Class AAA Rochester righthander Armando Gabino was pulled from his start against Pawtucket after three innings. Add in the fact that the Twins haven’t named a starter for Tuesday against Baltimore and I have a strong suspicion that he’s being called up.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said earlier tonight that they were working on a starter for Tuesday’s game.

So I’m calling it. Gabino up. Swarzak or Humber down. Don’t know if it will happen after tonight’s game….but I wouldn’t be surprised.

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau will not play in this series after seeing an ear, nose and throat specialist in Edina today,

Morneau was given more medication and advised not to travel. He will rest for the next few days as he fights through a right ear infection.  If he’s not better by Monday the Twins might have no choice but to put him on the DL. Who knows who would come up then. Would it really matter?

It just gets worse and worse for the Twins.

Meanwhile, Nick Blackburn will try to a three start losing streak tonight at the `K’

I expect lots of Twins fans here tonight. Some were tailgating in the parking lot when I arrived here at 2:30 p.m.

Lineups

Twins (58-63)

1. Denard Span, RF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Jason Kubel, DH
5. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. Carlos Gomez, CF
9. Alexi Casilla, 2B

Pitching: Nick Blackburn, RHP

Royals (47-73)

1. David DeJesus, LF
2. Mitch Maier, CF
3. Billy Butler, 1B
4. Mike Jacobs, DH
5. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
6. Mark Teahen, 3B
7. Miguel Olivo, C
8. Josh Anderson, RF
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS

Pitching: Hochevar, RHP

The Twins will have to go at least a couple days without first baseman Justin Morneau, who is headed back to the Twin Cities tonight to see a ear nose and throat specialist.

Morneau, who has been bothered by an inner ear infection for several days, said he feels fine when he’s still for awhile but begins to feel off-balance when  he tries to move around.

He sat on the bench during Wednesday’s game and felt better. He even thought he could pinch hit. But he tried to move around and the dizziness came back.

“Nothing has changed,” he said.

He was given medication in Texas and told that it would start to work in 24 hours.

“It has not,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Now we go to the next level.”

Gardenhire is holding out hope that Morneau can join the team this weekend in Kansas City. But considering how Denard Span struggled with a similar problem, a longer recovery is possible. And that would mean a trip to the disabled list.

The only difference between Morneau’s and Span’s cases is that Span ended  up seeing a thyroid specialist. Morneau hasn’t reached that point yet. But the ENT specialist could recommend that.

There’s never a good time for something like this. But this cripples a team that’s holding onto hopes it can get  back in the postseason picture.

So Michael Cuddyer is back at first base. Joe Mauer, who took two foul tips off him last night, thought a DH day was a good idea.

Jose Mijares a few days ago, had a son born in Venezuela. His name is Javier Alejandro Mijares.

And Texas’ lineup got a little stronger today. They just activated Nelson Cruz.

One more thing: Now the Silver Slugger people are saying the only reason Huff was listed as a DH was that he won the award at that position in the past. I just hope it’s not the actual ballot. Will check tommorrow.

Lineups

Twins (58-62)

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

Pitching: Swarzak

Rangers (67-52)

1. Julio Borbon, DH
2. Michael Young, 3B
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Marlon Byrd, LF
5. Ian Kinsler, 2B
6. Nelson Cruz, RF
7. Hank Blalock, 1B
8. Taylor Teagarden, C
9. Elvis Andrus,  SS

Pitching: Derek Holland, LHP

Jason Kubel’s left knee felt good enough for him to be in tonight’s starting lineup. Justin Morneau, however, continues to battle an ear infection. Gardenhire is going to give Morneau another day to see if his condition improves. No one wants to see him land on the disabled list, and Gardenhire is trying to be as patient as he can.

Joe Mauer woke up today trailing only Albert Pujols in OPS. And, if you haven’t watched ESPN today, here’s the following note:

Mauer, with a .383 average and 25 homers, is one of five players to bat at least .380 with at least 25 homers this late in the season. The others: Ted Williams (1941 and 1957), Joe DiMaggio (1939), Lou Gehrig (1930 and 1936) and Babe Ruth (1931).

What Mauer is doing right now is sick.

He’s added 30 points to his batting average in the last 16 games. And while the Twins might not even finish .500 this season, Mauer (and Morneau) will be THE drawing card at the Dome in September.

