--OF Michael Cuddyer started in center field Monday, his first experience at the position at any level. Cuddyer was asked to fill in because CF Carlos Gomez's right wrist is still sore following his collision with the outfield wall in Denver on Friday. Gomez took batting practice Monday, then played the final four innings of the 12-inning victory, and likely will return to the lineup Tuesday.
--INF Nick Punto's strained left hamstring has been slow to heal, and he won't be ready to return from the disabled list once he is eligible Friday. The Twins are considering sending Punto on a rehab assignment to Fort Myers, Fla., when the team goes on the road next weekend. --RHP Bobby Korecky grounded a single to right field in the 11th inning, becoming the first Twins pitcher since the designated hitter rule went into effect in 1973 to collect a hit in an American League game. Korecky became the third Twins pitcher ever to bat in the Metrodome, and the first with a hit, after designated hitter Brendan Harris was sent to shortstop in the 10th inning.
--INF Alexi Casilla bounced out on inside sliders in his first two at-bats Monday, so he was waiting for another one in the fourth inning. Casilla got one and turned on it, bashing the Scott Feldman pitch over the baggie in right field for his first hit of the season, and his first major league home run.
--RHP Juan Rincon walked two hitters for the third straight appearance, upsetting manager Ron Gardenhire so much he forgot the rules about mound visits. After Rincon got behind 2-0 to Ramon Vazquez in the 11th inning, Gardenhire stormed out of the dugout to remove him -- but umpire Jeff Nelson turned him around, reminding Gardenhire that pitching coach Rick Anderson had visited the mound just one pitch earlier. Baseball rules allow only one visit per batter.
BY THE NUMBERS: 80 -- Consecutive at-bats without an extra-base hit by LF Delmon Young, a streak snapped with a fourth-inning double on May 16.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He always thinks he's the prettiest one in the room." -- DH Craig Monroe, whose locker is next to CF Carlos Gomez, on the 22-year-old's soaring self-confidence about everything from his batting stroke to his wardrobe.
