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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins postponed their series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday because of inclement weather, the second straight game they had washed out at Target Field. The Twins announced the decision in the early afternoon, more than six hours before the scheduled first pitch, and slotted the makeup for Thursday as part of a day-night doubleheader. The Twins had a day off on Monday, meaning they havent played since Saturday afternoon. Coaches and players came to the ballpark to work out a little bit and try to stay limber, while a cold, wet system stayed stuck over Minnesota with a forecast to linger well into the week. Temperatures have been in the high 30s and low 40s, with steady rain falling since Saturday night and a bit of snow mixed in at times, too. "They feel like they havent been out there in a year, and its only been a few days," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said, adding: "Mother Natures winning right now." The predicted high for Wednesday was 45 degrees, with the chance of precipitation pegged at 70 per cent, so that game could be in trouble, too. "Mother Nature is what Mother Nature is. Thats one of those many aspects of life and baseball that you cant do anything about," said right-hander Kyle Gibson, who was supposed to start on Sunday, and on Tuesday, and will now take the mound on Wednesday opposite Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke. Maybe. "You hope that we can step right back into it and get into a flow," Gardenhire said. Well, if the weather wont relent, theres always an NHL playoff game to watch. The Wild will play at Colorado in Game 7 of their first-round series on Wednesday night. "Im going to challenge something early and get thrown out of the game and come in here and watch hockey," Gardenhire joked in his office. The Dodgers, who were to begin a nine-game road trip, werent available for comment. They were scheduled to start Dan Haren on Wednesday and Josh Beckett on Thursday, but their rotation for the reshuffled series was yet to be determined. The Twins picked Mike Pelfrey for the original game on Thursday afternoon, but Gardenhire said they hadnt determined the starter for the makeup game on Thursday night. Ricky Nolascos turn would be next, but teams are allowed to call up a 26th player for doubleheaders. So a Triple-A pitcher could make a spot start if either or both teams wanted to avoid using Greinke and/or Gibson on short rest this Sunday. This was the 11th postponed game for the Twins in five seasons at Target Field, six of which have been over the past two Aprils. Their scheduled series finale on Sunday against the Tigers was pushed to either August or September when the Tigers make their return trips. Rescheduling the Dodgers would be far more difficult, because this is their only planned visit. The next common day off for the teams is May 19, when the Dodgers would have to make a one-day stop between series in Arizona and New York. There are only two other mutual openings on the 2014 schedule outside of the All-Star break, but those would require the Dodgers (July 28) and Twins (August 25) to play 24 straight days. The collective bargaining agreement prohibits teams from being scheduled to play more than 20 straight days. If the Dodgers are forced to make a return trip, theyll probably have Clayton Kershaw with them. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, who has been on the disabled list for the first time in his career with a back muscle injury since winning the teams season opener, will make his second minor league rehabilitation start on Wednesday for Double-A Chattanooga, the Dodgers announced on Monday. Kershaw said over the weekend he felt ready to return, but the team preferred to be cautious with their $215 million ace. 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Harry Carson Cheap Jersey . -- Downcast before the final game of what had been a difficult road trip, the Ottawa Senators found a way to dig out a little momentum in the desert before heading home.WASHINGTON -- Washington Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon knew he was a triple short of the cycle late in the game. It didnt mean he was going to change his approach. Rendon singled in a run, hit a three-run homer, and doubled in his first three at-bats before grounding out and flying out in the Nationals 11-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night. "I heard people in the stands, get the triple, get the triple. I didnt want that, means Ive got to run more. Ill stop at second base," Rendon said with a smile. He drove in four runs to back Jordan Zimmermanns seven shutout innings. "I think it set the tone with Anthony in the first inning," manager Matt Williams said of the offence. "Youve got a 3-1 pitch and he doesnt get too big. He simply stayed with the approach of what he needed to have happen there and he ended up getting a base hit." The Nationals hitters had been struggling in the nine games since Ryan Zimmerman went on the disabled list. Saturday they had 14 hits, including two apiece by Denard Span, Asdrubal Cabrera and Wilson Ramos. Every Nationals starter, including Zimmermann, hit safely. Zimmermann (7-5) held the Phillies to five singles and struck eight without a walk for his 50th career win, and first since June 30th. He retired the last 11 batters he faced and left after throwing 97 pitches. Marlon Byrd had two hits for Philadelphia, which had won the first two games of the series 10-4 and 2-1. Phillies starter A.J. Burnett (6-11) and manager Ryne Sandberg didnt last long. Both were ultimately ejected when Burnett motioned and yelled toward home plate umpire Chris Guccione during Washingtons four-run second inning. Washington loaded the bases on two walks and an error. After Span drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, Rendon connected on a 3-1 pitch from Burnett for his 14th home run, making it 5-0. Rendons blast snapped a nine-game homerless streak for the Nationals, the longest in team history (2005-present)..dddddddddddd Burnett, who had two walks in the inning, then intentionally threw ball one to Jayson Werth and motioned toward Guccione. "I did ask him twice in the first and second if that was out or that was down," Burnett said of Guccione. "Yeah, it was out, it was down, okay. And the one I threw purposefully out, I said the same thing, but I said it more of a statement than a question. I said Thats out. That was it, pretty quick trigger." After Burnett was tossed, Sandberg raced out and heatedly argued with Guccione near home plate, and was soon ejected. Burnett allowed five runs, one was earned, in losing his third straight decision. TRAINERS ROOM: Phillies: Sandberg said outfielder Domonic Brown, suffering from strep throat, is day-to-day, and that Byrd has been playing with a bruised right foot for four or five days. ON DECK: Phillies: Cole Hamels (6-5, 2.55) has won four straight decisions. He makes his 30th career start against Washington Sunday. Hes 15-6 with a 2.63 ERA versus the Nationals. Nationals: Stephen Strasburg (7-9, 3.55) is 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in three home starts against the Phillies dating back to last season. WILLIAMS SAYS SWING AWAY In addition to experimenting with his batting stance recently, Bryce Harper has also on occasion attempted to bunt for a hit. Williams would generally prefer Harper swing away. "Depends on the situation," Williams said. "It depends on a lot of things, health, how his thumb is feeling. It depends on what the situation dictates for that particular game. More often than not, I would like to see him swing the bat. Because he just has the opportunity to do something special. "If he feels like the guys playing him back far enough that he can do that and get on base, given the right situation, okay. But then again, theres times where I want him to swing, too," said Williams, adding he and Harper have talked about it. Harper is enjoying more success recently, and is 7-for-his-last-23. ' ' '