There was something unusual, though: The two-inning appearance.

It’s the second time Varland has pitched more than one inning this year; the other came May 25 against the Royals, when he threw three pitches to end the seventh inning, then pitched the eighth.

And it’s the first time all season that Baldelli has asked a pitcher to get more than three outs with a lead of three runs or fewer.

 It might not be the last time, either.

“It’s something that he can occasionally do, based on how much he’s been throwing, based on the state of the bullpen, who’s available for what,” Baldelli said of the former starting pitcher. “I wouldn’t say you’re going to see that for a majority of his outings, but it’s always something that he has and we have in our back pockets if we need it.”

• Byron Buxton was in the original starting lineup, but the center fielder, who suffered a badly bruised elbow when he was hit by a pitch Saturday, was eventually scratched. “I can’t tell you he’s feeling stupendous,” Baldelli said of Buxton, who was presented with a pair of Father’s Day cleats his sons had decorated for him before the game by the Twins’ staff. “We put a lineup out there, and if we have to amend it, we do.”

• Ryan Jensen gave up four runs in the eighth inning and the Saints lost their fifth game in a row, falling 7-3 at Indianapolis. The Saints begin a 12-game homestand Tuesday vs. Toledo at CHS Field.