Minneapolis — If there was a tone set for Matt Manning’s fifth big-league start Friday night, it came before the game from manager AJ Hinch.
His message to the rookie after three straight rough outings was essentially this:
"He doesn't have to be superman tonight,” he paraphrased to reporters. “He needs to get outs and compete. Put one foot in front of the other and be a little better than he was last time. Eventually you will take off in a sprint and become the guy you're going to become."
Manning did exactly that.