Series preview: Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins
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.
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.
