Bartlett shows progress

BY JASON WILLIAMS
Pioneer Press

Jason Bartlett had an up-and-down first week back in the minors.

It seems the shortstop has started to turn things around offensively, batting .300 (6 for 20) through his first five games with Class AAA Rochester. But Bartlett had committed two errors and was picked off twice in a three-day stretch.

Bartlett, however, was to receive some expert instruction on all fronts this weekend. Hall of famer Paul Molitor, the Twins' minor-league base running and infield coordinator, was scheduled to arrive in Rochester on Friday.

Molitor should be able to help the speedy Bartlett overcome his base-running gaffes and help him rediscover his approach at the plate. One thing the Twins want to see Bartlett do more is bunt.

'That's why Molly's going down there, to work on that stuff,' said Jim Rantz, the Twins' minor league director.

Tested

For the first time this season, a Twins minor league team has been tested for banned performance-enhancing drugs. Per order of the commissioner's office, every player on the Class A Fort Myers Miracle roster was tested at midweek.

Rantz said if any player tests positive, the commissioner's office's procedure is to notify Twins general manager Terry Ryan via letter. A positive test results in a 15-day suspension.

Briefly

Pitcher Daylan Childress, whom the Twins claimed off waivers May 6 from Cincinnati, was sent to Class AA New Britain last week after struggling with Rochester. He was 0-1 with a 10.38 earned-run average in five relief appearances. The demotion, in part, was to clear a roster spot for Brent Schoening to come off the disabled list. Childress, 26, will be afforded the opportunity to pitch more with New Britain, and is slated to start today.

Through Thursday, Class A Beloit right-hander Anthony Swarzak was leading the Midwest League in strikeouts with 65 in 54 innings. A second-round pick last year, Swarzak, 19, is a command and control guy whose fastball averages around 90 mph.

Right-hander Scott Baker suffered his first loss of the season Thursday, when he allowed four runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings against Buffalo. But Baker (2-1, 2.34 ERA) suffered a groin injury, and he might miss his next scheduled start.

Catcher Corky Miller had four hits in 10 games since the Twins outrighted him to Rochester earlier this month. That's three more hits than he has recorded in the majors the past two seasons.

Entering Friday, Fort Myers center fielder Denard Span was leading the Florida State League in hitting with a .365 average. Fellow former first-round pick and teammate Matt Moses was ranked fourth in the league in hitting with a .342 average. If they continue their hot hitting, the Twins might promote both to Class AA New Britain later this summer.

Although he was the tough-luck loser, former Gophers All-American pitcher Glen Perkins had his best outing of the season Thursday for Fort Myers. The Stillwater native allowed only one run on five hits in six innings (complete game) in the Miracle's 1-0 loss to Vero Beach.