Carew (7), Tony Oliva (3), Joe Mauer (3) and Kirby Puckett (1).https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/batting_avg_leagues.shtml League Batting Average Leaders Baseball-Reference.com 2016-02-16 Closer Joe Nathan saved 47 games to top Eddie Guardado's previous club record of 45. He was a co-winner of the Rolaids Relief Man Award (with Mariano Rivera), only the second Twin (after Bill Campbell, in 1976) to do so. Nathan now leads in Twins career saves with 260. For the first time ever, four Twins topped 90 RBI: Jason Kubel (103), Justin Morneau (100), Joe Mauer (96) and Michael Cuddyer (94).https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2009.shtml Minnesota Twins 2009 Baseball-Reference.com 2016-02-16 Along with winning the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, Joe Mauer was named American League MVP, the fifth Twin in history to be so honored. Mauer is the first AL catcher to lead the league in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Season standings Minnesota Twins Record vs. opponents MIN Roster 2009 Minnesota Twins Roster Pitchers 18 Luis Ayala 30 Scott Baker 53 Nick Blackburn 49 Craig Breslow 28 Jesse Crain 39 R. A. Dickey 52 Brian Duensing 63 Armando Gabino 54 Matt Guerrier 60 Sean Henn 38 Philip Humber 44 Bobby Keppel 47 Francisco Liriano 37 Ron Mahay 49 Jeff Manship 50 José Mijares 31 Juan Morillo 61 Kevin Mulvey 36 Joe Nathan 48 Carl Pavano 15 Glen Perkins 60 Jon Rauch 59 Kevin Slowey 51 Anthony Swarzak Catchers  7 Joe Mauer 58 José Morales 55 Mike Redmond Infielders 32 Brian Buscher 18 Orlando Cabrera 25 Alexi Casilla 24 Joe Crede 23 Brendan Harris 19 Justin Huber 33 Justin Morneau  8 Nick Punto 20 Matt Tolbert Outfielders  5 Michael Cuddyer 22 Carlos Gómez 16 Jason Kubel 11 Jason Pridie  2 Denard Span 21 Delmon Young Manager 35 Ron Gardenhire Coaches 40 Rick Anderson (pitching)  9 Steve Liddle (bench) 43 Rick Stelmaszek (bullpen) 45 Scott Ullger (third base) 46 Joe Vavra (hitting) 13 Jerry White (first base) Game log background:#072754;color:white; 2009 Game Log y background:#C6011F;color:#fff; April: 11–11 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || April 6 || Mariners || 6–1 || Hernández (1–0) || Liriano (0–1) || || 48,514 || 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 2 || April 7 || Mariners || 6–5 || Ayala (1–0) || Morrow (0–1) || || 23,755 || 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 3 || April 8 || Mariners || 6–5 || Slowey (1–0) || Silva (0–1) || Nathan (1) || 22,270 || 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 9 || Mariners || 2–0 || Washburn (1–0) || Perkins (0–1) || Morrow (1) || 20,105 || 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 5 || April 10 || @ White Sox || 12–5 || Dickey (1–0) || Contreras (0–1) || || 25,422 || 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 6 || April 11 || @ White Sox || 8–0 || Colón (1–0) || Liriano (0–2) || || 33,935 || 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 7 || April 12 || @ White Sox || 6–1 || Buehrle (1–0) || Blackburn (0–1) || Jenks (2) || 25,571 || 3–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 8 || April 13 || Blue Jays || 8–6 || Frasor (1–0) || Ayala (1–1) || Ryan (1) || 16,410 || 3–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 9 || April 14 || Blue Jays || 3–2 (11) || Crain (1–0) || Carlson (0–1) || || 15,375 || 4–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 10 || April 15 || Blue Jays || 12–2 || Richmond (1–0) || Baker (0–1) || || 19,471 || 4–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 11 || April 16 || Blue Jays || 9–2 || Halladay (3–0) || Liriano (0–3) || || 15,169 || 4–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 12 || April 17 || Angels || 11–9 || Guerrier (1–0) || Bulger (0–1) || Nathan (2) || 24,168 || 5–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 13 || April 18 || Angels || 9–2 || Slowey (2–0) || Jepsen (0–2) || || 34,286 || 6–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 14 || April 19 || Angels || 3–1 || Perkins (1–1) || Loux (0–1) || Nathan (3) || 28,302 || 7–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | || April 21 || @ Red Sox || colspan=6 |Postponed (rain); rescheduled for April 22 