Twins call Dean back up

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Naugatuck native Pat Dean was called back up from Triple-A this month by the Minnesota Twins. -BRACE HEMMELGARN/MINNESOTA TWINS
Naugatuck native Pat Dean was called back up from Triple-A this month by the Minnesota Twins. -BRACE HEMMELGARN/MINNESOTA TWINS

After placing three pitchers on the disabled list over the first two weeks of August, the Minnesota Twins called up Naugatuck native Pat Dean to fill one of those roles.

Dean, who was called up on Aug. 12, went out and made the most of his second chance in the Major Leagues. He pitched three innings of relief against the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 12. He allowed a solo home run to Kendrys Morales and finished with six strikeouts, including the last five batters he faced.

The Twins lost the game, 7-3, but Dean certainly seemed right at home back in Minnesota.

Dean was first called up to the Major Leagues in May. He made a good first impression outdueling Felix Hernandez for his first Major League win on May 21. He went seven innings in the game allowing four hits and two runs. His first stint in the Majors also included a six-inning one-run performance against the Red Sox on June 12. He compiled a 1-3 record with a 5.54 ERA in eight games, including six starts, with 25 strikeouts and 15 walks.

Dean was sent down to Triple-A Rochester following a rough outing June 17 against the New York Yankees.

“The focus when I was sent down was to work on my changeup,” Dean said. “I ended up with kind of a split finger changeup and got a little confidence behind that pitch. The biggest thing was to stay healthy keep yourself on the field and give yourself a chance at another call up.”

This time around Dean is scheduled to work out of the bullpen for the Twins.

The Twins are on a six-game road trip that started on Tuesday in Atlanta and finishes up in Kansas City. The Twins return home Aug. 23 for a three-game series with Detroit.