Twins Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The wait, infielder Nick Punto admitted Friday, was long. It had been 356 at-bats since Punto had sent a ball out of the park when he connected with a Paul Byrd fastball Friday for his first home run since June 6, 2007.

“That was nice. It’s been awhile,” Punto said. “Someone told me it was 356 at-bats. That’s a long time, but it felt good, got some good wood on it.”

Punto felt good, apparently, for the rest of the game. He added a three-run double in the eighth to bring his RBI total for the night to four. For the infielder, his success at the plate was both satisfying and reassuring.

After batting .210 last season, Punto lost his job as Minnesota’s everyday third baseman.

Casilla day-to-day with finger issue
Casilla day-to-day with finger issue Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla was scratched from the Twins‘ lineup Friday with soreness in his left middle finger.

At-bats even harder to find for Lamb
At-bats even harder to find for Lamb Mike Lamb signed with the Twins this offseason for the chance to be the club’s everyday third baseman. But now, Lamb has been officially relegated to bench duty. Manager Ron Gardenhire has spoken with Lamb recently about his decreasing role. And he did so again Friday, making clear to the infielder his current situation.

Punto, Young help Twins rout Tribe
Punto, Young help Twins rout Tribe Livan Hernandez got a second crack at Cleveland on Friday night, and this time, he put together a much better performance. The Twins right-hander gave up just three runs on five hits over six innings in the club’s 12-3 victory over the Indians at the Metrodome.

Cleveland Indians to shake up bullpen; Borowski likely out as closer

One of the first decisions the Indians will act upon as the result of today’s meeting with manager Eric Wedge, GM Mark Shapiro and the coaching staff will be reshaping the bullpen.

Small-market AL clubs keep rolling (AP)
Move over, Yankees and Red Sox. Out of the way, White Sox. A couple of small-market clubs are showing the big boys how to play. Edwin Jackson took a two-hitter into the eighth inning and Carlos Pena homered and drove in five runs Friday night, helping the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 11-2 for their fifth straight victory.

FSN tries out new camera shot in Dome

Viewers who tuned into FSN North’s telecasts of the opening two games of the Twins‘ series against Detroit this week got a surprise.

Where it starts

The key to the Twins‘ recent turnaround was stabilizing the starting pitching staff, populated mostly by youngsters.

Braves send Jeff Francoeur back to Double-A
Slumping Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur was sent to the minors to work on his hitting, with his average having dropped …

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/326734072″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Young, Punto have 4 RBIs each in Twins‘ 12-3 win (AP)

Delmon Young and Nick Punto are starting to get comfortable in their roles. Young hit a three-run home run and had a season-high four RBIs, Punto homered and also had four RBIs, and the surging Minnesota Twins beat the free-falling Cleveland Indians 12-3 on Friday night. Young got off to a slow start after coming over in a trade from Tampa Bay, and Punto has battled injuries and hasn’t been able to…

All-Star preview: No Tigers make the starting cut

NEW YORK - So long, Yankee Stadium. Get ready for an All-Star salute featuring the rival Boston Red Sox.

Rockies overcome 9-run deficit in runfest with Marlins
The blasts returned to Coors Field on Friday night long before the fireworks. In a throwback to the pre-humidor days, Colorado …

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/327141489″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

At-bats even harder to find for Lamb
At-bats even harder to find for Lamb Mike Lamb signed with the Twins this offseason for the chance to be the club’s everyday third baseman. But now, Lamb has been officially relegated to bench duty. Manager Ron Gardenhire has spoken with Lamb recently about his decreasing role. And he did so again Friday, making clear to the infielder his current situation.

Where it starts

The key to the Twins‘ recent turnaround was stabilizing the starting pitching staff, populated mostly by youngsters.

Braves send Jeff Francoeur back to Double-A
Slumping Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur was sent to the minors to work on his hitting, with his average having dropped …

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/326734072″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Game-winning homer a pleasant surprise for Pierzynski

A.J. Pierzynski’s clutch home run sent the Chicago White Sox to another dramatic win and denied the surging Minnesota Twins a chance to inch closer in the AL Central.

