Pavano will start on 3 days' rest

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: October 3, 2009 - 10:33 PM

Print this story

More from Twins

Heading into their final scheduled game at the Metrodome today, the Twins will send veteran Carl Pavano to the mound vs. Kansas City on three days' rest, hoping to extend their stay.

Pavano got the nod over rookie Brian Duensing, who would be on regular rest. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he would turn to Duensing in relief, if necessary.

Pavano, who gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings in a loss at Detroit on Wednesday, has made two career regular-season starts on three days' rest, but none since 2004.

"He's ready," Gardenhire said. "You go with a veteran in this situation. He should have the ball. He's been there."

Young heats up

Delmon Young's father, Larry, has been watching from the Metrodome this weekend and saw his son hit his first career grand slam in Friday's 10-7 victory.

Asked if his father was there to see it, Delmon Young said, "Yeah, I wish my mom could have seen it, too."

Young's mother, Bonnie, died May 18 after a three-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Saturday, Young added a three-run double off Zack Greinke, giving the Twins a 4-0 lead.

Since Sept. 1, Young is batting .344 with 10 extra-base hits and 16 RBI. Young said it's made a big difference of late, knowing he's going to be in the lineup each day.

"I'm trying to help the team get to the playoffs," Young said. "And put together a good second half, so you have an opportunity to come into spring training and actually play every day, instead of trying to flip a coin to see when you're going to play."

Cabrera streaking

Orlando Cabrera extended his latest hitting streak to 14 games Saturday, and also scored a run for the 14th consecutive game, matching the Twins' longest run-scoring streak since Kirby Puckett scored in 14 consecutive games in 1986.

Cabrera had a career-high 22-game hitting streak earlier in the season, including 11 games with Oakland before coming to the Twins in a July 31 trade. His recent success has come despite an injured hamstring.

"Cabrera really has been swinging well ever since we got him," Gardenhire said. "He's played well, he's done everything we've asked. ... We wanted somebody who was a winner and could help us out, and he's done that."

Final day festivities

The Twins are geared up for a postgame celebration today, regardless of their playoff status.

An hour-long presentation will honor the best Twins to play at the Dome, as well as members of every playoff team since the building opened. More than 30 former Twins players and coaches will be on hand, everyone from Chili Davis to Scott Erickson to Jacque Jones to Brad Radke.

Fans attending today's game will receive a certificate noting their presence at the final regular-season game at the Dome.

Etc.

• If the Twins need a one-game tiebreaker against the Tigers, the game would be played at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Dome and televised by TBS. The expected starters would be Rick Porcello for Detroit and Scott Baker for the Twins.

• Twins closer Joe Nathan broke Eddie Guardado's team record for saves, set in 2002, with his 46th save Friday. Nathan made it 47 Saturday with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Staff writer La Velle E. Neal III contributed to this report.

Recent Twins stories

Mets' Johan Santana throws off mound for 1st time since elbow surgery - October 3, 2009

Mets' Johan Santana throws off mound for 1st time since elbow surgery - New York Mets ace Johan Santana threw off a mound for the first time since elbow surgery last Sept. 1 and said he felt good. More