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Home | Sports | Twins

Mauer's lunge is instant classic

Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

Joe Mauer dived back toward home in time to tag out the Yankees’ Brett Gardner with the potential winning run in the ninth. “Instinct-wise, that play was off the charts,” fellow Twins catcher Mike Redmond said.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: May 17, 2009 - 11:04 PM

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NEW YORK - Joe Mauer had other catchers at Yankee Stadium in awe with his game-saving play in the ninth inning Sunday. The Twins wound up losing 3-2 in the 10th inning, but not before Mauer produced the rare catcher web gem.

"That's one of the best plays I've ever seen," Twins catcher Mike Redmond said. "Instinct-wise, that play was off the charts. I told him I don't know how he did it."

Yankees manager and former catcher Joe Girardi said, "The athleticism that he showed to get a very speedy runner is pretty incredible."

With a tie score and one out, pinch runner Brett Gardner was at second base when Francisco Cervelli hit a sharp bouncer back toward pitcher Jose Mijares, who reached behind his back with his glove and knocked the ball back toward home.

Mauer grabbed the ball about halfway to the pitcher's mound and bluffed a throw to first.

"I would have thrown that ball on instinct," Redmond said. "And if he throws the ball, we lose."

Gardner didn't hesitate around third and was halfway home when Mauer turned, hustled and dived in time to tag Gardner before he could touch home plate.

"He's about as fast as they get on the bases," Mauer said. "As soon as I got to the ball, I remembered who was at second and thought I'd fake and maybe have a chance to throw him out at third. I didn't really think I'd have to race and beat him home."

Mauer was slightly shaken up on the play. "I just kind of knocked the wind out of myself, diving, and I just needed a minute," he said.

Bullpen search

Manager Ron Gardenhire dropped hints that the Twins will be addressing their bullpen soon, and there were indications lefthander Sean Henn is the leading candidate for a promotion from Class AAA Rochester.

Henn, 28, lowered his ERA to 1.13 with two shutout innings Sunday against Durham, with four strikeouts and no walks. His fastball has recently been clocked at 95 miles per hour. He is not on the 40-man roster, but the Twins could add him by moving Boof Bonser to the 60-day disabled list.

As for who would be cut, Gardenhire didn't name names, but he showed how little confidence he has in Luis Ayala when he let Craig Breslow face Alex Rodriguez in the 11th inning Saturday, with Ayala warming.

Ayala has a 5.62 ERA, and the first hitters in his 15 appearances have batted a combined .615.

"I don't know when to put people in because I don't know how to use them anymore," Gardenhire said on his weekly radio show on KSTP AM-1500.

The Twins have had senior adviser Terry Ryan scouting Class AA New Britain, and the team doesn't believe relievers Anthony Slama or Rob Delaney are quite ready. Meanwhile, Vice President of Player Personnel Mike Radcliff has been scouting at Rochester, where the Twins are gaining confidence in both Henn and hard-throwing righthander Bobby Keppel, who has a 2.61 ERA.

"We've got people looking right now to see if we can get something done," Gardenhire said. "We'll see. We've got to do something."

Etc.

• Third baseman Joe Crede, who left Friday's game because of lower-back stiffness, should be ready to return tonight after going through batting practice without trouble Sunday.

• The Twins had no update on when outfielder Delmon Young will return from California. They want him to take all the time he needs to be with his ailing mother.

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