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Home | Sports | Twins

Errors not limited to field

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: August 24, 2008 - 12:19 AM

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ANAHEIM, CALIF. - In sports, there are mental errors and physical errors.

The Twins just managed a spelling error.

Shortstop Adam Everett played four innings Friday with MINNESTOA printed across his chest.

Watching from his nearby home in Orange County, former Twins infielder Denny Hocking noticed the glitch and sent a text message to Angel Stadium alerting equipment manager Rod McCormick.

Everett was getting ready to lead off the fifth inning, when McCormick alerted him.

"Hot Rod came up to me and goes, 'Come down the tunnel with me,' " Everett said. "But I've gotta lead off. He said, 'No, you've gotta come down the tunnel, now. Something's wrong with your jersey.' "

McCormick had another of Everett's blue jerseys with Minnesota spelled correctly. Everett did a quick change, went to the plate and singled, eventually scoring the Twins' third run.

After the game, Hocking, who played for the Twins from 1993 to 2003, visited the clubhouse, and everyone was all smiles, including Everett.

"Middle infielders take care of each other," Hocking said.

Casilla's early returns

Alexi Casilla is rebuilding strength in his right hand after wearing a splint to help heal the torn ligament in his thumb.

He returned from the disabled list Thursday and singled in the first inning. He went hitless in his next 11 at-bats before hitting his fifth home run in the fourth inning Saturday.

Casilla also has made diving plays to his left and right at second base.

"He's been great on defense," Gardenhire said. "At the plate, he's swinging at balls that might have hit him. He's a little hack happy right now, but he's playing the heck out of defense."

No rest for Morneau

Justin Morneau has started all 129 games this year -- 122 at first base and seven as the DH.

Getting Morneau some rest ranks among Gardenhire's top concerns but his first base options are limited.

The Twins are nine games into a stretch of 17 games in 17 days. Their next day off comes Sept. 1, between Oakland and Toronto.

"I am a little nervous about stuff like that, but just do the best you can," Gardenhire said.

Gardenhire actually tried removing Morneau late in Friday's game. But Morneau asked to hit in the ninth, even with the Twins ahead by nine runs.

The reason?

Morneau was in an 0-for-26 slide against the Angels that dates back to last year.

"He told me he can't sleep at night," Gardenhire said.

So Morneau got his chance to hit and singled, ending the skid.

Seven headed to Arizona

The Twins actually will send seven prospects to the Arizona Fall League. Class AA third baseman Danny Valencia was omitted from the list the team announced Friday.

He will join pitchers Jeff Manship, Rob Delaney, Tim Lahey and Anthony Slama, infielder Steve Tolleson and outfielder Dustin Martin.

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