Nathan downplays reunion with Giants

LOS ANGELES -- On Tuesday, when the San Francisco Giants visit the Metrodome, Twins closer Joe Nathan will see his old team for the first time since the November 2003 trade that brought him to Minnesota.
Is he nostalgic? No.

How about reflective? Not really.

Are there extra juices flowing? Nope.

"It's really just another series," Nathan said. "It'll be nice to see everyone again. I've been talking to the guys on the phone."

The acquisition that sent Nathan and two pitching prospects to the Twins for catcher A.J. Pierzynski proved to be one of the great coups of 2004 and another feather in the cap of Minnesota's renowned scouting department.

"We're very happy. He's very good," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

While Pierzynski was released after last season, Nathan's career rocketed into another stratosphere. The right-hander went from a largely unheralded setup man in San Francisco to an All-Star in his first year as a closer.

"Things have changed, but I'm not doing anything different besides moving to an inning later in the game," the 30-year-old Nathan said, underplaying his rise. "I don't do much different than I did as a setup man there."

He has helped make the Twins' bullpen perhaps one of the most formidable in baseball. After he posted a 1.62 ERA and saved 44 games last season, Nathan became one of the most respected closers and earned a new two-year, $10-million contract extension.

Nathan has cemented his reputation this season with an American League-leading 18 saves and a 2.67 ERA in 28 games. In nearly one and a half seasons, he's blown just five of 67 save opportunities.

"I think he's fearless with what he does," Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson said. "He loves to be in there at the end of the game. That's what makes a good closer. Game on the line -- he loves that."

Maybe that's why Nathan has made working the ninth appear so effortless.

"That's a by-product of hard work and commitment," veteran pitcher and pregame throwing partner Terry Mulholland praised. "He's definitely a creature of habit. If I want to take a day off from playing catch ... I thought he was going to have an anxiety attack. He's very diligent about his preparation, which is a prerequisite for being consistent in the manner he's been consistent."

Ironically, the Giants could use Nathan's services as a closer right now. They've never had a consistent person for that role since All-Star Rob Nenn in 2002. Current closer Armando Benitez is on the 60-day disabled list with a torn hamstring.

"When you look back, there really was never a thought to put me in the closing-type role [with the Giants]," Nathan said. "Fortunately, I got to come over [here] and happened to fall into a spot that's worked out so great."

Although Nathan, a formerly oft-injured starting pitcher, had just one season as a strong setup man in 2003, Twins scouts thought his size, makeup and stuff would make him an ideal closer. When it appeared that Eddie Guardado would leave as a free agent, a deal was made.

Nathan earned the job in camp despite a lackluster Spring Training. His fastball, usually clocked in the mid 90s mph, was just in the mid 80s at first.

"We all went, 'Whoa,'" Gardenhire said. "But we also knew he was a notoriously slow starter. You just let him go. We had reports about him, his character and the way he threw the ball. We were just going to wait and see what we have."

By late summer, Nathan broke a club record after a run of 27 consecutive saves.

"Making the All-Star Game hasn't changed him one bit," Anderson said. "But I think it has given him confidence that he's one of the best around."

More than likely, Nathan will spend his time before the Giants games doing what he usually does. He's regularly at a clubhouse table, locked into a battle in the card game of cribbage with pitchers Matt Guerrier and Kyle Lohse or third baseman Michael Cuddyer.

And if he's called on for the ninth against San Francisco, he'll be locked into another kind of battle. But that's all it would be -- nothing more and nothing less.

"I don't need any more adrenaline than I usually have," Nathan said. "Hopefully, it's just another team and we can take care of business. As far as who we're playing, that's not the big picture right now. It'll be fun and definitely entertaining to see those guys. But we're still trying to win a series."

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Hunter named AL Player of the Week

MINNEAPOLIS -- Torii Hunter has bone chips in his elbow, a separated joint in his left shoulder and a broken toe. After a splendid week at the plate and on the basepaths, the Minnesota Twins' center fielder also has his first American League Player of the Week Award.
While leading the Twins to a 3-3 record against the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers, Hunter batted .381 (8-for-21), clubbed three homers and drove in five runs. He also led the AL with nine runs scored and a 1.000 slugging percentage.

All this from a 29-year-old with a laundry list of injuries.

"Hamstring, groin -- you name it, I've got it," Hunter said on Tuesday. "I just keep chugging. It's the mentality. ... If I'm 100 percent, something's wrong."

Nothing has been wrong with Hunter's performance of late. His batting average has jumped 40 points since June 1 -- it now sits at .278 -- and he's reached base safely in every game this month. The Twins, meanwhile, hold fast to an early three-game lead in the AL Wild Card race and have Hunter, among others, to thank.

"He seems to have stepped up his game a little bit," Twins starter Brad Radke said on Tuesday, after Hunter went 4-for-5 in a win over the Diamondbacks. "Whenever we need a big hit or a big play, he's the one doing it."

Hunter wasn't the only Twin putting up big numbers last week. Outfielder Jacque Jones batted .320 with three home runs and eight RBIs, while left-hander Johan Santana pitched a four-hit, complete-game shutout at Arizona. Both were among the leading candidates for the Player of the Week award.

Rounding out the list of nominees for the award were Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore, who batted .500 and scored eight runs, and a trio of Kansas City Royals -- Emil Brown, D.J. Carrasco and Tony Graffanino. Brown batted .435 and drove in seven runs, Carrasco went 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA over 15 innings and Graffanino led the AL with a .545 (12-for-22) batting average.

In the end, though, the battered outfielder from Minnesota took home the hardware.

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Twins sign first-round pick Garza

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins wasted little time wrapping up negotiations with 2005 first-round draft pick Matt Garza.
The right-handed pitcher from Fresno State University signed a contract Monday and will report to rookie-level Elizabethton in the Appalachian League next week.

