Garza looking for zone

BY JASON WILLIAMS
Pioneer Press

Matt Garza is going through an adjustment period.

The Twins' first-round draft pick had a 7.04 earned-run average through his first two starts for rookie affiliate Elizabethton, Tenn. Garza, the 25th overall pick in last month's draft, lasted only 3 2/3 innings in Wednesday's outing against Johnson City. The right-hander gave up six runs on six hits, including two home runs, and two walks.

But Garza's velocity was fine, ranging from 87 mph to 94 mph.

'He got roughed up only because he couldn't get the ball down in the (strike) zone,' said Jim Rantz, the Twins' minor league director. 'He just hasn't gotten into a groove yet.'

Rantz said Garza might be struggling because Garza, 21, had almost a month layoff between the end of his career at Fresno State and the start of Elizabethton's season.

'He's kind of been going through a minicamp,' Rantz said.

Garza had nine strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings pitched.

Roof returns

The Class AAA Rochester (N.Y.) Red Wings welcomed a familiar face to their dugout for last Sunday's game at Louisville. Manager Phil Roof slipped his uniform back on and saw his players for the first time since he took a leave of absence in April.

Wearing his No. 24 jersey, Roof took the lineup card to home plate and spent the game in the dugout. Interim manager Rich Miller continued to run the team.

Roof, who lives in Paducah, Ky., has been away from the team to be with his wife, Marie, who is battling cancer.

'To give up this game is hard to do,' Roof told the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle. 'I really cherish this one night tonight, being around the boys and seeing what they can do again.

'I miss it, it's created a big void in my life. You just miss being around the ballpark. I'll be talking about this for the next week or 10 days.'

Rantz said Roof continues to stick to his plan of being one of the coaches in the International League All-Star Game on July 13 in Sacramento, Calif.

Tiffee ready?

With injuries and inconsistencies plaguing the Twins at third base, the team does have an available player in the minors. But despite Terry Tiffee heating up at the plate the past two weeks, the Twins prefer to keep him in Rochester for now.

'We're looking for him to sustain some consistency,' Rantz said.

Tiffee, whom the Twins optioned to Rochester in early June because he was struggling mightily at the plate, was selected the Twins' minor league player of the week for June 19-25. He continued his hot hitting into this past week, batting .364 (4 for 11) with a double, a run batted in and two runs scored through the first three games of the week.

Briefly

Rochester slugger Garrett Jones made his first start of the season in left field Tuesday against Louisville. Jones, who normally plays first base, had only two balls hit his way, both singles, which he fielded cleanly. Jones continues to work in the outfield during pregame drills, Rantz said.

Frustrated after his lackluster outing June 24, Rochester right-hander J.D. Durbin entered the visiting clubhouse in Louisville and buzzed off his blond locks. With a new look, he produced new results in Wednesday's win over Louisville, allowing only one run on four hits in five innings for his first victory since June 9.