Welcome to the Joe Mauer Fan Club Information Line.
Today is Thursday July 1, 2004.
The Twins 41-35 lost last night to Chicago 41-33 by a score of 9-6.
Winning Pitcher - Freddy Garcia (5-7) Losing Pitcher - Brad Radke (4-
4).
CWS Runs: 9, Hits: 13, Errors: 1, LOB: 4.  MIN Runs: 6, Hits: 9,
Errors: 1, LOB: 5.

Today the Twins take on Chicago in the final game of the series at
the dome.  MIN: LHP Johan Santana 6-4, 4.38 ERA vs. CWS: RHP Jon
Garland 5-5, 4.84 ERA.

Players to watch:  With his two home runs Wednesday, Joe Mauer had
the first multi-homer game of his career. The rookie catcher now has
five home runs on the season and brought his average up to .282.
Jacque Jones boasts strong career numbers against Garland, having
gone 13-for-35 (.371) with two doubles, a walk and two RBIs.

Quick hits:  Torii Hunter is batting .200 (4-for-20) with two RBIs
and nine strikeouts during Minnesota's five games this
homestand. ... Twins pitchers have gone 3-6 with a 6.52 ERA during
their nine games against the White Sox this season and have
surrendered 18 home runs.

Today's 12:10 game will be televised on FSN.  On the radio catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 11:30.

The Magic Number is 90 with the Twins 41-35 trailing Chicago 41-33
by 1 game in the ALC.  Go Twins!

Today is Wednesday June 30, 2004.
The Twins 41-34 lost last night to the Chicago White Sox 40-33 by a
score of 6-2 at the dome.
Winning Pitcher - Mark Buehrle (8-2)
Losing Pitcher - Carlos Silva (8-5).
CWS Runs: 6, Hits: 11, Errors: 0, LOB: 5.
MIN Runs: 2, Hits: 9, Errors: 0, LOB: 7.

Tonight the Twins take on Chicago on the 2nd game of the 3 game
series at the dome.  MIN: RHP Brad Radke 4-3, 3.22 ERA vs. CWS: RHP
Freddy Garcia 4-7, 3.20 ERA.

Players to watch:  Corey Koskie has a solid career track record
against Garcia, having gone 7-for-17 (.412) with four doubles, three
walks and two RBIs. He hit his 12th home run of the season Tuesday.
Right-hander Juan Rincon has not allowed a run in 17 of his last 19
appearances, allowing just two earned runs in his last 22 innings
pitched. He has given up nine hits and nine walks while striking out
30 over the 19-game span.

Quick hits:  The Twins have lost seven of their last 10 decisions
against left-handed pitchers this season. ... Doug Mientkiewicz has
only three hits in his last 32 at-bats (.094) and has no RBIs in a
span of 10 games. ... The Twins' three straight losses mark just the
second time this season they have lost three in a row. ... Tuesday's
6-2 loss to Chicago lasted only two hours and four minutes, making
it Minnesota's fastest game of the season. ... The Twins have gone 4-
for-21 with runners in scoring position during their last three
games.

Tonight's 7:10 game will be televised on FSN.  On the radio catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 6:30.

The Magic Number is 90 with the Twins 41-34 tied for first place
with Chicago 40-33.
The JMFC will be seated in section 216 for tonight's game.  Go
Twins!

Today is Tuesday June 29, 2004.
The Twins 41-33 lost Sunday to Milwaukee 38-34 by a score of 7-3 at
the dome.
Winning Pitcher - Doug Davis (8-5) Losing Pitcher - Kyle Lohse (2-
6).  MIL Runs: 7, Hits: 10, Errors: 0, LOB: 8.  MIN Runs: 3, Hits:
9, Errors: 1, LOB: 9.

Tonight the Twins begin a 3 game series against Chicago.  MIN: RHP
Carlos Silva 7-4, 4.04 ERA vs. CWS: LHP Mark Buerhle 7-2, 4.49 ERA.

Players to watch:  Cristian Guzman is on a hitting tear as of late,
doubling in his first at-bat in each of the past three games. He
went 4-for-5 with two doubles and a run scored against the Brewers
Sunday and is hitting .615 (8-for-13) this homestand. Joe Nathan has
flourished in his first season as a full-time closer, converting 22
of 23 save opportunities and recording a 1.26 ERA.

Quick hits:  The Twins are 9-6 in Interleague games this season. ...
Aaron Fultz has given up five earned runs, five hits and three walks
in his last four appearances. He has allowed five of six inherited
runners to score. ... The Twins were only 2-for-11 with runners in
scoring position during Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Brewers.

Tonight's 7:10 game will be televised on FSN.  On the radio catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 6:30.

The Magic Number is 90 with the Twins 41-33 in first place leading
Chicago 39-33 by 1 game. Chicago was also off yesterday.

The JMFC will be seated in section 216 for tonight's game.  Go
Twins!

Today is Monday June 28, 2004.
The Twins 41-33 lost yesterday to Milwaukee 38-34 by a score of 7-3
at the dome.
Winning Pitcher - Doug Davis (8-5) Losing Pitcher - Kyle Lohse (2-
6).
MIL Runs: 7, Hits: 10, Errors: 0, LOB: 8.  MIN Runs: 3, Hits:
9, Errors: 1, LOB: 9.

The Twins are off today and begin a 3 game series on Tuesday against
Chicago.  MIN: RHP Carlos Silva 7-4, 4.04 ERA vs. CWS: LHP Mark
Buerhle 7-2, 4.49 ERA.

Players to watch:  Cristian Guzman is on a hitting tear as of late,
doubling in his first at-bat in each of the past three games. He
went 4-for-5 with two doubles and a run scored against the Brewers
Sunday and is hitting .615 (8-for-13) this homestand. Joe Nathan has
flourished in his first season as a full-time closer, converting 22
of 23 save opportunities and recording a 1.26 ERA.

Quick hits:  The Twins are 9-6 in Interleague games this season. ...
Aaron Fultz has given up five earned runs, five hits and three walks
in his last four appearances. He has allowed five of six inherited
runners to score. ... The Twins were only 2-for-11 with runners in
scoring position during Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Brewers.

Tuesday's 7:10 game will be televised on FSN.  On the radio catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 6:30.

The Magic Number is 90 with the Twins 41-33 in first place leading
Chicago 39-33 by 1 game. The CWS beat the Cubs yesterday.

The JMFC will be seated in section 216 for Tuesday's game.  Go
Twins!

Today is Saturday June 26, 2004.
The Twins 41-31 beat the Brewers 36-34 last night by a score of 6-
3.
Winning Pitcher - Johan Santana (6-4) Losing Pitcher - Wes
Obermueller (3-3) SV - Joe Nathan(22).
MIL Runs: 3, Hits: 7, Errors: 1, LOB: 5. MIN Runs: 6, Hits: 11,
Errors: 1, LOB: 6.

Tonight the Twins and Brewers face off in the 2nd game of the 3 game
series at the dome.  MIN: RHP Matt Guerrier 0-0, 3.60 ERA vs. MIL:
RHP Victor Santos 5-3, 3.95 ERA.

Players to watch:  Cristian Guzman's four runs scored Friday was a
new season high for the Twins. Lew Ford has his 20th multi-hit game
and 12th multi-RBI game of 2004.

Quick hits:  The Twins are 28-0 when leading after eight innings
this season. ... Doug Mientkiewicz is batting .196 (10-for-56) with
runners in scoring position this season. ... Joe Nathan's 22 saves
are good for second in the AL behind Mariano Rivera, who has 28.

