By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS –The Twins will try for their sixth sweep of the season on Thursday night when they close out this three-game set with the White Sox.

The Twins have won 21 of their last 27 games against Chicago. Wednesday night’s win pushed the the Twins’ lead in the American League Central to a season-high five games and a victory tonight would certainly give them a big cushion over the White Sox with 41 games remaining in the season.

Drew Butera is catching tonight with Carl Pavano on the mound. Joe Mauer, who hit his first HR at Target Field last night, is the team’s DH.

White Sox
(65-53)

Juan Pierre, LF

Omar Vizquel, 3B
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Mark Teahen, RF
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Mark Kotsay, DH
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Gordon Beckham, 2B

Pitching: LHP Mark Buehrle (11-9, 4.05 ERA)

Twins

(70-50)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, DH
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon Young,
LF
Jason
Kubel, RF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Nick Punto, SS
Drew Butera, C

Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano
(15-7, 3.27 ERA)

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By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins are set to open up a big series against the White Sox tonight but most eyes this afternoon were on first baseman Justin Morneau as he took early batting practice with the team.

Morneau has been working out on a nearly daily basis at Target Field, but this was the first time that us writers had been able to see him hit with his teammates on the field. He sure didn’t look rusty, hitting a few balls out of the park. Afterward, Morneau joked that it was due to “fresh hands.”

But while it was good to see Morneau on the field and he’s even been sitting in the dugout during some recent games — both positive steps — the first baseman said Tuesday that there is still “nothing new to report.”

Morneau said he has yet to make it through a day symptom-free from the concussion he suffered on July 7 at Toronto. That will be a critical step for the first baseman before he and the club explore any further progress.

“It feels good in the morning when I wake up and as the day goes on, it doesn’t feel as good,” Morneau said.

So for now, the focus is back on the White Sox. The Twins have won five of the seven games they’ve played vs. Chicago since the All-Star Break and this week they have the opportunity to increase their lead in the AL Central race, which currently sits at three games.

One more newsy note: the Twins signed two additional draft picks before last night’s 11:01 p.m. CT deadline — 24th round pick catcher Michael Quesada and 46th round pick right-hander Adam Achter. The Twins agreed to terms with 31 of the 50 players they drafted, including all of their top 10 picks.

White Sox
(65-53)

Juan Pierre, LF

Omar Vizquel, 3B
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Carlos
Quentin, RF
Mark Kotsay, DH
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Alexei Ramirez,
3B
Gordon Beckham, 2B

Pitching: LHP John Danks (12-8, 3.19 ERA)

Twins

(68-50)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jason Kubel, RF
Delmon Young,
LF
Jim Thome, DH
Danny Valencia, 3B
J.J. Hardy, SS

Pitching: RHP Scott Baker (10-9, 4.76 ERA)

 

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By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

CHICAGO — The Twins have recalled right-hander Jeff Manship to take the roster spot of left-hander Jose Mijares, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday with a sprained right knee.

Mijares is set to undergo an MRI on his knee on Friday back in Minnesota.

J.J. Hardy is not in the lineup today, after leaving Wednesday night’s game in the seventh inning with a sore left wrist. Alexi Casilla, who pinch hit for Hardy on Wed, will get the start at shortstop.

I’ll have more injury updates on Hardy and right-hander Jon Rauch (sprained toe) after we talk to manager Ron Gardenhire later. Also, Kevin Slowey was scheduled to throw his bullpen session this afternoon and we’ll get updated on that.

Twins

(64-50)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Alexi Casilla, SS

Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano

(10-7, 3.33 ERA)

White Sox
(64-50)

Juan Pierre, LF
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Carlos
Quentin, RF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Dayan Viciedo, DH
Omar Vizquel,
3B
Gordon Beckham, 2B
Pitching: RHP Gavin Floyd (8-8, 3.49 ERA)
 

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By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

Twins

(64-49)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Delmon Young, LF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jason Kubel, DH
Danny Valencia, 3B
Jason Repko, F

J.J. Hardy, SS

Pitching: LHP Glen Perkins

(season debut)

White Sox
(63-50)

Juan Pierre, LF
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Carlos Quentin, RF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Dayan Vicieido, DH
Omar Vizquel, 3B
Gordon Beckham, 2B
Pitching: LHP John Danks (11-8, 3.30 ERA)
 

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By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

CHICAGO — After spending a week on vacation, I’ve rejoined the Twins in Chicago and what a time to get back on the beat.

With 50 games left in the season, the Twins and White Sox are tied atop the American League Central division and they’re set to begin a stretch of six games against each other in 10 days. In addition to those games, the two clubs will face each other only one more time — a three-game set in Chicago on Sept. 14-16.

So there is a lot on the line when these two teams face each other starting tonight.

As for news, manager Ron Gardenhire said that Justin Morneau did not travel to Chicago to join the team for batting practice as he decided to stay away from everything here and work out back at Target Field. He also reiterated that there was no setback. Morneau was scheduled to work out in the Twin Cities again today, although Gardenhire didn’t have an update since the workout wasn’t taking place until the afternoon.

Glen Perkins has joined the team in Chicago and will start Wednesday’s contest against the White Sox. A roster move will be made after the game, although it looks like infielder Trevor Plouffe will be headed back to Triple-A Rochester since Gardenhire said Alexi Casilla (ankle) was available for tonight’s contest.

