Here are three thoughts from LEN3 following the Twins' 14-3 loss to Texas last night:
SANTIAGO PITCHES, THEN LEAVES TO GRIEVE: Hector Santiago said there was a family group chat on Wedneday to lift spirits and make arrangements following the death of their grandmother, Nelly Rodriguez, on Tuesday in New Jersey. Santiago took the mound with messages to her written on the back of the scouting report he usually keeps in the back of his uniform pants pocket. Try as he might to pitch well through such a tough time, he lasted only five innings during the Twins 14-3 loss to Texas. He threw a season-high 104 pitches, which tells you how he struggled. Now Santiago will head to Jersey for services that will take place Sunday and Monday. He said he will attend Sunday's function, then rejoin the Twins. It had to be tough for him when a loved one is gone and people look to him to be strong for the whole family.
ROSTER MOVE: Twins manager Paul Molitor did not announce the roster move that will add a player while Santiago is on bereavement leave. That's expected to come tomorrow. Lefthander Buddy Boshers looks to be the odds-on favorite to return after pitching on Sunday. And, someone in the clubhouse told me today that a team can't have enough pitching.
SOME THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO: The series saw a few Twins either remain on a roll or start one. Eddie Rosario now has a career-high nine game hitting streak. Miguel Sano collected three more hits on Wednesday and was 6-for-9 over the last two games of the series. And Byron Buxton (above) reached base in eight of his last 11 plate appearances in the series on three singles and FIVE walks. His batting average is "up" to .145. He still has a way to go, but it looks like he's made the adjustment. He struck out ONCE the entire series. "He is seeing pitches, taking pitches out of the zone," Molitor said. "Hitting the ball to right field. Finally getting a little bit of positive feedback on some of the things we have tried to transition from practice to the game. He's got to feel better. It's just a three game series but its remarkably different in what we saw in three games and what we saw to the previous point."
I'll check in with roster news when it is announced, and maybe some thoughts on the bullpen. There should be some pitchers at Class AAA and Class AA realizing they can make a difference this season.
