Neshek's strained elbow to be examined

CHICAGO - Twins reliever Pat Neshek left Thursday's game because of a strained right elbow and will see team orthopedist Dan Buss today, hoping to learn the extent of the injury.

Neshek said he hadn't experienced any pain in the elbow before he threw a slider to Chicago's Joe Crede in the eighth inning.

"I just felt something tweak," Neshek said. "The trainers came out, and we wanted to just play it safe and make sure nothing bad happened."

Neshek has posted a 4.72 ERA in 15 appearances.

He said he's "a little concerned because I've never had anything like that. Last year, I had a weak shoulder, but this is something I had to come out of the game for."

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen rarely passes up a chance to praise the Twins, and the latest subject of his affection is Carlos Gomez.

One day after Gomez became the first player to bat for the cycle against Chicago since Mike Blowers on May 18, 1998, Guillen still was raving.

"He's not too far away from people saying, 'Torii Hunter who?'" Guillen said. "I'm telling you, I saw Kirby Puckett play. They're not going to forget Kirby Puckett. But this kid can bring a lot of good things to baseball. We need that. Baseball needs that. ... I love the way he plays."

According to ESPN research, Gomez, 22, was the third-youngest player in major league history to hit for the cycle behind Cesar Cedeno and Alex Rodriguez, who were both 21.

Gomez and Luke Scott are the only players since 1969 to complete the cycle in reverse order: home run, triple, double, single.

The slow-footed White Sox have zero triples in 16 home games this year, but Guillen wasn't surprised to see Gomez do it.

"Gomez is going to hit a triple even if he hits it in the United Center," Guillen said. "He might be the fastest guy in the league."

After driving home a career-high five runs in Wednesday's 13-1 victory, Nick Punto was back in the Twins' original starting lineup Thursday, at second base.

But Punto had a cramp in his left hamstring, and on a chilly afternoon -- 52 degrees at first pitch -- the Twins scratched him for precautionary reasons. Brendan Harris took his place at second base.

Punto said he thinks he'll be ready to play tonight against Boston. But in speaking about Neshek and Punto, Gardenhire said, those are a "couple things we'll get checked out."

Livan Hernandez lost his shutout bid Wednesday when Jermaine Dye hit a one-out home run in the ninth inning but held on to record the 44th complete game of his career.

"I don't think about the shutout," Hernandez said. "I want to complete the game; that's more important."

The 121 pitches by Hernandez were the most by a Twins pitcher all season.

"I feel good," Hernandez said. "Everybody knows I can throw 140 [pitches]. [Wednesday] I feel like I can throw 150, easy."