Sheets earns win No. 10 as Brewers subdue Pirates
Ben Sheets labored through 5 2/3 innings to earn his 10th win, J.J. Hardy and Bill Hall each hit a two-run homer as the Milwaukee …

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/326996981″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Series preview: Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins

VITALS: 6:10 tonight and Saturday, Fox Sports Net North; 1:10 p.m. Sunday, WFTC-29, FSNN outstate; all games on KSTP AM-1500 PITCHING MATCHUPS Season Career vs.

No room for Liriano right now in Twins‘ rotation (AP)

Over the last 18 games, Minnesota Twins starters are 12-2 with a 2.82 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 118 innings while the team has won 15 times. So where exactly is Francisco Liriano going to fit? Because, for now, there’s clearly no room in the rotation. “I don’t think too many clubs would mind being in that situation,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Twins Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The wait, infielder Nick Punto admitted Friday, was long. It had been 356 at-bats since Punto had sent a ball out of the park when he connected with a Paul Byrd fastball Friday for his first home run since June 6, 2007.

“That was nice. It’s been awhile,” Punto said. “Someone told me it was 356 at-bats. That’s a long time, but it felt good, got some good wood on it.”

Punto felt good, apparently, for the rest of the game. He added a three-run double in the eighth to bring his RBI total for the night to four. For the infielder, his success at the plate was both satisfying and reassuring.

After batting .210 last season, Punto lost his job as Minnesota’s everyday third baseman.

Young, Punto have 4 RBIs each in Twins‘ 12-3 win (AP)

Delmon Young and Nick Punto are starting to get comfortable in their roles. Young hit a three-run home run and had a season-high four RBIs, Punto homered and also had four RBIs, and the surging Minnesota Twins beat the free-falling Cleveland Indians 12-3 on Friday night. Young got off to a slow start after coming over in a trade from Tampa Bay, and Punto has battled injuries and hasn’t been able to…

Veteran honored to throw out first pitch
Veteran honored to throw out first pitch On Friday night, National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Charisse Stickney got the opportunity to represent all the men and women she’s helped deploy overseas by throwing out the first pitch before the Twins-Indians game at the Metrodome.

Red Sox All-Stars set to take over Yankee Stadium (AP)
So long, Yankee Stadium. Get ready for an All-Star salute featuring the rival Boston Red Sox. That’s right. Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis and Co. are set to take over The House That Ruth Built. At last check, four Boston players led fan voting at their positions for the July 15 game in New York — and that doesn’t even include manager Terry Francona or any of his pitchers.

Casilla day-to-day with finger issue
Casilla day-to-day with finger issue Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla was scratched from the Twins‘ lineup Friday with soreness in his left middle finger.

Twins pound Indians

Delmon Young and Nick Punto are starting to get comfortable in their roles. Young hit a three-run home run and had a season-high four RBIs, Punto homered and also had four RBIs, and the surging Minnesota Twins …

Small-market AL clubs keep rolling (AP)
Move over, Yankees and Red Sox. Out of the way, White Sox. A couple of small-market clubs are showing the big boys how to play. Edwin Jackson took a two-hitter into the eighth inning and Carlos Pena homered and drove in five runs Friday night, helping the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 11-2 for their fifth straight victory.

Punto, Young help Twins rout Tribe
Punto, Young help Twins rout Tribe Livan Hernandez got a second crack at Cleveland on Friday night, and this time, he put together a much better performance. The Twins right-hander gave up just three runs on five hits over six innings in the club’s 12-3 victory over the Indians at the Metrodome.

Finger keeps Casilla from lineup

Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla was scratched from Friday’s lineup because of soreness in his left middle finger and did not play in the team’s 12-3 victory over Cleveland.

