With a seven-run lead against Cleveland in the ninth inning Saturday, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire gave Joe Nathan a closing opportunity — and Nathan responded as if he had a point to prove.
Nathan, demoted from the Twins’ closer role during last week’s four-game series in Baltimore, retired the Indians in order in the ninth on 13 pitches to cap an impressive 10-3 victory at Target Field. Travis Hafner opened the inning with a pop up to second baseman Michael Cuddyer, and Orlando Cabrera and Michael Brantley struck out swinging.
Despite Nathan’s sharp performance, Gardenhire wasn’t ready to make Nathan the team’s top closer again, a role currently filled by Matt Capps.
“Maybe there’s something to build on, but it’s going to take a few more of those,” Gardenhire said of Nathan’s strong ninth inning. “The ball came out of his hand pretty good. He looked relaxed and wasn’t trying to muscle it up.”
Nathan landed nine of his 13 pitches in the strike zone. His slider appeared to be his best pitch. He used a slider to retire Cabrera.
“That was an outstanding pitch,” Gardenhire said of Cabrera’s strikeout. “It snapped at the end.”
Twins starter Brian Duensing (2-0) also was impressed with Nathan’s work.
“That’s how I remember Joe, going 1-2-3 in an inning,” Duensing said. “That slider was nasty. Maybe a game like this is all he needs to get his confidence and get rolling again.”
Young to return Tuesday: Gardenhire said outfielder Delmon Young, recovering from a rib injury, will be ready to play in Tuesday’s home game against Tampa Bay. He said he wants to give Young another day of rest and workouts before he returns him to the lineup.
“We’ll give him another day of batting practice tomorrow and then we have the off day Monday,” Gardenhire said of Young. “He told me he’s about 80 percent ready to go.”
Thome in pop commercial: Twins designated hitter Jim Thome is featured in a new Pepsi commercial with several present and past greats, including Ozzie Smith, Rollie Fingers, Ricky Henderson, Carlton Fisk and CC Sabathia.
Thome is shown getting an autograph from Babe Ruth.
Season too long already? Gardenhire is not a big fan of a proposal to expand the playoffs next season, which would include allowing more teams to qualify.
“As long as we don’t start playing Christmas music and the season is still going on, we’ll all be happy,” he said.
Briefly: Justin Morneau’s two runs batted in Saturday marked his first multi-RBI game since July 3 last season against Tampa Bay.
