Tagged: Jeff Manship

The make-or-break roadtrip begins: Twins at White Sox 9/21

The Twins critical 10-game, 11-day roadtrip kicks off tonight in Chicago against the White Sox. Currently Minnesota sits 3 games behind the first-place Tigers in the American League Central race. They’ll have a chance tonight to pick up a half-game as Detroit is idle today — their final off day of the season.

While many people have written off Chicago as they now sit 6 1/2 games back of the Tigers in the division, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire isn’t so quick to do the same. He reminded everyone that the White Sox still have these three games to try to make up ground on the Twins and six left with Detroit as well.

“I don’t think the Sox are quitting right now,” Gardenhire said. “When you get a chance to play the other teams that are aehad you, that always makes you feel a little bit better about it. I’m sure the Sox are thinking that too

“They’ve got as much life as we do. We’re just a little closer. They’ve got six games with [Detroit]. We’ve got four.”

Also, the Twins aren’t skipping any starters with the off day but it sounds like they’ll make one alteration. Gardenhire said that the four big guys will be starting against Detroit in that series — meaning everyone besides Jeff Manship. So Manship will start tomorrow vs. Chicago and then he’ll stay on five days to pitch on Sunday at Kansas City. Nick Blackburn will be pushed back a day to start Monday, the first game of the series in Detroit.

Here are today’s lineups:

Twins (76-73)
2nd place in AL Central, 3 games back
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon Young, LF
Jose Morales, DH
Matt Tolbert, 3B
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: RHP Nick Blackburn (10-11, 4.34)

White Sox (73-77)
3rd place in AL Central, 6 1/2 games back
Scott Podsednik, CF
Gordon Beckham, 3B
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Paul Konerko, DH
Mark Kotsay, 1B
Jermaine Dye, RF
Carlos Quentin, LF
Chris Getz, 2B
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Pitching: RHP Daniel Hudson (0-0, 4.76)

A reminder you can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier

Friday Lineups: Twins vs. Rangers

As many of you have already heard, the Twins made two moves to help bolster their bullpen on Friday. The club officially announced that they had acquired right-hander Jon Rauch from the Diamondbacks and a Major League source confirmed that the Twins also signed left-hander Ron Mahay, who was released by the Royals earlier this week.

The deal for Mahay isn’t expected to be announced until Saturday and that’s when the Twins will announce the move to make room for him on the roster. Right-hander Philip Humber was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester on Friday to open a spot on the 25-man roster for Rauch.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Joe Crede’s back is doing much better, although Brendan Harris was still in the lineup at third base once again. Crede is scheduled to meet with team doctors before tonight’s game. If Crede can play in a couple days then it’s likely the team will wait to get him back. But if it’s looking like 4-5 days or more then Crede will probably head to the DL so the Twins can add another position player to their roster.

Also it sounds like Jeff Manship will start Tuesday against the White Sox. That is if everything goes as planned and he’s not needed in long relief tonight.

UPDATE: The Indians announced that they acquired right-hander Yohan Pino from the Twins, as the player to be named later from the Carl Pavano trade. Pino split time this season between Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester, posting a combined 7-3 record and 3.03 ERA.

Here are today’s lineups:

Rangers (71-55)
2nd place in AL West, 4 games back (1.5 games back in AL Wild Card)

Ian Kinsler, 2B
Michael Young, 3B
Josh Hamilton, RF
Nelson Cruz, RF
Ivan Rodriguez, DH
David Murphy, LF
Taylor Teagraden, C
Chris David, 1B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Pitching: RHP Tommy Hunter (6-2, 2.85)

Twins (63-64)
3rd place in AL Central, 4.5 games back

Denard Span, CF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, DH
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Brendan Harris, 3B
Alexi Casilla, 2B
Pitching: LHP Brian Duensing (1-1, 4.91)

A reminder you can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier