Postgame: Hughes regrets his comments after loss in Detroit

Here are three thoughts following the Twins' loss to the Blue Jays

HUGHES REGRETS HIS COMMENTS

In the end, Phil Hughes felt he was being too honest about explaining how he alerted the coaching staff on Tuesday about leaving his game against Detroit because of shoulder fatigue.

Hughes had kept the shoulder fatigue he was battling a secret until then. He told the staff to be ready to replace him if they noticed his velocity drop. Up 2-0 in the seventh, Hughes gave up a triple and sacrifice fly then came out having thrown just 75 pitches. The Twins gave up six more runs in that inning, as the bullpen faltered.

``I was trying to be as honest and forthcoming as I could," Hughes said. ``I tried to do what I felt was right and what I felt was best. You can't please everybody."

Hughes went six innings on Sunday, giving up three runs on eight hits and a walk with no strikeouts. He threw 96 pitches, suggesting that the work he's doing between starts is helping his shoulder strength.
It bodes well for the future, but Hughes said it's hard to be upbeat about proving his durability.

``We're losing games, that's the reality of it," he said. ``Whether I'm out there battling (or) a rough first inning, it doesn't really matter at this point. We have to keep our heads down and keep grinding. Otherwise, you get caught up in this negativity train and that is not good for anybody. Stay together in here, stay positive and have fun."

What was somewhat overlooked this series was the sputtering Twins' offense.

The Twins were 12 for 127 (.165) in the four games with just two home runs. They averaged 2.75 runs a game. The pitching held Toronto to three runs in three games in this series and lost two of them.

Brian Dozier is batting .199

Joe Mauer is batting .260

Byung Ho Park is down to .220.

A lot of Twins need to get it going at the plate.

MR. 1000

Catcher Kurt Suzuki collected career hit No. 1,000 on Sunday when he hit a single to right field.

``I guess it would probably take me 30 years to get to 3,000 but, hey, it's cool," he said. ``It's a very humbling experience."

Suzuki is fifth among active catchers in hits. He also becomes the second Hawaiian-born player to reach 1,00 hits, the other being Shane Victorino at 1,274.