After loss, Twins own worst record in baseball

Minnesota Twins pitching has been abysmal this season, but it's not the only reason Minnesota is the worst team in baseball. No matter what they do, the Twins generally find a way to

lose.

"We've got to find a way to win it, no matter how you look at it -- offense, pitching,"

manager Ron Gardenhire said after his team dropped a 7-6 decision to the Kansas City

Royals Friday at Target Field.

The Twins and Royals started the night tied for last in the American League Central

with 5-14 records, worst in all of baseball, but the Royals have now won three straight

and the Twins have lost six in a row.

Last year at this time, the Twins were 8-12 and by the end of May were 20 games under

.500.

"We've got to get everybody on the same page here and figure out a way to win

ballgames," Gardenhire said.

Minnesota's .263 team batting average is the sixth best in the majors, and their 168

hits rank 10th. But their 168 runs rank 20th among 30 teams.

"We're not happy, make no mistake about it; this is not where we want to be," said

outfielder Trevor Plouffe, whose solo home run in the second gave the Twins a 3-2 lead on

Friday. "But you can't dwell on it; you have to just keep going at it and try to win the

next game. Nights like tonight are tough."

It's hard to blame the offense, though, when your starters are giving up seven runs a

game; the rotation's ERA stands at 7.00 after Carl Pavano lowered it by giving up four

earned runs in 6.1 innings on Friday.

"It comes down to pitching," Pavano said. I didn't do my job tonight, and we're looking

for a strong start tomorrow, there's no doubt about it. The game and the momentum of the

game is surrounded by pitching, and I didn't do a good job of setting that tone tonight at

all."