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Casilla is regaining earlier form

David Brewster, Star Tribune

Alexi Casilla bunts in the first inning

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: September 11, 2008 - 7:22 AM

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire expected second baseman Alexi Casilla to struggle some once he returned from the 15-day disabled list because of a torn ligament in his right thumb. And he did, batting .194 in his first 15 games back.

But Casilla is 8-for-15 over his past four games, including three hits against Kansas City in the Twins' 7-1 victory Wednesday night. After batting .234 in August, he is hitting .300 through eight games in September.

So Gardenhire was asked Wednesday if Casilla is back to his midseason form.

"I think he's close," Gardenhire said. "I still think he tries to force things a little bit."

Gardenhire pointed to Casilla's opposite-field single off Detroit closer Fernando Rodney in the ninth inning Sunday as a sign that he's coming around. Casilla then went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored Monday.

"He's had some better at-bats the past couple of days," Gardenhire said. "[Monday], he was better. He stayed back and used his hands."

Cuddy's curse?

Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer, recovering from a broken left foot, was given the go-ahead to run as much as he can tolerate. So he ran the bases at 60 percent effort and hit several balls into the seats during early batting practice Wednesday. He's still several days away from being activated.

On Monday, Cuddyer was the host of "Baseball Unplugged," a fan interactive show the Twins hold several times a year at sports bars around the Twin Cities. Cuddyer showed up for his assignment at Joe Senser's in Eagan rocking an Adrian Peterson jersey.

Vikings fans should be worried. Cuddyer annually purchases jerseys of two players he drafts in fantasy leagues. He also purchased a Marion Barber jersey, and Barber was injured during his first game. Cuddyer bought a Carson Palmer jersey before the 2005 season, and Palmer suffered a knee injury in the playoffs.

"I also bought a Daunte Culpepper jersey before he was injured and Javon Walker's before he was injured the first time," Cuddyer said.

What does this mean?

"I apologize to all Vikings fans," Cuddyer said.

Keeping it quick

Some pitchers come down with tired arm syndrome late in the season. Do hitters have slow bat syndrome?

"Yes," Twins first baseman Justin Morneau said.

Twins hitting coach Joe Vavra, however, said he hasn't seen any signs of slow bats.

"These guys are good about staying with the routines," Vavra said.

The Twins have a 45-ounce bat near their indoor batting cage that players will swing at times just so their game models feel lighter. Morneau takes batting practice with a 35-ounce bat, then swings a 33-ounce model during games.

Morneau said his bat has felt quick all season.

"All year I swing heavier bats in [batting practice]," he said. "When you get to the game, it's supposed to feel lighter."

Etc.

• Jake Mauer, manager of the Twins' Gulf Coast League rookie team, leaves today for Beijing, where he will spend three weeks in China teaching baseball to teenagers selected by the government for a special camp.

• Gardenhire, in response to the Twins' bid for the 2014 All-Star Game, joked: "Hopefully, some of us will be involved. You never know."

• Morneau and Joe Mauer are the first teammates in Twins history to have at least 150 hits, 27 doubles, 70 RBI and 70 walks in the same season.

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