FORT MYERS, FLA. — Twins righthander Carl Pavano has been pleased with the new middle infield of shortstop Alexi Casilla and second baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
"Every time I've pitched they've done a good job," said Pavano, who pitched four scoreless innings in a 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
The combo turned their first double play together in the fourth, when Nishioka snatched a hard-hit grounder by Lyle Overbay, spun and fed Casilla to start the double play.
Casilla was 1-for-3 with a double; Nishioka was 1-for-2. Manager Ron Gardenhire wanted more speed and agility up the middle, and he definitely has it with the two 26-year-olds.
"The more they are out there, you'll probably see quite a few of those athletic plays like that," Gardenhire said.
Nishioka told the Japanese media after the game that he was pleased to turn his first double play, which a Japanese reporter relayed to Pavano.
"I didn't know that," Pavano said. "I'm going to have to congratulate him on that."
