SARASOTA, FLA. - After two spring training starts, Twins righthander Carl Pavano is having a hard time finding anything to nit-pick, but that doesn't keep him from trying.

He made quick work of the Orioles for three innings in Thursday's 2-0 victory, throwing just 27 pitches, then went to the bullpen for more work.

"I don't know what happened in the bullpen to the guy that was throwing strikes for three innings," he said. "The guy in the bullpen was terrible."

Manager Ron Gardenhire could only chuckle. With Pavano, there's "always something," he said.

The Twins' projected Opening Day starter has allowed two hits and no walks over five scoreless innings. But Pavano said Gardenhire would have hooked him from his bullpen session if he'd seen it.

"Too much pressure out there," Pavano said. "All those ghost hitters."

JOE CHRISTENSEN