MINNEAPOLIS — Josh Willinghams time in Minnesota could be waning, with the trade deadline approaching and the veteran outfielder in the final year of his contract. His swing is back, even if he might be going. Willinghams tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning sent the Twins to a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Monday night. “I felt better, yeah, so hopefully I can keep going and help us win some games. Thats my goal,” Willingham said. As for the possibility of being dealt? “I pay seriously zero attention to it,” Willingham said, while his three young sons played around in the clubhouse behind him, focused on their Popsicles and blissfully oblivious to a scenario in which their father would find himself on a new team later this summer. Kurt Suzuki had a two-run double among his three hits, Trevor Plouffe hit an RBI double and the Twins beat the Indians at home for the first time in more than 11 months. “Coming off the All-Star break and losing three in a row, you obviously dont feel real good about yourself. So we needed a big win,” Willingham said. Suzuki, a first-time All-Star selection who was the catcher for the ninth inning of the American Leagues victory here at Target Field last week, posted his ninth three-hit game this season. He raised his batting average to .311 and is 25 for 63 in his last 17 games. In another All-Star game reprise, Glen Perkins pitched a perfect ninth for his 23rd save in 26 chances. One week ago, the Home Run Derby was delayed by rain on a cool, autumn-like evening. Tack on about 30 degrees and thick humidity, and thats what the conditions were like for this series opener, which began with a first-pitch temperature of 89 degrees. Willingham sent the sweaty Twins fans home happy with his dead-pull line drive that just cleared the left-field wall against Bryan Shaw (4-2), his ninth homer and only his second this month. “We were all blowing really hard in the dugout for that to get out,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. Shaw threw a full-count slider. “Not where I was trying to put it,” he said. Casey Fien (5-4) picked up the victory, despite allowing an RBI single by Roberto Perez in the top of the eighth that cost Twins starter Kris Johnson his first career win. “Mine will maybe come later. Maybe not. You never know. Its the Twins victory that counts the most,” said Johnson, who was sent back to Triple-A Rochester after the game to make room for Tuesdays starter, rookie right-hander Yohan Pino. Teetering on the brink of veteran-sell-off mode before the trade deadline, the Twins emerged from the All-Star break by being swept by Tampa Bay. But they snapped back from that and, in their first time hosting the Indians this year, ended a six-game home losing streak to their division rivals. The Indians lost shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to spasms in his lower back after two innings. Chris Dickerson delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in his place, and Mike Aviles quickly shifted back to his natural shortstop spot after his first start of the season in centre field. Yan Gomes hit third, having not batted higher than fifth all season and getting most of his time in the seventh slot, and hit an RBI double. Hes 10 for 21 with five RBIs in his last six games. Johnson finished five innings in his third major league start, his longest appearance yet. Rookie T.J. House, who made eight starts earlier this season, was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to take the mound in Minnesota. House also completed five innings, giving up three runs. NOTES: The Twins tabbed Pino (1-2, 4.39 ERA) to pitch Tuesday, his sixth major league start. Pino will be recalled from Rochester for the third time in a little more than a month. The Indians will also bring their starter, RHP Danny Santana, up from Triple-A. Santana (1-4, 5.53) was sent to Columbus on May 16. … Twins 1B Joe Mauer (strained muscle on his right side) took grounders before the game. Gardenhire, asked whether he had ever hurt an oblique in his playing days, quipped, “I didnt even know I had one. I never swung good enough to really actually pull an oblique.” … Indians All-Star Michael Brantley started the game on the bench for a break and hit a pinch-hit double in the eighth. He stayed in the game in centre field. Ray Bourque Jersey. — Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer will be out three to six weeks with a stress fracture of the third finger of his right hand. Jake DeBrusk Jersey. According to the Red Wings Twitter feed, Zetterberg plans to practice with the team on Thursday and is aiming for a second round comeback. http://www.bruinsauthority.com/authentic-tim-schaller-bruins-jersey/. Sections of the British media reported Friday that Brooklyn Beckham, the son of United great David, was invited to a training session at the club on Thursday. Patrice Bergeron Jersey. And thats about it. After the Salukis 73-65 loss at Murray State on Tuesday night, Hinson called his players “uncoachable,” “a bunch of mamas boys” and compared the disciplining of his young team to housebreaking a puppy. Jeremy Lauzon Jersey. Alen, 28, hit .315 with five home runs, 59 RBI and a career-high nine stolen bases for the Goldeyes last season. He is the longest serving catcher in Goldeyes history, having already spent five seasons with the organization.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon maintains technology and not shorter games is key to attracting young fans to baseball. Maddons comments followed Monday nights 1-0 win over the New York Yankees, a game that lasted 3 hours, 28 minutes — the longest nine-inning, 1-0 game by time in major league history. “I really think that if all were worried about is length of the game regarding attracting young fans, I think thats probably not the actual specific or most important reason,” Maddon said. “Its a media-driven problem, I really believe that. I think to involve youngsters technologically speaking is much more important.” Nine-inning games this season are averaging 3:03, according to STATS, up from 2:33 in 1981. “I believe you need to really focus on getting the kids more involved based on what kids are digging these days, and thats technology, their devices,” Maddon said.dddddddddddd Maddon thinks Twitter and Skype would be good tools. “I think Skyping and getting kids to connect with players in an organization during the course of a school year primarily could really draw young people to an organization or a bunch of players,” Maddon said. “Even one guy per week Skyped a classroom from each team, just think of the impact that would make. I think once a kid has been touched by an athlete, I dont care what sport its in, hes going to become a fan of that player and that team.” Maddon thinks discussions on the matter are needed. “Somebody needs to sit down and really come up with an interactive kind of a situation in the ballpark or at home that engages youngsters, thats what Im looking at,” he said. “Be more creative. Get us in touch with them, get players touching kids more technologically and youre going to get more fans.” Wholesale Jerseys ‘ ‘ ‘

• This topic was modified 6 years ago by  lebaobei123.