The offense has been offensive.

The Twins on Friday ended a 27-inning scoreless streak but still haven't had an extra base hit since Sunday. Once this run of split-squad games ends and the regulars start playing more, the offense should improve. Then again, they should do better than two bases-loaded walks!

Here are three thoughts following their 3-2 loss to St. Louis on Friday:

1. What's up with Nishi? As I pointed out in the dead tree edition for Saturday, it seems as if Tsuyoshi Nishioka makes one poor play a game. On Friday, he could have gotten killed while trying to turn a double play he had no business trying to turn. He also went in front of the bag to catch a throw when Eugenio Velez stole second. Stay on the bag, let the throw come to you, drop the tag. It takes longer when you step in front of the bag to catch the ball then try a swipe tag. Nishi did the latter.

Nishi is batting .278 but doesn't look good in the field. And I caught him walking out to his position one inning when everyone else was jogging. Negative body language.

2. I still think Matt Capps will be a decent closer this year. Some will point to the home run he gave up to Rafael Furcal on Friday as proof that he's not a good reliever. But Capps is tinkering with a cut fastball this spring, and watched one sail over the fence. Ball up the sheet of paper, toss it over your shoulder and back to the drawing board,

3. Perkins looks good., Lefthander Glen Perkins makes 95 miles an hour look effortless. He's thrown three scoreless innings this spring and looks poised to take off from where he left off last season.