Morneau's home run drought deepens

Justin Morneau hit his 28th homer in July, but with season's end nearing, he has yet to reach No. 30.

By Joe Christensen, Star Tribune

Last update: September 13, 2007 - 7:42 AM

KANSAS CITY, MO. Twins first baseman Justin Morneau was on pace to hit 46 home runs this year when he connected for two No. 27 and No. 28 in Toronto on July 23.

Forty-seven games later, Morneau is stuck on 29.

After Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Royals, Morneau acknowledged that thoughts of No. 30 are weighing on him.

"With nobody on base, I might be trying for it a little too much," he said. "But when we get guys out there, the important thing is to get them in and have good at-bats. I don't think it's affected my at-bats with runners in scoring position or guys on base. But yeah, I'd say it's in my mind, obviously."

Morneau's home run production tailed off last year, too, as he hit his 30th on Aug. 9 and finished with 34.

Like last year, Morneau has overcome that power drought to remain the team's top RBI producer. He had 130 RBI last year and has 105 this year, including nine in the past eight games.

Morneau's one home run during this recent drought came Aug. 24. Since then, he's had 69 at-bats.

He saw just three pitches in his two at-bats Wednesday and made two weak outs, prompting manager Ron Gardenhire to pull him for pinch hitter Matthew LeCroy with the team trailing 6-1 in the seventh inning.

Gardenhire said he wanted to get LeCroy some at-bats, though he mentioned that Morneau has been battling a sore back.

"I feel good enough to play," Morneau said. "My back feels the same as it has all year. I just ice it every day so it doesn't get sore, and that's about it."

Mauer rests

The Twins are 52-45 when Joe Mauer is in the starting lineup, and 20-29 in his non-starts.

They won three in a row after he returned to the lineup Sunday, but Gardenhire rested his catcher Wednesday, with a day game following a night game.

"We have to be smart about the whole situation," Gardenhire said. "He does have a hamstring [injury]."

Reyes update

After getting a second opinion on his left elbow from Dr. Lewis Yocum, Dennys Reyes will continue trying to rehab the injury without surgery.

Reyes, who has been on the disabled list since Aug. 22, will rejoin the team Friday, though the chances that he'll pitch again this season are slim.

Rincon to pitch in winter

Juan Rincon said he plans to pitch in the Venezuelan winter league this winter to make up for a shrinking workload this season.

Rincon averaged 75.7 appearances the previous three years but has just 57 this year, as Matt Guerrier and Pat Neshek have taken over as the team's top setup men.

Rincon always pitched winter ball earlier in his career, but he couldn't after the 2005 season because of elbow surgery and he missed last year as well, feeling he had enough innings.

"I feel better when I pitch more often," he said. "I'm going to play winter ball to eat up some innings. Whatever I do, I need to come here next year healthy and strong and ready to go."

Rincon, who is making $2 million this season, will be eligible for free agency next fall.

Etc.

• Glen Perkins pitched a scoreless inning in his first outing since May 21, overcoming a leadoff double and striking out the final two batters he faced.

• LeCroy's single in the ninth inning was his first major league hit since July 14, 2006. It was the 359th hit of his career, but his teammates still presented him with the ball.

Joe Christensen • jchristensen@startribune.com

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