The Twins temporarily carried three catchers when C Joe Mauer returned from the disabled list, but after using all six relief pitchers on the second night with that alignment, the decision was made to restore the bullpen to seven members. The timing was good, since RHP Jesse Crain's sore shoulder was healthy enough to activate him again.
PLAYER NEWS: --CF Denard Span beat out an infield hit in the first inning, setting the tone for a big night at the plate. Span singled four times in five at-bats and drove in a run. "He's not afraid to look at a lot of pitches, and that's exactly what you want your leadoff hitter to do," said manager Ron Gardenhire.
--3B Joe Crede, whose 15 home runs at Comerica Park are tied for the most ever by a visiting player, just missed hitting No. 16 in the seventh inning Monday, bouncing a double to the right-field wall. It extended Crede's hitting streak to eight games, and lifted his batting average to .227.
--C Joe Mauer lost 233 points off his batting average in one game, going 0-for-5 Monday to drop from .700 to .467 in his fourth game of the season. Mauer will likely play three of the Twins' four games on their short road trip, manager Ron Gardenhire said, depending on how his lower back feels.
--RHP Matt Guerrier recorded the final five outs of Monday's game for the Twins, extending his streak of effective outings. Guerrier has not allowed a run in his last six appearances, totaling eight innings. With the return of RHP Jesse Crain from the disabled list, Guerrier's effectiveness gives the Twins three decent options (along with LHP Jose Mijares) in front of closer Joe Nathan.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Boof Bonser (torn right labrum and rotator cuff surgery in February 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list April 2. He is out for the season.
RHP Pat Neshek (right elbow surgery) went on the 60-day disabled list Feb. 21. He will remain in Florida all summer and targets a return by next spring.
ROTATION:
LHP Francisco Liriano
RHP Nick Blackburn
RHP Kevin Slowey
LHP Glen Perkins
RHP Scott Baker
BULLPEN:
RHP Joe Nathan (closer)
RHP Matt Guerrier
LHP Craig Breslow
RHP Luis Ayala
RHP R.A. Dickey
LHP Jose Mijares
RHP Jesse Crain
CATCHERS:
Joe Mauer
Mike Redmond
INFIELDERS:
1B Justin Morneau
2B Alexi Casilla
SS Nick Punto
3B Joe Crede
INF Brian Buscher
INF Brendan Harris
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Delmon Young
CF Denard Span
RF Michael Cuddyer
DH Jason Kubel
OF Carlos Gomez
