Will the Twins get off the floor this week?

I thought the Twins hit bottom on Saturday when they gave up eight runs in the eighth inning and lost 11-2 to Kansas City. Then Sunday came, and there were MORE mistakes during a 10-3 loss - then Carl Pavano went pinata on a garbage can.

Denard Span, while getting dressed for the plane ride to Chicago, said: ``No words to explain. Just when you think things can't get any worse."

Well, they've had a day off is one of the great cities in America. A few players checked out the Bulls-Hawks playoff game Monday night. They had time to regroup for their quick two-game series in Chicago.

They need to get off the floor, quickly.

As I pointed out in today's paper, they have to play .630 ball the rest of the way to match their 94 wins from last season. What their awful start has really done is erase any margin for error they have the rest of the season. It doesn't matter if they play great or barely grind out wins, they have to fill up that left-hand column - the win column - any way they can,

Now for some minor league notes.

Awful news for lefthander Paul Bargas, the pitcher the Twins received from Colorado for catcher Jose Morales. He joined the Twins for spring training but started having problems right away and never took the mound. He was sent home to California and soon was admitted to UCLA Medical Center for what GM Bill Smith said last month was a, ``neurological condition."

Two Twins prospects are in town this week. Righthander David Bromberg is having surgery for the fractured right forearm he suffered while getting hit with a comebacker. And outfielder Oswaldo Arcia, who put up video game numbers at E-Town last year, is having a MRI on a muscle mass near his right elbow

Arcia has been DH-ing for Class A Beloit because he's been unable to throw. And he's raking, batting .352 with 5 homers and 18 RBI in 20 games. He's a decent outfielder with a decent arm.

``You don't want a DH at 20, so we're trying to take care of business now," said Jim Rantz, the Twins director of minor leagues.

Etc.

Class AA New Britain outfielder Yangervis Solarte was named Eastern League player of the week. The switch hitter batted .448 with 2 homers and 9 RBI.

Outfielder Nate Roberts has been assigned to Beloit after overcoming a knee problem. Keep an eye on him. The Twins like his bat.

FYI, Trevor Plouffe has been playing some second base too at Class AAA Rochester. While he's been hitting well, they would like to see consistent defense from him.