Lineup in tatters, Twins play on
Ben Margot, ASSOCIATED PRESS
OAKLAND, CALIF. - Banged up, sick and grieving, the Twins played Oakland without four of their regulars Saturday night.
The Twins knew they would be without right fielder Michael Cuddyer, who is on the bereavement list attending his father-in-law's funeral in Virginia, and second baseman Orlando Hudson has been out since last Sunday because of an injured left wrist.
First baseman Justin Morneau came down with the stomach flu after a big performance in Friday night's 5-4, 11-inning victory at the Oakland Coliseum, and shortstop J.J. Hardy was scratched because of a sore left wrist.
Manager Ron Gardenhire had talked about giving Morneau a full day off during the series anyway. But after going 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in Friday's victory, Morneau said, "I think I'll talk him out of it tomorrow."
Gardenhire agreed that the flu bug was probably Morneau's body's way of telling him he needed the break.
Morneau did say it's easier taking a break with a multigame lead over the Tigers in the American League Central.
"Instead of us being four or five games back, now's the time you can kind of afford to do it," he said. "As opposed to when you absolutely have to be in there every day."
Morneau pinch hit for Brendan Harris in the ninth inning Saturday, drawing an intentional walk with one out and the bases empty. Hardy pinch ran for Morneau and scored the go-ahead run on Matt Tolbert's single. Tolbert moved to first base, replacing Harris, and Hardy stayed in the game at shortstop as the Twins beat the Athletics 4-3.
Hardy said his left wrist, which he first injured last month, flared up on him this week in Seattle. He was questionable to play Friday's game, but gritted it out, going 0-for-5 at the plate but making several strong defensive plays.
Struggles at the top
Hardy had moved into Hudson's No. 2 spot, but with his own wrist bothering him, he hadn't done much offensively on the trip, and neither had leadoff man Denard Span. In fact, the Twins' No. 1-2 hitters have combined to go 3-for-50 on the road trip with two walks, 12 strikeouts and no runs scored.
Gardenhire said he has given no thought to moving catcher and AL batting champion Joe Mauer into the No. 2 spot.
"He's our 3-hole hitter," Gardenhire said. "You fill one hole, you just create another hole down the lineup."
Neshek sent to Rochester
The Twins activated Pat Neshek from the disabled list and optioned him to Class AAA Rochester.
Neshek opted to go on the DL when the Twins tried to send him to Rochester last month. He was pitching despite inflammation in the middle finger in his right hand.
Neshek made two relief appearances for Class A Fort Myers -- a perfect inning Wednesday and a rocky inning Friday -- before this move was made. He has posted a 4.15 ERA in six appearances for the Twins this year.
Gardenhire said there is no timetable on when Neshek will be back in the big leagues.
"He's just like everybody else in the minor leagues now; he's got to pitch his way back up," Gardenhire said. "When there's a need, and he's throwing the ball good, then he'll get the opportunity."
Hudson update
Hudson (sore left wrist) took righthanded swings during batting practice but the switch-hitter has yet to feel comfortable batting lefthanded. Still, the progress is notable as the Twins look to make a decision by Tuesday whether Hudson will have to go on the DL.
Just win baby