Here are three thoughts following the Twins' victory over the Rangers

PELFREY SOLID: When Mike Pelfrey has command of his fastball, he can roll through a batting order. We saw in his previous outing what it looks like when he doesn't. Yuck. He also was tagged for eight runs on June 13 at Texas, so he was motivated to pitch well. And he did, holding the Rangers to one run over seven innings to improve to 6-7 on the season. ``I felt like I had my good fastball today," Pelfrey said. ``I had that velocity, I had that late life and I had that movement." Pelfrey has a 1.97 ERA at Target Field. Should they just leave him at home? His next start will be in the Bronx.

THE SANO SHOW: He makes you stop what you're doing and pay attention because he can put a swing on the ball. Sano said he's had to adjust to an increasing diet of breaking balls, and has made that adjustment look pretty easy. In 33 games, he's already tied for fourth on the team in home runs and fifth on the team in walks. I'm going to stick with my Frank Thomas comp until I find a better one. Not sure he'll win batting titles like Frank but he is not a shabby hitter. ``That kid is pretty special," Pelfrey said. ``He's going to continue to get better. He's pretty fun to watch."

HICKS LEADING OFF: Twins manager Paul Molitor said the words I've been waiting to hear. ``We like what we are seeing. He's probably going to get a chance to stick in that spot for a little bit. We can mix and match, but he's doing a nice job." Hicks was 4-for-5 with a leadoff home run, four runs scored and two RBI. He also made a dazzling catch in the eighth inning. I talked to Hicks before the game, and he's eager to prove that he can be a good leadoff hitter. It's a little bit of an adjustment because he was used to watching how pitchers worked the hitters ahead of him in the batting order, but he likes the challenge. The lightbulb has definitely come on. Another example of that was after the game. The media had to wait for Hicks to finish working out after the game. He wanted to get his legs right to play tomorrow's day game. Even Patrick Reusse (at least the one on twitter) might be coming around. ``Players-only meetings & Aaron Hicks have my head hanging in shame for prior opinions tonight," he tweeted tonight.