Bonser changes approach, tosses 4 shutout innings

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: March 14, 2008 - 6:46 PM

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TWINS 4, PITTSBURGH 1

Up next: at Philadelphia • 12:05 p.m. today • TV: FSN (1500-AM)

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FORT MYERS, FLA. - Twins righthander Boof Bonser is trying to mend the broken relationship he's had with his changeup.

"Last year, I threw like maybe one or two a game,'' he said, "and that was amazing."

On Friday, Bonser did what was unthinkable a year ago and threw about six during the Twins' 4-1 victory over the Pirates. Bonser pitched four shutout innings, giving up three hits and walk, while lowering his ERA to 3.00.

Bonser has been a fastball, curveball and slider pitcher. Scouts have praised his slider at times, and he has used his curveball to disrupt the timing of opposing hitters. This year, his goal is to throw more changeups and to mix all his pitches more.

"I threw them for strikes [Friday]. That's the main thing," he said.

Bonser was 8-12 with a 5.10 ERA last season, but he's being asked to become a key contributor in the Twins' rotation. He lost more than 30 pounds during the offseason, a sign that he's serious about advancing his career.

"Bonser was good ... very good,'' Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He threw a lot of strikes."

Michael Cuddyer was 3-for-4 with two doubles on Friday, raising his spring training average to .357. Carlos Gomez was 2-for-5 with a double and triple.

Former Twins Doug Mientkiewicz and Luis Rivas each had two hits for Pittsburgh. Rivas is batting .400 in camp and Mientkiewicz .320.

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