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 15 || April 22 || @ Red Sox || 10–1 (7) || Wakefield (2–1) || Baker (0–2) || || 37,608 || 7–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 16 || April 22 || @ Red Sox || 7–3 || Penny (2–0) || Liriano (0–4) || || 37,494 || 7–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 17 || April 24 || @ Indians || 5–1 || Blackburn (1–1) || Carmona (1–3) || || 20,215 || 8–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 18 || April 25 || @ Indians || 7–1 || Slowey (3–0) || Pavano (0–3) || || 23,186 || 9–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 26 || @ Indians || 4–2 || Laffey (2–0) || Perkins (1–2) || Wood (4) || 20,153 || 9–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 20 || April 27 || Rays || 7–1 || Niemann (2–2) || Baker (0–3) || || 17,988 || 9–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 21 || April 28 || Rays || 4–3 || Nathan (1–0) || Howell (0–2) || || 18,974 || 10–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 22 || April 29 || Rays || 8–3 || Blackburn (2–1) || Kazmir (3–2) || || 21,715 || 11–11 |- y background:#C6011F;color:#fff; May: 14–16 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 23 || May 1 || Royals || 7–5 || Slowey (4–0) || Ponson (0–4) || Nathan (4) || 24,727 || 12–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 24 || May 2 || Royals || 10–7 (11) || Soria (1–0) || Breslow (0–1) || || 29,061 || 12–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || May 3 || Royals || 7–5 || Meche (2–2) || Baker (0–4) || Soria (6) || 31,845 || 12–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 26 || May 4 || @ Tigers || 7–2 || Liriano (1–4) || Jackson (1–2) || || 21,298 || 13–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 27 || May 5 || @ Tigers || 9–0 || Porcello (2–3) || Blackburn (2–2) || || 23,754 || 13–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 28 || May 6 || @ Orioles || 4–1 (6) || Bass (1–1) || Slowey (4–1) || || 10,566 || 13–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 29 || May 7 || @ Orioles || 5–4 || Johnson (2–0) || Mijares (0–1) || Sherrill (5) || 11,399 || 13–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 30 || May 8 || Mariners || 11–0 || Baker (1–4) || Jakubauskas (1–4) || || 29,714 || 14–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 31 || May 9 || Mariners || 9–6 || Liriano (2–4) || Hernández (4–2) || Nathan (5) || 29,552 || 15–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 32 || May 10 || Mariners || 5–3 || Batista (2–0) || Crain (1–1) || Morrow (6) || 25,555 || 15–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 33 || May 12 || Tigers || 6–2 || Slowey (5–1) || Galarraga (3–3) || || 24,807 || 16–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 34 || May 13 || Tigers || 14–10 (13) || Crain (2–1) || Lyon (1–3) || || 22,178 || 17–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 35 || May 14 || Tigers || 6–5 || Breslow (1–1) || Seay (0–1) || Nathan (6) || 26,046 || 18–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || May 15 || @ Yankees || 5–4 || Veras (2–1) || Nathan (1–1) || || 43,856 || 18–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 37 || May 16 || @ Yankees || 6–4 (11) || Aceves (1–0) || Breslow (1–2) || || 45,455 || 18–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 38 || May 17 || @ Yankees || 3–2 (10) || Aceves (2–0) || Crain (2–2) || || 44,804 || 18–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 18 || @ Yankees || 7–6 || Pettitte (4–1) || Perkins (1–3) || Coke (1) || 43,244 || 18–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || May 19 || @ White Sox || 6–2 || Buehrle (6–1) || Baker (1–5) || || 26,696 || 18–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 41 || May 20 || @ White Sox || 7–4 || Danks (3–3) || Liriano (2–5) || Jenks (9) || 29,044 || 18–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 42 || May 21 || @ White Sox || 20–1 || Blackburn (3–2) || Colón (2–4) || || 23,048 || 19–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 43 || May 22 || Brewers || 11–3 || Slowey (6–1) || Parra (3–5) || || 30,297 || 20–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 44 || May 23 || Brewers || 6–2 || Swarzak (1–0) || Looper (4–3) || || 40,547 || 21–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 45 || May 24 || Brewers || 6–3 || Baker (2–5) || Bush (3–1) || || 38,959 || 22–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 46 || May 25 || Red Sox || 6–5 || Penny (5–1) || Liriano (2–6) || Papelbon (12) || 27,636 || 22–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 47 || May 26 || Red Sox || 5–2 || Blackburn (4–2) || Lester (3–5) || Nathan (7) || 20,019 || 23–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 48 || May 27 || Red Sox || 4–2 || Slowey (7–1) || Matsuzaka (0–3) || Nathan (8) || 28,221 || 24–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 49 || May 28 || Red Sox || 3–1 || Beckett (5–2) || Swarzak (1–1) || Papelbon (13) || 23,958 || 24–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 50 || May 29 || @ Rays || 5–3 || Shields (4–4) || Baker (2–6) || Choate (1) || 19,358 || 24–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 51 || May 30 || @ Rays || 5–2 || Price (1–0) || Liriano (2–7) || Choate (2) || 36,052 || 24–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 52 || May 31 || @ Rays || 3–2 || Blackburn (5–2) || Garza (4–4) || Nathan (9) || 26,579 || 25–27 |- y background:#C6011F;color:#fff; June: 15–12 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 53 || June 2 || Indians || 4–3 || Slowey (8–1) || Huff (0–2) || Nathan (10) || 26,530 || 26–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 54 || June 3 || Indians || 10–1 || Lee (3–6) || Swarzak (1–2) || || 29,336 || 26–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 55 || June 4 || Indians || 11–3 || Baker (3–6) || Carmona (2–6) || || 20,897 || 27–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 56 || June 5 || @ Mariners || 2–1 (10) || Guerrier (2–0) || Lowe (0–3) || Nathan (11) || 35,808 || 28–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || June 6 || @ Mariners || 2–1 || Jakubauskas (4–5) || Henn (0–1) || Aardsma (9) || 30,600 || 28–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 58 || June 7 || @ Mariners || 4–2 || Bédard (5–2) || Slowey (8–2) || White (1) || 37,714 || 28–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 59 || June 8 || @ Athletics || 4–3 || Outman (4–0) || Ayala (1–2) || Bailey (5) || 10,181 || 28–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 60 || June 9 || @ Athletics || 10–5 || Baker (4–6) || Anderson (3–6) || Nathan (12) || 10,127 || 29–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 61 || June 10 || @ Athletics || 6–3 || Guerrier (3–0) || Bailey (4–1) || Nathan (13) || 18,074 || 30–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 62 || June 11 || @ Athletics || 4–3 || Ziegler (1–1) || Henn (0–2) || || 13,383 || 30–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 63 || June 12 || @ Cubs || 7–4 || Slowey (9–2) || Wells (0–3) || Nathan (14) || 41,509 || 31–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 64 || June 13 || @ Cubs || 2–0 || Swarzak (2–2) || Harden (4–3) || Nathan (15) || 40,899 || 32–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 65 || June 14 || @ Cubs || 3–2 || Mármol (2–1) || Crain (2–3) || || 40,814 || 32–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 66 || June 16 || Pirates || 8–2 || Perkins (2–3) || Maholm (4–3) || || 25,351 || 33–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 67 || June 17 || Pirates || 8–2 || Snell (2–7) || Liriano (2–8) || || 30,057 || 33–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 68 || June 18 || Pirates || 5–1 || Blackburn (6–2) || Duke (7–5) || || 30,670 || 34–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 69 || June 19 || Astros || 5–2 || Slowey (10–2) || Oswalt (3–4) || Nathan (16) || 32,218 || 35–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 70 || June 20 || Astros || 6–5 || Moehler (4–4) || Henn (0–3) || Valverde (4) || 34,710 || 35–35 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 71 || June 21 || Astros || 5–1 || Rodríguez (6–6) || Perkins (2–4) || Valverde (5) || 39,659 || 35–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 72 || June 23 || @ Brewers || 7–3 || Liriano (3–8) || Suppan (5–5) || || 42,008 || 36–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 73 || June 24 || @ Brewers || 4–3 || Coffey (3–1) || Blackburn (6–3) || Hoffman (17) || 34,480 || 36–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 74 || June 25 || @ Brewers || 6–4 || Baker (5–6) || Burns (0–1) || Nathan (17) || 40,524 || 37–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 75 || June 26 || @ Cardinals || 3–1 || Perkins (3–4) || Wainwright (8–5) || Nathan (18) || 44,159 || 38–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 76 || June 27 || @ Cardinals || 5–3 || Kinney (1–0) || Slowey (10–3) || Franklin (18) || 42,986 || 38–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 77 || June 28 || @ Cardinals || 6–2 || Liriano (4–8) || Piñeiro (6–9) || Nathan (19) || 42,705 || 39–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 78 || June 29 || @ Royals || 4–2 || Hochevar (3–3) || Blackburn (6–4) || Soria (10) || 22,066 || 39–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 79 || June 30 || @ Royals || 2–1 || Baker (6–6) || Bannister (5–6) || Nathan (20) || 19,310 || 40–39 |- y background:#C6011F;color:#fff; July: 12–12 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 80 || July 1 || @ Royals || 5–1 || Perkins (4–4) || Meche (4–8) || Nathan (21) || 18,906 || 41–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 81 || July 3 || Tigers || 11–9 (16) || Dolsi (1–0) || Dickey (1–1) || || 33,368 || 41–40 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 82 || July 4 || Tigers || 4–3 || Guerrier (4–0) || Lyon (3–4) ||Nathan (22) || 27,238 || 42–40 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 83 || July 5 || Tigers || 6–2 ||Blackburn (7–4) ||Porcello (8–6) || || 33,274 ||43–40 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 84 || July 7 || Yankees || 10–2 || Sabathia (8–5) ||Baker (6–7) || ||29,540 || 43–41 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 85 || July 8 || Yankees || 4–3 || Burnett (8–4) ||Swarzak (2–3) ||Rivera (22) || 38,115 || 43–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 86 || July 9 || Yankees || 6–4 ||Albaladejo (4–1) ||Liriano (4–9) ||Rivera (23) || 29,628 || 43–43 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 87 || July 10 || White Sox || 6–4 ||Blackburn (8–4) || Dotel (1–3) ||Nathan (23) || 29,628 || 44–43 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 88 || July 11 || White Sox || 8–7 || Floyd (7–6) ||Perkins (4–5) ||Jenks (20) || 41,146 || 44–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 89 || July 12 || White Sox || 13–7 ||Baker (7–7) ||Buehrle (9–3) || || 36,254 || 45–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 90 || July 17 || @ Rangers || 5–3 || Perkins (5–5) || Padilla (7–5) || Nathan (24) || 34,662 || 46–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 91 || July 18 || @ Rangers || 4–1 || Baker (8–7) || Feldman (8–3) || Nathan (25) || 31,041 || 47–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 92 || July 19 || @ Rangers || 5–3 (12) || Nippert (1–0) || Duensing (0–1) || || 27,204 || 47–45 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 93 || July 20 || @ Athletics || 14–13 || Breslow (3–4) || Mijares (0–2) || Wuertz (3) || 10,283 || 47–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 94 || July 21 || @ Athletics || 3–2 (10) || Guerrier (5–0) || Bailey (4–3) || Nathan (26) || 12,027 || 48–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 95 || July 22 || @ Athletics || 16–1 || Cahill (6–8) || Perkins (5–6) || || 22,031 || 48–47 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 96 || July 23 || @ Angels || 6–5 (10) || Fuentes (1–2) || Crain (2–4) || || 38,145 || 48–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 97 || July 24 || @ Angels || 6–3 || Lackey (6–4) || Liriano (4–10) || || 39,272 || 48–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 98 || July 25 || @ Angels || 11–5 || Palmer (8–1) || Blackburn (8–5) || || 35,922 || 48–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 99 || July 26 || @ Angels || 10–1 || Swarzak (3–3) || Santana (3–6) || || 36,386 || 49–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 100 || July 27 || White Sox || 4–3 || Perkins (6–6) || Danks (8–7) ||Nathan (27) || 32,354 || 50–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 101 || July 