JUPITER, FLA. – There's no word from the Twins on who will be the fourth and fifth starters in their rotation. But Tommy Milone is making a strong case for himself.
The lefthander was, for the most part, sharp once again Thursday as the Twins beat Miami 8-4. Milone gave up two runs over six innings on six hits and one walk, his spring training ERA resting comfortably at 2.40.
His only blemish came with two outs in his sixth, and final, inning. His 87 mile-per-hour fastball was pulverized by Giancarlo Stanton over the left field fence and the office building that sits behind it. Stanton does that to a lot of pitchers.
"At that point, you have to just watch and admire the strength that he has," Milone said.
Milone was rolling at the time, pushing his scoreless innings streak to 10⅓ innings in Grapefruit League games before Stanton's blast.
The Twins are deciding between Milone, Ricky Nolasco and Tyler Duffey for the final two rotation spots. Milone has been the steadiest of the three this spring.
"This whole spring training, I've felt the fastball command has been the key to how successful I have been," Milone said.
Park in good place
Molitor envisioned days, especially early in the season, when he would have to sit designated hitter Byung Ho Park down as he adapts to a different league with different pitchers and much more power.
That might not end up being the case. Before Thursday's game, Molitor noted how Park has not looked overmatched most of the games he has played in. The South Korean slugger has a team-high three homers and 12 RBI in 14 games and is batting .300.
