MINNEAPOLIS - A former superintendent at the Metrodome said he tried to help the Twins by adjusting the ventilation system during the late innings of close games in an attempt to get baseballs to carry farther.
"If they were down two runs and you're still hoping for them to have the advantage, you'd want to be blowing all the air out and up as much as you can," Dick Ericson told the Star Tribune for today's editions. "I don't feel guilty. ... It's your homefield advantage. Every stadium has got one."
Ericson, who worked at the Metrodome from the time the Twins began play there in 1982 until he retired in 1995, said he would turn on fans behind home plate and adjust the air conditioning. The Twins won the World Series in 1987 and 1991.
Ericson said the fans were blowing out when Kirby Puckett hit an 11th-inning winning home run in Game 6 of the 1991 series against the Braves, but he said the ball was hit hard enough to go out without help.
Neither officials for the Twins nor for the Metropolitans Sports Facilities Commission, which operates the Metrodome, asked him to manipulate the ventilation, Ericson said.
Bill Lester, executive director of the facilities commission, said Ericson was "a wonderful employee, a wonderful elderly man," but called his claim "a bunch of hooey."
In other news, third baseman Matt Moses, Minnesota's first-round draft pick in June, had surgery for a minor heart defect and was expected to be cleared to play Saturday.
BONDS RETURNS: Barry Bonds rejoined the team one day after missing a game to be with his father Bobby, who had open-heart surgery.
"He's doing okay," manager Felipe Alou said. "We're just worried about his dad's health. We heard it was a successful surgery."
Barry Bonds, who declined comment, spent most of his time before the game alone by his locker, where flowers and cards were scattered around.
"Barry is in the lineup until further notice," Alou said.
DODGERS: Centerfielder Dave Roberts (hamstring) was activated from the DL, and outfielder Wilkin Ruan was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas.
RANGERS: Right-hander Ismael Valdes was placed on the 15-day DL with patella tendinitis in his left knee.
TIGERS: Left-hander Steve Avery was optioned to Triple-A Toledo.
YANKEES: Right-hander Jon Lieber resumed throwing off flat ground in Tampa after recovering from an abdominal injury. Lieber, who had reconstructive elbow surgery in August, expects to pitch in minor-league games next month.
