Mauer's adjustment seems to have worked

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: April 29, 2008 - 1:12 AM

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Twins catcher Joe Mauer spent part of spring training working on hitting inside pitches better. The regular season began with Mauer still hitting more grounders to second than he should.

Some of those grounders were on pitches over the middle or even the outer half of the plate. Mauer was so conscious of pulling the ball, he got away from what he does well, which is hitting balls hard up the middle or to left.

He has gone back to that approach and enters into tonight's game against the White Sox on a 10-game hitting streak, during which he has hit .375 with four doubles and five RBI. He's one game away from his career-best hitting streak, from May 19 to June 1, 2006.

Mauer still is looking for his first homer of 2008 but at least he has his average up to .305 after being at .238 two weeks ago.

"I think Joe is feeling a little better right now," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I think he's feeling a little better about his swing and it's working out."

Because Brendan Harris has hit well in the No. 2 hole, Gardenhire will stick with Mauer batting third and Justin Morneau batting fourth for the time being.

Slowey to Rochester

Righthander Kevin Slowey, coming back from a strained biceps, tossed five no-hit innings for Class A Fort Myers on Saturday and will join Class AAA Rochester in time to start on Thursday against Toledo.

"He did very well," said Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues. "He kept the ball down, pitched ahead in the count, did everything perfectly for what he's trying to accomplish."

Slowey likely will be called up for a May 10 start -- when the Twins need a fifth starter again -- if all goes well at Rochester.

Minor details

• Class AA New Britain second baseman Luke Hughes, who was named Twins minor league player of the week on Sunday, hit his eighth homer that night. He now has been named Eastern League player of the week. He is batting .356 with eight homers and 15 RBI and is filling in at center field for injured players. Infielder Toby Gardenhire, the manager's son, has been promoted to New Britain as a fill-in for those injured players.

• Outfielder Ben Revere, the Twins' first-round pick in last year's draft, has been moved from extended spring training to Class A Beloit.