Video (01:55) : Twins righthander Tyler Duffey says Friday he's still pitching as though rotation spot is there for the taking, rather than all but sewn up, as Twins officials have hinted.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The veterans who are competing for bench spots on the Twins' roster had a big day Friday.
Ryan Sweeney helped stake the Twins to an early lead with a two-run double, and when the Red Sox rallied, Carlos Quentin put the Twins back in front with a tape-measure home run over the little-Fenway monster, powering the Twins to an 8-6 victory over Boston at jetBlue Park.
Sweeney and Quentin, each of whom have nine seasons of major league experience but who were out of baseball last season, are hoping to earn spots as reserves or pinch-hitters, and each has had a solid spring so far. On Friday, Sweeney smacked a double into the right-field corner off Boston starter Rick Porcello in the second inning, breaking a 1-1 tie by driving home Eduardo Escobar and John Ryan Murphy.
After the Red Sox took a 6-4 lead with a four-run seventh — Ryan LaMarre's three-run home run off Casey Fien was the big blow — the Twins tied the game on a Buck Britton double. Then Quentin, 33, smashed a fastball from Boston righthander Roman Mendez far above the heads of the fans atop the left-field wall, putting the Twins ahead for good.
Tyler Duffey allowed one run in four innings for the Twins, utilizing a changeup more extensively than he has ever before. Duffey gave up five hits, but just two after the first inning, and walked none while striking out two.
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