Location: Minneapolis, Minn. | Ballpark: Metrodome (56,000) | Spring Training: Ft. Myers, Fla.
Owner: Carl Pohland | GM: Bill Smith | Manager: Ron Gardenhire | World Championships: 2
--2B Alexi Casilla was scratched from Friday's lineup after his left middle finger, which he injured last week diving headfirst into first base, turned swollen and sore over Thursday's off day. Casilla is day-to-day and expected to be back for Saturday night's game against Cleveland.
Before Casilla came up lame Friday, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had penciled Nick Punto at shortstop and planned on having INF Brendan Harris take groundballs at third base so that Harris could make starts there tonight and on Sunday. With Casilla out, though, Gardenhire scrapped that plan, moving Punto to second and Harris to short.
--With Friday's win Minnesota's record improved to 48-38, a season-high 10 games over .500. With division leader Chicago's loss to Oakland Friday the Twins moved to one game back of the White Sox in the American League Central.
--1B Justin Morneau went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, two doubles and two RBI Friday night. He's now batting .367 with two homers, seven doubles and 21 RBI since June 9, a span of 23 games. Minnesota is 17-6 during that time.
--The Twins have signed first-round pick (27th overall) Carlos Gutierrez. The former University of Miami closer will report to Single-A Fort Myers. The Twins have now signed their first seven picks from this year's first-year player draft.
BY THE NUMBERS .309 -- Minnesota's batting average during their season-high 10-game winning streak. The team piled up a .368 on-base percentage and compiled a staggering .371 average with runners in scoring position, while the pitching staff held opposing batters to a .126 average with runners in scoring position.
QUOTE TO NOTE "Hit it out to my favorite spot in the whole world here at the Metrodome." -- C Joe Mauer, joking about the two warning track hits he muscled before hitting a game-winning, eighth-inning home run Friday night against Milwaukee.
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Ive seen enough I can't take it anymore the guy NEVER comes through in the clutch. NEVER. in fact more often than not he will do exactly what u don't need,like crack into a DP. the ground out and then slide into first base head first even though your out by 10 feet bugs the heck out of me too. Good glove but one crappy ballplayer.Please
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AKA 'The Future" at 3rd for the Twins. I was just doing a little stat checking. I have nothing against him, but I don't understand some of the Twins fans on here thinking he's 100% the Real Deal... Just some examples: In 29 games in Rochester-- Hit .283 yet k'd 30x . In all likelyhood,