Kevin Slowey’s bid for a no-hitter is ended by Twins manager

Minnesota right-hander Kevin Slowey pitched no-hit ball for seven innings Sunday but was removed by Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire because of concern about his health.

Slowey, who had missed his previous start because of elbow tendinitis, had made 106 pitches when Gardenhire replaced him with Jon Rauch, who gave up a double to the first batter he faced.

Gardenhire was booed by fans at Target Field and acknowledged after the Twins’ 4-2 victory, “I would boo me too. I took a pitcher out with a no-hitter going. But,” he added, “I would do it 1,000 times the same way.”

Etc.

The Texas Rangers placed pitcher Rich Harden on the disabled list because of shoulder tendinitis, his second trip to the DL this year. He’d made only two starts since being activated. . . . Atlanta Braves right-hander Kris Medlen is scheduled to have elbow ligament replacement surgery Wednesday and will miss the rest of the season. . . . The Twins plan to activate infielder Nick Punto from the disabled list Tuesday.