Tonight's 6:10 game will not be televised.  On the radio catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 5:30.

The Magic Number is 90 with the Twins 41-31 in first place leading
Chicago 37-33 by 3 games. Chicago lost yesterday to the Cubs.  Go
Twins!

Today is Friday June 25, 2004.

The Twins 40-31 beat the Red Sox 40-31 yesterday by a score of 4-3.
Winning Pitcher - Grant Balfour (2-0) Losing Pitcher - Keith Foulke
(2-1) SV - Joe Nathan(21).
MIN Runs: 4, Hits: 8, Errors: 0, LOB: 6.  BOS Runs: 3, Hits: 10,
Errors: 1, LOB: 8.

Tonight the Twins take on Milwaukee 36-33 at the dome in the first
of a 3 game weekend series.  MIN: LHP Johan Santana 5-4, 4.61 ERA
vs. MIL: RHP Wes Obermueller 3-2, 6.67 ERA.

Players to watch:  Closer Joe Nathan has 21 saves in 22
opportunities this season. He has not allowed a run in 27 of his
last 28 appearances. Setup man Juan Rincon has not allowed a run in
17 of his last 18 appearances.

Quick hits:  The Twins have played 22 one-run games this season and
are 14-8. ... Torii Hunter has a seven-game hitting streak after
going 2-for-4 Thursday at Boston. ... Twins pitchers have allowed at
least one home run in each of their last nine games.

Tonight's 7:10 game will be televised on KSTC.  On the radio
catch the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 6:30.

The Magic Number is 92 with the Twins 40-31 in first place leading
Chicago 37-32 by 2 games. Chicago also won yesterday. Go Twins!

Today is Thursday June 24, 2004.

The Twins 39-31 beat the Red Sox 40-30 last night by a score of 4-2
at Fenway park.  Winning Pitcher - Carlos Silva (8-4) Losing
Pitcher - Derek Lowe (6-6) SV - Joe Nathan(20).
MIN Runs: 4, Hits: 9, Errors: 0, LOB: 6.  BOS Runs: 2, Hits: 8,
Errors: 1, LOB: 6.

Today the Twins take on the Red Sox in the rubber game of the 3 game
series.  MIN: RHP Brad Radke 4-3, 3.17 ERA vs BOS: RHP Tim Wakefield
6-5, 5.25 ERA.

Players to watch:  Matthew LeCroy is 3-for-7, (.429) lifetime vs.
Wakefield, with homers in two of his last three at-bats vs. the
knuckleballer. Cristian Guzman is 6-for-17 (.353) with two doubles,
two triples and three RBIs. Torii Hunter is 7-for-21, (.333)
lifetime with a homer and five RBIs.

Quick hits:  Lew Ford went 1-for-4 Wednesday and has now hit safely
in 23 of his last 25 games. ... Hunter has a season-high six-game
hitting streak.

Today's 12:05 game will be televised on FSN.  On the radio catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 11:30.

The Magic Number is 93 with the Twins 39-31 in first place leading
Chicago 36-32 by 2 games. Chicago lost to Cleveland last night.

Today is Wednesday June 23, 2004.

The Twins 38-31 lost last night to the Red Sox 40-28 by a score of 9-
2.  Winning Pitcher - Curt Schilling (9-4) Losing Pitcher - Kyle
Lohse (2-5).  MIN Runs: 2, Hits: 7, Errors: 0, LOB: 6.  BOS Runs: 9,
Hits: 13, Errors: 0, LOB: 8.

Tonight the Twins take on the Red Sox in the 2nd game of the 3 game
series.  MIN: RHP Carlos Silva 7-3, 4.13 ERA vs. BOS: RHP Derek Lowe
6-5, 5.25 ERA.

Players to watch:  Jacque Jones is 5-for-11 (.455) with two extra
base hits and four RBIs in his career vs. Lowe. Cristian Guzman is 3-
for-10 (.300) with four RBIs.

Quick hits:  The Twins are 6-8 vs. the AL East this season. ... Lew
Ford's 13-game hitting streak ended with a 0-for-3 night
Tuesday. ... Torii Hunter has a five-game hit streak after a 1-for-3
night.

Tonight's 6:05 game will be televised on FSNN.  On the radio
catch the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 5:30.

The Magic Number is 95 with the Twins 38-31 in first place leading
Chicago 36-31 by 1 game. Chicago beat Cleveland yesterday to gain a
full game.

Today is Tuesday June 22, 2004.

The Twins 38-30 travel to Boston today to take on the Red Sox 39-28
beginning a 3 game series at Fenway Park tonight at 6:05.  MIN: RHP
Kyle Lohse 2-4, 5.34 ERA vs. BOS: RHP Curt Schilling 8-4, 3.31 ERA.

Player to watch:  The streaking has become serious for the Twins, as
Lew Ford improved to 13 games and white-hot Luis Rivas moved to 10
games with hits on Sunday. Rivas is hitting a ridiculous .552 since
coming back on June 9 from a right groin strain on.

Quick hits:  Jacque Jones is two home runs away from becoming the
tenth player to hit 100 home runs while wearing a Twins uniform.
Teammate Torii Hunter, with 105 dingers, sits in ninth place on the
same list, just five back of eighth place Roy Smalley, who played
with the Twins in two separate stints during the late 1970s and
1980s. ... Sunday's win was just Minnesota's third in their last ten
day games. ... The Twins avoided being swept by the Brewers in a
three-game set for the first time since April of 1989, although the
Twins were trumped in each contest of a four-game sequence in 1995
by Milwaukee. ... Despite the two losses in Brewville, the Twins
have still won 9 of their last 13 ballgames.

Tonight's 6:05 game will be televised on FSNN.  On the radio
catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 5:30.

The Magic Number is 95 with the Twins 38-30 in first place leading
Chicago 35-31 by 2 games. Chicago lost yesterday to Cleveland.

Today is Monday June 21, 2004.

The Twins 38-30 beat the Brewers 35-31 Sunday by a score of 4-2 at
Miller park.  Winning Pitcher - Johan Santana (5-4) Losing Pitcher -
Victor Santos (5-3) SV - Joe Nathan(19).
MIN Runs: 4, Hits: 8, Errors: 2, LOB: 9. MIL Runs: 2, Hits: 6,
Errors: 2, LOB: 7.

The Twins are off today and begin a 3 game series against the Red
Sox on Tuesday.  MIN: RHP Kyle Lohse 2-4, 5.34 ERA vs. BOS: RHP Curt
Schilling 8-4, 3.31 ERA.

Player to watch:  The streaking has become serious for the Twins, as
Lew Ford improved to 13 games and white-hot Luis Rivas moved to 10
games with hits on Sunday. Rivas is hitting a ridiculous .552 since
coming back on June 9 from a right groin strain on.

Quick hits:  Jacque Jones is two home runs away from becoming the
tenth player to hit 100 home runs while wearing a Twins uniform.
Teammate Torii Hunter, with 105 dingers, sits in ninth place on the
same list, just five back of eighth place Roy Smalley, who played
with the Twins in two separate stints during the late 1970s and
1980s. ... Sunday's win was just Minnesota's third in their last ten
day games. ... The Twins avoided being swept by the Brewers in a
three-game set for the first time since April of 1989, although the
Twins were trumped in each contest of a four-game sequence in 1995
by Milwaukee. ... Despite the two losses in Brewville, the Twins
have still won 9 of their last 13 ballgames.

