MINNEAPOLIS — Mariners manager Eric Wedge gave Franklin Gutierrez a day off, moved Trayvon Robinson to the No. 2 spot in the order and started backups Chone Figgins (center field) and Munenori Kawasaki (shortstop).

Michael Saunders (groin strain) might be ready for Thursday's game, though Wedge said he's being cautious with him.

"The biggest fear, especially in the outfield ... if he breaks and clips it, he'll be done for the year," Wedge said. "That's the last thing I want to have happen."

Before the series started, Wedge said he planned to rest Gutierrez on Wednesday or Thursday. Wedge also gave shortstop Brendan Ryan a day off after his three hits Tuesday nudged his average to .202.

Zunino, Paxton will play in

Fall League

Eight Mariners minor-leaguers will join Peoria in the Arizona Fall League — pitchers Logan Bawcom, Bobby LaFramboise, James Paxton and Carson Smith; catcher Mike Zunino; and infielders Vincent Catricala, Nick Franklin and Stefan Romero.

Lance Painter, pitching coach with the Mariners' Class AA farm team in Jackson, will fill that role for the Javelinas.

Twins awarded 2014 All-Star Game

Commissioner Bud Selig announced Wednesday that Target Field has been awarded the 2014 All-Star Game.

The Twins made the announcement on the plaza behind the right-field stands, which was fine except they made Selig, assorted local politicians and former Twins All-Stars like Rod Carew and Tony Oliva stand in the broiling midafternoon sun, a worry for Selig, who has had melanoma issues.

Selig got choked up after the news conference talking about the late Twins owner Carl Pohlad, a longtime pal who died 14 months before the stadium opened in March 2010. For more than 15 years, Pohlad and Selig spoke by phone every Saturday morning at 11:30.

"And if I didn't call him at 11:30, by quarter to 12 he was having a fit, calling me, wondering where I was," Selig said.