Gardy expecting more balance from Twins

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins finished April with a 12-12 record to post a .500 record in the first month of the season for the first time since 2010, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he's not quite satisfied with .500.

The offense carried the Twins in April, as they averaged 5.45 runs per game to rank second in the Majors behind the Angels. But starting pitching was again a problem, as Twins starters combined to post a 6.08 ERA that ranked as the second-worst mark in the Majors, ahead of only the D-backs.

"I don't know if you're ever satisfied going .500," Gardenhire said. "I'm satisfied we're scoring runs. We have an attitude in there where I don't think we're ever out of a game. I like that a lot. But I think we can improve and our starting pitching can be better. But I think we've improved in a lot of areas such as quality at-bats and things like that and walks and everything. But .500 is never your goal. I know where we've been, it could be, based on the last couple years."

Gardenhire said he believes the starting pitching will get better as the season goes along, and he wants to see what the Twins can do if they can keep their offense going as well. Walks have been a key for Minnesota so far this season, as the club set a franchise record with 123 walks in April.

"I think we stole some games, but also gave a few away too," Gardenhire said. "So we have ways to improve, and it mostly comes with starting pitching. We have to get those guys on a roll and get more consistent. Once we do that, I'll be excited to see what we do with that."