The Magic Number is 96 with the Twins 38-30 in first place leading
Chicago 35-30 by 1½ games. Chicago lost yesterday.

Today is Saturday June 19, 2004.

The Twins 37-29 lost the first game of the 3 game series against
Milwaukee 34-30 last night by a score of 4-1.  Winning Pitcher - Ben
Sheets (6-4) Losing Pitcher - Carlos Silva (7-4) SV - Danny Kolb
(20).  MIN Runs: 1, Hits: 5, Errors: 1, LOB: 4.  MIL Runs: 4, Hits:
11, Errors: 0, LOB: 10.

Tonight the Twins take on the Brew Crew in a 6:05 game.  MIN: RHP
Brad Radke 4-3, 3.20 ERA vs. MIL: RHP Wes Obermueller 3-2, 6.49 ERA.

Players to watch:  Luis Rivas, who hit a disputed game-winning home
run in Montreal and a pinch hit double on Thursday, added to his
eight-game hitting streak with an RBI single against the Brewers on
Friday.

Quick hits:  Carlos Silva grounded out in his first at-bat of the
season on Friday; the last Twins pitcher to homer came against
Milwaukee when Jim Kaat turned the feat on May 14, 1972. ...
Numerous Twins fans filled Miller Park on Friday but a defiant
Brewers contingent, many of whom were donning yellow giveaway caps
with the Brewers' retro logo, had the upper hand most of the
night. ... The Twins had scored at least one run after the fifth
inning in seven consecutive contests before their loss on
Friday. ... Catcher Henry Blanco was charged with an error in the
fourth when his throw to second to try and catch Scott Podsednik
stealing went into center, although the pitch to Junior Spivey was
ball four and Podsednik would have been awarded second anyway.

Tonight's 6:05 game will be televised on FSNN.  On the radio
catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 5:30.

The Magic Number is 98 with the Twins 37-29 in first place leading
Chicago 35-28 by ½ game.  Chicago won yesterday.   Go Twins!

Today is Friday June 18, 2004.

The Twins 37-28 beat the Expos 20-44 at Olympic Stadium last night
by a score of 6-4.  Winning Pitcher - Aaron Fultz (3-2) Losing
Pitcher - Livan Hernandez (3-7) SV - Joe Nathan(18).
MIN Runs: 6, Hits: 10, Errors: 1, LOB: 5.  MON Runs: 4, Hits: 11,
Errors: 0, LOB: 10.

Tonight the Twins travel to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers 33-30
in a 7:10 game.  MIN: RHP Carlos Silva 7-3, 4.00 ERA vs. MIL: RHP
Ben Sheets 5-4, 2.66 ERA.

Players to watch: Torii Hunter and Doug Mientkiewicz are both 2-for-
6 vs. Sheets lifetime. Hunter has a double. Lew Ford is riding a 10-
game hitting streak.

Quick hits: Joe Nathan has saved 18 of 19 games this season and has
worked scoreless in 25 of his last 26 appearances. ... Juan Rincon
has not allowed a run in 15 of his last 16 outings. ... As a pinch-
hitter this season, Matthew LeCroy is 3-for-3 with three home runs
and eight RBIs.

Tonight's 7:10 game will be televised on KSTC.  On the radio
catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 6:30.
The Magic Number is 98 with the Twins 37-28 now in first place
leading Chicago 34-28 by 1½ games.  Chicago lost yesterday.  The
Twins have won nine of their last 12 games. Go Twins!

Today is Thursday June 17, 2004.

The Twins 36-28 beat the Expos 20-43 last night by a score of 5-4 at
Olympic Stadium in Montreal.  Winning Pitcher - Juan Rincon (8-3)
Losing Pitcher - Jeremy Fikac (0-2) SV - Joe Nathan(17).  MIN Runs:
5, Hits: 9, Errors: 1, LOB: 10. MON Runs: 4, Hits: 8, Errors: 1,
LOB: 8.

Tonight the Twins take on the Expos in the 3rd game of the 3 game
series looking for a sweep.  MIN: RHP Matt Guerrier will be making
his First Major League appearance vs. MON: RHP Livan Hernandez 3-6,
3.22 ERA.

Players to watch: Utilitly player Jose Offerman is 5-for-12 (.417)
with two extra-base hits in his career against Hernandez.

Quick hits: Juan Rincon has not allowed a run in 15 of his last 16
appearances. ... Joe Nathan has a 0.68 ERA in his last 25
appearances, and he has saved 17 of 18 games. ... Lew Ford's eight-
game hitting streak ended Wednesday. ... Cristian Guzman hit his
first triple since April 11 on Wednesday night.

Tonight's 6:10 game will be televised on FSN.  On the radio catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 5:30.

The Magic Number is 100 with the Twins 36-28 now in first place
leading Chicago 34-27 by ½ game.  Chicago lost yesterday.

Today is Wednesday June 16, 2004.

The Twins 35-28 beat the Expos 20-41 last night by a score of 8-2.

Winning Pitcher - Johan Santana (4-4) Losing Pitcher - Zach Day (5-
7).  MIN Runs: 8, Hits: 9, Errors: 0, LOB: 4. MON Runs: 2, Hits: 4,
Errors: 0, LOB: 3.

Tonight the Twins take on the Expos in the 2nd game of the 3 game
series at Olympic Stadium.  MIN: RHP Kyle Lohse 6-3, 4.26 ERA vs.
MON: RHP Sun-Woo Kim 3-2, 3.63 ERA.

Players to watch: Lew Ford has hit safely in 17 of his last 18 games
in which he has had an at-bat. He had two hits, including a two-run
homer in Tuesday's victory. Rookie catcher Joe Mauer went 2-for-4 on
Tuesday.

Quick hits: The Twins are 5-2 in Interleague Play this season and 65-
61 vs. the National League over eight seasons. ... The last Twins
pitcher to hit a home run was Jim Kaat, on May 14, 1972, against the
Brewers. ... The last Twins pitcher to throw a complete game was
Brad Radke, on Sept. 11, 2003, against the White Sox.

Tonight's 6:10 game will be televised on FSN.  On the radio catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 5:30.

The Magic Number is 102 with the Twins in second place trailing
Chicago by ½ game.  Chicago also won on Tuesday.

Today is Tuesday June 14, 2004.  The Twins 34-28 lost on Sunday to
the Phillies 32-28 by a score of 2-1.  Winning Pitcher - Rheal
Cormier (3-3) Losing Pitcher - Aaron Fultz (2-2) SV - Billy Wagner
(9).

PHI Runs: 2, Hits: 7, Errors: 0, LOB: 8.  MIN Runs: 1, Hits: 7,
Errors: 0, LOB: 11. The Twins lost the 3 game series 2 games to 1.

Tonight the Twins take on Montreal 20-40 beginning a 3 game series
against the Expos.  Tonight's pitching matchups: MIN: LHP Johan
Santana 3-4, 5.11 ERA vs. MTL: LHP Zach Day 5-6, 3.12 ERA.

Players to watch:  Luis Rivas has nine hits in his last 10 at-bats.
Henry Blanco is the only Twin to have faced Day -- he's 1-for-2 with
a double in his career against him. Expos outfielder Carl Everett is
4-for-6 against Santana, while Tony Bautista is 2-for-6 with a home
run.

