The Minnesota Twins pounced early on Tim Wakefield yesterday, sending him from the game after 2.2 innings and six earned runs on seven hits.

Wakefield walked two and struck out two before he was chased by a two-RBI single from Mike Lamb that drove home Justin Morneau and Delmon Young, both of whom had moved into scoring position on wild pitches and passed balls. The Twins scored seven of their nine runs off Wakefield, starting with a three-run home run from Craig Monroe and two-run homer from Adam Everett, both in the second inning.

Minnesota starter Nick Blackburn got the win for the game, but his start didn’t look all that much better, giving up nine hits and four runs over six innings, while walking one and striking out five. He improves to 3-2 with a 3.93 ERA and 1.43 WHIP.

Entering the game in the ninth with a 9-6 lead, Twins closer Joe Nathan gave up two runs on a double from J.D. Drew and a fielder’s choice hit from Coco Crisp, before getting a pinch-hitting Manny Ramirez to groundout for Nathan’s twelfth save of the season. He ranks third in the majors with saves this year, behind Francisco Rodriguez (14) and George Sherrill (13).