Mauer gets some rest in Game 1 of twin bill

WASHINGTON -- After catching 11 innings in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Nationals, Joe Mauer started out Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader on the bench, with Ryan Doumit getting the start at catcher.

Left fielder Josh Willingham was also out of the lineup for Game 1, but both players were expected to be back in the lineup for the second game of the twin bill. Clete Thomas started in left in Willingham's place.

"Joe caught 11 innings, so I have to take him out of one of the games -- and so that's a challenge," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "But you just have to figure out a lineup. There are a few guys out there who feel a little ouchey, so you can get them through one [game] but not two."

Mauer also reached a milestone on Saturday, when he connected on the 100th homer of his career. It was also his sixth homer of the year.

"It's a big moment for anybody -- 100 home runs," Gardenhire said. "We know what he is. He's a high-average hitter, a batting champion, and he can do that every once in a while."