I'll give the Twins some credit. Despite the noontime rain, it's boiling outside again. But the Twins are out for early hitting this afternoon. Cleveland stayed inside.
Perhaps the Twins realize how important it is to get their offense going. They are averaging 3.67 runs a game during this homestand. Unacceptable. They are batting .258 during the homestand, but if you take out Joe Mauer's .550 (11-for-20) average, the team average over six games at Target Field since the break is .223.
Despite getting swept yesterday, the Twins still lead the season series 4-3, so it's not like they've forgotten how to beat the Tribe.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is making good on his bet with shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka. He's on the field wearing a "I (heart) Japanese Women's Soccer,' t-shirt.
UPDATES
Jason Kubel played nine innings in right field for Class AAA Rochester on Monday and is scheduled to DH tonight. Kubel expressed hope he could join the Twins on Thursday for the Tigers series, but Gardy just said he's not going to call someone up who is still finding his swing.
Kubel is 1 for 8 so far at Rochester.
Gardy said he wants to go back to 12 pitches and add another position player by Thursday. If Kubel doesn't get some hits over the next two games, Rene Tosoni could be called up instead.
