Over the past 12 hours, the USA women’s beach volleyball team and the USA women’s soccer team picked up goal medals in Beijing after some intense games. Props to them.  Too bad USA softball lost to Japan in the gold medal game, but we’re having a great run over there.

Overheard after Michael Phelps won his eighth goal medal: Can he hit lefties?

Sorry, I’m a sap for major international events. I’ve stayed up late and have been up early to surf the NBC family of networks for Olympic content. Back to baseball….

There were some interesting comments on this blog after yesterday’s game. It looks like Twins Nation is wound up big-time for this road trip. I think this would be a huge trip even if it was just a 10-gamer.

The Twins have grumbled about this road trip for weeks. And they seemed to be a little on edge after two losses in Seattle about playing better on the road.

Now that The BIG Trip is here, the challenge is to not make this more than it is.

“It doesn’t matter how long the road trip is,” Justin Morneau reasoned,  “Any time you have a four-game series, it seems like it’s too long.”

“I think we have to remember that this is no bigger than any other road trip,” Scott Baker said. “Just because it’s toward the end of the season, it seems like the games mean a lot more.”

I agree somewhat. A team shouldn’t get wound up about big games at this point of the season. But the Twins need to be fired up this week against the Angels to get this thing off to a good start.

They’ve got to execute. The starters need to pitch into the final third of games. If they get a lead, they’ve got to keep attacking. No one should more motivated than Glen Perkins, who twice has had big leads against Seattle but failed to reach the seventh inning.

My prediction for the road trip: 7-7 - and that’s not a bad thing. It’s hard to win on the road.

All I know for sure is that Mike Redmond is ready to pull out all the stops to get the Twins fired up for this trip.

“We have an opportunity to go out there and control our own destiny and get to the playoffs, that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Not all teams can say that. If that doesn’t fire you up I don’t know what will. That’s it. That’s what it’s all about. A shot.”

7-7 I say……….what say you?

The Twins have officially activated Alexi Casilla from the 15-day disabled list. To make room for him, the Twins outrighted righthander Brian Bass to Class AAA Rochester.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he needed an extra bench player with Delmon Young and Adam Everett nursing injuries. So the Twins will try an 11-man staff for awhile, with Gardenhire pointing out that another pitcher, “is just a phone call away.”

Gardenhire also pointed out how well Randy Ruiz has swung the bat since being called up and wanted to keep him.

Bass is 3-4 with a 4.87 ERA but has struggled lately to the point where the Twins were using him sparingly.  Being outrighted means that Bass cleared waivers. He has 72 hours to accept the assignment or become a free agent. “I’ll think about it,” Bass said. “We’ll see.”

Casilla, who has recovered from a torn ligament in his right thumb, was 4 for 7 in two rehab games at Class A Beloit.

After going 3 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI on Tuesday during a rehab game at Class A Beloit, second baseman Alexi Casilla is on his way to the Twin Cities and will join the team in time for its 14-game, 15-day roadtrip.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire indicated he’ll play Casilla right way but will give him a day off here and there if Casilla’s right thumb gives him any problems.

The Twins will announce the roster move for Casilla after the game.

Matt Tolbert was 1 for 3 with a stolen base during his first rehab game at Class AA New Britain. Gardenhire said Tolbert will be called up when rosters can expand on Sept. 1.

Francisco Liriano goes for his fourth straight win today. The Twins are averaging 7.14 runs in Liriano’s starts - and are averaging seven runs a game during this homestand.

And the Twins are batting .390 with RISP during this homestand.

1:14 Update: As you have noticed, Young is back in the lineup. He ran on a treadmil before the game and said he was good to go.

We’ve also had server problems today. Sorry for the lack of access.

Lineup

Athletics (57-68): 1. Mark Ellis, 2B. 2. Kurt Suzuki, C. 3. Emil Brown, LF. 4. Frank Thomas, DH. 5. Jack Cust, RF. 6. Bobby Crosby, SS. 7. Rajai Davis, CF. 8. Daric Barton, 1B. 9. Cliff Pennington, 3B. Pitching: Dallas Braden.

