News
Mauer brings hot bat back to Minnesota
Minnesota (49-50) vs. Chicago (50-48), 7:10 p.m. CT
By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com
07/26/09 8:55 PM ET
ANAHEIM -- If Joe Mauer was in a funk coming into Anaheim, he is definitely out of it going back to Minnesota. After going 4-for-31 in eight games from July 11-July 22, Mauer exploded in the series against the Angels, getting eight hits in 19 at-bats. The Twins catcher got a much-needed day of rest July 20 against the Oakland Athletics after he had no time to relax during the All-Star break, taking part in both the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game in St. Louis. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire knew Mauer was in need of a day off after he went 0-for-6 for the first time in his career last Sunday in Texas. "The day off really seems to have helped him and relaxed him," Gardenhire said. "He seems to be back in the swing of things." During the series, Mauer had three multi-hit games and three extra-base hits to go along with four RBIs. Mauer's biggest multi-hit game came Friday against Angels starter John Lackey, hitting two home runs. For Mauer, the two solo dingers marked the third multi-homer game of his career and his first this season. The last time Mauer had at least two home runs in one game occurred June 24,, 2007, against the Florida Marlins. "He's a killer," Lackey said. "He's a catcher that calls a good game and can hit. He's thinking along with you. He's a good challenge. I threw to him in Japan [in a postseason tour]. He's the real deal." Flirting with .400 as late as June 23, Mauer's average rose six points during the Angels series to .363, which leads the Majors. Mauer will have a chance to improve his average even more when the Twins travel back to Minnesota to face the Chicago White Sox and starter John Danks, whom Mauer is batting a career .450 against. Seeing such strong play in Mauer throughout the series, Angels manager Mike Scioscia, a hard-nosed catcher for the Dodgers in the 1980s, believes Mauer belongs in elite company with other great catchers in the game. "I think we're going to be talking about Joe Mauer 10 years from now the same way we talk about Johnny Bench, Bill Dickey, Roy Campanella, Carlton Fisk," Scioscia said. "He's going to be as good as anybody who's played the position. You don't find many guys who can do what he can do." Pitching matchupMIN: LHP Glen Perkins (5-6, 5.55 ERA)
After getting the green light from specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles Thursday, Perkins will make his scheduled start Monday after suffering from left shoulder tendinitis since his previous start on Wednesday. In that start, Perkins was rocked, giving up eight earned runs in one inning. In three career starts against the Chicago White Sox, Perkins is 1-1 with a 5.64 ERA, but is is 0-1 this season against them with a 10.38 ERA. CWS: LHP John Danks (8-6, 3.98 ERA)
Danks missed his start Wednesday against the Rays because of a blister on the index finger of his throwing hand. He is tentatively scheduled to make Monday's start. Danks is 1-0 in two starts against the Twins this year, having surrendered six runs over 11 1/3 innings. He walked the first four batters of the game against the Twins on July 10, but recovered to allow only four runs in the outing. He did not factor in the decision. Tidbits
Reliever Jose Mijares was taken to the hospital during Sunday's game after feeling ill in the bullpen. After running some tests, however, doctors believe he will be fine. ... Third baseman Joe Crede played catch before Sunday's game against the Angels and should take batting practice Monday if no problems resurface in his left shoulder. ... The last time the Twins allowed at least nine runs in an inning before Saturday was Aug. 4, 2008, at Seattle. ... The Twins have at least one long ball in 21 of their past 23 games. ... Double-A New Britain Rock Cats righty Deolis Guerra was named the Twins' Minor League Player of the Week after he went 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA in two starts. Tickets
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• Tuesday: Twins (Scott Baker, 8-7, 5.04) vs. White Sox (Mark Buehrle, 11-3, 3.28), 7:10 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: Twins (Francisco Liriano, 4-10, 5.56) vs. White Sox (Jose Contreras, 4-9, 4.80), 7:10 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Off-day
Quinn Roberts is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
