Victory saves home record

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: September 25, 2007 - 12:52 AM

Kevin Slowey is showing that he can adjust to major league hitters.

Slowey shut down the White Sox for seven innings during the Twins' 7-1 victory Sunday, which allowed them to finish the season with a winning record at home, 41-40.

Slowey held Chicago to four hits with no walks and a career-high nine strikeouts Saturday, improving to 4-0. Slowey gave up 16 homers over his first 10 major league appearances but has back-to-back outings without a home run for the first time.

"He slowed the ball up enough today," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He pitched hard inside; did a lot of good things today. Threw some good breaking balls. Those are all the things he needs to do in order to be successful."

It's a good sign for Slowey, who is expected to compete for a spot in the rotation in the spring.

Garrett Jones hit his first major league homer in the second inning Sunday, as the Twins tied the score 1-1. Michael Cuddyer had two-run singles in the sixth and seventh innings, helping the Twins break the game open.

Perk at play

Lefthander Glen Perkins has thrown 3 1/3 scoreless innings in four appearances, after not being available for 100 games because of a muscle strain in his left shoulder.

"He's not as sharp as we have seen before," pitching coach Rick Anderson said, "but he's healthy, and that's all that really matters right now."

Perkins' most impressive work came Wednesday, when he replaced Matt Garza with two on in the seventh and got two strikeouts to get out of the inning.

"It's fun to get out there in a close game." Perkins said. "There's some pressure right there."

The Twins still view Perkins as a starting pitching prospect, but the former Gophers star might be needed in the bullpen next season. Either way, his offseason goal is to focus on conditioning so that he doesn't go through the same problems next season.

Etc.

•Righthander Scott Baker is with his family in Louisiana because one of his children is ill. If he can't join the club today in time to throw in the bullpen, Boof Bonser is expected to start in his place Thursday in Boston.

•Although Justin Morneau is a goaltender in the 2K Sports video game "NHL2K8," teammates are ribbing him for having an overall rating of only 62. "That sounds about right," Joe Mauer said.

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com

Recent Twins stories

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - September 25, 2007

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes on Friday. The whole scene made him a little wistful. More