OAKLAND, CALIF. — Glen Perkins must have gotten the message. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he’d like to see better results in Perkins’ second rehab start for Class A Fort Myers.

Perkins opened tonight’s outing with six shutout innings, allowing two hits against Lakeland.

I’ll have tonight’s lineups here shortly.

Update: Here’s the lineup. I’ll be back after the pregame session with Manager Ron Gardenhire.

Update: Perkins likely will return to the rotation and pitch Tuesday against Pittsburgh at the Metrodome. He wound up pitching seven scoreless innings tonight, holding Lakeland to two hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

Anthony Swarzak will pitch Saturday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Gardenhire said the Twins could have asked Scott Baker to return on three day’s rest to pitch Saturday, allowing Perkins to pitch Sunday, but the Twins also want Swarzak to get another turn, coming off his fourth-inning stumble Monday.

(*) Gardenhire said he went with Matt Tolbert in the No. 2 spot tonight, just to mix things up again, with the offense sputtering. The manager prefers having Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau in the 3-4 spots, of course, so he’s hoping this will jump start the offense again.

(*) Asked who will play shortstop when Nick Punto comes off the disabled list on Friday, Gardenhire said he intends to keep Brendan Harris’ bat in the lineup and won’t be afraid to move Punto to second base. Gardenhire praised the Harris’ defensive plays on Monday and talked about the way he’s been hitting.

Update: Denard Span left tonight’s game in the third inning. I’ll have an update here when one is available. Carlos Gomez took over in center field.

Update: Span left the game with dizziness.

Update: Joe Crede left tonight’s game in the eighth inning with a left forearm bruise. He got hit with a pitch by Edgar Gonzalez.

TWINS (28-31)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Matt Tolbert, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Michael Cuddyer, RF
8. Brendan Harris, SS
9. Delmon Young, LF

Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker (3-6, 5.88 ERA)

ATHLETICS (26-30)

1. Orlando Cabrera, SS
2. Adam Kennedy, 2B
3. Jack Cust, RF
4. Matt Holliday, LF
5. Jason Giambi, DH
6. Kurt Suzuki, C
7. Daric Barton, 1B
8. Jack Hannahan, 3B
9. Rajai Davis, CF

Starting pitcher: LH Brett Anderson (3-5, 4.97 ERA)

Oakland Coliseum. First pitch: 9:07 p.m.

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