The Twins are lucky the PGA Championship was in Chaska while they were fumbling through a 2-4 homestand against KC and Cleveland. This kept most of the Twin Cities sports media too busy to compile their baseball obituaries. Had Patrick Reusse been at the Metrodome, instead of Hazeltine National, it’s a good bet we would have heard his trademark sign off, “See you in Fort Myers.”

Is it really over? Longtime readers know I’m a glass-is-half-full kind of guy. The Tigers and White Sox continue to give the Twins hope with their own failings. Can you believe, for example, the Tigers have been worse on the road (24-36) than the Twins (23-34)? I’m not saying the Twins can win it, but I believe they can make September interesting.

“We have time to turn things around,” closer Joe Nathan said. “This isn’t something that’s going to happen overnight. We’re going to have to bust our butts to get out of this funk. But at the same time, one game can turn a lot of guys’ confidence around. We’re looking for that spark, something to kind of rejuvenate us and get us on track and build some confidence in this clubhouse.”

What will it take?

“Usually it’s those games where you battle back and have a huge comeback win,” Nathan said. “That usually fires up a team, gets them on a run. Hopefully we have something in mind on this road trip [to Texas and KC], we’ll see.”

GIBSON SITUATION

Nobody should be surprised the Twins have pushed their negotiations with first-round pick Kyle Gibson close to today’s 11 p.m., deadline. But I was surprised to learn last evening that the sides remained at least $1 million apart, with one participant describing the talks as “chilly.”

This is the kind of story that won’t draw much attention unless the Twins come up empty tonight. Much can change today, of course, and my guess is the talks will thaw, with the sides reaching an 11th-hour deal.

STRANGE, BUT TRUE

With the Twins opening a four-game series at Texas tonight, here are two items I wrote about Sunday but still can’t quite believe.

(*) Nathan’s last save chance was July 29. I have triple-checked it, and it’s true. The Twins are 4-11 since then, and their wins have been by these scores: 10-1 (at Cleveland), 11-0 (at Detroit), 7-1 (vs. KC), 11-0 (vs. Cleveland).

(*) Rangers phenom Neftali Feliz, 21, has made five relief appearances, displaying a 98-mph fastball and impeccable control. In 8 2/3 innings, he has allowed two hits, with 16 strikeouts and no walks. This doesn’t bode well for Nathan’s comeback victory hopes if and when the Twins fall behind this week.

Note: La Velle is covering the road trip, so check his blog for updates.

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