Rogers makes strong debut in B game

Polanco homers from right side, but Twins fall in six innings, 2-1

March 9, 2015 at 5:08PM

BRADENTON, Fla. — Twins fans aren't going to want to hear this, but Vance Worley looked ready for Opening Day during Monday morning's B game at the minor-league Pirate City complex. The former Twin — Minnesota's opening day starter in 2013 — struck out Byron Buxton twice and Miguel Sano once in three shutout innings, and Pittsburgh nominally "won" the informal six-inning competition, 2-1.

The Twins had reason to be encouraged by their own pitchers, though, as left-handers Taylor Rogers and Jason Wheeler each pitched two scoreless innings, facing a Pittsburgh lineup made up mostly of major-league veterans. Rogers, facing major-league hitters for the first time in his career, struck out former Brewer Corey Hart to end the first inning, and threw a terrific changeup to induce a double-play ball from Brent Morel in the second inning.

Right-hander Tyler Duffey didn't fare as well, however, giving up back-to-back doubles and allowing two runs while recording five outs.

Jorge Polanco, batting from the right side, provided the only offense for the Twins, crushing a home run to left field off former Padres left-hander Clayton Richard. It was Polanco's second home run of the spring, though it won't appear in the official statistics because it was an informal, unofficial game.

Buxton missed a breaking ball from Worley for strike three in the first inning, and looked at an inside fastball to whiff in the third. Buxton lined a single off Richard in the sixth, however. Sano also struck out twice, the second time appearing frustrated after chasing a looping curveball from ex-Astro and Red Sox reliever Mark Malancon.

Sano's results in the field were mixed, too; he alertly turned a double play early in the game, tagging the runner before firing to first. But he also allowed a grounder directly at him to scoot through his legs for an error.

about the writer

about the writer

Phil Miller

Reporter

Phil Miller has covered the Twins for the Star Tribune since 2013. Previously, he covered the University of Minnesota football team, and from 2007-09, he covered the Twins for the Pioneer Press.

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