Pridie impresses during double duty

Last update: March 4, 2008 - 12:13 AM

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The odds seem stacked against Jason Pridie in the three-way competition for the Twins' center field job, as most of the playing time in center is going to Carlos Gomez and Denard Span.

On Monday, Pridie found a way to narrow the gap, by playing well in two games -- one on either side of Fort Myers.

The Twins played a morning B-game against the Red Sox. Span started in center and Pridie in right, and Pridie went 2-for-4 with a double as the Twins played to a 2-2 tie.

Pridie rode the bus back to Hammond Stadium, where he replaced Gomez in center field for the eighth inning and made two nice running catches in the Twins' 8-6 victory over Cincinnati.

"He's definitely a different player than he was last time here," manager Ron Gardenhire said, referring to Pridie's brief stint with the Twins in the spring of 2006. "A little more confident. ... He looks good."

Gardenhire said Pridie is more versatile than Gomez and Span, which is one reason Pridie also plays left and right field. Pridie said he doesn't mind, as long as he gets his at-bats.

"Everybody knows I can play defense," he said. "I've just got to show them what I can do -- just take advantage of every situation I get and just see what happens."

B-game at-bats don't count toward official spring stats, which show Pridie at 3-for-9, Gomez at 2-for-8 and Span at 2-for-7.

Crain cranks it up

Jesse Crain hadn't appeared in a game since May 15, so he was pleased with his one inning of work in the B-game.

The righthander gave up one run on two hits, but coming off shoulder surgery, the results were secondary.

"I felt strong," he said. "I was just a little jumpy, which isn't surprising. ... I was able to throw all my pitches and was real comfortable the first time back out there.''

Crain will get an extra day or two to recover before his next game, pitching coach Rick Anderson said.

Etc.

• Francisco Liriano has another bullpen session today, and if it goes well, his next appearance will be in a game.

• Nick Punto jammed his left pinkie knuckle sliding into second base Sunday and did not play in either game Monday. He is scheduled to be on today's travel squad.

• Scott Baker started against Boston and gave up two hits in three scoreless innings.

• Glen Perkins, who started against Cincinnati, held the Reds to one run in two innings despite giving up two hits and two walks. He got them to ground into two double plays.

• Philip Humber pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning against the Reds. He took a liner off the back of his leg but was fine afterward.

Upcoming

Boof Bonser will start for the Twins today against the Tampa Bay Rays in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Fla. The Rays will counter with Edwin Jackson. Delmon Young is not scheduled to make the trip to play his former team.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

AND LA VELLE E. NEAL III

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