A Few Comments

Somehow I missed the fact that the Twins selected the contract of Nick Blackburn on Sunday, giving them 39 players on their 40-man roster. More shameful, I missed the fact that Blackburn subsequently made his Major League debut on Monday, throwing 10 pitches and giving up his first big league hit, but also making it through his one inning of work unscathed. Congratulations to Blackburn on a sucessful debut -- hopefully, there will be many more fine performances to come.

Congratulations are also due to Kevin Slowey, who the Twins also called up on Sunday in time to make a start yesterday. His five inning, five hit, 2 run (1 earned) performance was acceptable if unremarkable. I would guess that the Twins will continue to find ways for Slowey to make starts as the season runs down (two options immediately come to mind -- move Carlos Silva to the bullpen as a long reliever in acknowledgement of the fact that he'll be gone after this season, or split the available starts between Boof and Slowey).

Also, for all of my complaining, I have to admit that Luis Rodriguez hasn't been that bad of late when given the chance to play (i.e. when he hasn't been in the minors). His 3-for-4 performance yesterday raised his season average to .220, which is a far sight better than the horrific .197 that Nick Punto currently has posted, and is unbelievably better than Rondell White's .143. Why is White still getting at-bats? There has to be someone else in the organization that it would make more sense to send to the plate. Heck, bring Darnell McDonald back up and stick him in the lineup. Anyone other than White, who appears to be done.