Botched DP is costly to Ponson

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: May 6, 2007 - 10:16 PM

Twins righthander Sidney Ponson, whose starts seem to be under more scrutiny than any other Twin, gave up three earned runs Sunday over 5 1/3 innings on eight hits, four walks, one hit batter and five strikeouts.

Allowing 13 baserunners in less than six innings -- while putting your team behind 4-0 -- isn't good. Still, the Twins nearly got him off the hook when they scored three runs in the seventh.

"I don't want to get off the hook," said Ponson, who has allowed 65 of 159 batters to reach base. "I want to leave the ballgame on top or at least tied so we can get a chance to win ballgames. So it's just really frustrating."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire felt Ponson (2-4) had a decent outing that would have been better if Ponson had turned a double play on a comebacker in the fifth inning.

"His ball was sinking good. He had a decent breaking ball," Gardenhire said. "The ball back to the mound that turns into a double play, that's the big play. Mistakes will kill you, especially against good teams."

Ponson got Boston to hit three ground balls in the fifth that could have ended the inning, but he's not getting the results he desires.

"I have to start doing something or change my mentality [to] striking people out instead of letting them hit the ball. We'll have to wait and see."

Cuddyer is nearly back

Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer said he will be in the lineup Tuesday after recovering from a bruised back. Cuddyer hasn't played since last Tuesday after tumbling and landing on his helmet while running the bases.

"I'm good for Tuesday," Cuddyer said.

Cuddyer went through pre-game drills Sunday and didn't have any setbacks. He's still sore, but expects today's day off will help him be ready for Tuesday, when the Twins open a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox.

No tipping

In an ongoing attempt to make sure opponents aren't picking up any tendencies, Twins lefthander Johan Santana has switched to a larger glove to conceal how he's gripping the ball better.

The Twins have been wondering why opponents are taking some of Santana's pitches at which they've swung in the past. On Friday, Santana never had a 1-2-3 inning and needed 30 pitches to get out of the first inning against Boston.

"I'm just trying to be consistent with my delivery," Santana said.

During bullpen sessions, Twins hitters have stood in the batter's box and have been asked to see if Santana is tipping his pitches.

Etc.

• The Twins have not hit a homer in 183 plate appearances. In fact, 29 of the Twins' past 33 hits have been singles. All 10 of the Twins hits on Sunday were singles.

• A scoring change from Saturday's game took an error away from Nick Punto on a tough grounder he tried to gobble up in the ninth inning. The change extended Punto's errorless streak to 112 chances.

• Lefthander Dennys Reyes, who hadn't pitched in a game since April 28 because of shoulder tendinitis, retired two batters in the ninth inning.

• Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon has converted 10 of 11 save opportunities this season.

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