Minor details: No-no means go-go for Osterbrock

Lefthander Dan Osterbrock must have been motivated by Kyle Gibson's one-hit gem last week.

Osterbrock, a University of Cincinnati product, tossed a seven-inning no-hitter for Class A Beloit on Saturday against Wisconsin. It's not a nine-inning no-no, but a no-no all the same.

For that. and a overall record of 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA, Osterbrock has been promoted to Class A Fort Myers of the Florida State League.

``It was time," said Jim Rantz, the Twins' director of minor leagues. ``We'll see how he does against tougher competition."'

It will be interesting to see how Osterbrock does at the High-A level - because he really doesn't throw that hard.

His fastball tops out at 85 miles an hour. He has a really good breaking ball, kind of a slurve, as well as a change up. Predictably, Osterbrock doesn't throw a lot of heat. Of the 74 pitches he threw during his no-no, 23 were fastballs, 32 were the slider-curve hybrid and 19 were change ups.

Rantz, along with Twins special instructor/advisor Tom Kelly, were on hand for Osterbrock's no-hitter.

Osterbrock, 23, was 7-10 with a 5.19 ERA last season at Beloit, so he started this season back there. He struck out 140 in 137 innings but gave up 173 hits and walked 35 batters for the Snappers last season. Without the ability to blow it by hitters, his control must be very sharp and he can't fall in love with his breaking ball.

CATCHER QUANDARY

With the Twins carrying three catchers, and Jose Morales still getting into game shape after offseason wrist surgery (and setbacks), both Class AAA Rochester and Class AA New Britain had one catcher for a few days this week,

But Jair Fernandez has been called up from Fort Myers to Class AAA Rochester to help out.

New Britain catcher Danny Lehmann suffered a dislocated shoulder during a collision at home plate and will be out indefinitely. So Danny Rams, who opened the season at Class A Beloit has been promoted to New Britain for the time being. Toby Gardenhire had to catch seven innings is a game this week out of necessity.

SYSTEM CHECK

Recent reports have Anthony Slama struggling with control lately, And he did on Tuesday against Durham when he gave up two runs on two hits, one a homer, and three walks in two innings of work.

Lefthander Glenn Perkins started that game and gave up three homers in the third inning. He was charged with six runs over 22/3 innings. His ERA rose from 9.00 to 10.90. This from a guy who was 12-4 in the majors one season.

Former Gopher Derek McCallum on Friday will have surgery to clean up ligament damage in his wrist and will be out up to fie weeks. He was batting .241 in eight games at Beloit.

Loek Van Mil, the 7-foot-1 righthander who was slowed by shin splints and forearm problems during spring training, pitched an inning of extended spring training on Tuesday, his first action since being shut down near the end of camp.