It’s overcast and warmer than Thursday as the Minnesota Twins prepare for game two of a four-game weekend set against the Texas Rangers. It’ll be left-hander Martin Perez (5.13 ERA, 4.48 FIP in 112.1 innings) toeing the rubber for the Rangers against righty Bartolo Colon (7.70 ERA, 5.09 FIP in 78.1 innings) for the Twins.

More on that in a bit.

Manager Paul Molitor said there were no reported issues with the grass in the outfield after multiple concerts were held at Target Field while the team was on its California road swing. “I heard no issues,” Molitor said. “I didn’t really see it have an effect on anything that transpired last night. I went out there and looked at it. It’s pretty typical. They do a really good job of getting it back into as level as possible in a short time when you have your field trampled and staged upon.”

Kyle Gibson was in the clubhouse prior to batting practice, and was returning from a strong short stint with the Red Wings which included pitching in his own back yard in a game against Indianapolis (Pirates Triple-A). Gibson estimated he had around 70 family members in attendance.

“It was a lot of fun,” Gibson said. “It was one of those things that was a little bittersweet. I was just talking with Neil (Allen), and obviously I didn’t really want to see family at that time. But I found out I was going to Indy, and there was a little bittersweet excitement. I got to see my grandparents who I haven’t seen in four months. They’re 80 years old and getting older, so I got a chance to have some really good quality time with the family.” Gibson’s paternal grandfather isn’t able to travel much and his grandmother on that side doesn’t care much for baseball unless he’s pitching.

Gibson said he didn’t really change up too much at Rochester. “Mollie and Neil only had good things to say,” Gibson said. “I think it was just a numbers game at the time. They said ‘Just keep doing what you’re doing.’ I felt good against Detroit and Houston. I had a little unlucky stuff there, but I’ve been feeling really good. I feel like execution has been a lot better. I’m still trying to get ahead of guys and execute as many pitches as possible.”

Gibson lasted five innings in his only start down with the Red Wings, allowing just one hit with five strikeouts and no walks in an outing interrupted by a 50-minute rain delay.

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