Glen Perkins didn't have the outing he hoped for Thursday afternoon in his return to a major league mound.
Perkins, out more than a year while recovering from shoulder surgery, made eight rehab appearances over the last month. He was added to the Twins' roster before Thursday's doubleheader and was soon summoned to pitch in a big league game for the first time since April 2016.
With the Twins trailing 7-3 in the ninth inning in Game 1, manager Paul Molitor gave Perkins a chance to pitch. Perkins later called his 2017 debut "erratic." He retired only one batter -- giving up two runs on two hits, a walk and two hit batters. Minnesota lost 9-3.
"I let it get the best of me," Perkins told reporters about his emotions on the mound. He added: "It felt good to get back out there ... I know I can do better."
Of the cheers he received from his home-state fans, Perkins said: "I appreciate that more than anybody knows."
Perkins and his wife Alisha took to Twitter to share more thoughts.