The 21-year-old Garza, the 25th overall selection in the First-Year Player Draft held last week, agreed to a $1.35 million signing bonus. Eager to commence his professional career, he had little interest in letting talks with the organization drag on through the summer.

"I'm excited to get out there and start playing," Garza said by phone from Fresno, Calif. "My agent and the organization worked it out and I said, 'OK, let's go.' All I wanted was to be treated fairly like everyone else."

Twins scouting director Mike Radcliff said talks with Garza's agent were cordial throughout.

"He knew we were interested. We knew he was ready to roll," Radcliff said. "We hoped it would go quickly."

Garza went 6-5 with a 3.07 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 19 games this season. The 6-foot-4, 185-pounder was named Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year.

"I think he definitely has the ability to move up quickly," Radcliff said. "He has four pitches he throws for strikes. He pitched at a high level."

With a slow beginning to his college career -- Garza went 1-6 as a freshman in 2003 -- he did not become his team's ace until this season. His stock steadily rose throughout the year with strong performances.

"He's a work in progress," Radcliff said. "He matured into his body and talents, but he wasn't the star player in high school. This was his first year as a No. 1 starter and there are still some things that have to happen. We believe they will."

Since the Bulldogs' season ended, Garza has been champing at the bit to keep pitching.

"I got tired of working and just throwing bullpen sessions and not playing when I knew I could go play," Garza said.

He will get that chance soon. Garza will report to a mini-camp for draftees in Fort Myers, Fla., later this week before he is sent to Elizabethton.

The Twins have made progress in inking several of their high round picks. Also signed Monday were two second-round picks, shortstop Paul Kelly and right-handed pitcher Kevin Slowey, third-round sandwich pick and lefty pitcher Ryan Mullins, 10th-round pick and third baseman Matthew Betsill and catcher and 19th-round selection Sean Richardson.

Another notable signing was shortstop Toby Gardenhire. The son of Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was taken in the 41st round of the draft and will also report to Elizabethton.

Radcliff also said that the organization's first-round sandwich pick, first baseman Henry Sanchez, could be signed in the next few days.

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Stewart comes through in 11th inning

MINNEAPOLIS -- Shannon Stewart lived up to his reputation as a clutch hitter, again.
After a violent collision that sidelined him for two days, the Twins left-fielder hit an 11th-inning bloop single in a 4-3 victory over the Giants in Tuesday's series opener at the Metrodome.

"I was looking for a slider," Stewart said. "I didn't really hit the ball that good, but the results were good for us."

The Twins were coming off three one-run losses in four days, including two against the Dodgers. Stewart left Friday's game in Los Angeles after running full speed into the outfield wall while tracking a fly ball.

"I haven't been feeling good ever since I hit that wall, but I just need to get back out there and play," said the veteran leadoff hitter. "My wrist is still a little sore, but I'm good enough to play."

With the score tied at 3, Michael Cuddyer led off the bottom of the 11th inning with a broken-bat single to left field off Jeff Fassero (1-4). Second baseman Brent Abernathy, who hurt his shoulder in his own collision with a wall in the ninth inning, followed with a sacrifice bunt. After Juan Castro struck out, Stewart delivered with the game-winner.

"For the years that he's been here, he's proven that day in and day out," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Very consistent hitter, a very big late ballgame hitter, always seems to come up with big hits."

"I just try to really focus and concentrate," Stewart said. "I hate having a bad at-bat with runners in scoring position."

Johan Santana came away with a no-decision after pitching eight solid innings. The left-hander allowed three runs on six hits and struck out seven.

"Not as sharp as he's always been, but he threw the ball good enough to get a win," Gardenhire said. "He gave us a good chance tonight."

Santana surrendered RBI singles to Omar Vizquel and Pedro Feliz. Ray Durham added a solo home run to left field in the sixth inning.

The Twins rallied with the help of some fortunate bounces. In the fifth inning, Cuddyer belted a fly ball to the left-field wall that bounced off Moises Alou's glove for a home run.

Minnesota tied the game with two runs in the sixth inning. After a one-out single, Torii Hunter was caught in a rundown while trying to steal second base. Hunter squeezed past first baseman Feliz's tag and made it back to first base safely. He later scored on Justin Morneau's sacrifice fly.

"If I played blackjack, I'd hit 21 every time," Hunter said. "Lucky."

The home team's good fortune continued later in the inning with a two-out, bases-loaded error by Durham. Castro hit a grounder to shortstop Vizquel, who threw to second base for the force play. Durham bobbled and dropped the ball, allowing Jacque Jones to score.

Jesse Crain (6-0) earned the win with a scoreless top of the 11th inning.

"I know that's a tough way to lose a ballgame for them," Gardenhire said. "But the way these ballgames are going right now, we'll take them any way we can get them."

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Cudd-iary: No place like home

MINNEAPOLIS -- From the heat in Arizona to the stars in L.A., we have just completed our first trip to the National League parks for Interleague Play.
With the trip to look back on and a lot of questions from you fans, I've decided to devote this entry on what you guys want to know about off-days and road trips. Everyone knows how the season is going for us and how the divisions are shaping out, so I thought it would be nice to talk about other things that are "behind the scenes."

I'll start out by giving you a rundown on how a road trip works using our last trip to Arizona and Los Angeles as an example. It started with a Monday day off here in Minnesota. It's quite rare to have a day off on a travel day, but that does make it nice. We boarded a charter plane around 8 p.m. CT and arrived in Arizona around 9:30 p.m. PT. A three-hour trip, but with the time change, it was not that bad. On the plane, we have an assortment of snacks and soft drinks, water or sport drinks offered. There's also the main meal, which usually is something like a chicken dish or some other type of meat like steak or some type of brisket, and a dessert.

