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This and That There were two stories involving the Twins since my last post, one being Francisco Liriano's continued stay in AAA and the possible trade for Seattle Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre. Regarding the first, I can't figure out how they can keep Liriano in the minors much longer (4-0, 0.32 ERA in his last four starts). The real question is who from the starting rotation will go. Maybe getting rid of Bonser and moving Kevin Slowey to the bullpen, thus letting Liriano and Slowey duke it out for a spot in the rotation, is an answer. Unfortunately, as mediocre as Livan Hernandez has pitched (5.29 ERA, WHIP 1.58), I can't see him being traded (who would want him?) or graciously accepting a demotion to long relief. I do know, now that Liriano has thrown down the gauntlet by running his mouth, when he does come up, he better be very good. The other story has already played out and it seems unlikely that the Twins will make the trade for Beltre. Disappointed? Not too much, though it would be refreshing to see some stability at third base. But, from what I understand, the Mariners wanted a starter (presumably not Hernandez), and that just wasn't going to happen. Nor should it have happened.

The Week That Was Thanks to the spunky KC Royals, who won the road series at Chicago, the Twins picked up another game in the standings by taking 2 of 3 at home verses the Rangers. The three Twins starters in the series absolutely shut down the Ranger bats. Glen Perkins allowed 0 runs and 6 men to reach (3 BB and 3 hits) in 6 IP. The aforementioned bum Livan Hernandez went 7 IP, giving up 2 ER on 5 hits, 1 BB, and 1 HR. On Sunday Scott Baker, what's the hack cliche, oh yeah, deserved a better fate. He got hung with the only loss of the series while going 8 IP, allowing 2 hits, 1 ER, and a K/BB of 8/1. The bullpen was also tremendous, allowing 0 ER, a K/BB ratio of 5/1, and a WHIP of 0.83. And hey, the Rangers can hit (.279/.350/.454), so this wasn't like shutting down the Indians or Padres.

But...the Rangers just can't pitch. At least Kevin Millwood (5.23) and Matt Harrison (9.20) can't, anyway. Vicente Padilla (4.41) sure can though, at least on Sundays in the Metrodome. Due to the short week and the 14 run blow out on Saturday, the offensive stats are a bit skewed, but just for the heck of it, they were .330/.384/.505 with 52 total bases. OK, not to keep harping on Carlos Gomez (.250/.285/.348), but how can someone make the Oh 'fer Club in a three game week? But, he did, with an 0-5 on Friday and an 0-4 on Sunday. Come on. Please. Pretty Please. With sugar on top. Move him out of the leadoff spot and let him work things out in the seventh or eight spot in the batting order.

The Week Ahead The Twins have three on the road at New York and three more at Cleveland. The White Sox (feel terrible about Jermaine Dye, hope he doesn't go on the DL for, say, 30 days) meanwhile play three at home against the Rangers and three on the road at Detroit. No predictions for the week, let's just hope for a draw on the road and maybe pick up some ground next week.