Dies & Das » als as the West prevailed, 143-138

MINNEAPOLIS -- Josh Willinghams time in Minnesota could be waning, with the trade deadline approaching and the veteran outfielder in the final year of his contract. His swing is back, even if he might be going. Willinghams tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning sent the Twins to a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Monday night. "I felt better, yeah, so hopefully I can keep going and help us win some games. Thats my goal," Willingham said. As for the possibility of being dealt? "I pay seriously zero attention to it," Willingham said, while his three young sons played around in the clubhouse behind him, focused on their Popsicles and blissfully oblivious to a scenario in which their father would find himself on a new team later this summer. Kurt Suzuki had a two-run double among his three hits, Trevor Plouffe hit an RBI double and the Twins beat the Indians at home for the first time in more than 11 months. "Coming off the All-Star break and losing three in a row, you obviously dont feel real good about yourself. So we needed a big win," Willingham said. Suzuki, a first-time All-Star selection who was the catcher for the ninth inning of the American Leagues victory here at Target Field last week, posted his ninth three-hit game this season. He raised his batting average to .311 and is 25 for 63 in his last 17 games. In another All-Star game reprise, Glen Perkins pitched a perfect ninth for his 23rd save in 26 chances. One week ago, the Home Run Derby was delayed by rain on a cool, autumn-like evening. Tack on about 30 degrees and thick humidity, and thats what the conditions were like for this series opener, which began with a first-pitch temperature of 89 degrees. Willingham sent the sweaty Twins fans home happy with his dead-pull line drive that just cleared the left-field wall against Bryan Shaw (4-2), his ninth homer and only his second this month. "We were all blowing really hard in the dugout for that to get out," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. Shaw threw a full-count slider. "Not where I was trying to put it," he said. Casey Fien (5-4) picked up the victory, despite allowing an RBI single by Roberto Perez in the top of the eighth that cost Twins starter Kris Johnson his first career win. "Mine will maybe come later. Maybe not. You never know. Its the Twins victory that counts the most," said Johnson, who was sent back to Triple-A Rochester after the game to make room for Tuesdays starter, rookie right-hander Yohan Pino. Teetering on the brink of veteran-sell-off mode before the trade deadline, the Twins emerged from the All-Star break by being swept by Tampa Bay. But they snapped back from that and, in their first time hosting the Indians this year, ended a six-game home losing streak to their division rivals. The Indians lost shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to spasms in his lower back after two innings. Chris Dickerson delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in his place, and Mike Aviles quickly shifted back to his natural shortstop spot after his first start of the season in centre field. Yan Gomes hit third, having not batted higher than fifth all season and getting most of his time in the seventh slot, and hit an RBI double. Hes 10 for 21 with five RBIs in his last six games. Johnson finished five innings in his third major league start, his longest appearance yet. Rookie T.J. House, who made eight starts earlier this season, was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to take the mound in Minnesota. House also completed five innings, giving up three runs. NOTES: The Twins tabbed Pino (1-2, 4.39 ERA) to pitch Tuesday, his sixth major league start. Pino will be recalled from Rochester for the third time in a little more than a month. The Indians will also bring their starter, RHP Danny Santana, up from Triple-A. Santana (1-4, 5.53) was sent to Columbus on May 16. ... Twins 1B Joe Mauer (strained muscle on his right side) took grounders before the game. Gardenhire, asked whether he had ever hurt an oblique in his playing days, quipped, "I didnt even know I had one. I never swung good enough to really actually pull an oblique." ... Indians All-Star Michael Brantley started the game on the bench for a break and hit a pinch-hit double in the eighth. He stayed in the game in centre field. Wholesale Vans Shoes From China . The two were in the batting cage moments before game time. Bautista was taking final warm up cuts. Pillar was hitting soft toss. The one-time utility player turned All-Star pulled aside the clubs young, fourth outfielder and offered him some advice. Cheap Vans Shoes For Sale .C. -- The Carolina Panthers announced Thursday theyve signed free agent wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery to a two-year contract, helping rebuild a depleted wide receiving corps. http://www.cheapvanssale.com/. Rinne had surgery on his left hip May 9 and recovered in time to start the season. He then had arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 24 because of a bacterial infection in his hip. Vans Shoes Cheap Online .J. -- The Houston Astros had the No. Cheap Vans Sale . To get things started, heres a little photo tour to get you acquainted with all the main characters.NEW ORLEANS - The NBAs best and brightest head to the Big Easy on Sunday night to play in the 63rd All-Star Game at Smoothie King Center. You can watch all the action on TSN with coverage beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. LeBron James of the Miami Heat was the leading vote-getter as he starts his 10th All-Star Game. "Its great being here, man, and its nice to see all your fellow guys around the league, both East and West," said James. "Im honored to be here once again and excited to be part of this." He is joined in the Easts starting lineup by Heat teammate Dwyane Wade (10th appearance), Clevelands Kyrie Irving (2nd), Indianas Paul George (2nd) and New Yorks Carmelo Anthony (7th). The leading vote-getter out West was Oklahoma Citys Kevin Durant, who finished second to James in overall voting and will be in his fifth All-Star Game. Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors is going to make his All-Star debut as he earned the most votes in the West backcourt. Kobe Bryant was voted into the other starting spot, despite playing just six games this season. His knee injury precluded him from participating and commissioner Adam Silver named New Orleans Pelicans Anthony Davis to replace him on the roster. Head coach Scott Brooks of OKC selected Bryants replacement in the starting lineup and that man will be Brooks former player, James Harden of the Houston Rockets. LA Clipper Blake Griffin (4th appearance) and Minnesotas Kevin Love (3rd) round out the starting five. Pacers skipper Frank Vogel will coach the Eastern Conference team. The reserves, as always, were selected by the conference coaches and offered little in terms of controversy. Much like the fan vote, coaches were tasked with selecting two backcourt players, three frontcourt players and two wild-cards. The visitors fromm the East will have newbies in Washingtons John Wall, Torontos DeMar DeRozan and Atlantas Paul Millsap.dddddddddddd Miamis Chris Bosh will make his ninth appearance and fellow veterans Joe Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets (7th), Indianas Roy Hibbert (2nd) and Chicagos Joakim Noah (2nd) complete the second unit. The Western reserves are a more veteran-laden group with Dallas Dirk Nowitzki (12th), Clipper Chris Paul (7th), San Antonios Tony Parker (6th) and Dwight Howard (8th) of the Houston Rockets. Portland has two representatives in LaMarcus Aldridge (3rd) and Damian Lillard (1st). Davis will make his All-Star debut in just his second season. "I stayed in the gym last summer trying to get better, and Im doing the same thing this summer. And I have a lot to work on," said Davis. "And to be selected in the All-Star Game and the numbers that Im putting up is amazing, but I know that I have a lot to do." The West is on a three-game winning streak. Last year, Paul earned MVP honors with 20 points, 15 assists and four steals as the West prevailed, 143-138 in Houston. Durant became the first player in history to score 30-plus points in three straight All-Star games. One of the most intriguing aspects of this matchup, (other than both teams in sleeved uniforms), is with the new voting regulations, the East doesnt have a traditional big man in the starting lineup. James has a wide array of post moves and he may be forced to jump center. He, Anthony and George might have a hard time matching up with the much bigger frontline of Durant, Griffin and Love. "I guess it would probably help more, but Im okay with the way its done," coach Vogel said of fans no longer voting for a center. The West has taken four of the last five meetings and five of the last seven. ' ' '