Bartolo Colon looms large as stopgap starter for Twins

For the first time in memory, the Twins took batting practice Tuesday wearing shorts.

Or, in the case of Bartolo Colon, "wides".

The Round Mound of The Mound took the hill for the Twins on Tuesday night not only in the midst of an actual playoff race, but to face the dreaded Yankees on a temperate July night imbued with meaning and foreboding.

The last participating Expo, a pitcher who had faced both managers, Paul Molitor and Joe Girardi, a guy rumored to have discussed his Cy Young Award with Cy Young, arrived from Class AAA Rochester and oblivion, and …

Wait, was this really happening? How was a guy who is maybe 60 pounds overweight and closing in on AARP discounts surviving against one of the league's best lineups?

Colon, 44 in age and perhaps waist, retired the first four batters he faced. The third, budding AL MVP Aaron Judge, took an 86-mph pitch (let's not call it a fastball) down the middle with two strikes.

Through three innings, Colon had struck out three, allowed two hits, walked none and had yet to give up a run.

Apparently, the Twins have been wrong all along, looking for pitchers in high schools and colleges. They should just send their scouts to Denny's at 4 p.m.

Colon's luck or blood sugar ran out in the fourth. Shortstop Jorge Polanco missed a makeable play on Judge's hard grounder in the hole. Max Kepler made a diving catch in right. Didi Gregorius hit a chopper that Miguel Sano couldn't rip out of his glove.

Clint Frazier grounded out, then Chase Headley singled to break the spell.

In the fifth, Colon gave up a single and two doubles and Molitor removed him. For the first time in Target Field history, a pitcher who had just allowed four earned runs in four innings earned an ovation. "I feel happy," Colon said of the reception.

Despite those three innings of sleight of hand, Colon entered the game with an ERA of 8.14 and exited with an ERA of 8.19.

When the team last displayed a pulse, in 2015, Torii Hunter's personality became the seasonal centerpiece. The 2017 edition has shown grit, winning close games and fighting through slumps, but these Twins could use a veteran with personality.

"I think it will be fun if he does well," Molitor said. "He's a character of the game. When those guys are contributing, your fans rally around that deal, but your players do, too."

Colon took the mound to the strains of "Sexy and I Know It," an homage to one of his nicknames, "Big Sexy."

As if baseball was in on the fun, Colon somehow wound up making an unassisted putout in the third inning, when he fielded Garrett Cooper's grounder.

Miguel Sano gave him a 2-0 lead with a homer in the third, meaning two players weighing a combined 560 pounds were playing leading roles. That shouldn't be surprising, given that Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek and Harmon Killebrew were not eligible or willing to endorse Lean Cuisine.

Colon didn't last long, and might not have staying power, but he was better than expected for four innings.

Should he get another start? Molitor said he will, Monday in Los Angeles.

Colon should get another start. When Kyle Gibson is your fourth starter, a previously unemployed 44-year-old can be your fifth.

Jim Souhan's podcast can be heard at MNSPN.com. On Twitter: @SouhanStrib. E-mail: jsouhan@startribune.com