Twins get an early taste of instant replay

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: August 29, 2008 - 7:49 AM

OAKLAND, CALIF. - The Twins played one of three games using baseball's new instant replay rules for disputed home run calls Thursday, with all games set to be covered by those rules tonight.

"I hope we hit so many balls off the wall that they have to check 10 of them," manager Ron Gardenhire said, smiling.

The Twins really didn't mind being replay guinea pigs. They can recall several home run calls that went against them, including two in one game for Justin Morneau early in his career.

"It's about getting them all right more than anything else," Gardenhire said. "So if they can tell us that this is going to help get them all right, then this is good -- whenever they put it in."

Buscher relaxes

One day after delivering his go-ahead hit against Seattle, Brian Buscher said a little advice from Gardenhire this week went a long way.

Gardenhire told Buscher not to worry about his struggles against lefthanded pitchers and urged him to be more aggressive in those at-bats. Buscher was 3-for-30 against lefties before hitting the first pitch from Seattle's Cesar Jimenez for a two-run, pinch-hit single in Wednesday's 6-5 victory.

"I was putting pressure on myself to hit lefties because I know it's the only thing holding me back from being an everyday player," Buscher said. "What [Gardenhire] said really helped me a lot."

Gardenhire started Brendan Harris at third base again Thursday with the Twins facing lefthander Dana Eveland, but he predicted Buscher's hit will give him more confidence the next time he's in that situation.

Cuddyer update

Michael Cuddyer, who is on the disabled list because of a broken bone in his left foot, has begun walking on an underwater treadmill, an early step in his rehab process.

Cuddyer hopes to return before the regular season ends, though Gardenhire has said it'll be difficult for Cuddyer to regain his timing at the plate with the minor league season ending by mid-September.

Tolbert update

Matt Tolbert (left thumb surgery) remains on schedule to rejoin the Twins on Tuesday in Toronto.

Entering Thursday, he had played nine games for Class AA New Britain and was batting .265 (9-for-34) with two stolen bases in five attempts.

New Britain and Class AAA Rochester end their seasons Monday. A group of September callups from Rochester -- a list to be determined -- will bus to Toronto after the Red Wings' final game, and Tolbert will travel separately.

Twins General Manager Bill Smith is following Rochester for the season's final week, with special adviser Terry Ryan following New Britain.

Etc.

• As of Thursday, the Twins hadn't received word of any fines or penalties for outfielder Denard Span for his angry display Sunday after a called third strike that ended a 5-3 loss to the Angels.

• Outfielder Carlos Gomez was back in the lineup after Gardenhire gave him a mental break with more instructions on taming his swing.