As you can imagine, being on planes and traveling all the time, it can get old and pretty routine. To break up the time, guys do many different things. For instance, I usually watch a movie or read. I used to play cards with some of the guys, but it ended up that my card tricks didn't help me too much when it comes to actually playing cards. So I popped in a couple of DVDs and just passed the time. Some guys sleep and others just kind of relax.

Once we arrived in Phoenix, two buses met us right on the runway, and took us to the team hotel. We call for our luggage to come to our rooms, watch some TV and then get to bed. The next day, I usually end up getting up around 10 a.m. When it's the first day in a city, we have early hitting at the ballpark so, at around noon or so, I usually find a place to pick up some lunch and head to the field. In Arizona, our hitting was at 1 p.m., so obviously, there is a lot of time from the end of our hitting session until actual batting practice starts at 5 p.m. Like on the airplane, most clubhouses have movies that get put in or guys can watch some television or play cards. Whatever you can think that passes the time away, believe me, we have done it.

After the game is over, dinner is prepared in the clubhouse and we usually eat at the stadium. Then board the bus and do the same thing again the next day. After three games in Arizona, we boarded the plane and headed to L.A., where all of the days were the same except for Saturday. On Saturday, they had a "Hollywood Stars" softball game on the field, so all of the on-field pregame activities were canceled.

Instead of taking batting practice, we got to watch Molly Simms try to hit a softball and Jon Lovitz try to catch it. On days like that, basically all we do is hit a little bit in the cage prior to game time and do what it takes to get as ready as we can for the game. After our game Sunday, we got on the plane and headed back to Minnesota, which is where we were greeted with a day off on Monday.

After playing in a couple of stadiums I haven't had the chance to play at before, this brings me to my first question from the fans:

How does playing in the Metrodome rate to playing in other stadiums? Because you are considered to be the everyday third baseman, do you enjoy getting a "night off" (not off-days, but days when you aren't in the lineup)? -- Casey Brensnahan

Well, Casey, I have grown to really enjoy playing in the Metrodome. Obviously, it is not as glamorous as a Safeco Field in Seattle, but it is our home and I've gotten to be very comfortable playing there. As for the other question, it is nice to get a night off every once in a while. But at the same time, I love playing the game and I remember what it was like not being an everyday player and not knowing when I was going to play again. So it is nice to get a blow every once in a while, but I would much rather be playing.

I always wondered which ballclub had the best visiting clubhouse, and what is your favorite thing to do in the clubhouse before a game? -- Nick

In my opinion, the best visiting clubhouse in the American League by far is in Tampa Bay. The clubhouse manager, Guy Gallagher, is exceptional. The food is great and the clubhouse itself is spacious and has lots of things to offer. There is even a stylist that comes in on one of the days that we're there to do guys' hair if they opt to get a cut while in town.

I heard that in the offseason you play golf with David Wright, B.J. Upton and some old guys. The rumor has it that the old men beat you on a routine basis. Can this be true? How can you athletes let old men beat you in a game requiring athleticism? -- Bill Kilpatrick

Bill, I am very fortunate to be from a city that is very rich in talent when it comes to the baseball field. But more important than that, my parents and the people in my community raised me the right way and taught us how to be respectful to our elders. And if letting them beat us in golf is what satisfies them and makes them happy, then so be it. David, B.J. and I can swallow our pride for the better of somebody else. Thank you for the comment. (Ha ha.)

In the next installment, I will update everyone on how the division battle is shaping up as the All-Star break approaches. I will also give my picks for the Midsummer Classic and respond to more questions from you, so keep them coming. Until next time, Go Twins!

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Rivas takes batting practice

MINNEAPOLIS -- Injured Twins second baseman Luis Rivas could be days from beginning a Minor League rehabilitation assignment. After that, manager Ron Gardenhire said an everyday spot in the starting lineup was waiting for him.
On the 15-day disabled list since June 1 with a strained left oblique, Rivas is eligible to be activated Thursday. In 32 games this season, he was batting just .203 and lost his starting job to Nick Punto in late April. Punto is also currently on the DL with a pulled right hamstring.

Rivas took ground balls with the club on the West Coast last week and began taking batting practice Tuesday. If he endures no setbacks after a couple of more days of BP, he will be sent to either Triple-A Rochester or Double-A New Britain to play some games.

Rookie Luis Rodriguez, who entered the night with a .344 average in 15 games since his May 20 callup from Rochester, started his sixth straight game at second base, and he's been impressive both offensively and defensively.

But Rodriguez was destined for the bench upon Rivas' return.

"Luis Rivas would be my second baseman if he comes back healthy, absolutely," Gardenhire asserted. "Then we'll mix it up as best we can. [Rivas] is a veteran player. Rodriguez has played very well. He's also valuable moving around the infield."

Rivas is allowed to spend up to 20 days on the rehab assignment. Gardenhire said there was no plans to get him time at shortstop to increase his versatility.

Meanwhile, Punto began light jogging and some drills Tuesday. Out since June 3, he appeared to be several weeks away from a return.

"He's still at the beginning stages, it looks like to me," Gardenhire said.

Injury report: Playing with a separated AC joint in his left shoulder since a collision with the fence in the 2004 playoffs at Yankee Stadium, Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said he was considering taking care of it with surgery after this season.

"It would be easy," said Hunter, who smacked the same shoulder hard into the wall Saturday at Dodger Stadium. "It'd take a couple of weeks [to recover]. They said I don't need the AC joint. It's not in my throwing arm."