Quick hits:  Juan Rincon walked Pat Burrell in the eighth inning
Sunday, snapping a string of 21 straight batters he'd retired. ...
Corey Koskie is batting .197 with 29 strikeouts when he has two
strikes on him. ... The Twins are 21-6 when one of their pitchers
throws a quality start. ... The Twins stranded a runner in every
inning but the sixth on Sunday. ... As a team, the Twins are
hitting .204 with runners in scoring position. Doug Mientkiewicz is
hitting .213 and Koskie is hitting .205 in those situations.

Tonight's 6:10 game will be televised on FSN.  On the radio catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 5:30.

The Magic Number is 103 with the Twins in second place trailing
Chicago by ½ game.  Both teams were off Monday.

The Twins 34-28 lost on Sunday to the Phillies 32-28 by a score of 2-
1.  Winning Pitcher - Rheal Cormier (3-3) Losing Pitcher - Aaron
Fultz (2-2) SV - Billy Wagner(9).
PHI Runs: 2, Hits: 7, Errors: 0, LOB: 8.  MIN Runs: 1, Hits: 7,
Errors: 0, LOB: 11. The Twins lost the 3 game series 2 games to 1.

The Twins are in Cooperstown today playing an exibition game against
Atlanta then travel to Montreal 20-40 for a 3 game series starting
Tuesday.
Tuesday's pitching matchups: MIN: LHP Johan Santana 3-4, 5.11 ERA
vs. MTL: LHP Zach Day 5-6, 3.12 ERA.

Players to watch:  Luis Rivas has nine hits in his last 10 at-bats.
Henry Blanco is the only Twin to have faced Day -- he's 1-for-2 with
a double in his career against him. Expos outfielder Carl Everett is
4-for-6 against Santana, while Tony Bautista is 2-for-6 with a home
run.

Quick hits:  Juan Rincon walked Pat Burrell in the eighth inning
Sunday, snapping a string of 21 straight batters he'd retired. ...
Corey Koskie is batting .197 with 29 strikeouts when he has two
strikes on him. ... The Twins are 21-6 when one of their pitchers
throws a quality start. ... The Twins stranded a runner in every
inning but the sixth on Sunday. ... As a team, the Twins are
hitting .204 with runners in scoring position. Doug Mientkiewicz is
hitting .213 and Koskie is hitting .205 in those situations.

Tuesday's 6:10 game will be televised on FSN.  On the radio catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 5:30.

The Magic Number is 103 with the Twins in second place trailing
Chicago by ½ game after Sunday's games.

Today is Sunday June 13, 2004.  The Twins 34-27 beat the Phillies 31-
28 last night by a score of 6-1.  Winning Pitcher - Carlos Silva (7-
3) Losing Pitcher - Kevin Millwood (4-5).  PHI Runs: 1, Hits: 9,
Errors: 0, LOB: 5.  MIN Runs: 6, Hits: 11, Errors: 0, LOB: 10.
Carlos Silva beat his old team on Saturday, pitching seven innings
and giving up one run while fanning a career-high eight in
Minnesota's 6-1 victory over the Phillies. Silva came to the Twins
in a trade from Philadelphia on Dec. 3.

Today the Twins hope to win the rubber game against Philly in the
3rd and final game of the series.  MIN: RHP Brad Radke 4-3, 3.36 ERA
vs. PHI: RHP Paul Abbott 2-5, 6.70 ERA.

Players to watch: Koskie and Hunter each homered off Abbott during
his June 1 start against the Twins for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Mientkiewicz is 5-for-9 (.556) with two RBIs against Abbott in his
career. On the other side, Thome has hit .254 with five home runs
and nine RBIs against Radke.

Quick hits: Twins catcher Joe Mauer caught Bobby Abreu trying to
steal second base in the sixth inning on Saturday. It was the first
time that Abreu had been caught stealing this season. ... Mauer has
thrown out 57 percent (4-for-7) of attempted base stealers this
year. ... Thome is tied with Al Kaline for 37th place on the all-
time home run list. ... Silva's previous career high for strikeouts
in a game was five. ... Juan Rincon, who struck out the side in
order in the eighth inning, has allowed one earned run over 15 2/3
innings in his last 14 appearances.

Today's 1:10 game will be televised on FSN.  On the radio catch
the action on WCCO 830 with pregame at 12:30. The JMFC will be
seated in section 216.

The Magic number is 103 with the Twins in first place by ½ game
over
Chicago before Sunday's games. Go Twins!

Hi group!
Since the beginning of the season I have updated the JMFC info line
on a daily basis. (952-953-7433) During the main greeting press 1 to
hear a recap of the previous game and today's starting pitchers etc.

Beginning today I plan on posting the info line text here since I
have already compiled it and may as well share it for those that get
email updates. Today's Info line update will follow this message.

Game day notes are updated as I get them. You can find the Notes in
the FILES area of the group.  Choose "Game Day notes" then pick the
Month folder and day.  Those of you that get email will get a link
directly to the notes.  In most cases the notes are updated prior to
gametime but there are times when mlb.com sends them late and they
do not get posted till after the game. I will make every effort to
post them as I get them with few exceptions due to work, travel, etc.

Posting is open to all... it would be great to hear from members of
the group!  If you find an interesting article on the Twins or Joe
Mauer or simply would like to share your thoughts please do so!  I
welcome the participation!

Go Twins!
-Marty

Rookie catcher still seeking comfort at the plate
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- In the latest test of the health of his left knee,
rookie Joe Mauer caught back-to-back nights for the first time since
coming off the disabled list last week.
Mauer was behind the plate to catch starting pitcher Johan Santana
Wednesday against the Mets. Whether he gets to catch Thursday's
series finale remains a question mark.

"I'm going to protect him as much as I can," Twins manager Ron
Gardenhire said. "Eventually, we'll get to the point where we can
use him day and night and all those things. I'm not going to try and
murder him. I'll see how he does after two nights in a row."

If Mauer doesn't catch or get the night off Thursday, Gardenhire
said there's a chance he could start as the designated hitter.

For someone still trying to re-find his swing after two months out,
Mauer hasn't been done any favors on pitching match-ups. In three of
his first four games since returning, the lefty hitter has faced
three left-handed starters, including two of the toughest --
Detroit's Mike Maroth and the Mets' Tom Glavine.

Until Wednesday's 2-for-3 night with two doubles, the 21-year-old
had alternated games with days off. He entered 1-for-14 after being
activated -- with the one hit being a three-run homer that keyed
Sunday's win over Detroit.

"I'm just trying to get in a groove," said Mauer, who needed
arthroscopic surgery after tearing cartilage in his knee April
6. "I'm still not feeling too comfortable at the plate right now."

Lucky seven: Juan Rincon's seven victories this season leads all
Major League relievers and is second among all American League
pitchers.

Rincon has been jokingly tagged as a "vulture" for snatching up wins
in the late innings, but he really earned career-high win No. 7
Tuesday with two perfect innings and two strikeouts in a 2-1 victory
over the Mets.

It's a sign that Rincon is getting more comfortable with his late-
inning set-up role, where he's had a couple of bumpy moments this
season.

"He's hasn't been as consistent as we're hoping for yet but I think
he has a chance to get there," Gardenhire said. "He's definitely got
the stuff to do it."

Gardenhire is looking for other right-handers like Grant Balfour and
Joe Roa to help lighten some of the load off Rincon's shoulders.

"It may be as simple as not putting him out there every night and
killing the kid because that's what we've been concerned with. We've
had to use him too many times."

Did you know? The Twins record for relief wins is 17 and was set by
Bill Campbell in 1976.

