Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki is in the lineup batting sixth against Rangers pitcher Joe Saunders on Wednesday despite his lack of success against the southpaw. Suzuki has then most at bats on the team against Saunders (31) with just two hits (one home run), two talks and one strikeout.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Suzuki was pleading his case to stay in the lineup following Tuesday's 4-3 win over Texas.
"I'm due skipper; don't take me out of the game," Gardenhire said Suzuki told him Tuesday night.
Saunders, 32, is making his first start since he was placed on the disabled list on April 7 with a stress fracture in his left ankle. He's made just one start this season on April 4 against Tampa Bay and received the loss allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Gardenhire opted to stick with Suzuki because he's hitting .341 (15 of 44) against left handers this season, and he likes the way Suzuki handles starting pitcher Kyle Gibson.
"He controls him a little bit better right now," Gardenhire said. "He's able to talk to him and calm him down so that's another big part of it."
Josmil Pinto isn't starting for the fourth straight game. He struck out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning on Tuesday in his only at bat over the previous three games.
"I wanted to try and get Pinto in there today but using both catchers is always risky," Gardenhire said. "We had them both out there last night and never feel comfortable. As we go along, I'm going to put them both in the lineup anyway because Pinto is going to get plenty of swings.
