Justin Morneau of New Westminster, B.C., is the loud and proud Canadian on the Minnesota Twins, the one who wears his Maple Leaf on his sleeve and wants everyone to know it.
Twins teammate Jesse Crain also was born in Toronto, but the right-hander was raised in the U.S. so his Canadian ties aren't near as strong.
Nevertheless, as the Twins make their only regular-season visit north of the border, it just so happens that Crain is one of the hottest players the Twins have going for them.
In his past 12 appearances, Crain has posted a 5-0 record, including both wins in the four-game split the Twins earned in Cleveland earlier this week, with a 1.50 ERA.
Crain's role in the Twins bullpen took a huge jump during Juan Rincon's 10-day suspension for steroid use earlier this month. Crain went into Rincon's spot and carried the Twins bullpen through Rincon's absence.
How hot is Crain right now? Forget runs, he has not allowed a hit in nine of his past 14 appearances. He has allowed a run in only one of his 21 appearances this season.
TIP ... TALK ... TRUTH
Unnamed Jays were quoted following a 10-3 win over Johan Santana and the Twins 10 days ago saying they had discovered Santana was tipping his pitches and that was why they had such success against the defending American League Cy Young winner.
Jays manager John Gibbons scoffed at the suggestion.
But following a more Cy-Young-like performance last night from Santana last night -- seven innings, four hits, two runs -- Twins manager Ron Gardenhire admitted there might have been something to that.
"We thought he may have been doing something so we made some adjustments out there," he said. "We looked at some film and then we watched him and we saw something that (the Jays) could have been talking about."
QUOTE, UNQUOTE
"Appreciate it." -- Jays starter Roy Halladay to Gibbons on Thursday after the Jays had scored six first-inning runs. The start originally was Halladay's until Gibbons decided to hold him back after the Jays ace reported some discomfort in his left side. Gustavo Chacin wound up on the receiving end of the most productive first inning the Jays have had all year.