28 || White Sox || 5–3 || Mijares (1–2) || Beuhrle (11–4) || Nathan (28) || 34,642 || 51–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 102 || July 29 || White Sox || 3–2 || Crain (3–4) || Contreras (4–10) || Nathan (29) || 39,002 || 52–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 103 || July 31 || Angels || 11 – 5 (11) || Jepsen (3–2) || Keppel (0–1) || || 31,767 || 52–51 |- y background:#C6011F;color:#fff; August: 14–14 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 104 || August 1 || Angels || 11–6 || Saunders (9–6) || Swarzak (3–4) || || 40,828 || 52–52 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 105 || August 2 || Angels || 13–4 || Weaver (11–3) || Perkins (6–7) || || 41,079 || 52–53 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 106 || August 4 || @ Indians || 10–1 || Baker (9–7) || Huff (5–6) || || 17,518 || 53–53 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 107 || August 5 || @ Indians || 8–1 || Laffey (5–3) || Liriano (4–11) || || 17,683 || 53–54 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 108 || August 6 || @ Indians || 2–1 || Sipp (2–0) || Blackburn (8–6) || Wood (15) || 21,657 || 53–55 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 109 || August 7 || @ Tigers || 10–8 || Galarraga (6–10) || Swarzak (3–5) || || 36,444 || 53–56 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 110 || August 8 || @ Tigers || 11–0 || Pavano (10–8) || Verlander (12–6) || || 39,685 || 54–56 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 111 || August 9 || @ Tigers || 8–7 || Lyon (5–4) || Guerrier (5–1) || Rodney (23) || 35,423 || 54–57 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 112 || August 11 || Royals || 14–6 || Davies (4–8) || Blackburn (8–7) || || 32,121 || 54–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 113 || August 12 || Royals || 7–1 || Liriano (5–11) || Bannister (7–9) || || 30,105 || 55–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 114 || August 13 || Royals || 5–4 || Meche (5–9) || Pavano (10–9) || Soria (19) || 32,373 || 55–59 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 115 || August 14 || Indians || 11–0 || Baker (10–7) || Masterson (3–4) || || 34,845 || 56–59 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 116 || August 15 || Indians || 7–3 || Huff (7–6) || Swarzak (3–6) || || 33,931 || 56–60 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 117 || August 16 || Indians || 7–4 || Laffey (7–3) || Blackburn (8–8) || || 30,260 || 56–61 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 118 || August 17 || @ Rangers || 8–5 || Hunter (6–2) || Liriano (5–12) || Francisco (18) || 17,940 || 56–62 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 119 || August 18 || @ Rangers || 9–6 || Crain (4–4) || Jennings (2–4) || Nathan (30) || 20,931 || 57–62 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 120 || August 19 || @ Rangers || 5–4 || Baker (11–7) || Millwood (9–8) || Nathan (31) || 33,479 || 58–62 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 121 || August 20 || @ Rangers || 11–1 || Holland (7–7) || Swarzak (3–7) || || 21,870 || 58–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 122 || August 21 || @ Royals || 5–4 || Nathan (2–1) || Soria (3–1) || || 22,283 || 59–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 123 || August 22 || @ Royals || 8–7 || Duensing (1–1) || Davies (4–9) || Guerrier (1) || 33,811 || 60–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 124 || August 23 || @ Royals || 10–3 || Pavano (11–9) || Bannister (7–10) || || 18,680 || 61–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 125 || August 24 || Orioles || 2–1 || Baker (12–7) || Tillman (1–2) || Nathan (32) || 20,271 || 62–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 126 || August 25 || Orioles || 7–6 || Mijares (2–2) || Mickolio (0–1) || || 23,696 || 63–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 127 || August 26 || Orioles || 5–1 || Guthrie (9–12) || Blackburn (8–9) || || 28,446 || 63–64 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 128 || August 28 || Rangers || 3–2 || Duensing (2–1) || Hunter (6–3) || Nathan (33) || 21,641 || 64–64 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 129 || August 