MLB Winter Meetings: Twins sign injured right-hander Michael Pineda

The Minnesota Twins on Wednesday announced that they've signed injured right-hander Michael Pineda to a two-year, $10 million contract. He'll earn $2 million in 2018 and $8 million in 2019. 

Pineda, who turns 29 in January, underwent Tommy John surgery in July, making him expected to miss the majority of the 2018 season.

There had been more injury issues for Pineda, and you may remember a game in 2014 when he was ejected for having a foreign substance on his neck.

Last season, he pitched to a 4.39 ERA/103 ERA+ with a 4.38 K/BB ratio in 96 1/3 innings for the Yankees. For his career, Pineda owns an ERA+ of 101 with a 4.38 K/BB ratio across five big-league seasons and 117 starts. 

What a relief: Yankees rally past Twins

(TSX / STATS) -- NEW YORK -- About 20 minutes into the American League wild-card game, the Minnesota Twins stunned the Yankees with three early runs, enough to knock out New York starting pitcher Luis Severino.

Then the Yankees put on a power display on the mound and at the plate, setting up a celebration and their next order of business -- a date with the Cleveland Indians in the AL Division Series.

Severino was lifted after recording one out into the first inning, but Didi Gregorius hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the first and four relievers combined on 13 strikeouts as New York stormed back for an 8-4 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday.

Brian Dozier opened the game by hitting Severino's fifth pitch into the first row of the left field seats fence, and Eddie Rosario lined the right-hander's 17th pitch into the right field seats for a two-run shot. Two more hits sprung the bullpen into action, beginning with Chad Green.

Green struck out two with runners on second and third, and the Yankees quickly rebounded from the stunning start.

"That's a huge spot," Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia said. "We expect Green to get out of that. That's who he is, that's what he's done, and that's our bullpen."

Gregorius tied the game by hitting Ervin Santana's full-count fastball over the right field fence with one out in the first, and Brett Gardner gave the Yankees a 4-3 lead by lifting another full-count fastball into the right field seats in the second inning.

"Scoring those runs right in the first inning, just that there was -- what I've seen all year, is the fight in this club," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I saw it in spring training. I did. But you see the resolve, and they never get down."

After the Twins tied it 4-4 in the top of the third, Greg Bird hit a go-ahead single off Jose Berrios (0-1) in the bottom of the third. An inning later, Aaron Judge slugged Berrios' 0-1 curveball into the left field stands.

"We got down early," Judge said. "With the type of bullpen we have, the lineup, we're never out of a ballgame."

By then the Yankees were continuing their historic bullpen performance, tying the major league record for strikeouts by relievers in a postseason game and matching a team record for relief innings. The Yankees tied the strikeout mark set by the Chicago Cubs, who did it in six innings during Game 4 of the 2015 National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

New York matched the team mark for relief innings set in Game 6 of the 1958 World Series against the Milwaukee Braves, a 4-3, 10-inning Yankees victory.

"That's what it's all about," Judge said. "Big-time players, they make big-time plays in big-time games, that's what they do."

Green was the only New York reliever to get scored upon, the run coming hom on Byron Buxton's groundout against David Robertson with the bases loaded in the third. Robertson worked out of the bases-loaded jam, pitched a career-high 3 1/3 innings and was awarded the win by the official scorer.

"I feel like our entire team never gives up, and we're always going to grind and try to win a ballgame," Robertson said.

Aaron Hicks drove in the Yankees' other run with a bases-loaded walk in the seventh. Relievers Tommy Kahnle and Aroldis Chapman finished off New York's first playoff victory since Sabathia pitched a complete game in Game 5 of the 2012 ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles.

Kahnle delivered 2 1/3 scoreless frames, and Chapman finished it off by allowing a hit and striking out three in the ninth.

The Twins dropped their 13th straight playoff game after Santana was unable to protect the early lead. It is tied for the longest postseason losing streak in baseball history, matching the Boston Red Sox from Oct. 25, 1986-Oct. 6, 1995.

Minnesota's last playoff victory was a 2-0 shutout at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 5, 2004. During the current streak, 10 of the Twins' postseason defeats were against the Yankees.

"I think you just understand that you've got to find ways to persevere through a game like that because there's a lot of pitches thrown," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "There's a lot of lead changes early, and unfortunately it got to their 'pen and all those guys did an outstanding job.

"There was a lot of -- as far as mood swings early, they were obviously just because of the way that the pendulum swung."

Santana allowed four runs and three hits in two innings. Berrios gave up three runs and five hits in three frames.

"It stings right now," Twins first baseman Joe Mauer said. "We had some chances. Unfortunately, we came up a little short."

NOTES: Twins manager Paul Molitor said the decision to keep 3B/DH Miguel Sano (shin) off the roster stemmed from Sano not being able to generate enough force and power with his front leg during batting practice Monday. Molitor also said Sano was experiencing some discomfort during the Sunday game. ... New York LHP Chasen Shreve, who is among several major-leaguers from Las Vegas, threw out the ceremonial first pitch in tribute to the victims of the mass shooting on Sunday. ... RF Aaron Judge was the first Yankees rookie to homer in a postseason game since Hideki Matsui in Game 2 of the 2003 World Series.

Upstart Twins, Yankees set for wild-card game

(TSX / STATS) -- NEW YORK -- Preseason projections were low for the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees for varying reasons.

When forecasts were made, Minnesota and New York were not supposed to plan for a postseason game.

The Twins were coming off a disastrous 103-loss season while the Yankees were transitioning to a younger core.

Both teams defied projections by claiming the two wild-card spots in the American League, with the reward being an elimination game Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.

The winner advances to the AL Division Series against the Cleveland Indians.

The Yankees started off strong, winning 21 of their first 30 and improving their mark to 38-23 by June 12. They slumped for about a month, were 45-40 at the All-Star break and finished with a 21-8 surge to get to 91-71.

It resulted in their most successful regular season since 2012, which ended with a trip to the ALCS. Since then, the Yankees missed the playoffs in three of the next four seasons and their only postseason game since 2012 occurred when they were shut out by the Houston Astros in the 2015 wild-card game.

For the Twins (85-77), it was a different path to their first postseason berth since 2010.

The Twins hovered near .500 most of the first three months but were 3-9 from July 23 to Aug. 5. After management opted to become a seller at the trade deadline, Minnesota responded by winning 13 of 17 to go over .500 for good. The Twins went 33-21 after Aug. 5 and finished five games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels.

"I think some guys were a little more upset than others, but they've responded," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "Whatever your motivation is, that's fine."

Both teams did it with a mix of youth and some veterans.

When the Yankees last won a playoff game, Aaron Judge was a few months away from starting his junior season at Fresno State, Gary Sanchez just completed his third minor league season and Luis Severino had 14 starts under his belt in the Dominican Summer League.

Five years later, Judge broke the rookie home run record by slugging 52, including 33 at home and 15 in his final month after slumping in August.

Sanchez belted 33 homers despite missing most of April with a biceps injury and did it after hitting 20 in 53 games last season.

Severino emerged as the ace by going 14-6, striking out 230 and posting a 2.98 ERA. He achieved those numbers after going 0-8 as a starting pitcher last season following 11 decent starts in the final two months of 2015.

"He's been pretty darn good this year," Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner said. "One of the top two or three right-handed starters in the game this year."

When the Twins last reached the playoffs, Eddie Rosario just completed his first minor league season in the Gulf Coast League as did Miguel Sano. Brian Dozier was slightly more advanced in the minors in 2010 and reached the majors in 2012.

This season, Rosario slugged 16 of his 27 homers in the final two months. Sano hit 28 before missing a month with a shin injury that might keep him out of the starting lineup while Dozier launched half of his 34 homers in the final two months of the season.

Gardner and Joe Mauer, who were on their teams when the Yankees beat the Twins in the 2010 ALDS, also had solid seasons.

Gardner recorded career highs in homers (21) and runs scored (96) in 151 games.

Mauer batted .305 in 141 games after hitting no higher than .277 in his previous three seasons. His 160 hits were his most since 2012 and his 71 RBIs were his most since 2012 as well.

"It's been a special year to see these guys kind of grow, and to experience that with this team is pretty special," Mauer said. "So, it's good to be back."

The pitching matchup also is a contrast of youth and experience.

Severino was on the postseason roster for New York's wild-card loss in 2015 and earned the starting assignment for this game by going 9-2 with a 2.28 ERA in his final 14 starts.

"We've been really pleased with how he's done, how he's matured as a pitcher, his ability to slow things down, and that will become very important tomorrow," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

After getting some offseason tips from Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, Severino finished third in the American League in ERA, placed fourth in strikeouts, third in hits per nine innings (6.98) and fourth in strikeouts per nine innings (10.51).

"He told me that, if I change my mechanics a little bit, I'll be more consistent in my strike zone," Severino said. "That's what I did, and that's how that worked out and helped me."

The right-hander's lone experience against the Twins occurred on Sept. 20 in New York and turned in his second-shortest start. He allowed three runs in three innings while throwing 71 pitches, including 13 to Mauer, who hit an RBI single off him.

Ervin Santana completed his third season with Minnesota by going 16-8 with a 3.28 ERA that was the second-lowest of his career and a 1.13 WHIP that also was his second-lowest of his career.