As I wrote in today’s story, he….is…..on….everything….right….now.

And he won’t come out of the lineup. Gardenhire mentioned to him a couple days ago that it might be time for a break. Mauer looked at him and replied, “I’m good.”

Remember the arcade basketball game in which your player would turn on fire if he hit three straight shots. Mauer is in flames right now.

Forget about the season. Ignore where he might play in 2011. Enjoy the ride. 

Lineups

Twins (57-62)

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

Pitching: Scott Baker

Rangers (67-51)

1. Julio Borborb, DH
2. Michael Young, 3B
3. Josh Hamilton, RF
4. Marlon Byrd, CF
5. David Murphy, LF
6. Ian Kinsler, 2B
7. Hank Blalock, 1B
8. Pudge, C
9. Elvis Andrus, SS

Pitching: Kevin Millwood, RHP

Twins DH Jason Kubel left the game in the first inning with a left knee contusion after fouling a ball off that area in his first at-bat. Brendan Harris is now the DH… 

Check on the first baseman. Welcome the latest rookie. Fill out the rotation later.

The Twins are trying to play with three-fifths of their rotation on the disabled list and Justin Morneau out with an ear infection while trying to prove they haven’t given up on the season.

“We have too many guys in there with too much pride not to play hard,” outfielder Michael Cuddyer said.

But a loss tonight means they have lost six straight series.

Morneau is being examined by the Rangers’ doctor. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he hopes that this infection is not as bad as the one that bothered Denard Span for most of June.

Philip Humber has arrived and is available out of the bullpen. Gardy acknowledged that Armando Gabino was first in line to be called up, but they needed a rested arm for today, and that was Humber.

Humber sounds like a different guy. He talked about the team dealing with Riccardo Ingram’s ilness - he left the club earlier in the season to have a medical condition taken care of - has forced him to re-think his priorities. He said he’s here to fill any role they want him to.

Francisco Liriano’s velocity was down a little bit last night, and pitching coach Rick Anderson said he had nothing on his pitches. Liriano was checked out after the game and the Twins believe it’s nothing more than a tired arm. They hope two weeks of conditioning will help.

The Rangers have traded for Pudge Rodriguez, but he’s not in tonight’s lineup. He is available.

Lineups

Twins (56-62)

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

Pitching: Carl Pavano, RHP

Rangers (67-50)

1. Julio Borbon, LF
2. Michael Young, 3B
3. Josh Hamilton, RF
4. Marlon Byrd, CF
5. David Murphy, DH
6. Ian Kinsler, 2B
7. Hank Blalock, 1B
8. Taylor Teagarden, C
9. Omar Vizquel, SS

Pitching: Scott Feldman, RHP

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau left tonight’s game after the fourth inning because of dizziness. The Twins removed him from the game as a precaution. 

Still waiting to hear if the Twins will sign first round pick Kyle Gibson. Indications are that this could go down to the wire. Sounds like the upper levels of Twins management/ownership have started to get involved. Joe C. is monitoring the situation, so I’m sure he’ll post updates when possible. 

Rangers starter Tommy Hunter is coming off of his best outing of the year when he tossed 7.2 shutout innings at Cleveland. Hunter has won five of his last six decisions and has not given up more than four earned runs in nine starts this season. 

Matt Guerrier, Anthony Swarzak, Jose Mijares, Jesse Crain, Bobby Keppel and Jeff Manship were among players who went out on the field for a brief run before the game. It was 99 degrees at the time.

Waiting to hear who will take the ball for the Twins on Thursday. Brian Duensing is a possibility but I wouldn’t mind watching Manship on the mound. 

Update: Brian Duensing has been named the starter for Thursday’s game against the Rangers. Anthony Swarzak will move to the bullpen, although he won’t be available today.

O-Cab felt a little beat up today so he gets a day off. Brendan Harris bats second and starts at short. Nick Punto is in at second.

Joe Nathan said he right knee felt fine after taking a line drive off of it on Sunday.

Lineups

Twins (56-61)

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

Pitching: Francisco Liriano. LHP

Rangers (66-50)

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Michael Young, 3B
3. Josh Hamilton, RF
4. Marlon Byrd, CF
5. David Murphy, LF
6. Andruw Jones, DH
7. Hank Blalock, 1B
8. Kevin Richardson, C
9. Elvis Andrus, SS

Pitching: Tommy Hunter, RHP