Having lost 6 of 7, the Twins needed a big game from the team's biggest free-agent signing in franchise history and they got it. Ricky Nolasco wasn't exactly dominant, but he was good enough. In fact, Nolasco looked like he was fighting himself all game, so to get 6 effective innings out of him was a positive sign.

An even better sign was the Twins erupting for 6 runs. Playing in the Yankees' bandbox may helped some, especially on Josh Willingham's homer, but it was nice to get three home runs in a game for the first time this season. The Twins' offense has been pretty bad since the start of May, but the return to health of Willingham and Oswaldo Arcia should help, especially if Arcia can lay off some bad pitches long enough to give himself a chance to hit something hard.

After Friday's game, Willingham now leads the Twins in OPS at .917 and Oswaldo is third at .864. Danny Santana is just behind Willingham at .907. With Escobar hitting too well at SS to allow Santana much playing time there, the Twins will have to decide which on-the-job training they can endure more: Santana in CF or Hicks batting RH only.