Miracle in the Majors

The Twins expect to learn next Friday whether former Miracle catcher Joe Mauer's achy left knee will be strong enough for him to return to the lineup before the end of the season and allow him to be activated for the postseason.

That is when he is scheduled to be examined by Dr. John Bergfeld of the Cleveland Clinic while the Twins are in Cleveland for a four-game weekend series. Bergfeld is the surgeon who saw Mauer on Aug. 11 and offered an independent third opinion that he did not need additional surgery at that time, which cleared Mauer to continue rehabilitation work toward a return to the lineup this season.

"It's felt a lot better since I saw him, but it's taken a while," said Mauer, who met with his Baltimore-based agents last week while the team was in Baltimore and then requested the checkup. "I still feel pretty good that he'll give me the OK to maybe pinch hit or DH this year."

Mauer has been able to take batting practice with no problems. The bigger issue to be determined is whether the knee is sound enough for him to begin running.

Jesse Crain's scoreless-inning streak came to an end last night as he allowed two runs on two hits and one walk. Crain, a former Miracle, pitched to three batters in the sixth in relief of Terry Mulholland and did not record an out before he was lifed. Aaron Fultz replaced him to pick up the final out.

Miracle alumni Grant Balfour allowed three runs on two hits and one walk, getting only one out during his appearance on the mound. Grant, who has been hampered by a sore shoulder, was making his first appearance since August 31st.

Joe Beimel, the most questionable of the promotions from Rochester, allowed two runs on two hits, including one home run while striking out one. Beimel, who was formerly with the Pirates organziation, was signed as a free agent by the Twins over the summer.

Joe Roa and Matt Guerrier both pitched scoreless innings for the Twins to close out the game, which the Twins lost, 11-2. Roa was a free agent signing by the Twins; Guerrier was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh.

Former Miracle Michael Cuddyer had a solo home run in the fifth inning.

Opening day for the Miracle's 2005 season will be Thursday, April 7th.