Twins, Indians underway in the rain at Target Field

The Twins, a game and a half back for the second wild card spot, send Phil Hughes to the mound against the Indians.

September 23, 2015 at 10:39PM
The rain tarp covered the infield just before the scheduled start of Friday night's Twins game against the Toronto Blue Jays. ] Aaron Lavinsky � aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The Minnesota Twins played the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, May 29, 2015 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn.
The rain tarp covered the infield just before the scheduled start of Friday night's Twins game against the Toronto Blue Jays. ] Aaron Lavinsky � aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The Minnesota Twins played the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, May 29, 2015 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn. (Brian Stensaas — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Greetings from soggy Target Field, where I'm back with a new computer and ready to cover baseball - if there is a game.

Yes, a foul ball came roaring back to the pressbox on during Sunday's game. I was writing at the time, looked up late and made a last-ditch effort to catch the ball. It skipped off top of the counter, blew up my cup of coffee, deflected off my hand and smoked the computer. It took the blow fairly well but the screen was cracked, so it had to be put down. Adieu, HP ProBook, Adieu.

I was reminded of this when I entered the clubhouse, because Twins relievers sitting in the bullpen saw the coffee explode.

Twins manager Paul Molitor had the radar called up on his computer during the pre-game presser. There are concerns that this game could be rained out, which would lead to all sorts of problems. The latest radar suggests that it won't start pouring until 9 p.m. It would be easy to play two game tomorrow, but more rain is expected, especially before noon. That means there's a chance the Twins could lose a home date, or they would have to do all they can to get games done by tomorrow night - no matter how long it takes.

Since this is the Indians' final trip to the Twin Cities this year, MLB and the umpires will determine when to start the game.

We have a battle tonight between starters on pitch counts. Corey Kluber is making his second start since recovering from a hamstring strain. He was allowed to pitch just four innings in his first outing, Phil Hughes is making his third appearances, second start, since recovering from a sore back. He threw just 65 pitches in his first start back.

Kluber is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in four games against the Twins this season, with a 25 to 3 strikeout to walk ratio. Trevor Plouffe (.265) is the only starter batting above .235 against the K-Train.

``I think our guys are ready to fight," Molitor said.

Ricky Nolasco has returned from Florida, but it might be a few days before he is activated. He's expected to throw in the bullpen one more time as the Twins figure out who can come off of the 40-man roster to make room for him.

There's a team meeting scheduled for 5:20 this afternoon. Torii Hunter is handing out the `Torii Awards,' today for best dancer, worst dancer, best costume, etc. He has about a dozen trophies displayed in his locker, with a "dancer" on top of each one.

Cleveland

Jason Kipnis, 2B
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Francisco Lindor, SS
Carlos Santana, 1B
Yan Gomes, C
Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
Roberto Perez, DH
Abraham Almonte, CF
Mike Aviles, LF

Corey Kluber, RHP

Twins

Aaron Hicks, CF
Brian Dozier, 2B
Joe Mauer, 1B
Miguel Sano, DH
Trevor Plouffe, 3B
Eddie Rosario, LF
Torii Hunter, RF
Kurt Suzuki, C
Eduardo Escobar, SS

Phil Hughes, RHP

about the writer

about the writer

La Velle E. Neal III

Columnist

La Velle E. Neal III is a sports columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune who previously covered the Twins for more than 20 years.

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