Santana went 5-1 with his last 12 starts. The one loss occurred Sept. 18 in New York when Santana allowed two runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. One of those runs was Judge's 44th homer.

"The guy is huge," Santana said. "The guy is tall. Like he covered the whole home plate."

In the regular season, Santana is 6-10 with a 5.66 ERA in 20 starts against the Yankees.

During the postseason, Santana is 2-2 with 5.56 ERA in eight games (two starts). Against the Yankees in postseason play, he pitched 5 1/3 relief innings and recorded the win for the Angels in Game 5 of the 2005 ALDS and was 1-1 in a pair of relief outings with that club in the 2009 ALCS.

A capsule look at the Twins-Yankees playoff game

Associated Press

A look at the American League wild-card game between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:

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Schedule: Tuesday, at New York, 8:09 p.m. EDT (ESPN).

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Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.

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Projected Lineups:

Twins: 2B Brian Dozier (.269, 34 HRs, 93 RBIs, .853 OPS), 1B Joe Mauer (.305, 7, 71, team-leading 36 doubles, .384 OBP), SS Jorge Polanco (.256, 13, 74), LF Eddie Rosario (.290, 27, 78), DH Miguel Sano (.264, 28, 77, team-high 173 Ks in 114 games) or Kennys Vargas (.253, 11, 41 in 78 games) or Robbie Grossman (.246, 9, 45, .361 OBP in 119 games), 3B Eduardo Escobar (.254, 21, 73 in 129 games), CF Byron Buxton (.253, 16, 51, 150 Ks, 29/30 steals), RF Max Kepler (.243, 19, 69), C Jason Castro (.242, 10, 47 in 110 games).

Yankees: LF Brett Gardner (.264, 21, 63, 96 runs, 23 SBs), RF Aaron Judge (.284, AL-leading 52, 114), C Gary Sanchez (.278, 33, 90 in 122 games), SS Didi Gregorius (.287, 25, 87), DH Chase Headley (.273, 12, 61) or Matt Holliday (.231, 19, 64 in 105 games), 2B Starlin Castro (.300, 16, 63 in 112 games), CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.264, 7, 39, 22 SBs in 112 games) or Aaron Hicks (.266, 15, 52 in 88 games), 3B Todd Frazier (.213, 27, 76 with White Sox and Yankees), 1B Greg Bird (.190, 9, 28 in 48 games).

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Starting Pitchers:

Twins: RH Ervin Santana (16-8, 3.28 ERA, 167 Ks in 211 1/3 IP).

Yankees: RH Luis Severino (14-8, 2.98, 230 Ks in 193 1/3 IP).

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Relievers:

Twins: RH Matt Belisle (2-2, 4.03 ERA, 9/14 saves, .218 opponent batting average), LH Taylor Rogers (7-3, 3.07, 49 Ks in 55 2/3 IP), RH Trevor Hildenberger (3-3, 3.21, 44 Ks in 42 IP), RH Alan Busenitz (1-1, 1.99, 23 Ks in 31 2/3 IP), RH Jose Berrios (14-8, 3.89, 25 starts, 139 Ks in 145 2/3 IP), RH Tyler Duffey (2-3, 4.94, 67 Ks in 71 IP), LH Ryan Pressly (2-3, 4.70, 61 Ks in 61 1/3 IP).

Yankees: LH Aroldis Chapman (4-3, 3.22, 22/27 saves in 52 games, 69 Ks in 50 1/3 IP), RH Dellin Betances (3-6, 2.87, 10/13 saves in 66 games, 100 Ks in 50 2/3 IP), RH David Robertson (9-2, 1.48, 14/16 saves in 61 games with Yankees and White Sox), RH Chad Green (5-0, 1.83, 103 Ks in 69 IP), RH Tommy Kahnle (2-4, 2.59, 96 Ks in 62 2/3 IP with Yankees and White Sox), RH Adam Warren (3-2, 2.35 in 44 games), LH Chasen Shreve (4-1, 3.77 in 44 games), RH Bryan Mitchell (1-1, 5.79 in 20 games), LH Jaime Garcia (5-10, 4.41 in 27 starts for Braves, Twins and Yankees).

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Matchups:

Minnesota has lost 12 consecutive playoff games since the 2004 ALDS opener at Yankee Stadium when Johan Santana beat Mike Mussina 2-0. ... Counting the postseason, Yankees are a whopping 89-33 against the Twins since the start of 2002, including 45-14 in the Bronx. Twins have been eliminated by New York in four of their past five trips to the playoffs, losing Division Series in 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2010 for an overall record of 2-12. ... Yankees are in the wild-card game for the second time in three seasons after losing to Dallas Keuchel and the Houston Astros 3-0 in 2015. New York hasn’t won a postseason game since Derek Jeter broke his ankle in the 2012 ALCS opener against Detroit, which went on to a sweep. ... Yankees outscored the Twins 18-6 during a three-game sweep in New York from Sept. 18-20, with Sano in the thick of his 38-game absence due to a left shin injury. Ervin Santana took a tough loss in the series opener after allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings. He is 6-10 with a 5.66 ERA in 20 career starts against the Yankees. ... Twins won two of three games vs. the Yankees in Minnesota from July 17-19. ... Severino faced the Twins for the first time on Sept. 20, giving up three runs and five hits in three innings. He was taken out after throwing 46 pitches in the third, which included an RBI single by Mauer that capped a 13-pitch at-bat — longest of his career. Severino also gave up Polanco’s two-run single. ... New York went 51-30 at home, best in the AL, while the Twins were 44-37 on the road. ... On paper, Yankees have a huge advantage in the bullpen. ... The winner heads for Cleveland to play the AL Central champions in a best-of-five Division Series beginning Thursday. Twins went 7-12 against the defending AL champs this season; Yankees were 2-5.

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Big Picture:

Twins: After going 59-103 last season, worst record in the majors, Minnesota (85-77) quickly turned things around under Hall of Fame manager Paul Molitor and became the first team in history to lose 100-plus games and qualify for the playoffs the following year. This is the club’s first postseason appearance since 2010 and only its second winning record during that span. ... After acquiring Garcia from Atlanta to boost the rotation, the front office flipped him to the Yankees days later — and sent All-Star closer Brandon Kintzler to Washington — right before the July 31 trade deadline in response to a rough road trip and a simultaneous surge by division rivals Cleveland and Kansas City. Minnesota responded by going 20-10 in August and rising above a crowd of mediocre contenders for the second AL wild card. ... Ervin Santana had some clunkers, but his performance in his second All-Star season was an immense lift for a pitching staff that languished at the bottom of baseball the last few years. With five complete games, he had more by himself than 27 other teams. Santana tied Cleveland ace Corey Kluber for the major league lead. ... Twins finished fourth in AL in runs and OPS. ... Mauer, the three-time AL batting champ, posted his eighth .300 season but first since 2013, when a concussion cut short his season and ended his days as a catcher. ... Nine players finished with at least 10 home runs, trailing only the 2006 team that had 11 players in double digits. ... Buxton’s streak of consecutive steals is at 24. His 96.7 percent success rate led the majors and is a Twins single-season record. ... Twins haven’t won a postseason series since 2002, when they beat Oakland 3-2 in the ALDS, then lost to the Angels 4-1 in ALCS.

Yankees: One year into a youth movement, the Baby Bombers blossomed fast under 10th-year manager Joe Girardi and returned New York to the postseason perhaps ahead of schedule. Not often are the Yankees a surprise winner, but this group already has exceeded early expectations. Led by Judge, Sanchez, Severino and a cast of productive veterans, New York (91-71) improved by seven wins over last season and finished with its best record since 2012. ... Once the Yankees jumped out to a strong start and showed they were legitimate contenders, general manager Brian Cashman got aggressive and dipped into a deep farm system for July trades that netted Frazier, Robertson, Kahnle and starting pitcher Sonny Gray. The imposing bullpen is loaded with power arms that can shorten a game, and the bench is a real strength if needed. ... New York was unable to catch rival Boston for the AL East crown, but the team played some of its best baseball down the stretch and went 20-8 in September to secure the franchise’s 53rd postseason appearance. The Dodgers are second with 31. ... Yankees scored 858 runs, an increase of 178 from last year and second in the majors behind Houston (896). New York also topped the big leagues with 241 homers. Judge and Sanchez combined for 85, most by a pair of teammates 25 or younger and one more than Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun in 2007. ... Judge hit .329 with 30 home runs and 75 RBIs before winning the All-Star Home Run Derby, then slumped to a .179 batting average with seven homers, 16 RBIs and 67 strikeouts in 151 at-bats through Aug. 31. He hit .311 with 15 homers and 32 RBIs in September, putting himself right back in the MVP conversation. ... New York figures to start just four players from its lineup in the 2015 wild-card game: Gardner, Headley, Bird and Gregorius.

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Watch For:

— Bull Dozier. Perhaps the team’s most well-rounded player, Dozier joined Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett (1986-90) as the only Twins with five consecutive seasons of 30-plus doubles. Dozier also topped 100 runs for the fourth straight time.

