By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

DETROIT — The Twins are a little banged up as they head into the series finale with the Tigers today trying to avoid a sweep.

Manager Ron Gardenhire is among the walking wounded. Gardenhire was feeling better on Sunday after getting hit in the right ear by a thrown baseball during batting practice on Saturday. Gardenhire’s ear is still not pretty but he will be managing the game today.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy has a swollen left knee and he is scheduled to be checked out by the doctor today. Hardy said he’s not sure how he injured his knee. He said he didn’t feel anything bother him during Saturday’s game but he woke up to a swollen knee on Sunday.

Denard Span fouled a ball off his right foot in his final at-bat on Saturday. He said he woke up with his foot feeling very sore, “almost fell out of bed,” he said. He was getting treatment on the foot and was not int he lineup..

Jim Thome’s back is still sore and he said that he has a knot in the left side of his back. He said he first felt something after Tuesday night’s clinching game. He seems to be a little
concerned, although the hope is that they’ll be able to get his back feeling better soon.

Jason Repko is still out with bruised right thumb after getting hit with a pitch last night.

As for Mauer, Gardenhire said that it’s possible that he could return to the lineup in Kansas City. If that’s the case, Mauer will probably be the DH. Gardenhire stressed that they just want to see the catcher healthy before he’s back behind the plate.

Twins

(92-62)

Ben Revere, CF

Orlando Hudson, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jason Kubel, RF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Jose Morales, 1B
Matt Tolbert, 2B
Nick Punto, SS

Pitching: LHP Brian Duensing

(10-2, 2.19 ERA)

Tigers

(79-75)

Austin Jackson, CF
Casper Wells, RF
Ryan Raburn, LF
Miguel
Cabrera, 1B
Jhonny Peralta, DH
Brandon Inge, 3B
Scott Sizemore, 2B
Ramon Santiago, SS
Gerald Laird, C

Pitching: RHP Rick Porcello

(9-11, 5.22 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

DETROIT — The Twins prepare to open up their series against the Tigers tonight at Comerica Park with a new distinction — owning the best record in the Major Leagues.

Thanks to the Rays winning two straight games over the Yankees, the Twins have taken over with the best overall record at 92-60. It’s a nice thing to have, manager Ron Gardenhire said, but he wishes that he can say that after the next 10 days when the regular season is over.

The key for the Twins down the stretch is to try to maintain the best record while also ensuring that the team is healthy entering the ALDS. The team’s opponent is still unknown as the Rays now trail the Yankees by just a 1/2 game in the AL East race. The Twins will face whoever finishes second in the race and one key thing to know is that Tampa Bay holds the tie-breaker over the Yankees with a 10-8 record against them this season.

Here are some Twins updates today:

Joe Mauer will not play in this series with the Tigers, Gardenhire said, after getting a cortisone shot in his left knee on Wednesday. It’s possible that Mauer could return to the lineup on Monday in Kansas City but that will all depend on how his knee is feeling.

Twins general manager Bill Smith said Thursday that there was nothing new to report on first baseman Justin Morneau, meaning that there has been no expectation for a return and also no official decision has been made to shut Morneau down either. On his weekly radio appearance on ESPN 1500 AM, Gardenhire was asked for a Morneau
update and said, “I don’t see how [a September or October return] can
possibly happen for him.” He then added, “I hope I’m wrong…I’m hoping all of a sudden he joins us somewhere.”

Jim Thome is not in the lineup for the series opener as he’s feeling a little stiff today, Gardenhire said.

Gardenhire also said that he tried to stack the lineup with as many left-handed hitters as possible today against Verlander. So Alexi Casilla is getting the start at shortstop, since he’s a switch-hitter, although Gardenhire stressed that J.J. Hardy is feeling just fine. Ben Revere also got the nod in right field.

Denard Span had an MRI exam on his right shoulder on Wednesday in a precautionary move since it had already been scheduled, and it didn’t show anything of concern. Gardenhire said that the MRI was part of his routine end-of-year physical and Span is back in the lineup again today.

.

Twins

(92-60)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Jason Kubel, DH
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Jose Morales, 1B
Ben Revere,
RF
Alexi Casilla, SS

Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano

(14-8, 3.44 ERA)

Tigers

(77-75)

Austin Jackson, CF
Scott Sizemore, 2B
Ryan Raburn, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Casper Wells, RF
Brennan Boesch, DH
Brandon Inge, 3B
Gerald Laird, C

Pitching: RHP Justin Verlander

(17-8, 3.46 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins will try to capture their sixth series sweep of the season tonight when they close out their three-game set with the Tigers.

