Twins first baseman Justin Morneau is not in today’s starting lineup because of a stiff back, as the Twins try to avoid a sweep against Oakland.

Joe Crede is back in the lineup, at DH.

Update: In his weekly radio show on KSTP AM-1500, Manager Ron Gardenhire said he hopes to find one position for Denard Span next season instead of roaming him to all three outfield spots.

Gardenhire expanded on that thought in his pregame session with reporters, talking about how difficult it’s been with four outfielders — Span, Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gomez and Delmon Young — for three spots.

“This four outfielder thing, trying to get them all playing time is really hard,” Gardenhire said. “You know you need a extra outfielder, you always do with injuries and everything, but this has been real hard this year.”

(*) Gardenhire said Morneau’s wrist also has been sore, adding that the big guy’s head-first slide into first base on Friday, didn’t help.

(*) Gardenhire said this probably has been his most frustrating season as a manager.

“Last year, we hung in there really good, and it was kind of fun there at the end,” he said. “This year has been frustrating, because the expectations were pretty decent if we’d just stay healthy. We’ve teetered — are we in? are we out? We’re still in. And we’re playing just like Detroit’s playing — terrible right now. That’s what’s frustrating for me. It’s like, man, we put together a pitching and hitting performance at the same time for a week, we’d be within a game, and we’ve still got Detroit for seven.”

Update: Jason Kubel has been scratched from the lineup with a sore neck. In the original lineup, Kubel was in right field, with Denard Span in center. The new lineup, with Carlos Gomez in center and Span in right, is posted below.

ATHLETICS (64-77)

1. Rajai Davis, CF
2. Mark Ellis, 2B
3. Kurt Suzuki, DH
4. Scott Hairston, LF
5. Nomar Garciparra, 1B
6. Bobby Crosby, 3B
7. Ryan Sweeney, RF
8. Landon Powell, C
9. Cliff Pennington, SS

Starting pitcher: LH Gio Gonzalez (5-5, 5.76 ERA)

TWINS (70-72)

1. Denard Span, RF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. Joe Crede, DH
7. Brendan Harris, 3B
8. Carlos Gomez, CF
9. Nick Punto, 2B

Starting pitcher: LH Brian Duensing (2-1, 3.94)

Metrodome. First pitch: 1:10 p.m. TV: Ch. 29

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