— Extra Bases. Sanchez had 16 passed balls, tied for the big league lead with Yasmani Grandal of the Dodgers. New York threw 53 wild pitches when Sanchez was behind the plate, second-most among major league catchers behind Jonathan Lucroy (58 with Texas and Colorado).

— Closing Time. After losing his top reliever two months ago, Molitor eventually settled on a 14-year veteran to handle the ninth inning. Belisle has converted nine of 11 save opportunities since Kintzler was traded. With 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings, Belisle posted his best rate since 2010 with Colorado and the second-best of his career.

— Setup Scenario. A four-time All-Star, Betances struggled with his mechanics and control down the stretch, leading Girardi to have a quick hook in the late innings. The 6-foot-8 righty walked seven over his final 9 2/3 innings and finished with 44 walks, up from 28 last year.

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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Granite's HR highlights 8-run eighth as Twins rout Tigers

(TSX / STATS) -- DETROIT -- A big inning was big for the surging Minnesota Twins.

Minnesota scored eight times in the eighth inning Saturday night, capped by rookie Zach Granite's three-run homer, to earn a come-from-behind 10-4 victory over Detroit that was the Tigers' sixth straight loss.

The Twins lead Texas, Kansas City and the Los Angeles Angels by 4 1/2 games for the American League's second wild-card spot.

"That's a really good win," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "It didn't look particularly good. (Tigers' starter Matthew) Boyd's been on a good run. He had us baffled a little bit.

"Doz (Brian Dozier) had the bunt to lead off the game. ... He got another single but I think we only had two hits going into the seventh inning before we got the double and the single to cut it to one."

Ervin Santana (16-8) gave up four straight hits at the start of the game but only three thereafter in his seven innings, during which he struck out five and didn't walk a batter. Santana retired 18 of 20 after the first inning.

"Give Ervin a lot of credit," Molitor said. "It looked like he had a little rough start. He didn't catch many breaks. Couple balls painted down the right field line. Couple other things that happened.

"But he settled in really nicely and other than the changeup he kind of left up for (Efren) Navarro he had a solid seven innings for us.

"I'm glad we're able to pick up a win for the team first and get another for Ervin in his win column too."

Alan Busenitz pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and Gabriel Moya the ninth to finish the win and make Minnesota's lead in the American League second wild-card chase four games over Texas, which played later Saturday. Moya gave up Navarro's second home run of the game leading off the ninth.

Tigers reliever Alex Wilson took a line drive single by Joe Mauer off his right leg to start the eighth, threw one warm-up pitch and crumpled to the ground. He limped off the field with help and was replaced by Daniel Stumpf. X-Rays showed a non-displaced fracture of near Wilson's right ankle.

"It was numb at first, and then it kinda felt warm," Wilson said. "I was walking around the mound to see whether or not I was going to be able to go. I squatted down, and was able to do that. Of course, it wasn't on the weight-bearing bone.

"So, really, it had no effect. Then I tried to throw a pitch, and I felt a pop. And, obviously, that was the end of the night. And, that's when the pain really started shooting through."

Jorge Polanco greeted Stumpf (0-1) with a single to right and Eddie Rosario forged a 3-3 tie with a single to left. Eduardo Escobar blooped an RBI single into right center to put Minnesota ahead, 4-3.

Reliever Joe Jimenez hit a batter and caught a line drive before giving up a two-run line single to center by Robbie Grossman, making it 6-3. The Twins got another run on a groundout to second by Jason Castro.

Granite, who pinch-ran for Mauer earlier in the inning, completed the eight-run inning by hitting his first major league home run, off Blaine Hardy. Granite's three-run blast went to right field.

Granite became the first Minnesota Twin to pinch-run and hit a home run in the same inning and the first major leaguer to do so since 2001.

"Unfortunate for them that their guy gets knocked out," Molitor said. "Not surprisingly Joe's the guy to get us going. That was a huge hit leading off the inning there and Polanco followed up with a good at-bat and Rosie. One after another, next thing you know we put eight up there."

The Twins cut the gap to 3-2 and chased Boyd in the seventh. Ehire Adrianza, an early sub for injured Max Kepler, doubled to left center with one out and scored when Grossman followed with a single.

Boyd, in his first start since his near no-hitter Sunday, lasted 6 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts. The first run he allowed was unearned.

"He's been outstanding," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said of his lefty. "He's been much better since he cleaned up his mechanics. The last two outings have been superb. He got us deep in the game. We just had trouble getting the ball to (closer Shane) Greene."

Navarro entered the game when Miguel Cabrera left after one inning with a lower back strain. He cranked a high changeup into the seats in right for his first home run to put the Tigers ahead, 3-1, with one out in the sixth.

Detroit opened its half of the first with four straight hits good for a 2-1 lead against Santana. Ian Kinsler doubled to right and scored on a ground single to right by Alex Presley. Cabrera blooped a single near the line in right and Nicholas Castellanos plopped an RBI single into short left.

Dozier gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead to open the game with a bunt single to third on which he ended up scoring when Jeimer Candelario threw the ball past first for a three-base error. The error was his fourth in nine games.

NOTES: Tigers OF Mikie Mahtook's return this season is doubtful after he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left groin strain suffered Friday night, a recurrence of an injury that struck him earlier this month. ... Twins manager Paul Molitor says RHP Bartolo Colon is set to open Minnesota's three-game series at Cleveland on Tuesday night. ... RHP Jeff Ferrell of Detroit, struck on the head by a line drive Monday night, remains in MLB's concussion protocol with no time set for a possible return. ... RF Max Kepler was removed from Saturday night's game after one inning and being examined for a left hip injury.

Three-run ninth rallies Twins past Royals

(TSX / STATS) -- KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Minnesota Twins rarely win a game this season when they trail after eight innings.

But they did Thursday night for only the third time in 60 games when behind entering the ninth.

Jorge Polanco's two-run, two-out single in a three-run ninth inning lifted Minnesota to a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.

The loss dropped Kansas City 3 1/2 games behind the Twins in the race for the second American League wild card. Minnesota is one game up on the Los Angeles Angels.

"It was really good to see us get over the hump in one of these games," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "We've been putting pressure on to the last out."

The Twins were limited to one run and six hits for the first eight innings before rallying in the ninth off Kelvin Herrera (3-3). Herrera had not pitched since Sept. 1 because of right forearm tightness.

"He was fine," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He didn't have issues with the tightness. He just gave up the hits."

Max Kepler led off the inning with a single. With one out, Jason Castro hit a fly ball down the left-field line that shortstop Alcides Escobar nearly caught, but it fell for a single. After Robbie Grossman walked, Brian Dozier's sacrifice fly tied it.

Polanco quickly untied it with his single that scored pinch runner Zack Granite and Grossman.

Castro's single hurt the Royals as much as Polanco's hit.

"It was probably a ball I probably should have took," left fielder Alex Gordon said. "That's the bottom line."

Said Royals manager Ned Yost: "I thought it was going to be a tough play. It was down in the spot in that no-man's land, where it's tough for the third baseman. It's a long run for the shortstop and it's a long run for the left fielder."

Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson, who was 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA in his previous three starts, limited the Royals to two runs on eight hits over seven innings, throwing 95 pitches.

"Any time you can go seven innings without striking anybody out, your defense is playing good," Gibson said. "And hats off to the offense. That's why we won the game. The offense didn't give up."

The Twins turned four double plays, three when Gibson was pitching.

Mauer reached base five times with a double, two singles and two walks.

Trevor Hildenberger (3-2) picked up the victory by pitching a scoreless eighth inning, while Matt Belisle worked a spotless ninth for his sixth save.

"That's a tough loss right there in the last inning," Escobar said.

Grossman, who was reinstated from the disabled list Tuesday after missing 18 games with a fractured left thumb, broke the scoreless deadlock with a home run with one out in the fifth. The switch-hitting Grossman, who was batting ninth, turned on a Sam Gaviglio changeup and deposited it over the right-field fence.

The Royals forged ahead in the bottom of the fifth with a pair of runs. Escobar had a one-out double and scored on Alex Gordon's single to right. Gordon went to second on Ramon Torres' groundout and scored on Whit Merrifield's single.

Gaviglio was removed after five innings. He permitted one run on four hits and three walks while striking out three.

"(Catcher Salvador) Perez made my job easy," Gaviglio said. "He was putting down the signs and I was throwing the pitch. He was doing a lot of the work for me."

NOTES: Twins 3B Miguel Sano, who is on the disabled list with a left shin stress reaction, had sore legs Thursday after running Wednesday. The club opted not to have him take batting practice, so he hit off the tee instead. ... Royals 3B Mike Moustakas, who left the game Wednesday with a tender right knee, was the designated hitter Thursday. He went 0-for-2, grounded into a double play and was hit by a pitch. Rookie Ramon Torres started at third. ... Royals INF Cheslor Cuthbert is battling gall bladder issues, which prevented him from starting at third base. ... Major League Baseball made a scoring change from the Twins-Royals game Sunday. Twins 3B Eduardo Escobar has been rewarded with a double, taking away an error on Royals LF Alex Gordon. ... Minnesota RHP Ervin Santana (14-7, 3.35 ERA) and Royals RHP Ian Kennedy (4-10, 5.37) are the Friday probables.