Cleveland Indians to shake up bullpen; Borowski likely out as closer

One of the first decisions the Indians will act upon as the result of today’s meeting with manager Eric Wedge, GM Mark Shapiro and the coaching staff will be reshaping the bullpen.

Punto, Young help Twins rout Tribe
Punto, Young help Twins rout Tribe Livan Hernandez got a second crack at Cleveland on Friday night, and this time, he put together a much better performance. The Twins right-hander gave up just three runs on five hits over six innings in the club’s 12-3 victory over the Indians at the Metrodome.

Where it starts

The key to the Twins‘ recent turnaround was stabilizing the starting pitching staff, populated mostly by youngsters.

At-bats even harder to find for Lamb
At-bats even harder to find for Lamb Mike Lamb signed with the Twins this offseason for the chance to be the club’s everyday third baseman. But now, Lamb has been officially relegated to bench duty. Manager Ron Gardenhire has spoken with Lamb recently about his decreasing role. And he did so again Friday, making clear to the infielder his current situation.

Sheets earns win No. 10 as Brewers subdue Pirates
Ben Sheets labored through 5 2/3 innings to earn his 10th win, J.J. Hardy and Bill Hall each hit a two-run homer as the Milwaukee …

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/326996981″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Rockies overcome 9-run deficit in runfest with Marlins
The blasts returned to Coors Field on Friday night long before the fireworks. In a throwback to the pre-humidor days, Colorado …

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/327141489″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Game-winning homer a pleasant surprise for Pierzynski

A.J. Pierzynski’s clutch home run sent the Chicago White Sox to another dramatic win and denied the surging Minnesota Twins a chance to inch closer in the AL Central.

Twins pound Indians

Delmon Young and Nick Punto are starting to get comfortable in their roles. Young hit a three-run home run and had a season-high four RBIs, Punto homered and also had four RBIs, and the surging Minnesota Twins …

At-bats even harder to find for Lamb
At-bats even harder to find for Lamb Mike Lamb signed with the Twins this offseason for the chance to be the club’s everyday third baseman. But now, Lamb has been officially relegated to bench duty. Manager Ron Gardenhire has spoken with Lamb recently about his decreasing role. And he did so again Friday, making clear to the infielder his current situation.

Casilla day-to-day with finger issue
Casilla day-to-day with finger issue Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla was scratched from the Twins‘ lineup Friday with soreness in his left middle finger.

Veteran honored to throw out first pitch
Veteran honored to throw out first pitch On Friday night, National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Charisse Stickney got the opportunity to represent all the men and women she’s helped deploy overseas by throwing out the first pitch before the Twins-Indians game at the Metrodome.

Young, Punto have 4 RBIs each in Twins‘ 12-3 win (AP)

Delmon Young and Nick Punto are starting to get comfortable in their roles. Young hit a three-run home run and had a season-high four RBIs, Punto homered and also had four RBIs, and the surging Minnesota Twins beat the free-falling Cleveland Indians 12-3 on Friday night. Young got off to a slow start after coming over in a trade from Tampa Bay, and Punto has battled injuries and hasn’t been able to…

Red Sox All-Stars set to take over Yankee Stadium (AP)
So long, Yankee Stadium. Get ready for an All-Star salute featuring the rival Boston Red Sox. That’s right. Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis and Co. are set to take over The House That Ruth Built. At last check, four Boston players led fan voting at their positions for the July 15 game in New York — and that doesn’t even include manager Terry Francona or any of his pitchers.

Cleveland Indians to shake up bullpen; Borowski likely out as closer

One of the first decisions the Indians will act upon as the result of today’s meeting with manager Eric Wedge, GM Mark Shapiro and the coaching staff will be reshaping the bullpen.

Where it starts

The key to the Twins‘ recent turnaround was stabilizing the starting pitching staff, populated mostly by youngsters.

Imperfect 10: Tigers shut out again

For Eddie Bonine, the honeymoon is over. The Tigers aren’t feeling so hot at the moment, either.

