Three Twins postgame thoughts from LEN3: Hunter, Beltre, Hicks

Here are three thoughts following the Twins win over the Rangers

THE MEETING: Torii Hunter called a players-only meeting before the game, and the team talked about fighting. That's exactly what they have to do. There is no room for error with this club. The offense is inconsistent. There are few defined roles in the bullpen. Most of their games the rest of the way will be white-knuckle affairs. Kyle Gibson held the Rangers to two runs. The bullpen shut them down the rest of the way. Kevin Jepsen retired Adrian Beltre at the end of a 10-pitch at bat. Kurt Suzuki and Eduardo Escobar, two players not having good seasons at the plate, came up big late. And Miguel Sano came through again in crunch time with an opposite field hit. And Joe Mauer hung in against a lefty who throws 98 to line an RBI double. The formula for them to get back into the wild card slot is a simple one: There is no formula. Someone just do something. As far as the meeting turning the season around, it's too early to tell. ``The sign of great character is the ability to carry out a notion long after the mood in which it was created has passed," Twins manager Paul Molitor said as he threw the room into stunned silence before the game. Who pulls a quote out like that?

ADRIAN BELTRE: I enjoy watching Adrian Beltre play. He went to his right in the second to grab Torii Hunter's hard bouncer and threw him out from foul territory. Beltre's defensive gifts are fantastic reflexes and footwork as well of a still strong-and-true arm. He also has hit 404 home runs in his career and has been a very good run producer. For me, that's enough for him to be Hall of Fame worthy. He'll have my vote once his time comes to land on the ballot. His career WAR is 80.7, where the average of third basemen in The Hall is 67.4.

THE LINEUP: I think Molitor should stick with Aaron Hicks at the top of the Twins lineup for awhile to see if it clicks. It pushes a few players down, which I like. Eddie Rosario is batting seventh. Hunter and his 60 RBI are sixth. I still like Dozier batting second although he could be a fit in the middle of the order. Twins have a chance of being up 1-0 with him batting in the first inning. The Twins need Hicks to thrive there. He's taking better at bats and his lefthanded swing has improved greatly. He entered Tuesday batting .243 lefthanded after batting .185 over his first two seasons.