twin091208

On the homepage

Health care

Health care bill stuck on Democrats' infighting

Out There

Crimefighting

Video advances are a big crime-solving aid

Mental health

A 'national crisis' of student suicide

Home | Sports | Twins

Twins let another one get away

Star Tribune

Carlos Gomez gets picked off

They wasted a dominant outing by lefthander Francisco Liriano, who retired 15 consecutive Royals at one point and pitched eight innings in the major leagues for the first time since July 28, 2006

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: September 12, 2008 - 7:15 AM

Print this story

KANSAS CITY 3, TWINS 2 (10 INNINGS)

Up next: Three-game series at Baltimore, beginning at 6:05 tonight • TV: FSN (1500-AM)

More from Twins

The Twins' six-game homestand seemed as if it was only a checkpoint during a tour of North America -- and they played at times over the past week as if they still were away from the Metrodome.

Several of those bad road habits popped up Thursday during a disappointing 3-2, 10-inning loss to a Kansas City team that's headed for 90 losses for the eighth time in 10 seasons.

The Twins managed only two runs over five innings against oft-broken- down righthander Brandon Duckworth.

They were 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position.

They wasted a dominant outing by lefthander Francisco Liriano, who retired 15 consecutive Royals at one point and pitched eight innings in the major leagues for the first time since July 28, 2006, against Detroit -- a game the Twins also lost 3-2 in 10 innings.

And after the bullpen went two games in a row without giving up a run, David DeJesus' RBI single off Dennys Reyes' only pitch of the game gave the Royals the victory.

"We'll go out on the road and see what happens," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Really? The Twins just came off a 5-9 road trip -- their longest since 1969 -- that included four walk-off losses.

They barely righted the ship at home while going 3-3, blowing two leads against Detroit over the weekend and not hitting against Kansas City on Thursday.

Now they face a 10-game road trip -- three games at Baltimore, three at Cleveland and four at Tampa Bay.

Twins fans might be forced to sleep with the light on after watching a few of the upcoming games -- the Twins are 0-9 against AL East teams on the road this season. And Tampa Bay leads the East.

"We're not talking about the past or the future, we're worried about today," Twins closer Joe Nathan said "Today was a game we would have liked to win. We'll go on a good note that we won this series and heading to the road trip, winning two out of three is a good note. We'll worry about tomorrow when it comes.

"We don't want to look too far ahead. The last time we did that, we all know what happened."

The Twins enter the road trip one game behind the White Sox, who on Monday will head out on their own 10-game road trip, with the final three games at the Dome on Sept. 23-25.

Kansas City manager Trey Hillman, speaking before Thursday's game, said the White Sox have better overall pitching and power but believes the Twins will catch them.

"Given the fact that they don't give as many free passes and they play a little bit better coverage in the outfield, even though the White Sox have better sluggers," Hillman said, "I like these guys a little bit better."

There's no doubt the Twins are talented in those areas. They just haven't showed it much on the road, where they are 31-40.

If there was ever a time for the Twins to alter their personality on the road, now is the time.

"It's 10 days on the road," Twins catcher Mike Redmond said. "It's big and we have a chance to win. Hopefully, we'll go out [tonight] and set the tone for this road trip.

"It's right in front of us. How can you not be fired up when you have a chance to go to the playoffs?"

Recent Twins stories

Yankees top Phillies 7-3 for their 27th championship - September 12, 2008

Yankees top Phillies 7-3 for their 27th championship - Powered by Hideki Matsui's record-tying six RBI, New York won a record 27th World Series crown. More