Tolbert leaves because of strained oblique, Harris takes over

NEW YORK — Matt Tolbert held down the third base job when no one else would step up. But his first postseason ever might be over.

Tolbert was removed from Friday night's Game 2 of the American League Division Series in the sixth inning because of a strained left oblique muscle. Oblique injures are trouble. It takes time for them to heal, and rushing back too early can easily aggravate them.

It could mean that Tolbert's season is over -- though, with the Twins down 2-0 in the series following Friday's 4-3 loss to the Yankees, the season could be just one more game.

When he wasn't in the minors, Tolbert spent most of the season batting under .200. But he hit .333 over the final 21 games of the season to finish at .232. That, plus Tolbert's reliable defense, convinced manager Ron Gardenhire to go with him down the stretch.

The Twins must determine how long Tolbert will be out. They do have the option of making a roster move, as long as it's a position player for a position player. That could open the door for Brian Buscher to return to the active roster.

Tolbert was replaced by Brendan Harris, who went 2-for-4, including an RBI triple, and made a diving stop to rob Derek Jeter in the eighth inning.

When Michael Cuddyer's no-out single to center field loaded the bases in the 11th inning, Joe Mauer lumbered to third base but was no threat to score on the play. The Twins failed to score in the inning.

Mauer started the inning with a single, a few pitches after left-field umpire Phil Cuzzi ruled what appeared to be a ground-rule double as a foul ball.

"I'm just not feeling good," Mauer said after the game. "That playoff game [Tuesday's 6-5, 12-inning victory against Detroit], I got pretty banged up. What can you do?"

Mauer, who was 2-for-4 Friday, was one of several Twins players who went in for treatment Thursday, but there are no signs that he will miss Game 3.

Regular-season capacity at the new Yankee Stadium is 50,086, down nearly 7,500 seats from their previous home across the street.

When the old place rocked, it really rocked. The pressbox shook. Fans cheered loud and induced headaches.

Twins players don't believe the new stadium is as loud as the old one.

"In the old one they seemed like they were always right on top of you," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "This one is a little more spread out."

Gardenhire noticed that a couple of his young players looked a little overwhelmed before Game 1 but settled down once the game began.

Catcher Mike Redmond also said he believes that fans aren't in their faces like they were in the old park.

"It's still an angry crowd," he said. "I got more middle fingers walking out to the bullpen yesterday than I have in my life."

Miguel Angel Sano, the Dominican power-hitting prospect on the verge of signing with the Twins, will be at the Metrodome on Sunday and is expected to be on the field to watch pregame batting practice.

Sano is in town this week for a series of physicals. He will receive a $3.15 million bonus as soon as he obtains a P-1 work visa. He's in the country on a tourist visa this trip. Sano is believed to be 16 but that has come under heavy scrutiny, partially because at 6-3 and 190 pounds, he doesn't look 16.

The Twins' trades for Orlando Cabrera, Carl Pavano and Jon Rauch have helped fill holes on the roster. But the Twins, once again, needed help from Class AAA Rochester, as Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak, Jeff Manship, Bobby Keppel and others were called upon this season.

Their impact varied. Duensing obviously helped the rotation. Keppel was struggling before winning Game 163 on Tuesday. And Twins GM Bill Smith believes they will need someone to contribute from the minors every season.

"Our hope is that we can provide two players each year from our minor league system," he said. "If you can kick two players out of your Triple-A club or Double-A club every year that come up and make a tangible contribution to a major league club, you're doing pretty well."

Etc.

• Like the Twins, the Yankees are carrying three catchers on their postseason roster. They ended up using all three, with Jose Molina starting as the catcher for A.J. Burnett, regular catcher Jorge Posada pinch hitting for Molina in the sixth inning and Francisco Cervelli coming in after Posada was lifted for pinch runner Brett Gardner in the 10th inning.