Gardenhire tells Alexi Casilla (2004-05) not to be down

By Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins manager Ron Gardenhire talked to Alexi Casilla to make sure the shortstop didn't blame himself for Saturday's 1-0 loss against the A's, when his throwing error in the sixth inning led to the lone run of game.

"He feels really bad about yesterday, but I told him this is a 'We' game and an 'Us' game," said Gardenhire, who talked to Casilla after the loss and before Sunday's game. "We had plenty of chances as a team, so a loss doesn't fall on one person's shoulders. It's really important to put him back out there today. He's our shortstop."

Casilla, 26, also was down on himself for failing to plate a run with no outs and runners on the corners in the fifth inning, when he grounded back to the pitcher. Casilla entered Sunday's game with a .188 batting average to go along with a .235 on-base percentage and .313 slugging percentage.

"He wants to get off to a good start and he wants to be the guy," Gardenhire said. "So we'll see what happens with this young man. Either he gets it done or he doesn't. But this is a good time for him. He's an athlete and he can really play. He just has to do it on a consistent basis."

Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Bollinger Beat, and follow him on Twitter @RhettBollinger. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.