Roadtrips are often very beneficial for a beat writer because it often gives you a little more time to talk to the players and coaches then you do when they’re at home.

And that usually leads to some humorous moments as well.

On the road, manager Ron Gardenhire’s pregame media sessions will often run much longer and feature a wide variety of topics. Like it did today when Gardenhire brought up former Twins pitcher, Rick Reed.

While talking about Scott Baker’s better pace on the mound of late, a reporter asked Gardenhire who was the slowest working pitcher that he’d had since taking over as manager. And Gardenhire didn’t hesitate with his answer of Reed.

“He was Father Time,” Gardenhire said. “He had birthdays during his starts. Not one birthday. Birthdays.”

This trip has already been memorable thanks to some of Gardenhire’s hilarious quotes, including one about Carlos Gomez’s bat flip following his home run on Tuesday night. While the manager didn’t see the flip, he said that it could have been worse.

“At least he didn’t have a cell phone at home plate and dig it up and call his mom or something like that,” Gardenhire joked.

As for Twins news, Michael Cuddyer is back in the lineup as the designated hitter. Gardenhire said that he’ll try to ease Cuddyer back into playing and there is a chance Cuddyer could return to right field in Thursday’s day game finale in Cleveland. But that will all depend on how his back responds tonight.

Joe Mauer is catching tonight. So there is a possibility he could be the DH on Thursday. Gardenhire said he’ll see how Mauer feels, adding that he’d like to have him as the DH in the contest.

Twins (53-53)
3rd place in AL Central, 2.5 games back

Denard Span, RF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, LF
Michael Cuddyer, DH
Joe Crede, 3B
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano (4-10, 5.56)

Indians (44-62)
4th place in AL Central, 11.5 games back

Grady Sizemore, CF

Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

Shin Soo Choo, RF

Jhonny Peralta, 3B

Chris Gimenez, 1B
Jamey Carroll, 2B

Kelly Shoppach, C

Andy Marte, DH
Trevor Crowe, LF

Pitching: LHP Aaron Laffey (4-3, 4.08)

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