Advertisement

Slumping Dozier out of Twins' lineup for first time since May 24

Minnesota tries to avoid franchise-record 103rd loss and another sweep in Kansas City.

September 29, 2016 at 10:26PM
Minnesota Twins left fielder Logan Schafer climbs the wall after a fly ball hit by Kansas City Royals' Paulo Orlando during the second inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. Orlando doubled on the play.
Minnesota Twins left fielder Logan Schafer climbs the wall after a fly ball hit by Kansas City Royals' Paulo Orlando during the second inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. Orlando doubled on the play. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Brian Dozier has been in the Twins' starting lineup for 113 consecutive games, and he told manager Paul Molitor he wanted to keep playing through the season's final game. Molitor agreed — then changed his mind.

"Last night kind of pushed me in the other direction," Molitor said of Dozier's 0-for-5 night, which dropped him to 1-for-27 (.037) in his last six games. "I went back to him today — I think he's been pushing so hard for so long, trying to do the right thing by playing, setting an example. I'm hoping just backing him off mentally today will help him get through Chicago" this weekend.

Dozier has started every game since May 25, so wearing down now, particularly under the weight of 102 losses, is understandable. Dozier hasn't had a two-hit game since Sept. 14, and he's batting .137 (7-for-51) with one home run in his last 12 games. The second baseman is still chasing the MLB mark for most home runs by a second baseman, and Molitor believes not playing tonight actually gives him a better chance of reaching that mark in Chicago, where Dozier has homered three times already this year.

"When you get tired, you start muscling the ball," Molitor said. "He's down to 12 at-bats, roughly. We'll give up three tonight to try to make the last 12 really good."

With Dozier out, Eduardo Escobar gets the start at second base, his first time at that position since the final game of the 2015 season. Kyle Gibson gets the start as the Twins try to prevent being swept in all 10 games at Kauffman Stadium this season, and try to avoid setting the franchise record for losses.

Here are tonight's lineups:

TWINS

Polanco SS

Advertisement
Advertisement

Grossman DH

Sano 3B

Vargas 1B

Kepler RF

E. Escobar 2B

Murphy C

Advertisement

Schafer LF

Buxton CF

Gibson RHP

ROYALS

Dyson CF

Merrifield 2B

Advertisement
Advertisement

Hosmer 1B

Morales DH

Orlando RF

Gordon LF

A. Escobar SS

Cuthbert 3B

Advertisement
Advertisement

Butera C

Duffy LHP

Advertisement
about the writer

about the writer

Phil Miller

Reporter

Phil Miller has covered the Twins for the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2013. Previously, he covered the University of Minnesota football team, and from 2007-09, he covered the Twins for the Pioneer Press.

See Moreicon

More from Twins

See More
card image

The Major League Baseball draft begins Sunday in Atlanta, and the Twins have their eye on several prospects.

card image
Advertisement
Advertisement

To leave a comment, .

Advertisement