Quotable: "One of my better moments -- I had a pretty good ballgame
against the Pirates and I think it was (Willie) Stargell's last
year. I made a couple of nice plays, knocked in a couple of runs and
still got pinch-hit for ... the next day, Stargell came up to me and
said he really enjoyed watching me play. That was a special moment
for me." -- Gardenhire when asked about his favorite moment with the
Mets, where he was a player from 1981-85.

Down on the farm: Left-handed pitcher Dave Gassner turned in another
fine performance for Triple-A Rochester Tuesday. Gassner gave up one
run and four hits over eight innings in a 6-2 win at Columbus.

The 26-year-old Gassner, who came to the organization in the Shannon
Stewart trade, is 7-4 with a 3.31 ERA in 12 starts this season with
Rochester.

Another signing: Besides signing 25th overall pick Kyle Waldrop from
the first round, the Twins also signed ninth-round pick J.P.
Martinez Wednesday. Martinez, a right-handed pitcher from the Univ.
of New Orleans, will report to the organization's rookie-level
affiliate at Elizabethton.


Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject
to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

06/02/2004  8:25 PM ET
Catcher is off the disabled list and back in action
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- There appeared to be as many TV cameras on the field
at the Metrodome before Wednesday's game as there were on Opening
Day. The ticket requests were spiking again.
Joe Mauer must be back in town.

Consider this Mauer's rookie season -- take two.

"We'll probably have a thousand more fans already," joked Twins
manager Ron Gardenhire. "Just his family."

Mauer, the 2001 overall No. 1 draft pick and St. Paul native, was
finally back in the Twins lineup against the Devil Rays Wednesday,
batting eighth. After tearing the medial meniscus cartilage in his
left knee during the second game of the season, he missed the next
49.

"It's kind of like a second opening night. I'm excited," said the 21-
year-old Mauer before the game. "There should be a lot of family and
friends here tonight. There will be a lot of Mauers up there."

During Minnesota's 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay, Mauer went 0-for-2 with a
walk in his first at-bat. After drawing the free pass off pitcher
Doug Waechter, Mauer slid hard over second base to break up a double
play on Cristian Guzman's grounder.

"It's going to probably take a little time offensively where he
really starts clicking, but he had some good swings tonight,"
Gardenhire said. "He's going to be fine."

Defensively, Mauer gunned down Julio Lugo trying to steal second
base with a perfect throw. In the eighth, he went to his left and
successfully blocked a J.C. Romero pitch in the dirt. The knee
appeared to pass all tests.

However, Gardenhire said Mauer would likely have the day off
Thursday afternoon.

"(We'll) let him gather himself a little bit and then I just make
adjustments as we go here on how he feels," Gardenhire said. "By no
means am I going to throw him out here six games in a row right
now. ... I'll fit him in as best I can until he tells me he thinks
he's ready to go on a day-to-day basis."

On April 6, Mauer was injured attempting a sliding catch over the
rubber warning track behind the plate on a foul pop. Arthroscopic
surgery was needed and after being originally projected to miss a
month, he missed two.

"It's not the same as if he played a position on the diamond," Twins
general manager Terry Ryan said.

Much of that time was spent in rehabilitation at the organization's
complex in Fort Myers, Fla. This was the first serious injury he
sustained and it was the first time he spent an extended period out
of action.

"I couldn't do a whole lot for a while there," Mauer said. "Once I
started to get back on the field it was a little bit better, but
it's been awhile and I'm just happy to be back."

"He worked hard," Ryan said. "The therapy and rehab, the drills, and
the time."

Mauer began working out with minor leaguers in extended Spring
Training. Eventually, he participated in simulated games before
taking part in his official rehab assignment.

His swing didn't collect any rust while away. After going 4-for-6 in
two games at Single-A Fort Myers, he played five games at Triple-A
Rochester and went 6-for-19 (.316) before being activated.

"I saw some pretty good pitching at Rochester and that's where you
kind of knew you had to work on stuff," Mauer said. "But I feel
pretty good now. Those games helped me out quite a bit."

Despite being a veteran of only two big league games before
Wednesday, the unassuming Mauer was welcomed back like an old friend
in the Twins clubhouse.

"He's down to earth and humble," center fielder Torii Hunter
said. "He just walks in and everybody was like, 'What's up Joe?' It
happens to him because he's a great guy. If we was one of those
crazy guys, we wouldn't care for him so much."


Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject
to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

06/01/2004  7:45 PM ET
By Sheila Mulrooney Eldred / Special to MLB.com

Joe Mauer will return to the Twins after successfully playing in a
double-header Tuesday during his rehabilitation assignment with
Triple-A Rochester. He caught the first game, going 1-for-4 with a
single in the Red Wings' 8-0 victory. In order to make room for him
on the Twins roster, infielder Justin Morneau was sent to the minors.


Read the entire article:

Notes: Twins still disabled
Minnesota's lineup is missing five key players
By Sheila Mulrooney Eldred / Special to MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins' disabled list has grown so large it now
encompasses the team's manager. Ron Gardenhire joked that he's on
the seven-day minor league disabled list after getting a CT scan on
his elbow.
Joking aside, the Twins' lineup is still in limbo pending the
progress of several injuries. Five players are currently on the
disabled list.

The good news: catcher Joe Mauer will return to the Twins after
successfully playing in a double-header Tuesday during his
rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Rochester. He caught the
first game, going 1-for-4 with a single in the Red Wings' 8-0
victory. In order to make room for him on the Twins roster,
infielder Justin Morneau was sent to the minors.

Meanwhile, second baseman Luis Rivas, recovering from a pulled
groin, could spend a couple of days on a rehabilitation assignment
at Class A Quad Cities. If all goes well, the rehab won't take long
and Rivas could be back in a Twins uniform soon, Gardenhire said.

Infielder Nick Punto, out with a left oblique muscle pull, is
supposedly on his way back to Minneapolis from extended spring
training in Florida. Just exactly where he is, and how he's getting
to Minnesota, however, is a little unclear.

"He might be driving for all we know," Gardenhire said.

In one extended spring game, Punto requested to bat leadoff every
inning, then came out of the game after feeling pain during his
third at-bat. Then he aggravated the muscle May 26, the day after he
was eligible to return from the disabled list.

In other injury news: Outfielder Shannon Stewart (plantar fasciitis)
is the same, and Gardenhire hadn't heard whether right-hander Joe
Mays (recovering from right elbow surgery) had visited a rehab
specialist yet. Corey Koskie, who returned to the lineup after
straining his sternum, is improving every day, according to
Gardenhire.

Taking their hits: Pitchers got their turn at batting practice
Tuesday, preparing for next week's Interleague Play.

"Nobody got hurt," said closer Joe Nathan, who was one of a few
Twins to hit one into the bleachers. "It took a while, but I'm
getting used to it again."

Nathan, who was with the San Francisco Giants organization last
year, has a leg up on most of his teammates -- and it showed.

"He had some pretty good hits," Gardenhire said.

But that did little to calm Gardenhire's nerves through the session.

"The pitchers love it, but it's a scary time; it's not normal for
American League teams," Gardenhire said. "In their own minds, the
pitchers think they're athletes, but we know they're pitchers."

Munro released: Right-hander Pete Munro asked for and got his
release from Triple-A Rochester. Munro, one of the Twins' final cuts
in Spring Training, had a clause in his contract that said he could
be released if he was not promoted to the Twins by June 1. Munro was
6-3 with 3.88 ERA in 10 games at Rochester.

