Baker, Twins blank Royals to stay atop AL Central Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Scott Baker combined with two relievers
on a five-hit shutout, as Minnesota creeped closer to their fifth AL Central
title in the last seven years with a 6-0 win over Kansas City.
The Twins continue to lead Chicago, which beat Cleveland 5-1 on Sunday, by
one-half game in the division. If the White Sox fall to Detroit in a make-up
game at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday, Minnesota will capture the crown.
If Chicago wins Monday, a one-game tiebreaker will be held between the White
Sox and the Twins on Tuesday in Chicago.
Justin Morneau admitted having trouble with one of his knees late in the season but is not too concerned, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "My knee has been a bother," Morneau wrote in response to an e-mail question, "but that is just from the general wear and tear of playing on turf in the Dome all season. It will be looked at, but my feeling is that it is just from the long season and nothing will be done." GM Bill Smith pointed out that every Twins player had an exit physical during the final weeks of the season, and the club would have acted if it felt that Morneau's knee needed further attention. "This man played 163 games this season," Smith said. "He's going to have some aches and pains but he's a battler and would never come out of the lineup."
It is likely that the Minnesota Twins will pick up the $950,00 option for next year on Mike Redmond's contract, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
