Rookie Arcia lets his bat do the talking

On a day with six home runs, the Twins' Oswaldo Arcia launched the most impressive one, a howitzer that reached the right field plaza. But the rookie simply dropped the bat and started running.

That's how his manager likes it.

"He's got some antics that are probably going to raise some eyebrows when he swings hard. But I just look at it as part of the growing experience," Ron Gardenhire said of the confident rookie after the Twins' 8-4 victory over the White Sox on Thursday. "But he's been good about it. He hits it and runs. He's got a certain little way he handles himself at the plate — I can see veterans [saying], 'Who are you?' Eventually, he'll show them with his bat."

Arcia had not hit a home run since his return from the minors, but he has been knocked down a couple of times lately, including once Wednesday by Chris Sale. Part of the game, Gardenhire said.

"He's going to get buzzed inside. He's an aggressive kid, he's going to get knocked down," the manager said. "He definitely digs right back in there. … When these guys start buzzing you, put them in the seats. You'll earn your respect through that. I think teams are starting to realize this kid can swing the bat."

Pennant contenders might inquire about Twins closer Glen Perkins, MLB Network reporter Peter Gammons suggested via Twitter on Thursday, but Twins General Manager "Terry Ryan isn't going to trade Perkins without a big haul," Gammons wrote, quoting an unnamed GM.

Perkins responded with a here-we-go-again shrug. "It's out of my control. I went through it last year, too," said Perkins, who has 18 saves in 20 chances this year. "When I signed here, I signed to be part of the future. … If they have a three-year plan, and I'm signed for three years, I would hope I'm still here in three years."

• Former Twins reliever Jesse Crain made his 28th consecutive appearance without giving up a run, breaking the White Sox team record set by J.J. Putz in 2010. Crain, who signed with Chicago in 2011, has faced his old team 17 times, and has given up one run: a solo home run to Doumit last July.

• Former first-round pick Levi Michael was released from a hospital Wednesday night after doctors determined he suffered nothing more serious than a strained neck in a collision with shortstop Aderlin Mejia while trying to field a grounder, assistant GM Rob Antony said. The second baseman at Class A Fort Myers did not suffer a concussion and should be out for only a few days.

• Center fielder Aaron Hicks stayed behind as the Twins left on a road trip, but he will be leaving soon. "By Sunday, he's going to be doing everything: running bases, running sprints, game-type situations, game speed. And if he shows he has no ill effects, than we can progress from there," Antony said. Hicks, out two weeks because of a strained hamstring, will go on a rehab assignment, probably to Class AAA Rochester, Antony said.

• The Twins have a date in mind to promote Byron Buxton to Fort Myers, Antony said. "If everything continues to go the way it has, it won't be too long."