By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

Royals (57-79)
Gregor Blanco, CF
Mitch Maier, RF
Billy Butler, DH
Kila Ka’aihue, 1B
Wilson Betemit, 3B
Alex Gordon, LF
Brayan Pena, C
Chris Getz, 2B
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS

Pitching: RHP Sean O’Sullivan (2-4, 5.50 ERA)

Twins

(80-57)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon
Young, LF
J.J.

Hardy,
SS
Matt Tolbert, 3B

Pitching: RHP Kevin Slowey (11-6, 4.39 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

KANSAS CITY — The Twins offense has been producing absurd numbers over the last four games and even Michael Cuddyer had to laugh when he was told last night that the club had 72 hits in the stretch of four contests.

Cuddyer’s reaction is no surprise considering that according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Twins are only the third team in the last 100 years to score 10-or-more runs and have at least 19 hits in three consecutive games (others were Giants in 1933 and the Pirates in 1928).

The 72 hits are also the most the Twins have had in a four-game stretch in club history. The previous record for hits over four games was 62 from June 16-19, 2003.

But more importantly, the Twins enter the final game of this seven-game roadtrip with a 5-1 record having picked up series wins against two teams they clearly needed to beat. It already is a tremendous roadtrip and a sweep over the Royals today would certainly only help that.

Left-hander Brian Duensing will make his second start today. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Duensing should be able to throw around 85 pitches, although that will depend on how he fares as it’s expected to be in the mid to upper 90s today in Kansas City with the heat index.

Jim Thome is 9-for-26 (.346) with three home runs in his career against Royals right-hander Brian Bannister but he is not in the lineup today. Gardenhire said that he thinks the hotel beds in Kansas City have bothered Thome’s back, so the club will give him a day of rest and the hope is he’ll be feeling better when the team returns to action on Friday at home against the Mariners.

Twins

(55-46)

Denard Span, CF

Alexi Casilla, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Delmon Young, LF
Jason Kubel, DH
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Danny Valencia, 3B
Jason Repko, RF

Nick Punto, SS

Pitching: LHP Brian Duensing
(3-1, 1.69 ERA)

Royals
(42-58)
Scott Podsednik, LF
Willie Bloomquist, RF
Billy Butler, 1B
Jose Guillen, DH
Wilson Betemit, 3B
Mike Aviles, 2B
Rick Ankiel, CF
Brayan Pena, C
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS

Pitching: RHP Brian Bannister (7-9, 5.73 ERA) 

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier 

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The bruised left wrist of shortstop J.J. Hardy is reportedly feeling better although it’s not perfect, according to Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, but the team won’t know more about Hardy’s status until he is sees the team doctors around game time.

Hardy will be examined by the doctors and a decision on how to proceed will then be made. It’s possible that Hardy could be placed on the DL and if that’s the case, shortstop Trevor Plouffe will likely be called up from Triple-A Rochester. Gardenhire said he’s willing to wait a couple more days if Hardy will be ready at that time but they’ll have to see what the doctors say.

Right-hander Clay Condrey threw in the bullpen with no problems and he’ll soon be heading down to Fort Myers; Fla. where he’ll face hitters at
extended Spring Training.

The Twins also announced they have signed two of their draft picks. They are 9th round pick, Kyle Knudson, a catcher out of the University of Minnesota and 44th round pick, Daminksy, a left-handed pitcher out of St. Cloud State University.

Royals (24-36)
Scott

Podsednik, LF
Jason Kendall, C
David DeJesus, RF
Jose Guillen, DH
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Mitch

Maier, CF
Wilson Betemit, 1B
Chris Getz, 2B
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
Pitching: LHP Bruce Chen (2-0, 2.95 ERA)

Twins

(35-24)
Denard Span, CF
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Nick
Punto, SS
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker
(5-4, 4.52 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier 

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Field has not been a home run hitter’s haven so far, but it certainly has been a welcome place for the Twins to return to after a long roadtrip.

While the Twins offense scuffled during their trip out West last week, the club erupted for seven runs in their first game against Kansas City on Tuesday night at home and that’s been a trend for this team. The numbers for the Twins hitters at Target Field have overall been better as they’ve hit .285 with a .374 on-base percentage and .418 slugging percentage, compared with  a .252/.322/.409 split on the road.

So the Twins will try to see if they can keep that up tonight against Kansas City.

As for news, not much going on today. The Twins are waiting until Thursday to see how J.J. Hardy’s left wrist is feeling following his cortisone shot yesterday. Hardy said his wrist was a little stiff today but that’s normal following such a shot.

Orlando Hudson was back on the field running around today, but manager Ron Gardenhire said that Hudson won’t be doing any swinging over the next few days. The hope is still that Hudson will be ready to go when he’s eligible to come off the DL on June 15.

