Hector Santiago was charged with the loss on Sunday, but Kennys Vargas lost a lot more. He lost his job.
The Twins bullpen was forced to throw 201 pitches and absorb 9⅔ innings in the 15-inning defeat, with all seven relievers and Santiago, Wednesday's scheduled starter, forced into action. That doesn't bode well for Monday's game against Houston.
"It's pretty obvious something needs to be done," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "We just need pitching, there's no two ways about it."
Molitor conferred with bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine after the game, and they decided to add two relief pitchers Monday. But that means returning Vargas, who went 0-for-8 Sunday and struck out four times, to Class AAA Rochester to make room.
In addition, righthander Justin Haley, who threw 40 pitches and retired five batters late in the game, will go back on the 10-day disabled list, where he spent the latter part of April because of a biceps injury. "Haley's shoulder still isn't quite right," Molitor said. "He's got a little stiffness in there."
The Twins will reveal their additions Monday. Drew Rucinski, Buddy Boshers and Nick Tepesch are all on the 40-man roster and have pitched with the Twins this season. Michael Tonkin is at Rochester, too, though he would require opening another spot on the roster.
Vargas had an eventful monthlong stay with the Twins, including five home runs. He batted .255, but the switch hitter also concerned the Twins with his increasing split differential: He entered Sunday batting .362 with a 1.090 OPS against righthanders, but .087 and a .207 OPS against lefthanders.
"He's been working on his swing," Molitor said. "Like everybody, he's got certain holes, and the one [batting] righthanded is a little bigger right now."