Legends on the field: Former Twins starter Frank Viola watched
batting practice Tuesday, as did former teammate Kent Hrbek. Viola
is in town with ESPN for Friday's game against Detroit, and also to
throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a couple of his son's summer
league games. Frank Viola III plays in the Northwoods League, a
collegiate summer league that uses wood bats.

"It's hard making the adjustment from aluminum to wood; so many
players are behind after college," Viola said.

The league is one of a few summer leagues that aim to ease the
transition.

Viola's son will be in familiar company: also playing in the
Northwoods League are former Twin Jack Morris' son and Gardenhire's
son. After watching his son's game Saturday, Viola will head to St.
Louis to watch his daughter Britanny compete in a qualifying round
to make the U.S. diving team for the Summer Olympics.


Sheila Mulrooney Eldred is a contributing writer for MLB.com. This
story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or
its clubs.

05/28/2004  7:46 PM ET By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

KANSAS CITY -- Rookie catcher Joe Mauer arrived at Triple-A
Rochester Friday to continue his minor league injury rehabilitation
assignment for his surgically repaired left knee.
"He needs better competition," said Twins minor league director Jim
Rantz from Fort Myers, Fla., where Mauer played two games with the
Single-A club after spending a month there in extended spring
training.

Mauer, who has been on the disabled list since April 7 with a medial
meniscus tear, was 1-for-2 with two walks and an RBI Thursday while
catching eight innings.

"He has no problems running, sliding or squatting," Rantz
said. "He's well on his way to being 100 percent."

After traveling to Rochester Friday morning, Mauer was in the lineup
as the Red Wings' DH and hit a double with a sacrfice fly. The 21-
year-old is expected to catch Saturday's game and alternate between
DH and catcher in subsequent games.

An exact return date for Mauer isn't known, but it's very possible
he could be back sometime during the next home stand. His rehab
assignment is allowed to be as long as 20 days.

"I'd like to see him catch back-to-back games before he comes to the
big leagues," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I'll talk to (GM
Terry Ryan) and see if we can get one of those DH roles out."

During the second game of the season, Mauer was injured sliding on
the rubber warning track at the Metrodome trying to catch a foul pop
behind home plate.

05/18/2004  6:51 PM ET
By Ian Harrison / Special to MLB.com

TORONTO -- Injured catcher Joe Mauer played for the first time on
Tuesday since tearing ligaments in his left knee on April 6. The 21-
year-old rookie went 2-4 with a home run as the designated hitter in
an extended Spring Training game in Fort Myers, Fla.
"Everything was fine. He didn't really have to run the bases," said
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.

Mauer is due to DH again in both ends of a doubleheader on
Wednesday. If all goes well, he'll catch five innings of a game on
Thursday.

"We're moving right along and everything looks good," Gardenhire
said.

But Twins fans shouldn't count on seeing Mauer behind the plate at
the Metrodome just yet. Gardenhire said that Mauer still has work to
do before he's sent out on a rehabilitation assignment.

"He's got to get in shape again," Gardenhire said. "He hasn't done
that much running, and his legs are going to take a beating for the
first three or four games. He's going to be worn-out."

The Twins will monitor Mauer's progress over the next couple of days
before deciding on their next move, but Gardenhire said he expects
that Mauer will catch at both Double-A and Triple-A before returning
to the Majors.

Stewart bothered by heel: Outfielder Shannon Stewart, who left
Monday's game after reaggravating the plantar fasciitis in his right
foot, was held out of the lineup on Tuesday, and will probably miss
Wednesday's game as well, Gardenhire said.

"I'm not going to put him out there and let him take a chance of
hurting himself, I know that," Gardenhire said, adding that he
didn't even want Stewart participating in pregame drills.

"I want him doing nothing," said the manager.

Michael Ryan, who replaced Stewart on Monday, was inserted into the
leadoff spot as the DH. Lew Ford got the start in left.

Stewart was originally injured in a collision with Seattle catcher
Dan Wilson on May 11. The injury, a tissue inflammation that causes
pain in the arch of the foot, flared up again as he was chasing down
a ball on Monday.

Gardenhire said that Stewart is day-to-day for the time being.

"I hate putting that disabled list by his name right now,"
Gardenhire said. "That's why we go day-to-day. If it looks like it's
lingering for an extended period of time, then [the disabled list]
might be the best route for him."

Stewart said that he was frustrated by the injury.

"I can play with a sore hamstring, I can play with a sore wrist, but
with this, I can't push off. I can't run," he said.

The turf report: Now that the Twins and Montreal Expos have
converted to FieldTurf, Toronto's SkyDome is the only remaining
Major League ballpark that uses Astroturf.

The aging SkyDome surface isn't a favorite of most players, but
Twins first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz likes it just fine.

"This is what our turf at home should have been," Mientkiewicz
said. "The balls are true, it's fast. You might have a sore back
every once in a while, but I'd take that over what we have to play
on now."

Mientikiewicz is one of many Twins unhappy with the new surface at
the Metrodome. He calls it "the worst surface I've ever played on."

The Twins say that the new Metrodome field is too slow -- even
slower than some grass fields.

"It's real soft. It's like running on the beach right now," said
Stewart. "It has to be played on a lot before it gets to where it
needs to get to."

In the meantime, the speedy, defense-oriented Twins are happy to
play on SkyDome's turf. Minnesota played error-free baseball on
Monday, although they did fail to turn a double play in the seventh
inning.

"We're pretty well suited for a fast game," said Gardenhire. "That's
why we're trying to make adjustments to our home turf, because it's
definitely a lot slower."

Gardenhire said that the grounds crew at the Metrodome has been
rolling the new turf while the Twins are on the road. He also said
that a representative of the Player's Association will inspect the
new surface.

"While we're gone they're supposedly rolling it a couple of times,"
he said. "It's a big heavy roller, just like you see on the streets.
They use that to roll the stuff down and pack it in."

Quotable: "We didn't have to worry about him running with those guys
hitting home runs, using the speed that Matt LeCroy carries." --
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on catcher Matt LeCroy, who was
chauffeured home twice by home runs in Monday's 9-5 victory

Down on the farm: Boof Bonser, acquired in the November 14, 2003
trade that sent A.J. Pierzynski and Dustan Mohr to San Francisco,
pitched seven solid innings for Double-A New Britain on Monday as
the Rock Cats beat Portland, 9-2. Bonser won for the first time
against four losses, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on five
hits. He walked three and struck out five.

James Tomlin was the offensive star, going 2-4 with a double and two
RBIs.

Ian Harrison is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject
to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Taught young star that the 'team' is always important
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com 05/07/2004  8:00 AM ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Even as an 8-year-old boy in a youth baseball program
in St. Paul, Joe Mauer was obsessed with hitting a baseball.
But unlike the grounded, quiet and team-oriented professional he is
today, this younger Mauer didn't think as much about other areas of
the game -- just hitting, and idol worship of his hometown Twins
stars.

"I wanted to be Kent Hrbek or Kirby Puckett," he said.

Mauer's coach straightened him out quickly.

"She said, 'There are eight other guys out there working too,'" he
remembered. "She always focused on that part. I learned a lot from
her."

She?

She would be Mauer's mother, Teresa, who coached baseball by day and
tucked Joe and older brothers Bill and Jake into bed at night.

His grandfather, Jake, was Joe's first coach in tee ball. His
father, also named Jake, has been a longtime coach and sports
influence. But Joe says credit also belongs to Teresa -- who at one
time was a multi-sport athlete like him -- for being a big part of
his baseball development.

