FORT MYERS, FLA. – Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on Friday gave as many regulars a day off as he could, leading to an interesting lineup against the Red Sox.
Including Eduardo Escobar in left field.
Escobar has essentially taken Alexi Casilla's spot on the roster after he came over with Pedro Hernandez in the Francisco Liriano trade to the White Sox in July. Casilla left as a free agent and signed with Baltimore. Escobar will be used all over the infield, but he started in the outfield Friday during the Twins' 8-3 victory over Boston.
Gardenhire said he liked how Escobar moved in the outfield. He also saw Escobar go 2-for-4 with three RBI, raising his spring batting average to .339.
"He looked comfortable out there,'' Gardenhire said.
Escobar also is the emergency catcher. He recently caught two innings in a minor league spring training game to prepare for the role.
Jamey Carroll batted leadoff and was 2-for-4, raising his spring training average to .280. Wilkin Ramirez started in center field and was 2-for-4, boosting his average to .415.
"We did a few things different,'' Gardenhire said. "That's good.''
