MILWAUKEE — Twins catcher Joe Mauer went 0-for-5 in Tuesday’s 7-3 victory over Milwaukee, lowering his batting average to .395.

It’s just the second time this season his average has been under .400. Mauer was batting .397 after going 1-for-4 against the White Sox on May 20 and came back the next day in Chicago and went 3-for-4, with two doubles and a home run.

This was just the 10th time in Mauer’s career that he’s gone hitless with at least five at-bats.

“I think you ought to be happy you witnessed that,” Manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Because not too many people are going to witness those things. Just like [Mauer] said, he’s going to go 0-for-4, 0-for-5. He’s going to have nights where he just doesn’t get a hit. He’s been so good that the expectations are so high.”

INJURY UPDATES

(*) Denard Span has a bruised palm, but Gardenhire said it won’t stop the Twins from activating Span from the DL on Thursday. He will fly from Rochester, N.Y., to Milwaukee on Wednesday, work out with the Twins and likely be in the lineup for Thursday’s series finale.

(*) Nick Punto had cramping in his ribs. Gardenhire said it didn’t sound like a pulled muscle but Punto will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.

OTHER NOTES

(*) Francisco Liriano threw a career-high 117 pitches, earning his first victory in eight starts. I wrote about him in our game story. His previous career high for pitches was 111, on July 18, 2006 against Tampa Bay.

(*) Carlos Gomez opened the game with three good at-bats, scoring two runs and igniting the Twins with an aggressive baserunning play in the second inning. Look for more on him in Souhan’s column.

(*) Gardenhire praised R.A. Dickey for his two innings of near spotless relief. I’m praising him, too. I don’t think I would have made deadline if it hadn’t been for him.

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