It’s pretty quiet out here at the ballpark today in terms of media. Of course, that likely has a lot to do with the fact that the Twins and Vikings are playing at the same time — marking the first time that’s likely happened in the two teams history since for most of the last 50 years they shared facilities. The University of Minnesota Gophers are also playing tonight, although they are on the road to face Middle Tennessee State. And tonight is also the high school football opener for many schools. Certainly a lot of sports in the Twin Cities tonight.

The Twins will be facing Justin Verlander, who is 1-1 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts vs. MIN this year.

Below is one great stat thanks to Dustin Morse, the Twins manager of baseball communications. You can follow him on twitter @Twins_morsecode

Joe Mauer is career .357 hitter off Detroit’s
Justin Verlander…for Mauer, Verlander is the only pitcher he has hit 3
home runs against.

INJURY UPDATES:

Jason Kubel’s left wrist is still sore and swollen. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Kubel will likely undergo further testing on the wrist due to the soreness he’s still experiencing.

Orlando Hudson’s right foot is feeling better and he was out taking part in all of batting practice with the team, but Gardenhire said he’s still a day away. Brian Fuentes’ back is feeling better but he’s still likely a couple days away.

Jim Thome could possibly be back as the DH on Friday. He took swings out on the field during BP and said his back was feeling better as well.

Tigers (65-68)

Austin Jackson, CF
Will Rhymes, 2B
Johnny Damon, DH
Miguel
Cabrera, 1B
Brennan Boesch, RF
Jhonny Peralta, 3B
Don Kelly, LF
Alex Avila, C
Ramon Santiago,
SS

Pitching: RHP Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.58 ERA)

Twins

(77-56)

Denard Span, CF

Alexi Casilla, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon
Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Jose Morales, DH
Jason Repko, RF
J.J.
Hardy,
SS

Pitching: RHP Scott Baker

(12-9, 4.55 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — It’s September and scoreboard watching now will become a daily occurrence. But tonight, the Twins already know what they need to do.

The White Sox closed out their series with the Indians this afternoon with a 6-4 win thanks to Paul Konerko’s three-run homer in the eighth inning. That means that the Twins’ lead in the AL Central currently stands at 3 1/2 games and they need a win tonight over the Tigers to bring that back to four games.

Pre-game for the Twins today was injury central and perhaps the key phrase of manager Ron Gardenhire’s session was “day-to-day”. Jim Thome was originally in the lineup as the Twins DH but he was scratched and replaced by Jose Morales. Thome’s back was feeling OK when he took some early swings, but it tightened up on him when he tried to run on the field. So he’s still considered day-to-day.

Orlando Hudson had an MRI on his right ankle. It showed some inflammation and a little swelling in the ankle, but “nothing big” according to Gardenhire. Hudson is taking some medication to help with the inflammation and he’s also considered day-to-day.

Jason Kubel was icing his left wrist in the clubhouse. He said that the swelling has gone down and his wrist is feeling better after getting by a pitch. But he won’t take any swings today and it will be a couple days before he’s ready to return.

Brian Fuentes said that his back was feeling better but he’s still waiting for the medicine to really kick in. So he likely will be a couple days as well. And I bet you can guess that he’s also “day-to-day”

Also, I blogged it earlier but the Twins finalized their trade for Fuentes by sending right-hander Loek Van Mil to the Angels. Van Mil, 25, had been designated for assignment on Saturday to make room for Fuentes on the 40-man roster.

Tigers (65-67)

Austin Jackson, CF
Will Rhymes, 2B
Casper Wells, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Jhonny Peralta, DH
Brandon Inge, 3B
Ramon Santiago, SS
Brennan Boesch, RF
Gerald Laird, C

Pitching: RHP Max Scherzer (10-9, 3.60 ERA)

Twins

(76-56)

Denard Span, CF

Alexi Casilla, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon
Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Jose Morales, DH
Jason Repko, RF
J.J. Hardy,
SS

Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano

(12-7, 3.41 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS –With Joe Mauer not starting as he gets a day off to rest, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire did a little tweaking with the top of his batting order.

