SARASOTA, FLA. - Kevin Correia knew he didn't have to impress a new team with his first outing of spring training. So he simply focused on getting his work in during the Twins' 5-3 loss to Baltimore on Saturday in the spring training opener for both clubs.

"I've had enough spring trainings to where I've had terrible spring trainings, great spring trainings, mediocre spring trainings and they really don't have much bearing on what you do during the regular season," said the 32-year-old Correia, who has pitched in 10 major league seasons.

"You just want to end spring training confident in what you are doing. We have a long time 'til then."

Josh Willingham hit a two-run homer and Clete Thomas had two hits in the game, the Twins' first of 35 in spring training.

Correia has a career ERA of 5.75, so he has had to ignore March results before. He posted a 7.71 spring ERA last year but was able to go 12-11 with a 4.21 ERA with the Pirates during the season.

Correia did work his way through two innings Saturday, giving up a run on two hits and a sacrifice fly. Four of the six outs he got were on ground balls.

"It was good," said Correia, who is expected to help stabilize the back end of a revamped starting rotation. "I was around the plate for the most part."

There's family expansion on his mind, too. Correia will make one more start before leaving for San Diego to be with his wife, Diane, who is about to give birth. Then he will hop on a red-eye flight and return to camp. Fatherhood first.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III