FORT MYERS, FLA. – The players expected to make the Twins’ regular-season roster managed only three singles in 18 at-bats Tuesday and were shut out by the Phillies. But with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, five Twins minor-leaguers staged a dramatic three-run rally and salvaged a 3-3 tie at Hammond Stadium.
Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa return; Twins and Phillies play to 3-3 tie
Byron Buxton returned to center field, Carlos Correa debuted and the Twins had nine pitchers make an appearance before their minor leaguers staged a dramatic rally.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
February 28, 2024 at 12:11AM
Willie Joe Garry Jr., an outfielder who played at Class AA Wichita last year, smacked a bases-loaded, two-strike single to right field, scoring the tying runs and helping the Twins snap a two-game losing streak in Grapefruit League play.
The game was most memorable, though, for Byron Buxton’s first appearance in center field since Aug. 22, 2022. Buxton received a loud ovation from the 7,133 in attendance as he jogged to his position. He played four mostly quiet innings in center, with only a couple of base hits coming his way. Buxton chased down a two-out double by Phillies shortstop Trea Turner that reached the wall, but otherwise was not tested.
He went 0-for-2 at the plate, flying out to right field and striking out in an eight-pitch at-bat in the fourth inning.
Carlos Correa went 1-for-2 in his 2024 debut, but the Twins were mostly silenced by Phillies pitching — until the ninth.
Nine pitchers threw an inning apiece for the Twins, with Griffin Jax recording three strikeouts on 12 pitches in the second inning.
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