Here are three thoughts following the Twins' 9-8 loss to the Royals:

1. CLUNKER FOR CORREIA: Kevin Correia induces ground balls. That's what he is as a pitcher. But, aside from, from double play grounder in the first inning, Correia's other outs were fly balls or strikeouts. If you keep the ball down, you normally get ground balls. Correia gave up gorks and bloops and duck snorts on Sunday because the ball was up. He put the Twins in a hole, but it wasn't all his fault because.....

2....DEFENSE WAS AWFUL: Pedro Florimon was late with one throw. On another play, he tried a tricky barehanded pickup with Billy Butler, with La Velle class speed, running to first. All he needed was to glove the ball and he had the out. Chris Parmelee was caught by David Lough's speed on one play, overthrew a teammate on another. ``The one thing that bothers us was how sloppy of a game it was," Twins first baseman Justin Morneau said.

3. BULLPEN SHAKY: Both bullpens weren't good on Sunday, but the Twins were at home and failed to shut down the Royals in key moments of the game. Jared Burton fell behind 1-0 to David Lough then threw a pitch that Lough said, ``was right in my wheelhouse." Home run. Josh Roenicke tried to get strike one over to Eric Hosmer in the ninth and watched it get pounded into the seats. Burton had a 8.30 ERA in June. Roenicke has been scored on in three of his last four outings. A blip or a problem?