Andy Benes went the distance, but couldn’t hold a 2-0 lead, and the Twins rallied to beat the Cardinals 3-2. Matt Lawton singled home the winning run in the 8th inning for Minnesota, which took two of three from the Cardinals. The Cardinals had plenty of opportunities to score, but hit into five double plays. Their number nine, one and two hitters had 7 hits combined, but the next two hitters, Jim Edmonds and Fernando Tatis, were 0 for 7. Craig Paquette, hitting second, drove in both Cardinal runs. Twins ace Brad Radke allowed 8 hits and one walk in 8 innings for the win. Benes allowed two runs in the sixth, and Lawton’s game winning hit in the 8th, as he fell to 10-4. Benes had won six straight starts. The Cards visit Arizona tonight. Garrett Stephenson will pitch against Armando Reynoso.
