Twins at Boston. Twins 4, Red Sox 3.

Clearly, there is something amiss. Despite an ERA under 2.00 in his last six games, Brad Radke has not won a game since May 22. In the month of June, Radke was 0-1 coming into today’s game. The loss came June 2, against the freakin’ Devil Rays, and isn’t worth further discussion. His next start, Radke pitched a spotless game against Tom Glavine and the Mets—but Glavine was spotless-er and Radke left behind 1-0. The Twins came back to win that game in the ninth. (Boo Berry got the win in that start, which marked the beginning of his Reign of Terror.)

Next, Brad phaced the Phillies, and the Twins managed just one run for him against Paul Abbott (who had been released the week before by the freakin’ Devil Rays) and left 11 on base. Radke got a no decision and the Twins lost disgracefully, 2-1.

Then it was Miller time—or excuse me, Brewer Time. You may remember the game. You may still see replays from it when you close you eyes at night. The Twins finally gave Brad Radke some runs (five to be precise) but in the seventh some combination of a tiring Radke, a Corey Koskie error, and a big Aaron Fultz pitching boo-boo gave those runs right back, plus one.

So, today, was it any surprise when, after holding a 3-1 lead into the seventh, Radke suddenly found himself with another no-decision? After a shaky first inning (including the requisite homer to Ortiz), Radke had had the Sox fairly befuddled—until that blasted seventh when he found himself with runners on second and third with two outs. Aaron Fultz came in to get Ortiz, and Ortiz in turn got Fultz; he hit a two-run double, and the game was tied.

It didn’t look good. Boo was all Berried out after yesterday’s two inning awesomeness, Joe Roa was still in a corner rocking and muttering to himself after Tuesday’s game, and Terry Mulholland, well, maybe pitting him against the likes of Manny Ramirez isn’t the best idea ever; it would put him over the edge for good. Our patched-together bullpen against these Sox?

So, in came Balfour—and Batgirl worried. She did. Batgirl’s given a lot of sass to Grant Balfour over the course of the season, and she still believes he’s not quite ready for prime time. But the Twins have a big hole in their schedule right now—and, lo and behold, today Balfour became Must See TV. He got Ramirez to ground out for the last out in the seventh, gave up a single in the eighth but then set them down, and was Balfourific in the ninth, striking out two.

Oh, it was a fun game to win. Usually, when the Twins play an extra inning game, they fail to do anything until the 15th or 16th. But to win this one, we needed to score in the top of the 10th, so we could bring in Nathan and then get on the plane and fly Dome-ward. And, strangely enough, we did score. Guzie got a lead-off single, then reached second on a throwing error, Offerman laid down a beautiful bunt, and Lew Ford sacrificed Guzie in.

The Twins won; even if Radke didn’t. It can’t be helped. He’s obviously offended some kind of minor deity or evil sprite, and until he makes amends, he will continue to suffer. Can anyone help Radke find his mojo?