Mauer’s productive return isn’t enough for win
Mauer’s return can’t change outcome
Joe Mauer returned to the lineup and hit three RBI singles, but that couldn’t make up for the Rays’ home runs. The Twins had not allowed a homer in 310 plate appearances until Sean Rodriguez’s blast in the first.
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Mauer’s RBI 1Bs: 1 | 2 | 3 
Mauer returns, but only as DH (AP)
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – Twins catcher Joe Mauer seemed fine Friday when he reached back and threw a bullet to catch Seattle’s Chone Figgins attempting to steal second base.
But Mauer said his right shoulder wasn’t fine.
“Actually, we made the decision to have it before that,” Mauer said.
The “it” was a cortisone injection to take care of soreness and inflammation that has bothered him for weeks. After missing games Sunday and Monday, Mauer was back in the lineup — albeit as a designated hitter — on Tuesday. He was 3-for-4 with three RBI, raising his average to .652 (15-for-23) with 13 RBI over his past six games.
Mauer played light catch before Tuesday’s game and will see how he feels Wednesday before getting back behind the plate. “It feels better than a couple days ago,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll be in there soon.”
Mauer’s shoulder issues came to light right before the All-Star break, the latest known development in a season in which he’s been banged up throughout.
“Just have to go day by day with him and see how it feels,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.
| Minnesota | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Span, CF | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .277 |
| Casilla, A, 2B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .260 |
| c-Thome, PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .251 |
| 1-Hardy, PR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .258 |
| Mauer, DH | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .318 |
| Young, D, LF | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .330 |
| Kubel, RF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .261 |
| Cuddyer, 1B | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .276 |
| Valencia, 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .360 |
| Plouffe, SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .115 |
| a-Repko, PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .316 |
| Butera, C | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .200 |
| b-Morales, J, PH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Totals | 36 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 20 | .281 |
a-Struck out for Plouffe in the 9th. b-Walked for Butera in the 9th. c-Reached on error for Casilla, A in the 9th.
1-Ran for Thome in the 9th. BATTING
2B: Span (15, Niemann), Cuddyer (25, Niemann).
HR: Butera (2, 7th inning off Niemann, 0 on, 0 out).
TB: Span 3; Mauer 3; Kubel; Cuddyer 3; Butera 5.
RBI: Mauer 3 (56), Butera (8).
2-out RBI: Mauer 2.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Plouffe; Kubel 2; Young, D.
S: Casilla, A.
GIDP: Valencia.
Team RISP: 3-for-11.
Team LOB: 9.
BASERUNNING
SB: Cuddyer (3, 3rd base off Niemann/Shoppach).
FIELDING
Outfield assists: Span (Rodriguez, S at home).
DP: 2 (Valencia-Casilla, A-Cuddyer, Plouffe-Cuddyer).
| Minnesota | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duensing | 6.0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2.10 |
| Guerrier(L, 1-6) | 0.1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3.45 |
| Mijares, Jo | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.59 |
| Crain | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3.05 |
| Capps | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2.64 |
| Mahay | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.38 |
| Totals | 8.0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 3.96 |