Starter Carlos Silva threw without issue in a side bullpen session Tuesday and was still on track to pitch Friday vs. San Diego. It was the first time Silva threw since he felt soreness in his right knee, which has torn meniscus.

Left fielder Shannon Stewart returned to the lineup Tuesday. Stewart missed two games with a bruised wrist and a sore body after he also had a hard collision with the fence at Dodger Stadium.

Late second-base replacement Brent Abernathy slammed his right shoulder hard into the wall trying to catch Deivi Cruz's ninth-inning foul pop behind first base. Abernathy was listed as day-to-day.

Hearing delayed: An appeal of reliever Juan Rincon's 10-day suspension for a positive steroids test was delayed. Rincon, who was disciplined May 2, was scheduled to have his grievance heard Wednesday. A new date has not been scheduled.

Hawkins returns: While with the Cubs at the start of the season, former Twins reliever LaTroy Hawkins never expected to be pitching at the Metrodome. Things changed when he was traded to San Francisco last month.

"My family was very excited," said Hawkins of the first visit since departing as a free agent after the 2003 season. "I really didn't think I'd have a chance to come back here. After I got traded, I went like, 'Wow, that'd be cool to play at Minnesota.' I've got a lot of good memories here."

In some ways, it was like he never left. Hawkins, who pitched for the Twins from 1995-2003, hung out with Hunter, his offseason workout partner in the Dallas area, Monday night. On Tuesday, he walked into the ballpark with Jacque Jones and stopped and talked with the women from the merchandise department. Then he even popped over to visit the Twins clubhouse.

"He said, 'You're getting old,'" Gardenhire said. "I said guys like him made me old."

"He's my boy," reliever J.C. Romero said. "It's good to see people who in some way had some kind of impact on your career. Here, I had Hawk and Eddie [Guardado] as a youngster. I kept that in my heart, how they go about their business and they helped me take care of my business."

Coming up: Kyle Lohse will start the second game against San Francisco at 7:10 p.m. CT Wednesday. Lefty Noah Lowry will start for the Giants.

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Cuddyer shifts to second

MINNEAPOLIS -- For the first time since the 2004 playoffs, Twins third baseman Michael Cuddyer started at second base Wednesday against the Giants.
"It's just something that the team needs right now with some guys banged up," Cuddyer said. "It's fortunate that I have some experience over there and am able to move over there and hopefully not miss a beat."

Cuddyer was moved around the infield last season and logged 48 games at second base, plus all four American League Division Series games against the Yankees. He won the starting job at third base during Spring Training this year.

"As an everyday player, you're just looking to get into the lineup," Cuddyer said. "It doesn't matter what position, just as long as you're in there. I'm still in the lineup, just another position, and I'm going to have fun with it."

Manager Ron Gardenhire wanted to keep his right-handed hitters in the lineup against Giants lefty Noah Lowry. Switch-hitter Luis Rodriguez is more effective from the left side. Moving Cuddyer to second base wasn't Gardenhire's first choice.

"[Brent] Abernathy would have been playing today against a lefty, but we'll just mix it up," Gardenhire said.

Abernathy injured his right shoulder in a collision with the wall during the ninth inning of Tuesday's 4-3 victory. He reported stiffness and soreness before Wednesday's game and remains day-to-day.

Switch-hitter Glenn Williams, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester on June 7, started at third base.

Record-tying streak: Reliever Jesse Crain recorded his sixth win of the season Tuesday and upped his career record to 9-0. According to The Sporting News Baseball Record Book, Crain has tied the AL record for most consecutive wins to begin a career as a relief pitcher.

All six of Crain's victories this season have come in extra-inning games. The right-hander has not allowed an earned run in 29 of his 30 appearances. Gardenhire said it seems like every year one of his relief pitchers capitalizes on win opportunities.

"Last year it was [Juan] Rincon," Gardenhire said. "They just find themselves in the right spot, and they pitch an inning and get a win. Maybe we should start doing that with Crain in the first and second innings and score some runs."

Injury report: Barring any setbacks, second baseman Luis Rivas (strained left oblique) will begin a Minor League rehabilitation assignment on Friday that will last five or six days. Gardenhire said he hopes to activate Rivas from the disabled list for the Twins' series against the Brewers beginning June 24.

"He's swinging good, feels fine," Gardenhire said. "He's moving around good."

Nick Punto, on the DL with a pulled right hamstring since June 3, took batting practice before Wednesday's game and fielded ground balls.

"Nicky's actually made some progress," Gardenhire said. "The scary thing is that he tries to push it a little too hard. We'll hold him down as long as we can, but it's good that he wants to get going again."

On deck: The Twins and Giants will close their series Thursday at 7:10 p.m. CT at the Metrodome. Joe Mays will take the mound for Minnesota against Brett Tomko.

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com

Nathan roughed up in finale vs. Giants

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins played their longest nine-inning game of the season Thursday night. For Joe Nathan, the last frame couldn't have gone any slower.
The Giants broke open a tie game with four runs against Nathan (1-3) in the ninth inning and finished with a 14-7 win over the Twins at the Metrodome.

"It got a little ugly there at the end," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We just couldn't get them out."

Nathan entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied at 7 and surrendered walks to Moises Alou and Ray Durham. The All-Star closer didn't agree with several calls from home plate umpire Charlie Reliford.

"I didn't have the greatest night, but somebody else not in our uniform didn't have the greatest night either," Nathan said.

Nathan was looking for a called strike on a 2-2 pitch to Alou, but he was especially upset with the umpire's strike zone during Durham's at-bat.

"Pitches to Durham, I didn't get the call," Nathan said. "I'll just leave it at that. I'm not going to go any further on that one."

After Michael Tucker struck out on a bunt attempt, Pedro Feliz hit a two-run single up the middle. Nathan then walked Jason Ellison before being pulled from the game.

