The Twins have taken their defensive drills seriously this spring, making several strong plays Tuesday during an 8-5 loss to Tampa Bay.
Reliever Brian Duensing jumped as high as he could in the fourth inning to stab a chopper that was headed for the outfield. He then wheeled and threw to first for the out. He also started a 1-6-3 double play in the fifth.
Shortstop Pedro Florimon raced to his right in the sixth to scoop up a ground ball, then threw off-balance to second base to start a double play.
One batter later, Rays designated hitter Leslie Anderson sent a deep drive to right-center that allowed Joe Benson to show off his speed as he ran it down for the final out of the inning.
After turning five double plays Monday, the Twins added three more Tuesday.
"We really played some great defense out there,'' manager Ron Gardenhire said.
Woodworked
Trevor Plouffe's two-run double in the first opened the scoring. And the Twins led 5-2 in the eighth, but the Rays scored five runs off reliever Tim Wood, who hit 94 miles per hour on the gun but lacked command.
Tampa Bay also stole three bases off Wood, who is trying to quicken his delivery to the plate. Hak-Ju Lee stole second and third off Wood, and catcher Danny Lehmann stole second.