Sunday Insider: Short hops

Last update: September 6, 2008 - 7:09 PM

More bullpen woes

If you have had a tough time watching the Twins bullpen lately, imagine following a whole season like that. Entering Saturday, the Cardinals had lost 12 games in walk-off fashion, 14 games they had led after seven innings and 21 in which the opponent scored the deciding run in its final inning at the plate.

Hamilton slows down

Texas' Josh Hamilton looked like he might run away with MVP honors at the All-Star break, when he was batting .310 with 21 home runs and 95 RBI. But after his epic performance in the Home Run Derby, he entered Saturday batting only .281 with 10 homers and 26 RBI after the break.

Former Twin is coming through

Former Twins infielder Luis Rodriguez has been getting regular time at shortstop in San Diego, with Khalil Greene injured. In a span of seven days last month, L-Rod went 8-for-15 with two walks against three of the NL's best pitchers -- Arizona's Brandon Webb and Dan Haren and San Francisco's Tim Lincecum. Rodriguez entered Saturday batting .269.

Good company for Ankiel

St. Louis' Rick Ankiel is one of two players in major league history to make 25 starts as a pitcher one season and hit 25 home runs in another. The other is Babe Ruth.

Recent Twins stories

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - September 6, 2008

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes on Friday. The whole scene made him a little wistful. More