DUNEDIN, FLA. - Tsuyoshi Nishioka slapped a single to left field in the first inning Sunday, improving his spring training hitting streak to nine games.
But most of the talk before and after the single was about his defense at second base.
While it remains to be seen how much of an impact Nishioka will have at the plate, the Twins know they are getting a superb defensive player.
In that aspect, they won't miss the steady and sure-handed Orlando Hudson, who left as a free agent after one season. They have watched his reflexes, quickness and soft hands in the field and see why he was a three-time Gold Glove winner in Japan.
"I'm not going to say it now," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said, "he might have one over here, if he plays like he's been playing here. He's got as good of hands as I have seen. He's quick."
Nishioka had one of the Twins' four hits on Sunday as they struggled against starter Jesse Litsch and four other pitchers during a 3-0 defeat to the Blue Jays. Twins righthander Scott Baker, who said his elbow still makes him take longer to warm up, gave up one run over four innings.
LA VELLE E. NEAL III
