KANSAS CITY, MO. -- Twins manager Ron Gardenhire knew his team got away with one in Thursday's 8-2 victory over the Royals.
"We overcame a baserunning mistake, which is something we haven't been doing," Gardenhire said, referring to the third inning, when Michael Cuddyer was thrown out trying to steal third base. "Cuddy thought he had a chance. We talked about it. That's probably not a good opportunity there. [Sean O'Sullivan's] pretty quick to home, and looked like we had him on the ropes."
Quick scouting report: Tonight's starter for the Royals, lefthander Danny Duffy, 22, was Kansas City's third-round pick in the 2007 draft. He throws his fastball low- to mid-90s, and features a curve ball and change-up.
He had trouble commanding his curve during spring training, but that's common for pitchers in Arizona, and Duffy might have been trying too hard to make an impression. He did very well at Class AAA Omaha, and has improved in each of his first three major league starts -- vs. Texas, at Baltimore and at Texas -- cutting his walks from 6 to 3 to 1.
Update: Joe Mauer went 2-for-5 with two singles and a walk as the DH in an extended spring training game today and is scheduled to catch five innings on Saturday.
Jason Kubel had an MRI exam on his sprained left foot which showed inflammation but no fractures or ligament damage.
TWINS (18-37)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, SS
3. Justin Morneau, DH
4. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
5. Danny Valencia, 3B
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Ben Revere, RF
8. Luke Hughes, 2B
9. Drew Butera, C
