Ben Revere led the charge this week, as the Twins bounced back from Monday's 15-0 debacle to win their final two games against the Dodgers.
After going 2-for-3 with a walk, two stolen bases and two runs scored in Tuesday's 6-4 victory, Revere opened Wednesday's first inning with his first career triple.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka battled hard-throwing Dodgers rookie Rubby De La Rosa through a nine-pitch at-bat to score Revere with a soft bouncer up the first-base line, and that held up as the game's only run.
Revere, who is batting .281 with a .317 on-base percentage, singled and stole second base in the fifth inning. Then, with two outs in the seventh, the Dodgers intentionally walked Revere, putting runners at first and second for Nishioka, who grounded out to end the inning.
"Intentional walk? No chance," Revere said. "I was shocked. Usually that doesn't happen to me."
Perkins delivers againGlen Perkins allowed at least one hit in his first five appearances after coming off the disabled list, but he was perfect in a big spot Wednesday. After Scott Baker walked Casey Blake with one out in the eighth inning, manager Ron Gardenhire had Perkins face Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp.
Perkins threw six pitches, all for strikes. Against Kemp, Perkins threw two fastballs (at 94 and 95 miles per hour) before finishing him with an 83-mph slider.
"He used his breaking ball on Ethier, and that's one of the more dangerous guys in the world," Gardenhire said. "And then with Kemp, who's probably right at the top of the [National League] MVP list right now, he went right at him, too."
Casilla gets a breakAlexi Casilla started 32 consecutive games before Wednesday, but he had a sore thumb and a stiff back Wednesday, so Gardenhire inserted Matt Tolbert at second base, giving Casilla a breather.
With an off day Thursday, this will give Casilla two days off heading into Friday's game against Milwaukee.
"Hopefully we'll be able to get through next two days," Gardenhire said.
Plouffe continues to hitTrevor Plouffe has been on a hitting tear since getting demoted to Class AAA Rochester. He entered Wednesday batting .328 with five homers, 13 RBI and a 1.083 OPS (on-base-plus-slugging percentage) for June.
Plouffe hit 14 homers in his first 202 at-bats this season, including three in 60 at-bats with the Twins.
After struggling at shortstop for the Twins, Plouffe has been moving around the diamond, playing second base, third base and right field, in addition to shortstop for Rochester.
"He's been knocking the fire out of the ball," Gardenhire said. "He's been doing just fine, moving around and swinging good."
Etc.• Denard Span (concussion) could be ready to take batting practice on the field this weekend.
• Delmon Young (sprained right ankle) is scheduled to take batting practice Friday and catch some balls in the outfield, keeping him on pace for a July 14 return.
• Injured Twins Kevin Slowey and Jason Kubel both were supposed to have rehabilitation outings for Class A Fort Myers on Wednesday night, but the Miracle's game was postponed by rain.
