MINNEAPOLIS — Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he’s looking forward to witnessing designated hitter Jim Thome’s 600th home run, and is planning on playing him as much as possible for the rest of the homestand.

Thome, who entered Sunday’s game against the White Sox just two homers shy of 600, is expected to start in all three games against the Red Sox.

“I think our fans really need to see this,” Gardenhire said. “Unfortunately, we could end up on the road, and I’m not going to not play him on the road. So I just really hope something happens here in the next couple games. I’m going to try to play as much as I can.

“We’ve got night games coming against Boston, and I think they’re going to throw a couple lefties, but I’m going to leave him in there as long as his body holds up.”

If Thome doesn’t reach the historic milestone at Target Field this week, he’ll have a chance to do it on the road, as the club plays three games in Cleveland before heading to Detroit for a three-game set.

So while Gardenhire wants to see Thome hit No. 600 at home, he also wouldn’t mind it being a go-ahead homer, either.

“You hope it’s a game-winner,” Gardenhire said. “That would be pretty cool to have it be one of those big moments. That would be really cool, but I don’t think it really matters that much. You just hope No. 600 is going to be special no matter how it goes, but you just hope it’s one of those game-winners.”

(Source: minnesota.twins.mlb.com)