A short recap of Sunday's win over the Baltimore Orioles: Nick Blackburn tossed seven strong innings while Denard Span enjoyed his third three-hit game of the month, tallying three RBI en route to a 6-0 victory that salvaged a split of the four-game series. With a day off in between games, they'll welcome the Chicago White Sox to town for a two-game set with the first one scheduled for 7:10pm. Kevin Slowey, who is 2-2 with a 5.04 ERA in six career games against the White Sox, will take the hill for Minnesota against Freddy Garcia. The right-hander is 9-6 with a 3.96 ERA in 19 career games against the Twins, having some trouble with Jason Kubel and Joe Mauer, historically.

Speaking of Man Muscles: after his surprise pinch-hitting appearance Saturday night turned into a full-on designating hitting day on Sunday, Mauer will be batting third and squatting at the backstop tonight. We welcome him back whole-heartedly.

J.J. Hardy has landed on the disabled list after a week of resting the wrist injury he suffered during his sweet ninth-inning triple that allowed him to score the game-winning run on a wild pitch against the Detroit Tigers last Tuesday. The shortstop will be eligible to come off the DL on May 20, the day before his former Milwaukee Brewers come to town for interleague play. Infielder Matt Tolbert, not Trevor Plouffe, is being called to duty after batting .232 for the AAA Rochester Red Wings.

Aside from another day of hoping for mouth-watering muffins and/or other awesome prizes, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Orioles split and the upcoming series against the rival Pale Hose. Too bad we won't get our Thome is my Homey t-shirts in time for this series. From Parker Hageman's DiamondCentric Apparel...

Yes, please.

That reminds me: the fellas over at TwinsCentric will be hosting another shindig -- their third viewing party so far this season -- at Major's Sports Cafe in Bloomington, MN at 11:30am this Saturday, May 15. I'll be there with bells on, ready to take down hot wings and beer. Delicious.