ALDS NOTES
MINNEAPOLIS – While Joe Torre won’t announce his Game 4 starter until today, it will likely be Javier Vazquez over Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez because of the latter’s shoulder problem.
“It’s better, but it’s more sore than it was [Wednesday],” El Duque said yesterday after a Metrodome workout.
Hernandez, who hasn’t pitched since going three innings on Oct. 1 at Toronto, threw a bullpen session before Game 2 and played catch yesterday.
Asked if he could start tomorrow, El Duque shrugged and said, “I don’t know.”
That leaves Torre with Vazquez – who hasn’t started a game since Sept. 30 when the Twins reached him for four runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings at Yankee Stadium. In two outings against the Twins this year, he was 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. On Aug. 17 at the Metrodome, the Twins battered Vazquez for six runs and nine hits (two homers) in 6 2/3 innings on their way to an 8-2 victory.
“[At tomorrow’s] press conference we will have that for you,” Torre said of his Game 4 pitcher, who will oppose Cy Young favorite Johan Santana.
*
Tanyon Sturtze said he would be available tonight but Torre and Mel Stottlemyre sounded like they would rather not call on the right-hander, who played a big role in Game 2 by allowing one run in 2 2/3 innings and 56-pitches.
*
George Steinbrenner wasn’t planning to make the trip to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4, but on The Boss’ orders, Danny Cunningham, Yankee Stadium’s head groundskeeper, will be on hand today when Major League Baseball official’s measure the Metrodome’s pitcher’s mound.
*
After sampling Jason Kubel at DH in Game 2, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire will go back to Lew Ford in that spot tonight. . . . Assuming Johan Santana pitches Game 4 tomorrow, normal No. 4 starter Kyle Lohse will be available in relief, beginning tonight . . . The Twins’ plane landed at around 3 a.m. yesterday morning, so they skipped their scheduled workout.
*
Torii Hunter on the Metrodome noise: “It feels like your ears are bleeding, it’s so loud.” . . . Corey Koskie on whether being tied 1-1 in this year’s ALDS feels different than last year’s 1-1 tie: “Me personally, I feel different. I remember the second game in New York last year, I didn’t feel like we had a chance to win. [On Wednesday] I felt like we had a chance.”
—-
GAME 3
Kevin Brown (10-6, 4.09) vs. Carlos Silva (14-8, 4.21)
Yankees vs. Twins
At a glance
Game Date Site Time TV
Game 1 Twins 2, Yankees 0
Game 2 Yankees 7, Twins 6 (12 innings)
Game 3 Tonight at Twins 8 p.m. Ch. 9, ESPN
Game 4 Tomorrow at Twins 4 p.m. Ch. 5
Game 5* Sunday at Yankees 7:30 p.m. Ch. 5
All games on WCBS 880 AM, ESPN 1050 AM *if necessary