Rather than moving Justin Morneau up to the 3rd spot as he’s done when Mauer is not playing, Gardenhire shifted Delmon Young up from the eighth spot last night into the No. 3 hole for today’s game.

“We have the soul patrol leading off,” Gardenhire said. “We have [Denard] Span, [Orlando] Hudson, and Delmon. And that was
self-proclaimed by Delmon that the soul patrol will be the top three in the lineup today.”

Young’s reference of course was to the Twins’ original “Soul Patrol” which was the outfield consisting of Jacque Jones, Torii Hunter and Matt Lawton. And Young said that he was part of another soul patrol outfield during his time in Tampa Bay with B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford.

Even without Mauer, the Twins lineup appears pretty deep today. Michael Cuddyer is back at third base and Jim Thome gets his third straight start at DH as he sits one HR behind Harmon Killebrew (573) for 10th place on the all-time home run list.

Tigers (41-35)
Austin
Jackson, CF
Johnny Damon, LF
Magglio Ordonez, DH
Miguel
Cabrera, 1B
Brennan
Boesch, RF
Carlos Guillen, 2B
Brandon Inge, 3B
Gerald Laird, C
Danny Worth, SS
Pitching: LHP Andy Oliver (0-1, 3.00 ERA)

Twins

(42-35)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Delmon Young, LF
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 3B
Jim Thome, DH
Nick
Punto, SS
Drew Butera, C
Pitching: RHP Kevin Slowey (7-5, 4.79 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier 

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — Tigers right-hander Joel Zumaya was diagnosed with a fracture in his elbow and will miss the rest of the 2010 season. But while it’s a disappointing injury for Detroit, it’s perhaps the best news for the pitcher since he suffered no ligament or tendon damage after he injured his arm while throwing a 99-mph fastball to Delmon Young in the eighth inning last night.

Zumaya could be back next season. But for now the Tigers will have to proceed on without their flame-throwing reliever.

Due to Zumaya’s injury, it was almost forgotten in last night’s contest that the Tigers now have a half-game lead in the AL Central. It’s a lead that the Twins hope will be short-lived as the two meet up for the second of three contests at Target Field tonight.

Right-hander Nick Blackburn will try to get back on track against the Tigers after a rough month of June. Michael Cuddyer is back at third base and Jim Thome, who brought a smile to everyone’s face with his triple last night, is back in the lineup at DH.

Tigers (41-34)
Austin
Jackson, CF
Johnny Damon, DH
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Brennan
Boesch, LF
Carlos Guillen, 2B
Brandon Inge, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Ramon Santiago, SS
Pitching: RHP Armando Gallaraga (3-1, 3.68 ERA)

Twins

(41-35)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 3B
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Nick
Punto, SS
Pitching: RHP Nick Blackburn
(6-5, 6.10 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier 

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins and Tigers enter this series separated by just a half-game. And while it’s only the end of June, it’s certainly an important three-game stretch for both clubs since the AL Central lead is on the line.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy was out on the field during batting practice today and said he’s not having any pain in his left wrist. Hardy has missed all but 12 games since suffering a bone bruise in the wrist back on May 4.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Sunday that he hoped for Hardy to go out on a rehab assignment this weekend and perhaps join them for the series opener in Toronto on July 6. Hardy seems to be pushing to head out on his rehab stint a little earlier, giving him an “outside chance” to rejoin the team sometime this weekend during their series with the Rays at Target Field. Gardenhire said they’ll have to wait and see how Hardy does over the next couple days before making that decision.

As expected, Michael Cuddyer is back at third base for the series opener against the Tigers. Gardenhire wanted to get Jim Thome back in the lineup at DH without taking Jason Kubel or Delmon Young out of the lineup.

And Young is batting eighth tonight, providing quite a deep lineup since Young is tied for the team lead in RBIs with Justin Morneau.

Also, Nick Blackburn’s mustache is gone almost as quickly as it arrived. I first noticed that Blackburn had gotten rid of his beard, leaving just a mustache behind on Saturday night when I ran into him near the team hotel in New York. Blackburn said he was just trying out the look, but during a dinner he had with teammate Scott Baker he couldn’t help but laugh whenever he thought of the look. So although some of the media suggested sticking with the ‘stache through his start on Tuesday, Blackburn was clean-shaven on Monday. Still, Francisco Liriano said he might be up for the mustache look so perhaps Carl Pavano won’t be the only Twins starter donning one.