Twins (71-54): 1. Denard Span, RF. 2. Nick Punto, 2B. 3. Mike Redmond, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Delmon Young, LF. 6. Randy Ruiz, DH. 7. Brian Buscher, 3B. 8. Brendan Harris, SS. 9. Carlos Gomez, CF. Pitching: Francisco Liriano.

Delmon Young is not in the starting lineup. I’m guessing it’s because of the ankle he turned yesterday. He’s usually moving around the clubhouse with a bat in his hands before games but he didn’t take early batting practice today and was just sitting at a table listening to tunes.

Alexi Casilla played well for Class A Beloit last night, getting a hit, walking twice, stealing a base and making a fine defensive day. He’s set to play one more game before joining the Twins for the crucial road trip.

Adam Everett was on the field during early b.p. but was a spectator instead of a participator. And his right hand was wrapped.

Just realized that the Twins may be down to a two-man bench tonight. Plenty of speed at Gardy’s disposal with Mike Redmond and Mike Lamb. 

Matt Tolbert is set to play tonight for Class AA New Britain as he gets his baseball-playing legs back under him after being out since May with a torn thumb ligament. He should be ready to join the team by the time rosters expand.

5:27 Update: Everett is sore and told Gardy he could play in an emergency. Young took b.p. but Gardy said he wasn’t moving around well so the manager seems reluctant to use him. So two-man bench, hang with it!!!

The wait is on to see the roster move the Twins will make to clear space for Casilla -  provided Casilla gets through tonight’s game at Beloit. You wonder how the Twins have been affected  by the lack of continuity in the infield this year.

Funny moment during Gardy’s presser. A TV reporter mentioned that the Vikes talked today about Tavaris Jackson learning how to slide. Guess Childress mentioned something about calling the Twins about sliding lessons.

So Gardy was asked if Chili had called - or if Jackson is welcome to show up for lessons.

After a brief pause, Gardy replied, “We teach head first around here.”

Lineups

A’s (57-67): 1. Mark Ellis, 2B. 2. Eric Patterson, LF. 3. Jack Cust, RF. 4. Frank Thomas, DH. 5. Kurt Suzuki, C. 6. Bobby Crosby, SS. 7. Carlos Gonzalez, CF. 8. Jack Hannahan, 3B. 9. Daric Barton, 1B. Pitching: Sean Gallagher.

Twins (70-54): 1. Denard Span, RF. 2. Nick Punto, 2B. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Jason Kubel, LF. 6. Randy Ruiz. DH. 7. Brian Buscher, 3B. 8. Brendan Harris, SS. 9. Carlos Gomez, CF. Pitching: Kevin Slowey.

Forgot to mention last night that the Dome erupted with cheers when Michael Phelps’ gold medal in the 100 butterfly was announced. Fans had started to run up to the press box to ask, “Did Michael Phelps do it?” within minutes of his scheduled start time, so props to the Twins’ game day ops for getting it out there.

But how about Michael Phelps? He’s on the mind of every American sports fan…

Not much going on here. I can’t believe the Twins are going to have this in the new park. I’m worried about too many deflections when batted balls hit there.

Alexi Casilla hit off soft toss throws today and gave me the thumbs up.

There’s a rumor that Carlos Silva is headed for the disabled list.

Lineups

Seattle (46-75): 1. Ichiro, RF. 2. Jeremy Reed, LF. 3. Raul Ibanez, DH. 4. Adrian Beltre, 3B. 5. Jose Lopez, 2B. 6. Jeff Clement, C. 7. Wladimir Balentien, CF. 8. Bryan LaHair, 1B. 9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS. Pitching: Ryan Rowland-Smith.

Twins (68-53): 1. Denard Span, RF.  2. Nick Punto, 2B.  3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Delmon Young, LF. 6. Randy Ruiz, DH. 7. Brendan Harris, 3B. 8. Adam Everett, SS. 9. Carlos Gomez, CF. Pitching: Scott Baker.