Uphill battle for Perkins

It's going to be an uphill battle for Glen Perkins to make the Twins' squad out of Spring Training, after he gave up three runs in one inning in Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

Perkins' ERA after the stint was a stout 27.00. Unless he pitches nearly perfectly for the rest of the spring, it will be hard for him to get his ERA to respectibility.

Perkins had an outside chance to make the team's roster as a starter, but was more likely to be a left-handed relief pitcher. Now it's better than even odds, I would say, that he starts in Rochester.

Ricky Barrett, who had a scant chance to make the roster before Thursday's game, has nearly no chance now. He also gave up three runs, two earned.

Other Twins pitchers fared better: Scott Baker, Matt Guerrier, Pat Neshek, Casey Daigle and Julio DePaula each pitched an inning (Baker pitched two) and each gave up no runs. Baker gave up three hits, but no runs.

One Twins loss, the first spring game. Oh well.

At least Francisco Liriano is in camp, and by most reports, throwing well. That's a good sign.