By Jim Mandelaro
Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

The Rochester Red Wings' offense could be about to receive a major shot in
the arm.

Barring an unexpected setback, veteran outfielder Ruben Sierra will join
the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, and the Twins will send rookie Jason Kubel
to Rochester.

Kubel was the 2004 International League Rookie of the Year and batting
champion, hitting .343 in 90 games for the Wings. He hit a combined .352
with 22 home runs and 100 RBI between Rochester and Double-A New Britain
that season, then batted .300 in 23 games for the Twins.

He is a major prospect in need of seasoning after missing the 2005 season
recuperating from major knee surgery.

Kubel is 2-for-14 (.143) in spot duty for the Twins. Manager Ron
Gardenhire suggested last week that Kubel might need time in the minors to
find his stroke.

Sierra is recovering from a strained left quadriceps muscle and has played
for Class A Fort Myers the past few days.

Red-hot Rabe: Wings left fielder Josh Rabe went 4-for-5 in Saturday's 6-5
win over Richmond and is batting .444.

"I'm usually terrible in April," he says. "I played all winter (in
Venezuela) and didn't have much time off. I think it's carrying over."

Heating up: The Wings continued to shine in the clutch at home, hitting
5-for-13 Saturday with runners in scoring position. They were 5-for-11 on
Friday after going 6-for-43 the previous five games on the road.

Temper, temper: Frontier Field's first flare-up involving a replacement
umpire took place in the eighth inning Saturday. Richmond center fielder
Cesar Crespo was incensed that he was called out on what seemed to be a
delayed strike three call from the home-plate ump.

Crespo slammed his bat to the ground — an automatic ejection in normal
circumstances — and Braves manager Brian Snitker heatedly gave the ump a
piece of his mind.

The replacement umpires' names are being withheld by Minor League Baseball
while the real umps are on strike.

Perkins disciplined: Double-A New Britain left-hander Glen Perkins,
Minnesota's No. 4 prospect according to Baseball America magazine, was
removed after the second inning of Wednesday's game by manager Riccardo
Ingram after Perkins balked at catcher Jose Morales' attempt to visit him.
Perkins later apologized.

Game day

Matchup: Red Wings vs. Richmond Braves, Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta
Braves.

When/where: 1:35 p.m. at Frontier Field. Gates open at 12:30.

Radio: WHTK-AM (1280).

Starting pitchers: Red Wings RHP Boof Bonser (1-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. Braves
RHP Anthony Lerew (0-0, 7.88).

Promotions: A pregame Easter egg hunt, with one egg containing a golden
ticket to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Kids 14 and under can run
the bases after the game.

April 16, 2006