Twins righthander Mike Pelfrey said his start in Texas last weekend was some of the worst stuff he's had in a game. So he's looking to bounce back today against the Cardinals as the Twins have a chance to win both games of this two-game series.
Joe Mauer is batting .253, which looks like a typo. But the former batting champion looks like a mess at the plate. He did hit a double in the first inning on Wednesday but later struck out against 73-year old Randy Choate.
Twins manager Paul Molitor senses that Mauer is not happy about not hitting during a period in which the team is not scoring many runs.
``As far as his hitting is concerned, I think some days he feels really good, physically," Molitor said. ``He takes really good swings and really good at bats. Other days it is a little more challenging when he has to try to make adjustments to give himself a chance to barrel the ball up."
Molitor planned to check with closer Glen Perkins to see if he was available. Perkins got his league-leading 23rd save on Wednesday, but it was a 30-pitch, four-out grinder that taxed him.
Perkins has converted 23 straight save opportunities, the third longest in club history behind Joe Nathan's 27 in 2004 and Eddie Guardado's 24 between 2002 and 2003.
Cardinals
Kolten Wong, 2B
Matt Carpenter, 3B
Jhonny Peralta. SS
Mark Reynolds, 1B
Yadier Molina, DH
Jason Heyward, RF
Peter Bourjos, CF
Jon Jay, LF
Tony Cruz, C
Jaime Garcia, LHP
Twins
Brian Dozier, 2B
Joe Mauer, DH
Trevor Plouffe, 3B
Torii Hunter, RF
Eddie Rosario, LF
Eduardo Nunez, SS
Kurt Suzuki, C
Kennys Vargas, 1B
Byron Buxton, CF
Mike Pelfrey, RHP