Royals (24-35)
Scott
Podsednik, LF
Jason Kendall, C
David DeJesus, DH
Billy Butler,
1B
Jose Guillen, RF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Mike Aviles, 2B
Mitch
Maier, CF
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
Pitching: RHP Kyle Davies (4-4, 5.49 ERA)

Twins

(34-24)
Denard Span, CF
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Nick
Punto, SS
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano
(5-6, 4.11 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier 

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins have placed Orlando Hudson on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left wrist (retroactive to May 31) and they’ve reinstated outfielder Michael Cuddyer from the bereavement list.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Hudson visited the doctor in Arizona who performed his 2008 surgery. Everything was fine with his surgically-repaired wrist but the doctor agreed with the Twins physicians that he needs to rest the wrist for a few more days.

So Cuddyer will take Hudson’s spot on the roster for now. Hudson will be eligible to return from the DL on June 15.

J.J. Hardy was not placed on the DL, instead undergoing a cortisone shot in his left wrist on Tuesday. Hardy underwent another MRI and it showed that the bone bruise is still there. But since the medication Hardy started taking last weekend has helped his wrist, they felt this could help him to be ready to return to the club either Thursday or Friday.

Justin Morneau is also back in the lineup after missing two days with the stomach flu. Gardenhire said that Morneau is still working to get his strength back but he’s ready to play.

Royals (24-34)
Scott Podsednik, LF
Jason Kendall, C
David DeJesus, RF
Billy Butler, 1B
Jose Guillen, DH
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Mike Aviles, 2B
Mitch Maier, CF
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
Pitching: RHP Zack Greinke (1-7, 3.60 ERA)

Twins

(33-24)
Denard Span, CF
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Nick
Punto, SS
Pitching: RHP Kevin Slowey
(6-3, 3.84 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier 

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

KANSAS
CITY — The Twins will be going for a series sweep against the Royals this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. It’s the third straight series where the Twins have won the first two games, but so far this season they have yet to complete a sweep.

Jason Kubel is getting the day off, as Jim Thome is in at DH. After a long night behind the plate, Joe Mauer said he was good to go today so he’s playing. The Twins have a day off on Monday so that probably helps as well.

The Twins bullpen is a little taxed following Saturday night’s 12-inning affair. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Matt Guerrier is out for sure today and closer Jon Rauch is questionable. Relievers who are for sure available are Jesse Crain, Pat Neshek, Brian Duensing, Ron Mahay and Alex Burnett (the only one who didn’t pitch in the contest). Scott Baker will also wait to throw his bullpen session until during the game in case for some reason he might be needed.

Nick Punto’s MRI on his right groin muscle came back fine, Gardenhire said. But the Twins want to look more at his right hip in case that might be causing the problems.

And now, here are the lineups:

Twins

(13-5)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer,

RF
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon Young, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Brendan
Harris, 3B
Pitching: RHP Kevin Slowey (2-1, 2.45 ERA)

Royals
(6-11)
David DeJesus, RF
Scott Podsednik, LF
Billy

Butler, 1B
Jose Guillen, DH
Alberto Callaspo, 2B
Jason Kendall, C
Alex Gordon, 3B
Mitch Maier, CF
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
Pitching:
RHP Brian Bannister (0-1, 4.58 ERA)

A reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier 

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

KANSAS
CITY — A steady rain has been falling here at Kauffman Stadium for most of the afternoon but the expectation is that baseball will be played at some point tonight.

The rain hasn’t stopped some of the Twins pitchers from heading out on the field to play catch. There are also quite a few fans already in the stands, sitting underneath umbrellas. The Royals are expecting a high attendance tonight as it’s Zack Greinke bobblehead night. So they will likely have everyone sit here and wait things out awhile.

Infielder Luke Hughes has arrived in Kansas City and he was in the clubhouse this afternoon. The Perth, Australia native was very excited to earn his first Major League callup and I’ll have more on that in the Twins Beat a little later.

For now, here are the lineups:

Twins

(12-5)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer,

RF
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Brendan
Harris, 3B
Pitching: RHP
Nick Blackburn (1-1, 6.05 ERA)

Royals
(6-10)
David DeJesus, RF
Scott Podsednik, LF
Billy
Butler, 1B
Jose Guillen, DH
Alberto Callaspo, 2B
Rick Ankiel,
CF
Jason Kendall, C
Alex Gordon, 3B
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
Pitching:
RHP Luke Hochevar (2-0, 2.89 ERA)

A reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier 

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

KANSAS CITY — I arrived in lovely Kansas City this morning to a few rain showers. The sky is clear at the moment but there is a chance of rain is in the forecast all weekend so hopefully it will remain clear at game time.

Here is the Twins lineup for now. I’ll have more later.

Twins

(11-5)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer,

RF
Jason Kubel, LF
Jim Thome, DH
J.J. Hardy, SS
Brendan Harris, 3B
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano (2-1, 4.96)

(Pitcher has been corrected, sorry for my forgetting to change it).

Royals (6-9)
David DeJesus, RF
Scott Podsednik, LF
Billy Butler, 1B
Jose Guillen, DH
Alberto Callaspo, 2B
Rick Ankiel, CF
Jason Kendall, C
Alex Gordon, 3B
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
Pitching: RHP Gil Meche (0-1, 11.57 ERA)

A reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier