News
Crede itching to get back in action
Minnesota (18-19) at New York (19-17), 12:05 p.m. CT
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com
05/16/09 8:12 PM ET
NEW YORK -- Joe Crede is no stranger to dealing with back problems. It's one of the reasons why the Twins third baseman knew that it was important to get himself out of the game in the fifth inning of Friday's contest against the Yankees when his back and hamstrings started to tighten up. "This is just more spasms and stuff like that," said Crede, who played a total of just 144 games over the past two seasons for the White Sox due to back problems. "It just comes and goes, and whenever it comes, you've got to take a step back, because that could lead into something even worse. ... But it's always a good sign when there's no sharp pains back there." Crede said he could feel his back tighten up while running out a ground ball on Friday, and the tightness got progressively worse as the game went along. On Saturday morning, Crede said that his back was feeling better after he took some muscle relaxers and got treatment on it. His expectation was that he'll be back to playing soon, but there wasn't a clear indication of exactly when that might be. Brian Buscher started at third base on Saturday, and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Crede was only available in an emergency situation. "We'll know more in a couple days," Gardenhire said. "If he gets through today, we'll see how he feels tomorrow. Maybe Monday night, but we've just got to see." That means the Twins will be without their everyday third baseman for Sunday's contest, as well, the third game of Minnesota's four-game series with New York. Sunday's game will be broadcast on TBS, with Chip Caray providing the play-by-play and Ron Darling providing the color commentary. Former Yankees pitcher and current TBS analyst David Wells will also be helping with the broadcast on the 11th anniversary of his historic perfect game against the Twins on May 17, 1998. The back troubles come at a disappointing time for Crede, who tallied eight RBIs and two home runs in the Twins' previous three-game series sweep against Detroit. He hit a walk-off grand slam in the 13th inning of Wednesday's 14-10 win, and hit a two-run bloop game-winning single in a 6-5 win on Thursday. "It's just the game of baseball and the way it goes," said Crede, who is batting .232 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 27 games this season. "You are always going to hit some wall somewhere. Just keep your head up and keep moving along and deal with what happens and stay positive about everything." Pitching matchupMIN: RHP Kevin Slowey (5-1, 4.91 ERA)
Slowey had to labor a bit through his last outing against the Tigers, throwing 98 pitches in six innings while allowing just one run. He allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base in five of his six innings, which included Jeff Larish's solo home run to start the sixth. Slowey scattered eight hits to the Tigers and also issued two walks in the contest, equaling his total for the season. Slowey is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three career starts vs. New York.
NYY: RHP A.J. Burnett (2-1, 5.36 ERA)
Burnett took his first loss of the season on Tuesday, facing the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. He gave up five runs on seven hits and lasted 7 2/3 innings. He allowed four walks while striking out three. Of the 110 pitches he threw, 66 were strikes. Burnett has not faced the Twins this year, and owns a 1-1 record in four career starts against them, putting up an ERA of 4.21 in 25 2/3 innings.
Matt Tolbert was given a "mental break" on Saturday, as Brendan Harris got the start at second base. Tolbert went 0-for-5 in Friday's game, dropping his season average to .171. ... Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau homered Saturday, marking the fifth time this season they've both gone deep in the same game. In the previous five seasons, the two had homered in the same game only seven times. ... With Wells being in the booth for TBS on Sunday, Gardenhire reminisced about coaching third base for the Twins during the pitcher's perfect game. The skipper said he's actually carried a baseball card around with him of the infamous picture of Wells' arms up in the air after he secured the perfect game. ... Minnesota is now 3-10 on the road this season. Tickets
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• Official game notes On television
• WFTC29, TBS On radio
• TRN 1500, KMNV / KMNQ (Español) Up next
• Monday: Twins (Glen Perkins, 1-2, 4.27) at Yankees (Andy Pettitte, 3-1, 4.00), 6:05 p.m. CT
• Tuesday: Twins (Scott Baker, 1-4, 6.95) at White Sox (Mark Buehrle, 5-1, 3.00), 7:11 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: Twins (Francisco Liriano, 2-4, 5.21) at White Sox (TBD), 7:11 p.m. CT
Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
