It was getting late in the afternoon, and pitching coach Neil Allen had not met his new pitcher, Dietrich Enns, yet. When one of them was in the clubhouse, the other was in the coaches room. When one was in the trainer's room, the other was in the kitchen.
But at 4:36 p.m. Allen was standing in the clubhouse when Enns walked out of the trainer's room.

"There he is!" Allen yelled. And the two sat down to chat.

Enns is the great unknown. His Twins career has lasted on start with Class AAA Rochester. The Twins are trying to find out as much about him as he is about them. It will happen on the fly, as he faces the Brewers tonight in his major league debut.

Part of the reason Allen had not talked to Enns before 4:36 p.m. was that he spent part of the afternoon on the phone with people he knew with the Yankees, getting info on his new lefty.

Manager Paul Molitor was asked about the Enns and outs (rimshot!) of having him pitch tonight instead of Sunday, when he could have slid into Adalberto Mejia's spot on Sunday. Molitor mentioned a few reasons. Since they're in the final third of the season, the other starters could benefit from an extra day of rest. Detroit, their opponent on Sunday, has done well against lefties.

Waiting until Sunday could have brought Dillon Gee into play as an option. But Molitor wants to hold onto him as a long reliever.

"I've been looking for a guy for that role," Molitor said. "I want to leave him alone."

So Enns, on regular rest, will start tonight. The Twins hope that it will be all's well that Enns well. (rimshot!)

The Twins are going for their season high fifth straight win, as well as a sweep of the Brewers in the four game series.

According to baseball-reference, Enns has never had a professional at bat. Any discussion about him hitting a home run Enns right there. (rimshot!)


Twins

Brian Dozier, 2B
Max Kepler, RF
Joe Mauer, 1B
Miguel Sano, 1B
Eddie Rosario, LF
Byron Buxton, CF
Jorge Polanco, SS
Jason Castro, C
Dietrich Enns, LHP


Brewers

Domingo Santana, RF
Orlando Arcia, SS
Ryan Braun, LF
Travis Shaw, 3B
Jesus Aguilar, 1B
Manny Pina, C
Keon Broxton, CF
Jonathan Villar, 2B
Zach Davies, RHP