"After a couple runs came in, I think I lost it, but that was after the damage was done," said Nathan, who is 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA in his last 14 appearances.

The Giants added more than enough insurance runs off Terry Mulholland. Durham added his own two-run single, and Omar Vizquel capped a five-hit night with a two-run double. The 14 runs and 18 hits allowed by Minnesota were season highs.

"The ball was flying all over," Gardenhire said. "They were blooping some, they were hitting missiles. It just wasn't our starter's night."

Joe Mays lasted four innings in his shortest start of the season, giving up six runs (three earned) on 10 hits. The right-hander squandered a 4-0 lead, but he was almost bailed out by Lew Ford's three-run homer in the fifth inning.

With the Twins leading, 7-6, Juan Rincon surrendered a one-out single to Feliz. He then hit Ellison with an 0-2 pitch, which led to Vizquel's two-out, game-tying single.

"I think that's probably the biggest at-bat of the night," Gardenhire said of the Ellison play.

The Twins, who lost two out of three to the Giants, and five of seven overall, dropped to 5 1/2 games behind the AL Central-leading White Sox.

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Lohse struggles early in loss to Giants

MINNEAPOLIS -- That one bad inning has undone more than a few of Kyle Lohse's promising starts over the past season and a half.
On Wednesday, in an 8-4 loss to the Giants at the Metrodome, Lohse's one bad inning happened to be the first inning. A promising start was immediately wiped out once San Francisco stormed out to a 4-0 lead in the first. This was mostly about damage control.

"I didn't really have command of the fastball, so I went to the other stuff a little too early," Lohse said. "That wasn't what we talked about doing. That got me into trouble early."

The struggling Giants had entered the night losers of 15 of their last 17 games. Omar Vizquel began the game with a leadoff single, but Lohse appeared to get crossed up on his next pitch to Todd Linden and stopped mid-delivery. He was called for a balk.

The problem? Catcher Joe Mauer called for a fastball and Lohse realized while winding up that he was gripping the ball for a slider.

"Instead of throwing to the backstop, I went ahead and balked," Lohse said. "It was a miscommunication."

It went downhill from there. Next batter J.T. Snow was drilled in the right knee with another ill-fated fastball and would leave the game the following inning. Moises Alou followed with a single up the middle and Michael Tucker hit a two-run double past a diving Jacque Jones in right field. Pedro Feliz's RBI single made it a four-run deficit for Minnesota.

"He just didn't make enough good pitches," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "They hit some balls hard."

Two more hard hits in the third and a Tucker sacrifice fly in the top of the third made it a 5-0 game. San Francisco later added three more runs in the ninth off reliever J.C. Romero.

Trying to dig out of that big hole proved tough against Giants lefty Noah Lowry (3-6). Despite a season checkered with subpar performances, Lowry was effective vs. the Twins by using his changeup and mixing speeds. Although Torii Hunter hit a two-run homer in the fourth, and Lew Ford and Joe Mauer hit RBI doubles in the sixth, Minnesota had trouble putting runners in scoring position, getting just five all night.

"It looked like if we were a little more patient tonight, we probably could have walked a few times," Gardenhire said. "We didn't let it happen. We just had a bad night offensively, as far as chasing too many times."

"It's easy to say that when you're sitting down," countered Hunter. "You don't know what [Lowry] has. You never know anything about these guys. Be patient? He was effective. He's a good pitcher. Why not tilt your hat to the other guy? It's as simple as that. Don't just say we weren't patient. I hate to hear that."

After being on the brink of removal in the third, Lohse managed to get through seven innings, the last four scoreless. Four of his five runs allowed were earned on 10 hits.

"It could have been three innings and the shower," Lohse said. "I battled, made my pitches and did what I could do to stay out there. I tried to give a team a chance to come back. We almost did."

Lohse (5-5, 4.50 ERA) posted four consecutive quality starts from May 18-June 3 and became more effective once he scaled down his repertoire from five pitches to three.

But the one bad inning has started to surface. A three-run fourth inning at Arizona on June 9 led to a 4-3 loss in his previous start. Gardenhire wasn't worried about another pattern developing.

"In all honesty, he hasn't had too many of those," Gardenhire said. "He's been able to control it. Once in a while, it's going to happen. He's been a lot better and done a better job of that."

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Rivas set to play Friday

MINNEAPOLIS -- Second baseman Luis Rivas (strained left oblique) was scheduled to report to Triple-A Rochester on Friday to begin his Minor League rehabilitation assignment, but plans have suddenly changed.
In the first inning of Thursday's game, shortstop Juan Castro fouled a ball off his left ankle and was forced out of the game. X-rays were negative, and he is day-to-day.

Injured second baseman Brent Abernathy (right shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Instead of going to a rehab assignment in Rochester, Rivas will be activated from the disabled list for Friday's game against the Padres.

"We were going to have to get an infielder from somewhere, and we have one right here that has been out there doing everything," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Rather than letting him go down and get a rehab, we need him here right now."

Hunter on Interleague Play: Torii Hunter continues to swing a hot bat, but he still hasn't warmed up to the idea of Interleague Play.

"I just hate that," the center fielder said. "You go out there and see a pitcher you've never seen before, know nothing about."

Hunter, who doubled in the first inning of Thursday's game against the Giants, has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games. Entering Thursday, he was batting .333 with four homers and seven RBIs in his previous eight games -- all against National League opponents.

"Lucky, that's all," Hunter said of his success. "Not knowing the pitchers is tough. I'm getting my hits, but that still doesn't mean I like it."

On the flip side of Interleague matchups, pitchers are equally unfamiliar with hitters. But Hunter doesn't think this offsets the difficulties batters face.

