Three leftovers from the Twins' eighth loss in 10 games:
GET HIM TO PETCO: It's a shame the Yankees don't visit San Diego this year, because Carlos Beltran has a collection he'd like to complete. In his first game ever at Target Field on Thursday, the veteran slugger rocketed a Phil Hughes pitch into the right-field stands, meaning he has now homered in all 15 American League ballparks. He's got 14 of the National League parks, too, but never connected in 23 games at Petco Park. If the 37-year-old Puerto Rican can homer in San Diego before he retires -- or stick around three years until the Braves move to Cobb County -- he can tie Adrian Beltre's major-league record of homering in 39 different stadiums.
WELCOME TO THE BIGS: New York third baseman Zelous Wheeler did something he'll remember the rest of his life on Thursday -- he homered in his first major-league game. He's the first Yankee to do that since Andy Phillips on Sept. 26, 2004, and the first player to do it against the Twins since Cardinals first baseman Chris Richards in 2000. Nine Twins have accomplished the feat, but only one since 1984: Luke Hughes, who connected on April 28, 2010, against Detroit.
HIS WORST IS PRETTY GREAT: Masahiro Tanaka struck out only three on Thursday, his fewest all year. He gave up nine hits, most he's surrendered in his 17 big-league starts. He allowed four runs, tying the most he's given up. If you're going to beat the Yankees' ace, tonight seemed like the night. "Unfortunately for us," manager Ron Gardenhire said, "we just didn't pitch well enough tonight." Too bad, because Tanaka is impressive in person. He appears totally in control, never gets flustered, and gets amazingly sharp break on his pitches. "He's not afraid to step off and gather himself. He handles himself very well," Gardenhire said. "With the stuff he's got, he's a very good pitcher."
