Josh Willingham is not in the lineup, as manager Ron Gardenhire gives him another chance to rest his sore left knee. Willingham received a cortisone shot in the knee during the previous homestand, which has helped some.
Willingham rests knee while Twins take on Royals
The Twins can win three of the four games with Kansas City, but they have to go through pitcher Ervin Santana, who has been tough on them in the past.
By lavelle neal
June 30, 2013 at 5:36PM
``He's available," Gardy said. ``He can DH. I don't think left field would be a good thing for him right now I think another day we should get there."
Willingham is a .364 career hitter against Royals righthander Ervin Santana.
That gives Oswaldo Arcia another start in left and opens up right field for Chris Parmelee. Chances for both young men to impress.
Ryan Doumit is back as the designated hitter, but his sore right ankle is still giving him some problems.
``I still won't try him in right field," Gardy said. ``Running is the hardest thing for him. Stopping. But i want to get his bat in there."
Eduardo Escobar is getting a start today. ``He works his tail off every day and needs to be out there," Gardy said.
Santana is 2-0 with a MLB-low 1.56 ERA this month. He's 5-3, 3.95 in 11 starts against the Twins. He has had some strong outings against the Twins, especially when they've had trouble picking up his slider.
Clubhouse attendant Wayne Hattaway stopped by the park today after being released from the hospital. He felt dizzy on Thursday and would up being seen by doctors. He said he showed symptoms of having a stroke but didn't officially have one. He's been ordered to drink more fluids and get some exercise. ``Baseball is not going to get rid of me that easily," he said.
Royals (37-41)
1. Alex Gordon, LF
2. Alcides Escobar, SS
3. Eric Hosmer, 1B
4. Billy Butler, DH
5. Salvador Perez, C
6. Mike Moustakas, 3B
7. Lorenzo Cain, CF
8. David Lough, RF
9. Johnny Giavotella, 2B
Pitching: Ervin Santana, RHP
Twins (36-41)
1. Clete Thomas, CF
2. Joe Mauer, C
3. Ryan Doumit, DH
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
6. Oswaldo Arcia, LF
7. Chris Parmelee, RF
8. Eduardo Escobar, 2B
9. Pedro Florimon, SS
Pitching: Kevin Correia, RHP
about the writer
lavelle neal
The value of the Twins has grown exponentially in 40 years. The price of the Wolves nearly doubled in three years. The increases have put club ownership out of reach for even ‘minor billionaires.’
