JUPITER, FLA. – There's no word from the Twins on who will be the fourth and fifth starters in their rotation. But Tommy Milone is making a strong case for himself.

The lefthander was, for the most part, sharp once again Thursday as the Twins beat Miami 8-4. Milone gave up two runs over six innings on six hits and one walk, his spring training ERA resting comfortably at 2.40.

His only blemish came with two outs in his sixth, and final, inning. His 87 mile-per-hour fastball was pulverized by Giancarlo Stanton over the left field fence and the office building that sits behind it. Stanton does that to a lot of pitchers.

"At that point, you have to just watch and admire the strength that he has," Milone said.

Milone was rolling at the time, pushing his scoreless innings streak to 10⅓ innings in Grapefruit League games before Stanton's blast.

The Twins are deciding between Milone, Ricky Nolasco and Tyler Duffey for the final two rotation spots. Milone has been the steadiest of the three this spring.

"This whole spring training, I've felt the fastball command has been the key to how successful I have been," Milone said.

Park in good place

Molitor envisioned days, especially early in the season, when he would have to sit designated hitter Byung Ho Park down as he adapts to a different league with different pitchers and much more power.

That might not end up being the case. Before Thursday's game, Molitor noted how Park has not looked overmatched most of the games he has played in. The South Korean slugger has a team-high three homers and 12 RBI in 14 games and is batting .300.

Now Molitor is saying he believes Park might be able to handle more exposure during the first weeks of the season. Things could change, but Park has influenced Molitor's thinking.

"It's been a little better than I expected," Molitor said of Park's adjustment. "That's kudos to him for being the player that he is, the hitter that he is. I thought velocity would be a little challenging for him, upper-end velocity. But he seems to have handled that well.

"He's got those attributes of a hitter. Bat speed and bat quickness, eye-hand [coordination]. A little bit of a guess hitter, which is OK."

Home opener details

Hall of Famer Rod Carew, on the comeback trail following a massive heart attack in September, will throw out the first pitch during the Twins home opener April 11 against the White Sox, the club announced Thursday.

The day will be begin with the Twins' annual breakfast on the plaza at 9 a.m. D.J. Mad Mardigan will perform on the balcony overlooking Target Plaza from noon to 2:15 p.m. Live music by Bones and Beeker, meanwhile, will take place from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. at Target Field Station.

The national anthem will be performed by Caroline Smith.

On deck

The Twins head to Port Charlotte on Friday to play the Rays for the final time this spring. Ervin Santana will start for the Twins vs. lefthander Drew Smyly.

La VELLE E. NEAL III