If the Minnesota Twins expect to make their longest road trip of the season a successful one, they're going to have to find a way to end their struggles in Oakland. 

Frank Thomas got a chuckle out of the realization his Oakland Athletics had finally strung consecutive wins together. 

When it comes to squeezing the most out of bargain basement talent, the A's have nothing on the Minnesota Twins, Dayn Perry says. 

The Minnesota Twins are halfway through their longest road trip in 39 years. 

When it comes to squeezing the most out of bargain basement talent, the A's have nothing on the Minnesota Twins, Dayn Perry says. 

Knowing how many steps must happen in perfect order to throw out a runner from the outfield, Minnesota's Denard Span wasn't the least bit surprised to see Tug Hulett being sent toward home. 

Denard Span did his part to keep the Minnesota Twins from falling further behind in their playoff chase. 

Denard Span did his part to keep the Minnesota Twins from falling further behind in their playoff chase. 

Denard Span did his part to keep the Minnesota Twins from falling further behind in their playoff chase. 

Denard Span did his part to keep the Minnesota Twins from falling further behind in their playoff chase. 

Major league bullpens were again abuzz with news last week: Old faces returned, while some new young guns served notice that they were forces to be reckoned with. 

MEDICAL WATCH: RF Michael Cuddyer (strained tendon in left index finger, broken left foot) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 28. 

--DH Randy Ruiz walloped a sixth-inning pitch from Ryan Rowland-Smith a dozen rows into the right-field stands, his first career home run. 

Jason Kubel circled the bases and was accepting congratulations in the dugout on Sunday when umpires overruled the original call and informed him his home run was actually just a foul ball. 

The longest road trip of the season for the Minnesota Twins started on a positive note, but has turned sour in a hurry.