Young hits into four double plays

Last update: March 19, 2009 - 7:33 AM

If it had been the regular season, Delmon Young would have set a Twins record Wednesday, when he grounded into four double plays in a 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla.

"At least they were all to the pull side," Young said, smiling.

Everyone keeps telling Young to pull the ball more. With the wind blowing out to left field, he decided to spend the game trying.

After grounding into a 5-4-3 double play in his first at-bat, Young lined a homer just inside the left-field foul pole. Then he grounded into double plays that went 5-4-3, 6-4-3 and 6-3.

"If I go up there looking to pull, I beat it into the ground; I roll over," he said. "Even the homer, I was looking to pull. It still got up, but it had topspin on it."

The Twins' single-game record for most times grounding into a double play is three, set three times, the last being Jose Morales (no relation to the current Twin with the same name) in 1980.

Young is batting .382 (13-for-34) for the spring with two home runs.

Manager Ron Gardenhire needled Young about his twin killings but said: "Three of them were bullets. He hit rockets on the ground. The good thing is it's spring training. We can smile about this a little bit."

Rotation plans

Nick Blackburn was scheduled to face the Phillies on Saturday, but pitchers must hit in that game, so the Twins are leaving him in Fort Myers to make a minor league start.

Blackburn missed time earlier this spring because of knee inflammation.

"We do not want him on the basepaths," Gardenhire said. "I'm not saying he would get a hit, but we don't want to take the chance."

The Blackburn decision will create another spot-start opportunity. Philip Humber made the most of the last one -- Monday against Baltimore -- tossing two scoreless innings. Gardenhire wasn't ready to announce who will get Saturday's chance.

Ayala returns

Righthander relief pitcher Luis Ayala returned to the Twins after posting a 10.80 ERA for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Cuba eliminated Mexico on Monday night in San Diego, and Gardenhire was eager to get Ayala pitching in front of the Twins' staff.

"We'll see where we slot him [in the bullpen]," Gardenhire said. "We'll see how he's throwing the ball, along with everyone else."

Minor results

Kevin Slowey allowed one run on three hits over three innings in a start against Class AAA Pawtucket. He walked one and struck out four.

Catcher Jose Morales went 1-for-3 with a double. Craig Breslow also pitched a scoreless inning against Class AA Portland, with two strikeouts.

Up next

The Twins have the third of four spring training off days today. Glen Perkins will start Friday vs. the Yankees.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

Recent Twins stories

Yankees top Phillies 7-3 for their 27th championship - March 19, 2009

Yankees top Phillies 7-3 for their 27th championship - Powered by Hideki Matsui's record-tying six RBI, New York won a record 27th World Series crown. More

Comments are temporarily unavailable

Our reader comments feature is currently undergoing maintenance. Please check back to comment on this story and join the discussion. We apologize for any inconvenience.