Beating Cubs also serves as a curtain call

Anthony Swarzak knew the Twins were ready to activate Glen Perkins, but his final impression left on the mound was a winner.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: June 13, 2009 - 11:35 PM

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TWINS 2, CUBS 0 Up next: 1:20 p.m. today at Cubs • Ch. 29 (1500-AM)

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CHICAGO - For shutting down the Cubs during the Twins' 2-0 victory Saturday, righthander Anthony Swarzak was given the game ball.

And a trip to join Class AAA Rochester.

Unless something unforeseen happened, Swarzak was destined to return to Rochester when lefthander Glen Perkins came off the 15-day disabled list. Perkins is healthy and will start Tuesday against Pittsburgh.

Rochester catcher Jose Morales was on his way to Chicago to replace Swarzak on the roster for at least a couple of days until Perkins is activated.

So he took the mound Saturday as a demoted man walking. And he made it a tough goodbye, shutting out the Cubs for seven innings on four hits, a walk and six strikeouts. He put the Twins in position to sweep the series with a victory in today's series finale and finish the road trip 6-4.

"It's his spot," Swarzak said of Perkins' place in the rotation. "I knew that going in."

Teammates, including Justin Morneau and Nick Punto, made a point to walk over to Swarzak's locker to thank him and wish him well. There were hugs and back slaps.

"It's tough," Swarzak said. "It's tough on me. It's tough on everyone. It was the situation I was in. I just have to keep chugging along.

"I just want to pitch. If I have to go to Rochester and pitch, I'll go there and pitch. It's what I have to do."

Swarzak had everything working on Saturday as he lowered his ERA from 5.23 to 3.90. He's 2-2 in five starts.

He struck out Alfonso Soriano to open the first inning Saturday and retired the first seven Cubs batters he faced. Chicago put two on with one out in the fourth, but Swarzak got Geovany Soto to fly out and got Kosuke Fukudome looking at a fastball on the corner, ending the best threat the Cubs had against him.

Swarzak had failed to get past the fourth inning in each of his two previous starts but adjusted Saturday. His tailing fastball caressed the corners all day. His curveball was the best it's been in five starts.

He showed poise, as he calmly reacted to a comebacker from Fukudome in the seventh, picking up the ball and throwing to first.

It was another case of a young pitcher relaxing after getting a few starts in the majors.

"We heard the scouting report on his curveball," Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson said. "Today was the one we've heard about all along. He calmed himself down and was able to use his pitches."

The Twins got a solo homer from Jason Kubel in the second -- just the second ball to land on Sheffield Avenue this season -- and an RBI single by Joe Mauer. The announced crowd of 40,899 included thousands of Twins fans. And Cubs fans booed them more than on Friday, probably because of their agitation with all the Twinsness in Wrigley Field.

Swarzak's statement on Saturday was loud and clear: He's ready to pitch in the majors. And he's ready to step in if someone gets injured or struggles too much. He'll wait for his next chance.

"It was hard for me to call him in [my office]," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said of the demotion. "Cuddy gave him the game ball -- and now he's taking it to Rochester."

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