Gardy might let Gomez swing away

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: March 8, 2008 - 10:54 PM

BRADENTON, FLA. — Twins manager Ron Gardenhire once used Jacque Jones as his leadoff hitter. Jones wasn't big on plate discipline or on-base percentage, but his 20 leadoff homers are a club record.

While talking about outfielder Carlos Gomez on Saturday, Gardenhire said he won't worry about Gomez not being a prototypical leadoff hitter, if he makes the team.

"Sometimes with a young hitter, it is better to give him 500 or 550 at-bats and not worry about that on-base percentage and just let them play,'' he said.

"My first year of managing I said, 'Jacque Jones is my leadoff guy,' and everyone thought I was nuts. I am nuts, but that's OK. He got those at-bats, and it was fun to watch. We called him '1-0' halfway through the season.''

Gardenhire, who has tossed out his share of unconventional lineups over the years, has talked more than once during camp of just letting players such as Gomez and Delmon Young throw their skills on the field without changing them too much too soon.

He sees Young's swing and wants him to be aggressive at the plate. For the most part, Young has been aggressive within the strike zone this spring. And Gomez never gets cheated on a swing.

"Sometimes you have to go against the grain a little bit, and this year we probably will go against the grain with the leadoff hitter,'' Gardenhire said. "You know the one thing you won't want to do is miss that first at-bat.''

Collision course

Shortstop Matt Tolbert and first baseman Justin Morneau barely avoided a catastrophe in the first inning.

Nate McLouth skied a popup toward third, but the ball was blown across the infield by a brisk left-to-right wind. It blew away from third baseman Brian Buscher and across the mound.

Tolbert chased after the popup and got a glove on the ball, but it fell to the ground as Tolbert's momentum carried him into Morneau.

Tolbert is listed at 185 pounds (riiiiiiight!). Morneau is 230.

"I heard it,'' said pitcher Scott Baker, who had the best view of the play. "Mourny's chin hit Tolbert's head.''

"Tolbert got his eye black knocked off,'' Gardenhire said.

Tolbert was down for a few seconds but got up, waved off medical attention and stayed in the game.

Also, Denard Span and Jon Knott nearly collided while going after a fly ball in the game.

"I'm going, 'Let's just get off the field,' " Gardenhire said. "This is ugly.''

Etc.

• Third baseman Mike Lamb said that his sore left hip should be fine in a couple of days and that he would have played if it was the regular season. He aggravated the injury on Friday while trying to run to first base.

• Former Twin Luis Rivas is batting .375 in Pirates camp and has a good chance to make the club. Former Twin Doug Mientkiewicz is on the roster, too.

Upcoming

The Twins will play host to the Yankees at 12:05 p.m. today. Righthander Boof Bonser will face righthander Phillip Hughes.

Recent Twins stories

Yankees Hideki Matsui ties record for most RBIs in World Series game with 6 - March 8, 2008

Yankees Hideki Matsui ties record for most RBIs in World Series game with 6 - Yankees designated hitter Hideki Matsui has driven in six runs in Game 6 against the Phillies to tie Bobby Richardson's record for most RBIs in a World Series game. More