Tigers (40-34)
Austin Jackson, CF
Ryan Raburn, 2B Ramon Santiago, 2B
Magglio Ordonez, RF Ryan Raburn, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Brennan Boesch, LF RF
Carlos Guillen, DH
Brandon Inge, 3B
Gerald Laird, C
Danny Worth, SS
Pitching: RHP Jeremy Bonderman (3-5, 4.20 ERA)

Twins

(41-34)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 3B
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Nick
Punto, SS
Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano
(6-5, 3.11 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier 

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins made a roster move before the game to reinstate Nick Blackburn from the Family Medical Emergency List. To make room for Blackburn, they optioned right-hander Jeff Manship to Triple-A Rochester.

So the Twins will continue to go with just six relievers for the time being. It’s not an issue that manager Ron Gardenhire is hugely concerned with as he said that in the past teams did not always rely on seven pitchers in the bullpen.

Blackburn will be starting for the Twins tonight. He didn’t face the Tigers last week in Detroit, but the Twins will try to see if they can fare better against Dontrelle Willis the second time around. Willis held Minnesota scoreless over six innings last Thursday.

Joe Mauer had an MRI on his bruised left heel, just to make sure that nothing else was going on. But the MRI came back showing just a deep soft tissue bruise so the catcher remains day-to-day.

Tigers
(16-11)
Austin

Jackson, CF
Johnny
Damon, DH
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Brennan
Boesch, LF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Scott Sizemore, 2B
Gerald Laird, C
Adam Everett, SS
Pitching: LHP Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 3.75 ERA)

Twins

(17-9)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Michael Cuddyer,
RF
Delmon Young, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Wilson Ramos, C
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: RHP Nick Blackburn (1-1, 6.85
ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier 

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins and Tigers are set to meet in Minnesota for the first time since Game 163 last October, although this time it’s at a new venue (Target Field instead of the Metrodome) and the Tigers seem very excited about that fact.

The two AL Central foes are vying for first place in this series, as the Twins currently sit just a half game ahead of Detroit in the standings.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Joe Mauer’s sore left heel is “still sore but it’s feeling better than yesterday.” Mauer remains unavailable, even as a pinch-hitter although the skipper wanted to keep the opponents guessing. The club wants Mauer to get all of the soreness out of his heel before he tries to do any baseball activities. For now, Mauer is getting treatment on the heel and doing some aquatherapy — quite a bit since no one saw him.

Nick Blackburn was back in the Twins clubhouse on Monday afternoon following his family medical emergency leave. He said that everything is OK with his family and he’s glad to be back with the team. He’s scheduled to start on Tuesday and will try to bounce back from a few of the struggles

As for Scott Baker pitching tonight and his high number of walks, Gardy said that it’s a new month and he’s looking forward to the right-hander turning things around.

“It was April.
Heard a lot about April and his slow starts. We’re going to turn it
around and be fine in May.”

Tigers (16-10)
Austin

Jackson, CF
Johnny
Damon, DH
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Brennan
Boesch, LF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Ryan Raburn, 2B
Gerald Laird, C
Ramon Santiago, SS
Pitching: RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 4.23 ERA)

Twins

(16-9)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jason
Kubel, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Wilson Ramos, C
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker (2-2, 5.72
ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier 

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

DETROIT — The Twins are going for their seventh straight series win today in their rubber match against the Tigers, but they’ll be doing so without a few of their key hitters in the lineup.

Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and J.J. Hardy are all not starting today. For Morneau it’s the second straight game he’s missed due to oblique stiffness in his mid-back. Mauer’s legs are a little sore and he is a little banged up from catching while Hardy is battling a case of turf toe.

Mauer and Hardy are available off the bench. Morneau will get another full day of rest — he won’t even swing today — and the expectation is that he could be back in the lineup perhaps as early as tomorrow in Cleveland.

Twins

(14-7)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Jason
Kubel, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Brendan Harris, SS
Luke Hughes, 3B
Drew Butera, C
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano (3-1, 4.24
ERA)

Tigers (12-10)
Austin
Jackson, CF
Johnny
Damon, DH
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Brennan
Boesch, LF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Gerald Laird, C
Scott Sizemore, 2B
Adam Everett, SS
Pitching: LHP Dontrelle Willis (0-1, 5.00 ERA)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier