Gomez doing his job rubs Lee wrong way

Carlos Gomez apparently irritated Cleveland lefthander Cliff Lee with a first-inning bunt.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: July 6, 2008 - 11:45 PM

The constantly bunting bundle of energy that is Carlos Gomez might rub opponents the wrong way. One of those times occurred Sunday, when the Twins center fielder and leadoff hitter apparently irritated Cleveland All-Star lefthander Cliff Lee.

Gomez attempted to bunt on an 0-2 pitch in the first inning but pushed the ball too close to the mound. Lee fielded the ball, threw him out, then said something to Gomez after the play.

Lee and Gomez then jawed at each other after Gomez reached on an infield single in the third.

"I was just trying to do my job and he ... jumped on me,'' Gomez said after the Twins won 4-3. "He say, 'Stop bunting.' But not like that. With bad language.

"And I say, 'You do your job and I do my job.' My coaches tell me what we have to do."

Gomez said bunting is a big part of his game and he's not going to stop doing it.

"I know he won't be mad when he throws me four sliders in a row,'' Gomez said. "It's your job to do whatever, throw me 10 sliders in a row. If I strike out, OK. I get you next time. But don't be mad when I bunt.''

When Lee was asked about his conversations with Gomez, he replied, "It was nothing.''

Gomez's infield hit was his 36th of the season, tops in the majors. He is batting .346 with five runs scored over his past six games.

Top players

Before Sunday's game, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that first baseman Justin Morneau has been his most valuable player to this point, which isn't a surprise. He also mentioned catcher Joe Mauer, one of the league's top hitters.

But he added that infielder Alexi Casilla coming from the minors to lock down second base has been the biggest surprise.

"Casilla kind of kickstarted us,'' Gardenhire said. "Putting him and Gomez 1 and 2 [in the order] has been fun to watch.''

Bonser watch

Righthander Boof Bonser hit 95 miles per hour on the radar gun during his eighth-inning outing Saturday, which could be an asset if the Twins need someone with a little velocity to come in out of the bullpen and get an out.

However, Gardenhire believes Bonser, who began the year in the starting rotation, is still adjusting to a relief role.

"He likes the fact he can come out and let it fly,'' Gardenhire said. "He also needs to use his breaking balls, too. And he overthrew some breaking balls that didn't do much.''

Etc.

• Shortstop Adam Everett, on the 15-day disabled list since May 22 because of a right shoulder strain, is taking infield practice while rehabilitating at Fort Myers, Fla. but there's still no timetable of when he will be activated.

• Infielder Matt Tolbert, recovering from a torn ligament in his left thumb, will leave today for Fort Myers to continue his workouts. Tolbert could return in three weeks.

• Outfielder Michael Cuddyer will remain with the club on its upcoming seven-game road trip while he recovers from a cracked knuckle on his left hand. He could try to swing a bat in about a week.

• Class AAA Rochester infielder Matt Macri was named Twins minor league player of the week after batting .444 with three homers and 10 RBI last week.

• Casilla tied his career-best hitting streak at 13 games. Denard Span has an eight-game streak, also a career high.