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Silver lining in loss is not just patchwork
The Twins were ragged again in losing a series finale, but they might have found a salve for their banged-up middle infield.
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The Twins lost 8-7 in 10 innings to Texas on Thursday, but appeared to find a new shortstop in Brendan Harris.
To understand why that was no consolation, one had to see manager Ron Gardenhire's face earlier in the day with Adam Everett about to join infielders Nick Punto and Matt Tolbert on the disabled list.
The middle infield was in disarray, which was not healthy for Gardenhire, who values middle-infield defense the way Brad Childress values an off-tackle rushing play.
But after watching Harris move all over the Metrodome turf to make nine assists and three putouts, Gardenhire had an easier time stomaching Josh Hamilton's 10th-inning home run, which gave the Rangers a split in the four-game series.
"[Harris] looks more comfortable," Gardenhire said.
"I think that's his natural place, so he probably feels like he's a little more in control of himself, and he's moving around pretty good,'' Gardenhire added. " ... He showed a strong arm, so that's going to be big for us."
Everett's arm strength became an increasing concern as he tried playing through more right shoulder pain. He went on the DL last month for a similar injury but said the pain has moved to the back of his shoulder and feels "like a knife."
He will have another MRI exam today. Tolbert had surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb Thursday and is expected to miss two months.
Punto will fly to Fort Myers, Fla., today to rehab his strained left hamstring.
To fill Everett's roster spot, the Twins promoted infielder Matt Macri from Class AAA Rochester.
Gardenhire said he considered a push for Class AA infielders Trevor Plouffe or Luke Hughes, but the organization doesn't want those two rushed to the majors.
Clearly searching, Gardenhire even reflected on the six-player trade that sent shortstop Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza to Tampa Bay for Harris and Delmon Young.
"I know [Bartlett] had some issues throwing and stuff, but I was getting pretty comfortable with him at shortstop, and then the deal came along," Gardenhire said. "I did not want him to go, but [the Rays] were pretty insistent."
Harris played 87 games at shortstop for Tampa Bay last year, but his only action there for the Twins had come in Monday's 12-inning victory.
Thursday, Harris got a quick test, as the Rangers blitzed Twins starter Livan Hernandez for four first-inning runs. By the third inning, Harris had made two nice plays in the hole toward third base, uncorking throws the Twins never saw from Everett.
As the Twins mounted their comeback, Harris and second baseman Alexi Casilla combined to turn four fairly smooth double plays.
Harris started 37 of the first 43 games at second base but has been banished from that spot since committing his fifth error Sunday.
"It's tough," Harris said. "You feel like you're just getting ready to settle in [at second], playing with Everett. Then Adam goes down, and I'm over there [at shortstop], playing with Lexi. But that's how it goes, and nobody wants to hear excuses. You've just gotta get it done."
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