Mauer at DH, Thome sits (Game 78 vs Dodgers)

MINNEAPOLIS — With Dodgers left-hander Ted Lilly on the mound tonight, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire opted to sit designated hitter Jim Thome to allow Joe Mauer a chance to get some rest by serving as DH.

Mauer, though, will return to catching duty tomorrow afternoon, and Thome will back at DH, as rookie right-hander Rubby De La Rosa will be on the mound for the Dodgers.

“He’ll catch tomorrow,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Just do it tonight so that Thome could get an opportunity to DH tomorrow also. Thome wasn’t going to play today, so Mauer can play tonight and Thome can DH tomorrow while Mauer catches. So this gives us a break one way or another.”

Lineups for tonight’s 7:10 CT start at Target Field:

Dodgers (36-44)

1. Tony Gwynn, Jr., LF
2. Casey Blake, 1B
3. Andre Ethier, RF
4. Matt Kemp, CF
5. Juan Uribe, 3B
6. Marcus Thames, DH
7. Aaron Miles, 2B
8. A.J. Ellis, C
9. Jamey Carroll, SS

LHP Ted Lilly (5-7, 4.63 ERA, 4.35 FIP, 3.78 K/BB)

Twins (32-45)

1. Ben Revere, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF
5. Danny Valencia, 3B
6. Luke Hughes, 1B
7. Jason Repko, LF
8. Rene Rivera, C
9. Tsuyoshi Nishioka, SS

LHP Brian Duensing (4-7, 4.54 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 2.15 K/BB)