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MINNEAPOLIS -- The script for Glen Perkins hasnt always gone so smoothly. Sure, there have been hiccups. Life is never perfect. Rare, though, are the occurrences in sports that come together as marvelously as this for the Minnesota closer: taking the mound for the American League All-Star team and pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning in front of his roaring, adoring home fans. When Perkins jogged out of the bullpen on Tuesday night at Target Field, he was taken aback by how loud the crowd became. "I wasnt fighting back tears, but it was an overwhelming moment to hear," Perkins said. "It was a moment like that where you realize why you play the game and what makes the game so fun, and its the fans in the stands." His All-Star status and salary of more than $4 million this season put him in the societal elite, but in many ways Perkins is a lot alike many of those fans in the stands. He grew up in a Twin Cities suburb, Stillwater, and lives year-round in Minnesota, a rarity for Twins players. Boating and fishing are two of his favourite pastimes. Hes regularly on social media, with a sharp sense of humour and down-to-earth perspective that further endear him to the masses. Minutes after finishing one of his shakiest saves of the season, at Milwaukee last month, Perkins posted on Twitter: "I just did my best Ron Davis impression," alluding to the Twins closer of the mid-1980s prone to wild pitches and blown leads. Perkins has proven to be far more effective than Davis, though, putting himself on track to approach Joe Nathan franchise-leading all-time saves total. At age 31, under contract through at least 2017, Perkins isnt going anywhere. The Twins have an option on his deal for 2018 that would be a market bargain at $6.5 million if he stays healthy and productive. Perkins was the one who approached the front office during spring training about an extension, willing to take a contract that couldve been richer. He started the year as the 17th-highest paid closer in the majors. Thats fine by him. Becoming an All-Star for his hometown Twins has been beyond his grandest goals. "Hearing how loud the fans were, it makes me want to get to the playoffs," said Perkins, who made one appearance in the 2006 first-round series as a rookie but wasnt on the post-season roster in either 2009 or 2010. The Twins went 5-2 on their road trip before the All-Star break and have generally been more competent and competitive than their last three teams that each lost 96 games or more. Still, theyre 10 1-2 games out of first place. Their starting pitchers, despite progress by Kyle Gibson and the upgrade with Phil Hughes, have a 4.86 ERA, the third-worst mark in the majors. Veterans on expiring contracts like Suzuki, left fielder Josh Willingham and starting pitcher Kevin Correia could be traded in the coming weeks. The players, of course, are opposed. "I know how the business side of it is, the long-term stuff," second baseman Brian Dozier said. "But its our job to make those decisions hard for them. To be honest with you, I want to contend. I believe we can. Weve got the people to do it. Im not saying we dont need a couple of extra pieces, but I think were going to be just fine. We just have to get on a roll." The Twins start their post-break schedule with 10 straight games at Target Field. Manager Ron Gardenhire joked last week about being home enough to actually help his wife, Carol, mow the lawn. Danny Santana will come off the disabled list Friday, and ideally Joe Mauer will join him soon after. Perhaps prospects Trevor May or Alex Meyer will get a promotion from Triple-A to boost the rotation. "We think if we can get healthy and pitching again, thats pretty good. We still have to find some consistency there. Our offence, I think that will come if we get all the pieces back we hope for," Gardenhire said. One place the manager isnt worried about is the back of the bullpen. Perkins has that taken care of. Authentic Baltimore Ravens Jerseys .ca. In Sundays Blackhawks-Penguins game, Pittsburgh defenceman Brooks Orpik laid a huge hit on Chicagos Jonathan Toews. Now in my view, Orpik can be clearly seen leaving his feet while delivering a moderately high hit. Wholesale Baltimore Ravens Jerseys .com) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quickly found themselves a new offensive coordinator, and one thats quite familiar with the NFC South. http://www.cheapravens.com/. But that changed when he committed a five-minute major penalty and helped pave the way for a comeback by the Philadelphia Flyers. Vincent Lecavalier scored at 2:45 of overtime and the Flyers rallied from a two-goal deficit for a 5-4 victory on Sunday. Stitched Baltimore Ravens Jerseys . The Brewers finalized a US$36 million, three-year contract with free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez on Wednesday, adding a much-needed bat to their lineup. Baltimore Ravens Jerseys Outlet . Petersburg of the KHL. Belov was a free agent last summer when he signed a one-year contract with the Oilers. In 57 games this season he had one goal and six assists with 34 penalty minutes in Edmonton.SAN DIEGO -- Everth Cabreras sacrifice fly in the fifth inning scored the games only run, and the San Diego Padres topped the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 on Monday night despite managing just one hit. Tommy Medicas single in the second was the only hit for the Padres, who got solid pitching behind rookie Jesse Hahn (4-1) and four relievers to end Cincinnatis season-high five-game winning streak. Huston Street pitched the ninth for his 22nd save in as many chances for the Padres, who won for the second time this season after getting just one hit. They defeated Pittsburgh 3-2 on June 4, with Cabreras bunt single being the lone hit. Mat Latos (1-1) allowed one run, a hit and a walk over seven innings in absorbing the tough-luck loss against his former team. He struck out four. The Padres broke the scoreless tie in the fifth without the benefit of hit as Cabrera drove in Medica, who walked to open the inning and then stole the first base of his career. He took third when Cameron Maybin flied to centre, then scored on Cabreras deep fly to centre. Leaning on his slow curveball, Hahn struck out five straight batters in the first four innings and set his career high of nine through five innings. Over one stretch of 10 Reds put outs, nine were strikeouts. Hahn, who threw 97 pitches, didnt allow a run, with three hits and two walks in five innings. The Reds had the tying run in scoring position in the seventh inning when Devin Mesoraco doubled with one out to left-centre. Ryan Ludwick fflied out to right, then Carlos Quentin made a sliding catch on his knees on Zack Cozarts fly ball to end the threat.dddddddddddd In the eighth inning, pinch-hitter Skip Schumaker flied deep to centre with Maybin making the catch while crashing into the wall. The Reds loaded the bases with two outs in the second inning when Hahn hit Mesoraco, allowed a single by Ludwick and walked Cozart. But Latos struck out to end the inning. The Padres had only three baserunners in the game. Medica singled and advanced to second base on a wild pitch in the second inning, but was stranded when Maybin lined out and Cabrera flied out. Cabrera was left on base after a one-out walk in the eighth. NOTES: The Padres interviewed Logan White for their vacant general manager position. White is the Dodgers vice-president of amateur scouting. Cubs executive Jason McLeod, an ex-member of the Padres front office, removed himself from consideration for the job. . 2B Jedd Gyorko will have his cast removed from his left foot on Tuesday. Gyorko is out with plantar fasciitis. . RHP Andrew Cashner (sore right shoulder) was to meet with the teams medical staff to determine if he can resume throwing. . Reds 1B Joey Votto continues to play despite his strained left knee compromising him. "Hes certainly not 100 per cent," manager Bryan Price said. "We all know hes limited." . Reds Mike Leake (6-6, 3.41) faces Padres RHP Ian Kennedy (5-9, 4.01) on Tuesday night. 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