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Phil Miller covered three seasons of Twins baseball, but that was at a different ballpark for a different newspaper. Now Miller returns to the baseball beat after joining the Star Tribune as the Gopher football writer in 2010, and he won't miss the dingy dome for a minute. In addition to the Twins and Gophers, Miller covered the Utah Jazz and the NBA for six years at The Salt Lake Tribune.
Double dip at Target Field
Posted by: Phil Miller under Twins game coverage Updated: June 30, 2012 - 11:55 AM
Joe Christensen has been kind enough to let me, Jason Gonzalez (Star Tribune sports reporter), type away on his blog today. I will do my best to keep his readers updated and in the mix of today's Twins' action.
A rainy and cold April day has set up to a long hot day of baseball at Target Field. The Twins and Kansas City Royals will make up a postponed spring game (April 28) in the first of Saturday's two scheduled games. Start time 12:10 p.m.
Doubleheaders have been a struggle for the Twins over the past year. They lost all eight games played back-to-back last season. Three of the doubleheaders were played at home.
In attempt to add depth for the 18 innings of baseball, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire added Nick Blackburn to the bullpen. The righthanded starter will be available for relief after throwing just five innings in Wednesday's loss to the Chicago White Sox.
"This will be [Blackburn's] side day. He threw 60 pitches in his start so we've added him out to our bullpen, which gives us a little bit more depth," Gardenhire said. "You just hope your starters carry you a little bit to give you innings and a chance to win the ball games and that makes doubleheaders no big deal."
Justin Morneau was missing from the Game 1 lineup, but Gardenhire said the lefthanded bat would return for the night cap.
Pitching matchups:
Twins: Scott Diamond LHP (6-3, 2.67 ERA)
Diamond is coming off a career-long start, going eight innings for the win last Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds. The lefty gave up just three runs and struck out seven in the road win.
Royals: Jonathan Sanchez LHP (1-3, 6.21 ERA)
Winning has been a struggle for Sanchez this season. He will make his 10th start of the season today, but hasn't won a game since his first start on April 8.
ROYALS (35-39)
Lineup
Alex Gordon LF
Yuniesky Betancourt 2B
Mike Moustakas 3B
Bill Butler DH
Jeff Francoeur RF
Eric Hosmer 1B
Brayan Pena C
Jason Bourgeois CF
Alcides Escobar SS
Starting pitcher: LHP Jonathan Sanchez (1-3, 6.21 ERA)
TWINS (30-45)
Lineup
Denard Span CF
Ben Revere RF
Joe Mauer 1B
Josh Willingham DH
Trevor Plouffe 3B
Ryan Doumit C
Darin Mastroianni LF
Brian Dozier SS
Alexi Casilla 2B
Starting pitcher: LHP Scott Diamond (6-3, 2.67 ERA)
Target Field. First pitch: 12:10 p.m. TV: FSN. Twins Radio Network
Follow along on Twitter: @JoeCStrib and @JGonStrib
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