'you're outta here'

Check off career ejection No. 66 for Ron Gardenhire, which moves him into a tie for ninth with the great Joe Torre on the all-time list for managerial ejections. Gardenhire, the former Jackson Mets infielder and current Minnesota Twins manager, was run Thursday during the Twins’ 3-1 home loss to Kansas City. (The Twins’ lone score came on a homer by Southern Miss product Brian Dozier, his 14th.) Gardenhire, generally an even-tempered and likable guy, is 989-923 in 12 years in Minnesota. He has won six division titles and was American League manager of the year in 2010. But his club will miss the postseason for the third straight year in 2013. Thursday’s loss was the Twins’ fifth straight and dropped their record to 57-75. Gardenhire has been run four times this season, a frustration that is perfectly understandable. And it’s also understandable why his job security is in question.