"She's been just as big," Joe said. "I learned a lot from her about
being more of a team, she instilled that in me really young. It's a
team game.

"One guy can't do everything. You need help. You need to work
together."

Just as important as stressing teamwork, Teresa had another concern
when her three boys played sports.

"She'd always asked me if I had fun playing," Joe said. "Don't do it
if your not having fun."

By the time he advanced to the baseball team at Cretin-Derham Hall
High School, Joe's natural hitting ability and talent behind the
plate was garnering attention. So were his poise and maturity, both
on the field and when dealing with curious reporters and college
recruiters.

All of those ingredients would help lead to becoming the No. 1
overall draft pick in 2001 by the Twins.

Teresa worked a few blocks away from the school as an office manager
at St. Patrick's Guild, which sells church goods. She always
remained plugged in with what was going on.

"She used to know of things happening at the school before I did,"
joked Joe.

Teresa's boss never had problems with letting her leave work to
watch her sons play.

"She wanted to be at every game," Joe said. "I don't remember Mom or
Dad missing too many games in my whole life. It's pretty remarkable
when you think about it, especially because I have two older
brothers that are just as busy as I am."

Both Jake, Jr. and Bill Mauer, now 26 and 24, are minor leaguers in
the Twins organization. Joe, 21, spent three seasons in the minors
before making his much-anticipated Major League debut this season as
Minnesota's starting catcher.

The motherly coaching advice hasn't ended, and probably won't.

"She'll tell me if something is wrong with my swing too," said
Joe, "She isn't afraid."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject
to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Please you all have to vote for mauer to be in the all star game.
even though hes only been in two games, hes one of the best players
out there!

kristen
Mauers # 1 fan!

How many Twins will be All-Stars?
Fans now have chance to make their choices
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have won two straight American League
Central titles. Surely, they must have had plenty of representation
at the All-Star game, right?
Not quite. They've had a total of four in those two seasons. Last
year, it was just one pitcher -- former reliever Eddie Guardado, and
he was chosen by the American League.

Twins fans, here's a chance to do something about that.

Online balloting for the 75th All-Star Game at Minute Maid Park in
Houston is now available, with fans able to vote for the 2004 All-
Stars at MLB.com, the Official Web site of Major League Baseball, as
well as at the 30 Major League Baseball club Web sites.

Fans throughout the world can cast a maximum of 25 online ballots
during the online balloting program, sponsored by Ameriquest,
scheduled to run through June 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

The last Twins player to be voted in as a starter was 2002, when
Torii Hunter was in center field for the American League club in
Milwaukee. Hunter hit 26 home runs and a career-best 102 RBIs last
season. He is also a reigning three-time AL Gold Glove winner.

Hunter wants to see more Twins have representation in Houston.

"I'd love to see that," Hunter said. "No one gets recognized here."

During last year's All-Star break, Shannon Stewart was traded from
the Blue Jays to the Twins. In the second half, Stewart batted .322
and helped spark Minnesota's repeat as AL Central champions. Early
in 2004, his production has continued where it left off with a hot
first two weeks of the season.

First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz has hit .300 or better in two of his
last three seasons. To begin 2004, he has hits in 11 of his first 12
games.

In a season that will already contain many firsts, rookie Joe Mauer
appears on an All-Star ballot for the first time this season.
Mauer's Major League career has been interrupted just two games into
2004 by a left knee injury and surgery. He is expected to return
some time in May.

Other Twins players on the All-Star ballot are second baseman Luis
Rivas, shortstop Cristian Guzman, third baseman Corey Koskie and
right-fielder Jacque Jones.

"It's definitely going to take the fans to get you in there," Hunter
said. "A lot of good players are on this team but don't get the
respect they deserve because they're in a smaller market."

Last year's online balloting program established records in nearly
every category. Throughout the voting process, about 1.5 million
fans cast a record 4.7 million ballots online at MLB.com. In 2003,
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols won the All-Star Online
Balloting Top Vote-Getter Award with 1,386,818 online votes, taking
the crown from two-time defending champion Ichiro Suzuki of the
Mariners.

Online ballots will also be available in Japanese and Spanish, as
part of baseball's continuing effort to reach out to fans of the
game around the world.

Following the conclusion of voting and the announcement of the
starters and the reserves, fans once again will have the opportunity
to select the final player in each league on MLB.com.
The "Ameriquest All-Star Final Vote" program allows fans to put
their favorite players that weren't selected on the teams.

In-stadium balloting, also sponsored by Ameriquest, begins Wednesday
in Houston. Twins fans can begin voting at the Metrodome from May 1
through June 25.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com This story was not subject to
the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Mientkiewicz back in lineup; Punto starts at second
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- Still unable to swing a bat or crouch behind the
plate because of his recent knee surgery, all rookie catcher Joe
Mauer can do is look for silver linings.
The 20-year-old Mauer found one Saturday when he was able to shed
his crutches for the first time.

"It's getting better every day," said Mauer, who tore the medial
meniscus in his left knee April 6 trying to catch a foul ball. He
had arthroscopic surgery performed two days later.

Mauer, currently on the 15-day disabled list, was expected to miss
about a month. He began rehabilitation Monday but hasn't been given
a timetable for resuming baseball activities.

"I can't really do much and I can't do anything about it," Mauer
said. "I can just try to get back as quick as I can and listen to
the rehab people."

During physical therapy, Mauer rides exercise bikes, does some
walking and stretching. He recently began upper body weight lifting.

A former No. 1 draft pick overall and St. Paul native, Mauer jumped
from Double-A to the big leagues amid lots of hype. The injury
interrupted his season just two games, or 14 innings, into his Major
League career. He was 3-for-4 with two walks.

Mint in, Rivas not: First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz was back in the
lineup Saturday after sitting out one game with a sprained right
ankle. Mientkiewicz was injured Thursday when he stepped on Indians
pitcher Jason Stanford's foot at first base while running out a
double-play grounder.

"He said he's ready," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Second baseman Luis Rivas was given the night off and replaced by
utility man Nick Punto. Gardenhire said he felt Punto matched up
better than Rivas against Royals right-hander Kevin Appier and also
wanted to give him at-bats.

Middle infield depth was missing from the Twins the last couple of
seasons. This year, Gardenhire has some more flexibility with Punto.

"I feel really comfortable with Punto on either side (of the middle
infield) and at third too," Gardenhire said. "When he's in the
lineup, he brings a little different taste. He can run and fly like
the other two. He can hit and run. I like that."

Balfour update: The Twins received some good news on the condition
of injured relief pitcher Grant Balfour, who is on the 15-day DL
with a strained right rotator cuff. An MRI of his shoulder was taken
this week, and was negative for any serious problems.

Balfour last pitched in an exhibition game April 3 and has yet to
resume throwing. A return date remains unclear.

"It'll be up to the player now," Gardenhire said.

Turf turnover: Saturday was expected to provide a test of the
Metrodome's new FieldTurf surface. After Friday's game, the field
was converted for football so the University of Minnesota could play
its annual spring game Saturday morning. The field was converted
back to baseball hours before first pitch.

During the first homestand, a few players complained that the
FieldTurf was playing too soft and was taking a toll on their legs.
The field, which is comprised of sand and rubber pellets under
synthetic blades of grass, wasn't installed until four days before
Opening Day and hadn't been completely worked in.