Gaviglio set to make Royals' debut vs. Twins

Stats, LLC

(TSX / STATS) -- Sam Gaviglio never would have bet when his flight landed in Las Vegas last week that he would be heading to Minnesota a few hours later.

Gaviglio traveled to Nevada with Triple-A Tacoma, the Seattle Mariners' top farm team, for a weekend series. He soon learned he was heading back to the major leagues.

"We were going to play the 51s and my phone started exploding," the 27-year-old right-handed pitcher said. "I was trying to put it all together."

Gaviglio was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals on Friday. He took a flight later in the afternoon to join them during the series in Minnesota. He'll make his Royals debut on Thursday when he starts the opener of a four-game series against the Twins at Kauffman Stadium.

Gaviglio (3-5, 4.62 ERA) made 12 appearances (11 starts) with the Mariners this season. He went 3-1 with a 3.43 ERA in his first eight outings but lost his last four starts, amassing a 6.65 ERA, before getting sent back to the minors.

"Each start was a learning experience," he said. "Towards the end, I got a little mechanically off, but I feel like I got back to my normal mechanics (at Tacoma)."

With ace Danny Duffy on the disabled list, the Royals were looking for another starting option.

"We liked his ability to throw strikes," manager Ned Yost said. "He's a ground-ball guy who works down in the zone."

Yost is just looking for Gaviglio to keep his team in the game. Gaviglio recorded his most recent major league victory against the Twins, when he gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings on June 14.

"We've got a solid bullpen," he said. "If he can get us through the fifth and into the sixth, it would be a great job."

Minnesota, one of the teams the Royals are chasing for a wild-card spot, will counter with veteran Kyle Gibson (9-10, 5.33 ERA). Gibson has gotten hot down the stretch, winning his last three starts. He held the Royals scoreless for six innings Saturday.

Gibson is 6-4 with a 3.53 ERA in 14 career starts against Kansas City.

The Twins snapped a three-game losing streak Wednesday with a 10-6 victory over Tampa Bay. Eduardo Escobar led the way with three hits and three RBIs.

"We leave here with a positive mind," Escobar said. "The offense struggled in the first two games here and we didn't hit well. Knowing that we won and the offense woke up again, I think, gives us momentum to go to Kansas City."

Manager Paul Molitor echoed those sentiments.

"There are times when you've got to create your own luck," he said. "You come in here and it's a different surface, a different atmosphere. The crowd's a little thin, not a lot of energy, you've gotta kind of dig from within.

"It was a challenge today to find (a way) to get it done. We got ourselves a lead and gave it back and we still found a way to come out on top. It's going to be a lot better heading into Kansas City knowing that we got this one."

Adrianza, Escobar propel Twins past Rays

(TSX / STATS) -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Minnesota Twins needed contributions from the top and bottom of the order to avoid a three-game sweep at Tropicana Field.

Ehire Adrianza hit a three-run homer and Eduardo Escobar was 3-for-5 with three RBIs to lift the Twins to a 10-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday afternoon.

The Twins (72-67) climbed back into a tie with the Los Angeles Angels for the American League's second wild-card spot by scoring three runs in the top of the seventh to break a 6-6 tie.

"Every time we'd pull ahead, they'd get right back to even," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "It's frustrating, and a little bit of a test to see how you can persevere through a game like that after you've lost a few in a row. We stayed after it and some guys stepped up big late in the game."

Tampa Bay (70-71) received home runs from Evan Longoria, Lucas Duda and Kevin Kiermaier but made a crucial defensive mistake late in the game.

Minnesota took a 7-6 lead in the seventh on a throwing error by Rays reliever Steve Cishek that allowed Brian Dozier to score from first base. After Dozier walked, Jorge Polanco laid down a sacrifice bunt, but Cishek fired the ball past first baseman Duda and into the right field bullpen. Polanco ended up on third with the two-base error.

"Unfortunately, we weren't able to finish off a series," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "We won a series, which was important. I liked the way the guys competed. We get down, they came back, we get down again and they come back again. Frustrating loss just because it got separated there in the seventh."

Escobar made it 8-6 with a bloop single to right-center that plated Polanco. He would eventually score on a bases-loaded fielder's choice by pinch hitter Max Kepler.

The Twins added an insurance run in the ninth when Escobar had a one-out triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Robbie Grossman.

"I think the important thing here is that the offense woke up," Escobar said through a translator. "We didn't hit as well in the first few games. We leave here with a positive mind. Knowing that we won and that the offense woke up again, I think it gives us good momentum to go into Kansas City."

The Rays tied the game at 6 in the fifth on Kiermaier's 11th home run of the season, a two-run blast to right-center.

Dozier led off the game with a home run to left field off Rays starter Blake Snell. Longoria tied it in the bottom of the first with a solo shot off Twins starter Blake Snell.

Adrianza gave the Twins a 4-1 lead in the second with his blast to left. Duda tied the game in the bottom of the third with a three-run homer to dead center.

"Sweeping is hard in the big leagues," Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr. said. "We just had so many opportunities to win this ball game and everybody was fighting. We know we gained a game, could've gained three and that would have been an enormous swing."

Minnesota scratched across two runs in the top of the fifth on Escobar's two-run single.

Neither starter factored into the decision. Snell gave up six runs in four-plus innings while Slegers surrendered five runs and walked two in four-plus frames.

"The walks are always something I pride myself on not doing," Slegers said. "When I give up runs like that, I can always look back to the walks as the rally starter for the opposing team."

Taylor Rogers (6-3) struck out two in 1 1/3 innings to get the win. Cishek (3-2) took the loss.

NOTES: Rays RHP Chris Archer played catch again and will start Friday against the Red Sox, according to Rays manager Kevin Cash. The originally scheduled starter, RHP Austin Pruitt, pitched in relief Wednesday. ... Twins OF Miguel Sano did some light running Wednesday in Minnesota and is likely to take batting practice Thursday. ... Rays 1B Logan Morrison (stomach flu) was scratched from the lineup for a second consecutive day but performed pinch hit duties in the ninth. ... Twins 1B/C Joe Mauer entered the game as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-1 with a walk, snapping his 14-game hit streak.

Holland pitches White Sox to victory over Twins

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Even when he was off his game, Chicago White Sox left-hander Derek Holland knew he wasn't that far away from where he wanted to be.

Despite his struggles, Holland attempted to remain positive, believing that if he kept chipping away, everything would come together at some point.

On Thursday night against the Minnesota Twins, everything finally clicked.

Holland allowed just one run over six innings, and the White Sox gave him with plenty of offensive support in a 5-1 victory over the Twins.

"I didn't let (the struggles) affect me -- obviously, I was frustrated, but the main thing was, I kept plugging away," said Holland, who allowed three hits, walked four and struck out five. "It can be a lonely place when you're struggling like that, but the main thing is you've got to stay positive no matter what."

Yolmer Sanchez homered and Kevan Smith had an RBI double for the White Sox, who also capitalized on some sloppy play by the Twins to build their lead and finish off the five-game series with back-to-back victories.

Chicago took three of five against Minnesota.

Holland (7-13) won for just the second time in his past 13 outings. He surrendered Minnesota's lone run on a Byron Buxton home run in the sixth inning.

The Twins put runners on second and third with one out in the ninth inning, but Juan Minaya pitched out of trouble to preserve the victory as the White Sox.

Minnesota heads to Toronto attempting to get things back on track after dropping the series to the last-place White Sox.

"Just not enough offense the last couple of nights," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "They outplayed us, we made mistakes, and they took advantage and we just couldn't get back in the game."

Jose Berrios (11-6) took the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) over 5 1/3 innings. Berrios struck out nine and walked three while giving up only four hits. He was let down more than once by Minnesota's defense.

Sanchez gave Chicago a 1-0 lead with two outs in the second inning when he hit a solo shot for his seventh home run of the season.

The White Sox took advantage of two Twins errors to score three runs in the fourth inning and build a 4-0 lead.

After Yoan Moncada walked and stole second, the rookie second baseman scored when Nicky Delmonico reached on an error by first baseman Mitch Garver.

Smith and Sanchez followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases before Tim Anderson drove in Delmonico with a fielder's choice grounder. Smith scored on Berrios' wild pick-off attempt.

"Hopefully, there's a little lesson learned here -- you've got to have that intensity from the first inning," Molitor said. "We have to come out ready to play from the get-go."

The White Sox did just that, and once they built up the lead, Holland took over and finally put together the kind of start he has been looking for in a season full of frustrating disappointments.

The Thursday game marked the kind of turnaround Holland -- and the White Sox -- have been waiting for from the veteran lefty.

"He did a nice job keeping us in the ballgame," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He gave up a solo homer, but other than that, he had three walks, struck out two or three, induced a few double plays. Honestly, he seemed pretty much in control the whole ballgame, even though he worked in a little bit of traffic, got out of it. He looked a lot more comfortable out there today."

