Michael Cuddyer apparently is fired up about playing second base today. it should be interesting. I still remember the game in Detroit when Eric Munson tried to take Cuddyer out at second base and had to leave the game because he hurt his leg.

When asked about being able to shrug off Munson's hard slide, Cuddyer said. ``I was an option quarterback on a high school football team with a bad offensive line."

Cuddyer probably has about as much range as Luke Hughes, and manager Ron Gardenhire is committed to getting at-bats to players who didn't have full spring trainings because of injuries.

Cuddy at second also allows both Jim Thome and Jason Kubel to get into the lineup. And Joe Mauer is not taking a day game off after a night game. Monday's off-day probably influenced that decision. This lineup is going to hit. Some guys just need to get into a groove.

Alexi Casilla, who had a poor at-bat in the fifth inning and committed an error in the sixth that allowed the only run of the game to score, is back in the lineup. I was curious to see how Gardy would handle that. Does he bench Casilla and risk crushing the guy do you pat him on the back - this time - and give him a chance to redeem himself.

With Trevor Plouffe (three homers) off to a good start at Rochester, it's worth monitoring. But also remember that Plouffe was awful in the field during spring training,

Some players are still chuckling about Justin Morneau's 1,000th career hit on Friday because they all believe it should have been ruled an error. Morneau feels differently.

The Minnesota-Duluth men's hockey team will be honored before today's game for winning the NCAA title last night at the X.

Oakland (3-5)

1. David DeJesus, CF
2. Daric Barton, 1B
3. Josh Willingham, LF
4. Hideki Matsui, DH
5. Ryan Sweeney, RF
6. Mark Ellis, 2B
7. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B
8. Landon Powell, C
9. Cliff Pennington, SS

Pitching: Brandon McCarthy, RHP, 0-0, 4.50

Twins (3-5)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Joe Mauer, C
3. Justin Morneau, 1B
4. Jim Thome, DH
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. Jason Kubel, RF
7. Michael Cuddyer, 2B
8. Danny Valencia, 3B
9. Alexi Casilla, SS

Pitching: Scott Baker, RHP, 0-1,6.00