Twins at Seattle. Seattle 2, Twins 1,

The bad news is this is the third pitcher’s duel in a week that the Twins lost because the bullpen couldn’t quite do the job. The good news is we’ve had at least three pitchers' duels in a week, and two of them were Brad Radke starts. We’ve established that he has at least three different personalities, which thus far in the season he’s rotated between. But the last two starts he’s been quite Radly, though you have to wonder whether, if the hitters (and fielders) keep giving such paltry performances, he might start sucking again in protest.

You couldn't blame him. Four weeks ago, he gave up 24 runs in less than two innings to the Tigers, and the Twins gathered themselves to score eight runs. Tonight he essentially shuts the Mariners out through six and he gets bupkus.

Speaking of bupkus, Juan Rincon was hois't by his own petard by blowing a fielding play on a bunt. And, while neither “petard” nor “bupkus” has anything to do with, you know, butts, they sound like they do, and really, that’s what matters. Because that's really the word that defines this game. Radke pitched well but the bullpen couldn't hold on. The Twins had a number of chances but couldn't convert. Batgirl loves her boys but sometimes she wishes they'd step it up more in close games. Because, otherwise, at the end of the year when they award all those division championships, we'll find ourselves with bupkus.