NOTES: Chicago RF Leury Garcia left the game in the third inning due to back stiffness. He is considered day-to-day. ... White Sox 2B Yoan Moncada exited the game with shin splints in his right leg, an ailment Moncada told reporters Wednesday he expected to linger the rest of the season. ... Twins C Jason Castro was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion after being hit by several foul balls on his catcher's mask Wednesday. Manager Paul Molitor said backup Chris Gimenez and rookie Mitch Garver would split the catching duties until Castro returns. OF Zack Granite was called from Triple-A Rochester to fill the roster spot. ... White Sox RF Avisail Garcia missed Thursday's game after his wife gave birth to their second child earlier in the day. Manager Rick Renteria said Garcia should be available to play o

Anderson's walk-off single lifts White Sox over Twins

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Rick Renteria said he was pulling for just this kind of outcome Wednesday night.

With the Chicago White Sox locked in a 3-3 tie with the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning, Tim Anderson lined a single to left to score Avisail Garcia with the winning run for a 4-3 walk-off victory.

"It's a confidence builder when you get a big hit," said Renteria, the White Sox manager. "We were sitting in there with the last at-bat going and we really wanted this for Timmy. It's a big situation, see how he does and fortunately he was able to get it through the infield."

Anderson sent a 1-0 pitch from Trevor Hildenberger (2-2) with one out in the ninth inning for his first career game-ending hit.

Right-handed reliever Danny Farquhar (3-2) worked a scoreless inning for the win.

Garcia led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to right and reached second on Kevan Smith's sacrifice bunt. An intentional walk to Yolmer Sanchez set the stage for Anderson.

Chicago (49-76) snapped a two-game slide and Minnesota (65-61) saw its two-game winning streak end.

Twins starter Ervin Santana allowed two runs (one earned), scattered three hits and a walk and struck out eight in seven innings.

He almost went eight innings.

"My gut told me after the tough seventh, pitching out of a jam, we could have sent him back out for the eighth," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "I just thought after the seventh, that was a good job getting out of that. I just wanted to turn it over, six outs to go."

The White Sox's James Shields yielded three runs, three hits and two walks while striking out six in six innings.

"He's pitched really, really well," Renteria said. "His ability to share things with the other (younger) guys is really important. It's kind of a two-pronged benefit to us at this particular time and we're going to take advantage of it."

Minnesota snapped a 1-1 tie with two runs in the sixth.

Brian Dozier walked, reached third on Joe Mauer's base hit to right and scored on Jorge Polanco's single to left.

With runners at second and third, a Shields wild pitch got past Smith at the plate and Mauer sprinted home for a 3-1 lead. Polanco reached third on the same play, but Shields struck out Byron Buxton to end the threat.

Leury Garcia launched a towering solo home run to right -- his ninth homer of the season -- to trim the deficit to 3-2 with one out in the White Sox sixth.

Twins left-hander Taylor Rogers entered in relief in the eighth and gave up back-to-back doubles, including a run-scoring two-base hit by Yoan Moncada that drove in Garcia for a 3-3 tie with one out.

"He got the first out, got 0-2 on the next guy, but 0-2 doubles hurt," Molitor said. "Then we got ahead of Moncada there, but he got enough for it to get down the line."

Santana struck out five of the first eight batters he faced and didn't give up a hit until Alen Hanson's two-out triple down the right field line in the third inning. The White Sox left fielder then scored on a throwing error by Polanco.

Shields, meanwhile, retired 11 straight batters and struck out four while no balls left the infield.

That sequence ended when Polanco made up for his earlier mistake and lined a 1-1 pitch to right for his seventh homer of the season. The two-out shot forced a 1-1 tie and marked the fourth consecutive game he hit a home run.

NOTES: The Twins called up RHP John Curtis from Triple-A Rochester and designated RHP Tim Melville (0-1) for assignment. ... Minnesota RHP Jose Berrios (11-5, 3.99 ERA) opposes White Sox LHP Derek Holland (6-13, 6.07) on Thursday in the finale of the five-game series. The series is tied 2-2. ... Chicago sent 3B Matt Davidson to Triple-A Charlotte on an rehab assignment. He went on the disabled list Aug. 8 (retroactive to Aug. 4) with a right wrist contusion. ... Chicago's Alen Hanson played left field Wednesday. He also has played right and center field, second and third base, shortstop and served as designated hitter this season. ... The teams meet for the final time this season Aug. 29-31 at Target Field in Minneapolis.

Twins use three homers to down White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Kyle Gibson worked his way out of two perilous jams while long balls from his teammates provided relief Tuesday night.

The Minnesota Twins right-hander faced bases loaded with one out in the second inning and none in the third inning but escaped each time in a 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

"A lot of danger, really," said Gibson (7-10) who went on to work seven innings. "It doesn't really matter what team it is, it was a tough spot. But in that situation, you got to execute pitches and go one out at a time."

The Twins shrugged off an early deficit and hit three home runs on the way the victory.

Jorge Polanco, Kennys Vargas and Eddie Rosario each homered against White Sox rookie right-hander Lucas Giolito, called up Tuesday from Triple-A Charlotte for his Chicago debut.

The White Sox pushed across a first-inning run but came up empty on two early bases-loaded scoring opportunities and were shut out the rest of the way.

Gibson allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings. He struck out eight and walked just one for his first victory since beating the Detroit Tigers on July 22.

Giolito (0-1) worked six innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out three and walked none while throwing 99 pitches.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria was pleased with the outing even as he wished his team had scored more for Giolito.

"I thought it was very positive," he said. "Lucas threw the ball very, very well. Fastball was very good, he was using his breaking ball ... He looked very, very good to me."

The victory was the second straight and sixth in seven games for the Twins (65-60), who are 13-4 in their past 17 games.

Chicago (48-76) dropped its second straight and is 3-8 in its last 11

Twins relievers Trevor Hildenberger and Matt Belisle worked scoreless eighth and ninth innings. Belisle gave up a hit but posted his fourth save.

Rosario clubbed his 18th homer of the season with one out in the sixth. His two-run shot to left scored Joe Mauer and gave Minnesota a 4-1 lead.

"Once Rosie (Eddie Rosario) hit that big homer it really allowed me to settle in a little bit and keep attacking," Gibson said.

The White Sox took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as rookie Yoan Moncada doubled to right with one out, reached third on Jose Abreu's lineout and scored on Gibson's wild pitch with Nicky Delmonico at the plate.

Chicago loaded the bases with one out in the second, but Adam Engel struck out swinging and Leury Garcia grounded to second.

Moncada was perched at third with no outs in the third as the White Sox loaded the bases again before Gibson struck Avisail Garcia, Yolmer Sanchez and Tim Anderson to escape the threat.

"We had two innings where we had a great opportunity to open up that ballgame and maybe the outcome would have been a little different and it would have looked a little different for (Giolito)," Renteria said.

The Twins evened matters in the fourth on Polanco's leadoff home run to center, his sixth of the season.

In the fifth inning, Vargas belted an 0-2 pitch from Giolito for his ninth home run of the season, a solo shot to right-center that gave the Twins a 2-1 lead.

NOTES: Twins manager Paul Molitor, who celebrated his 61st birthday, appeared in 18 games on that date during his playing career, batting .264. ... Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier has eight doubles, 11 home runs, 20 RBIs and 19 runs in his past 24 games against Chicago. ... The Twins send RHP Ervin Santana (13-7, 3.33 ERA) against White Sox RHP James Shields (2-4, 5.72) on Wednesday. ... The White Sox recalled RHP Lucas Giolito from Triple-A Charlotte for the start. The No. 6 prospect in the organization, Giolito was acquired in December from the Nationals and was 6-10 with a 4.48 ERA in 24 Charlotte starts. ... The rare five-game series (which included a makeup game as part of the Monday doubleheader) concludes Thursday.

Buxton, homer-happy Twins topple Diamondbacks

(TSX / STATS) -- MINNEAPOLIS -- Byron Buxton said he saw the ball bounce away from the Arizona Diamondbacks' center fielder and made up his mind he was going to try and score.

Buxton, the Minnesota Twins' speedy center fielder, was just a couple feet past first base when he made the decision. Even a slight misstep around third base couldn't keep Buxton from an inside-the-park home run.

Buxton's energy sparked his team to a big win.

Buxton had his second career inside-the-park home run and was a single away from a cycle. Miguel Sano went deep twice and Minnesota tied a season high with six home runs in a 10-3 win over the Diamondbacks on Friday.

"About two steps around first base, once I saw the ball had kicked away from him," Buxton said of his decision to score. "It was kind of just put my head down and run."

Sano and Eduardo Escobar each hit two-run shots in the seventh inning for the Twins. Max Kepler and Brian Dozier added solo homers while Ervin Santana recovered from a tough start to pitch six steady innings.

After Buxton scored the tying run in the fourth with a headfirst slide into home, he pumped his fist and was very animated.

"Just show a little bit more emotion," Buxton said. "They tell me a lot that I don't show enough emotion. I need to show emotion. So I just tried to do something to get us going."

Santana (13-7) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out six batters as the Twins moved into a tie for the second American League wild card with the victory.

Zack Godley (5-6) had his shortest major league outing since April 26 in going 5 1/3 innings. He gave up four runs on nine hits and two walks. Godley, who was 2-1 with a 1.78 ERA in his previous four starts, struck out 10 batters.

"They're big league hitters, so when you make those mistakes they take advantage of it," Godley said. "I gave up a couple of big hits, it felt like every hit I gave up was a double or a triple or a home run."