FieldTurf, which replaced an eight-year old AstroTurf surface,
received one player's seal of approval after Friday's game. Right
fielder Jacque Jones made a spectacular diving catch in the third
inning and reported no problems.

"It's cool," Jones said. "It's way better than the other stuff we
had. I'm sure I would have left some skin out there. Everything is
intact. It felt good actually."

Back up: Gardenhire said that right-hander Seth Greisinger was set
to make his scheduled spot start Sunday. Greisinger, who logged just
2 2/3 innings in two relief appearances this season, is expected to
work 3-4 innings Sunday.

Who comes in after that?

"We have a lot of guys that can back him up," Gardenhire said. "I'd
like to get Terry Mulholland in a game -- if not tonight, I'll get
him out sometime tomorrow."

The Twins signed the 41-year-old Mulholland earlier this week.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject
to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Mauer is one of the best rookies out there!  He's from my home state
of Minnesota.  Also he is way hot! Go mauer!

Rookie catcher repairs torn cartilage
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

DETROIT -- Twins rookie catcher Joe Mauer had successful
arthroscopic surgery on his injured left knee Thursday in Minnesota,
the club announced.
In a 45-minute operation, doctors removed torn medial meniscus
cartilage from Mauer's knee. Team physician Dr. John Steubs and Dr.
Joel Boyd, orthopedic surgeon for the NHL's Minnesota Wild,
performed the procedure on the overall No. 1 pick of the 2001 draft.

"He's still on course to return in a month," Twins general manager
Terry Ryan said.

Surgeons chose to remove the damaged cartilage rather than repair
it, which Ryan said should actually benefit Mauer in the long run.

"It's a shorter recovery time as well," Ryan said.

In the top of the third inning of his second Major League game,
Mauer's shin guard got caught on the rubber warning track behind
home plate while he attempted a sliding catch on a foul pop. He
remained in the game but was removed in the bottom half of the
inning.

The Twins placed the 20-year-old Mauer on the 15-day disabled list
Wednesday. He could begin a rehabilitation program as early as next
week.

Still sore: Twins center fielder Torii Hunter missed his second-
straight game Thursday with a strained right hamstring. Hunter was
still sore when trying to workout before the game. The club will
make a decision within the next couple of days on whether or not to
place Hunter on the disabled list.

Hunter was injured running out a single in the 13th inning of
Tuesday's game against the Indians.

Bowen arrives: One day after Mauer went down, replacement catcher
Matthew LeCroy joined him on the disabled list with an injury. With
Minnesota needing a backup catcher for Henry Blanco, Double-A New
Britain catcher Rob Bowen suddenly found himself back in the Major
Leagues Thursday.

Bowen was out shopping Wednesday night when he received the
unexpected promotion.

"Yesterday I was at Walmart buying stuff for my apartment. I just
moved into at New Britain," he said. "As I paid, walked to car and
drove home, (the Rock Cats' trainer) was trying to call me and tell
me to pack my stuff."

Bowen caught a 9:15 a.m. flight out of Hartford, Conn. and landed in
Detroit at 11 a.m. He met the Twins at Comerica Park.

Called on to pinch-hit in the ninth inning, Bowen hit his first
Major League home run, a two-run blast to left field off Tigers
pitcher Steve Colyer.

"I just wanted to go up there and put a quality at-bat together,"
said Bowen, who was 1-for-6 with the Twins late last season. "I was
trying to make contactI kind of surprised myself when I hit it."

Meanwhile, back in New Britain Bowen's roommate was left with a
bounty of new merchandise. Bowen said pitcher J.D. Durbin would take
his place in the apartment.

"He's got brand new bedding, towels and everything. So, he's all
set," Bowen said.

Down on the farm: Four of the Twins' six minor league affiliates
were scheduled to begin their seasons Thursday. Triple-A Rochester
is at Syracuse and New Britain was hosting New Hampshire. High
Single-A Fort Myers was set to host Sarasota and Low-A Quad City are
traveling to Beloit.


Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject
to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Twenty-year-old catcher placed on 15-day DL
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- It was a play Joe Mauer said he's performed hundreds
of times during games and practice drills. Therefore, the sliding
catch Mauer attempted on a foul pop Tuesday night should have been
routine.
Now it's become anything but that.

An MRI exam Wednesday morning revealed that Mauer has a torn medial
meniscus cartilage in his left knee. It will require arthroscopic
surgery and he is expected to miss up to a month.

The Twins placed Mauer on the 15-day disabled list and selected the
contract of pitcher Seth Greisinger from Triple-A Rochester to
replace him on the 25-man roster.

Mauer had just made his much anticipated and heralded Major League
debut in Monday's season opener.

"It's not very good timing," Mauer said while standing on crutches
near his clubhouse locker. "I just want to get back as fast I can."

"Unfortunately for this young man, this is sad," Twins general
manager Terry Ryan said. "He's a talented kid with his head screwed
on right. Nobody would ever anticipate something happening to him
because he's been healthy over the years."

Team physician Dr. John Steubs and Minnesota Wild surgeon Dr. Joe
Boyd will perform the operation on Mauer Thursday.

"Now he just has to get well," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire
said. "Let him take care of it and get back on the field. He's a big
strong kid, and he'll get through. It's frustrating I'm sure for
everybody involved."

In the top of the third inning against Cleveland Tuesday, Mauer ran
behind the plate on Coco Crisp's foul pop up. The 20-year-old said
his shin guard got caught as he slid across the Metrodome's new
rubber warning track.

"I felt it as I soon as I slid," Mauer said.

Mauer remained in the game though and led off the bottom of the
third with a single. Later in the inning, he was running hard around
third base on a Luis Rivas' hit when he had to abruptly hold up.

"Once I started running and I got to third -- it just locked up,"
Mauer said. "I knew I had to get out of there."

Mauer lifted his leg up and down a few times and appeared to be in
discomfort. Gardenhire and Twins' head trainer Jim Kahmann rushed to
third base to evaluate him before walking Mauer off the field.

The club and Mauer insisted that the new ballpark's new FieldTurf
surface wasn't a factor in the injury.

"The turf didn't have anything to do with it," Mauer said.

Kahmann said Mauer's young age should help speed his recovery from
the surgery. Naturally, concerns remain since the rookie's knees are
pivotal for crouching behind the plate -- this season and what's
expected to be several years to come.

"I've talked to some of the guys and they've had it done and they
came back pretty quick," Mauer said. "I might be a little longer
because of my position. I just want to make sure I get it done
right."

"I'm sure (doctors) will do the right thing and think about his
career down the road," Gardenhire said.

Until Mauer returns, Gardenhire had planned on having regular DH
Matthew LeCroy handle primary catching duties. That was scuttled
when LeCroy went on the DL himself Wednesday night with a pulled
oblique muscle in his rib cage. It's now up to veteran Henry Blanco
to step up.

One of the more eagerly anticipated rookies to arrive on the scene
in years, Mauer was the overall No. 1 draft pick in 2001 out of St.
Paul's Cretin-Derham Hall High School. After he batted .330 over
three seasons in the minors, the Twins felt he was ready to make the
leap from Double-A to the big leagues and dealt former All-Star A.J.
Pierzynski over the winter.

At Monday's opener, Mauer became the youngest catcher to debut in
the Majors since Ivan Rodriguez appeared with the Rangers in 1992.
Now his rookie season has been interrupted after just 14 innings.

"You're up one night and all excited and then something like this
sets you back," Mauer said. "It's pretty tough."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject
to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.