29 || Rangers || 3–0 || Feldman (14–4) || Pavano (11–10) || Francisco (19) || 28,516 || 64–65 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 130 || August 30 || Rangers || 5–3 || Rauch (1–0) || Wilson (4–6) || Nathan (34) || 29,282 || 65–65 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 131 || August 31 || White Sox || 4–1 || Blackburn (9–9) || Floyd (10–9) || Nathan (35) || 19,426 || 66–65 |- y background:#C6011F;color:#fff; September: 17–11 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 132 || September 1 || White Sox || 4–3 || Rauch (2–0) || Thornton (6–3) || || 22,599 || 67–65 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 133 || September 2 || White Sox || 4–2 || Carrasco (5–1) || Nathan (2–2) || Jenks (28) || 21,007 || 67–66 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 134 || September 4 || @ Indians || 5–2 || Sowers (6–9) || Pavano (10–11) || Wood (18) || 24,402 || 67–67 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 135 || September 5 || @ Indians || 4–1 || Baker (13–7) || Masterson (4–7) || Nathan (36) || 19,455 || 68–67 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 136 || September 6 || @ Indians || 3–1 || Huff (9–7) || Blackburn (9–10) || Wood (19) || 17,911 || 68–68 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 137 || September 7 || @ Blue Jays || 6–3 || Crain (5–4) || Richmond (6–9) || Nathan (37) || 13,153 || 69–68 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 138 || September 8 || @ Blue Jays || 6–3 || Romero (12–7) || Rauch (2–1) || Frasor (7) || 13,488 || 69–69 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 139 || September 9 || @ Blue Jays || 4–1 || Pavano (12–11) || Halladay (13–9) || Nathan (38) || 11,159 || 70–69 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 140 || September 10 || @ Blue Jays || 3–2 || Cecil (7–4) || Baker (13–8) || Frasor (8) || 11,461 || 70–70 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 141 || September 11 || Athletics || 12–5 || Mortensen (1–2) || Blackburn (9–11) || || 21,084 || 70–71 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 142 || September 12 || Athletics || 4–2 || Anderson (9–10) || Manship (0–1) || Bailey (24) || 24,283 || 70–72 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 143 || September 13 || Athletics || 8–0 || Duensing (3–1) || Gonzalez (5–6) || || 21,850 || 71–72 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 144 || September 14 || Indians || 6–3 || Mahay (2–1) || C. Perez (0–1) || Nathan (39) || 20,640 || 72–72 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 145 || September 15 || Indians || 5–4 || Rauch (3–1) || Carmona (3–11) || Nathan (40) || 19,035 || 73–72 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 146 || September 16 || Indians || 7–3 || Blackburn (10–11) || Laffey (7–6) || Nathan (41) || 16,921 || 74–72 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 147 || September 18 || Tigers || 3–0 || Duensing (4–1) || Porcello (13–9) || Nathan (42)|| 32,693 || 75–72 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 148 || September 19 || Tigers || 6–2 || Crain (6–4) || Verlander (16–9) || || 43,338 || 76–72 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 149 || September 20 || Tigers || 6–2 || Robertson (2–2) || Baker (13–9) || || 36,335 || 76–73 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 150 || September 21 || @ White Sox || 7–0 || Blackburn (11–11) || Hudson (0–1) || || 26,541 || 77–73 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 151 || September 22 || @ White Sox || 8–6 || Crain (7–4) || Danks (12–10) || Nathan (43) || 25,290 || 78–73 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 152 || September 23 || @ White Sox || 8–6 || Duensing (5–1) || Buehrle (12–10) || Nathan (44) || 26,097 || 79–73 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 153 || September 25 || @ Royals || 9–4 || Pavano (13–11) || Tejeda (4–2) || || 23,307 || 80–73 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 154 || September 26 || @ Royals || 11–6 || Baker (14–9) || DiNardo (0–2) || || 30,690 || 81–73 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 155 || September 27 || @ Royals || 4–1 || Greinke (16–8) || Liriano (5–13) || Soria (29) || 28,721 || 81–74 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | || September 28 || @ Tigers || colspan=6 |Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 29 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 156 || September 29 || @ Tigers || 3–2 || Rauch (4–1) || Lyon (6–5) || Nathan (45) || 35,243 || 82–74 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 157 || September 29 || @ Tigers || 6–5 || Verlander (18–9) || Duensing (5–2) || Rodney (36) || 30,240 || 82–75 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 158 || September 30 || @ Tigers || 7–2 || Bonine (1–1) || Pavano (13–12) || || 34,775 || 82–76 |- y background:#C6011F;color:#fff; October: 5–0 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 159 || October 1 || @ Tigers || 8–3 || Baker (15–9) || Robertson (2–3) || || 40,533 || 83–76 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 160 || October 2 || Royals || 10–7 || Manship (1–1) || DiNardo (0–3) || Nathan (46) || 40,223 || 84–76 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 161 || October 3 || Royals || 5–4 || Rauch (5–1) || Hughes (0–2) || Nathan (47) || 48,644 || 85–76 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 162 || October 4 || Royals || 13–4 || Pavano (14–12) || Hochevar (7–13) || || 51,155 || 86–76 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 163 || October 6 || Tigers* || 6–5 (12) || Keppel (1–1)|| Rodney (2–5) || || 54,088 || 87–76 |- | colspan=9 | *AL Central tiebreaker. |- y background:#C6011F;color:#fff; American League Division Series # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || October 7 || @ Yankees || 7–2 || Sabathia (1–0) || Duensing (0–1) || || 49,484 || 0–1 |- |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 2 || October 9 || @ Yankees || 4–3 (12) || Robertson (1–0) || Mijares (0–1) || || 50,006 || 0–2 |- |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 3 || October 11 || Yankees || 4–1 || Pettitte (1–0) || Pavano (0–1) || Rivera (1) || 54,735 || 0–3 |- Tie-breaker & postseason thumb|300px|Minnesota Twins celebrate division tiebreaker victory over the Detroit Tigers. The Twins ended the 162-game regular season tied with the Detroit Tigers, necessitating a one-game playoff. This made the Twins the first major league team ever to play in a tie-breaker two years in a row (they lost one to the Chicago White Sox in 2008). The game took place on Tuesday, October 6 at the Metrodome. The Twins won the game, 6–5, in 12 innings on Alexi Casilla's game-winning hit scoring Carlos Gómez.McIntyre Nick https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/october-6-2009-twins-defeat-tigers-game-163-win-al-central-tiebreaker October 6, 2009: Twins defeat Tigers in Game 163 to win AL Central tiebreaker SABR May 1, 2020 The Twins went on to face the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series, which they lost in three consecutive games. Player stats Batting Regular season 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 SBLuis Ayala 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0Scott Baker 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Nick Blackburn 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Brian Buscher 61 136 14 32 3 1 2 12 .235 0Orlando Cabrera 59 242 42 70 13 3 5 36 .289 2Alexi Casilla 80 228 25 46 7 3 0 17 .202 11Jesse Crain 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0Joe Crede 90 333 42 75 16 1 15 48 .225 0Michael Cuddyer 153 588 93 162 34 7 32 94 .276 6R. A. Dickey 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0Carlos Gómez 137 315 51 72 15 5 3 28 .229 14Matt Guerrier 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0Brendan Harris 123 414 44 108 22 1 6 37 .261 0Sean Henn 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0Justin Huber 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .500 0Bob Keppel 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0Jason Kubel 146 514 73 154 35 2 28 103 .300 1Francisco Liriano 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Joe Mauer 138 523 94 191 30 1 28 96 .365 4José Mijares 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0Jose Morales 54 119 14 37 6 0 0 7 .311 0Justin Morneau 135 508 85 139 31 1 30 100 .274 0Joe