patr051108

StarTribune.com content is available via e-mail, mobile devices and as RSS feeds.

Mobile content

Advertise with us

Home | Sports | Twins

Patrick Reusse: With a lightened load, Perkins manages good outing

Jennifer Simonson, Star Tribune

Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury ran hard but wasn’t fast enough to beat Twins pitcher Glen Perkins’ throw to first base in the fifth inning.

Up from Rochester, the lefthander got off to a bad start: His baggage never showed up. But the pitcher showed a nice mix.

By PATRICK REUSSE, Star Tribune

Last update: May 11, 2008 - 12:27 AM

Glen Perkins found out in the middle of the week he would be recalled from Class AAA Rochester to start for the Twins on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox.

Perkins decided to use the modern approach, and shipped his equipment bag to 34 Kirby Puckett Place in Minneapolis.

"He shipped his gear and, last I heard, it's still not here," manager Ron Gardenhire said two hours before the scheduled pitch. "I think there's a frantic search going on."

The manager paused, smirked and said: "We're off to a good start."

The former Stillwater High and Gophers lefthander had been around the Twins enough in the previous seasons that it was easy to lose track of the fact that this would be his first major league start. The previous 23 appearances (as well as one in the 2006 playoffs) had been in relief.

Perkins had spent much of the 2007 season sidelined with a significant strain of a left lat muscle. He pitched only 48 innings at five different levels of the Twins organization.

Still, Perkins went to spring training expecting to earn a spot as a Twins long reliever. Gardenhire described him as "frustrated and confused" on March 23, when he was told that he would start the season in Rochester.

Perkins' first four appearances at Rochester provided a vivid example to the lefty as to why he was back in the minors. He allowed 18 hits and 11 runs (eight earned) in 14 innings.

There were reports that Perkins' text messages and other communiqués were reaching the Twins clubhouse with such frequency that grumbling was heard from the team's brain trust.

"Perk's going to have to spend less time worrying about what's happening here and more time getting hitters out if he's going to get back here any time soon," one of these influential people was heard to say.

Whatever the reason (presumably, arm strength), Perkins started to turn things around in an April 21 start. Starting then, he made three starts, pitched 19 1/3 innings and allowed only 10 hits and three earned runs.

Kevin Slowey already was on the way from Rochester to replace Francisco Liriano in the rotation. When the decision was made last week to disable Scott Baker, Perkins was next on the seniority list.

Did the equipment show up?

"No, sir," Perkins said. "I wore a pair of Nick Punto's spikes, and my wife came to the game early and brought me a glove from home."

There were times when Perkins pitched with authority in his previous Twins appearances. There were other times when his control was shaky, or he relied on trying to throw high fastballs past big-league hitters.

On Saturday, facing Boston's loaded lineup, the Twins watched a different pitcher at work.

Perkins kept a sinking fastball at the knees often enough to get some big outs. He reached back to hit 93 miles per hour with his riding fastball. He struck out Manny Ramirez with a terrific changeup. And, he showed a dropping curveball.

It was a mix of pitches that will work for Perkins in the big leagues, either as a starter or as a much-needed second lefty to go with Dennys Reyes in the bullpen.

"I thought this was the best I've ever seen him," pitching coach Rick Anderson said.

Unfortunately for Perkins, he was facing the high-powered Red Sox.

He threw a changeup high and way too hard to Kevin Youkilis, and he mashed it for a second-inning home run. With a 2-1 lead to start the seventh, Perkins fell behind 3-1 to Coco Crisp, grooved a fastball, and Coco clobbered it.

He followed this with a 1-2 curveball to rookie Jed Lowrie. "That was the best curveball I threw all night," Perkins said. "I almost bounced it. But he went down and got it."

Lowrie's golf shot went into the left-field seats, Perkins left with a 3-2 deficit, and became the loser of a 5-2 final.

Boston hit four home runs to put its season total at 39. The Twins unloaded one mighty fly to the warning track (Jason Kubel in the second), and their home run total stayed at 17.

Meaning, if Perkins only had been pitching to his text-messaging pals rather than to the Sox, he would have had a much kinder fate.

Patrick Reusse can be heard weekdays on AM-1500 KSTP at 6:45 and 7:45 a.m. and at 4:40 p.m. • preusse@startribune.com

Continue to next page

Time lapse of Twins stadium

One year ago this week, the first Web cam image of the new Twins ballpark construction site was taken. Today, the Twins released a one minute time lapse movie of how the construction has progressed over the past year.

Snow doesn't dampen opening day spirit

Twins fans and players alike shrugged off the snow for opening day and heralded the arrival of the baseball season.

Twins video player card: Mike Redmond

Twins catcher Mike Redmond talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Final of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Boof Bonser

Twins pitcher Boof Bonser talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Eighth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Nick Punto

Twins infielder Nick Punto talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Sixth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Justin Morneau

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Fifth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Brendan Harris

Twins second baseman Brendan Harris talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Fourth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Adam Everett

Twins shortstop Adam Everett talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Third of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Mike Lamb

Twins third baseman Mike Lamb talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Second of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Twins video player card: Joe Mauer

Twins catcher Joe Mauer talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. First of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.

Training camp: The battle for second base

Twins coach Ron Gardenhire is looking for Nick Punto to improve offensively and for Brendan Harris to be patient at the plate, but the competition for second base is close.

5-7-5: Twins are poets, don't 'cha know it?

Assorted Minnesota Twins read reader-submitted Haiku with flair ... or not.

Cuddyer is ready to lead the Twins

Michael Cuddyer says he's probably a natural fit to lead the team since he's got the most experience with the organization.

Who's going to make Twins roster?

Baseball writers La Velle E. Neal III and Joe Christensen think Wednesday's lineup against Boston features the A-listers or as close as it can be given the tough competition.