Originally posted at k-bro's baseball blog

Yeah, this series could've been uglier, but it wasn't pretty.

Friday's game was nice and smooth on all levels -- Matt Capps even delivered an uninteresting save for smiles all around.

Saturday's game was a fun pitchers' duel -- until a really ugly sixth inning. And the Rays had smiles all around.

Sunday...ugh. Just...ugh!

Notes from the series:

• I think the brief love affair with Clete Thomas may be cooling off. Turn out he strikes out a lot. Like, a lot a lot. So, while hitting a home run in his first game as a Twins was totally crush-worthy, strike outs are a total turn-off. Ew.
  
• Don't look now, but I think Joe Mauer is healthy. So is Denard Span. They've both played in all 16 games so far this season (along with Josh Willingham and Jamie Carroll).
  
• Nice job Josh Willingham on his 15-game hitting streak, tying with Kirby Puckett as the longest to start a Twins season. Too bad he couldn't extend it on Sunday. And, as the cliche goes, he can start a new one tomorrow.
  

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Memories of Kyle Loshe

Francisco Liriano has me remembering back to 2006 -- the days I would shudder whenever Kyle Lohse took the mound for the Twins. I was so relieved when they traded him to the Reds. And, now he's doing all right for himself with St. Louis.

Liriano has a ton of talent, but Twins staff continues to struggle to get through to him -- similar to Lohse.

Sometimes a different coaching staff has success with a guy with a strong head. I'm just sayin.

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Injury Watch

Justin Morneau took a nasty foul off his foot on Wednesday, so the Twins are being extra cautious about having him return to first base. It's probably pretty sore. Hopefully it'll feel better soon.

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Roster Move, Sort Of...

After Luke Hughes was designated for assignment by the Twins last week, we was claimed off waivers by the Oakland A's. Best of luck to him.

Great Twins Video

I also have memories of extreme frustration with Kyle Lohse. He was similar to Frankie in that he would often pitch well early in the game but then the wheels would come off around the fourth or fifth inning.

> Sometimes a different coaching staff has success with a guy with a strong head.

I just wish I could come up with a nice list of pitchers where the reverse has worked in the Twins favor. Maaaaaybe Pavano counts? Santana as a Rule 5 draftee, which somewhat changes the subject. Don't know of too many others, off the top of my head.

Pavano would certainly count. How about Denys Reyes? One could put Matt Guerrier in that list, too.

>I just wish I could come up with a nice list of pitchers where the reverse has worked in the Twins favor.

Craig Breslow comes to mind. At least for a while.