Righthander Brian Bass left tonight’s game in the fifth inning with some sort of injury. He had just completed an intentional walk to Eric Hinske when he motioned to the Twins dugout for help. Never seen that before.

Matt Guerrier has replaced Bass. We’ll update you here when we’re given an update.

Update: Bass left the game with a lower back strain and is listed as day-to-day.

Speaking of updates, Carlos Pena left the game after four innings with a tight right hamstring…. 

 Twins starter Boof Bonser had trouble throwing strikes all night and was removed after he loaded the bases in the fifth. But Bass lasted just 14 pitches.

I love Carl Crawford’s skills but he’s got to slow the game down a little bit and remember game situations. I spoke to some people after the game and they said the mistakes he’s made at the Dome since 2007 are examples of why things have been even tougher on the Rays (it’s bad enough they’re in the AL East). Crawford hasn’t been the only cuprit over there.

I’ve talked with Joe Maddon a couple times and I think he’s got things headed in the right direction. But Crawford can’t let his brain fall behind his body.

In a highly unusual move, the Twins were on the field at 3:45 p.m. this afternoon – about 45 minutes earlier that they normally are. They are going over all kinds of fielding drills. I know there have been a couple miscues in recent games but I don’t think there’s been a rash of mistakes.

Anyway, here are the lineups:

Tampa Bay (6-9):1.Akinori Iwamura, 2B. 2. Carl Crawford, LF. 3. B.J. Upton, CF. 4. Carlos Pena, 1B. 5. Evan Longoria, 3. 6. Eric Hinske, RF. 7. Jonny Gomes, DH. 8. Mike Difelice, C. 9. Jason Bartlett, SS. Pitching: Jason Hammel.

Twins (7-8): 1. Carlos Gomez, CF. 2. Matt Tolbert, SS. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Delmon Young, LF. 6. Jason Kubel, DH. 7. Brendan Harris, 2B. 8. Mike Lamb, 3B. 9. Denard Span, RF.  Pitching: Boff Bonser.

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