FORT MYERS, FLA. - Twins righthander Scott Baker couldn't get out of the second inning on Tuesday. He didn't have great command, ran up three-ball counts and couldn't put some hitters away.

Manager Ron Gardenhire had to pull Baker with two outs in the second and replaced him with lefthander Jose Mijares. Baker was charged with a run on two hits and a walk over 1 2/3 innings during a 5-0 loss to the Red Sox.

No one seemed concerned about the outing. They were just happy to see Baker on a mound.

After suffering a setback in recovery from elbow surgery, Baker was a bit behind other pitchers in camp. After taking some time off and working his way back to the mound, he believes he has caught up and is on the right path to the regular season.

"I felt pretty good about [the outing]," he said. "I felt nothing. No pain, just a little inconsistency."

Twins pitchers gave up five runs, four earned, on 13 hits while walking three batters. Joe Benson committed a fielding error in right. Ben Revere with charged with a throwing error in center.

Danny Valencia had two of the Twins' four hits.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III