Here are three thoughts following the Twins' loss to Detroit
THE CLUNKER: The clubhouse was quieter than usual after a loss. The Twins have been in the majority of their games this season. There was the 7-0 loss at Kansas City that was bad. Maybe the 10-5 loss in Milwaukee. The Twins seemed to come out a little flat on Friday. Sometimes the opposing pitcher can affect a mood like that. And the fly ball that fell in between Danny Santana and Oswaldo Arcia capped the evening. Molitor hadn't spoke to the players involved, but guess that Santana saw Arcia out of the corner of his eye and he backed off. Phi; Hughes needs to step up and lead the rotation now it's him, Ricky Nolasco and three pitchers with less than three months experience - combined - in the majors. Friday's struggles came at the wrong time.
SANO'S CATCH: Miguel Sano dived his left to steal a double from Miguel Cabrera in the seventh inning on Friday. ``It was probably the best play he's made here in the first month," Molitor said. ``I told him you can have fun playing the outfield too. That was a nice play." Everything Sano does in right field is scrutinized - especially by the Twins cognoscenti who believe his career is being ruined by playing there. But it was an example that he can make a play out there. ``I try to make every play in the outfield, like at third base too," Sano said. ``And I try to play hard every day."
ANOTHER DEBUT: The Twins have Jose Berrios. The Tigers have Michael Fulmer. Both pitchers have good fastballs, but Fulmer's fired several at 96 mph on Friday, a few at 97 and one at 98. He has pretty good movement on that pitch as well. He's going to be tough to beat as he gains experience. He won't be able to dominate with his fastball the way he did on Friday. He will have to learn how to mix in his other pitches. With Berrios, I saw a live arm with good movement too. And he was able to throw breaking balls for strikes. But he missed his spot a lot and left more pitches up than he should. As he gains experience and gets more comfortable his command should improve.
