Anthony Swarzak

The Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins kept circling the bases at a dizzying rate, until finally the barrage ended with numbers that resembled a slow-pitch softball game.

At the crack of the bat, San Diego Padres manager Bud Black didn't think center fielder Alexi Amarista had a chance to get Eduardo Escobar's screaming line drive. Step by blazing step, it didn't take Amarista long to give Black and the rest of his team some much-needed hope.

Anthony Swarzak, for an afternoon at least, was a starter again. Swarzak pitched five sharp innings in a short-notice start, Oswaldo Arcia homered and the Twins beat the Cleveland Indians 3-1 Wednesday.

Miguel Cabrera hit a three-run homer that capped a six-run second inning, sending Max Scherzer and the Detroit Tigers past the Minnesota Twins 9-3 Saturday.

Chris Colabello isn't taking a single moment in the majors for granted. After spending seven seasons playing independent ball in Canada, Colabello has finally made the big time and he's savoring every pitch, every swing and every game. And so far, he's made the most of each one.

The Minnesota Twins and right-hander Anthony Swarzak have agreed to a $935,000, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

The Minnesota Twins and third baseman Trevor Plouffe have agreed to a $2.35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration.

Ian Desmond doubled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Washington Nationals made manager Davey Johnson’s “fun day” even better Sunday with a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins to complete a sweep of a day-night doubleheader. The Nationals shut out the Twins 7-0 in the first game.

Manny Machado had a tiebreaking RBI single in Baltimore’s three-run 10th inning as the Orioles rallied for a 9-6 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

Minnesota Twins pitcher Anthony Swarzak has two cracked ribs, the freak result of some ill-fated horseplay during a gathering with teammates last month. The injury is a setback to his bid for a roster spot as a long reliever.