Gibson steps up with shutout

BOSTON – One day after Class AAA Rochester used nine pitchers in a 16-inning game, Kyle Gibson stepped up Wednesday with a four-hit shutout of Toledo.

Gibson took a big step in his comeback from elbow ligament replacement surgery while impressing Twins officials.

"That's a good thing to hear and see. His line was impressive," General Manager Terry Ryan said. "That's kind of what everyone had been waiting for."

Does that mean Gibson is ready for the big time? The 2009 first-round pick is 2-4 with a 3.32 ERA in seven starts for the Red Wings.

"As soon as those guys tell me that he is ready, I'll give it consideration," Ryan said. "One outing does not make a promotion."

Speaking with milb.com after the game, Gibson noted how it is nearly a year since he began throwing in the bullpen during his comeback from surgery.

"I feel like I'm back to where I was before," Gibson told the website. "I feel good. The last two starts I feel like, endurance-wise, I'm back to where I was before. I still felt pretty good and was able to execute pitches when I needed to."

"I hope he continues to have those type of outings," Ryan said. "That would be fantastic."

Pitching on the same day as his cousin's funeral, lefthander Pedro Hernandez gave up six runs over two innings against the Red Sox on Wednesday. The Twins gave Hernandez the option to leave and be with his family, but he wanted to pitch. He tried to pitch in his cousin's memory, but it didn't go well.

So now Hernandez has had back-to-back poor outings. But all indications are that he will make his next start Monday.

"Absolutely," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Until someone tells me differently."

Reliever Tim Wood has had his 30-day rehabilitation stint rescinded by the club after he came down with biceps tendinitis. Wood appeared on his way to making the Twins out of spring training before he reported soreness in his shoulder.

The drama for Ryan Doumit's hit-that-wasn't-a-hit Wednesday might not be over.

In the seventh inning with Josh Willingham on second and Trevor Plouffe on first, Doumit hit a deep fly ball that popped in and out of Jacoby Ellsbury's glove and hit the wall before the Boston center fielder was able to grab it. Willingham, not knowing if the ball was caught or not, stayed at second base. Doumit rounded first and passed Plouffe.

As the ball was thrown back to the infield, Doumit was called out for passing Plouffe, and Plouffe was tagged out. The initial decision was a fielder's choice for Doumit, but after the game it was changed to a hit.

But, just as pregame activates began Thursday, the play was changed back to a fielder's choice.

The Twins can have the league look into the decision.

• Four police officers from Watertown, Mass., were guests of Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe at Thursday's game.