"I think pitchers always have the advantage over hitters," Hunter said. "If they go out there and hit their spots, they're going to get everybody out. It doesn't matter who it is."

Pitchers have found Hunter to be a tough out in the past couple of weeks. Since going hitless in a May 29 loss to Toronto, the center fielder has batted 22-for-55 (.400 avg.) with five home runs and 15 RBIs, and raised his batting average from .237 to .276.

"No particular reason, I just feel better at the plate," Hunter said. "It started during the American League series against Cleveland. I've been feeling good since then."

Briefly: The Twins have signed Alex Burnett, their 12th-round pick from the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. The 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed pitcher will be assigned to the Gulf Coast League. Minnesota has now signed 11 of its 54 picks in this year's Draft, including eight of its top 14 selections.

Right-hander Daylan Childress, who was claimed off waivers from Cincinnati on May 6, was outrighted to Double-A New Britain. The 26-year-old was 0-3 with a 9.36 ERA for Triple-A Rochester and New Britain.

The Twins now have 39 players on their 40-man roster.

On deck: The Twins and Padres will open their weekend series Friday at 7:10 p.m. CT at the Metrodome. Carlos Silva will take the mound for Minnesota against right-hander Tim Stauffer.

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Slugfest turns on Twins in LA

LOS ANGELES -- In a region littered with cosmetic surgeons and entertainment industry types, the Twins' usually tight defense appeared to need a nip/tuck procedure.
And left fielder Shannon Stewart would have benefited from having his own stuntman.

All told, Friday was a bomb, as Minnesota committed three errors, suffered from a rough Joe Mays pitching performance and lost Stewart to a collision with the left-field wall.

It almost ensured there would be no Hollywood ending, for the Twins at least. Leadoff batter Hee-Seop Choi's first-pitch, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth off Terry Mulholland gave the Dodgers the 6-5 win.

"It's probably one of the sloppier games I've seen us play in a long time," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

A hazy twilight sky created havoc for both defenses early on. But it would be Minnesota's errors that proved costliest.

Choi's first homer of the game, a two-run shot off Mays, gave Los Angeles a 2-1 lead, and back-to-back singles followed. Antonio Perez smacked a low single into right field that Jacque Jones misplayed. The ball skipped under Jones' glove and rolled away for a two-run error.

"We had a hard time seeing the ball early in the game," Gardenhire said. "The first couple of innings, our defenders did not see the ball at all."

It was 4-3 when a Jones home run and Michael Cuddyer's RBI groundout gave the Twins a one-run lead in the third inning. That concluded the offensive portion of their evening. Dodgers starter Brad Penny and three relievers, including Eric Gagne (1-0), retired the final 21 batters of the game in order.

The second error erased the Twins' narrow advantage in the sixth inning. With the Dodgers' Jeff Kent stealing, catcher Joe Mauer's throw sailed well over second base and into center field for an error that moved Kent to third. Mays followed with a wild pitch to Jayson Werth that scored Kent with the tying run.

On the night, Mays gave up five runs (three earned) on seven hits with two walks and a strikeout. His streak of four-straight quality starts ended in the no-decision.

One of the few dazzling defensive plays for Minnesota yielded near disastrous results.

On Jason Grabowski's fourth-inning tailing fly ball to the left-field corner, Stewart fully extended his left glove hand and made a nice running catch.

But he had no room to spare. Stewart's momentum sent him crashing violently face-first into the fence and foul pole. He collapsed to the ground immediately and spent several moments on the ground as teammates and the trainer rushed to check on him.

"Throwing your body at a ball like that, that close to the wall with a chance to kill yourself, that's game-on as far as I'm concerned," Gardenhire said.

"I didn't realize how close I was, no idea," Stewart said. "I was playing that guy in. I knew he hit it pretty good. I figured I had more room when I caught [it]. I tried to make sure I had it. Next thing, two or three steps and I hit that wall."

Lew Ford replaced Stewart, who was helped off the field and later officially diagnosed with a bruised left wrist. But that was just one of many injuries.

"The more time goes by, I feel worse," said Stewart, who had two hard-hit doubles, two runs scored and an RBI. "My neck is starting to feel it. My shoulder is starting to feel it."

Stewart's return status was considered day-to-day.

"I'm pretty sure I'll be sore [Saturday]," he said. "I'll get back in there as soon as possible."

Twins edged by D-Backs in finale

PHOENIX -- Those darn National League rules.
A big inning was in the offing for the Twins against the Diamondbacks on Thursday. With two on and one out and his team trailing by three runs, it was pitcher Kyle Lohse's responsibility to move the runners over with a bunt. In the American League, Lohse would have been represented at the plate by a designated hitter.

Lohse's first attempt to square one went foul. Another bunt rolled promisingly down the third-base line but had enough English to hook foul. He struck out on his final bunt attempt.

The Twins would go on to lose their shot at a sweep of Arizona in a 4-3 loss before 22,139 fans at Bank One Ballpark.

"Shoot, I get to [hit] once a year," Lohse said. "It's hard to do that."

"It is National League rules, you can't do anything about it," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That's just where we are and the way it is. [If a] pitcher comes up early enough in the game, you have to give him a chance to bunt him over and see if the next guy gets him in."

Had there been runners on second and third, a single from the next batter Shannon Stewart would have scored two runs. But he nearly got them in anyway. Stewart launched a long fly ball to the deepest part of the park in rjght-center field. Center fielder Jose Cruz Jr. robbed him with a difficult running catch over his right shoulder at the warning track.

"A nice Willie Mays catch over his head," Gardenhire said. "He smacked that ball pretty good. A couple more feet, maybe it's off the wall or something like that. It wasn't quite there."

Not quite there was the story of the night.

