Staff wants Gomez to practice patience

Star Tribune

Last update: March 11, 2008 - 1:38 AM

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JUPITER, FLA. - Carlos Gomez went 0-for-3 in the Twins' 4-2 victory over the Florida Marlins on Monday. He is hitless in his past eight at-bats and is 4-for-24 (.167) this spring.

There's no bad luck involved. Most of the outs (including Monday's three) have come with the 22-year-old center fielder hitting the ball softly.

"The first time up today he saw four pitches, then he hit the first pitch the next two at-bats," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He's had his best swings when he's gone deeper in the count. We talked to him after those last two at-bats.

"I think we got through to him a little. I think he found out something today. He might get better as we go along here."

Gomez seems to have a talent for jamming himself even when pitches aren't that far inside.

"That's because he's diving toward the ball," Gardenhire said. "He's a strong kid, and it's obvious someone once told him that he can drive the ball out of the park.

"We're saying, 'Let's take some better at-bats, see what happens there, before we get to driving the ball out of the park.' "

Denard Span and Jason Pridie, the other center field candidates, entered the game after Gomez and right fielder Michael Cuddyer had their third at-bats in the fifth inning. Span led off the eighth with a single, stole second and scored on Pridie's single.

"We've said all along that has been their game -- getting on base to start an inning," Gardenhire said. "They are more advanced in that part of it than Gomez. That's no secret."

Slowey survives

Kevin Slowey had been knocked around for nine hits and six runs in two appearances and 32/3 innings. Another beating Monday might have eliminated completely from contention to be the Twins' fifth starter.

Slowey started and worked three scoreless innings. "Worked" is a key word, since he gave up six hits while getting nine outs. He stranded runners at third with one out in both the second and third innings.

The third started with a pair of bunt singles. The second of those was credited as a hit when Randy Ruiz left first base open by charging a bunt that was rolling toward Slowey. The inning ended on a line-drive double play.

Slowey said he was able to get his assortment of pitches over the plate more often than in his two previous outings. Pitching coach Rick Anderson said Slowey remains inconsistent with both his curveball and slider.

Changeup? "We have to get him to throw it before we'll know," Anderson said.

On deck

Livan Hernandez, pounded unmercifully in his last start, pitches in Fort Myers today against Tampa Bay. The Rays will start ace righthander James Shields, but they aren't bringing Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena or B.J. Upton, their best position players. The poor Twins are even getting big-timed by the Rays these days.

Francisco Liriano then will face Boston for the second time on Wednesday, and Nick Blackburn will take Scott Baker's start on Thursday. Baker, who has a sore back muscle, could pitch against minor leaguers later in the week.

PATRICK REUSSE

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