Tagged: Twins

Going for the Series Win: Twins vs. Angels 4/8

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

ANAHEIM – Twins manager Ron Gardenhire stuck to his word and inserted Jim Thome into the lineup for a second straight day. Thome didn’t have the best first night on Wednesday, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. But he’ll be the DH and Jason Kubel will shift into left field with Delmon Young getting the night off.

The Twins are prepared for a less than ideal travel schedule tonight, when they leave Anaheim after the game and are scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 5:30 a.m. So I’m sure everyone will be hoping for a quick game tonight, to speed up the travel process.

Twins
(2-1)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jim
Thome, DH
Jason Kubel, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Brendan Harris, 3B
Pitching: RHP Kevin Slowey

Angels (1-2)
Erick
Aybar, SS
Bobby
Abreu, DH
Torii Hunter, CF
Hideki Matsui, LF
Kendry Morales,
1B
Juan Rivera, RF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Maicer Izturis, 3B
Jeff Mathis, C
Pitching: RHP Joel Pineiro
 
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Thome gets first start: Twins at Angels 4/7

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

ANAHEIM – Jim Thome makes his debut as a starter in the Twins lineup, batting sixth as the the club’s designated hitter.

With Thome in the lineup, Jason Kubel sits today. Manager Ron Gardenhire said in his pre-game session that he plans to mix and match over the next few games to get everyone in a game. That includes possibly starting catcher Drew Butera on Friday night in Chicago following the late night flight and turnaround for a night game there.

Gardenhire is also feeling better after missing the final few innings of last night’s game due to flu-like symptoms. He’ll be back in the dugout tonight.

Twins (1-1)
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
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano

Angels (1-1)
Erick Aybar, SS
Bobby
Abreu, RF
Torii Hunter, CF
Hideki Matsui, DH
Kendry Morales,
1B
Juan Rivera, LF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Mike Napoli, C
Brandon Wood, 3B
Pitching: RHP Ervin Santana
 
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Another day, same ol’ lineups: Twins at Angels 4/6

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

ANAHEIM –Both the Twins and Angels are running out their Opening Day lineups for a second straight night, as they meet in game 2 of the four-game set at Angel Stadium.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had considered starting Brendan Harris at third base against the lefty, but said that the career numbers caused him to stick with Nick Punto for a second straight night. Punto is 4-for-12 against Saunders while Harris is 0-for-3.

Orlando Hudson’s left knee is doing fine after he was hit by a pitch on Monday night. Gardenhire said he didn’t even have to ask Hudson if he wanted to play.

In other news, Ron Mahay pitched a scoreless inning in an intrasquad game down in Fort Myers today. Mahay will join the Class A Fort Myers Miracle squad tomorrow. The purpose is just to get Mahay innings and the club feels it doesn’t matter where those innings come just that he gets to pitch.

UPDATE: The Twins also received good news on right-hander Clay Condrey today. His MRI exam showed a flexor strain in his elbow but no
other structural or ligament damage. They’ll have Condrey rest for 10-14 days and the hope is that he can get back on the mound soon after that.

And here are your lineups for Game 2:

Twins
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
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: RHP Nick Blackburn

Angels
Erick Aybar, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Torii Hunter, CF
Hideki Matsui, DH
Kendry Morales, 1B
Juan Rivera, LF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Brandon Wood, 3B
Jeff Mathis, C
Pitching: LHP Joe Saunders
 
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Lights, Camera, Action: Opening night vs. Angels

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

ANAHEIM -Opening Night is finally here.

After some rain showers this morning, the
sky has cleared and it’s a beautiful sunny California afternoon in
Orange County.Manager Ron Gardenhire was asked if it bothers him that
his team’s contest is one of the last of the day when lots of baseball had been played. But he said that he felt like his club had already been through an Opening Day with the Target Field exhibition contest this past weekend.

Here are your Opening Night lineups:

Twins 

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
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching:
RHP Scott Baker

Angels
Erick Aybar, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Torii Hunter, CF
Hideki Matsui, DH
Kendry Morales, 1B
Juan Rivera, LF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Brandon Wood, 3B
Jeff Mathis, C

Pitching: RHP Jered Weaver
 

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Let’s do it again: Target Field exhibition game #2

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins were able to take batting practice on their home field for the first time on Saturday morning. The sun is shining and it’s an absolutely beautiful early spring day here in the Twin Cities.

One day after getting their first real glimpse of Target Field, the Twins players are still shaking their heads and trying to convince themselves that this is real. Many were saying how they wish they could stay here and play the opener, but tonight they’ll board a plane for Los Angeles to start the season with four games against the Angels.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said that Clay Condrey (sore right arm) threw 25 pitches in a Minor League game yesterday in Fort Myers, Fla. He reported feeling good afterward and he’ll join the team in Anaheim.

Cardinals (15-13)
Skip Schumaker, 2B

Brendan Ryan, SS
Albert Pujols, 1B
Matt Holliday, LF
Colby Rasmus, CF
Ryan Ludwick, RF
David Freese, 3B
Nick Stavinoha, DH
Jason LaRue, C

Pitching:LHP Jaime Garcia

Twins (15-14)

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

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Welcome to Target Field: Exhibition game #1

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — It’s finally here.