Despite a solo homer by Justin Morneau in the fifth and Jacque Jones' two-run blast in the sixth, which gave them seven long balls in three games, Minnesota sputtered against Diamondbacks starter Javier Vazquez (6-4).

Vazquez gave up three runs on just three hits over six innings, but used up a gaudy 112 pitches in the process.

"We kind of let Vazquez off the hook a little," Gardenhire regretted. "We hit some balls right on the screws at people. He wasn't spectacular by any means. We should have been able to get to him I thought. We got people out there. We just didn't finish him off."

Lohse (5-4) battled with his command but kept it well within reach. He could have used some of the synergy Johan Santana had with his lineup one night earlier in a 10-0 shutout.

"We could have switched that around and given Johan three runs and give me nine or 10," joked Lohse, who allowed four runs and seven hits over six innings. "That would have been nice."

Lohse left a first-pitch changeup up for Cruz leading off the fourth. He launched it a home run to right field. Two singles followed by Chad Tracy and Chris Snyder. A sharp grounder to the mound by Craig Counsell was hard to come up with by the pitcher and allowed a run to score. Alex Cintron's hard RBI single to center field made it 4-0.

"I had nothing today," admitted Lohse, whose streak of four straight quality starts ended. "My fastball was all over the place.

"Things got away from me that one inning. I battled to keep us in the game. I did what I had to do to keep us close."

Twins wax nostalgic

LOS ANGELES -- No player in a Twins uniform had set foot in Dodger Stadium since Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Jim Perry and their mates played in the 1965 World Series.
That was, until Friday night.

On the 40th anniversary season of that Fall Classic, Interleague Play brought the teams together again for a three-game series this weekend. Only a handful of current Minnesota players had experienced the ballpark in Chavez Ravine. Most came while playing with National League clubs.

Twins closer Joe Nathan, who pitched for the Dodgers' bitter rivals in San Francisco from 1999-2003, remembered packed houses and meaningful pennant-race games.

"It was a great place to come and pitch. There's some history here," Nathan said. "It was always entertaining down in the bullpen when it was Dodgers-Giants. It's a pretty good environment."

Left-hander Terry Mulholland spent part of the 2002 season with the Dodgers and is a veteran of several NL clubs.

"This is one the better parks to pitch in," Mulholland recalled. "The cooler air keeps the ball from flying."

A former New York Mets infielder, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire played at the ballpark in the early-to-mid 1980s.

"It's been a pretty good while since I've been here," Gardenhire said. "The ballpark's changed. Different seating, new hallways ... the clubhouse is the same. I don't know why they didn't change it."

More memory lane: Former Twins pitcher Jim "Mudcat" Grant was the Game 1 winner of the '65 series, and the first African-American in the American League to win a World Series game. Grant visited the cramped visitor's clubhouse before the game and joined FSN North's Dick Bremer and Bert Blyleven as a guest television analyst Friday.

You think he was a little nostalgic?

"Are you kidding?" a beaming Grant said. "There are thousands of memories that come up. All kinds of stuff trigger memories. There were memories, dreams. Over the next 48 hours, I'll make sure my '65 World Series ring is shined."

Even Grant's Game 4 loss at Dodger Stadium brought him a fond memory about a Hollywood screen legend.

"I think of me losing a bet to Doris Day," he recalled. "She bet me a hot dog that I wouldn't beat them. I had to pay her the hot dog and watch her eat it."

In the 1965 regular season, Grant went 21-7 with a 3.30 ERA and also became the first AL African-American pitcher to win 20 games.

The Dodgers on Friday held a ceremony to commemorate the World Series they won in seven games over Minnesota, and invited former stars Maury Wills, Wes Parker and Willie Davis.

Briefly: Second baseman Luis Rivas, on the disabled list with a strained oblique, isn't ready to swing yet. Rivas tried to hit soft tosses in the batting cage, but felt discomfort. He is able to take infield practice without problems, however.

The Twins signed ninth-round pick Erik Lis, a first baseman from the University of Evansville. Lis was assigned to Elizabethton of the Appalachian League.

There will be no batting practice taken before Saturday's game because celebrities will be taking the field for the annual Hollywood Stars softball game.

Coming up: Carlos Silva gets the ball when the Twins face the Dodgers at 9:10 p.m. CT. Another sinkerballer, Derek Lowe, will pitch for Los Angeles.

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Twins get more from Morneau

LOS ANGELES -- At this time last weekend, a slumping Justin Morneau was going through some dark clouds. He received MRIs, cortisone shots and criticism for not playing with a sore elbow.
By Saturday, it appeared Morneau had finally cleared turbulence.

The Twins' power-hitting first baseman drove in four early runs, including a two-run home run in the third inning, in a 5-3 victory over the Dodgers before 53,354 at Dodger Stadium.

"It was the Morneau show today," said Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, who also delivered a key homer in the sixth inning.

Morneau tied his season high for RBIs, set May 24 against Cleveland. Since then, he has been immersed in a deep slump. He entered the night 4-for-35 (.114) with one RBI. On Thursday at Arizona, he hit his first homer since May 17.

"I stopped trying to do too much," Morneau said. "When I try to hit home runs is when I get into trouble."

With Derek Lowe (5-6) on the mound for Los Angeles, Twins hitters wasted little time being productive. Lew Ford hit a leadoff single and Luis Rodriguez doubled to start the game. Morneau, moved to the third spot for the first time with Joe Mauer getting a rest, simply looked to move the runners. He did one better by hitting a hard single through the middle that scored two runs.

"That first hit felt good, just to get it through there," Morneau said. "I haven't been picking up those RBIs like I had been. That was a little frustrating."

