Twins Fall To Tampa, Three Stars

You could possibly argue the order in which those three are mentioned, but nonetheless, each had a good spring training game and has something to build upon.

Let’s start where it all starts for a baseball team, starting pitching. Left-hander Tommy Milone made his second spring training start of the season.

Before the game, GM Terry Ryan was asked what he would look for in a starter’s second spring start. He said, “Each outing they go, you’re just looking for them to be a little sharper, a little better command. Then there’s pitch count. Stretch him out and keep stretching him out. He threw pretty well the last time out. This should be a good challenge because this is the same team he faced last time out. It’s one of those things that you pay attention to. You see the same team, they got a good look at you.”

Last time out, Milone went two innings. The goal was for him to reach three innings in this outing, and he did just that. He completed three shutout innings, allowing three hits without a walk. He also struck out three batters.

Milone said that he felt good on the mound. “Throwing the fastball where I wanted, especially in, was pretty important. I think it was good to face a lineup with a lot of lefties. Get some balls inside and then work away.”

He was also able to work out of trouble a couple of times. In the second inning, he gave up a one-out double. In the third inning, he gave up a double and an infield single. In both situations, he kept the Rays from scoring, something his manager, Paul Molitor, thinks will be important for Milone.

“Tommy did a real nice job with base runners today. (He) contained guys that were trying to run; holding the ball, trying different moves. He’s going to have base runners along the way because he’s not really a strikeout guy. That’s important for him.”

Milone said, “Especially early in camp, second game out, it’s nice. Obviously you don’t want to be in those situations, but it’s a learning experience to get through that and get your confidence up there.”

Overall, Molitor, was pleased with the lefty. “I thought it was another good day. He’s using his fastball plenty for a guy who’s throwing 86, 87. His deception is good enough. He’s commanded his offspeed pitches so far in his first couple of outings where he’s been effective. He’s jamming right-handers. He’s got them out in front of the change up. A good day.”

Milone summarized his outing by saying, “Any time you go out and throw up zeroes, it’s a good day.”

Brian Dozier had a terrific game as well. The second baseman made a long running catch on a short liner in shallow right field. However, he also went 3-3 at the plate.

His manager was very happy with, not just the results, but with the process Dozier used. “He had a really good day today with the bat. He stayed on a couple of pitches back up the middle. He’s a guy that most of his power is pull, but obviously when we can use more of the field especially deeper in the count, it’s going to be advantageous for him to increase opportunities to get on base. It was good to see. And even in his last at-bat, taking the ball out to right center.”

If he can do some of those things, like use the whole field and cut down on the strikeouts, over time he will begin to hit for a higher batting average.

The third guy that had a very good game for the Twins on Wednesday was Chris Herrmann. In his first at-bat, he hit a line drive down the left field line that landed fair and bounced into the seats for a ground-rule double. In his second plate appearance, he hit a hard ball that got through the first baseman for an error. In his final at-bat of the day, he absolutely crushed a fastball, beyond the right field fence, beyond all of the seating and to the back of the concourse for his first home run of the spring.

After catching in his previous appearances this spring, he got the start in left field on Wednesday afternoon. As I wrote Tuesday, Herrmann was working with a first baseman’s glove and being tutored by Doug Mientkiewicz. The plan is for Herrmann to play some first base on Thursday. Herrmann insisted that he really wants to let people know that he is a catcher first and foremost, but Molitor says that his ability to play other positions will be a factor in his opening day roster decision.

“Versatility is important for him. He didn’t really get a chance really to catch at the big league level last year because he was used in the outfield or DH or pinch hit. We’re still considering him for backup (catcher) possibilities, but the fact that he can do other things is one of his advantages as far as his profile and what we’re going to do when filling out the roster. Trying to mix him around. I’m going to get him out there at first base tomorrow in the second half of the game because he’s got to be able to do that too if he’s going to make this team. So, yeah, versatility is one of his assets for sure.”

The other key story from Wednesday’s game was that it was the first appearance in a game this spring for Josmil Pinto. He’s been working out more the last full days. Terry Ryan said it was important for him to start getting some game action as spring training is in full swing.

Pinto got three plate appearance. He worked a walk in his first plate appearance after fouling off several pitches. He had another long battle with the pitcher in his second plate appearance though he ended up grounding into a double play. He flew out to the warning track in left field his third appearance.

Molitor just wanted to make sure he was ready to go. He added, “The last thing you want to do is have a lingering leg injury as a catcher. He told me he was ready. He got through it cleanly today so the plan is to catch him tomorrow unless he comes in tomorrow and says that he had a setback. He said he felt fine during the game today. We’ve got to get him back on the plate, starting tomorrow.”

The Twins lost the game 5-2, but there were some very good moments in the game that are encouraging. Of course, spring training is about different things for different players. Many are competing for roster spots or to make an impression.

Molitor was asked about Trevor Plouffe who is clearly going to open the season as the team’s starting third baseman. He said, “Spring training is a process. Sometimes you approach things different. For some guys, it just doesn’t happen right away. It’s not a matter of not preparing, or not working hard. It’s just kind of how they’re going about their process of getting ready.”

On Thursday, the Twins will be home again, this time against Mike Redmond and the Miami Marlins. Phil Hughes will take the ball to start.

Also, minor leaguers hold their first official practice on Thursday. I’ll be there, so again, be sure to check back to Twins Daily, follow Twins Daily and Seth on Twitter, and “Like” Twins Daily on Facebook for updates throughout the day.