Bowyer could get big-league chance soon

BY JASON WILLIAMS
Pioneer Press

Class AAA Rochester relief pitcher Travis Bowyer was passed over for a promotion to the Twins this weekend when pitcher Scott Baker was sent down to Class AAA Rochester and infielder Terry Tiffee was recalled.

But the right-hander's big-league debut could be quickly approaching, especially if the Twins deal reliever J.C. Romero by the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

In recent weeks, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and general manager Terry Ryan have discussed the possibility of promoting the hard-throwing Bowyer, who entered Thursday leading the International League with 19 saves. An IL all-star, Bowyer, 23, was 3-1 with a 1.71 earned-run average.

'He's been at Triple-A almost a year now, and his numbers indicate that he's ready for the next level,' said Jim Rantz, the Twins' minor league director.

If the left-handed Romero, whose name has been mentioned in trade talks with Boston all week, is dealt for hitting help, veteran Terry Mulholland would be the only remaining left-hander in the bullpen.

Bowyer would get the first crack at replacing the hard-throwing Romero. But Rochester left-hander Francisco Liriano also could get a look during September call-ups.

Liriano, viewed as one of the Twins' future starters, has been impressive since being promoted from Class AA New Britain last month. Liriano is 3-1 with a 2.31 ERA in six starts at Rochester. He has 45 strikeouts in 39 innings and has allowed 10 walks.

Control was a concern while Liriano, 21, was with New Britain, but his overall numbers have been better in Class AAA.

'Some guys, when you throw a challenge out, step it up,' Rantz said. 'Maybe he realizes he's close to the next level. He's done a nice job of staying focused.'

Briefly: Second baseman Luis Rivas was 3 for 4 with a double and a run batted in during Rochester's 10-7 win over Charlotte on Thursday. It was his second game with the Red Wings since the Twins demoted him last weekend. 'They (the Red Wings staff) tell me he's ready to go, and attitude is half the battle,' Rantz said.

Rochester's Jason Bartlett hit a home run in three straight games last week, further indication he has corrected the problems that led the Twins to demote their Opening Day shortstop to the minors in May. Bartlett was batting .320 through Wednesday, but he isn't expected to be recalled anytime soon. The Twins have an abundance of middle infielders, and the club wants Bartlett to play everyday.

Rookie-level Elizabethton had a 14-game winning streak ended in a 10-8 loss to the Princeton Devil Rays on Thursday. During the streak, Elizabethton swept three doubleheaders.

Third baseman Henry Sanchez, the 39th overall pick in the June draft who signed July 15, made his professional debut with [Fort Myers] on Friday. He did not have a hit.