With Rodriguez on with a two-out single, Morneau smacked a Lowe 2-0 slider into the right-field bleachers and gave the Twins a commanding 4-0 lead. When Hunter added a solo homer in the sixth, it had the makings of an easy night for starter Carlos Silva.

But like trying to drive from point A to point B in fewer than 30 minutes, nothing appears to be as easy as it looks in Los Angeles.

Silva (5-3) had kept the ball on the ground much of the night and got two double plays, but felt a twinge in his right knee after striking out at the plate in the fifth inning. He has been playing much of the year with torn meniscus cartilage.

Jason Grabowski put the Dodgers on the scoreboard with a leadoff homer in the fifth inning. In the sixth, Hee-Seop Choi tattooed a 3-1 pitch 458 feet and into the right-field bleachers. Two batters later, Jeff Kent punched another home run to right field and made it a two-run game.

Silva was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh, marking the first time he did not pitch seven innings in 11 starts this season.

"I don't think it's anything bad," said Silva, who allowed three runs on seven hits with one walk and two strikeouts. "I feel a little sore. I told the pitching coach I wasn't throwing my pitches the same way. I didn't want to hurt my arm."

Minnesota's bullpen shut down any chances of a comeback and retired nine in a row. J.C. Romero struck out four in two innings and Joe Nathan fanned two in the ninth for his 18th save.

Pitching saved the game late. It turned out that Morneau's run support saved it early.

On June 2, Morneau injured his elbow while swinging off a tee before a game. He complained of soreness and would not start the following four games. A magnetic resonance imaging test revealed a small bone spur inside his left elbow. It was another setback in a year that's seen the slugger downed by various ailments, including an early-season concussion from a beaning.

But this most recent injury was considered to be a minor one and some, including Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and Hunter, indirectly censured Morneau for not playing through it while the club was had several banged-up players. Morneau was never individually called out, but the direction of the remarks was clear.

Hunter felt that the issue was behind the 24-year-old slugger Saturday.

"He's smiling. He's cracking jokes and everything," Hunter said. "I think he's ready to play some ball. If he keeps that up, I think we can win a lot more games."

"When he's feeling good, you can see the damage he can do," Gardenhire said. "He's feeling good. It's good to see him out there."

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/

Stewart banged up

LOS ANGELES -- The Twins were looking for a way to get Lew Ford's bat into the lineup, but not like this.
Ford started in left field and batted leadoff Saturday against the Dodgers in place of Shannon Stewart, who was injured Friday in a violent collision with the fence.

"I knew before we got here that he was sore and would need a day," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Stewart made a nice running catch on Jason Grabowski's fourth-inning fly ball to the corner, but slammed face-first into the wall and foul pole. He came out of the game and was replaced by Ford.

Predictably, after the hard hit to his body, Stewart was moving slowly when he arrived to Dodger Stadium on Saturday afternoon. With a bruised left wrist, among other ailments, he was not expected to be available for pinch-hitting duty either.

"Everything is pretty sore," said Stewart, one of the club's hottest hitters, batting .294 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs. "It was the wrist at first. But now it's the [quadriceps] that hurts, and my back."

Since there is no designated hitter in effect at National League ballparks, Ford had been limited to mainly pinch-hitting duties until Saturday's start.

"I'm looking forward to getting back to American League ballparks and to get in the game," Ford said. "But the main thing is we're winning and hitting the ball. That's what counts. To make the playoffs, we need all our guys. [Stewart] is a very important part of the team. He's swinging great and he's our leadoff hitter."

The Twins have a scheduled off-day Monday, making it feasible that Stewart could get Sunday off to get more healing time. But he hoped not to miss any more games.

"I'm not going to let it go too far," Stewart said. "I've been playing sore and uncomfortable all year."

Hunter OK: Twins center fielder Torii Hunter slammed his left shoulder hard into the wall making an eighth-inning catch in Minnesota's 5-3 win Saturday.

Hunter chased down Jason Phillips' drive to the warning track and took a step before a hard collision with the fence. He was already playing with a separated AC joint in the same shoulder, an injury he suffered in the 2004 playoffs.

"I didn't think I was that close to the fence," said Hunter, who homered in the sixth inning. "When I hit it, man that hurt. It felt like all my insides shook up."

After the game, Hunter was expected to be OK.

Also in lineup: After Joe Mauer caught four games in a row, he was given a rest Saturday night. Backup catcher Mike Redmond was behind the plate. Mauer is expected to be back in the lineup Sunday.

Switch-hitting rookie Glenn Williams got his first big-league start, playing in place of Michael Cuddyer at third base Saturday. Gardenhire liked having an extra lefty in the lineup against Dodgers starter Derek Lowe, who is tough on right-handers.

Close games: Entering Saturday, the Twins were losers of back-to-back one-run games to lower their record in those close contests to 12-11 this season. By comparison, the AL Central-leading White Sox are 19-7 in one-run games.

Gardenhire isn't concerned about losing some close games.

"It's better than being 5-16," he said. "We were 12-9 going into this series. If it's one-run games, you have a chance to win those games. We've always done pretty good in one-run games."

Hollywood stars: Batting practice was scrubbed Saturday afternoon because of the annual "Hollywood Stars" celebrity softball game that was being played at Dodger Stadium.

Still, a majority of Twins players lingered on the field to check out a cavalcade of B-list stars in action. Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, ex-"Saturday Night Live" cast members Jon Lovitz and Rob Schneider, former "Dawson's Creek" star James Van Der Beek, film actor Sean Astin, model/actress Molly Sims and "Survivor" host Jeff Probst were among those playing.

Coming up: The Twins and Dodgers wrap their three-game series Sunday at 3:10 p.m. CT. Brad Radke will pitch for Minnesota against Los Angeles' D.J. Houlton.

Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/