Justin Morneau turns 32 years old today, and he has a history of celebrating in style.
He's a career .360 hitter on his birthday with two doubles and four home runs. Those homers came in twos - at Cleveland in 2007 and at New York in 2009.
His birthday comes during a 10-game hitting streak during which he's batting .425. And his 17 RBI this month are the most in baseball.
BTW, it's also Brian Dozier's birthday. He's not in the lineup today.
Josh Willingham doubled off of Jake Peavy on Tuesday, and the Twins hope it's the start of a hot streak for the struggling slugger. Willingham went the other way with the pitch and drove it to right-center.
``That's what he's got to do right now," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.
Mike Pelfrey is on the mound today as he tries to take another step forward in his comeback season following Tommy John surgery. One thing the coaching staff has asked him to do is work faster, which might help him get in a good rhythm. Pelfrey, Gardy, said has a little Scott Baker in him in that he will get off the rubber, walk around the mound and scratch his head between pitches as he thinks about his next pitch.
The Twins want him to stay on the rubber more, trust his catcher, get the sign and execute.
