Jones goes very deep against Chamberlain

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: March 5, 2008 - 5:48 PM

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TAMPA, FLA. -- The New York Yankees watched Joba Chamberlain pitch 19 times during last year's regular season without seeing any hitter get him the way Garrett Jones did Wednesday.

Jones turned on a fastball from Chamberlain and launched a two-run homer over the right-field wall in the fifth inning of the Twins' 7-5 victory at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla.

"I guess if you're going to give 'em up, give 'em up big," Chamberlain said. "Because he didn't miss it."

Chamberlain burst into the majors last season and gave up only one run in 24 innings pitched. Boston's Mike Lowell hit a home run off the hard-throwing righthander on Sept. 16, and that was it.

Chamberlain struck out 34 of the 91 batters he faced.

"I've heard everything about him," Jones said. "Big fastball. He's the big hype right now as far as the Yankee bullpen. So, yeah, you think about that, and those are the guys you get fired up to face."

Jones, who is out of minor league options, appears to be fighting for the 25th and final spot on the Twins roster, so this was a big moment for him. He batted .208 with two home runs in 77 at-bats for the Twins last year, his first major league experience.

"I feel a lot more relaxed," Jones said. "I feel like I definitely belong, and I could help the team win. Gardy's giving me a lot of chances, in the outfield and playing first, more than I could ask for. I'm just trying to improve from last year."

Slowey struggles in second outing as well

A starting rotation spot was basically Kevin Slowey's to lose heading into spring training. Two appearances in, the righthander is in jeopardy of losing it.

Facing the Yankees' A-lineup, Slowey gave up three runs on five hits and two walks in two innings, leaving his spring ERA at 14.73.

"Last year, just being in big league camp was a big honor," Slowey said. "This year, there's certainly a wide-open competition for spots on the team. And I don't want to just be here, I want to be getting better and proving that I belong."

Slowey has pitched just 32/3 innings, so Gardenhire isn't jumping to conclusions.

"He did it last year, made adjustments, and it's up to him," Gardenhire said.

Liriano has time

Francisco Liriano is scheduled to pitch two innings Friday vs. Boston in his first spring game, and Gardenhire said there's still time for Liriano to get ready to open the season on the roster.

"Absolutely," Gardenhire said. "... He'll have his pitch count up there somewhere around 90 pitches -- 80-100 pitches -- by the end of spring, and that's plenty."

Etc.

• Craig Monroe, who has missed the past week because of a strained muscle in his left lower leg, is set to return today.

• Joe Nathan, who hasn't pitched since Friday because of a tweaked ankle, will pitch one of the next two days, Gardenhire said.

Upcoming

Livan Hernandez will make his second start as the Twins play host to Baltimore today in Fort Myers.

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