Jim Thome’s family held a surprise 40th birthday party for him in Chicago on Monday night. Thome’s birthday isn’t until Aug. 27 but it was a chance for his current teammates along with other friends from the Chicago area to celebrate the big day.

And in a story that’s already on the website, the Twins have signed a two-year extension with ESPN 1500 to be their
metro-area radio affiliate. So the partnership will continue through at least the 2012 season.

Twins

(63-49)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Delmon Young, LF
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Danny Valencia, 3B

J.J. Hardy, SS

Pitching: RHP Scott Baker

(9-9, 4.70 ERA)

White Sox (63-49)

Juan Pierre, LF
Omar Vizquel, 3B
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Mark Kotsay, DH
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Carlos Quentin, RF
Ramon Castro, C
Brent Lillibridge, 2B
Pitching: RHP Freddy Garcia (10-4, 4.54 ERA
 

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By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — Today is a big start for Nick Blackburn and a big game for the Twins, as they go for the series win over the White Sox.

Blackburn’s rotation spot has appeared tenuous of late. He’s 1-4 with an 11.12 ERA in his last five starts. So he could really use a good outing today coming off back-to-back impressive starts by Francisco Liriano and Carl Pavano.

White
Sox (50-40)
Juan
Pierre, LF
Omar Vizquel, 3B
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, DH
Carlos
Quentin, RF
Mark Kotsay, 1B
Alexei
Ramirez, SS
Ramon Castro, C
Gordon Beckham, 2B

Pitching: RHP Freddy Garcia (9-3, 4.36 ERA)

Twins

(48-43)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Danny
Valencia, 3B

J.J. Hardy, SS

Pitching: RHP Nick Blackburn (7-7, 6.40 ERA)

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By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The tarp is on the field a little over an hour and a half before game time, there are puddles of water on the tarp and the sky is ominous.

Thunderstorms are predicted to be scattered throughout the evening so the hope is to get this game in tonight.

White
Sox (50-39)
Juan
Pierre, LF
Omar Vizquel, 3B
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Carlos Quentin, RF
Mark Kotsay, DH
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Gordon Beckham, 2B

Pitching: LHP Mark Buehrle (8-7, 4.24 ERA)

Twins

(47-43)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, DH
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon Young, LF
Jason Kubel, RF
Danny Valencia, 3B

J.J. Hardy, SS
Drew Butera, C

Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano
(10-6, 3.58 ERA)

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By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins have been looking for a kick start for their rotation and perhaps that could come tonight with Francisco Liriano on the mound.

Liriano is 0-4 with a 6.76 ERA in his past five starts. But two of those outings have been quality starts and his last really rough outing in Detroit perhaps skewed the numbers a bit. This certainly seems like a good time for Liriano to get back to the form he had in April when he was named the AL Pitcher of the Month.

As for news today, Brian Duensing was feeling much better after missing Thursday’s game due to the flu bug. He should be available tonight.

Jeff Manship has arrived at Target Field and will be available out of the bullpen, if needed. Although the club hopes that’s not the case as he’ll be the long reliever.

UPDATE: Carlos Quentin was considered a game time decision and he was a late scratch for the White Sox due to a sore right hand from being hit with a pitch in Thursday’s game.

White Sox (50-38)
Juan
Pierre, LF
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Carlos
Quentin, DH Andruw Jones, RF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Andruw Jones, RF Dayan Viciedo, 3B
Dayan Viciedo, 3B Brent Lillibridge, DH
Gordon Beckham, 2B

Pitching: RHP Gavin Floyd (5-7, 4.20 ERA)

Twins

(46-43)

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
Nick Punto, 3B

Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano
(6-7, 3.86 ERA)

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By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — As I wrote in an earlier blog post, it appears that Justin Morneau is headed for a stint on the 15-day disabled list as he continues to recover from a concussion.

So the Twins will be without their first baseman for this critical series against the White Sox.

The Twins entered Thursday trailing Chicago by 3 1/2 games in the division race and sitting 3 games behind Detroit, who is idle today. Tonight’s contest is the first of 13 contests that remain between the White Sox and Twins during the second half. So the division rivals will see other many times before this race is decided.

As for other news, left-hander Brian Duensing is battling a case of the flu bug. So Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he wouldn’t know until later whether Duensing would be available to pitch.

White Sox (49-38)
Juan Pierre, LF
Omar Vizquel, 3B
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Carlos Quentin, RF
Mark Kotsay, DH
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Gordon Beckham, 2B

Pitching: LHP John Danks (8-7, 3.29 ERA)

Twins

(46-42)

Denard Span, CF

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

J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Punto, 3B

Pitching: RHP Kevin Slowey
(8-5, 4.64 ERA)

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By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins have yet to lose a series at home this season, but a loss today to the White Sox would guarantee the club’s first series loss at Target Field.

Joe Mauer is in the lineup again after he made it through Tuesday night’s game without any problems in his sore left heel. Left-hander Jose Mijares has not yet been activated but the roster move is expected after the game.

The Twins took BP on the field today so it was a quiet morning. More to come later…

UPDATE: Andruw Jones was scratched with a stiff neck. The White Sox lineup has been changed.

White Sox (14-19)
Juan
Pierre, LF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko,
1B
Mark Kotsay, DH
Carlos Quentin, RF
Mark Teahen, 3B
Gordon
Beckham, 2B
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Pitching: LHP John Danks (3-1, 1.98 ERA)

Twins

(21-12)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer,
RF
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Brendan Harris, 3B
Alexi Casilla, SS
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano (3-3, 3.43 ERA)

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