By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — It’s an absolutely beautiful early evening here at Target Field as the Twins try to pick up a win against the Yankees and try to prevent a sweep like they did a little less than two weeks ago in the Bronx.

The club will be taking on right-hander Javier Vazquez, who is a familiar opponent considering the time he spent with the White Sox.

Alexi Casilla gets the start at third base tonight. Nick Punto (sore left ring finger) took some swings in the cage and took ground balls, doing his normal pre-game routine. So Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Punto should be in the lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Rangers.

The Twins players also enjoyed a little pre-batting practice action on the field as a group of hockey players stopped by to get in some hitting of their own. Among the players on hand were Mark Parrish, Andrew Brunette, Nick Schultz, and Derek Boogaard. When asked whether any of the players could consider a baseball career if the hockey thing doesn’t work out, Gardenhire joked that Boogaard could hang out on the Twins bench and act as the club’s enforcer for any on-field altercations.

Yankees (26-18)
Derek
Jeter, SS
Brett Gardner, CF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez,
3B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Juan Miranda, DH
Francisco
Cervelli, C
Kevin Russo, LF
Pitching: RHP Javier Vazquez (3-4, 6.69 ERA)

Twins

(26-20)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Michael Cuddyer,
RF
Jason Kubel, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Alexi Casilla, 3B
Pitching: RHP Nick Blackburn (5-1, 4.50 ERA)

A
reminder
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