Ill Twins CF Gomez doesn't start

5/15/2008 2:58 PM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -Twins center fielder Carlos Gomez was slowed by illness and out of Thursday's starting lineup against Toronto.

Gomez told manager Ron Gardenhire he could play, but the decision was made to let him rest. Gomez was inserted in the ninth inning as a defensive replacement for Craig Monroe.

Batting .272 with 22 runs, 12 extra-base hits, 14 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 147 at-bats, Gomez has provided plenty of production and excitement as Minnesota's new leadoff man. He recently became the first Twins player to hit for the cycle in nearly 22 years.

But with only five walks and 41 strikeouts, plus five errors and a few missed cutoff men, the 22-year-old is still prone to be erratic.

``He's the biggest don't-know-what-you're-going-to-get player that I've had,'' Gardenhire said, adding: ``Our goal is to get it to consistency, and we're working on it. It's fun to watch. Honestly, it's fun to watch. ... He has a smile on his face, and he loves to play.''