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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.
Sunday....the last hurdle
Posted by: La Velle E. Neal III Updated: April 25, 2010 - 12:16 PM
This is the third straight series in which the Twins won the first two games. They have yet to finish off a sweep.
A win today not only gives them a sweep of the Royals but it will be their first win on a Sunday. They are 0-2 on this day so far.
I know. A weak attempt to add drama to today's game.
Some leftover stuff from last night.
Ron Mahay gave up two hits in the fifth. But Mahay, Pat Neshek, Jesse Crain, Brian Duensing and Matt Guerrier held the Royals to one hit from the sixth through the ninth innings. The Royals then had the winning run on third with one out in the tenth against Guerrier but failed to score.
Crain was much better on Saturday. The Twins want him to not worry about trying to hit 95 miles an hour and focus on getting the ball down, where he'll get more movement on his pitches.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire got a game ball last night - from Jon Rauch for letting him back out for the 12th inning.
I asked Gardenhire if Delmon Young would have reached the short pop fly he raced in for in the 11th if it was last year. ``No, Gardenhire said. ``He told me that right after he caught it.''
Drew Butera was ready to play today but Joe Mauer arrived at the park and told the staff he wanted to play. There's an off-day tomorrow anyway.
Guerrier is not available out of the bullpen today. Rauch is questionable. Scott Baker will hold off on his bullpen session for half of the game to make sure he's not needed in case Kevin Slowey is hit hard early.
Jason Kubel is 4-for-23 against Brian Bannister, so Jim Thome is in today.
Lineups
Twins (13-5)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Hudson, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Jim Thome, DH
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. J.J. Hardy, SS
9. Brendan Harris, 3B
RHP Kevin Slowey
Royals (6-11)
1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Scott Podsednik, LF
3. Billy Butler, 1B
4. Jose Guillen, DH
5. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
6. Jason Kendall, C
7. Alex Gordon, 3B
8. Mitch Maier, CF
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
RHP Brian Bannister
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