Arizona wasted no time getting to Santana, the All-Star right-hander. David Peralta led off the game with a single and scored on Jake Lamb's single. Lamb came around to score on a single by Paul Goldschmidt.

Peralta added his 13th homer, a solo shot to the opposite field, in the second inning. After A.J. Pollock singled, Santana got locked in. He struck out five straight hitters and retired 10 in a row.

"I feel great and I just have a good rhythm going after that," Santana said. "So, just keep it going."

Buxton stole the show from there. He tripled to the left-center field gap in the second and trotted home on a double by Jorge Polanco. Kepler hit a solo homer leading off the bottom of the third, his 16th of the season that went to the second deck in right-center field.

Buxton tied the game an inning later with his dash around the bases. He led off the inning with a high drive off the right-field wall that bounced away from Pollock in center field. Buxton used his speed to round the bases in 13.85 seconds, according to Major League Baseball's Statcast -- the fastest time it's ever recorded.

"It's elite, to use a Gopher word," Twins manager Paul Molitor said of Buxton's speed. "It's hard to compare at that speed, but I don't know if many guys could come close to that time from home-to-home."

Turns out, Buxton's prognostication skills are elite, as well. He said he told Sano before the game that the big slugger would have two homers in the game. Sano's first shot was to the second deck in left-center field over the bullpens. His second homer reached the third deck and was estimated at 474 feet.

"Some of those balls are ridiculous," Buxton said, adding that the distance of the two homers is more impressive than his inside-the-park sprint. "I know today we was talking about each other and I said, 'You know, you're going to hit two home runs today.' I kept repeating it. Just had a feeling that he was going to get locked in.

"Right before he hit the first one, I said, 'Hey man, be you. Don't worry about anything. Just go out there and be yourself.' I think that kind of clicked for him."

NOTES: Minnesota officially placed OF Robbie Grossman on the 10-day disabled list with a fractured left thumb and recalled C Mitch Garver from Triple-A Rochester. Grossman is expected to miss at least three weeks. Garver will be making his major league debut. ... Arizona LHP Robbie Ray came out of Thursday's rehab start feeling good, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Ray will join the team in Minnesota as the Diamondbacks decide when he might rejoin the rotation. Lovullo indicated it could be sometime after Monday. Ray has been on the seven-day concussion disabled list since being hit in the head by a line drive on July 27. ... Lovullo said SS Nick Ahmed (right hand fracture) will play in a rehab game on Saturday with the Diamondbacks rookie league team in Arizona. Ahmed will play DH before returning to the field. Lovullo said RHP Randall Delgado (right elbow inflammation) felt good after throwing off flat ground on Thursday. ... Arizona bench coach Ron Gardenhire was honored before the game by Minnesota. It's Gardenhire's first trip back to Target Field with an opposing team. Gardenhire is the winningest manager in Twins history with 1,068 victories in 13 seasons.

After rainout, Twins host Indians in doubleheader Thursday

Stats, LLC

(TSX / STATS) -- MINNEAPOLIS -- Rain has been a big problem for the Minnesota Twins in their eighth year in the outdoor Target Field. Cleveland has been a problem for Minnesota, too, but the Indians have had their share of the weather-related headaches at Target Field.

The Wednesday game between the teams never began, and it was officially postponed 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. It was the fourth postponement of the season at Target Field this season and the second involving Minnesota and Cleveland. The two teams were rained out on April 19, as well.

The game will be made up Thursday as part of a split doubleheader. Thursday's original day game will start at 12:10 p.m. CT, and the makeup will start at 6:10 p.m. CT.

The Indians won the series opener on Tuesday 8-1. Cleveland is 8-0 in Minnesota this season and has outscored the Twins 56-15 in Target Field.

"It doesn't really make sense, but there's a lot of things in our game that you spin your head around trying to figure out," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said of the Indians' dominance in Target Field. "I'm well aware that they've come in here and dominated us in our own park. We've got a couple more chances to get in the win column against them here before we go there and play them there in September."

The two teams had only one other common day which could have been used as a makeup, Sept. 25. Cleveland manager Terry Francona said pregame that he hoped for a doubleheader instead of returning to Minnesota for one solo game, but the schedule was in the hands of Major League Baseball.

Carlos Carrasco (11-5, 3.83 ERA) will start the first game of doubleheader for the Indians with Ryan Merritt (0-0, 3.60) recalled as the 26th man for the doubleheader to start the second game. Mike Clevinger, originally scheduled to start Thursday, will be skipped in the rotation and be available out of the bullpen, according to MLB.com.

Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson (6-9, 6.02) will matchup with Carrasco in the first game after the two were originally scheduled for Wednesday. Jose Berrios will have his scheduled start moved back, with Minnesota calling up right-hander Aaron Slegers for his major league debut in the nightcap.

Whoever is on the mound for Cleveland lately is getting the job done. After trailing much of the league for the first part of the year in ERA, the Indians now own the AL's best starting pitching ERA at 3.98. They also lead the league in strikeouts from their starters, and the rotation has a league-high 51 wins.

"I don't think you get too satisfied in the middle of August," Francona said. "I think we're trending in the right direction. But I think with those types of things, you just show up every day and keep plugging away or the trend can go the other way, until you're done. But it does feel better. When you show up and you feel like you're going to get a pretty well-pitched game, that helps everybody."

Carrasco is 3-6 with a 4.43 ERA in his career against the Twins. He beat Minnesota on June 16 when he allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings.

Merritt has faced the Twins twice in his career, producing a 3.60 ERA. The young left-hander also made a spot start in the earlier doubleheader between the two teams because of the first postponement. Merritt gave up three runs (two earned) in four innings on June 17.

Gibson is 2-5 with a 5.75 ERA in 12 career starts against Cleveland. He is 0-2 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts against the Indians this season.

Gibson has yielded 20 earned runs in his past 27 1/3 innings. The team has tried to get Gibson to be more aggressive in the zone and early in the counts, trusting his ground-ball tendencies will be successful.

"We've seen him definitely improve down those lines," Molitor said. "(Cleveland's) lineup for anybody, the way they're playing right now, is going to be challenging. But you don't want to add to their cause, at least minimize times you're going to give them counts where they can just swing from their heels or free baserunners with base on balls.

"If you don't pitch from ahead, you're going have a lot of trouble. The hard part about that is that they can ambush that first pitch, so you've got to make a quality pitch to start the sequence, and then hopefully be able to get weak contact from there."

Slegers, 24, is enjoying a strong season in his first year at the Triple-A level. He is 13-4 with a 3.18 ERA in 21 starts for Rochester, with 97 strikeouts and 27 walks in 130 1/3 innings.

The Twins' fifth-round draft pick in 2013 out of Indiana University, Slegers is 9-0 with a 2.10 ERA in his past 10 starts.

The Indians have won five games overall and look ready to defend their AL title. Francona was asked why his teams have a tendency to play better in the second half of the season.

"I think some of it goes to our pitchers' work ethic," Francona said. "Our pitchers don't seem to tire as you get into August, September. I think that helps a ton. I'd like to think that our clubhouse, our chemistry, however you want to say it, we don't bail on each other. We keep plugging away, and I think it's a good characteristic. It's helped us a lot."

After rainout, Twins host Indians in doubleheader Thursday

(TSX / STATS) -- MINNEAPOLIS -- Rain has been a big problem for the Minnesota Twins in their eighth year in the outdoor Target Field. Cleveland has been a problem for Minnesota, too, but the Indians have had their share of the weather-related headaches at Target Field.

The Wednesday game between the teams never began, and it was officially postponed 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. It was the fourth postponement of the season at Target Field this season and the second involving Minnesota and Cleveland. The two teams were rained out on April 19, as well.

The game will be made up Thursday as part of a split doubleheader. Thursday's original day game will start at 12:10 p.m. CT, and the makeup will start at 6:10 p.m. CT.

The Indians won the series opener on Tuesday 8-1. Cleveland is 8-0 in Minnesota this season and has outscored the Twins 56-15 in Target Field.

"It doesn't really make sense, but there's a lot of things in our game that you spin your head around trying to figure out," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said of the Indians' dominance in Target Field. "I'm well aware that they've come in here and dominated us in our own park. We've got a couple more chances to get in the win column against them here before we go there and play them there in September."

The two teams had only one other common day which could have been used as a makeup, Sept. 25. Cleveland manager Terry Francona said pregame that he hoped for a doubleheader instead of returning to Minnesota for one solo game, but the schedule was in the hands of Major League Baseball.

Carlos Carrasco (11-5, 3.83 ERA) will start the first game of doubleheader for the Indians with Ryan Merritt (0-0, 3.60) recalled as the 26th man for the doubleheader to start the second game. Mike Clevinger, originally scheduled to start Thursday, will be skipped in the rotation and be available out of the bullpen, according to MLB.com.

Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson (6-9, 6.02) will matchup with Carrasco in the first game after the two were originally scheduled for Wednesday. Jose Berrios (10-5, 4.27) will stay on schedule and start the second game for Minnesota.

Whoever is on the mound for Cleveland lately is getting the job done. After trailing much of the league for the first part of the year in ERA, the Indians now own the AL's best starting pitching ERA at 3.98. They also lead the league in strikeouts from their starters, and the rotation has a league-high 51 wins.

"I don't think you get too satisfied in the middle of August," Francona said. "I think we're trending in the right direction. But I think with those types of things, you just show up every day and keep plugging away or the trend can go the other way, until you're done. But it does feel better. When you show up and you feel like you're going to get a pretty well-pitched game, that helps everybody."

Carrasco is 3-6 with a 4.43 ERA in his career against the Twins. He beat Minnesota on June 16 when he allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings.

Merritt has faced the Twins twice in his career, producing a 3.60 ERA. The young left-hander also made a spot start in the earlier doubleheader between the two teams because of the first postponement. Merritt gave up three runs (two earned) in four innings on June 17.

Gibson is 2-5 with a 5.75 ERA in 12 career starts against Cleveland. He is 0-2 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts against the Indians this season. Berrios is 2-2 with a 5.31 ERA in four career starts against Cleveland. He earned a win in his last outing against the Indians on May 13 when he surrendered one run in 7 2/3 innings.

Gibson has yielded 20 earned runs in his past 27 1/3 innings. The team has tried to get Gibson to be more aggressive in the zone and early in the counts, trusting his ground-ball tendencies will be successful.

"We've seen him definitely improve down those lines," Molitor said. "(Cleveland's) lineup for anybody, the way they're playing right now, is going to be challenging. But you don't want to add to their cause, at least minimize times you're going to give them counts where they can just swing from their heels or free baserunners with base on balls.

"If you don't pitch from ahead, you're going have a lot of trouble. The hard part about that is that they can ambush that first pitch, so you've got to make a quality pitch to start the sequence, and then hopefully be able to get weak contact from there."

The Indians have won five games overall and look ready to defend their AL title. Francona was asked why his teams have a tendency to play better in the second half of the season.

"I think some of it goes to our pitchers' work ethic," Francona said. "Our pitchers don't seem to tire as you get into August, September. I think that helps a ton. I'd like to think that our clubhouse, our chemistry, however you want to say it, we don't bail on each other. We keep plugging away, and I think it's a good characteristic. It's helped us a lot."

Indians' Santana aims to stay hot at Twins' park

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(TSX / STATS) -- MINNEAPOLIS -- Carlos Santana enjoys hitting at Target Field -- or at least that is what the stats indicate.

The Cleveland Indians first baseman hit the 13th and 14th home runs of his career at the Twins' ballpark on Tuesday, which ties him for the most all-time for visiting players. He matched Jose Bautista in that category, and he has two more games in the current series to try to attain the title for himself.

Yet Santana insists there is nothing about Target Field that has led to his success at the plate when he visits Minnesota.

"I try to concentrate on good contact, and that happens," Santana said after Cleveland's 8-1 win over the Twins on Tuesday. "It doesn't matter if it's here or another park. Right now, I'm feeling comfortable. ... I feel great here."

Santana wasn't the only Indians batter to enjoy his night at the plate Tuesday. Cleveland clubbed five homers as it won its fifth straight game. The Indians' lineup has continued to roll as of late and looks to do so again Wednesday with the chance to push Minnesota even further down in the American League Central standings.

The Twins (59-58) and the Kansas City Royals (60-59) are tied for second, six games behind the Indians (65-52).

Minnesota right-hander Kyle Gibson will be tasked with slowing down the red-hot Cleveland lineup. Gibson (6-9, 6.02 ERA) hasn't pitched deep into games lately. He has gone more than six innings just once in his past five starts.

Now Gibson faces a team he hasn't had much luck against throughout his career. In 12 starts vs. Cleveland, he is 2-5 with a 5.75 ERA. This season, he is 0-2 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts against the Indians.

Gibson has another factor working against him Wednesday. The Twins have yet to beat the Indians at Target Field this year in eight attempts. Cleveland has dominated Minnesota in Minneapolis but is just 1-5 at home against the Twins.

"It doesn't really make sense, but there's a lot of things in our game that you spin your head around trying to figure out," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "Obviously, I'm well aware that they've come in here and dominated us in our own park. We've got a couple more chances to get in the win column against them here before we go there and play them there in September."

Trying to make it a perfect 9-0 for Cleveland at Target Field will be Carlos Carrasco, who takes the mound Wednesday. Carrasco (11-5, 3.83 ERA) has already pitched in Minneapolis once this season, earning a win back on June 16 when he gave up just one run and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. He is 3-6 with a 4.43 ERA in 15 career games (12 starts) against the Twins.

Carrasco got plenty of run support in his previous outing at Target Field as Cleveland won that game 8-1 -- the same final as Tuesday's victory. The Indians' lineup hopes to keep riding the wave as the series continues.

"It's one of those things that's contagious," said Austin Jackson, who hit one of Cleveland's five homers on Tuesday. "When you see those guys swinging the bats, doing their job in the middle of the order, it definitely takes a lot of pressure off the rest of us."

Indians hit five homers in win over Twins

(TSX / STATS) -- MINNEAPOLIS -- During their five-game winning streak that is creating separation in the American League Central, the Cleveland Indians are piecing everything together.

Cleveland's rotation is finding a groove, and the lineup is putting together some big games, too.

The Indians combined both of those facets on Tuesday at Target Field to the tune of an 8-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. In the process, first-place Cleveland (65-52) increased its lead over Minnesota (59-58) and Kansas City (60-59) to six games.

"We're competing right now," said Indians starter Danny Salazar, who pitched seven sharp innings to earn the win Tuesday. "This is a team that wants to get into the fight to beat us. We're just showing them that we are aggressive. This is what we do."

The Indians belted five homers, including two by Carlos Santana and a three-run blast by Austin Jackson.

Santana, Jason Kipnis and Edwin Encarnacion all hit solo shots before Jackson's homer broke the game open in the seventh. Jackson's second-deck shot to left field drove in Jay Bruce and Santana, both of whom reached base with two outs.

Santana added a two-run homer in the ninth inning -- the ninth multi-homer game of his career -- to seal the win. The switch hitter socked one home run from each side of the plate Tuesday, the fifth time he has done so in a game during his career.

The five homers were more than enough run support for Salazar, who allowed just three hits and no walks. Salazar (5-5) retired 12 consecutive batters in the middle innings and set down 16 of the final 17 Twins hitters he faced.

"They were so hot, and we really stressed to him about being aggressive early," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said of Salazar. "Because he held them down, then our offense clicked in and we got the homers, and then we spread it out. That's a good way to play."

Salazar struck out 10, the second time in three starts he tallied double-digit strikeouts. Dan Otero and Zach McAllister combined to pitch two scoreless innings in relief.

Twins veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon was hit with the loss against his former team. Colon surrendered three runs -- all on solo homers -- while allowing seven hits in five innings. He struggled with his command as well, walking four batters. The 44-year-old veteran also was called for a balk for the first time since 2005.

Colon saw his record drop to 2-2 in six outings with Minnesota since the Twins acquired him in July.

"It just looked like his command was a little bit off and he made some pitches that were close and we didn't get many calls," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "But you don't use that as an excuse or anything. You know, he hung in there and did a really nice job of pitching out of trouble early, and then the home run ball got him."

Minnesota struck first when Byron Buxton continued his impressive month of August. Buxton singled to left to score Eddie Rosario -- the reigning American League Player of the Week -- to put the Twins up 1-0 in the second inning.

Buxton is 14-for-44 (.318) in August. His eighth RBI of the month meant Buxton has accumulated one-third of his RBIs this season in the past two weeks. He finished the night 1-for-3.

Cleveland answered with three solo home runs. Santana tagged Colon, belting his 17th home run of the season in the fourth inning.

Kipnis led off the fifth inning with his ninth of the season, and Encarnacion belted his 27th two batters later. It was the 12th career homer for Encarnacion at Target Field, and the fifth this season.

NOTES: Indians LHP Andrew Miller (right patellar tendinitis) will make a rehab appearance Wednesday for Triple-A Columbus. Miller will throw an inning, and he is expected to be activated Friday for Cleveland's series against Kansas City. ... Twins LHP Glen Perkins rejoined the team on Tuesday after pitching on a rehab assignment with Double-A Chattanooga. Perkins has not yet pitched in the majors this season after having offseason shoulder surgery. The 34-year-old veteran appeared in just two games in 2016 before sustaining an injury. Twins manager Paul Molitor said Perkins' fastball hit 88-91 mph during his rehab assignment. Perkins could join Minnesota's bullpen by the end of the month. ... Minnesota OF Eddie Rosario was named the American League Player of the Week for the week ending Aug. 13. He batted .444 with three doubles and four home runs in seven games to earn the honor.

Buxton helps hot Twins knock off Tigers

(TSX / STATS) -- DETROIT -- The Minnesota Twins may not be in front of the Cleveland Indians, their next opponent, but they are some six weeks ahead of last year.

Minnesota matched its 2016 total of 59 wins Sunday thanks to Byron Buxton's tiebreaking line single to center with one out in the eighth inning that keyed a two-run rally that gave the Twins a 6-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers and their seventh win in eight games.

