video thumbnail

Hendriks goes the distance in tough loss

With just a few potential starts left this season, Twins right-hander Liam Hendriks is hoping Friday is the day he finally picks up his elusive first Major League victory.

Hendriks will make his 16th career start -- and 12th this season -- when the Twins welcome the Indians to Target Field for a four-game set.

The 23-year-old remains winless on the year at 0-7, partially because he hasn't been fortunate enough to find the proper combination of strong pitching and run support.

Hendriks started last week by tossing his first complete game against the Mariners, conceding just one run off three hits while taking the loss in a 1-0 ballgame. He finished the week by giving up five runs (three earned) off a season-high 10 hits in just 3 2/3 innings against the Royals. Ironically, he actually took a no-decision in that contest as the Twins rallied for an 8-7 victory.

"Liam really struggled," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said after Hendriks' last outing. "He wasn't able to attack, and they jumped him. He just didn't look like he was going to get through it. It was unfortunate because we put up some runs for him with a chance to get his first Major League win. So, we're all disappointed in that, but it wasn't going to happen today. He just wasn't attacking like he did last time, didn't have a good feel for his pitches."

The Indians will counter with Jeanmar Gomez, who continues to fill in for the injured Roberto Hernandez. Gomez, who began the year as the Tribe's fourth starter, earned the win last Saturday against the Rangers in his first start since June 23.

The righty was demoted to Triple-A in late June after starting the year 4-7 with a 5.18 ERA. At the time of Gomez's demotion, the Indians were a half-game out of first place in the American League Central. Now, the right-hander takes the hill for a club hoping to stay out of the division's cellar.

After posting a Major League-worst 5-24 record for the month of August, the Indians fell to 3-2 in September after falling to the Tigers, 7-1, on Wednesday night.

"When you have as bad an August as we had, I think September, somehow, some way, just became a relief for us," said Indians pitcher Justin Masterson. "We said, 'Hey, let's just go. Let's just battle and play the way we know how to play.'"

Indians: Chisenhall to continue rehab in Akron
With Triple-A Columbus' season coming to an end Monday, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall will transfer to Double-A Akron to continue his rehab assignment. Akron starts its playoff run Wednesday night in Bowie, Md.

Tribe manager Manny Acta said the plan remains for Chisenhall, out since June 30 with a fractured bone in his right forearm, to return to Cleveland at some point this month.

"As soon as he's done with the rehab over there in Akron, he's going to be over here and play," Acta said.

Twins: Willingham could return Friday
Josh Willingham wasn't in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the White Sox as he rested his ailing hamstring, but Gardenhire is hoping his slugger will be ready to return Friday.

Willingham, who served as the club's designated hitter Monday and Tuesday, pinch-hit Wednesday in the ninth inning, flying out to end the 6-2 loss. Coupled with Thursday's off-day, the Twins skipper is confident Willingham could be back in the outfield this weekend against the Tribe.

"If I can give him [Wednesday] and [Thursday], that would be a wonderful thing," Gardenhire said. "He thinks he'll be able to get back out there and maybe play some outfield."

Worth noting
• The Twins, who are 7-4 against the Indians this season, have won three of the last four season series.

• Justin Morneau has 22 career home runs against the Indians, tied with Detroit for his most against any team. He has four in nine games against the Tribe this season.

MLB.com Comments