Sid Hartman: Struggling Twins keep pace with '07

It's interesting to note that the Twins' 23-24 record in 2007 after 47 games -- when the team included Torii Hunter, Johan Santana and Carlos Silva, who have left by trade or free agency -- was identical to that of this year's team after Thursday's 8-7 loss to Texas.

And this record is also amazing because Francisco Liriano and Scott Baker, the pitchers who were expected to anchor the staff, have not been able to contribute, with Liriano in the minor leagues and Baker on the disabled list.

Furthermore, this team has had seven other players besides Baker on the disabled list, including shortstop Adam Everett, who was put on again Thursday because of a strained right shoulder.

Of that group, relief pitcher Pat Neshek is out for the season and infielder Matt Tolbert will be out for at least several weeks. The others who have had to sit out because of injuries include right fielder Michael Cuddyer, pitcher Kevin Slowey and infielder Nick Punto, who is headed for Fort Myers, Fla., today for rehabilitation and could return soon.

Everybody expected the Tigers, Indians and the White Sox to dominate the AL Central, but after Thursday's game the Twins were in second place, three games out of first place. At this time last year, they were in fourth place, 6 1/2 games out.

Defense a weakness This young Twins team might have a better record if it wasn't for the fact that defense, normally the strength of Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire teams, has been a weakness. With 38 errors leaving them ranked fourth in the majors (they added two more Thursday), the defensive play might be the worst of any recent Twins team.

"Well, we're trying and we're playing hard. We've had our ups and downs, I think there's a little inconsistency in some of the things we do," Gardenhire said Thursday. "Defense -- we've really got to shore up. I think we would be with even a lot better record if, defensively, we get better and make plays. Up to this point, we have not played good defense, and that is unlike us, and we'll keep working on it and hopefully we'll get better.

"We're missing a lot of guys, there's a lot of people hurting -- not here -- that you're counting on. The thing about it is, we can get them all back and we can get these guys back up here and ... we can even get stronger. There's a lot of encouraging things going on in the ballclub. At times it's frustrating, and at times we have some really, really terrible ballgames, but you know what? These guys are competing and getting after it. A few tweaks here and there, and we'll see what happens."

While Gardenhire is confident the Twins can compete, he believes the club is heading into Detroit at a bad time.

"Detroit is starting to get hot, and they're swinging the heck out of the bats right now, so we're going to have to go in there and really pitch well," he said. "There's good teams in our division, and I'm sure that you're going to see somebody take off here pretty quick and hopefully we can take off with them."

Gomez still impressive Carlos Gomez had another big game Thursday, going 4-for-5 and making another one of his diving catches in center field.

Texas manager Ron Washington, who was a teammate of Kirby Puckett from 1984 to 1986, was really impressed with how Gomez performed in the four-game series.

"... He's a talented kid, he loves the game, he's got a passion. I think he will learn to do the things you have to do to be consistent."

Former Twins outfielder Tony Oliva believes Gomez does a lot of things as well as Puckett did at age 22, and some of them better. "Potential is the word to describe [Gomez]," Oliva said. "He doesn't know how good he can be."

Jottings The Gophers basketball team will have an opportunity to play on a new floor that has been installed in Williams Arena.

Former Twins catcher Dave Engel, now a scout for the Orioles, reported that Jason Brunansky, son of former Twins outfielder Tom Brunansky, was one of the top recruited high school baseball players in California and got a scholarship to Kansas.

Gophers men's track and field coach Phil Lundin, who is leaving the program to coach at St. Olaf, deserves credit after three team members won Big Ten individual titles. Ibrahim Kabia became only the second Gopher to win the 100 meters -- Fred Rogers won in 1998. Hassan Mead is the first Gopher to win the 5,000 meters since they changed it from miles to meters and Hans Storvick won the 809 meters.

Seven of the nine assistant Gophers football coaches are now on the road talking to high school coaches about players whom they are interested in recruiting. Under NCAA rules, the head coach can not be a part of spring recruiting, and only seven assistants can be on the road. ... Under a new NCAA rule, even the Gophers football walk-ons can enroll in school June 2 and be a part of the summer workout program. ... Florida State had one equipment man for 40 years, and when they looked for a replacement, they hired Darin Kerns, who has been the Gophers' equipment man for the past year. ... Matt Walbeck, who was a Twins catcher from 1994 to 1996, is the third base coach for the Rangers.