The Twins will get their first test run of their new ballpark tonight in an exhibition contest against the Cardinals.

There was rain a little earlier in the afternoon, forcing the Twins to shorten a quick fielding session on the field. But now the sun is starting to peak out and the expectation is for baseball tonight.

The Twins are running out their Opening Day lineup for the contest and before the team took the field, manager Ron Gardenhire announced that Jon Rauch will be his closer. More on that later.

For now, here are the lineups for tonight.

Cardinals (14-13)
Skip Schumaker, 2B

Brendan Ryan, SS
Albert Pujols, 1B
Matt Holliday, LF
Colby Rasmus, CF
Ryan Ludwick, RF
Felipe Lopez, DH
David Freese, 3B
Matt Pagnozzi, C

Pitching:RHP Kyle Lohse

Twins (15-13)

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
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano

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Rauch will be Twins closer

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Friday that Jon Rauch will be the club’s closer.

Gardenhire said that he and pitching coach Rick Anderson spoke with all of the pitchers and informed them that Rauch will close. Earlier this week, Gardenhire said that the team would go with a closer-by-committee. But in the end, he didn’t want to move too many pitchers out of their roles.

“We’re going with Rauch as our closer,” Gardenhire said. “This way we kind of let everybody else know where they are at. We’ve always had a good setup where everybody knows their roles…If guys know their roles out there, the system works.

“Rauch has got saves. He’s been a closer. He has the most experience at it. So we’ll let him go do it. The rest of them will set him up.”

Rauch, 31, has 26 career saves, including 17 with Washington in 2008.

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Rauch said he was told by Gardenhire on Thursday that he would be the closer. Thinking it might be an April Fools’ joke, Rauch said he didn’t really believe the news until today, but he said he’s happy to take on the role.

Matt Guerrier, Jose Mijares and Jesse Crain will now serve as the main set
up men for the Twins. Pat Neshek, Clay Condrey and Brian Duensing are also options to use in bullpen.

Twins vs. Pirates 3/30

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Today marks the final spring outing for Francisco Liriano.

The Twins have yet to name a fifth starter, although manager Ron Gardenhire has made it clear that Liriano has the edge for the role. So we’ll see if the manager decides to name his fifth starter or will wait a little longer to make the decision.

Glen Perkins and Ron Mahay are both scheduled to pitch in Minor League contests today. Delmon Young will also get some swings down on the other side of the complex as well.

Pirates (7-16)
John Raynor, RF

Ramon Vazquez, 3B

Bobby Crosby, SS
Ryan Church, CF
Steve Pearce, 1B
Delwyn Young, 2B
Robbie Grossman, LF
Jason Jaramillo, C

Pitching: RHP Charlie Morton

Twins (13-11)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B

Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jim Thome, DH
Jason Kubel, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano

Others scheduled to pitch: Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier

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Twins vs. Phillies 3/27

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. — It was a quieter morning at camp due to the clubhouse being closed early for the annual Players Association meeting.

Spoke with Glen Perkins (lower back strain) who threw a light bullpen session today. He said he’ll see how he feels tomorrow but he’s tentatively scheduled to throw in a Minor League game on Monday.

Phillies (12-8-1)
Dewayne Wise, CF
Juan Castro, SS
Ben Francisco, LF
Greg Dobbs, 3B
Ross Gload, 1B
John Mayberry Jr., RF
Brian Schneider, C
Cody Ransom, DH
Wilson Valdez, 2B

Pitching: RHP Cole Hamels

Others scheduled to pitch: Danys Baez, Jose Contreras, David Herndon

Twins (12-9)

J.J. Hardy, SS

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, CF
Jim Thome, DH
Jason Kubel, RF
Juan Portes, LF Delmon Young, LF
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: RHP Nick Blackburn

Others scheduled to pitch:
 
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Twins at Rays 3/25

By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Joe Mauer was packing up this stuff in the clubhouse this morning for his first roadtrip of the spring. Actually it’s his first bus trip in spring since 2008 since he missed all of last spring. One reporter asked if he needed any help in remembering how to take bus trips. He laughed and said he knew where the bus was. His hope was just that he didn’t forget  to pack anything.

Ron Mahay was in the clubhouse this morning after arriving in Fort Myers, Fla. last night. He seemed happy to be back with the Twins and he said he’ll throw a bullpen today.

As for the injury updates:

Left-hander Jose Mijares said his bruised right hand was doing fine today after he took a liner off his glove during a Minor League outing on Wednesday. He said he’ll pitch Thursday.

Glen Perkins’ strained lower back is feeling much better, he said, and he is planning to play catch today.

Twins (11-8)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Jacque Jones, RF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano

Others scheduled to pitch: Brian Duensing, Kyle Waldrop

Rays (14-7)
Jason Bartlett, SS

Carl Crawford, LF
Ben Zobrist, 2B

Carlos Pena, 1B
B.J. Upton, CF

Pat Burrell, RF
Gabe Kapler, DH
Sean Rodriguez, 3B
Nevin Ashley, C

Pitching: LHP David Price

Others scheduled to pitch: Winston Abreu, Lance Cormier, Heath Phillips
 

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