Nathan 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0Glen Perkins 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Jason Pridie 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0Nick Punto 125 359 56 82 15 1 1 38 .228 16Mike Redmond 45 135 9 32 5 1 0 7 .237 0Kevin Slowey 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Denard Span 145 578 97 180 16 10 8 68 .311 23Anthony Swarzak 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Matt Tolbert 71 198 28 46 7 1 2 19 .232 6Delmon Young 108 395 50 112 16 2 12 60 .284 2Pitcher totals16321000000.0000 Team totals 163 5608 817 1539 271 40 172 770 .274 85 Postseason 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 SBOrlando Cabrera 3 13 1 2 0 0 0 0 .154 1Michael Cuddyer 3 14 0 6 0 0 0 1 .429 0Carlos Gómez 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Brendan Harris 3 12 1 3 0 1 0 1 .250 0Jason Kubel 3 14 0 1 0 0 0 0 .071 0Joe Mauer 3 12 1 5 1 0 0 1 .417 0Jose Morales 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0Nick Punto 3 9 0 4 1 0 0 1 .444 0Denard Span 3 15 1 6 1 0 0 1 .400 1Matt Tolbert 2 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 .200 0Delmon Young 3 12 1 1 1 0 0 0 .083 1 Totals 3 113 6 29 4 1 0 5 .257 3 Pitching Regular season 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 KLuis Ayala 1 2 4.18 28 0 0 32.1 18 15 8 21Scott Baker 15 9 4.37 33 33 0 200.0 99 97 48 162Nick Blackburn 11 11 4.03 33 33 0 205.2 103 92 41 98Craig Breslow 1 2 6.28 17 0 0 14.1 11 10 11 11Jesse Crain 7 4 4.70 56 0 0 51.2 28 27 27 43R. A. Dickey 1 1 4.62 35 1 0 64.1 34 33 30 42Brian Duensing 5 2 3.64 24 9 0 84.0 37 34 31 53Armando Gabino 0 0 17.18 2 1 0 3.2 7 7 5 2Matt Guerrier 5 1 2.36 79 0 1 76.1 23 20 16 47Sean Henn 0 3 7.15 14 0 0 11.1 9 9 8 9Philip Humber 0 0 8.00 8 0 0 9.0 8 8 9 9Bob Keppel 1 1 4.83 37 0 0 54.0 30 29 21 32Francisco Liriano 5 13 5.80 29 24 0 136.2 93 88 65 122Ron Mahay 1 0 2.00 16 0 0 9.0 3 2 3 8Jeff Manship 1 1 5.68 11 5 0 31.2 21 20 15 21José Mijares 2 2 2.34 71 0 0 61.2 17 16 23 55Juan Morillo 0 0 22.50 3 0 0 2.0 5 5 3 1Kevin Mulvey 0 0 27.00 2 0 0 1.1 4 4 0 0Joe Nathan 2 2 2.10 70 0 47 68.2 16 16 22 89Carl Pavano 5 4 4.64 12 12 0 73.2 39 38 16 59Glen Perkins 6 7 5.89 18 17 0 96.1 64 63 23 45Jon Rauch 5 1 1.72 17 0 0 15.2 3 3 6 14Kevin Slowey 10 3 4.86 16 16 0 90.2 50 49 15 75Anthony Swarzak 3 7 6.25 12 12 0 59.0 43 41 20 34 Team totals 87 76 4.50 163 163 48 1453.0 765 726 466 1052 Postseason 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 KNick Blackburn 0 0 1.59 1 1 0 5.2 1 1 2 3Brian Duensing 0 1 9.64 1 1 0 4.2 5 5 1 3Matt Guerrier 0 0 0.00 2 0 0 2.0 0 0 0 2Francisco Liriano 0 0 4.50 1 0 0 2.0 2 1 1 1Ron Mahay 0 0 5.40 3 0 0 1.2 1 1 1 2José Mijares 0 1 13.50 2 0 0 0.2 1 1 1 0Joe Nathan 0 0 9.00 2 0 0 2.0 2 2 1 2Carl Pavano 0 1 2.57 1 1 0 7.0 2 2 0 9Jon Rauch 0 0 6.75 3 0 0 1.1 1 1 2 0 Totals 0 3 4.67 3 3 0 27.0 15 14 9 22 Other post-season awards Calvin R. Griffith Award (Most Valuable Twin) – Joe Mauer Joseph W. Haynes Award (Twins Pitcher of the Year) – Joe Nathan Bill Boni Award (Twins Outstanding Rookie) – José Mijares Charles O. Johnson Award (Most Improved Twin) – Michael Cuddyer Dick Siebert Award (Upper Midwest Player of the Year) – Joe Mauer Bob Allison Award (Leadership Award) – Michael Cuddyer Mike Augustin Award ("Media Good Guy" Award) – Denard Span The above awards are voted on by the Twin Cities chapter of the BBWAA Carl R. Pohlad Award (Outstanding Community Service) – Justin Morneau Sherry Robertson Award (Twins Outstanding Farm System Position Player) – Ben Revere Jim Rantz Award (Twins Outstanding Farm System Pitcher) – David Bromberg Kirby Puckett Award (Alumni Community Service) – Rod Carew Herb Carneal Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) – Jerry Bell Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Rochester Red Wings International League Stan Cliburn AA New Britain Rock Cats Eastern League Tom Nieto 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 References 2009 Minnesota Twins season at Baseball Reference 2009 Minnesota Twins season Official Site (Archived 2009-07-31) Category:Minnesota Twins seasons Category:American League Central champion seasons Minnesota Twins Category:2009 in sports in Minnesota