Crash course: Fresh minor league callups Jason Kubel and Terry Tiffee
have been squeezing in extra fielding practice before and after games
in order to better acclimate themselves to the Metrodome's tricky
turf and deceptive ceiling.

"We're giving them as much as we can and they're doing OK,"
Gardenhire said. "We've got a good bunch of kids here. It's fun
baseball."

According to Kubel, the extra work has already started to make a
difference with his approach on fly balls.

"It's real tough, but you've got to get used to it," Kubel
said. "It's a little better than I thought it would be. You just have
to concentrate a lot more."

As for Tiffee, he impressed the Twins with his defensive showing
after being thrust into Wednesday's game as the second baseman.

"I think he's OK," Gardenhire said. "He looks pretty comfortable."

Tiffee was thrown right back into action on Thursday, receiving the
starting nod at third base.

"So far, so good," Tiffee said. "Every day I'm feeling a little bit
better. Them giving me a shot to play is great. That's all I want --
a chance to show them that I can play."

According to Gardenhire, Kubel's chance to showcase his abilities
isn't far off.

"We'll get him out there and swinging," Gardenhire said. "We're going
to get him in some games, we just have to be patient here."