Wed Apr 9 14:02:28 2008

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Twins still searching for some offense early on

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(Sports Network) - Aside from a pair of wins against Kansas City last weekend, the Twins have been slow out of the gate.

And one of the main culprits for the team's early struggles is a familiar one: hitting, or lack thereof. The Twins are hitting just .258 as a team. The lineup has combined for just three home runs, and a three-to-one strikeout-to- walk ratio.

"It's frustrating in (the clubhouse)," manager Ron Gardenhire said after watching his team put up just four runs through three games against the Angels. "We want to hit. We know we can hit. We've got a lot of young hitters and a lot of good things are going to happen for this team."

Minnesota was able to get back on track last weekend by winning two of three against the Royals. A squeeze bunt by Adam Everett and 6 2/3 solid innings by starter Scott Baker proved to be the difference in Friday's 4-3 win over Kansas City.

On Saturday, Opening Day starter Livan Hernandez picked up his second win in as many tries, scattering four runs over seven innings in Minnesota's 6-4 victory. Hernandez has been everything the Twins could have hoped for thus far, eating up seven innings in each of his two wins. He has yet to walk a batter.

But things have gone south since that victory. On Sunday, the Twins failed to support a solid outing by starter Boof Bonser, as the bats managed just one run on eight hits. And on Monday, reliever Pat Neshek allowed a decisive, two- out Grand Slam to Joe Crede in the seventh inning of a one-run game.

After Tuesday's off day, the Twins resume their series with Chicago tonight at U.S. Cellular Field. Minnesota is in the midst of an eight-game road trip that also swings through fellow division rivals Kansas City and Detroit.

LIRIANO NOT QUITE READY

The organization is no doubt collectively holding its breath for the return of Francisco Liriano to the rotation. The left-hander has had two rehab starts in the minors; one good, one not so good.

Pitching for Class A Fort Myers last Thursday, Liriano threw 82 pitches and fanned eight batters, with his fastball ranging in the low 90s on the radar gun. However, he was charged with four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Pitching for Triple-A Rochester Tuesday night, Liriano was tagged for three runs in four innings. He tallied 88 pitches, walking three batters and striking out three. The reports from Triple-A manager Stan Cliburn and former general manager Terry Ryan indicate Liriano still has some work to do.

In other injury news to the Twins' starting rotation, right-hander Kevin Slowey, who left in the fourth inning of his first start with a strained right biceps, is hopeful he can start Sunday in Kansas City. Slowey still feels discomfort in his arm but has been playing catch this week, with the goal of tossing a bullpen session before determining his availability for Sunday.

CUDDYER'S INJURY OPENS SPOT FOR SPAN

Outfielder Michael Cuddyer has landed on the disabled list with a dislocated right index finger from a headfirst slide into third base. The cut was so deep Cuddyer said he could see the tendon, but also said the injury was a best-case scenario since there turned out not to be any tendon damage. He said he is hopeful to return to action later this month.

To replace Cuddyer, the team called up Denard Span who, after just one game in the big leagues, was moved up the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

"I think Span has a pretty good plan at the plate, knows how to take pitches and all those things," Gardenhire told the team's Web site. "So we got some more speed up there. I like the way he handles himself at the plate. I think he sees the ball well. We've got two pretty fast guys in front of the middle guys. Let's see what happens."

WHO'S HOT

Infielder Matt Tolbert went from a longshot to make the Twins roster, to a darling of Gardenhire's. The 16th-round pick in the 2004 draft, Tolbert has appeared in seven of eight games, going 7-for-14 at the plate.

WHO'S NOT

Third baseman Mike Lamb has been slow out of the gate with his new team, collecting just four hits in his first 24 at-bats.

A LOOK AHEAD

Scott Baker (1-0, 4.05) takes the hill tonight opposite John Danks (0-0, 1.35) for the White Sox. Hernandez (2-0, 3.86) will close out the series Thursday night against Jose Contreras (0-0, 7.20).

The team then travels to Kansas City on Friday for a weekend series, with Boof Bonser (0-2, 4.15) going up against Gil Meche (0-1, 6.94) in the opener on Friday night.