"I'm familiar with that number," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said of equaling the win total from a year ago. "It's amazing the difference a year makes. We're still looking at (46) games to go. We're in much better position."

Reliever Bruce Rondon (1-3) threw nine pitches, just one a strike, at the start of the eighth.

Not only was he yanked for Warwick Saupold after the two walks, he found himself headed for the I-75 construction detour to Toledo after the game.

"We're just trying to keep the score where it was at that point," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said, "and he couldn't do it. That was going to be his inning, but when none of the first four pitches were even close, I knew I had to get Saupold throwing."

Saupold gave up a sacrifice bunt and Buxton's RBI single to give the Twins a 5-4 lead. Ehire Adrianza followed with a sacrifice fly to left for a 6-4 edge.

"Late in the game, they came back and they found a way to get even," Molitor said. "We got a couple runners there in scoring position with the benefit of a couple walks and a nice bunt. Buck (Buxton) had a good at-bat. He fell behind but he poked one out into center which was a huge hit.

"I had Joe (Mauer) ready to hit (for Adrianza) but once we took the lead I was comfortable with Adrianza going ahead trying to get the run in first and third there. He did a really good job of battling with two strikes and adding the insurance run which you always need there."

Tyler Duffey (2-3) picked up the win for the Twins with a scoreless seventh plus two outs in the eighth. Rookie Trevor Hildenberger retired Justin Upton to end the eighth and stayed on for the ninth to get his first major league save.

"That was the third day in a row for Hildie," Molitor said. "He said he felt great, so I wanted to ride with him there as long as I could. I had Matty (Belisle) and Rog (Taylor Rogers) ready in case I got the right matchup.

"Will Hildie close again? Possible. On any given day. It's a rotating mix right now. I'd like to get it settled a little bit."

Ervin Santana was replaced after a freaky fifth inning in which the Tigers tied the score at 4-4, with three passed balls by catcher Chris Gimenez playing a key part. Santana gave up seven hits, struck out six and walked two.

A Detroit runner also reached base on an error by first baseman Miguel Sano so only the second of the three runs were earned. Two runs scored on passed balls, and Nicholas Castellanos singled in the third after a wild pitch advanced runners to second and third.

"I haven't watched an inning like that for a while up here," Molitor said. "It was tough. He's a solid catcher. It was a poor inning for us. And we paid the price by giving up three runs."

Ausmus could only shake his head.

"That's not the normal way to get a three-run rally," Ausmus said, "but we'll take it. We've shown again in the last two days that we will do whatever it takes to get back into a game. This time, we just didn't get enough."

Detroit got four hits in the fourth but only one run, on a sacrifice fly John Hicks, as Santana got two strikeouts to leave the bases loaded. That trimmed Minnesota's lead to 4-1.

Matthew Boyd lasted two outs into the sixth for the Tigers, allowing four runs on six hits -- including two home runs -- with five strikeouts.

Sano hit his 26th home run, a drive to left, with a man on in the third to open up a 4-0 lead for Minnesota. Brian Dozier singled and was forced at second prior to the home run.

"Sano got one out even though I don't think he hit it particularly well," Molitor said. "I don't know if he used his knuckles or the handle."

Eddie Rosario singled and Giminez walked to open the Twins second. Jorge Polanco sacrificed both runners up a base and Rosario scored on a squeeze bunt by Buxton to make it 2-0.

Dozier opened the game by hitting his 23rd home run, his sixth leading off a game this year and the 25th of his career, to get Minnesota off to a 1-0 start. The ball went to left field.

After the game, Detroit optioned Rondon back to Triple-A Toledo to make room for the Monday activation of starter Michael Fulmer. That means Drew VerHagen will go from the rotation to the bullpen, where Ausmus believes he fits better.

NOTES: The Tigers designated RHP Edward Mujica for assignment Sunday and purchased the contract of RHP Jeff Ferrell from Triple-A Toledo to replace him. ... Twins manager Paul Molitor set his rotation for Cleveland from Tuesday through Thursday. RHP Bartolo Colon will open, followed by RHP Kyle Gibson and RHP Jose Berrios. ... LHP Daniel Norris (groin) of Detroit will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday, throwing about 45 pitches for Triple-A Toledo. ... Rookie LHP Dietrich Enns was available to relieve Sunday and will make his next start Saturday against Arizona.

Upton walk-off blast lifts Tigers over Twins

(TSX / STATS) -- DETROIT -- Justin Upton and the Detroit Tigers exposed a shortcoming the Minnesota Twins will have to address if they hope to be successful in their run at the leaders in the American League Central Division -- the bullpen.

Minnesota, without a defined closer since dealing Brandon Kintzler at the trade deadline in July, saw Matt Belisle get tagged for a game-winning walk-off two-run homer with nobody out in the ninth inning Saturday night to give the Tigers a comeback 12-11 victory over the Twins.

Belisle (0-2) struck out Ian Kinsler to choke off a three-run rally in the eight but Minnesota's current saves leader -- with two -- gave up a single to leadoff man Mikie Mahtook in the ninth and then Upton's 22nd home run sailed into the left field seats off a 2-1 fastball. It was his sixth walk-off homer.

"In terms of the taste of the win, this was the best-tasting win of the year," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said, "a tremendous team win with a lot of people involved."

"We kept battling man, that's the thing," Upton said. "That's the biggest thing. Even though we gave away a big lead, we still grinded at-bats and just kept chipping away.

"I was patient at the beginning of the at-bat. I got myself in a hitter's count (2-0) and he threw a pretty good pitch, a little slider away. Then he went to the fastball and I was able to get it elevated."

"There's not much you can say," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "It's tough to swallow, those kind, especially when you need to win games. We did a lot of good things; you get 19 hits and 11 runs and can't win."

The win went to Tigers' closer Shane Greene (3-2), brought in to keep the deficit at one run. He left the bases loaded by striking out Miguel Sano on three straight sliders.

Detroit blew a 5-0 first-inning lead and trailed 11-6 in the seventh before mounting its comeback.

Joe Mauer hit a three-run double and added a two-run homer to drive in five runs for Minnesota.

Jose Iglesias hit a two-run homer, his fourth home run of the year, in the eighth inning after James McCann reached a career-best five RBIs by hitting into a force-out with runners on first and third. McCann's grand slam in the first put the Tigers on top 5-0.

Dillon Gee allowed a sacrifice fly to Upton after Mahtook's one-out triple in the seventh. Reliever Trevor Hildenberger gave up McCann's RBI groundout and the Iglesias home run, which made it 11-10.

"Games like that, winning games are fun," Mahtook said. "Whether or not people are counting us out or not, that has nothing to do with it. Now you're playing for the guys in here and because you're competitive and you want to win.

"You're not going to go out there and be okay with losing games just because we're supposed to lose games.

"It really is a testament to the veteran leadership here, with Kinsler and Upton and Miggy and all those guys. They come out every day and they're going to grind it out."

Mauer, a career .303 hitter against Detroit in 733 at-bats, hit a two-run homer off reliever Edward Mujica in the sixth and Byron Buxton added a sacrifice fly later in the inning to pad the Twins' lead to 11-6. Mauer's sixth home run, to left-center field, was his 16th against Detroit in his career and his five RBIs gave him 114 versus the Tigers.

"We had chances even though we scored 11 to score more than 11," Molitor said. "You never know how many you're going to need and we didn't have enough."

Reliever Daniel Stumpf gave up an RBI single to Jason Castro in the fifth, giving Minnesota an 8-6 lead.

McCann doubled to open the fourth for Detroit and eventually scored when Iglesias hit into a forceout at second, pulling the Tigers within a run at 7-6. Minnesota starter Jose Berrios was pulled after hitting the next batter, Ian Kinsler.

Buxton led off the fourth with his sixth home run, which was just over the wall in right-center field and gave the Twins a 6-5 lead. Jorge Polanco ran his hitting streak to 10 games with a single to right and scored on a line single to left by Brian Dozier that chased starter Jordan Zimmermann and put Minnesota ahead 7-5.

Zimmermann pitched two scoreless innings before allowing five in the third and two in the fourth to fritter away a 5-0 lead. He gave up eight hits in 3 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out one.

Mauer hit a three-run double with one out in the third to cut into a 5-0 Detroit lead and Eddie Rosario tied the score by hitting his 16th home run one out later. Rosario's second home run in two games went over the wall in right-center field.

Berrios gave up five runs to Detroit in the first, one on an RBI single by Nicholas Castellanos and four on a grand slam by McCann, his 11th home run and second career slam. Berrios lasted 3 1/3 innings, giving up six runs and six hits with two walks.

Detroit's Miguel Cabrera left the game after six innings with lower-back tightness.

NOTES: Tigers 3B Nicholas Castellanos will begin taking fly balls in right field to see if that's a viable option for 2018, manager Brad Ausmus said. ... Minnesota's Paul Molitor learned after Friday night's 9-4 victory over Detroit that it was his 200th as the club's manager. ... The Tigers brought OF Alex Presley (right side strain) back from a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo and put him in the starting lineup. OF JIm Adduci was sent back to the Mud Hens. ... With RHP Brandon Kintzler traded, the Twins don't have a set closer, so Molitor said Minnesota will continue to mix and match at the end of games.