(7/20/06) The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce that Minnesota Twins infielder Nick Punto will be the guest of honor at their annual Twins Night on Thursday, July 27.

Punto will be on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch as well as be available for autographs before the game when the gates open at 6:05 p.m. Also appearing will be the Twins mascot, TC Bear, and fan favorite Wally "The Beerman.” Additionally, the Twins will be handing out prizes and ticket giveaways for the fans throughout the evening.

A catalyst of the Twins’ recent winning ways, Punto has hit .410 over his past 20 games, scoring 15 runs with eight doubles, three triples and 14 runs batted in. For the season, Punto is hitting .322, second among Twins regulars, with 21 RBI and eight stolen bases.

Punto, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies along with Carlos Silva prior to the 2004 season, has appeared in 150 games for the Twins over the past two seasons, hitting .250 with six home runs and 38 RBI. Before being selected by the Phillies in the 21st round of the 1998 amateur draft, Punto was originally drafted by the Twins in the 33rd round of the 1997 draft out of Saddleback Junior College.

With his appearance, Punto will join the list of other current and former Twins greats such as Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Jack Morris, Lew Ford, Herb Carneal and Frank Viola as guests to appear at a Mankato MoonDogs game. As one of the few summer college league teams to have a corporate partnership with a major league franchise, the Mankato MoonDogs are proud of their continuing relationship with the Minnesota Twins.

The MoonDogs continue their second-half surge in an attempt to make their first-ever playoff appearance by facing the North Division-leading Duluth Huskies on Twins Night at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available at the MoonDogs ticket office at 310 Belle Avenue, at either the Downtown or Hilltop Hy-Vee locations, or by calling (507) 625-7047. For more information, visit the official website at www.mankatomoondogs.com.