Bonser looks quite a bit better
Righthander Boof Bonser was clobbered for three runs on five hits Saturday against Cincinnati in Sarasota. "That hour-and-a-half bus ride didn't treat me too good," he said.
It was great motivation for him Wednesday as he threw three scoreless innings against Pittsburgh, looking like the pitcher who held down a rotation spot down the stretch last season.
"I think it was location [Wednesday]," he said. "That's something I didn't have in my last outing."
Bonser, Ramon Ortiz and Carlos Silva each have thrown scoreless outings this week, an encouraging sign.
"Boof came in and threw the heck out of the ball," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That was fun to see. He was really into it. That's what we're looking for, stretching our starters out."
PLAYER UPDATES
• Lefthander Ricky Barrett gave up two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning, then felt something in his elbow. He will be checked out today.
• First baseman Ken Harvey, coming back from a strained chest muscle, can do everything but hit. Infielder Alejandro Machado, out because of a weak shoulder, can do everything but throw. "Put them together and you have a heck of a ballplayer," Gardenhire said.
• Outfielder Lew Ford (sore right knee) is making progress but is several days away.
• Second baseman Luis Castillo, out because of a stiff back, will play today against Boston.
• An MRI of Matt Garza's neck showed nothing serious, but he will see a neurologist today.
• Infielder Jeff Cirillo remains out because of a sore neck.
MADE THE MARK
The Twins said they have sold 1 million tickets for the regular season, the earliest they have done so since 1993. In most cases, a team can project attendance by doubling the number of tickers sold before Opening Day. Twins President Dave St. Peter said 42,000 seats have been sold for Opening Day on April 2, and about 2,800 new season tickets have been sold.
ETC.
• The Twins have scored 19 runs through eight games. Tampa Bay (15) is the only team in all of spring training to have scored fewer runs.
• Fans can vote online at www.RawlingsGoldGlove.com for the all-time Rawlings Gold Glove team. Torii Hunter, Kirby Puckett, Jim Kaat and Vic Power are current and former Twins players on the ballot.
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