Twins lose to Phillies 9-5; Gibson yields one run in five innings

FORT MYERS, FLA. – Righthander Kyle Gibson has fallen into a pretty good groove.

"I think I'm getting a little bit more used to going five, six innings every five days," he said.

The Twins probably won't make him stop there. Seven innings? Eight? How about a complete game now and then?

On Tuesday, Gibson demonstrated what he can do when his mechanics are sharp and his pitches are moving. While the Twins eventually lost 9-5 to Philadelphia, Gibson gave up one run over five innings for his latest solid outing.

Over his past three starts, Gibson has a 1.93 ERA. His offseason goal of refining his delivery is yielding the desired results.

"Efficiency, that's what I'm trying to be in the delivery," he said. "Throwing pitches, trying to attack and trying to take some stress off the arm, lower back and other parts of my body that shouldn't be stressed."

His only mistake Tuesday was a solo home run by Freddy Galvis in the fifth inning.

Philadelphia scored twice in the eighth to take a 3-0 lead when the Twins rallied.

Ehire Adrianza homered to right, Benji Gonzalez hit an RBI double and Eddy Rodriguez scored on a groundout by J.B. Shuck to tie the score at 3-3.

With Gonzalez on third, Travis Harrison — the 50th overall pick by the Twins in 2011 — sent a line drive into the berm in left to give the Twins a 5-3 lead.

The lead didn't last long. Lefthander Buddy Boshers, who's trying to win a spot in the bullpen, began the ninth. It was ugly as he was rocked for five runs in two-thirds of an inning. His spring ERA soared to 8.59.

• Twins officials want to meet with lefthander Glen Perkins about advancing his rehabilitation schedule. Perkins has not been throwing with 100 percent effort yet as he works his way back from shoulder surgery last year.

The Twins hit the road again Wednesday when Phil Hughes faces the Astros at West Palm Beach. Dallas Keuchel will start for Houston.

La Velle E. Neal III