Series preview: Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins

VITALS: 6:10 tonight and Saturday, Fox Sports Net North; 1:10 p.m. Sunday, WFTC-29, FSNN outstate; all games on KSTP AM-1500 PITCHING MATCHUPS Season Career vs.

Young, Punto have 4 RBIs each in Twins‘ 12-3 win (AP)

Delmon Young and Nick Punto are starting to get comfortable in their roles. Young hit a three-run home run and had a season-high four RBIs, Punto homered and also had four RBIs, and the surging Minnesota Twins beat the free-falling Cleveland Indians 12-3 on Friday night. Young got off to a slow start after coming over in a trade from Tampa Bay, and Punto has battled injuries and hasn’t been able to…

No room for Liriano right now in Twins‘ rotation (AP)

Over the last 18 games, Minnesota Twins starters are 12-2 with a 2.82 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 118 innings while the team has won 15 times. So where exactly is Francisco Liriano going to fit? Because, for now, there’s clearly no room in the rotation. “I don’t think too many clubs would mind being in that situation,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Game-winning homer a pleasant surprise for Pierzynski

A.J. Pierzynski’s clutch home run sent the Chicago White Sox to another dramatic win and denied the surging Minnesota Twins a chance to inch closer in the AL Central.

Dodgers‘ Furcal to have back surgery, out at least two months
Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal will have surgery on Thursday to relieve pressure on a disk in his lower back and could be out …

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/325457297″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Where it starts

The key to the Twins‘ recent turnaround was stabilizing the starting pitching staff, populated mostly by youngsters.

Rockies reel in Marlins on Spilborghs’ two-run single in 11th
Ryan Spilborghs’ two-run single off Kevin Gregg with one out in the 11th inning rallied the Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 win over …

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/326352702″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Wednesday’s MLB summary

Nick Blackburn combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, and Joe Mauer’s two-out, two-run single sparked a five-run third inning that led the surging Minnesota Twins over the Detroit Tigers 7-0 Wednesday.

Red Sox All-Stars set to take over Yankee Stadium (AP)
So long, Yankee Stadium. Get ready for an All-Star salute featuring the rival Boston Red Sox. That’s right. Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis and Co. are set to take over The House That Ruth Built. At last check, four Boston players led fan voting at their positions for the July 15 game in New York — and that doesn’t even include manager Terry Francona or any of his pitchers.

No room for Liriano right now in Twins‘ rotation (AP)

Over the last 18 games, Minnesota Twins starters are 12-2 with a 2.82 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 118 innings while the team has won 15 times. So where exactly is Francisco Liriano going to fit? Because, for now, there’s clearly no room in the rotation. “I don’t think too many clubs would mind being in that situation,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Thursday’s AL Capsules (AP)
Jon Lester pitched a five-hitter while Boston roughed up Andy Pettitte in a 7-0 victory over New York on Thursday night that ended a five-game losing streak. A throwing error by shortstop Derek Jeter gave the Red Sox a quick lead. Coco Crisp came back from a five-game suspension to score twice, and it was 6-0 by the fifth inning.

Twins Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

For Nick Blackburn, his seven shutout innings against Detroit on Wednesday were a relief. In his previous start he’d lasted just 4 2/3 innings, giving up six runs and nine hits to the Brewers. Wednesday’s rebound was reassuring more than anything.

“It’s huge just to realize that you can still go back out there and get the job done and compete at this level especially after a rough one, it’s good to see the turnaround.”

The 26-year-old Blackburn is tied with Detroit’s Armando Galarraga for the most wins by a rookie starter this season. Blackburn has won his last three decisions and is 6-2 with a 2.70 ERA at the Metrodome this season.

On Wednesday, Blackburn said he was able to establish his off-speed pitches early and with success.

Gardenhire a master of his craft
Gardenhire a master of his craft Exactly three weeks ago, the Twins were leaving Cleveland having dropped six of seven games on a 10-game roadtrip. Three of those losses were by nine runs or more.