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Hawkins ready to bid farewell to Dome
Houston (31-35) at Minnesota (35-35), 1:10 p.m. CT
By Brian McTaggart / MLB.com
06/20/09 11:20 PM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- LaTroy Hawkins plans on bringing a mini camcorder to the stadium on Sunday afternoon and capturing some memories for the Astros' final game at the Metrodome.
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Hawkins played 12 years in the Twins organization, including nine seasons with the Major League club before signing as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs following the 2003 season. He went 44-57 and had 44 saves in 366 games, including 98 starts, with the Twins.
Unless he gets traded or the Twins and Astros shock the world and make the World Series, Sunday will mark Hawkins' final game at the Metrodome. Next season, the Twins will move a few blocks away to Target Field, but the Astros reliever will always have a soft spot in his heart for the Metrodome. "You can't complain about a place where it's always 72 degrees and you know you're going to play, no matter [if there is] sleet or whatever it's doing outside," he said. Hawkins' favorite memory of the Metrodome has nothing to do with when he was playing for the Twins. It happened during the 1991 World Series, following Hawkins' first season in the organization. "I remember watching video when [Kirby] Puckett jumped up on the Plexiglas in the World Series and robbed that home run [against the Braves in Game 6]," Hawkins said. "I wasn't a part of it, but watching Kirby do his thing and hearing talk about how he told these guys, 'I'm driving this bus tonight, just get on,' I get chills. I get chills today just watching it and seeing him jump up on that wall." As far as his favorite memory of the Metrodome as a player, Hawkins singled out the 2002 playoffs against the Oakland A's. He pitched three games in that series and struck out five batters in 2 1/3 scoreless innings. "That was probably the loudest I've ever heard this stadium," he said. Hawkins, who still has an active fan club in Minneapolis, said returning to the Metrodome has brought back many memories off the field, too. "Just coming into the ballpark and seeing some of the same faces and the people that worked here everyday the time I was here is special," he said. "And taking the same route to the dugout and just little things like that. I've always liked it, and I'm a big fan of domes." Hawkins met with about 40 members of his fan club at a restaurant Friday in suburban Minneapolis. The fan club has remained loyal even though Hawkins has played with six teams since leaving Minnesota. "They were out in force," Hawkins said. "I think they have mixed emotions about [moving from the Metrodome]. They're glad to see it go and anxious to see the new stadium. They know it's going to be a great ballpark, but there's still uncertainty about where they're going to sit." Despite all the affinity Hawkins has for the Metrodome and the people who've worked there over the years, he agrees it's time for a new place for the Twins and their fans. "They deserve it," he said. "I just wish they would have put a dome on the stadium." Pitching matchupHOU: LHP Wandy Rodriguez (5-6, 3.33 ERA)
Coming off one of his better performances of the 2009 season June 10 against Chicago, the left-hander was roughed up Tuesday against the Texas Rangers in Arlington when he gave up six hits, including three home runs, six runs and walked six batters. Rodriguez started the season 5-2, but he has lost four of his past five starts and four consecutive decisions. In his only previous career appearance against the Twins, he pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed three runs -- two earned -- on June 21, 2006, in Houston. Rodriguez is 5-5 with a 4.59 ERA in 13 career Interleague starts. MIN: LHP Glen Perkins (2-3, 5.09 ERA)
Perkins allowed just two runs on seven hits over six innings Tuesday in his first start after coming off the disabled list. The left-hander walked one and struck out four while earning the win. It was a bit of an up-and-down start for Perkins. He retired the side in three of his six innings but gave up a two-run homer in the third and loaded the bases with one out in the fifth before getting an inning-ending double play. Perkins has never faced the Astros. But Perkins holds a 3-0 record with a 3.96 ERA in four Interleague starts. Tidbits
Right-hander Felipe Paulino, on the disabled list with a strained groin, threw about 60 pitches in the bullpen prior to Saturday's game and could return to the rotation within a week. ... Right-handed reliever Jeff Fulchino has posted an 0.48 ERA in his past 12 appearances. ... Catcher Humberto Quintero is hitting .412 (7-for-17) in his past five games. Tickets
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• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Astros (Russ Ortiz, 3-2, 3.60) vs. Royals (Zack Greinke, 8-3, 1.96), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: Astros (Brandon Backe, 0-0, 10.38) vs. Royals (Luke Hochevar, 2-3, 6.61), 7:05 p.m. CT
Brian McTaggart is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
