Update: Twins center field hopeful Aaron Hicks hit three home runs in his first four at-bats in Thursday's exhibition game against the Phillies, including a leadoff homer to left against Cliff Lee.
The Twins trailed 6-5 after seven innings.
Hicks is competing with Darin Mastroianni and Joe Benson for the starting center field job, and is batting .385 with four home runs during spring training.
He also homered in the fifth and seventh innings today.
Come back to startribune.com later today for more on Hicks' power display.
I'm up in Clearwater for the Twins-Phillies showdown while Phil Miller takes it easy in Fort Myers with Twins-Red Sox.
Good pitching matchup here as Twins righthander Kyle Gibson faces Phillies lefthander Cliff Lee. Gibson gets to face some of the Phillies
Aaron Hicks is on the trip here as he continues to impress manager Ron Gardenhire and the coaching staff. The former first round pick is putting himself in position to make the jump from Class AA New Britain to the majors. Gardenhire has assurances from GM Terry Ryan that he could take Hicks north if he earned the spot, and Hicks has played the best of the candidates to this point.
Are the Twins serious about bringing Hicks north, or will they become conservative and have him start the season at Class AAA Rochester?
