*Minnesota Twins Team Report*
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Minnesota has lost six of its last 10 games and will close out
the regular season with a pair of three-game series against the
New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians. ... C Joe Mauer
rejoined the team in Cleveland this weekend. He was given the OK
to resume baseball activities, but manager Ron Gardenhire is
not optimistic that he will be able to play in the first round
of the playoffs. Mauer was one of the preseason front runners
for AL Rookie of the Year, but has been limited to just 35 games
due to knee problems. However, Henry Blanco has had a career
year in his place. Blanco has established career highs with 107
games, 34 runs, 10 home runs, and 35 RBI. ... Gardenhire became
the third Twins manager to win 90 or more games in three
different seasons, but he is the first to accomplish this in
three straight years. Gardenhire will also become only the
seventh manager in major league history to win 90 games in each
his first three seasons, the last one being Davey Johnson with
the New York Mets 1984-86. "We're proud of the fact that we won
games," Gardenhire said. "It's something the coaching staff and
I take great pride in." ... Entering Sunday, the Minnesota
bullpen had surrendered eight home runs while posting an 0-3
record and an 8.89 ERA in its last nine games.

Pitching Probables
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Sept. 28 at NYY - Kyle Lohse (8-11) vs Orlando Hernandez (8-1)
Sept. 29 at NYY - Johan Santana (20-6) vs Jon Lieber (13-8)
Sept. 30 at NYY - Brad Radke (11-8) vs Mike Mussina (12-9)
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