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Gabino the latest arm up to get a shot
Minnesota (62-63) vs. Baltimore (51-74), 7:10 p.m. CT
Manager Ron Gardenhire looks on as Armando Gabino pitches during Spring Training. (AP)
By Tyler Mason / MLB.com
08/25/09 12:36 AM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- The smile on Twins pitcher Armando Gabino's face told the whole story as he addressed the media one day before his Major League debut. "I'm just so excited to be here," Gabino said. Gabino was called up from Triple-A Rochester Saturday after Minnesota's game in Kansas City, while struggling pitcher Anthony Swarzak was sent back to the Red Wings. While in Rochester, Gabino spent the majority of his time as a reliever. But the 25-year-old righty has started five games, most recently Saturday's game in which he pitched three scoreless innings. On the season, Gabino has posted a 2.83 ERA with a 5-3 record in 86 innings pitched. "I think we're all looking forward to seeing him," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "The last time we saw him was in Spring Training. He's been a reliever, went to Triple-A and got in the starting rotation and threw the ball very well." Swarzak and Brian Duensing both made their debuts in the Majors this season prior to Gabino's callup, with Duensing working both as a starter and in the bullpen. Minnesota's rotation continues to be in flux, so it's uncertain at this point as to how long Gabino will last in the starting role. Whether as a starter or reliever, Gabino's anxious to help the club. "Whatever the team needs for me in the game, I will do it," he said. A teammate of Gabino's in Rochester, Duensing knows exactly what Gabino will be going through in his debut on Tuesday. "I'm kind of interested to see how he's going to do," Duensing said. "I'm sure he'll go out there and he's going to give it everything he's got. I think it'll take a little bit to maybe get his pitch count up there and try and figure out how a starter's routine works." Gabino said he expects to be able to go five or six innings on 80-90 pitches when he takes the hill against the Orioles. He was straightforward when asked what his key to success will be. "Just first-pitch strike, and working off that," Gabino said. "Any pitch, fastball, slider, the first-pitch strike, that's the key right there, to make an out." As far Gabino's nerves leading up to his first big league game? They were nowhere to be found on Monday. Not that the rookie would admit to, at least. "It's baseball. It's going to be the same game," Gabino said. "I've just got to keep doing what I've been doing." Pitching matchupMIN: RHP Armando Gabino (MLB debut)
Gabino, 25, has allowed just three earned runs in his last 16 2/3 innings and has a 2.16 ERA as a starter. He replaces Swarzak in the rotation when he takes the mound at the Metrodome. Gabino was selected by the Twins in the 2004 Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft from Cleveland. BAL: LHP Brian Matusz (2-2, 6.75 ERA)
Matusz pitched competitively in his most recent outing and earned his second victory in four big league starts. The southpaw has given up 31 hits in 18 2/3 innings but has struck out 20 batters, against just eight walks. Matusz has allowed four home runs in his first four starts. He started this season at Class A Frederick and made just eight starts at Double-A Bowie before being promoted to the Majors. Tidbits
Gardenhire said prior to Monday's game that Joe Crede's back was still stiff, and he was held out of the lineup in the Twins' series opener against the Orioles. Crede missed the last two games in Kansas City as well and was replaced at third base Monday by Brendan Harris. ... With two runs scored in the sixth inning on Monday, the Twins have now scored a total of 97 runs in the sixth inning this year, the most in any inning. The club has scored 19 sixth-inning runs in the past eight games. ... With an announced attendance of 20,271 on Monday, Minnesota snapped a streak of 14 straight games with 30,000 or more fans in attendance at the Metrodome, dating back to July 11 against the Chicago White Sox. Tickets
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• Wednesday: Twins (Nick Blackburn, 8-8, 4.27) vs. Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie, 8-12, 5.45), 7:10 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Twins (Brian Duensing, 1-1, 4.91) vs. Rangers (Tommy Hunter, 6-2, 2.85), 7:10 p.m. CT
Tyler Mason is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
