DH Ruiz continues his hot hitting as Twins win eighth in past nine

Ruiz is 9-for-20 (.450) in nine exhibitions and leads the team with seven RBI.

Star Tribune

Last update: March 11, 2008 - 1:35 AM

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TWINS 4, FLORIDA 2

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JUPITER, FLA. - Randy Ruiz swatted a bases-loaded double for three RBI in the third inning, and that carried the Twins to a 4-2 exhibition victory over the Florida Marlins on Monday. The Twins are 8-4 in the Grapefruit League, with eight victories in the past nine games.

Ruiz is a 6-3, 235-pound righthanded hitter. He's a 30-year-old from the Bronx. He's expected to be the designated hitter for Class AAA Rochester.

"I've been saying all spring we like the way he swings the bat," manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Ruiz is 9-for-20 (.450) in nine exhibitions and leads the team with seven RBI.

Starter Kevin Slowey and five relievers combined to give up 13 hits and three walks but only single runs off Jesse Crain in the seventh and Julio DePaula in the ninth.

Crain gave up three hits and a walk in his single inning, yet Gardenhire, pitching coach Rick Anderson and the righthanded reliever all were pleased with his outing.

"It's nine months since [shoulder] surgery, so I don't have any complaints about the way I threw today," Crain said. "My slider was very good. If I have that slider all year, I'll be happy."

Gardenhire was not happy with second baseman Alexi Casilla's no-chance attempt to turn a double play in the ninth inning.

"Just make the routine play to first base and get the pitcher one out from finishing the game," he said. "It's simple, but [Casilla] wants to try to be spectacular."

PATRICK REUSSE

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The Twins cut 12 players from camp Sunday.

Catcher Jose Morales was optioned to Class AAA Rochester. Righthanders Jose Mijares and Oswaldo Sosa were optioned to Class AA New Britain.

Righthanders Amando Gambino, Zach Day and Deolis Guerra, lefthander Brian Duensing, catchers Jeff Christy and Allan de San Miguel, infielders Alejandro Machado and Felix Molina and outfielder Darnell McDonald were assigned to the minor league camp.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III