twins/mlb
La Velle E. Neal III has covered baseball for the Star Tribune since 1998 (the post-Knoblauch era). Born and raised in Chicago, he grew up following the White Sox and hating the Cubs. He attended both the University of Illinois and Illinois-Chicago and began his baseball writing career at the Kansas City Star. He can be heard occasionally on KFAN radio, lending his great baseball mind to Paul Allen and other hosts. Mark Rosen borrows him occasionally for WCCO-TV.
Mauer on pinch hit only detail; Capps out as Twins face Pirates
Posted by: La Velle E. Neal III Updated: June 19, 2012 - 4:36 PM
Joe Mauer is not in the starting lineup tonight against the Pirates, so his right quad must not be well enough to let him catch. It's a tough break for Mauer, who also battled a sore hammy over the weekend. And it was definitely a questionable play Rickie Weeks, who had the plate.
UPDATE: Mauer said his quad is improving but he's still limited on the basepaths. If he pinch hits and reaches base, there will be a pinch runner.
"I'm not running right now," he said.
I, of course, suggested he do something so he could just JOG around the bases...
"That would be easier, yeah," he said. "I probably would need a runner. It's made big improvements from yesterday to today. That's encouraging."
TWINS FINISH UP INTERLEAGUE
The Twins used to be interleague kings but have gone 8-10 in each of the last two seasons. This year, they are 6-6 with six to play - three in Pittsburgh and three in Cincinnati.
It's very warm here, but it's a gorgeous view from the top of PNC Park. I haven't been to Pittsburgh in over 15 years, so this is my first time in his ballpark. They did a very nice job here. This might break my top five, which I will release in the MLB Insider on Sunday.
Pittsburgh is an interesting city, with its bridges and its history. I got a kick out of landing at the airport and. on the way to baggage claim, looking at a statue of George Washington next to a statue of Franco Harris making the Immaculate Reception.
CAPPS WON'T BE USED TONIGHT
Closer Matt Capps (shoulder) will not be used tonight. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he'll go with Jared Burton or Glen Perkins, depending on matchups. Capps said his shoulder feels like he's pitched five straight days, but was willing to give it a try. There was no MRI exam ordered, by the way, and he's been told it's just a slight problem he should be able to work through.
McCUTCHEN THE MAN
Although I haven't been here in awhile, the Twins and Pirates meet every year during spring training. For those of you who haven't seen him, Andrew McCutchen is a darn good player who is coming into his own at age 25. Twins fans who have made the trek to spring training have probably seen him a time or two. The Pirates are struggling to score runs, but it's not McCutchen's fault.
Twins (26-39)
1. Denard Span, Cf
2. Ben Revere, RF
3. Josh Willingham, LF
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
6. Ryan Doumit, C
7. Brian Dozier, SS
8. Jamey Carroll, 2B
9. Scott Diamond, LHP
Pittsburgh (34-31)
1. Jose Tabata, LF
2. Josh Harrison, RF
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Casey McGehee, 1B
5. Neil Walker, 2B
6. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
7. Rod Barajas, C
8. Clint Barmes, SS
9. Kevin Correja, RH
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